The Nodus Project: 60 Fair Trade Designer Rugs & That New Carpet Smell

Nodus is a craft workshop of experimentation with a cultural plan. Reviving the oldest wisdom and knowledge in the art of carpet design, Nodus reinterprets the area rug by using the vision of the most innovate designers and architects, producing only unique pieces.


above: detail of Dark Flower, designed by Massimo Gardone


above: detail of Carpet Ali, designed by Italo Rota e Alessandro Pedretti

For the Nodus Project, the Italian interior design company, Il Piccolo, selected the best carpet manufacturers from six countries of the world (Nepal, Pakistan, India, Turkmenistan, China and Turkey) visiting them one by one, verifying material, technique, expert craftsmen and ethical production. Each carpet from Nodus is a unique piece, made by hand every step of the way.



These unique works of art were exhibited in the Il Piccolo showroom during the “Salone del mobile” in Milan last April. The Nodus carpets were to be admired for 3 weeks with a menu that changed weekly.

The Nodus Project gathered the enthusiasm and support from some of the most respected and well-known Italian and foreign designers. Among them: Bartoli Design - Fabio Bortolani, Italo Rota and Alessandro Pedretti, Alberto Artesiani, Matteo Thun e Antonio Rodriguez, Luca Nichetto, Massimo Gardone, Palomba and Serafini Associati, Donata Paruccini, Antonella Negri, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Matilde Alessandra , Pietro De Rossi, Enrico Franzolini, Francesco Lucchese, Gianfranco Fenizia, Peter Rankin, Smanks Design and James Irvine.

The result is a collection of 60 carpets that outline a new horizon of shapes and colors, that unhinges borders and go beyond simple functionality. The unusual collection of carpets incorporate dynamic and organic forms, various plays on old patterns and colors, and inspiration from contemporary and everyday products such as fabrics, tablecloths, books and maps.

All 60 are fabulous, but here are a few of my favorites:


above: designed by Peter Rankin

above: designed by Francesco Lucchese

above: designed by Matteo Thun e Antonio Rodriguez

above: designed by Antonella Negri

above: designed by Bartoli Design

above: designed by James Irvine

above: designed by Alberto Artesani

above: designed by Matteo Thun e Antonio Rodriguez
The ones below are different carpets that actually "tie" together:

detail of how the small carpets above tie to one another:

above: designed by Luca Nichetto

above: designed by Pietro Derossi

above: designed by Antonella Negri

above: designed by Alberto Artesani

above: designed by Matteo Thun e Antonio Rodriguez

The carpet below is designed to have a portion leaning up against the wall:

above: designed by Luca Nichetto

above: designed by Antonella Negri

above: City Up Milano by Peter Rankin

Most of the 60 rugs are available to customize and purchase. The site's customization process is so much fun, you may just want to play on it. Simply choose from their styles, then a screen like the one shown below appears. On the right is a line art drawing of the chosen rug and on the left is a color palette upon which you can click to see that style rug in your color choice:

above: rug shown in customization screen is City Up Milano

Next, you choose the shape, the size and finally whether or not you want 100% wool, 100% silk or a combination of the two. Note: For obvious reasons, some of the shapes and colors can not be customized.

FAIR TRADE:

Whether you purchase or only appreciate the quality of a piece from Nodus, you can be assured that the carpet has been produced with the utmost respect, first and foremost for human rights, and the right to good working conditions and fair compensation.

Their partner in Nepal for the carpets weaving adheres to the “RUGMARK” association. This way, they are sure and can reassure their clients and customers that their products are made with the utmost respect of human rights and a complete transparency of the productive chain.

The guarantee is from Rugmark, the international foundation that for 14 years has been working to end the exploitation of child labor, and rigorously inspects the manufacturing process every 3 months. For more information visit www.rugmark.org

That New Carpet Smell:
A weird co-branded item? Maybe, but Nodus also has a fragrance. And no, it doesn't smell like new carpet... read on.



In their words:
Nodus as sensory experience. We have created carpets that are recognized without being seen and remember the good feelings by creating a relaxing atmosphere.

"Nothing in the world of great has been done without passion" --Hegel

Olfactory Notes
Composition and fresh aromas spiked with touches of eucalyptus and cypress in the note head. The sparkling agreement of juniper berries that characterizes the note body, evokes the scents of the Mediterranean scrub. The ground slightly amber induces a relaxing atmosphere.

Symbology
Pagan culture in the juniper was considered a protective element, and then to transfer the element of home and of living in harmony with your space. Even in the north to go east to Russia and south in the Middle East it was believed that juniper had magical and protective properties for the home.
Buy the Nodus Scent here.


Purchase or see all 60 rugs here.
Choose your rug and start customizing it here.

Jonathan Adler Spices Things Up With His New Salt & Pepper Shakers

Interior decorator, designer, TV personality and author Jonathan Adler has just introduced a bunch of new salt and pepper shakers inspired by his well known pottery lines.


above: Jonathan with one of his pieces

Made of high-fired stoneware, with matte white and black glazes, each set is adorably boxed and consists of various animals, themes and modern organic shapes from his various lines of ceramics. Each pair costs $48.00 and is available to purchase at the online store. Take a look.

Garden of Eden (serpent and apple):


Lantern (organic shapes based on his lantern collection):


Penguins:


Whales:


Fish:


Birds:

Cats:

Mr. and Mrs. Muse:



Each boxed pair shown above costs $48.00.


The Utopia salt and pepper shakers shown above, which are not new to the line, are now on sale for $47.60 from their original $68.00 as well.

Shop Jonathan Adler here.

The Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle: Another Pricey Green Machine

Having blogged about The Mission One electric motorcycle, it's only fair to share with you another expensive eco-friendly bike; The Brammo Enertia, an 18-horsepower electric street legal motorcycle with a top speed of 55 miles an hour, which made its public debut in New York yesterday.



The 280-pound Enertia is available for preorder at $11,995 — or a serialized limited production model for $14,995-, though the electric motorcycle is eligible for a 10 percent federal tax credit. Rumor has it five west coast Best Buy stores are stocking and selling the Enertia street bike.






Design Influences
The Enertia has been shaped as much by current events and our cultural history as the pencil of the one designing it. With global warming and dependence on foreign oil becoming increasing important social issues and a response from the transportation industry seeming elusive, the Enertia was designed as a solution to a problem.



The designers of the Enertia focused on eliminating elements that contributed to intimidation and instead emphasized the ones that exposed the pure joy of motorcycling. The lightweight motorcycle has a magical history in the US and worldwide, changing attitudes and capturing the imagination of the people every time we needed a more efficient, friendlier mode of transportation. Celebrating the spirit of these iconic bikes was a design goal for the Enertia. A dichotomy of old school purist values and new school technology, the Enertia hits that perfect balance between the familiar and the future.



Truly Designed from the inside out, the Enertia's sculpted form hints at the geometric order within. Major components are either exposed, like the chassis, or referenced, like the logo plates, which have the same diameter and plan view location as the electric motor they shield. The design details have not been left to chance either, with materials, colors and textures reminding you that you're riding a motorcycle of the highest quality.



The following charts are courtesy of Brammo:




specs:


ordering options and pricing:



reserve yours now here.

Company Overview / Mission (from their site):
Brammo Motorsports was founded in 2002 to focus on research and development that would enable us to excel in the manufacturing of specialty performance vehicles. Our integration of digital engineering, tightly meshed with innovative industrial and production design, allows us to be prolific in product development.

Creating compelling, sustainable transportation that is fun to use is our goal.

In 2005 to further develop our design and production processes, we began manufacturing the Ariel Atom, a ground breaking sports car concept by British designer Simon Sauders. The Atom is a lightweight vehicle based on GM's Ecotec engines and provides a ultra high performance driving experience with a small displacement and fuel-efficient power plant. Comedian and uber car collector Jay Leno says, "I've had my Atom for a few months now. I love it. It's actually my favourite car in terms of driving."

We have designed a new product line of plug-in electric motorcycles named Enertia™. The Enertia is an all electric, plug-in motorcycle with a 40+ mile range and 50+ mile per hour top speed.

Leveraging formula race car technology the Enertia utilizes a carbon-fibre chassis producing an ultra strong and lightweight vehicle platform of just 275 pounds. This ground breaking chassis design combined with the most powerful lithium-phosphate batteries in the world from supplier Valence Technology has produced an emissions free commuter motorcycle designed for today.

all images and info courtesy of Brammo.
Take a look at Engadget's review here.


Brammo is located in Ashland, Oregon.
Enertia microsite

The Mission EV 1:

Read about the Mission One EV Electric Motorcycle here.

The Fastest Electric Bike:

And, if you're wondering what happens to be the world's fastest electric motorcycle, that'd be the KillaCycle which has been clocked at a top speed of 168 mph.