Stay On Coasters for Wine Glasses. Now That's An Idea That Holds Water.

This falls under the "Now, why didn't I think of that?" category. Mother and daughter fashion and design team from Iceland, Dimmalimm, did and call them "Stay On Coasters." Cute felt coasters that attach to the bottom of your wine glass, attractively absorbing any condensation the glass may leave on a surface.




The coasters, which slip onto the base of your glass in two sizes, perform double duty - protecting surfaces and helping to distinguish ownership of the beverage.


above: Hibiscus, Fest and Citrus are the three designs available.

The wool/ rayon blend of coasters absorb condensation and can be hand washed and simply laid flat to dry. Three different designs and several different colors are available and sets can be mixed and matched.






See their site for details regarding sizes and prices.

Note: these are on sale for 30% off at Fab.com right now and for the week. If you aren't already a member, use the invite link below:
http://fab.com/y06r4g

Burn Wood, Baby, Burn. The Incredible Pyrographic Art of Julie Bender.

When I first came across these, I found it so hard to believe they were actually wood burnings. The intricate rendering of texture, the detail and the overall appearance seems as though it'd be virtually impossible to create with a pyrographic tool. Julie Bender has shown me otherwise.

NOTE: all the images in this post are copyrighted by the artist and may not be reproduced or used without express written permission from Julie Bender.

Wood burning (aka Pyrography) is an old-fashioned art and nowadays often reserved for camp arts and crafts projects. Artist Julie Bender elevates the centuries old tradition and depicts animals and birds with an incredibly deft hand - bringing hair, fur and feathers to life on a piece of maple wood.



Inspired by animals and nature – and her Canon EOS Rebel T1i digital camera – Bender's process begins by compiling inspiring photographs and penciling in her subjects on a well-sanded maple surface with a keen sense of composition and attention to wood grain.



Light-handed strokes and smooth, subtle shading using very tiny tips characterizes her technique. She finds her personality well-suited for the challenge of this exigent art form as well as the extreme patience and considerable time that is required of her work.



Julie, pictured above, states: “This unusual medium still has me marveling over the fact that my subjects may be brought to life solely by applying heat to wood.”

Below are a selection of some of my favorite pieces of hers. Many still available for purchase.

Wild Animals:








Her work consists of pyrographic renderings of wild animals, birds, dogs and horses. Each work is produced on grade A northern maple veneer, sealed with protective finish, signed on front and back and individually numbered and dated on back.

Equine / Horses:







Avian / Birds:








Canine / Dogs:





A background of Pyrography from Julie:
Pyrography, the art of burning or scorching on a natural surface was an art form practiced since the dawn of recorded time by Egyptian and African tribesmen fascinated by the mysterious beauty and power of fire. Defined in traditional terms, pyrography is the art of drawing with fire; using a heated tip or wire to burn or scorch designs onto natural surfaces such as wood and leather.

In the late 19th Century, Melbourne architect Alfred Smart discovered a way to pump benzoline fumes through a heated hollow platinum pencil in order to improve upon the pokerwork process and allowing the addition of tinting and shading that previously were impossible. In the early 20th century, the development of the electric pyrographic hot wire wood etching machine further automated the pokerwork process.

Modern day pyrography is typically done with solid-point tools, which resemble but are more sophisticated than soldering irons or hot wire tools. These tools are electrically heated by equipment that may allow temperatures to be adjusted, thereby producing a great range of natural tones and shades. Subtle or bold effects may be achieved, depending on many factors, including heat, pressure, type of wood or surface, and tool tips used.

Julie's technique is to use tools that allow her flexibility to develop her unique style. Light, gradual strokes and smooth, subtle shading are her hallmark in attaining fine detail in each work of art. When it comes to pyrography, Julie considers herself a purist. The wood and grain she uses is selected carefully for best composition and aesthetics.

"Borrowing from the ancient craft of wood-burning, I attempt to portray the natural world in fresh ways to express my profound appreciation of animals and nature. I am moved by the graceful synthesis of a smooth wooden surface and the heat infused within to create rich sepia. As I ‘paint with heat,’ I feel a certain parallel between the wild and natural spirits that embody my subjects and the organic and distinctively unforgiving nature of my medium." - Julie Bender

NOTE: all the images in this post are copyrighted by the artist and may not be reproduced or used without express written permission from Julie Bender.

See (and purchase) all of Julie Bender's beautiful work here.

I Dare You To Throw A Stone. Glass Houses & Furniture by Carlo Santambrogio and Ennio Arosio.

Santambrogiomilano, the brainchild of architect and ideator Carlo Santambrogio, is an entrepreneurial reality which realizes projects in glass with an exclusive character, unique pieces that can integrate themselves in all environments of daily life.

Chanel Wine With Karl Lagerfeld Label Goes Perfectly With His Orrefors Wine Glasses.

above: Wine label and Wine glasses designed by Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel.

Back in October, fashion and wine blogs were sharing the news that Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld was illustrating a wine label, expanding his already enormous repertoire as a legendary fashion guru, film director, photographer, product designer and more. As a matter of fact, he recently designed a selection of glassware for Orrefors, which includes... you guessed it, wine glasses.


above image of Karl Lagerfeld courtesy of Celotto/Getty

Karl Lagerfeld for Château Rauzan-Ségla

The winery, Château Rauzan-Ségla, whose exterior was the subject of Karl's illustration for the label, was founded in 1661 by Pierre de Rauzan and was acquired by CHANEL in 1994.


above: Château Rauzan-Ségla, situated in the heart of the Margaux appellation

On its 350th Anniversary and to celebrate the exceptional quality of the 2009 vintage Château Rauzan-Ségla is proud to announce a very special – one time only – collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld. To honor these two milestones (the anniversary and exceptional vintage), Lagerfeld has brought his iconic drawing style to the label with a rendering of the Château Rauzan-Ségla.






Tasting Notes and Ratings for 2009 Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux:

• 94-96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Big tannins here, very dry, but the fruit seems rich enough to support it. It is finely structured, very dense, made for the long haul."

• 93-96 points Wine Spectator: "Shows a lovely concentration of currant and blackberry. Hints of vanilla follow through to a full body, with layers of ripe and pretty fruit to this. Very fruit-forward..."

• 92-95 points Robert Parker: "...This large estate appears to have produced their greatest wine since the 1986. The alcohols came in at 13.9%, and the wine reveals extraordinary density, power, and richness as well as explosive fruit, and terrific acidity, intensity, and power. Yet it tastes like a crisp, delicate Margaux. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. This outstanding 2009 should age nicely for 35-40+ years."

• 90-93 points Tanzer's IWC: "Ruby red. Perfumed aromas of currant, spices and flowers show an intriguing candied quality. Light and lively on the palate, with suave, peppery dark berry and mineral flavors lifted by a spicy element on the back. Finishes long and pure, with noteworthy inner-mouth energy and fragrance. This wine's very polished tannins make it deceptively delicious to taste today, like so many 2009s.

• 94-96 points - Wine Cellar Insider: The 2009 Rauzan Segla is deep ruby. The perfume offers jammy blackberry, fudge, fennel, earth, spice, and floral notes. Full bodied with a rich texture, round tannins, and structure to age, this sublime wine ends with long, pure sensations of sweet berries.

This special edition Château Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 2009 wine is being distributed by Harvey Nichols for £160. Buy it here

Karl Lagerfeld for Orrefors.


Creator, photographer, designer and editor Karl Lagerfeld likes nothing more than expanding his modes of expression. And what better way to do that than to present his first line of crystal products with Orrefors. With an insatiable curiosity, always in search of new creative experiences, this multifaceted artist has had an uncommonly rich career, during which he has developed a perfectly chiseled graphic identity. And now the clean lines and streamlined design of that universe grace this inimitable collection of glasses, bowls and vases.



In transparent, black or milky white crystal, the series unites the strict lines and contemporary elegance of Karl Lagerfeld with the exacting quality and expertise that has characterized Orrefors for over a century.

See the full collection here