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Etienne Meneau is the a French designer that makes the really different wine carafes. Know he is back with two new unique decanter sculptures. Below is one of them. You can see the other one here.
Earlier decanters by Etienne Meneau here.
tags technorati : etienne meneau decanters carafes wineAndra bloggar om: vin, glas, design, skulptur, konst
Chef Bill Granger brings his famously laidback Sydney brunch scene to Japan.
This is post by David Report contributor Kristina Dryza.
tags technorati : bills restaurant cafe design interior ShichirigahamaAndra bloggar om: australien, café, restaurang, design, inredning, japan
Every year I’m hosting a rose event called Rosor pĂ„ FalsterbonĂ€set (Roses at the Falsterbo Peninsula) in my hometown Falsterbo. I’m doing it together with the local nature preservation organisation (where I’m the vice president) and it concerns old roses, one thing I would not like to live my life without. This years event takes place June 26th at 5pm and we start in my own garden.
We will also visit a couple of other gardens which concentrates on old and English roses. The Scania Rose Society is co-organising the event and Monica BÀckström will talk about (and answering questions) concerning roses and cultivation.
If you are not able to come I’m adding some snapshots from my garden which I took this morning. Just let me know if you are in Falsterbo during the rose season (June-July) and a will happily show you my garden.
p.s My cat’s name is MĂ„nsâŠ
tags technorati : gardening old roses rosesAndra bloggar om: rosor, gamla rosor, trÀdgÄrd, odla
The essence of what Ilse Crawford and her Studioilse does is identity. They create the the big idea behind a brand its emotional values, and then make them visible and tangible through design.
The Olde Bell Inn encompasses a 16th century Tudor barn for big parties, a Malt House for medium gathering and dining rooms for a dozen or more, with parts of the building dating back to 1135.
Now The Olde Bell Inn has been gently transformed and is the first in a family of modern coaching Inns. Using locally sourced food cooked simply; eating drinking and lodgings. Ilse’s line is ‘Local chairs, local cheese’. 25 minutes drive from Heathrow and within hour of central London. You can say that Ilse is re-inventing the traditional English Inn.
Andra bloggar om: hotell, ilse crawford, design, inredning, möbler, england
Today it’s Midsummer’s Eve, probably the most important holiday in Sweden. So I thought I should give you some further information around it. As you probably have recognised I believe that regional traditions are supreme and important in our globalised and smoothed out world.
In modern Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve and Midsummer’s Day (Midsommarafton and Midsommardagen) are celebrated from the eve of the Friday between June 19â25. It is arguably the most important holiday of the year, and one of the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated, even if it has been influenced by other countries long ago. The main celebrations take place on the Friday, and the traditional events include raising and dancing around a huge maypole. One typical dance is the frog dance. Before the maypole is raised, greens and flowers are collected and used to cover the entire pole.
Raising and dancing around a maypole (majstĂ„ng or midsommarstĂ„ng) is an activity that attracts families and many others. People dancing around the pole listen to traditional music and many wear traditional folk costumes. The year’s first potatoes, pickled herring, sour creme, and possibly the first strawberries of the season are on the menu. Drinking songs are also important at this feast, and many drink heavily.
Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse. In the past it was believed that herbs picked at Midsummer were highly potent, and water from springs could bring good health. Greenery placed over houses and barns were supposed to bring good fortune and health to people and livestock; this old tradition of decorating with greens continues, even though most don’t take it seriously. To decorate with greens was called att maja (to “may”) and may be the origin of the word majstĂ„ng, maja coming originally from the month May. Other researchers say the term came from German merchants who raised the maypole in June because the Swedish climate made it impossible to find the necessary greens and flowers in May, and continued to call it a maypole. Today, however, it is most commonly called a midsommarstĂ„ng. In earlier times, small spires wrapped in greens were erected; this probably predates the maypole tradition, which is believed by many to have come from the continent in the Middle Ages. Others argue that some form of Midsummer pole occurred in Sweden during the pre-Christian times, and was a phallic fertility symbol, meant to impregnate the earth, but as there were no records from those times it cannot be proven, and this idea might just be a modern interpretation of the poles form. The earliest historical mention of the maypole in Sweden is from the Middle Ages. Midsummer was however linked to an ancient fertility festival which was adapted into St. Johans day by the church, even though it retained many pagan traditions, as the Swedes were slow to give up the old heathen customs. The connection to fertility is naturally linked to the time of year. Many young people became passionate at Midsummer, and this was accepted, probably because it resulted in more childbirths in March which was a good time for children to be born.
Midsummer is one of the only pagan holidays that are still celebrated in Europe (if not the only). In Denmark and Norway it is referred to as the eve of St. Hans but it’s only in Sweden that it has kept its original name. Midsummer rivals Christmas as the most important holiday of the year due to the copious amounts of alcohol consumed.
Text from Wikipedia.
P.s If you are unmarried, you can pick seven different flowers and put under your pillow on the night of Midsummers day. The one you will dream of will be your belovedâŠ
tags technorati : midsummer’s eve midsummer maypole sweden celebratiAndra bloggar om: midsommar, sommar, midsommarafton, traditioner
There are more ways of escaping from hassle and bustle of Tokyo than ski weekends and an occasional trip to hot springs. 2.5 hours on the train from Tokyo and you are in Southern Izu, a place famous for its nature, onsens and, of course, beautiful white beaches with clear blue water and waves perfect for surfing. The White Beach is located 30 seconds away from Ohama beach, Shimoda, one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches in Japan. Being the closest place to the beach the Clubhouse at White Beach takes care of all your needs from after-beach shower or cocktail to a fresh expresso or great meal any time of the day.
The renovated White Beach was re-opened on 14th June 2008 and the owners hope to bring back to Shimoda the optimism of the 1970’s when this hotel was built and share this Clubhouse and Hotel with everyone.
At White Beach each room has a different and unique feel. During the recent renovation of the hotel they decided to keep the period 1970âs wallpaper as each room has a different pattern - sometimes with contrasting prints on the wall and ceiling! The papers range from traditional bamboo thru stone, brick, leather, travertine, regency flock to a majestic rose print on wall and ceiling. Why don’t you try to match the room and itâs individual wallpaper to the mood of your visit!
You can also join White beach on Facebook here.
tags technorati : white beach shimoda japan vacation hotelAndra bloggar om: hotell, semester, japan, resa, strand
Here’s an interesting interview with fashion designer and artist Hussein Chalayan about the Level Vodka tunnel that he has designed.
tags technorati : hussein chalayan level vodka brand experienceAndra bloggar om: reklam, marknadsföring, vodka, hussein chalayan, varumÀrke
Contemporary design drives the Shaw + Smith wine tasting experience.
This is post by David Report contributor Kristina Dryza.
tags technorati : shaw smith wine contemporary designAndra bloggar om: vin, vingÄrd, arkitektur, design, provsmakning
Level Vodka invited star fashion designer and artist Hussein Chalayan to create a pioneering work of art with a focus on taste. He was given completely free rein. The result is The Level Tunnel â a 15 meters long and 5 meters high travelling installation that captures the essence of Level Vodka. But the road leading there was anything but straight. Follow The Level Tunnel Teamâs blog on the daily twists and turns of this spectacular project (the blog will only be updated during the tunnel events).
After the premiere in Mexico, The Level Tunnel will continue to Athens and Paris. It will visit each city for 1-2 weeks and is partly open to the general public. The visitors will experience the taste of Level Vodka with all their senses but one - sight. They wander blindfolded through the tunnel as they hear music from flutes made out of Level bottles, inhale scents of the super premium vodka, and are enclosed by the soft leather of the railing. And when they climb out, it all ends with a tasting event.
tags technorati : level vodka super premium hussein chalayanAndra bloggar om: level vodka, hussein chalayan, reklam, marknadsföring, kreativitet
Studioilse’s design of the Aesop shop translates the company values through a loving restoration of the historic fabric, paired with modern and clean interventions. As in all her work Ilse Crawford with her Studioilse has added a lot of emotions to the interior. Simple and modern design.
A central ceramic sink to emphasise the ritual of cleansing.
Brass - the material of Mount st.
Fit for Mount st: a gentleman’s armchair tailored in tweed.
Original pitch pine floor - “poor man’s parquet”.
tags technorati : studioilse ilse crawford architecture design aesopAndra bloggar om: design, arkitektur, ilse crawford, inredning, skönhet
Jurlique rebrands to focus on its biodynamic farming principles.
This is post by David Report contributor Kristina Dryza.
tags technorati : jurlique biodynamic branding sustainabilityAndra bloggar om: ekologisk, ekologiskt, mat, livsmedel, design, varumÀrken, varumÀrke, förpackningar
Whitecapri is a new label for bags and accessories from Berlin. The first collection Matchpoint is an homage to the great movie “Match Point”.
tags technorati : whitecapri berlin bags accessoriesAndra bloggar om: vÀskor, accessoarer, mode
The Ace hotel Portland: what a boutique hotel should look and feel like.
This is post by David Report contributor Kristina Dryza.
tags technorati : portland oregon ace hotel boutique hotelAndra bloggar om: hotell, resa, foto, design, inredning, portland
APOCALYPSE is a new company founded by industrial designers Petra Lilja and Jenny Nordberg. Based in Malmö, Sweden, they are designing sustainable products and services. The first product, The Soap is made from recycled cooking oil from the numerous Falafel stands around Malmö.
âWe look at waste as materials with a history and with a potential new life as a new productâ, says Jenny Nordberg. The method of Apocalypse takes the complete life cycle of a product in consideration. âIn The Soap we combine the old tradition of making cold processed soap with the use of a modern waste material of our home townâ, says Petra Lilja.
The sound track for the release of The Soap is composed by artist Andres Corazon who turned the oil barrels into oil drums.
Here’s the link to the soundtrack. You should definitely listen to it.
andres-corazon-apocalypso-now
Finally a picture from the APOCALYPSE lab!
Andra bloggar om: hÄllbar design, malmö, design, falafel
OPENnetwork is a tool for the creative industry by Danish Lynfbrikken. It’s all about inspiration, people and products. It’s a Panel-based rendering engine allowing mixing and comparison of multi-section content side-by-side as the basic information architecture - keeping the “let me quickly see what’s here” functionality from the old site, but greatly enhancing it’s potential. You can easily create collections of your favourites
The “Inspiration” section is populated by content gathered through numerous RSS feeds. Various workflows based on Yahoo Pipes (among others) are used to pull hard to get content, like Flickr Sets. Keeping the content sources for the “Inspiration” section strictly remote, allowed the developers to tap into the multitude of (mostly) freely available tools developed to manage the publication of online content - providing the users of OPENnetwork with a flexible and ever increasing platform of tools, like mobile-blogging, and the availability of highly personalized workflows for content publication. Making OPENnetwork exist as a node in a network rather than yet another self centered hub.
Of the numerous innovative features of the site, the ability to save a given selection of panels into a Collection (available as a RSS feed, permalink-able and print-able) makes it possible for users to create design Issues of their own. Products can be compared and saved as share-able inspiration or shopping lists, News articles can be referenced side by side and Persons can be located and recommended.
tags technorati : open network inspiration lynfabrikkenAndra bloggar om: internet, inspiration, design, arkitektur
I just read some comments to the latest David Report bulletin called “I shop therefore I am” in “The Marketer Who Went Off Consumption”. It’s a year-long book-as-a-blog experiment in why we choose to consume, or not, written by India based Gaurav Mishra. In a very clear and comprehensible way he is putting together a couple of important trends that in one way or another describes how our consumption pattern are about to change:
- From conspicuous consumption to conscious consumption.
- From brand-consciousness to background-consciousness.
- From synthetic to organic.
- From mass-produced to hand-crafted.
- From global to local.
- From short-term to sustainable.
- From fashionable to durable.
- From valuing things to valuing insights.
- From fitting in/ standing out to being.
- From buying more to buying less.
- From doing more to doing less.
- From multi-tasking to down-shifting.
- From buying to sharing/ exchanging.
- From owning to experiencing.
- From having to giving.
Sounds quite attractive to me⊠What do you think?
tags technorati : conscious consumption consumerismAndra bloggar om: shopping, konsumtion, trender, kultur
Shots on Brave New Worlds is the first collaboration by Designfilmpool, created by Mats Theselius and Oliver Vogt. 144 creative persons have been invited to interpret one side each of the book “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxleys in a 30 seconds film. If you happen to be in Stockholm on May 15, the film is played non-stop 6pm to 9pm at Research and Development, Kvarngatan 14.
tags technorati : Aldous Huxley brave new world mats theselius filmAndra bloggar om: aldous huxley, mats theselius, film, konst, litteratur
Swedish designer Thomas Bernstrand got an assignment from the city of Stockholm to design an outdoor area in the Rosenlund park. His proposal is called “stranden” which means “the beach” and is designed with sunny days by the sea in mind. And most important, to offer Stockholm people that relaxed summer feeling also during dark and cold November autumn days.
In total the sculpture, as Thomas prefer calling it, is 140m2 big and consists of furniture, trash bins and sunshades. And yes, it really reminds of a nice and relaxed summer day.
Andra bloggar om: stockholm, thomas bernstrand, design, sommar, skulptur, möbler
Since Finnish designer Sari SyvĂ€luoma moved to Norway in 1994, the Norwegian textile scene has changed forever. Despite its long history of colourful embroideries and elaborate folk costumes, Norway had never had a tradition of printed textiles that reflected contemporary sensibilities. When she accepted the role of textile designer at Sellgrens Veveri (known as Gundbrandsdalens Textiles today), SyvĂ€luoma introduced a range of expressive, eye-catching designs that had never been produced in Norway before. Since then, her work has put Norwegian textiles on the map. SyvĂ€luomaâs woven jacquards and printed fabrics have been exported internationally and even exhibited by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign affairs as examples of outstanding textile design.
âNot bad for a young Finnish designer, eh?â chides SyvĂ€luoma from her studio in Oslo, as she reflects on what sheâs achieved. âI was so happy to come to Norway and contribute with something that was really needed here then. When I came here, the government was just starting to promote good design and make it possible for young designers to show their work abroad. Itâs exciting to be part of a new movement and see how the design scene here is starting to catch up with its Nordic neighbours.â
SyvĂ€luoma says she designs âjust for funâ, because she regards textile design as a playful medium. Her work is characterised by a palate of soft colours, which she builds up in layers with the careful composition of a still life. She consciously creates whimsical motifs or casually sketches patterns so vibrant that the repeat seems to disappear altogether. âI would describe my style as quirky,â she said. âI love organic shapes and free-flowing patterns. I like contrast in colours, shapes and material.â
Contemporary Nordic interiors are often minimal, and SyvĂ€luoma likes to counteract cool decor with powerful patterns that hold their own in the interior, eclipsing the need for paint finishes, elaborate carpets and decorative detailing. âMy fabrics are designed to be draped across chairs, sofas, beds and windows,â SyvĂ€luoma said. âThey are intended to be a functional art form for the home, something that can say something about the personality of the person living there. I tell people: âthink of your home as your universe, filled with the things you love, things that tell the story of youâ.â
Today, SyvĂ€luoma works primarily as a freelance designer who also embarks on partnerships with other practitioners. She produces small-edition print runs for interior design boutiques and launched a range of childrenâs textiles in 2006. In recent years, she has expanded her client base to create interior fabrics for manufacturers in Britain, Germany, Finland and Hong Kong, but SyvĂ€luoma says she is not done with Norway yet. âA lot of my work is exported as âNorwegian Designâ, and thatâs fine,â she says. âBut my real work now is to bring more international influences into Norway, so that the people here can experience something more than just Nordic design.â
This is a post by David Report contributor Bradley Quinn.
tags technorati : design textile design sari syvaluoma norway
Andra bloggar om: sari syvÀluoma, design, tyg, textil, textilier, norge
My last report from the Milan Design Week 2008 concentrates on the Konstantin Grcic Myto chair exhibition at the Triannale. As always Konstantin presented a really serious show where the visitors could follow the design process behind the chair. Quite a different and interesting exhibition compared to a lot of “just the ordinary stuff” shows around Milan that week.
Work in progress.
The exhibition was put in a nice “cage”.
Test of abrasion resistance.
Myself, Konstantin Grcic and Ulrika Lövdahl from Absolut.
Plastic raw material.
Work process schedule.
Boxes for the Absolut Grcic glasses (I was involved in the design direction).
tags technorati : milan design week 2008 milan furniture fair konstantin grcicAndra bloggar om: design, möbler, inredning, milano, konstantin grcic, mÀssa
