‘design super stuff is...’ an evolving inspirational resource featuring favourite finds, new product launches and images from design exhibitions, graduate shows and trade fairs. Thanks for looking and ...Enjoy!
Came across this great book at the weekend. Here's a preview of some of the pages.
"Desire is an up-to-date comprehensive survey on furniture and object design today showcasing the crème de la crème of designers culled from around worldwide. It presents celebrated designers who represent the Modernists, creating sophisticated designs that are redefining the formal language of Modernism blending the restraint of form with the refined use of materials. They are featured along with the inventors; visionary designers who continue to challenge our perception of design with futuristic shapes, and the experimental, innovative and often unprecedented use of materials."
You can find the details on my 'book of the week' listing.
Tassel Light by rothschild & bickers. Saw these at 100%...This is what they say about their lights
"Inspired by Victorian decadence, these lights combine a contemporary free blown form with
sumptuous fabric tassel. By blending these elements the Tassel light sits equally well in both
modern and period interiors. This light combines classic form and rich vibrant colours to infuse an oriental flavour. The optical glass has a precious jewel quality that emanates diffused shadows of colour through out the room. "
www.rothschildbickers.com
Love these hand printed photograpghic wallpapers from Deborah Bowness. You can find these and more on her website at
www.deborahbowness.com
I loved this collection that Spanish designer and artist Jaime Hayon designed for Lladro shown at Rossana Orlandi's space in MIlan. Jamie seemed to be the man of the show in Milan this year having also designed a range of shoes for Camper and launched a new book of his work published by Gestalten.
Orla Kiely's prints have translated really well into this new range of stationary that has just been launched at Maison & Objet.
I've been in touch with the company that produces this but unfortunately they've no supplier info at the moment.
New Swedish lighting brand Wästberg has just launched these cool task lights designed by Ilse Crawford, Claesson Koivisto Rune, James Irvine and Jean-Marie Massaud.
www.wastberg.com [via Dezeen]
Graham & Brown have colaborated with Monsoon to develop this new range of wallpaper. Original artwork from the Monsoon archive has been used to inspire these stylish patterns. All the designs are available in several color ways that are synonymous with the Monsoon brand. This is Monsoons first ever range of wallpaper and is available now from the Graham & Brown Website
www.grahambrown.com
I love these Lata Pigan (“Lazy Maid”) floor brush and pan set. Produced by Swedish company Iris Hantverk and designed by Tove and Hans. The Beautiful quality of the wood almost makes me want to do some cleaning... almost.
Tove and Hans are two sculptors who have become increasingly oriented towards design and production. The Iris group owned by Synskadades Stiftelse and has close ties with the the visually impaired. Within the group, business benefits are combined with benefits to society. The production facility employs visually impaired craftsmen from a range of cultures.
www.hantverk.iris.se
One of the most popular design super stuff posts of last year featured the Kenzo Maison Collection. So here's an update of images from Maison 08 for all you Kenzo lovers.
You can find more images and info from
www.kenzo.com
This is my current favourite Glassware, it's by Czech based designer Anna Torfs. She exhibited two collections at Maison Objet, Basic and Edition. The 'Basics' collection represents the origin of Anna Torfs’ work. She starts from basic forms such as a cylinder, a sphere or a drop. These shapes are then altered using cuts, overlay of colours and other techniques. The Edition collection is a continuation of Anna’s unique approach to glass, most pieces in this collection are based on geometric shapes that undergo intense manipulation. Pronounced colours and sharp cuts are applied to create dynamic, energetic pieces. This collection is produced in editions and each piece is numbered.
All of Anna’s pieces are handmade in the Czech Republic. Herwork is infused with her wonder at how the techniques of glass blowing, cutting and sanding – which have hardly changed over the past 200 years – can lead to contemporary objects. Anna has developed new techniques together with great glass masters, bringing fresh and surprising creations to an old tradition. Each piece is made by hand, each piece is unique, each piece carries the warmth with which it is made.
www.annatorfs.com
My favourite of the show was 'The Japan Style' showcased in the 'Now' design Hall 7 at Maison Objet in Paris. This collection features 17 product techniques by a Japanese designers and represent “products that blend age-old Japanese craft making techniques with the sleekness and appeal of modern design” these designs have been firmly built upon traditions and refined over many generations evolving as they pass through each generation. The products below are examples of the variety of techniques featured.
This 'Traces of Layered Ceramic' tableware collection by Aida Yusuke is made from a technique called neriage, in which slices are cut from a layered combination of several clays. This beautiful tableware is made in a kiln which is the only one in the world that has mass production capacity for ceramics made in this sophisticated Japanese neriage technique. www.yusukeaiada.co.jp
Kurikyu's Japanese wooden ware, or magewappa is made with blending and coating techniques that bring out the beautiful texture and straight grains of Akita Cedar. These lightweight items are both works of art and daily functional objects.
www.kurikyu.jpKanazu Sen-i's environmentally friendly bags are made using mostly plant- origin materials, which are 100%, biodegradable and do not produce hazardous gases when burned. Materials include a base fabric of polylactic corn fibres, natural cotton threads and buttons made of biodegradable plastic. The fibres are pleated or scrunched to give elasticity, allowing the bags to be folded for easy storage.
www.knaplus.com
I love these teacup lamps by Malin lundmark which were featured in the Fragiles show at design Miami.
"Fragiles is an eclectic collection of contemporary porcelain, ceramic and glass objects by a new wave of designers who are manifesting their creative visions out of fragile materials. Fragiles presented over one hundred innovative objects that expand and challenge our notion of these classical materials and traditions, simultaneously exploring a new aesthetic approach and technological boundaries. From experimental and avant-garde to evocative retro-inspired reinterpretations, these cutting-edge examples indicate how visual culture and high tech production processes are influencing and reshaping this delicate territory in pioneering ways". You can find more of the Fragiles collection at www.die-gestalten.de/fragiles
Holland Electro [HE] have collaborated with Marcel Wanders to launch a new collection of Home appliances. 'Pandora' is a small table with an integrated super woofer accompanied by two wireless 'Egg' shaped speakers that create a sterio sound for music on your laptop or mp3 player. This collection also includes a microwave that incorporates a TFT screen and DVD player on the door.
Ain't those bunnies cute! [via designcrack] www.he-marcelwanders.com
If you haven't already got your nordic spruce... quick buy one of these Christmas Tree posters. Available from www.atypyk-e-shop.com
Australian graphic/product designers Buro North claim their plywood flat-pack Christmas tree is “80% more environmentally friendly” than a traditional fir or spruce. It is made with environmentally aware ingredients, they are CNC routered with waste material minimised by design, the flat pack tree is emissions-efficient to transport and the most sustainable feature of the ‘green’ tree is that you can use it for many Christmases to come. Available in 3 sizes at www.buronorth.com
The boys from naughtone have designed this modular sofa which looks super comfortable. We really love the contrasting button detail on the seats, which compliments its sleek profile. The tactile waffle finish is from bute fabric’s braemar collection. It's also nice to see a hand made british product on the market. Available fromAria
www.butefabrics.co.uk www.naughtone.com
I love these lights by Australian based designers Rina Bernabei and Kelly Freeman. These lights were inspired by traditional archetypal cloth lampshades. Made from perforated and folded aluminium, the superlight thin metal gives them a delicate paper-like quality. You can see more of Bernabeifreeman's work at thier web site at www.bernabeifreeman.com.
Danish/Italian Design duo Gam Plus have designed these "Antropomorfo [human form] Chairs" These cute looking chairs have been inspired from children’s drawings and designed in cartoonish proportions. The chairs will launched by Swedish Company Swedese in February at the Stockholm furniture fair.
www.gamplusfratesi.com
www.swedese.se
Metallic finishes is a trend that's been continually reinvented season after season. I love these pieces, which have just a touch of bling to give the products that luxury detailing without going over the top. 
I love this new collection of garden furniture called Canasta from B&B by Patricia Urquiola. She's taken inspiration from tradiational Vienna straw, with its decorative geometric weave and magnifed the proportions to create a contemporary look. You can find more of the collection at www.bebitalia.it
Jethro Macey a BA(Hons) 3D Design graduate from University College Falmouth, designs and makes interior and in this case exterior products. He recently won the prestigious Elle Decoration British Design Awards; one of the highest accolades in the industry. Jethro’s Lace Embossed Concrete Tiles beat off stiff competition from Timorous Beasties for Brintons Carpets, Committee for The Rug Company and Barnaby Barford for Thorsten Van Elten, to win Best Flooring Product 2007.
These concrete slabs have a repeating pattern, which has been converted from lace into a three-dimensional form using CNC milling and cast in concrete. You can find these and his other products on his web site. > click here
Japanese brand Metaphys have been doing the rounds at the trade fairs. Spotted this at 100% London and 100% Tokyo. The Hono light is ignited by touching it with a magnetic match and extinguished by blowing on it. The LED light source even flickers like a real candle.
Metaphys also presented their uzu cyclone vacuum, sooo much better looking than a dyson which in comparison looks like a cheap taiwanese transformer toy.
We love these lights by Paris based designer Inga Sempe. This traditional technique of micro pleating looks great on these contemporary shapes. You can find these and more of her work at www.ingasempe.com.
Byung-seok You's Natural Wave, Is a functional tray warmer. The ceramic tray's feet nestle cozily into any radiator's gaps, securing it into place, the radiating heat from the rad keeps your beverages and snacks Climate-controlled. I'd definitely buy one, if I er had old school radiators in my house. [via Core 77]
I am "delighted" to announce that this blog, Design Super Stuff, has been listed in the stylish and trendy Delightful Blogs - an honour indeed! Just in case you aren't familiar with Delightful Blogs, it is a blog catalogue filled with the blogs that are the best on the web, featuring interiors, design, fashion and much more. They are "Cutting Through the Blog Smog". There is such great stuff listed on delightful blogs and I'm proud to be listed with all of them.
Thank you Delightful Blogs!
Lace seems to be a growing trend with more and more designers updating the look by using it with new materials or mixing it with contemporary patterns. Marcel Wanders used it on chairs, lamps and animals at the Salone Milano. It has also featured heavily in this seasons fashion catwalks. We expect this will be a continually evolving theme in the interiors world.
We're loving these gorgeous glass pieces, particularly this new piece from Norberto Morettii [available at Vessel] There is just something about these organic shaped glass pieces with contrasting dramatic cuts that takes the breath away. Well that's if your as fanatical about glass as we are! 
While updating myself with my fellow bloggers I came across some pics of Ilse Crawford’s furniture which I thought worthy of a mention it's not a new collection but nevertheless still looks great, especially because it kick started the trend now everywhere for Victorian inspired turned wood. Having previously designed some gorgeous mirrored cabinets for Baleri Italia she crated these lacquered wooden pieces in conjunction with Ferrious and the rug with Christopher Farr. via style files.
www.ferrious.com
www.baleri-italia.com
www.christopherfarr.com
She has also recently completed the interiors for two new restaurants at Grand Hotel Stockholm in Sweden. The restaurants are Matsalen and Matbaren . Matbaren features a gilded narrative screen specially commissioned from Dutch/Belgian designers Studio Job. There are tables in natural wood, and raw Swedish primitive pieces from the 1700s. There is a mix of Swedish, Scandinavian and global pieces, such as Pyra chairs by Marten Cyren, lights by Jorn Utzen, and chairs by Vico Magistretti. In Matsalen the design seams more intimate and rarified, a place to spend time and features parquet flooring and chesterfield sofas in velvet. The lighting is a mix pieces with Swedish classics; a chandelier by Carlo Scarpa and the classic Swedish kitchen lamp, in brass. In a nod to the history of the Grand Hotel many of the chairs have been rescued from around the hotel and revitalised in soft naturally dyed yellow leather and partnered with chairs by Josef Frank from Svenskt Tenn.
www.studioilse.com
These pieces are the perfect combination of two new trends: a desire for furniture with a narrative and a new enthusiasm for the exuberant colour palette offered by vintage textiles. I love this juxtaposition of very traditional furniture with really interesting fabrics It also encapsulates a trend for recycling - giving old, well-made pieces of furniture a new lease of life. You can find these at Lisa Whatmough's Squint boutique in east London and in Liberty's.
People will always need plates have launched these limited edition versions of thier trellick tower illustrated mugs in black and gold metalic lustre. There's also a set of three dinner plates featuring london lankmark buildings, aparently only 100 avaiable. Available at vessel
This caught my eye first at New designers and then at Tent during london design week. Sena gu is a recent graduate from the ceramics & glass department at the rca. Am liking the humor in this product as well as refined detail and finish on this lemon squeezer. you can see more at www.sena.gu.com
These beautiful pieces of Glass were presented by 100% Norway at 100% design exhibition in London. Each designer has taken the 100% Norway key theme of sustainability and interpreted it in a new way. One example is Cathrine Maske’s Blue Wing Butterfly vase which has been designed to draw attention to a national species that is close to extinction – immortalised as it is forever now within multiple layers of glass.
More info on 100% Norway... www.norway.org.uk
Last chance to visit the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2007 by Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen ends 5 November 2007. If you haven't seen it already and your in town it's definately worth stopping by for a coffee to admire the timberclad structure which resembles a spinning top. There's a spiralling ramp which makes two complete turns, allowing visitors to ascend from the Gallery lawn to the highest point for views across Kensington Gardens as well as a bird’s eye view of the chamber below.
for more info on the sepentine... www.serpentinegallery.org
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Spotted the new Kenzo Home collection at Maison Object. It looked great, love the vibrant mix of scales patterns and textures! Check at Kenzo's web site at www.kenzo.com
More Steel bending... not a new concept but a quirky design nonetheless. Piegato by MRDO Products is a “sheet steel rack with a surprisingly high load capacity, laser cut and powder coated sheet steel” a simple design, allowing YOU to choose which you use as shelves and which as magnetic boards. www.mrdoproducts.com
Here's some lighting from Bon Marche in Paris. Particulalry liked these hand painted style shades. This store has a good variety of lighting from big brands to some smaller lesser known designers. It's always a destination store for me when I'm in Paris.
Le Bon Marche
24 Rue de Sevres
75 007 Paris.
Mater which translates as mother is another company I came across at Maison . Nice products and an even nicer stance on ethical trading and sustainability. This is what they say about themselves…
“founded in 2006, mater is a copenhagen-based company with a strong vision to create timeless and beautiful design based on an ethical business strategy. mater is committed to creating ethical, sustainable and socially responsible design in accordance with the principles of the un voluntary corporate responsibility initiative, the united nations global compact. mater is a global compact participant. we support united nations declaration of human rights, united nations global compact and the international labour organisation (ilo) fundamental principles and rights at work.” You can find our more on their website www.materdesign.com and you can also visit them on their stand at 100% Design.
Refer & Staer have updated thier ice chandelier in a new dark tint with this lovely cut glass for a extra bit of sparkle. They will be exhibiting at 100% design Sept 20th - 23rd. www.refer-staer.dk
Spotted these great little rotational moulding lamps with solar powered lights at Maison in the Design Now hall. By a company called Bloom from Holland check out www.bloempot.nu for more info.
Love this tray of candles from Pols Potten for this and other products check out www.polspotten.nl
www.konstantinslawinski.com
