Anthony
Perfect for your Eichler home kitchen.
Current era refrigerators updated with a retro feel.
"GET OUT OF THE BOX, and into a Big Chill retro refrigerator. Who says you have to hide your fridge by camouflaging it into your cabinetry?
Speak personality and make your statement. Unmistakably, The Big Chill will be
the conversation piece at your next party.
Our refrigerator is like a stylish ’57 Chevy Bel Air (only the fins are missing), for those who like to express a bit of style, uniqueness and enjoy terrific color.
This may look like your mama’s icebox, but the Big Chill includes
all of today’s functionality, efficiency, and dependability. The only thing we left
off was the chisel; no defrosting required!"
Link: Big Chill
Via: Wired
Modern wood benches.
"These slatted benches are constructed as meticulously jointed wooden frames in sections of 2 and 3 cubes. Their light airy structure provides ideal minimal impact seating but they can also be used as coffee or occasional tables or at the foot of a bed. Low profile leather cushions are available as accessories"
Link: Seri
Modern Garden Gazebo
New from modern furniture designer Richard Schultz:
"Our new Pavilion is a modern garden gazebo designed to define space and create shade. The structure is 100% stainless steel with pleated vinyl mesh top and side curtains. Choose from our modular components to create your own layout."
Link: Richard Schultz
Three designers + Panelite = Sweet Results
Interested in Panelite but not sure how to apply it? Looking for slightly different yet creative ways to use it? ID Magazine invited three designers to get creative with Panelite and the resulting concepts are "sweet".
"Bright, bubbly, and inclined to glow, Panelite panels make cheerful company. But this material is no floozy. Constructed of a honeycomb core of polymer, fiberglass, or aluminum sandwiched between fiberglass facings, it's strong and consistently rigid for its weight. A 4-by-8-foot panel, 3/4-inches thick, is 32 pounds, a feather compared to acrylic (144 pounds), or plate glass (316 pounds) in the same dimensions. What's more, the gumdrop colors and honeycomb cells produce vivid visual effects when light passes through the material.
What might other adventurous types do with Panelite? We asked the lighting designer Leni Schwendinger, industrial designer Gadi Amit of Newdealdesign, and graphic designer Mirko Ilic each to propose an application. They and their colleagues worked like drones to produce the concepts presented here."
Image: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects
Link: ID Online
Related: Panelite
Space saving stool that folds up to be stored in the closet.
Innovative stool designed by Natalie Cole and Wayne Pottinger of the recently formed Also Studio. The stool, made from birch ply (have we already said how much we dig birch ply?), folds up for convenient storing when not in use.
Link: Also Studio
Via: Wallpaper
Minimalist light fixture
Interesting light design found over at Funfurde:
"The Low Volt Light from SuckUK is about as minimalist a design as you'll see. There's no shade and no on/off switch, just a bare bulb and two hoops of wire. Put the bulb in one hoop and it turns on, put it in the other and it turns off. (Okay, there are a few more parts, like a cord so you can plug it in and a shiny reflector plate. But that's it. Really.)"
Via: Funfurde
Link: Suck UK
A classic <del>in chrome</del>
We've always loved the simple lines of the Emeco Navy chair. After looking up some info on Gehry's new Superlight chair by Emeco, we came across a picture of the Navy in polished chrome aluminum. Then it struck us: if our greasy fingers turn the polished backing of our iPods into a total mess after a few handlings, just imagine what these chairs will look like after a day or two. As beautiful as they are, our advice to you would be to order a big ol' bucket of chrome polish to go with your new chairs. Or, just don't touch or sit on them.
Oh, and as for the Superlight? Well, the jury is still out on that one. Ok, to be honest, we're not crazy about it. Which leads us to wonder how Joe's performance on the Navy would standup against a similar performance on the Superlight. Hmmm, Joe?
UPDATE: Today we received an email from Dan Fogelson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Emeco. He wanted to inform us that we incorrectly described the Navy as "chrome" when in fact it is highly polished aluminum and very easy to keep clean. Here's what Dan had to say:
"Thank-you for your mention of Emeco on your site. Emeco makes 100% aluminum furniture - we do not chrome plate our products (a process that is environmentally dangerous and temporary). The photo you show is of a hand polished aluminum Navy chair. Simple Windex or other non streaking cleaner keeps it looking great. Next time you are in NYC, stop by the Hudson hotel where our polished chairs have been used continuously for close to five years. And if you are in the US, I'd like to show you the new Gehry Superlight T chair for your review now that it is in production."
Thanks for setting us straight on the Navy, Dan, and we'll be sure to get in touch with you about the Superlight.
Link: Emeco.net
Link: Emeco Superlight Press Release
Link: Book of Joe
Finally....
Well, now that we've been online for just about two months, we decided it was about time to turn on the ability to receive reader comments for our entries. In order to submit a comment, all you need to submit is the comment itself. We ask for your name but it's not required (we'll automatically fill in "Anonymous" as your name if you chose not to include it). Also, we won't ask for your email addres, nor do we require that you provide a title. However, we'd prefer that you did, but it's up to you.
With that in mind, please keep your comments on-topic and relevent to the blog entry. Any comment that is off-topic, deemed offensive, or is thought to be spam will be removed.
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Thanks again for reading Land+Living!
"Floating above the ground"
"The VIP Chair was especially designed for the World Expo 2000 in Hanover. It was used in the VIP room at the top of the Dutch Pavilion. The VIP Chair is now part of the Moooi collection.
The chair is completely upholstered with a woollen, felt-like textile, available in a few different colours. The upholstery covering the legs of the chair hang loose, like trouser legs. Thanks to hidden wheels, when the chair moves it looks like it's floating above the ground."
Designer: Marcel Wanders
Link: Moooi
The Venture Collection
"New techniques now allow recycled polyester to be created with a softer texture and hand. Insight is an effervescent yet soothing design of variously sized circles suggesting both creative process and contemplation. Gizmo, an amusing pattern whose motif brings to mind a non-specific bit of technology, is woven from a bouclé yarn for a level of texture unusual in recycled polyester. Mindscape is a sophisticated alternative to a solid or a pattern, a dreamy texture that makes the perfect background for any flight of the imagination. All three patterns are created from the same new, cleaner, and forward-thinking technology, yet most impressive of all, are colored with the usual high Unika Vaev standards and fit seamlessly into the Collection as a whole."
Designer: Dorothy Cosonas
Link: Unika Vaev
Beautiful bentwood chair from Bernhardt
From Bernhardt Design comes the Orbit chair. Designed by Ross Lovegrove, this chair is part of their "Guest" collection.
Designer: Ross Lovegrove
Link: Bernhardt Design
Longtime Chicago mayor has vowed to make his city the greenest in the nation.
Lisa Chamberlain at Metropolis writes:
"On March 30, 2003, in the dead of night, a bulldozer lumbered through downtown Chicago toward its much celebrated lakefront. Dispatched by Mayor Richard M. Daley with a police escort, it turned onto a 90-acre peninsula, home to a tiny airport known as Meigs Field, and without warning, plowed giant Xs into the airport’s single runway, rendering it useless. Chicagoans were stunned by this seemingly bizarre act of destruction. Mayor Daley said the war in Iraq and fears about airport security were the reasons for bulldozing the runway. This brass-knuckles move, however, stranded 16 airplanes—infuriating the corporate community and cementing Daley’s reputation as an autocrat. Of course, it’s not unheard of for unilateral action to be justified in the name of national security, even if the real motive turns out to be quite different. So what was the mayor’s strong-arm tactic really about?
Believe it or not, a simple park."
Link: Metropolis
Washington Post writer Joel M. Lerner writes about the increase in requests for "natural" solutions to landscape opportunities and problems amongst his columns. In the article, he covers native plants, annuals and perennials, pest management, and more.
"When you work in a field for a long time, it can seem that the same things happen, day after day. But occasionally, it's a good idea to sit back and take a look at what has been going on. A couple of rainy days recently gave me some time to look over the topics of my roughly 400 columns and identify some new threads in the landscape fabric. For instance, I noticed an increasing desire in recent years for "natural" solutions to landscape opportunities and problems. Here is more on that topic and other topics of increasing current interest."
Link: Washington Post
Custom Modular Homes
"The 2 Bar Slip is anchored by a central living space with windowed views in every direction, perfect for a site with desirable views in multiple directions. The central living-dining-kitchen space opens at two corners to bright windowed halls that lead to bedrooms. This space creates a cross-directional axis that is further implied by tilted roof and ceiling planes, opening the interior to the outside.. The two separated wings of bedrooms allow the house to easily sustain a large family, or work as a shared duplex residence."
Link: Resolution 4: Architecture
Eggs and birds are beautiful
"Egg Bird Feeders attract many types of wild birds and the elegant, clean design is a perfect addition to any outdoor environment. The handmade Egg Bird Feeder is also easy to use, durable and gray squirrel proof."
Link: eggbirdfeeders.com
The philosophy of minimalism
"Award-winning garden designer Christopher Bradley-Hole has drawn together a great variety of minimalist gardens from around the world - large and small, urban and rural. The projects are grouped into thematic chapters, including the landscape garden, pools and water gardens, courtyard gardens, and terrace and roof gardens. Among the designers are Vladimir Sitta, John Pawson, Luis Barragán, Seth Stein, Jacques Wirtz, Martha Schwartz, Shodo Suzuki, and Isamu Noguchi. Large color photographs and detailed images show the gardens in context; the text discusses the inspiration behind each garden, the relationship of space and proportions, and the frequent use of unusual materials and imaginative planning. Directories of materials and plants for the perfect minimalist garden are included as well."
Author: Christopher Bradley-Hole
Link: Booklounge.com
On the subject of knockoffs...
Fun new dining table from Crate & Barrel subsidiary, CB2. If you haven't already looked, check out the recent LA Times article (below) on knockoffs. Sort of reminds you of that Noguchi table doesn't it? Needless to say, this is an attractive table at an attractive price.
"Web of intrigue and desire. Along came our spyder. Seat six down beside her. Handcrafted steel spokes crisscross and radiate in a dramatic black ice finish. Beveled glass top takes in the view."
Link: CB2
Via: Apartment Therapy (CB2)
A living space.
Feature article from Domus on the Dutch Son-O-House:"The Son-O-House is a sculpture that does not spring from a movement trapped in the material. The movement actually remains virtually present in the volume of the structure; it surrounds its material elements and, at the same time, permeates them. The same applies to the sounds emitted by the installation that Van der Heide has integrated into Spuybroek’s project. The speakers do not play music but a droning sound, the key of which varies according to the movements of those present in the various rooms."
Via: Domus Web (registration required)
Get real.
David Keeps at the LA Times writes about knockoffs in the design world.
"Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when it comes to design, it can also be the most insulting form of commerce.
Take the classic Ball Clock created by George Nelson, a master of midcentury industrial design. A simple configuration of metal rods and painted wood, the 1948 timepiece, then priced less than $25, was an icon of peacetime that transformed the structure of an atom into a whimsical decoration. On Sunday, Los Angeles Modern Auctions sold a vintage Ball Clock for $1,300. As the hammer fell on the final bid, Ben Storck of Modern One asked: "Don't people ever tire of that clock?
Apparently not. The Ball Clock is one of the most recognizable — and most copied — products of the fabulous '50s."
Link: LA Times
Reference: Ikea and DWR
Move over Kitchenaid.
Right up there with the Dualit toaster, we've always considered the Kitchenaid mixer to be one of the must-have countertop appliances for your kitchen. Then we discovered that Viking makes a countertop mixer. Both come in a multitude of colors. The Kitchenaid maxes out at 6 quarts and 525 watts; the Viking takes you up to 7 quarts and 1000 watts. That's some serious horsepower in the kitchen. Move over Kitchenaid.
Link: Viking
Maximum style and beauty
Reasonably priced "digital thermal prints" that are sure to add a touch of color to any interior."A 'modern digital canvas' is the stylish and affordable art solution for any interior. Our cool modern images are thermally printed and arrive ready to hang. Sized 3-6 feet high and priced $150 - $395. Complete your space with an innovative, M-DC."
Link: md-canvas.com
First purchasers describe the process.
"We installed most of the wall panels in two days. The beams were extremely heavy, but Kevin and Neal installed all of them. We will finish the exterior walls and install the roof trusses during the 4th of July weekend. Until then, we will put a final coat of waterproofing on the foundation, install the drainage system and Sonny will finish backfilling."
Link: Article
Link: LV Home Kit
Reference: LV Home - Building Update I
Reference: LV Home - Building Update II
Reference: LV Home - Building Update III
Distinctive patterned lampshades
Fun lampshades from UK designer Madeleine Rogers.
"In 2001, Madeleine Rogers left her career in art directing to start up her company mibo. Her intention was to create original, yet affordable interiors products. First off the press were the distinctive patterned lampshades, still a firm favourite, all bearing seaside inspired names and mibo’s now familiar bold colour palette."
Link: mibo
"A revolution in coffee enjoyment."
The guys over at Gadget Madness have a pretty in-depth review of the Philips Senseo coffee maker. The Senseo is a marginally attractive appliance that uses "coffee pods" to brew one or two cups of joe "with a frothy coffee layer that seals in aroma and taste." The Senseo comes in three colors (blue, black, white). The only problem we have is we tend to brew our coffee 10-12 cups at at time in order to get our caffeine buzz. Two cups just won't cut it.
"Needless to say the coffee this thing makes is consistently strong, frothy, smooth, and freakin' delicious. I say this from the vantage point of having consumed every form of caffeine I've ever been able to get my hands on, everything from chewing handfuls of raw beans to Starbucks, from Seattle's Best to Cafe du Monde, toss in some French Market, Cafe Molido, and Medaglia D'oro - you name it. I don't generally care much for brewed coffee, but the drip from the Senseo is probably the best I have tasted from a standard drip coffee maker. The coffee isn't the best part about the Senseo though - the cleanup is!"
Via: Gadget Madness
Link: Philips Senseo
Simple and heavy. Is this the perfect glass?
We noticed a trend on some of the other design blogs this morning in that several of them were featuring glassware. For the past few years, we've been using highballs from the Balance barware collection featured at Pottery Barn (yes, Pottery Barn) and we love them. Thick, heavy, sturdy, simple. Pour yourself two glasses of your favorite beverage -- one for each hand -- and you'll get quite a workout curling these 18 oz. behemoths. I wouldn't drink my, uh, non-fat milk any other way.
"Artisans in Poland give these handblown glasses heavy bases and smoothly flared sides that make them a pleasure to hold. Before each glass cools and hardens, the blower uses scissors to cut and shape the rim. Each is oversized to hold plenty of your favorite libation. Made from soda lime glass that's as clear as water."
Link: Pottery Barn
Revisiting a 1972 Classic
Now here is a Gehry chair we can love.
"Frank O. Gehry is one of today's most important architects. Gehry likes to use unusual materials for his architecture and furniture and with the furniture series "Easy Edges" from 1972 he succeeded in lending such everyday material as cardboard a new aesthetic dimension. Although they appear unbelievably simple "Easy Edges" are constructed with the architect's care as well as being very robust and stable. Four models from the series - Side Chair, Wiggle Side Chair, Dining Table and Low Table Set - are now being produced by Vitra."
Designer: Frank Gehry bio at Vitra
Link: Vitra
Lighted Wall Panels
Perfect for groovin' in your space age bachelor pad. The Space Panel is constructed of white fiberglass and features a fixture in the middle. Mount them on the ceiling next to your mirrors. They can also be ordered in custom colors. Groovy, baby.
Designer: Superieur
Link: InMod.com
Link: Spazia
Rooftops, Balconies, and Terraces
Latest book from landscape architect Signe Nielson. From the publisher:
"Great design ideas are combined with practical tips on transforming an outdoor living space into a personal oasis. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of examples, this book provides a stunning portfolio of hidden treasures and is packed with innovative and useful suggestions. You will be able to make informed choices for everything from style to plant selection.
The book guides you through steps toward composing a sky garden, beginning with key principles of design. Discover endless possibilities for creating a special place, whether a shady nook for relaxation or a dramatic vista for alfresco dining. Bring your airy retreat to life by choosing from eye-catching plant combinations and furniture arrangements. Add the finishing touch with lighting, outdoor sculpture and ornaments, and fountains and other water effects that make a garden uniquely your own.
This is an invaluable resource for everyone planning to renovate or build a rooftop, terrace, or balcony garden. With expert advice and images from a leading landscape architect, you will be inspired to express your personality by adapting the ideas to suit your taste, needs, and budget."
Link: Schiffer Books
Link: Amazon
A stainless steel alternative.
Outdoor showers are the hip thing to have in your yard this summer. Earlier, we featured a shower from Target and one from Restoration hardware. The Target shower, we found out, was made from nyatoh wood, which just isn't quite up to par with the teak found on the Restoration Hardware shower. However, if wood just isn't your thing, we've found a stainless steel model at -- where else? -- DWR:
"The slender Coro Shower has an easy-to-assemble, freestanding design that hooks up to any standard garden hose for convenient beach and poolside rinsing. Attached to a heavy metal base plate (diameter of 17"), it is completely stable and scaled for users of every height. The shower’s all-stainless steel construction is resistant to corrosion, and will provide years of consistent use. Because of its compact and unobtrusive form, the design is a practical addition to even the most manicured of outdoor environments. Made in Italy."
Link: CORO
Designer: Danny Venlet
Link: DWR
Reference: Outdoor Shower, Part I
Reference: Outdoor Shower, Part II
This innovative project is the only one of its kind in the world.
"The Australian Garden will open in 2005. Designed by Landscape Architects, Taylor Cullity Lethlean with Paul Thompson, it will feature the remarkable Sand Garden, an expansive and open garden reminiscent of sparsely vegetated landscapes and the Rockpool Waterway which explores the role of water in shaping the landscapes of Australia, and particularly the beauty of water moving over a predominantly flat land. Also featured will be Display Gardens and the Dry River Walk, where visitors can encounter the beginnings of water flow in our landscape."
Link: The Australian Garden
Firm: Taylor Cullity Lethlean
