Designlush: Living Up To Their Name

Designlush is a collection of finely crafted interior furniture, rugs and accessories created by a talented group of designers and artisans. They sell to trade professionals and offer residential and commercial interior design services. They also create one of a kind pieces for use in everything from real estate staging, set design, and film, video and photo shoots.

Because they are not a retail store, you probably have not seen many of these great items, which is why I want to share them with you.

The style, design and materials vary from exotic hardwoods to hand blown glass. But all are top quality (and many of their wood pieces are sustainable). they carry numerous lines and special, exclusive collections.

Take a look at some of their fabulous rugs:

"Damage" lounge rug:

The Dark Tree Rug:

The "Paris" Lounge Rug:

The Royal Lions Rug:


And their wonderfully crafted wood pieces:

The Lubalin flat credenza and media console:


Wishbone Entry Table (available in various woods):



Black Walnut (or Rosewood) Console:



Santos Rosewood Console:


Slab pine with glass shelves:


Swahili console:


Waterfall writing desk (my personal favorite) :

the level console:


They have some really unique lighting, two of which are shown below.

The Antler lamp:


The "Night Owl" blown glass floor lamp:


They have a large collection of upholstered furnishings as well.

Knowland Sofa:

Groove Sectional sofa in ultrasuede or leather:


and a large selection of art and framed photography, such as the Stable Canine photo below shot by Jesse Harrris:


They also have 3D wood wall panels and unusual mirrors:


Clara Walnut carved wall mirror:


The DESIGNLUSH showroom is located in Suite 415 at the prestigious New York Design Center (NYDC), 200 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

DESIGNLUSH is headed by President and Creative Director Stephen Mitchell, with co-founder and Style Director Thomas Ruscica.

There's much more at their site to see, including a modern masters collection. Check it all out here.

The Mongo Modern Menorah List: Over 140 Hip Chanukah Candelabras

NOTE: Click on each menorah above to learn more and a link to purchase.


UPDATE: THE 2009 MODERN MENORAH LIST OF OVER 200 CAN BE FOUND HERE.


First of all... what is a Menorah? For those who may not know, below is a simple definition:

Menorah:
A menorah is a candelabrum with seven candles that is displayed in Jewish synagogues. The original design for the menorah is in the Torah, and it was used in rituals in the tabernacle (portable sanctuary) and later the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, it has had no formal role in Jewish prayer services or rituals. The presence of a menorah in some synagogues is purely symbolic.

The one exception to this concerns the Jewish festival of Chanukkah, in which a nine-branched version of the menorah is used; this nine branched menorah is properly called a Chanukkiah.

The Chanukkah menorah includes nine candles. Jewish folklore brings down that the reason is one for each day the oil miraculously burned when there was only enough for one day. The Talmud teaches that during the Greek rule in the Land of Israel, the Jews were not allowed to celebrate Sukkot, a holiday of eight days. Therefore, Chanukkah was deemed an eight day holiday from the outset in order to make up for them missed holiday of Sukkot. Today the candles are still lit in order to remember. The ninth candle, the shammes (in Yiddish) or shamash (in Hebrew), is a servant candle that is used to light the others.

This year Chanukah begins Monday December 22nd (it changes every year because the Jewish calendar differs from our calendar year) and continues for 8 days. If you need a menorah for yourself or as a gift, and prefer contemporary, modern or luxe designs to traditional ones, you won't find a more comprehensive selection than my list of over 140 options and growing.

Modern menorahs are gaining in popularity. And since last years' list was such a hit I've decided to continue to scour the world and web for new and more modern menorahs to add to last years' list.

Please note that although I've listed many menorahs, this list does not include 'novelty' menorahs of which there are many (you know... those cutesy or crafty ones made of cats or shoes or in the shape of Noah's ark).

Instead this list is focused on beautifully designed menorahs that deviate from the traditional style. The list includes impressive manufacturers like Tiffany & Co., Christofle, Steuben, and Simon Pearce as well as inexpensive but nice looking ones from Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and other retailers. There are some crafted by famous metal smiths, some by hand blown glass artists, and others in limited versions or even 24k gold plated.

The prices of the above menorahs vary from $14.00 to over $25,000.00. To purchase or learn more, just click on the image.

See more of my Modern Menorahs list at ThisNext.

To see other modern holiday stuff for Christmas click here.

Here's the 2009 Modern Menorah list for you

Warm Up To Safretti's New Designer 'Firespaces' For Indoors Or Out

Safretti has contracted various top designers to build up their assortment with new product lines of fireplaces they call 'firespaces'; the Curva, the Prometheus, the Cubico, Riviera and the Gaya. The designers are Jan des Bouvrie, Jort Mercuur, Frans Schrofer and Roderick Vos and the results are HOT.



The Curva:




The Prometheus:




The Cubico:




The Riviera:




The Gaya:




Safretti decorative "firespaces" have a unique design and a high-quality finish. A combination of exclusive design and the warmth of fire. The decorative firespaces are easy to attach to the wall or to place in open spaces. The open fire will be created by using a special liquid (bio-alcohol). A flue is not necessary. Due to the high-quality materials used, these firespaces are suitable for use both inside and outside on the patio or balcony.

Go here to find a place to purchase them.

Artists James Jarvis, So Me & Delta Create Limited Edition Bottles of Malibu Rum

Malibu Pop & Street Art Series is a limited collection of artist designed bottles for Malibu Rum by So-Me (France), Delta (Netherlands) and James Jarvis (UK) , curated by La MJC.

Three different bottle by three different artists from three different countries representing three different styles; each is numbered and signed and limited to 100 bottles.

French Graphic designer/multi-media artist S0-Me 's Typographic exploration:



Netherland Graffiti artist /painter Delta's Collage design:

And illustrator/vinyl toy designer James Jarvis' pop art version:


Each bottle will cost 19 euros and will be available to the public exclusively at Colette in France beginning December 1st.

SO ME:

The So Me Show at Studio Gallery .
So Me's MySpace page

JAMES JARVIS:

Buy James Jarvis' many vinyl toys collectibles here.


See James Jarvis illustrations here



DELTA:


See some of Delta's older work here
And his newer site here


Visit Colette here to purchase the Malibu Rum bottles starting december 1st

Samsonite's Black Label Gets Glitzy; Alexander Queen's hardsided luggage now in silver.

Alexander McQueen’s work for Samsonite Black Label gets two new updates this season – in limited edition shining silver for the striking ribcage Hero piece (Al1) and the Travel piece (Al2) in crocodile skin design.

The shiny exterior, courtesy of a new paint technology, is developed in conjunction with Bayer. First developed for the motor industry, the paint is thermoformable and highly resistant to impact.

The surfaces are scratch- and UV resistant yet drip of sleek modernity, blending Samsonite’s famed hardiness with the glamor that is the hallmark of Alexander McQueen. This new silver collection will be available at Samsonite boutiques worldwide starting this month.


Above: The Hero Piece
The critically acclaimed Hero piece takes on the imprint of a human form with the ribcage and sternum outlined at the front of the case and the backbone on the back. Now in a rich Chocolate, the decadent color and texture makes this piece more luxurious than ever. This striking effect is echoed within the interior with a negative of the ribs represented in a soft molded form. The Hero piece is also available in chocolate, black and bone colors. AI1 Upright 57 Silver: 43x57.5x25.5 cm, 17x22x10in


Above: The other hardside pieces in the collection follow the design thread of fusing patterns and textures found in nature with the latest cutting-edge technology to create a crocodile skin textured pattern. The cases are lined with a soft feather print and are also available in chocolate, black and bone colours. AI2 Upright 55 Silver (Crocodile Texture): 37x55.5x21 cm, 14.4 x22x8.25in



About the Black Label Collection By Alexander McQueen:



Samsonite has a rich history of partnering with some of the world's most interesting and well-respected designers. When the time came to launch a new collaboration, thoughts turned to the man who is probably the world's most influential fashion designer - Alexander McQueen.

The McQueen brand is defined by the juxtaposition of tradition with technology; the idea of romance, nature, the influence of arts and crafts, together with edgy tailoring and a futuristic aesthetic. When brought together with Samsonite Black Label's values of luxury and style, and an unrivaled 97-year heritage of function and durability, the result is a unique collection of luxury travel items that not only meet the demands of modern travel but also one that applies the McQueen values to luggage for the very first time.

Design:


The hero piece in the collection takes design inspiration from the human rib cage. McQueen took a mold of a male torso and began to work from there. “The human ribcage protects our vital organs as we move about in the world.



Luggage takes on the same role as we travel and pack our worldly possessions inside for safe transport, ” said McQueen at the Samsonite launch of his new collection. Available in bone, black and chocolate brown, the hero piece boasts a ribcage and sternum outline in the front, and a backbone on the back.

Alexander McQueen