Cool Ways To Heat Up: Focus Fireplaces of France

The amount of beautifully designed fireplaces created abroad really impress me (for examples, be sure to check my side bar links to amazing fireplace and radiator designers and manufacturers).

One of them, Focus, manufactured exclusively in France, has over 50 stunning wall-mounted, freestanding and custom fireplaces, all designed by Dominique Imbert.

Imbert's designs vary. Some swivel 360 degrees, some look like they are torn from the wall, others have adjustable hoods, and still others are clad in leather.

I'm going to show you a few of my favorites from the collection, you'll have to visit the site to see the rest yourself.

Below are examples of this 'torn metal' look which I think is so interesting. Very primitive yet modern at the same time.


Above: the Eclat Giant


Above: the Omega

And then this unusual little protrusion from the wall takes up hardly any room yet is impossible to ignore:


Above: the Mio


Above: The Elliptofocus is actually covered in leather as opposed to the usual metal housing.



Their site, www.focus-creation.com has optional language choices, company history, a bio about the designer and distribution info.


Above: the designer, Dominique Imbert

Want to see more? Check them out here.

Now, if only they'd redesign that logo......

The Million Dollar Christmas Gift. Okay, So It's Actually The $950,000. Gift

Now, this is what I call the ultimate gift. Time and Travel.

You get four audaciously gem encrusted watches plus a trip for 4 to the rain forest (stay in 3 different luxury accommodations) and throw in a $30,000.00 charitable deduction to boot.

All for the price of $950,000.00 USD.


Zadora Timepieces has partnered with Robb Report Beginning November 8th 2007 until January 8th 2008 to offer the Robb Report Limited Edition Zadora Timepieces Rainforest Collection and Rendezvous.

Package Description:
The Zadora Timepieces’ Robb Report Limited Edition package begins with four bejeweled, rain forest–themed watches, continues with a rain forest eco-adventure in Costa Rica, and culminates with a $30,000 donation to the rain forest preservation organization of the purchaser’s choice.

Each of the four bespoke watches depicts a different rain forest inhabitant, cased in 18-karat gold as follows:



Zadora Frog Prince Timepiece - executed in textured 18-karat yellow gold; the body is set in pavé tsavorites studded with blue sapphire cabochons. The frog’s feet are detailed in diamonds, and its eyes are ruby cabochons.



Zadora Poppy Flower Timepiece – executed in platinum and palladium 18-karat white gold. The flower is meticulously set with pavé of pink and white diamonds, rubies, and pink sapphires, giving an ombré effect to its voluptuous petals, while the pistils are minutely textured in black patina on platinum.



Zadora Ladybug Timepiece - adorned with a micro pavé of richly colored rubies and black diamond details, and encased in 18-karat yellow gold. The ladybug’s eyes are emerald cabochons.



Zadora Snake Timepiece - made of patinated palladium and 18-karat white gold. It is covered in black and canary yellow diamond pavé. The serpent’s pear-shaped eyes are emeralds, and it clenches a baroque South Sea pearl in its mouth.

Zadora Timepieces' precious quartet is a fine complement to the travel portion of this rain forest rendezvous package - a six-night, seven-day adventure for a family of four that includes:

Round-trip transportation on a Gulfstream V and all land transfers & ground transportation



One night in a Master Suite at the Costa Rica Marriott Resort (breakfast included)



Private visit to the Rain Forest Aerial Tram & Adventure Canopy Tour



Two nights in a deluxe ocean view bungalow at Lapa Rios Rain Forest Lodge with:
Three extraordinary meals daily-
Three guided tours: Rain Forest Waterfalls Hike; Horseback Riding; and the Osa Trail Jungle Walk



Three nights in a premium at the Four Seasons Papagayo Resort with: -Three extraordinary meals daily
-Round of golf
-Spa Therapy

Click here to download the actual itinerary.

For more Information and details of purchasing package please go to Robb Report by clicking here.

Smart Fortwo Arrives in the US in January

Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche confirmed today that the Smart Fortwo will go on sale in the U.S. starting in January.

He also said he could "well imagine a large-scale project in cooperation with a partner city in the U.S. to test the electrically powered Smart Fortwo, similar to the project that is currently running in London," according to a statement by Daimler.

Previously, Smart had only said that the Fortwo would arrive in U.S. showrooms in the first quarter of 2008.

Zetsche formally introduced the Fortwo to the U.S. market at a press briefing in washington D.C. earlier today. The minicar makes its debut with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine. "Other engine types and sizes, including Brabus modifications, may become available in the next few years, though no specific timeline has been outlined," according to the Smart USA Web site.



A Few Smart Facts:
•DIMENSIONS The smart fortwo that will be available in the United States will be:
8.8 feet long
5.1 feet tall
5.1 feet wide

•TOP SPEED The top speed of the smart fortwo is 90 mph (Electronically limited).

•GAS MILEAGE Engineering and testing continues to take place on the vehicle that will be produced for the United States. The vehicle is designed to achieve 40 plus mpg under normal driving conditions and current standards. The gas tank of the smart fortwo is 8.7 gallons.

•SAFETY The safety management system of the smart fortwo will set new standards in its class, and is designed to achieve a 4-star crash rating in the USA.



The highlight of the safety management system is the tridion safety cell. The safety cell is made from steel, half of which is high-strength material, especially in highly stressed areas. The cell is designed to keep occupants protected. The reinforced steel and the design of the car allow for the displacement of impact and redistribution of crash energy. Because of the size of the vehicle, most crashes will also involve one of the wheel bases which also displaces energy.

Both doors are also designed for easy access during rescue.

The smart fortwo, which will be for sale in the United States in 2008, will come standard with four airbags (two full-sized front and two side for head and thorax protection). Other safety features such as esp® (electronic stability program) and ABS brakes are also standard.

•STORAGE The smart fortwo has a rear storage area that can accommodate active lifestyles. Surprisingly, the fortwo has 8 cubic feet of storage space – 12 feet if you load up to the roof line. This area can easily fit numerous bags of groceries, gymbags and other items that are commonly transported every day, including golf clubs! The rear storage area can also accommodate many sizes of luggage making trips to the airport convenient.

The front passenger seat also folds down creating additional space for other items such as skis.<

•PRICE The smart fortwo pure will start at $11,590, the smart fortwo passion couple will start at $13,590 and the smart fortwo passion cabriolet will start at $16,590.

Go here to learn more about Smart.