Guido Daniele's Hand Painting Used To Sell AT&T's Roaming Capabilities

Most of us 'creative types' and net surfers have seen Milan-based artist Guido Daniele's amazing hand painting before, but its latest incarnation is in a new AT&T International Roaming ad campaign by BBDO Atlanta, shot by Toronto based photographer Andric (who happens to speak Italian so he could converse easily with Daniele). The animals and imagery painted on the hands are to symbolize the countries in which you have 'roaming' capabilities with AT&T.

Below are some of the images used in the ads without all the signage, info and logos:





And here are some of the ads as they are running in publications:




The photo shoot for the nine initial ads was two weeks long. The hand-painting took approximately a full day, with Guido beginning in the morning as Andric prepared the lighting and di minimal retouching on the shots taken the day before. By the time they were ready to shoot, it was already nightfall.


Above: Hand painter Guido Daniele at work

ad campaign credits:
Advertising Agency: BBDO Atlanta, BBDO New York, USA
Chief Creative Officers: David Lubars, Bill Bruce
Executive Creative Director: Susan Credle
Creative Directors: Rich Wakefield, Chuck Meehan
Art Director: Brian Locascio
Copywriter: Bridget Prophet
Painter: Guido Daniele
Photographer: Andric

Learn about Guido and see lots more of of his amazing hand painting here

See Andric's photo portfolio here.

To see some other amazing examples of body painting, check out Temptu's feet painting here.

Wocka Wocka Wocka Down The Runway: Giles Deacon Does Pac Man Couture

Critics say that hot fashion designer Giles Deacon's latest collection for Spring/Summer 2009 is fairly conservative for him and not as wacky or irreverent as his past fashion excursions. With more traditional silhouettes (there were exceptions), fabulous graphic colored camouflage patterns and trim, as well as streamlined solid colored double knit jersey dresses, he may actually be turning somewhat... dare I say it... wearable.



However, the styling and production of his Spring Summer 2009 runway show, the floor of which was painted with the familiar graphic imagery of the 80's video game pac man, was anything but conservative. In an homage to Midway's Pac Man video game, every few models to strut down the runway wore large metal headgear which emulated the pac man characters (with a little creative liberty, of course).


Above: The 1980 original pac man video game characters and interface



Wocka wock wocka.......











Fabulous runway photos by Marco Madiera

Other noteworthy pieces in Giles Deacon's new collection, sans pac man accoutrements, included modern, splashy interpretations of military camo:





Some facts about the Designer:
• Giles Deacon has designed for Jean Charles De Castelbajac, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren
• His design studio is the Rochelle School in East London where Katie Hillier, Luella Bartley, Hazel Robinson and his other fashion friends work
• In 2007 he was named British Designer of the Year
• He used to date Beth Orton
• He's a brilliant illustrator - having been published in Interview, The Face, Pop, i-D.



He also designed a collection (above), Gold, for New Look with Drew Barrymore in the ad campaigns (the pair decided to work together after a chance meeting in an elevator), and he also designed womenswear for DAKS for two seasons ending in autumn/winter 2008-9.


Above: Fashion designer Giles Deacon

To see his entire Spring/Summer '09 Collection, go here.

Funky Find Of The Week: The 'Fuck The Rain' Umbrella

Maybe you reside in rainy Seattle or the gloomy UK- or you just hate the rain. Either way, this umbrella by the Russian design studio Art Lebedev makes it loud and clear to the rain gods that you prefer a sunny day.
Plus, you can flash it at any car the cruises by a puddle, splashing you.

Made in China
Designers: Artemy Lebedev, Anton Schnaider



Comfortable handle allows you to clasp it to your backpack when it’s not raining. Automatic open/close. Material: 100% polyester

Price:
55.47 US$
35.25 €
Buy it here.

Paul Newman, May He Rest In Peace. 1925-2008. We Will Miss You.

Legendary film star, philanthropist, devoted husband, passionate car racer and worldwide sex symbol Paul Newman has died after a long battle with cancer.

Hollywood legend Paul Newman has died after a battle with cancer. He was 83. The star of such films as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Road To Perdition and many more over a career spanning 50 years, was surrounded by members of his family at the time of his death.

Newman was nominated for ten Oscars over the years, winning three, the first for the 1986 film The Color Of Money, directed by Martin Scorsese.

Newman acted in 60 films in all, appearing in some with his wife, Joanne Woodward, like The Long Hot Summer and Paris Blues. He worked alongside legends like Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Altman, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and Tom Hanks. He even provided his voice for the 2006 Pixar movie Cars, which turned out to be his last role.

Famed for his philanthropy as well as his acting, Mr. Newman was married to Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward for more than 50 years.



Too see more wonderful photos and the original wedding announcement for Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, go here.

He also had successful side careers as an auto racing driver and creator of a line of food products, Newman's Own,** that bore his name and face on their labels.




The "Newman's Own Foundation," took profits from that company and sponsored numerous charitable organisations. Newman also founded his "Hole in the Wall" Camps, which provided fun summer breaks for children around the world suffering from life-threatening illnesses.



Above: In addition to being a great actor, his passion was racing. He was still racing cars, even at age 80.

"His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all," Robert Forrester, vice-chairman of the Newman's Own Foundation, said in a statement.

Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds paid tribute to the actor today, describing him as "an inspirational character". Mr. Reynolds met Mr. Newman when the actor was looking for an Irish home for his Barretstown Gang charity. "It was Albert Reynolds who brought Paul Newman to Ballymore Eustace, where he found the estate to be enchanting and an ideal location for his children's charity," a spokesman for Mr Reynolds said.

Mr. Newman was born in a Cleveland suburb on January 26th, 1925, and was a Navy radio man in the Pacific during World War Two. Afterward, he went to Kenyon College in Ohio on a football scholarship but took up acting after being cut from the team because of a bar-room brawl.

After his father's death, Mr. Newman helped run the family sporting goods store before heading to the Yale Drama School.

He ended up in New York, finding bit parts in TV and a Broadway role in Picnic in 1953. His first major movie role was portraying boxer Rocky Graziano in Somebody Up There Likes Me .


The above video is by Youtube user ItsCourtenayMmkay

His loss will affect the entire world and he will most certainly never be forgotten.

**Newman's Own®, Inc., founded on a lark by Paul Newman and his buddy A.E. Hotchner in 1982, is now a leading premium food company that offers more than 150 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products. Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own is expressed in its Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given more than $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide.

Debonair's Top 10 Best Dressed Ad Icons. Plus One More.

John W. DeFeo wrote this humorous article for Debonair magazine. It highlights the top 10 Best Dressed Advertising Icons of all time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and bet you will too. But I did put in my personal choice for #1 at the end of this article. Read on.

Sometimes advertising takes on a life of it's own. The Kool Aid Man, The California Raisins, The Energizer Rabbit – all have become indispensable parts of American pop culture. But lovable as many brand mascots are, most don't know a thing about fashion (we're looking at you Spuds McKenzie).

We at Debonair decided to assemble a Best Dressed list that honors the most stylish offspring of Madison Avenue.

Presenting the Top 10 Best Dressed Advertising Icons (plus my own pick):

#10. Count Chocula

Count Vladimir Elysius von Chocula is unquestionably the sharpest dresser among his Monster Cereal brethren – Franken Berry, Boo Berry, and Yummy Mummy. Unveiled to public in the early seventies by General Mills, CC always keeps things simple with a brown suit and cape. Even more impressive, the Count has even found away to adapt his look into swimwear.

#9. Mr. Clean

(aka Maestro Limpio) is the original badass of adland. Born in Chicago, and sporting an earring since 1957 – this guy is all about attitude. With a perfect body and golden tan, he needs nothing more than a plain white tee to seduce lonely housewives the world over.

#8. The Jolly Green Giant

Green living is all the rage these days, and the Jolly Green Giant has been practicing adaptive reuse for the last 60 years. His signature leafy toga is the essence of conservation. And if you have a problem with his style, he might decide to crush your town and eat your family.

#7. Mickey Mouse

Meet the world's first unassuming billionaire. With a market value of $61 Billion, this modest mouse doesn't even bother to throw on a suit – instead opting for slacks and a sport coat. Yet notice the carefully matched bow tie and button. Classic.

#6. Mr. Peanut

In advertising, you don`t change what works. And so, Mr. Peanut has sported the same threads for the last century. In 2006, Kraft Foods gave the public an opportunity to accessorize Mr. P. The public said no thanks, proving that a top hat, cane, and monocle remain the best way to compliment great nuts.

#5. The 'Burger' King

The King is all boutz da bling. Fur-lined robe, gold chains, crown – The King is street regal. In fact, all that gold may lead to the silver screen. Rumors are still circulating of a BK movie deal.

#4. Cap'n Crunch

Any man that wears coattails and epaulets to breakfast must love fashion. You might think of the Cap'n as uptight and militaristic, but make no mistake, the guy is a Phreak. In 1971, the Cap`n distributed phone-hijacking whistles to the general public. Take that establishment!

#3. Quaker Oats Man

Don't let the friendly hat and white scarf fool you, this Quaker is no puritan. Sadistic, yet fashionable - he fed radioactive oatmeal to over 100 young boys in the 40s and 50s. But he was always so quiet…

#2. Joe Camel

Joe was forced into early retirement in 1997, but his smooth legacy lives on. Whether dressed in a tuxedo or Member`s Only jacket, JC always looked the part. Happy retirement Joe!

#1. (A Tie!) Monopoly Man and Pinaud Clubman

This is a case of “who wore it best”. The Monopoly Man has the benefit of appearing in full color, but stands at 3'4”. The Pinaud Clubman, though perfectly proportioned, is a bit monochromatic. And worse yet, French.

Now, how any of the above could beat out the mysteriously sight-challenged "Man In the Hathaway Shirt" for the best dressed ad icon, I have no idea.

My Personal Choice for #1: The Man In The Hathaway Shirt


For those of you who don't know, Ogilvy & Mather's famous artistocratic, mustachioed eye-patched gentleman, Russian Baron George Wrangell, served as the pitchman for Maine's Hathway shirts, in both print and television ads beginning in 1951 and made Hathaway one of David Ogilvy's most famous ad campaigns of all time. Despite his being human, he is considered a classic ad icon. And an impeccably attired one at that.

Yoo by Starck: Dwell95, New Fab Apartments On Wall Street

The success of Yoo's first ever rental project was cemented with the launch of the show apartment in New York on 15th September. The project has already proven popular, with over 50 percent of the apartments rented since leasing commenced in late spring.





Dwell95, the first Yoo by Starck-designed rental property in the world, will offer everything from studios to lofts, as well as spacious one and two-bedroom residences.




The 'Classic' Apartment interior (click images to enlarge):





The bathroom in the 'Classic' model (click to enlarge):




The 'Nature' apartment interior (click images to enlarge):





The bathroom in the 'Nature' model (click to enlarge):




Dwell95 offers the luxurious amenities of a full-service hotel with the comforts of home, including a 24-hour concierge service and doorman; valet services; on-site parking; a fitness center including the Kinesis program, a state-of-the-art strength training system and a complimentary daily breakfast. An indoor/outdoor lounge highlights Yoo by Starck's signature style; an opulent mix of playfulness and seduction.



The indoor lounge (shown above) features an elegant fireplace, while the outside lounge (shown below) is beautifully landscaped with intimate seating areas.



The fitness center:



Located at 95 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005:



For information on renting at Dwell95, click here. Or if you have a potential rental project contact Yoo at: +44 (0)207 009 0100 or info@yoo.com.

What Does Yoo Do?:
YOO turn properties that are under-rated, forgotten or unloved into homes and other spaces that design-conscious people find irresistible.

Our co-founders are the internationally celebrated designer Philippe Starck and the developer John Hitchcox, whom a British newspaper called 'the Miuccia Prada of the property industry', adding, 'He knows how we want to live before we do.'

Who is Yoo?
In case you haven't heard, the YOO design team includes the biggest names in design. Purchase a yoo inspired by Starck home or invest in pod living by Jade Jagger for yoo, and you know you're getting a valuable original.

The same is true of designs by the in-house YOO design team, which includes some of the most talented and imaginative designers you've probably never heard of. As with all our design services, YOO's own designs come in a selection of luxurious palettes for x-factor with ease.

Today YOO are in more than 20 cities worldwide from Leeds to Miami.

For up-to-date availability or for more information on investment property, please email call our sales team on +44 (0)207 009 4690 or email at sales@yoofirst.com.

www.yoo.com

8 Pretty Places In Which To Put Those Coins : Modern Piggy banks

If you're not gonna spend it, at least put it in something cool.
There's no longer an excuse for keeping pennies in a ... gasp... jar!
Here are 8 shiny pretty places in which to put those coins.
Click on each image for more info and to purchase.

See more of my over 39 Modern & Beautiful Places To Put Your Coins list at ThisNext.

Pink Modern Classics From DWR For Auction In Support Of Breast Cancer

Design Within Reach has partnered with Emeco, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Knoll® and Spinneybeck® Leather to auction on ebay five special-edition, fully licensed classic chairs, with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

The classic modern items are being offered in limited edition "pink" versions on ebay and the auctions end in just over 8 days from the time of this post. Go here to start bidding.

The items are as follows:

Heritage Rocker

Designed by Philippe Starck for Emeco.
White powdercoat with a pink Spinneybeck Riva leather seat pad. Courtesy of Emeco and Spinneyback Leather. (Retail: $825)

Swan Chair

Designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen.
Upholstered in pink Tonus wool. Courtesy of Fritz Hansen. (Retail: $3,045)

Eames® Management Chair

Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller.
Upholstered in pink Spinneybeck Espana leather. Courtesy of Herman Miller and Spinneyback Leather. (Retail: $1,999)

Saarinen Tulip™ Stool

Designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll.
White base with a pink Spinneybeck Riva leather seat pad. Courtesy of Knoll and Spinneyback Leather. (Retail: $1,014)

Wassily™ Chair

Designed by Marcel Breuer for Knoll.
Constructed with pink Spinneybeck Belting leather. Courtesy of Knoll and Spinneyback Leather. (Retail: $1,824)

Start your bidding on ebay here.

Now THAT'S a rock! The Latest Diamond Find Could End up Being The World's Largest Polished Piece Of Ice

A huge gem stone which could become the largest polished round diamond in history was recently unearthed at the Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho just this past September 8th.

Gem Diamonds and the Lesotho Government, a 30 percent partner in the mine, announced Sunday the recovery of a 478-carat type II D color diamond (shown above) which they say has the potential to yield one of the largest flawless D-color round polished diamonds in history.

“Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record breaking polished stone of the very best color and clarity,” said Clifford Elphick, CEO and chairman of Gem Diamonds.

The diamond was recovered on Monday September 8, and sent to Antwerp for analysis where it was determined to be a type II D color diamond - the highest color grading available for a white diamond, Gem Diamonds explained.


Above: A model inspects the world's 20th largest rough diamond, which was discovered at Gem Diamond's Letsing Mine in Lesotho.

The massive stone is the 20th largest rough diamond ever found, weighs 478 carats and is said to be of outstanding clarity. It was recovered earlier this week at the Letseng Mine, in Lesotho, a small kingdom in South Africa.

The clarity and round shape of the new gem mean it could be worth considerably more than the previous find of the Letsing "Promise" diamond valued at 12.4 million a few months ago from the same mine. In its polished state, this latest find could fetch tens of millions of pounds.


Above: the rough 478 carat, D color whopper

The rough stone above is estimated to be capable of producing a 150 carat polished gem stone, dwarfing the Koh-i-Noor diamond which is part of the Crown Jewels.

A spokesman for Gem Diamonds, who own the mine, added that initial examination suggested that the white diamond, which has yet to be named and valued, has a completely flawless center. That means, once polished the uncut stone could become the world's largest ever diamond.


Above: The new diamond could be larger than the Koh-i-noor diamond, seen in the Queen mother's crown (shown above, circled in red).

The Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, with the Koh-i-noor diamond, sits in the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels. It was given to Queen Victoria by 1o year-old Duleep Singh, last Emperor of the Sikhs in 1855.

The mine, which was owned by famous diamond company De Beers for many years, has already produced three of the world's biggest diamonds including the 603 carat Lesotho Promise, the 493 carat Leteng Legacy and the 601 carat Lesotho Brown.

Clifford Elphick, chief executive officer of Gem Diamonds, said 'Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity.'

The find is still dwarfed by the Cullinan Diamond which was discovered in 1905:




Above: At 3,106 carats, the Cullian Diamond was the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found but the biggest polished stone produced from it, the Great Star of Africa - 530 carats - is a teardrop shape.



Above: The Koh-i-noor is a round cut but at 105 carats it is smaller than the potential size of the new find. It originated in India but was seized by Britain as a spoil of war in 1849. It supposedly brings good luck to female owners and misfortune or death to any male who wears or owns it.

A bit about the Letšeng Mine in Lesotho:

Above: aerial view of the Letšeng pit

Letšeng Diamonds Proprietary Limited is owned 70% by Gem Diamonds and 30% by the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Operated by De Beers between 1977 and 1982, Letšeng reopened operations in 2004 and was acquired by Gem Diamonds in 2006.

The average elevation at the mine is 3,100m above mean sea level, making it the highest diamond mine in the world. The mine consists of two adjacent primary near vertical kimberlite pipes the Satellite and Main, with confirmed vertical depths of 495m and 655m respectively. The average grade of these resources is 1.72 carats per hundred tons (cpht). With approximately 14% of all stones being larger than 10.8 carats (ct), the production profile is more akin to that of an alluvial than kimberlite mine.

The average price per carat achieved at Letšeng in 2007 was US$1 997 per ct, relative to an industry average of US$81 per ct. As such Letšeng is a remarkable mine producing some of the world’s remarkable diamonds including large gem quality diamonds that sell for the highest per carat price of any kimberlite mine.


Above: drilling at night at the Letšeng' mine

Historically 81% of Letšeng's revenue is from large diamonds (+10.8 ct) and 90% of the diamonds recovered are gem quality with a significant proportion graded as D colour.

Some of the world's largest diamonds have been produced at Letšeng. Of note is the 601ct Lesotho Brown in the mid 1960s (world’s 16th largest diamond ever recovered), the 603ct Lesotho Promise recovered in August 2006 (15th largest diamond) and the 493ct Letšeng Legacy recovered in September 2007 (18th largest recovered).


Above: the Promise Diamond, 603 carats, also mined from Letšeng.


Above: the Letšeng Legacy Diamond, 493 carats

Letšeng Diamonds markets all its diamonds through a tender process in Antwerp. The Lesotho Promise sold by Gem Diamonds in Antwerp for US $12.4 million and the Letšeng Legacy for US $10.4 million.



The mine’s current processing capacity is 2.6 million tonnes per annum (tpa), which will double to 5.28 million tpa by mid 2008 after commissioning of the second treatment plant is completed and commissioned. This will make Letšeng the 7th largest kimberlite mine in the world by throughput. The present life of mine is optimized at 33 years.

Graphic Concrete: Adding Life To A Big Ol' Grey Slab

Think concrete just has to be a big ol' plain slab? Not anymore... at least not in Helsinki, where Graphic Concrete applies texture and imagery to what would ordinarily be a big grey slab. They have devised a new way to produce a patterned concrete surface. The patented Graphic Concrete technology involves applying a surface retarder to the surface of a special membrane and this method allows concrete product manufacturers to produce different types of high-quality patterned concrete elements and slabs.



In addition to being patterned, the concrete surface can also be smooth or completely exposed fine aggregate as well as tinted or stained a color. A photo or text can also be reproduced/ designed into the concrete as you will see in the following examples.

You can choose from several of their surface patterns or even design your own. The effect looks great on both exteriors of buildings, interior walls, floors or installations.































Graphic Concrete Ltd
Porkkalankatu 11 H 11
00180 HELSINKI
Tel +358 9 6842 0093
info@graphicconcrete.com



Learn more, see their surface patterns, finished buildings and the process here at Graphic Concrete's site.

An Homage To Aalto And A Nod To Global Warming Wins Droog's Climate Competition

I'm a big fan of Alvar Aalto's work and have blogged about him before, as well as complied a list of available items by him and inspired by him here. So when I saw that the winner of Droog's Climate Competition was a variation of Aalto's famous 1936 Savoy Vase (now available in multiple sizes and colors produced by iittala), I was captivated and simply had to share.


Above left: The original classic Aalto Savoy Vase and right, Jan Ctvrtnik's entry into the competition

Winner Jan Ctvrtnik altered the famous shape by showing how it would appear if it, too, were to suffer the effects of global warming. The result is both brilliant and beautiful and doesn't 'ruin' Aalto's fluid classic vase, but instead enhances it.

See for yourself.






With 32% of all votes, visitors of the Droog website have chosen 'Droog Aalto' by Jan Ctvrtnik as the winning proposal for the Climate Competition. Droog initiated the competition for which anyone could submit any idea in any possible form, as long as it concerned the 'climate' theme.

Winner Jan Ctvrtnik: 'I realised that climate changes are visualised mostly by numbers and scientific measurements. In order to show changes, it is good to have a reference point.' And so the Aalto vase became that reference point with its shape originating from the shape of a Finnish lake. The 'Droog' part of the title can be translated as 'Dry', obviously relating to global warming.

Originally Czechoslovakian, Jan Ctvrtnik currently lives and works in Pordenone, Italy. After studying design in Prague and at IKDC in Lund (Sweden), he is now working as an industrial designer for Electrolux.

See other items inspired by Alvar Aalto's vase here.

Mark Turpin's Pine Island: Architecture In Miniature

You can't call Mark Turpin's creations Dollhouses, that would be a gross misnomer.

These are architectural replicas in miniature and they are amazing. Created for private commissions, displays and special events, his work is painstakingly perfect and admirably detailed. He will create replicas of your home, miniature art galleries and more.



Shown in this post are several of his works from his portfolio, unfurnished and then furnished by the owners who wish to remain anonymous.

I'm sharing with you some of the pieces from his contemporary collection and archives, but he has several classic styles and lovely interiors you ought to check out when you can. The text accompanying the images and descriptions are taken directly from Mark Turpin (shown below).



The Aqualina:


Construction is solid pine and poplar. Hinged walls provide access to the interior, which features platinum colored wall coverings, and a two-tone, patterned granite floor. The decorative pool provides a dramatic reflection of the exterior and a cool, inviting view from the interior. Within its wings, the juxtapositional design presents a strong façade on one side, and a narrow entry to a world of brilliant light and height on the other side. Stone textured walls speak of fixed permanence in contrast with the constant motion of the angled space frame, as it chases itself up from the water's edge like soaring doves, higher and higher to the pinnacle of Aqualina.



The Aqualina, furnished and populated by owner:



Our client had amazing things in mind for Aqualina. We designed the structure for flexibility; and here you will see Aqualina providing a museum for a wide range of modern and contemporary miniature art. These new photos show Aqualina in its permanent home — furnished and dressed to the nines by the owner and occupied by the core of the museum's permanent collection: Replicas of Picasso, Botero, Fornasetti, Sabino and originals of contemporary sculptors and painters.




The delicate filigree of the framework creates a soothing interior, which will lift your spirits. The walls are cloaked in soaring, clear acrylic windows to provide views from inside or out. Designed as an art gallery, Aqualina features three levels connected by an unusual floating staircase.




With some solid walls for paintings and niches for sculpture, the intimate gallery is a unique platform for displaying spot lighted miniature art in a setting that is itself bold and artistic rather than simply functional.



Construction is solid pine and poplar. Hinged walls provide access to the interior, which features platinum colored wall coverings, and a two-tone, patterned granite floor. The decorative pool provides a dramatic reflection of the exterior and a cool, inviting view from the interior. Within its wings, the juxtapositional design presents a strong façade on one side, and a narrow entry to a world of brilliant light and height on the other side. Stone textured walls speak of fixed permanence in contrast with the constant motion of the angled space frame, as it chases itself up from the water's edge like soaring doves, higher and higher to the pinnacle of Aqualina. Dimensions: 25" square base; 50" high.

The Diamante:



Diamante combines grandeur and intimacy, space and light, to provide a unique stage for the display of fine miniature art. The house is 25" wide, 37" deep, 37" high, and is constructed of solid pine with acrylic windows. (sold)




The Bridgeview:



From the cherry stained floors and kitchen cabinets to the terra cotta tiles and pots of the rooftop garden, the details of Bridgeview echo the color of the Golden Gate Bridge and the glorious view of San Francisco Bay. To meet the client's wishes, the walls are neutral, and the rooms are awaiting her new furnishings.




For a contemporary room setting, the spaces are surprisingly warm and inviting. The split level rooms include living room with fireplace, kitchen/dining area, bedroom with skylight, and a large bathroom with oval tub and separate shower. We placed a large tiled balcony off the bedroom, and a terrace behind the living room and kitchen.





The rooftop garden area was designed with interconnected walkways of terra cotta tiles and wood planks, with a hot tub in one corner and space for a Zen garden in the other corner.




We also included plenty of space for plants, a hammock, table and chairs. The garden is accessed from below via a sliding hatch cover. Materials include birch plywood, poplar, basswood, paper, terra cotta, plastic, glass, acrylic and paint. Overall Dimensions: 24"w x 18"d x 26"h (sold)

The Miramonte:


Miramonte is named for the reversed mirror image of its unique floor plan, and for the jagged angular roofline, which resembles the mountain ranges of Southern California. The elevations are identical front to back and left to right, but reversed in direction along the spine.



The walls are alternately stone and glass, forming hard angles at all four corners. A glass ceiling floods the third floor with light, sending light down through the open center stairwell with its single beam staircase. Eighteen spotlights can be moved to focus on the art, and they bathe the interior in warm light each night.



Sections of the exterior walls and window panels are removable to access the collection.




Constructed of solid pine and poplar, with acrylic windows; the faux painted limestone walls, exposed steel beams, and travertine floor all blend in a pleasing color scheme with shades of tan and gray. Miramonte makes an exceptional home for fine miniature paintings and sculpture. Dimensions: 37" long, 25" wide, 37" high.

The Bridgewater:


Bridgewater is a handsome, split-level, contemporary bedroom suite, featuring a lofted sitting room/library and a sunken marble bathroom. A large oval tub and an open marble shower are highlights of the stylish, mirrored bathroom, which also includes a porcelain basin and toilet with a scallop shell motif. Coordinated light fixtures grace all three living areas in this tastefully decorated suite of rooms.



Bespaq and other handmade furnishings are included, as well as a brass tripod telescope from England. The shell accessory was handmade by Marci Trimlett of Florida; Marci also provided the Monkey and Horse statue. Barbara Fales made the champagne glasses.






Constructed of solid pine and poplar, birch plywood, basswood, fabric, paper, and paint. Dimensions: 27" wide, 17" deep, 26" high. Front accessible via hinged locking frame. (sold)

City Loft:


This particular room setting is actually a loft within a loft. The living area features a fireplace and a very tall ceiling with skylight. A half step up from the main room there is another area for the kitchen or another use. A modern staircase leads to a lofted area overlooking the main room. This could be the bedroom or office space.




Our friend and client continued to perfectly develop the theme we each had visualized for City Loft. It is decorated as its permanent resident would wish — casually, but with careful attention to expansive living in a modest space. The roombox itself is constructed of birch plywood and solid pine, painted satin black, and enclosed on the front with a high quality wood frame, which is hinged for easy access to the room. The interior was created using pine, poplar, basswood, acrylic paint, satin ribbon, glass and plexiglass, and stainless steel wire. The loft floors are stained in natural teak. The antique bricks are hand painted using ten colors. Adjustable spotlights and backdrop lighting can be augmented with additional fixtures.






Dimensions: 27" wide, 19.5" deep, 21" high overall; living space is 22" wide, 12" deep, 17" high. (sold)

The Sarayi:



Stylistically, we took some license with this project, therefore, the decorative elements of Sarayi include individually hand laid glass rather than ceramic tiles, in unique patterns using two color schemes of jewel tones, with a distinct palette for each level.



Parallel mirrored walls bounce reflections infinitely of detailed woven trim with threads of gold, and of the crystal and ruby chandelier. Dark fabric covered ceilings of starry skies add to the mystery, and an elegant skylight invites moonbeams to grace the interior.



The lower level "Room with a Fountain" is connected to the upper level by an exterior staircase. The upstairs apartment overlooks a decorative indoor pool below, and also includes a small outdoor terrace.




Construction is solid pine with birch plywood, hand painted. Dimensions: 20" wide, 22" high, 16" deep.




The owner has achieved her goals for Sarayi as a home for the splendid harem figures of James Carrington. The resident characters are comfortably at home in this palatial setting.






The Crystal Arcade:



Like the original structure, this pseudo replica uses glass (and plexi-glass) panels that fit prefabricated sections. This particular interpretation was intended as an arcade of shops, with spaces for four to eight specialty boutiques surrounding a central atrium and staircase, under a barrel vaulted glass ceiling. Ideas for the shops might include a bookseller, flower shop, hat shop, haberdashery, dressmaker, coffee shop, stationers, a toy shop, antiques, or even an ice cream parlor or small café. Whatever the interiors, this unique structure makes an excellent setting in which to view the contents of the collection.





Overall dimensions: 36" wide, 18" deep, 25.5" high
Four shop spaces each measure 18" x 12" and can be subdivided. Construction: birch plywood, solid pine and poplar, basswood, glass, acrylic, metallic paint.

Christmas In The Crystal Arcade:



For this magical winter wonderland, artist Vanessa Tiegs created a crystal tree using 300 tiny mirrors. Overhead, delicate crystal dew drops and icicles reflect the quiet beauty. Brightly wrapped gifts wait amid fresh white snow. Sprays of long stem red and white roses add silent fragrance to this crystal night, where even Tiffany’s would be envious of the lovely, festive scene.





Artist and photographer Vanessa Tiegs of San Francisco recently acquired Mark Turpin’s Crystal Arcade for her private collection, and she has transformed this unique structure into a kaleidoscope of color. Original works of art featured within the arcade are by artist Kenneth S. MacIntire (1891-1979) and San Francisco artist Maureen Morales.

Note how beautifully Vanessa has blended colors and textures to create a lovely and welcoming setting in which to display her delightful collection of miniatures. The Crystal Arcade is displayed in a place of honor — a spacious bay window in her elegant town home, where the sunlight creates dramatic visual effects reflected from the barrel vaulted glass roof of the arcade. These effects change seasonally as the sun moves across the sky, a rather unexpected surprise when it first occurred during the early summer months.













Crystal Arcade photography: Night shots, furnished. by Vanessa Tiegs — Day shots, furnished, by Tim Turpin.

The Alexandria:


This commissioned work is inspired by and named for the progressive spirit of this ancient city. An original design by Mark Turpin, it incorporates geometry and "free expression" in an internationally styled, three-story house with seven rooms. The exterior is cloaked in limestone like the pyramids.




Unlike the pyramids, this narrow entry leads through the center of the house to reveal an enormous great room with soaring glass walls and ceiling. Three glass pyramids crown the house, a tribute to the master builders of ancient Egypt. Stability and permanence are juxtaposed with bright, airy spaces in an unexpected sculpture called Alexandria.




Stability and permanence are juxtaposed with bright, airy spaces in an unexpected sculpture called "Alexandria".

Lurie Lane:


Lurie Lane was a private commission by the owner as a replica of a South Florida residence, Lurie Lane reflects the reality of that home. This 52"W x 28"D x 24"H replica of the central part of the house shows the open and sparkling personality so valued by the family. It has sliding glass doors and roof access to the loft.





Lurie Lane as furnished by the owner:


The owner of the Lurie Lane replica has spent the past five years collecting and commissioning furnishings and accessories for the miniature house that Mark produced, and she has graciously agreed to share the following photographs with us.







And now he is also making and selling individual pieces of extraordinarily crafted miniature beds. As described on his site: Distinctive modern beds are now available, created at Mark's request by artist Vanessa Tiegs, created in 1:12 scale and signed by the artist. Each bed is constructed with 4" x 5" solid white acrylic bases, and a laser-cut T-shaped platform measuring 10" wide x 7" long. This includes a night table on each side of the bed. The memory foam mattress is fitted with a white cotton sheet with carefully folded hospital corners.
The platform supports a light-weight specially cut mattress of synthetic foam measuring 6" x 7" x 1.5".


Above: Miniarc Bed No. 1: Zebra, White, Black and Grey
A pair of hand-sewn square zebra-pattern pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white cotton bolster pillows. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded grey flannel comforter with a satin decorative trim. This item is sold.



Above: Miniarc Bed No. 2: Leopard, White, Black and Navy Blue,
A pair of hand-sewn square navy blue pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white cotton bolster pillows. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded leopard-pattern cotton comforter. Both are still available



Above: Miniarc Bed No. 3: All White Luxury
A pair of hand-sewn white silk square pillows rest on a pair of hand-crafted white silk bolster pillows. The bed sheet is made of 400 thread count cotton. At the foot of the bed is a neatly folded comforter. The comforter cover is made of a finely woven silk and satin pinstripe fabric. All soft luxurious fabrics. This item is sold.

Price per bed: $180 plus shipping and handling.
Limited time only

Visit Pine Island here.

If miniatures and architectural replicas delight you, like they do me, be sure to see these posts:

Peter Tucker roomboxes:

Peter Tucker's amazing modern room boxes here.

Kathy Osborn's Bauhaus Dollhouse:

see it and more here.

Gidon Bing's architectural models to promote karen walker paints for Resene:

see them here.

I Finally Found The Perfect Home! Anyone Got $12,500,000.00 To Lend Me?

Just put on the market for $12,500,000.00, this 8,000 square foot home has that combination of organic materials (wood, stone) with modern design and open floor plans, lots of light and a fabulous yard. Exactly what I've been looking for. It's just a wee bit out of my price range. Sigh.






















TROUSDALE ESTATES (BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA)

This 8,000+ square foot "Lautner-esque" 4-bedroom Modern estate sits at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the Trousdale area of Beverly Hills. Characterized by generous proportion and scale, this nonetheless comfortable-feeling home features a tremendous Poliform kitchen that opens to the family room, which spills out to the sizable back yard with large lawn, outdoor cooking and dining, and infinity pool and spa. Sensational city-to-ocean views can also be enjoyed from the lavish master suite and the two-story high living room. A state-of-the-art Crestron system controls the luxurious, technologically-advanced, 14-person, tiered screening room, as well as most other automatable features of the house.

Offered at: $12,500,000

* 4BR/5BA with Dramatic Scale
* 8,000+ Square Feet
* Poliform Kitchen
* Advanced, Tiered Screening Room
* Inspiring City & Ocean Views
* Crestron Home Automation
* Infinity Pool & Spa
* Large Grassy Yard

BY APPOINTMENT
CONTACT:
Billy Rose
310.650.2999

Shave The Pussy: RFSU Promotes Their Newest Products Via Virtual Pubic Hair Design

The RSFU's latest interactive microsite, Shave your Pussy, was created to sell their newest personal shaving products and is the most entertaining and imaginative idea I've seen in awhile. Brought to my attention by my friend Scott Rench, www.shavethepussy.com is a site that allows you to style your 'fiffi' -- as they call it.


The site features their newest line of products , shaving tips and allows you to show your pubic styling prowess: Shave the animated pubic hair, save it and add it to their gallery and you could win a complete barber set!

Wanna try your hand at it?




Maybe this gallery of previously designed "fiffis" will inspire you:






The RFSU is a real organization that promotes sexual products, information and the study of sexuality. They sell condoms, tampons, lubricants, intimate personal care products and more.

They have lines like "Trust In Lust" (shown below), Ellen tampons, Flavored condoms and more.



RFSU - The Swedish Association for Sexual Education - is a non-profit organisation founded in 1933 by a humanitarian with grand ideas and provocative ways. Her name was Elise Ottesen-Jensen. Over 60 years of experience in the field of sexual information and education, and in producing quality condoms, makes RFSU uniquely qualified to offer the best know-how available. The RFSU is a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Shave the pussy

If you've got a thing for fashionable bush, you must check out Stefane Monzon's Pubic hair Couture Show here.

The AntiShoe, Inspired By Masai Tribesmen

In the early 1990s, Swiss engineer Karl Müller realized that both shoes and backaches are unknown to the Masai tribesmen - and that there is a causal connection between these two facts.



By walking barefoot on the natural, soft, uneven ground of their East African homeland, the Masai activate those muscles that atrophy when one walks on hard, even surfaces wearing conventional shoes.



With its special sole construction, the MBT (which stands for Masai Barefoot Technology), places the body in a natural instability which is being compensated by a balancing movement, i.e. through increased muscle activity. Stress on joints is relieved by activating the joint and stabilizing muscle groups. The result is an erect, natural and biomechanical correct gait.




MBT can help with back, hip, leg and foot problems as well with medical conditions regarding the muscles, ligaments and tendons.








The result is a huge selection of athletic shoes (over 60 different styles); casual shoes, sandals and work shoes for both men and women, very few of which are shown below:







For Medical Use:

Masai Barefoot Technology for medical applications: MBTs can contribute significantly to alleviating a variety of ailments, and many doctors and physiotherapists like to use them to treat patient.

For Sports Use:

Masai Barefoot Technology is used in sports: many professional athletes rely on MBTs for regeneration, prevention and accelerated healing of injuries and in endurance and coordination training.

For Daily Use:

Masai Barefoot Technology in everyday use: train muscles, burn calories, protect joints ... while you're doing something else. Shopping, in the office, at home, MBTs act as training equipment, every step of the way.

Choose from many more styles and options here.

Wake Up When You Wash Up In Any Nova Linea Bathroom Collection

Nova Linea was founded in 1987 and is located outside of Venice, Italy. With several collections ranging from fine wood veneers and funky cabinetry, there's something for everyone. Below are select images from some of their vast collections.










































Visit the site to see all the full collections and options here.

Bruxe: The Inaugural Collection. Bags, Computer Cases and Backpacks Done Right.

Montreal-based Bruxe Designs has just released a line of bags and backpacks that are akin to the Little Black Dress. Although touted for outdoorsmen, boarders, shredders and categorized under 'men' in stores, these are beautiful for either sex and everyday use. Everyone should have one and it goes with everything.



Capitalizing on the patent trend, the bags are constructed out of laser-cut patent leather mixed with canvas, and their uniformly black exteriors and punchy red interior fabric details emphasize the designers' new approach, creating bags with a slick, low-profile appearance that unobtrusively pack major utilitarian features inside.



Their inaugural collection consists of the following five designs.
The Johnson Computer Pack:





The Greene Three Day Pack:




The Farrington Low Profile Pack:





The Jefferson Rolling Duffel:








and The Lloyd Mac Book Carrier:







Who is Bruxe?


Under their Rekognize Design moniker, Belgian born twin brothers Oli and Mer Van Roost have been designing and marketing backpacks, accessories and apparel for a variety of skate and snowboard companies for 10+ years. But they often had the sense that the crème de la crème of their designs were falling by the wayside. As Oli explains, "I always felt that my most progressive designs were being held back. Clients often chose styles which were closer to what they had seen from other companies as they felt they were less risky." Thus, Bruxe, the brothers' new independently owned streetwear label was born.




Available for purchase at Robust Flavor.



Bruxe design

BA DA "BLING": Hip Hop's Crown Jewels Go Up For Auction

Above: Missy Elliot's diamond clad turntable ring will be auctioned.



Phillips de Pury & Company Presents “Hip Hop’s Crown Jewels”, the First Auction of Historic Hip Hop Jewelry, Pioneering a New Collecting Category. Includes Iconic Cultural Artifacts Worn by Some of the 20th Century’s Most Influential Musical Artists.



Above two images courtesy of Interview magazine

A historic selection of 70 jewelry pieces from some of Hip Hop's most illustrious musicians, rappers and jewelers will be offered, including those worn by:

50 Cent
Alicia Keys
Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G.
Birdman
Biz Markie
Busta Rhymes
Cam'ron
Damon Dash
P. Diddy
Eminem
Freekey Zekey
Gnarls Barkley
Ja Rule
Jay-Z
Jerome James
Lil Jon
LL Cool J
Mary J. Blige
MC Lyte
Missy Elliott
Nas
Pharrell Williams
Remy Ma
Rihanna
Slick Rick
Swizz Beatz
Tupac Shakur
VERBAL
Yaki Kadafi

A Portion of Proceeds to Benefit 3 Nonprofits within Russell Simmons’ Rush Community Affairs; Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Diamond Empowerment, Hip Hop Summit Action Network,

Other specific proceeds include:
All lots worn by Eminem will benefit The Marshall Mathers Foundation.
50 Cent's Haimov Watch proceeds will benefit the G-Unity Foundation.
Proceeds from Tupac's Crown ring, Mob ring (shown here) and Diamond and sapphire necklace will go to the Tupac Shakur Amaru Foundation.

Highlights from the auction (some of which are shown below) include Slick Rick's diamond studded eye patch, Lil Jon's "Crunk Ain't Dead" diamond pendant and necklace, Tupac Shakur's Mob ring, his Crown ring and more, MC Lyte's Nefertiti Ring and Nefertiti Necklace, Missy Elliot's Diamond Turntable Ring, 50 Cent's Diamond Haimov watch and much, much more ice.









The auction will be held on Wednesday 1 October 7pm at 450 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011 and viewing will be from the 22nd through the 30th of September, 10am - 6pm.

Enquiries: Alia Varsano, Worldwide Head of Contemporary Jewelry
avarsano@phillipsdepury.com +1 212 940 1293

Catalogues available at catalogues@phillipsdepury.com
London +44 20 7318 4039 New York +1 212 940 1240

To reserve tickets for the auction:
+1 212 940 1365
or email: hiphop@phillipsdepury.com

A Big Loss To the Creative Community: Nagi Noda. Her Work Will Always Be Remembered.

Above: Nagi Noda (1973-2008)

The creative world lost a great talent last week. Sadly, Nagi Noda, the Japanese artist/designer/art director, (and most recently fashion designer) as well as the creator of hanpanda, passed away on Sunday, September 7. She was only 35. Noda had experienced ongoing complications related to a bad car accident last year that resulted in chronic pain. The exact cause of death was not specified.


Above: Hanpanda

Sheila Stepanek, CEO/EP Partizan US, who represented Noda, says that Noda passed "in her Mark Ryden dress, Chanel boots, perfect make-up with Viktor & Rolf lace black eye lashes."

Noda was best known in the ad industry for her fantastic "Sentimental Journey" clip for Japanese pop star Yuki, which featured multiple "analog" clones of the singer and was featured in Saatchi's 2006 New Directors Showcase.



However, her recent fashion collaboration with artist Mark Ryden and her 'hair hats' are what I will always remember and if you never saw either of them, I'd like to share them with you here.




Shot by photographer Kenneth Cappello this past April (shown seated below on the far right), her hair hats are hair shaped into various animals.











Her foray into fashion with Mark Ryden gave us some fabulous clothes and some unforgettable branding:



Most recently she collaborated with ultra popular artist Mark Ryden to come out with a clothing label named Broken Label, sold at Colette in Paris. Below are some of the pieces from their line:








And some ads for the brand (note the meat on the floor on the ads - very Mark Ryden):






And here are some pics from her own online diary that break my heart:






Bio:
(click to enlarge)


See more of her work here. And her music videos here.
May she rest in peace.

HP Laptop Gets Fashion Makeover From Vivienne Tam & Lets You Rock The Runway

The hottest fashion introduction on the runway Tuesday night at Bryant Park's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week wasn't necessarily the wardrobe, but what the supermodels were clutching as they strode down the runway of the Vivienne Tam show: a Hewlett-Packard laptop clad in the signature Vivienne Tam peony design.




The press release:

Vivienne Tam and HP unveiled the design of the new must-have digital clutch on the catwalk today at Tam’s fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook represents the first time a computer company has partnered with a globally renowned designer to create a notebook PC that offers all the style and power needed for a delightful technology experience. Tam also worked with HP to design the notebook’s accessories and packaging.

“When I was approached by HP to create a special edition notebook, I could see the design in my head instantly,” said Tam. “The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. I wanted to create a notebook that would appeal to women of all ages, ethnicities and income levels across the globe.”

The top of the notebook is gleaming red and bursting with peony flowers. The peony design is meticulously carried inside the notebook, under the keypad. The notebook also features a complementary embroidered storage sleeve that helps keep the exterior protected while being carried as a clutch.

The peony design features a unique blend of Asian and Western cultures, antiquity and modern style, technology and fashion. It was inspired by Tam’s “China Chic” style, which is recognized from the runways in Milan to the Olympics in Beijing and represents her personal mantra to live well and be beautiful.

“The peony is the national flower of China. They are beautiful and symbolize prosperity, good fortune and happiness,” said Tam. “Their many layers are similar to a modern woman who is as savvy in expressing herself with her personal style as she is with weaving technology into the fabric of her rich and multi-faceted life.”

“With ‘China Chic,’ Vivienne Tam reinterpreted traditional Chinese art into a global fashion trend,” said Satjiv Chahil, senior vice president, Worldwide Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “With her spring collection, Tam has helped HP take the personal computer from a necessity to a lifestyle and fashion ‘must have.’”

Above: Designer Vivienne Tam poses backstage at the Vivienne Tam Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Promenade, Bryant Park on September 9, 2008 in New York City.(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images North America)

The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook is expected to be available early next year. Let's hope this special edition Vivienne Tam HP Laptop is the first of such many stylish tech items to come.

Not only is the product fun, but the HP microsite promoting it is equally enjoyable.

You can walk the Virtual Runway clad in Vivienne Tam by uploading your photo and choosing various gowns here.

See? Here I am, rockin' the runway!

Go ahead, you know you wanna do it!

Have The Mandate Press Make Your Cards If You Can't Design. Or Even If You Can.

Most places that offer stock designs for business or calling cards look fairly cheesy and cheap. But not the ones from the Mandate Press. Actual letter pressed text on nice stock that comes in the form of one of seven standard design styles or you can design your own ( line art only, no photos). For $95.00 you get 250 cards.


Above: The Secret Agent

The seven styles that they have are suitable for almost every personality type and/or profession. For the more conservative and traditional, there's the Aristocrat or the Secret Agent.


Above: The Runway

For the edgy, there's the Pirate or the Rockstar. For the artsy or modern minimalist, the Artist and The Runway. And for the more feminine, the Femme Fatale.


Above: detail of Femme Fatale

Above: detail of The Artist

Above: detail of Rockstar

These are far better looking than most people's business cards. So if in doubt, take a look at their options, trust these guys and get yourself some here.



Who is the Mandate Press?



The Mandate Press is a custom letterpress shop located in Salt Lake City. They print a wide variety of jobs, ranging from small runs of invitations and business cards to high volume commercial work.

Soop Dishes Up Some Fun Tableware

Soop is a multi-disciplinary design company, designing products for the home and commercial environment, from tableware to small items of furniture. Some of the following plates are presently in production and available at various design stores or directly from Soop. Others are looking for production and distribution. All of them are imaginative and fun.

Plate is for Pea (earthenware with pea trick booklet, presently in production):



Above: A plate that actually encourages you to play with your food. Attempt tricks from the accompanying booklet and score as many points by flicking, rolling or even spitting peas into the numbered dimples.

Pretty Nasty (bone china, presently in production):






Above: A series of decorative plates with pretty floral patterns that, on closer inspection, are made up of nasty houseflies, beetles, slugs and snails.

Ready Meals (earthenware, in production):



Above: Ready Meals are seven 10" dinner plate designs, one for everyday of the week, with mix and match recipes (e.g. chips, beans and sausages, beans on toast etc). All you need to do is prepare, cook and place your food on the right outline to serve up a diner's delight.

Crumbs (biscuit tea plates made of bone china, presently in production):




A Diner's Delight (earthenware, seeking production):


Diner’s Delights are six plates with classic American recipes to try, (All American breakfast, hamburger and fries, T bone steak and fries, macaroni and cheese, Thanksgiving dinner and waffles and ice cream).


Contact info:
44 (0) 20 8995 7105
for any sales enquiries

Need To Sniff Out An Unusual Gift? Lucky Scent Is The Place

If rare, chic and unusual scents for men and women are what you're looking for, you can stop searching. Lucky Scent's online store and Scent Bar in Los Angeles have everything you need. They have a huge selection of hard to find, exclusive scents and scented gifts.

From european fragrances for both men and women that are hard to find as well as bath and body products, candles, teas and other goods, you'll find them here. And if you don't want to spend a fortune (many are quite costly) they sell tons of samples as well. Here are a few examples of their unique offerings:

Stoned Eau de Parfum (and scented candle) by Solange Azagury-Partridge

Stoned, which boasts diamond dust as one of its ingredients, is a perfume unlike any other, truly a liquid jewel. Created for the acclaimed English jeweler Solange Azagury-Partridge by the renowned perfumer Lynn Harris, this is a striking, mysterious, fantastically smooth blend, as complex and multifaceted as the gems that inspired it. It starts with the top accord of honeyed citrus and heady flowers, rose and jasmine. The heart is dark and warm, with labdanum, treemoss and heliotrope creating a sumptuous, enveloping effect, which adds an incredibly attractive retro quality to the fragrance, making it reminiscent of the luxurious perfumes of the past. In the base, musk and vanilla showcase the duality of Stoned, its glamorous, arresting, at times animalistic side and its surprising, cozy comfort-scent feel. This is truly one of the most breathtaking scents we have encountered lately— it is as opulent and chic as the most fantastic couture gown, and yet there is warmth and softness about it, which feels like a loving touch, and which we find absolutely irresistible. ”One day every woman wakes up wanting diamonds”, believes Solange Azagury-Partridge. We believe that after smelling Stoned, every woman will want to own this beautiful scent housed in this gorgeous glass flacon. $285. Candle, $60.00


MoslBuddJewChristHinDao (Unifaith) Eau de Parfum by Elternhaus
A spiritual blend centered around sandalwood, MoslbuddJewChristHinDao is a perfect harmony of scents, each one carefully chosen to represent one of Earth's major religions. Fans of 10 Corso Como will delight in its familiar opening, a clean sandalwood/sweet wood combination that's both enchanting and spiritual. This cosmically in-tune fragrance unites all: Men and women, faithful and the unbelievers with its unisex— or unifaith— appeal. $300.00

Amber Balls by L’Artisan Parfumeur Amber Balls
Carved and chiselled by a potter, the terracotta Amber Pebble contains an exclusive solid fragrance releasing the rich fragrance of Amber. Warm and intense, it will slowly waft through the air over a long period. The fragrance is carried through the air and is intensified by heat or humidity in the room. Available in three sizes. Presented in a black box lined with paper.

Rosso Nobile Decanter And Vines diffuser:

This Dr. Vranjes fragrance fills the home with the original fragrance of the essences of fine wine: a bottle to hold the precious fragrance of Rosso Nobile, an exclusive decanter to air the extraordinary fragrance, vines to spread its intense fragrance in an even more original way. The top notes are dominated by strawberry and blackberry, completed by citrus aroma; mildly fermented notes added to a bloom of violets and roses form the body with its intensely voluptuous character; delicate notes of the most notable tannins of wine complete the unique harmony of base notes. Pour the contents of the bottle in the decanter and stir the fragrance slowly to facilitate airing. $350.00

August perfumes in hand painted porcelain decanters:
Auguste is a collection of fragrances inspired by ancient books, handwritten by one of the many Grasse perfumers between 1905-1920. These old books, grimoires, abound with recipes of perfumes of exceptional quality, elegance and unique character. The Auguste parfums are neither imitations nor pale reproductions, but original formulas. To respect the methods used at the dawn of modern perfumery, the company did not use filtrage or glaçage, and the result is the trio of perfumes that are memories of the olfactive spirit of a beautiful, long-gone epoch. Auguste is a true artisan creation; bottles are hand-poured, presented in hand-painted porcelain bottles with cork stopper, and available in very limited quantities.

Royal Creme by Winifred Wikkeling:

This paraben-free balm achieves its healing hydration through a rich blend of naturally sourced ingredients including shea butter, wheat protein, honey and lavender flower extract, in keeping with the Dutch respect for nature and the environment. Uniquely rich yet quickly absorbent, Royal Creme leaves the skin soft, radiant and supple – a feeling that lasts all day. $95.00

Tihota Eau de Parfum by Indult

Rapa Nui for sugar, Tihota is, quite simply, The One. The One that will call to you every moment you’re not smelling it, The One that you’ve only had hints of in other vanilla perfumes, The One that lasts and lasts, The One that has perfectly captured the essence of the pure nature of fresh vanilla beans and has harnessed it beyond your wildest dreams. It inspires obsessive devotion with its fragrance of smooth, vanilla bean pods dipped in honeyed water and left to steep. The result is the pure magic, an unbridled vanilla, sweet, raw and achingly desirable. Of course, Tihota isn’t the first perfume to focus on the dark sweetness of vanilla… perfumery is filled with vanillas, but this smells like the dream of a master perfumer who was obsessed with vanilla and was finally given free rein to worship the note with no apologies. It is, without a sliver of a doubt, the finest pure vanilla we’ve ever had the honor of carrying, and it’s so beautiful it pains us to put the bottle down.

And if you happen to live in the Los Angeles area, they've opened a scent bar where they encourage you to come, sit and sniff.






Scent Bar
8327 Beverly Blvd (map it)
Los Angeles CA 90048
323 782 8300

Or buy online here.

The Sensory Deprivation Skull & The Wellness Skull

The Sensory Deprivation Skull is a chamber of sorts in which you can sit and essentially cut yourself off from the world. Created in 2007 by Joep van Lieshout of Atelier Van Lieshout, it's comprised of reinforced fiberglass, measures 150 cm tall by 110 cm long and 137 cm wide and is available in a limited edition of 10.







Joep van Lieshout seems to have a thing for skulls; he also created the Wellness Skull in which a sauna is housed and several other sculptures based upon the human skull.



The Wellness Skull is an impressive large skull. Just like Wellness centers it has a few places to relax. In the neck of the skull is a small bath. The head of the Skull contains a sauna. When it is working the hot steam pears out of the eye sockets.




Joep van Lieshout about the Wellness Skull: “The heavenly power is the big unknown, the death of the hereafter, the skull of physical shell of the mind. The earthly power is a economical power, money plays an important role on our contemporary society. Gradually the faith loses all importance and is replaced by an alternative ‘self experience’, through travelling, sporting and wellness centres.


Joep van Lieshout was born in Ravenstein (The Netherlands, 1963). He lives and works in Rotterdam since 1987. Photo and copyright: Merlijn Doomerink

Atelier van Lieshout (AVL) was founded in 1995 by Joep van Lieshout. The name Atelier Van Lieshout emphasises the fact that the works of art do not stem solely from the creative brain of Joep van Lieshout, but are produced by a creative team.

Atelier Van Lieshout
Keilestraat 43e
3029 BP ROTTERDAM
The Netherlands
T: +31(0)10 244 09 71
F: +31(0)10 244 09 72
E-mail: info@ateliervanlieshout.com
Harbournummer 291

Mann Made: Bowls For Driade By Mann Singh

Mann Singh's silvered brass baskets designed for Driade incorporate nature-like elements of twigs, petals and open foliage shaped into vessels and containers. They combine inorganic materials with organic shapes to give off a kind of spiritual and mystical feeling. All this from a bowl. Cool, huh?

Here's the Shalemar collection:


Above: Chitai and Chitai II

Above: Kachnar I

Above: Kachnar II

Above: Kachnar III

Above: Muqarna

Above: Muqarna, top view

Above: Shamadan

Corbus Boards: Aluminum Shaped Boards For Skaters

Skate boarders now have tons of options out there when it comes to artsy decorated or painted decks. Wood or aluminum, silk screened, hand-painted and printed, there are thousands of very cool ones to choose from. But here's something a little new. These aluminum boards are cut, sanded and drilled, and are actually shaped into things like seahorses and skeletons. Corbus boards are hand crafted shaped aluminum skateboards by a guy named... well, Corbus.



In the designer's own words:

Skateboards have always been an extension of their owners — modified by their user both for style and ride-ability. At Corbusboards, I wanted to take this concept to the next level. To take skateboard design further than the graphics on the bottom of the board and the body beyond tradition. To me it was a logical next step to realize that the entire board could be created in a shape that would play into the style and expression of its rider. Not only is the board itself the design, but it is a fully functional, impressive to ride art objects.



Knowing that the classic wood structure was limited I turned to aluminum streamlining the design until I came up with sleek silhouettes at around the same weight of traditional long-boards — and just as ride-able. These custom boards are a completely original cross between a long-board and a short-board for a smooth cruising ride that is also focused on independent vision and comfort. These are not trick boards, but they are tricked.



When you choose to ride a Corbusboard, you are riding a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted board that shows the world you have unique style. We can custom create almost anything you can dream up . . . you ride your own expression, not just some redecorated, mass-produced object.

Taking what I’ve learned while making aluminum boards, I now plan to return to the idea of wood as the main material — but with my own twist. I will be focused on making stylish, hand-carved wood boards that are as unique as all of the current aluminum designs . . .

-Corbus

So, here are the aluminum boards he's created thus far:



This fish board measures 9" at its widest point, and 6" at its narrowest. It is 32" long. It comes with Seismic quick turn 45° trucks on the front, and Seismic stable turn 30° trucks on the back, abec 5 speed bearings, and 70mm soft urethane wheels. 62mm vented wheels are available as an option. And there are illuminated riser pads under the trucks to give the board an underglow effect at night. Additionally, you can choose between riser pads or lit wheels. Buy it here


This sea horse board measures 8-1/2" at its widest point, and 5" at its narrowest. It is 30"long. It comes with Seismic stable turn 30° trucks, abec 5 speed bearings, and 70mm soft urethane wheels. And there are illuminated riser pads under the trucks to give the board an underglow effect at night. Buy it here.



A peek at the process:






Visit the Corbusboards site here.

Purchasing of boards is now possible from each individual board's page.
Or contact them:
phone: 206.355.3062
mail: Box 2608 #185 2nd Ave, Seattle//WA 98121

Funky Find Of The Week: The Fe-tisch Coffee Table

The Fe-tisch coffee table is a limited edition art piece of functional furniture that is part of the "tisch" series by Draenert.

For the internationally renowned manufacturer of designer furniture and tables, DRAENERT, Peter, for once, wanted to be distinctly "giers-tisch". (a reference to designer Walter Giers). He intended to invent Giers-objects as limited editions in the shape of tables, which explain themselves by an adjective^*. These new types of objects for interior design, for collectors and museums, for proprietors of art galleries and action opportunities are "giers-tisch" in the true meaning of the word, which means they are aesthetic and at the same time filled with typically Giers-electronic, which again creates pure aesthetics. In one case there are optical effects of the finest, light and picture changes, optical illusions, which repeatedly dissolve.

Some tables, however, are pure diversion which were accepted as a favour to the joker or designer Giers, like the fe-tisch, the fantas-tisch or the elas-tisch. They are tables and they are not tables, derived at from the one adjective or misunderstood joke. And then the unique specimen "Stammtisch", no joke, also not an adjective, a grand idea of the electronic art of a Walter Giers for the topic ‘table’, namely, for a non existing table reserved for the regulars.

The artist took his inspiration from German adjectives with this ending, which as a noun "Tisch" is the German word for "table". This play on words can be explained but, unfortunately, not be translated. Just one example: "op-tisch" could be read as "optic table".

In short, tables, wherever one is looking: especially op-tische or akus-tische, typical Giers-tische, Phantas-tische. Many of them are unique specimens; some are as a limited edition of 6 pieces, others in a quantity of 50 pieces.

*Giers: "Originally there was the word: Fe-tisch. A screw clamp solution: the Fe-tisch utilizes used ladies underwear in a novel way. Objectively: Ladies underwear is fixed by two 4 screw clamps between two glass plates. The clamps serve at the same time as the table legs"

Fe-tisch table is a limited Edition: 1 piece

To see other tables in the "-tisch" series, go here.

A Trailer You'd NEVER call Trash! Tabbert's Paganini Caravan

In the last few years the Tabbert brand has undergone repositioning and has clearly rejuvenated its corporate image. With the luxe Paganini, their designers, developers, and product managers have created a new standard in the category. In the Paganini, Tabbert combines automotive design with innovative technology and quality to result in a trailer that's anything but trash. They refer to it as a "caravan" and so will I throughout the rest of this post.

The Exterior:



The flush F.AC.E window system that runs from the three-dimensionally overarched front of the caravan through to the rear, is unique to the Paganini.





A Silverline package features side walls in wood-free sandwich design, where an insulating core of XPS rigid foam plastic provides more static properties, strength, and stability at a relatively low weight.



One of the most important new constructions is the Tabbert premium roof. With a thickness of 6 cm this roof provides optimal thermal insulation and excellent noise protection when it rains.


The innovative air circulation in the Tabbert premium roof is of new design. Behind a double wall in the top cabinets (in both the front and in the rear areas) there are openings into the roof. The air in the interior is thus continuously exchanged, which guarantees a pleasant room climate and almost completely prevents heat accumulation.

The channels for the optional air-conditioning system also run in the roof. Through a special duct, cold air flows into the roof and then distributes into the air-conditioning channels and can uniformly exit at three positions in the ceiling panels. This technology allows completely draught-free cooling of the interior of the caravan.

The Interior:

Indirect lighting in the circumferential ceiling panels, inset LED spots, and reading lamps in the seat group and in the bedroom provide lighting not usually found in recreational vehicles.

The new light control system allows you to set individual lights that also can be dimmed.

And upon request the ceiling lamp above the seat group also is available with a backlit Tabbert emblem.

Luxurious details and materials are used throughout from the leathers to the wood veneers and stainless steel hardware.

The Kitchen:

Sophisticated functionality and first-class workmanship are also in the kitchen. The interior has a champagne-colored furniture decor and details such as a solid-surface worktop with chopping board and sink cover.

There is a three-burner Spinflo cooker with glass panel and a sufficiently large working area that is easy to clean.

The kitchen equipment is available with a powerful extractor hood and a 189 litre refrigerator (both optional).

The Bathroom:

A very special feature in the 655 DF is the spacious round shower with illuminated ceiling.

Mahogany real wood veneer and solid-surface materials also are found in the bath.

Practical stowage trays and a toilet with ceramic coating provide real 'at home' type comfort.

The Bedroom:












All inclusive

* Tabbert premium roof with integrated air-conditioning channels for optimal cold air ventilation
* Furniture flaps (mahogany real wood veneer) with gas pressure springs
* Ceiling panels covered with Alcantessa and featuring state-of-the-art LED light technology
* Solid-surface worktop in the kitchen, incl. chopping board and sink cover
* Solid-surface panel in the bath
* Alloy wheels painted in black
* High-quality hinges and exclusive SafetyLocks
* Dimmable 20 W bulbs
* Light control system
* Ventilated seat stowage boxes, and rear-ventilation of the top cabinets into the roof (in the front and in the rear)
* High-quality surfaces
* Exclusive fabric groups: Avantgarde, Elegance, Noblesse
* Comfort door with safety concept
* Illuminated entrance step with Tabbert lettering (integrated and insulated; for a clear plus in safety and comfort)
* Integrated aluminium bottle box bottom with spare wheel holder


Standard equipment

* Wide-track safety chassis with axle shock absorbers
* Smooth running chassis
* Stabiliser safety coupling (AKS 2004) with softdock
* Low-profile tyres
* Service hatch in the side wall (depending on the layout)
* Dometic toilet CT 3110 (except 655 MDW)
* Mini-Heki, with forced ventilation
* Lift-tilt sunroof, version 2
* Hinged frame windows, tinted for sun screening
* Combination roller blinds and mosquito protection
* 12 V tent light above the entrance door
* Safety tail lights with round single lights
* White smooth plate (front window or blind panel depending on the layout)
* Comfortable manoeuvring handles
* Truma SL5002 heating, two fan motors and heating circuits, heating fan (12 V) with engine speed control
* 13-pole connector plug, «Jäger» system (DIN 72570)
* Gas pipe (Ø 10 mm) from gas bottle to distributor block
* 45 l fresh water tank, built-in
* Warm air system with automatic speed control, 12 V
* SAT antenna cable laid
* Converter / switching power supply 250 VA
* Hinged bed base with mattress holder (spring mattress)
* Hot water supply (in kitchen and toilet, with Truma-Therme)
* Drawbar cover
* Corner shelves with indirect lighting
* PVC floor covering
* 655 DF exclusive shower with illuminated ceiling and solid-surface covering in the shower column


www.tabbert.de

Tabbert Caravan GmbH
Sandweg 1
36391 Sinntal-Mottgers
Germany

USt.ID-Nr.: DE154871125
Handelsregister Hanau, HRB 90459
phone: +49 (0) 66 64 - 89 0
fax: +49 (0) 66 64 - 61 98
tabbert@tabbert.de

Wakamaru: Mistubishi's Personal Robot, No Longer Personal, But Still 'Alive'

Let me start out this post by letting you know that this 'personal' home robot by Mitsubishi, which initially listed at $8,500.00 USD when introduced to the market in 2005, is no longer available for purchase. When he first came out, there was a lot of news about him and I wondered what had happened to Wakamaru?

Apparently he got a job as a salesman at the New York Soho Uniqlo store!

Yep, I saw on Engadget that he's now being used in the SOHO Uniqlo store as a salesman (salesrobot?) of sorts.


Read the story about that here.

Back to our little "Wakamaru". He was created by the development staff at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., incorporating advanced robot technology and designed by Toshiyuki Kita. "Wakamaru" was created to communicate with people and all of his features were developed to enable such communication.



"Wakamaru" is not a home electric appliance you just turn on when you want to use it. Nor is it a robot that will activate after receiving a command. Rather, it remains active without the assistance of humans as long as it is powered on. "Wakamaru" has its own rhythm of life and moves around autonomously. It will want to be near people in movement, stay active throughout the day by charging itself, and rest up at the charging station at night.



"Wakamaru's" rhythm of life may be left autonomous or set to a pre-determined schedule.
He can recognize the faces of people that have been recorded, respond when spoken to, meet a person's gaze, offer up subjects of conversation, etc., all to ensure naturally rich communication. As "wakamaru" freely moves about a predetermined area and decides for itself when to recharge, its movement require no human assistance.



How does he work?

"Wakamaru" may operate continuously as long as it is powered on. The owner may set a time at which "wakamaru" will become active in the morning, or stop at night.
"Wakamaru's" daily activities may be set by day of the week.
The following four modes of activity may be selected:
1) Stay at charging station.
2) Stay near office.
3) Circulate around designed area.
4) Sleep at charging station.
"Wakamaru" will recharge or move as necessary when in modes 1) - 3) , When in mode 4), It will be inactive unless instructed for activity. During the night, he will remain at the charging station as per mode 4).





Eyes
"Wakamaru's" eyes are not only necessary from a technological viewpoint, but their size and shape were created to take on and express emotions. This is intrinsically connected to "wakamaru's" personality. Wide eyes express understanding when being spoken to, indicating that reliable communication is established. Eye expressions have been choreographed to create a partner of credible intelligence.



Mouth
The mouth may take on a slight smile or even express an air of melancholy. As with the eyes, the mouth will change depending on the emotions of the person with whom the robot has contact. This robot actually assumes a role when "living with humans."





Eyebrows
Although the eyebrows were designed to serve a functional necessity, their position and shape ended up giving rise to "wakamaru's" character. In fact, the name "wakamaru" came from the resemblance to 12th century warrior Ushiwakamaru's eyebrows. As with Ushiwakamaru, who grew up to be the famous Yoshitsune, we can expect growth and development in the future.



So, if you really want to meet Wakamaru, I guess you'd better go mosey over to the Uniqlo store in Soho and ask him to help you out.


Above: designer Toshiyuki Kita

By the way, if you really want your own personal robot, Gecko Systems just announced the release of their latest, the CareBot MSR 3.8 Read the press release here

Sweet Dreams Security: Safety Never Looked So Good.

Who says that elements designed to keep people away can't be inviting? Certainly not Matthias Megyeri of Sweet Dreams Security in Great Britain where safety, preventative and secure elements are functional but fun. Butterfly-shaped razor wire, teddy bear shaped padlocks and lace embroidered Beware of Dog signs are some examples of the whimsy interjected into products usually designed to be foreboding and unattractive.

Several of their designs like the heart shaped link chain and glass landscape toppers are ordered by commission, but others are available to purchase. Definitely the cutest security precautions you'll ever take.

Below are all of their products to date with descriptions taken directly from their website.



Sweet Dreams Security™
Fences with bunny rabbits for railheads, razor-wire woven with butterflies, padlocks shaped like teddy bears and feline CCTV covers – a few of the products in the Sweet Dreams Security™ range. Matthias Megyeri has carved an exciting new niche market for products that respond to what he sees as an uncomfortable balance between the growing demand for security products and an over-saturation of the kitsch, the‘cute', the garden gnomes and the frilly curtains.

Railings: R. Bunnit , Peter Pin and Didoo


The first set of three unique railing-top characters by Sweet Dreams Security™ is now available. This contemporary take on traditional Victorian street furniture injects a sense of energy into often-lifeless urban landscapes. Let the jagged but friendly little creatures guard your home with a warm smile.

Razor Wire: Mr. Smish & Madame Buttly
The Sweet Dreams Security™ razor wire is our most vicious but cute product to date. Standard razor wire has been transformed from a purely threatening object into one that is highly playful, yet every bit as effective.



‘Mr. Smish & Madame Buttly’ had the honour of gracing the cover of the 2005 ‘SAFE: Design Takes on Risk’ MoMA exhibition catalogue, in New York.


You can either order ‘Mr. Smish’ and ‘Madame Buttly’ separately, or together as the dream team of security.

Preventative Wall Toppers: Landscape


‘Landscape’ by Sweet Dreams Security™ consists of ten glass objects designed as security features for the top of garden or backyard walls. The strong, sharp structures offer an original and appealing alternative to broken bottle shards, which are now illegal to use.‘Landscape’ is now also available in various vibrant colours as a result of collaboration with a traditional Stuttgart-based glass company.

Padlock: Billy B.


Sweet Dreams Security™ introduces a fresh, friendly face to the Old English Padlock by offering ‘Billy B.’ to grace your backyard or private space. Made by Henry Squire & Sons Ltd UK – family-owned lockmakers since 1780 – this fun, new product boasts the quality workmanship expected from an old favourite.’Billy B.’ is now being sold in selected design outlets worldwide.



Chains: Heart to Heart



Sweet Dreams Security™ developed ‘Heart to Heart’ to enhance a classic product icon with a sprinkling of sweetness.The heart-shaped chain will inject a dose of good, old-fashioned charm to your front garden, backyard or other private space.

Alarms: Daisy T.

The ADT alarmbox flower attachment from Sweet Dreams Security™ transforms your existing alarmbox from dull and dreary to chirpy and cheery, giving a playful look to your building exterior and bringing a smile to the faces of passerby. The extra shell provided by the flower’s petals also provides an extra layer of protection against wily burglars’ expert ways.

The one-year installation of ‘Daisy T’ at the Design Museum, London, has greatly raised her profile and even turned her into somewhat of a local celebrity.

Security cameras: City Cat TV
These quirky Sweet Dreams Security™ CCTV camera attachments add a welcome touch of humour to our increasingly security-conscious lives.

The sliding feature on the outdoor camera ensures that the quality of the images captured is never impaired by bright sunlight.

Security Illusion Curtains: Mrs Welcome
Sweet Dreams Security™ proudly introduces ‘Mrs Welcome’. Woven to look like a metal security shutter, this traditional lace curtain with a twist is soft and welcoming on the inside, yet cold and harsh-looking on the outside: a placebo product designed to keep the burglars at bay, without making you feel imprisoned in your own home.

Made in Nottingham, UK, this product also marks a return to traditional English lace-making roots – a much-needed boost for a fast-fading local industry and identity

Beware of Dog Sign: Snoopy D

‘Snoopy D’, from Sweet Dreams Security™ is an ironic remake of a classic warning sign. The phrase ‘Beware of Dog’ takes on an entirely new slant when embroidered onto a delicate lace window hanger using the traditional German hand-embroidery technique known as ‘Plauener Spitze’.

‘Snoopy D’ lends a touch of old-fashioned class to a society ruled by suspicion, where niceties are all too often forgotten.

Sweet Dreams Security™ has found international acclaim, exhibiting widely and attracting high profile bespoke commissions - two projects in Tokyo this summer, Colour By Numbers and Tokyo Hipsters Club, and a window installation at Paul Smith in New York. After participating in the ‘Hometime’ exhibition organised by the British Council in China and showing at the Design Museum's Design Mart exhibition of new British design in 2004, the products were included in Paul Smith's Great Brits exhibition at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2005. As well as participating in the Pop noir exhibition at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem the product range is also being exhibited at ‘Safe – Design Takes On Risks’ at the Museum of Modern Art, New York and in a show curated by Droog® design in Amsterdam.


above: designer Matthias Aron Megyeri



SweetDreamsSecurityTM
Matthias Aron Megyeri, Designer
18 Trafalgar Mews
E9 5JG, London, Great Britain
m.megyeri@sweetdreamssecurity.com

Telephone 0044 (0)20 8986 5116
Mobile 0044 (0)77 7962 4974
For information regarding prices please contact us.

Seinfeld And Gates: Shoe Shopping For Microsoft

The below spot, the first ad produced by Crispin Porter+Bogusky for Microsoft, is being severely criticized and attacked by some Microsoft advocates on twitter and several other social media sites as "bad".



Personally, I think it's hilarious, memorable and one of the first Microsoft ads that will have great appeal to the Mac audience and jaded Microsoft users. It's true that it shows no hardware, software or 'technology' per se but we all know that's what Microsoft does and we don't need to be told that yet again.

Microsoft doesn't need to explain who they are, nor show us a particular product (for that, you can just look at any tech site or magazine), but instead help broaden their appeal and build confidence back into the brand after the Windows Vista release disappointed so many.

This spot makes Bill Gates approachable and likeable as opposed to an 'evil corporate giant' and the message is about the future. Besides The 'shoe circus clown club member' bit (a nod toward Seinfeld's past ads for American Express) is worth the entire 60 seconds.

The spot is the first commercial ad released by Crispin Porter+Bogusky (and apparently one of several to come) for Microsoft but their "Mojave Experiment", a series of internet ads and banners that utilize the unoriginal, but tried and true "try it, you'll like it" approach, has been out for sometime now.

Iris Design Studio's Bright Idea: Light Bulbs Become Functional Art

Above: Perito Moreno Vanity Circle PM013



Iris Design Studio takes light bulbs...bare ordinary looking light bulbs and by cutting them, combining them, suspending them and more, creates functional art.

For her Perito Series, she cuts them in half and artfully applies them to mirrored surfaces of different sizes, shapes and colors. Below are their models.

Perito Moreno Flower (l.) and Clock (r.):


Perito Moreno Large (l.) and Medium (r.):


Perito Moreno Small(l.) and Parallel(r.):


Perito Moreno Single and Dual:


Perito Moreno Diagonal(l.) and Opposites (r.):


Perito Moreno Heart (long or short):


Perito Moreno Arabesque:


She also has more complex designs like the Olinda Blue:



And the Mital Del Mundo Partition:


And a whole series of La Paz Bulb table, floor and pendant lamps:



Who is behind Iris designs?

Above: Iris Kadouri
She began her design studies at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design in London and after graduating, based herself in New York. While working on various consulting projects, Iris began designing lighting and furniture. In 2004 she moved to Israel and founded Iris Design Studio, a design collaborative and product design company.

The website.

contact info:
Main Office:
Iris Design Studio Ltd
6 Hamelacha St.
N I Zone, Lod 71520

Israel
Tel: +972-8-9250212
Fax: +972-8-9252207

In North America:
Iris Design Studio Ltd
Toll Free 1-866-245-3312 (E.T.)
Fax: 1-866-308-0915

Ruby Slippers: Part Two - The Designer's Actual Shoes Are Wicked!

Awhile back I informed you that several designers were asked to reinterpret Dorothy's Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz in honor of the 70th anniversary and for an auction on September 20th to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

I shared with you many of the 19 participating designers' sketches previously and now have photos of the actual shoes for you!! Be sure to check out the other post to see how they've gone from concept to reality.



Shoes by A. Testoni:

Shoes by Betsey Johnson:

Shoes by Botkier:

Shoes by Jimmy Choo:

Shoes by Diane Von Furstenberg:

Shoes by Gwen Stefani for L.A.M.B.:

Shoes by Oscar de la Renta:

Shoes by Tibi:

Shoes by Tuleh:



Above: One of the pairs of original "ruby slippers" worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie.



See more details about the auction, The Pediatric Aids Foundation, The Wizard of Oz's 70th anniversary and the original sketches for the shoes here.

Danielle Proud Transforms A Townhouse With Carpet Craziness As A Marketing Campaign

The "funonthefloor" Fun house is a traditional Georgian townhouse whose interior has been transformed by the UK's cross stitch Queen, author, interior designer and DIY crafter, Danielle Proud and her team of DIY project experts.

Lord Harris of Peckham, chairman and chief executive of Carpetright, won the support of rivals when he asked them to help fund the campaign to turn around the image of carpets. Carpetright is putting a million pounds towards the TV and billboard ads.

They've turned it into a living, breathing showcase of the latest carpet trends, technologies and home decorating ideas. Curated with Danielle's signature craft queen touch, the house - through six dramatic and distinctively themed rooms - highlights the transformative power that carpet can have in any home, and places carpet at the forefront of interior decorating style.


Danielle Proud

Above: Craft Queen, DIY fanatic, interior designer and busy Mom, Danielle Proud is on a mission to carpet the nation! Learn more about her and her book, House Proud, here.

The FunHouse:

Above: Entrance

Above: Hallway

Above: Stairs

Above: Livingroom

Above: Livingroom


Above: Bedroom

See the carpet companies supporting this campaign here.

Vipp & Helena Christensen Get Designers To Do Trash For Charity.

Danish design company Vipp and Danish supermodel Helena Christensen join forces in raising money for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster, and for the poor of New York City.

To mark the opening of a Vipp showroom in New York, Vipp is arranging a large-scale charity auction in collaboration with Danish supermodel Helena Christensen who also resides in New York.


Above: supermodel Helene Christensen

"A Danish supermodel and a Danish design icon working together to help the city in which both have settled. There is no better match, and we are very happy that Helena Christensen has agreed to work with us", says Kasper Egelund, owner of Vipp Inc. in the US. Kasper is also grandson of Holger Nielsen who designed the original Vipp pedal bin in 1939.

Apart from having accepted being the key figure in "Vipp Charity Auction for Helena Christensen", the Danish supermodel has also taken on the task of designing three Vipp pedal bins. The starting point will be a selection of the photos taken by Helena Christensen over the recent years where her career as a model has been supplemented by a career as a photographer.


Above: One of Helen's designs for the Vipp Benefit

Several American and international artists and designers will be designing Vipp pedal bins, including Bono, Robert Verdi, Francisco Costa, Alice Temerly, fashion designers Michael Bastian and Cynthia Rowley.

I managed to find some of the wonderful designs that will be auctioned off and here they are.

Alice Temerly:

Ingrid Hoffman:

Todd Oldham:

Dominic Wilcox:

Michael Bastian:

Dale Chiluly:


Robert Verdi:

Simon Doonan:

Bono:

Francisco Costa:

Mattia Biagi:

Above: Of his tar-dipped bin, L.A. artist Mattia Biagi says, “It represents the relationship between human beings and their own pollution in our modern society.”

The profits raised at the event will be given to two organizations: Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI) and Foodbank New York City.




CCPI helps children suffering from the 1986 disaster at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, and Foodbank New York City distributes food to the needy and homeless of New York City.

"We have guaranteed the two organisations an amount of USD 50,000.00 upfront. But, we believe that is only the beginning", says Kasper Egelund.

Vipp is currently inviting other personalities to contribute with designs for the charity auction which will take place on September 18^th in New York.

Public viewing and bidding will be at The Conran Shop, Sept. 4-17, 407 E. 59th St., NYC, (212) 755-9079.

This is not the first time Vipp has solicited designers for benefits and events. Here are some of the memorable trash can designs from past auctions and events:

Philippe Starck and his Vipp design from the 2005 charity auction in Paris for Handicap International:


Ron Arad and his "crash o1" Vipp design from the 2006 charity auction in London to benefit Oxfam:


And in 2006, The Louvre in Paris showed this collection embellished with Swarovski Crystals by chilean designer Mauricio Clavero:


The Vipp Story:

Above: Holger Nielsen and his wife Marie

The Vipp pedal bin was designed and produced for the first time by Holger Nielsen in 1939. During the late 1990's the bin experienced its breakthrough as an international design icon, and it is now sold all over the world.


Above: The first Vipp trash can in 1939

Vipp has just opened a showroom in New York City. The Vipp pedal bin is still produced and hand-assembled in Denmark.



The company is owned by Kasper, Sofie and Jette Egelund (shown above), second and third generations after Holger Nielsen.


The Vipp site

Funky Find Of The Week: Boym's Sex Rugs; Aphrodite & Diana

Not only are the 100% wool hand-tufted "Sex" rugs by Boym Partners Inc. unusual, fun and functional art you can hang on the wall or place on the floor, but given that the extra long wool that acts as 'hair' can be cut or styled, they are actually interactive!

Limited to 10 pieces of each and made in India, they measure a full 6' x 3' and are surprisingly affordable at $850.00 USD a piece.

Purchase them here

Design With An Edge. Several Edges, Actually. Buchegger Denoth Feichtner Design

Thomas Feichtner, Bernhard Buchegger, Michael Denoth of Buchegger Denoth Feichtner Design of Austria like angles. So much so that many of their products resemble origami with flat intersecting geometric planes. They apply this style to everything from lounge chairs to drinking glasses. All all of them look really sharp, figuratively speaking of course.

Take a look:


Cutt
date: 2006
type: flatware
material: silver 940/000
size: 200 x 50 x 15 mm
producer: Wiener Silberschmiede, Austria

Cutt is a cutlery made of silver and is produced in Vienna by the traditional Wiener Silberschmiede Werkstaette.


Coma Lamp
date: 2007
type: table lamp
material: aluminium, sheet metal
size: 630 x 240 x 150mm
The self-supporting metal enclosure is made all in one piece.


Axiome
date: 2006
type: chair
material: aluminium, powder coated
size: 85 x 52 x 50 cm
producer: Designwerkstätte Schatzl, Austria



FX10 Loungechair
date: 2006
type: lounge chair
material: wood, leather
size: 70 x 90 x 106 cm
producer: Neue Wiener Werkstätte, Austria


Water Bottle
date: 2007
type: bottle for mineral water 0,25l
material: recycled green glass
size: 190 x 102 x 102 mm


Bric Drinking Glasses
date: 2006
type: drinking glass
material: Murano glass
size: 100 x 60 x 60 mm