An Update On The Barceloneta - The Modern, Indoor/Outdoor Version of The Classic Barcelona Chair.

When it was first announced that Serralunga was offering an outdoor/indoor version of the classic and elegant Barcelona Chair that was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Knoll® in 1929, I brought you the news with computer generated images of prototypes and the then four colors in which it was to be available (shown below).



Since then, Serralunga has produced the lightweight and weatherproof chair (which was designed for them by Italy's Deep Design) and I have actual photography, the technical specs and the five colors in which it is now available.












A beautiful modern, lightweight indoor/outdoor chair option for lovers of modern classic design.

Serralunga

Capturing Summer In Paintings Of Lawn Chairs. Contemporary Realism and Impressionism by Cindy Rizza.

above: Cindy Rizza, 1972-2, Blue Stripe, Nonni, Peter, Pink Stripe, Uncle Bert, Harriet, Life Gives you Lemons, Yellow Chair, 1972, Flamingo, Pink Zig-Zig, Green Zig Zag, Rosa, Happy hour, *all sold

It's been awhile since I posted a new artist's paintings of chairs, one of my personal favorite subjects. That said, these empty lawn chairs by Cindy Rizza are the perfect way to bring some warmth to the blog during this cold winter. Beckoning to be sat upon, her oil paintings of outdoor folding and yard chairs echo the longing for summer afternoons.

Modern Furniture Made From Volcanic Rock by Maffam Freeform of Latvia.

The Manu series of products from Maffam Freeform, a workshop of the Latvian interior designer Raimonds Cirulis, is made from Volcanic rock (basalt) fibers bonded with eco-resins. Each item is one-of-a-kind, practical, and 100% handmade.





The furniture collection is designed for the outdoors but can also be used in large indoor spaces. The seats, tables and other products in the collection are waterproof, sturdy, environmentally friendly, unbelievably light, and distinctly innovative due to the properties of basalt.









The company, Maffram Freeform, offers hand-made furniture for garden or terraces, as well as stylish design objects. "I wanted to find and think of something unique. Something new and I did it," says designer Raimonds Cirulis. He is the first person in the world to make furniture from basalt fibers.





The designer has managed to develop 17 types of design objects. The furniture is light, but stable, and has the unique basalt lace pattern. Two identical objects are impossible to make, because every piece of furniture is 100% hand made.




Uniqueness lies in two important aspects. Firstly, basalt absorbs all kinds of harmful rays - ultraviolet, radio, electromagnetic, mobile phone, even the earth gravitational radiation and X-rays, emphasizes the designer. So people are protected when they are relaxing in basalt furniture from many things which can negatively affect them. Secondly, basalt is unusually durable - even stronger than fiberglass. Therefore the furniture will last for generations.

"This furniture not only takes a practical, utilitarian function, but with that comes story of its unique design and mysterious volcanic origin. Every product have it’s personality," said SIA "Maffam Freeform" project manager Karlis Parsonoks. The company focuses on three main customer groups - hotel, leisure center, restaurant owners, people who are able to pay for a unique design, interior design showrooms.



Note: The Manu Nest suspended chair will soon be available in the two sizes shown above.

Maffam Freeform is a workshop of the Latvian interior designer Raimonds Cirulis, creating unique items from basalt fibers bonded with eco-resins – true synthesis of art and technology. Each item is one-of-a-kind, practical, and 100% handmade. More than 10 freeform pieces are included in the 2011 Maffam Freeform collection, with new items added monthly.


Maffam Freeform

Now You Can Picnic Indoors All Year Round. The picNYC Table with Real Grass.

Designed by Haiko Cornelissen Architects, the picNYC table has a 7' x 3' real grass sod table top bringing the outdoors in. The ants are optional.

Modern Concrete & Steel Ping Pong Table Doubles As Indoor/Outdoor Dining Table.

James De Wulf of DeWulf Concrete has created a modern new usable ping pong table that also makes for a beautiful indoor or outdoor dining table.



Made to regulation size, the Ping Pong table dimensions are 9’ by 5’ by 30”; and can actually be used for Ping Pong, with acid etched lines that will last as long as the table and a smooth surface that provides a great “bounce”.






The table is also ideal for outdoor use because the components are impervious to moisture, salt air and freeze thaw cycles. However many have expressed a preference to use the table indoors because of its clean, simple beauty, and its smooth, buttery feel.



The stately table is defined by its top which appears to float above the legs. Incredibly thin at one inch, the table top is the culmination of all of DeWulf’s expertise in working with concrete compounds.




To put this in perspective, normal concrete would have to be nearly nine inches in thickness to achieve the same strength and durability of the one inch top that DeWulf has developed for this table.


above: James de Wulf

DeWulf Concrete is a small design operation creating avant-garde, concrete-couture for architects, interior decorators, commercial retail stores, and residential clients.

DeWulf Concrete
2834 Colorado Ave. #9
Santa Monica, CA 90404