As another Salone del Mobile approaches, one interesting development is to see how exhibitors and the rest of the industry will respond to a new manifesto that was published ahead of the event. The manifesto calls upon the industry to up its innovation and sustainability, citing specifically the need to embrace the “circular economy” and forge meaningful relationships with cultural institutions in the city.
The Neo Laminati collection is a reinterpretation of some of the 20th century’s most memorable design movements: Avant Garde, OpArt, the Memphis Group and Minimalism. All surfaced in high quality laminates, each piece in the collection is available in a range of finish combinations including three custom stripe patterns and a rainbow of pre-selected solid colors. Designed by New York-based interior design firm Kelly Behun which specializing in interiors and furniture design. Alongside artist Alex P. White, the Studio produces unique, highly customized environments that treat the domestic environment as more of a sculptural landscape than just a pleasing furniture arrangement.
The Toronto Interior Design Show is the place to be for design enthusiasts. Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre every January, the show sees the space transformed by hundreds of booths featuring the best of interior design from Canadian and international designers. The Moroso lounge celebrates Patrizia Moroso, who was IDS’s international guest of honour this year. Filled with iconic pieces of furniture typically reserved for museums, the lounge was a cozy, stylish refuge away from the bustle of the show floor.
As part of their ongoing commitment to creating new platforms for design, Caesarstone has collaborated with London design studio Raw Edges to produce Islands. The brief was to re-examine the domestic environment and the use of surface. With their signature creativity, Raw-Edges transforms the surface into the structure itself. Available in a range of sizes and proportions, Islands is designed for different functions within the home. As part of their ongoing commitment to creating new platforms for design, Caesarstone has collaborated with London design studio Raw Edges to produce Islands. The brief was to re-examine the domestic environment and the use of surface. With their signature creativity, Raw-Edges transforms the surface into the structure itself. Available in a range of sizes and proportions, Islands is designed for different functions within the home. Raw-Edges investigates the interaction between different sizes, materials, colours and textures within the interior space. Inspiration is drawn from Caesarstone’s Classico collection and in particular from its 2014 Supernatural designs, whose countertops star as the focal point of Islands. The surfaces’ strength, durability, …
Philippe Starck describes the concepts behind this latest lamps for Italian manufacturing firm Flos.
The Zephyr sofa by Zaha Hadid is a sculpted piece of lacquered fiberglass, designed for Italian furniture company Cassina Contract. The carved shape was inspired by nature and how rock formations are eroded and shaped by the wind over time. The deeply sculpted backrests and sinuous forms allow the sofa to be arranged in a number of different ways to create a renewed escape from traditional thinking. There was an extremely detailed development process; from prototype through the engineering and manufacturing stages in order to mould the fiberglass into the complex geometries. To produce the dynamic shape with sections carved from its solid base, the combined expertise of Cassina’s industrial, artisan and technological teams had to combine their talents, demanding the highest precision in the final stages. The uniformly lacquered finish, enhances the sofa’s shape and the patterning of cushioning, to further define its complex formal language.
Strap bench by Ottawa-based designer Christopher Solar, is a seat that is made of bold and woven seat belts. The webbed combination is framed by white oak, ash and walnut, which are personally selected by Solar. The piece is part of a collection that can be figured to seat or table-height sizes, varying lengths and with or without raised arms. The sheen seen on the mesh is a subtle two-tone effect best utilized when one colour is being featured. Detailed view of multiple straps being used to create a layered seat. Additional framework and webbing is also available.
British design and manufacturing company Tom Dixon has design GEM. Part of the Rough and Smooth collection, presented at this year’s 2013 Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy, like a mysterious chemistry experiment FLASK is a spherical object made up of two, hand-blown, glass components, with a ridged and rounded base and a smoked-glass hood.
After seeing the many products that Zaha Hadid has designed for this year’s 2013 Salone del Mobile. A question came to my mind: Can these pieces actually fit in an interior designed by Zaha Hadid? The following photo essay explores the age old question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? And does form really follow function? Guangzhou Opera House, 2003-2010 + Serac bench, 2013 Neil Barrett Shop in Shop, 2013 + Aria and Avia Chandeliers, 2013 Roca London Gallery, 2009-20011 + Mercuric Tables, 2013 Glasgow Riverside Museum of Transport, 2004-2011 + Gyre Chair, 2013 Aura – Villa Malcontenta, 2008 + Crest Bench, 2013 Is this a Zaha interior? Well, the Swash Cabinet is:)
The Swarm Chandelier for Established & Sons, designed by Zaha Hadid, expresses the sense of perpetual motion that characterizes the studio’s work. Its hundreds of reflective black crystals are suspended in petal-like volumes, as if thrown into space by a controlled explosion. From afar, the intricately layered chandelier appears as a unified whole, only revealing its varied modulations and sub-articulations upon closer examination. Photos courtesy of Established & Sons