Here’s a sneak peek at the latest concept for a house by Karim Rashid using I Saloni, Corian's "eco" solid surfacing material. The solid surface material has bio-sourced components and recycled materials.
Rendering images courtesy of the Du Pont website.
I remember back when I was still in college and sitting in on one of the lectures on Philippine furniture, there was a worthy mention on mirrored furniture. These were the pieces of furniture that had mirror panels cladded and following in the carcase form. Most antique houses had these with some bearing very intricate and delicate designs. We had one at my grandmother's house. It was very old and not in a very good condition.
My grandmother didn't belong to a wealthy family but she made do with what she had. She fashioned decorative pieces to tie in with her mirrored bedroom furniture theme. A kind of boudoir meets art noveau look. Everytime we go to her house, her room is still quite intact and most of the venetian furniture were still there. Somehow, remembering how the room looked like the last time I visited triggered some very nostalgic memories for me.
Nowadays, the "mirrored furniture" look is making a comeback. They can be seen on modern pieces and integrated into furniture pieces in highly stylized or geometric forms. These are great statement pieces especially in a room or hallways that desperately needs one. I most especially like the ones with hand-painted ornament details in them because they give an added "ooomph" to an already stately piece. The pieces I've seen have been mostly chest drawers so far but they've also been applied to consoles and other table furniture.
Aside from giving a room added character and a sort of understated femininity, it also adds to the illusion of space since it mirrors the elements in the room it is placed in. I'm glad that they've been adapted into modern pieces. This way it can now be clearly recognized as a dignified furniture style and not just passed off as a fab or a trend.
Ouch! That was my initial reaction when I saw this chair design by Belgian designers James Van Vossel and Tom de Vrieze. Then when I read the designer’s concept description, I was relieved to know that the material that they used was felt. Here’s what they had to say:
FF1 or Fox & Freeze1 is an indoor lounge chair made out of 1 square sheet of synthetic felt. There is no loss of material (except from the drilled holes), it is not supported with wood or metal or other. The Structure is self-supporting, the flax rope contracts the chair and finishes the chair aesthetically. The shell and base are not separated from the sheet but remain connected. Starting from a square surface, the felt sheet is twisted and twisted again, just like a scarf, ending in a symmetric and but also an asymmetric object, this is literally forms follows function.
So what do you think? I think the form is great since it is a modern interpretation of a classic club chair form, I just got a bit distracted on the pointed edges but otherwise, it is a good design. Here are some more photos.
It's a well-know fact that you lose important brain cells as you age and sadly these are the cells that our bodies cannot regenerate. But there's no cause for alarm, we are also designed not to lose these brain cells rapidly. We can utilize the ones that we've got by continually exercising them. Here's what I do, I still do crosswords, sudoku and I've even started playing Brain Challenge on the PSP to stimulate my brain everyday. My career field as an interior designer also helps me use my brain a lot with a lot of troubleshooting, material computations and design conceptualizations. I never let my brain go idle but I don't let it burn out as well. I still do allot time for leisure and relaxation.
As an additional option, there are also sites online which offer stimulating brain exercises and quizzes. It's just like enrolling for an online education where you can learn and have fun as well. There are also a lineup of test software to enable the developers design more interactive exercises designed for every age bracket. I particularly like the grammar quizzes because they help me keep my grammar in check since I've started writing again. I'm very thankful for sites like these. Not only do they give great help but they also offer the onsite service for free. Now THAT's something not worth passing on, don't you think?
Selgas Cano
Okia
Jack Rabbit
Wobedo Design has come up with sound absorbing panels that are not only beautiful to look at but also art statements on their own. They’re perfect for rooms where acoustics is badly needed while at the same time needing some wall accents.
Photo Credit: Mads Boedker
Photo Credit: Lars Plougmann
Photo Credit: Ellyjonez
Photo Credit: twoblueday
Photo Credit: j/f/photos
Photo Credit: moriza
Photo credit: Bjorn Giesenbauer
Photo credit: Cher Cabula
Poncho No. 8 is a small Mexican food restaurant in London whose interiors were designed by Something from Us. Ever since I saw the picture gallery off Contemporist, I must commend the designers for the effective use of color and rhythm to create a festive look within the restaurant. The vector art on the wall gives it a very cool contemporary look which adds a freshness and a young feel in the interiors.
Easter is just right around the corner and here some of my selections from Etsy if you want to decorate your house for this holiday. To view the product page just click on the product name.
Paisley Eggs from KimArt $20.99
Sweet Easter Wreath from jgillyb $55.00
Tatted Mini Easter Basket from PlumpFairy $8.00
Hand-painted Easter Garland from DianaEvans $15.00
Little Easter Chick from teresatudor $26.00
Spring Magnets from HenwithaHammer $9.00
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