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Magnificent Modern Pianos by Designer Peter Maly for Sauter.




Four years ago, I shared with you a beautifully designed Grand Piano by Audi and bunch of uniquely designed modern concert, grand and upright pianos by well-known German piano makers Bosendorfer and Schimmel.


above: a selection from my previous post on modern pianos


Like Bosendorfer and Schimmel, Sauter's pianos are made in Germany. With a design series by Peter Maly, their contemporary Grand, Concert and Upright pianos are like beautiful pieces of furniture, with exteriors crafted from materials like fine woods, translucent glass and steel.




Sauter pianos designed by Peter Maly largely match the Sauter R Master Class pianos, with respect to their technique: the sounding board, 25% bigger, is characterized by the unique “Sauter Spherical Concavity®” and the speciality of Sauter , the double repetition action of grand pianos. The sounding board is solely made from the finest spruce from the `Val di Fiemme´ in the high region of South Tyrol, grown at an altitude of 1,100 meters. For a better playing sensation, half tones (sharps and flats) are made of ebony. The cast plate is hand-ground and complemented with a precious finish. Experienced pianists, whose piano is in focus at their home, will be thrilled by the touch and appearance of this designer piano.

Upright Pianos

The Vitrea Translucent Glass Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:


Vitrea´s essence is the contrast between the cool glass front and the warm wooden tones of the main structure of the piano.



Vitrea´s materials: the front panels consist of matt glass, available in two shades. The form is bordered by thin chromium rail strips. Body, Lid and keyboard elements are made of oak wood.



Here you have the choice of a light natural tone of timber or of a deep dark-stained variation. All metal parts are chrome-plated.



The design is accentuated by details such as chrome-plated steel feet. The lids open upward in aliform, like wings, and, therefore, optimally project the sound waves throughout the room.

Equipment: double repetition action (RR-action), sound dampening pedal (soft pedal) and a straight-line piano stool with metal frame which complements the Vitrea.

The Rondo Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:


Rondo – elegance softly shaped, a piano that performs with the principle of round shapes. It appears natural, soft and well balanced within itself.




The Pure and Pure 2000 Noble Upright Pianos by Peter Maly for Sauter


PURE "less is more"- as little as possible, as much as necessary. The aim was archetypal, reduction to the essential. Nothing superfluous, but full of concentration; stillness and tension at the same time - just like before a big concert: PURE 2000, the purist upright piano. Purism is the art of avoiding the superfluous. The form radiates peace which inspires both soul and player.
Pure 2000 is like the room for which it was designed. It is an upright which fits into a bright living environment with simple walls and modern art. The essence of its aesthetics is the generous design which emphasizes the surfaces.



In the "PURE 2000 noble" version, the surfaces have a gloss lacquer finish. The characteristic corner details are emphasized by flush-fitting chromium-plated metal sections giving this upright its modern elegance.Details accentuate the essential design. A fine finger groove makes the upright easy to open.



The Onda Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter


The body and keyboard form a solid backdrop for the focal point of the piano - an undulating panel. Onda is the ideal complement to the new minimalist look.



Materials which are typical of this look include light wood, cool metal and fabrics in natural shades.

Onda is constructed from a number of distinct, clearly demarcated components. Broad wooden side panels enclose the piano body, lending it stability and substance. The keyboard - made from light beech or maple wood like the sides - is set into the undulating panel.



As a special design feature, Onda is fitted with two top panels which can be opened upwards like wings. As well as forming a highly effective sound board, they lend the instrument the feel of a grand piano. To round off the picture, Onda stands on curved metal feet.

The panel which forms the front of the piano has a horizontal "wave" running through it - hence the name Onda, which means wave.


The Imago, the Avant-Garde Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter


Imago, the Avant-Garde piano, is a fascinating new creation which redefines the concept of the piano. A great design, extravagant and classic - the sound pattern for a new age. The materials are a combination of light wood tones - modish pear, maple of beech; bright color finishes and cool metal.

A large, diagonal-grain pear wood panel frames the body of the piano like a passpartout, forming an exciting contrast between the two silk-sheen finish, different shapes and their materials. An attractive extra:



The Touch-Tronic lamps by Ingo Maurer are switched on and off or dimmed by a simply touch The designer's signature along with individual serials numbering underline the unique of value of the piano. The piano body has a light grey and the matching piano stool has metal legs.


The Artes Art Deco Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:


Artes - The Art-Deco piano is inspired by the styles of the Twenties and Thirties. Despite these historical allusions the piano embodies a timeless elegance and understatement. Artes blends effortlessly into this room, whose interior finishings embody design of a timeless quality. Materials such as fine leather, quality woods and valuable textiles are in perfect harmony with the highly polished finish of the piano.



Characteristic features of the Art Deco style: clearly defined lines, metal inlay and chromed metal brackets. These details lend depth and structure to the body with its glossy black finish.



The designer`s signature along with an individual serial number underlines the unique value of the piano. Matching piano stool with leather seats and metal legs is available.


The Cura Shaker Upright Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:


Cura, the Shaker piano, is inspired by the puritan and perfectly crafted furniture typical of the American Shaker religious movement of the 18th Century.

"I stand in great admiration of the wonderfully simple cherry-wood furniture of the Shakers, for it form a link with my modern design concept, imbued as it is with the desire for the greatest possible simplicity - whilst at the same time ensuring the highest quality of materials and manufacture." Peter Maly



Cura has a classically-constructed frame and infull panels veneered in cherry. Cura has hand-turned brackets of cherry-wood, and feet and hinged candle holders in matt-finish high-grade steel. The lid is shaped into a single elegant sweep.



The Grand Pianos

Vivace Grand Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:



Vivace is a contemporary interpretation of the grand piano, without compromising on any respect for the classical form. The streamlined and newly accentuated curves and the profiled steel pedestal give this most traditional of instruments a floating easiness. The special value of this grand piano is emphasized by the fact that it is signed by the designer and individually numbered.




In its new shape, the cut radii replace the traditional curves. An inlaid sequence of high-grade steel squares accentuate the new line of the piano further. Steel also plays a new role in the substructure of the grand piano.




The structure of the profiled steel pedestal enables considerably more compact dimensions. This gives the grand piano a light, fresh, friendly, contemporary effect. Hydraulic damper* for the piano fall board. Music desk** with convenient one-handed controls.


Ambiente Grand Piano by Peter Maly for Sauter:


A concert grand of new design without any twirls whatsoever, but with a 230cm long case flowing in a single sweep into a bend, shaped like a parabola.

The sides of the keyboard softly cross over into the bevelled grand´s front. Its closed lid fits perfectly into this form.



The difference between the outside appearance and the inside metal frame creates a space in the form of an ellipse in which the lid´s supports have been fitted and which are adjustable in height and angle.



Polished stainless steel accords a brand new profile to the pedal bar: light and lucent throughout “This new grand should be all-over elegant and softly rounded, of flowing design and without any twirls whatsoever” – Peter Maly

The feet have been integrated into a floating architrave which has significantly marked its new silhouette. This new line of architrave stands out with its chromed profile recurring at the foot´s lower end. All fittings and castors are chromed.



When opened, the keyboard´s lid lies flush with the bevelled niche providing a convincing solution to its form. Many of such innovations in construction and design have created the new concert grand´s appearance: “Ambiente."

Sauter Pianos

The Perfect Gift For Those Who Don't Give A Flying F*ck. An Expletive Remote Control Helicopter.




How many times have you had to listen to someone drone on and on about something in which you have no interest? Now you can show them you don't give a Flying Fuck with his hilarious Remote Controlled Flying F*ck Helicopter. Made from soft-foam, it's controlled by a two-channel helicopter style flight system.



The actual RC Helicopter does not have a pixelated or blurred letter:



Product Features:
• R/C Helicopter looks like a giant flying F*CK
• Two channel control means the copter always move forward slowly. You control the hover and right and left turns.
• Dual counter-rotating blades give incredible hovering and stability
• Helicopter Charges from Remote
• 7 Minute fly time, 10 minute charge time
• Requires 6 AA batteries, not included

video of the RC Helicopter in action:

Via HiConsumption via Materialicious



Also available at novelty stores like gadgets and gear, Think Geek and Spencers Online

The Mano Bedside Lamp From Fontana Arte Might Just Give You Nightmares.




Talk about a creepy bedside lamp. This Mano lamp from Fontana Arte was originally designed in 1932 by the late Italian art deco designer Pietro Chiesa and has been reissued from the Italian company. It's a bit like having Thing from the Addams family share your bedroom with you.




The soft black matte lamp with a fabric shade has a white human hand cast in marble powder and resin reaching up the stem.

The Mano Table lamp is equipped with a dimmer with a base of marble powder and resin and square section stem in metal, both painted "soft" black matte. The hand is cast in white marble powder and resin and it has a diffused shade in black fabric lined with white PVC.







Price available on request from the manufacturer

Wonderful Saul Bass Inspired Video For Louis Vuitton 2012 Summer Belt Collection.






As a huge fan of Saul Bass, I was thrilled to come across lovely animated piece of web content for Louis Vuitton. Directed by illustrator/animator Jo Ratcliffe, this fabulous Saul Bass-inspired animated video is promoting the luxury brand's 2012 Summer Belt Collection.





LV describes the project as follows:
As the major point of focus on a human silhouette accentuating the waist, belts could be considered the most essential accessory. They were decorative and mainly associated with the military in past days. However, as a fashion item in modern times, men started wearing belts in the 1920s as trouser waists fell to a lower line. Louis Vuitton has been making belts since the 1930s as both a fashion accessory and necessary yet basic addition to trousers. Here artist Jo Ratcliffe showcases Louis Vuitton’s latest collection in this Saul Bass detective style animation. Fasten your belts!

Credits
Director: Jo Ratcliffe
Animation and Production: Minivegas
Music Supervisor: Rebeca Ann Toledo, Dust Music Supervision of Norway

Louis Vuitton

Rocky, A New Modern Rocking Horse for Kids by Marc Newson For Magis Me Too.




I love it when designers re-imagine classic childhood toys and Marc Newson's latest take on the classic ride-on horsey for Magis is a perfect example.




Rocky simplifies the horse silhouette by moulding it from one piece of polyethylene with the exception of the rope reigns which hang in the mouth of the horse.





The parallelogram motion mimics the movement of a traditional rocking horse. The material, rotationally moulded polyethylene, was chosen for both its durability and recyclability.

Rocky was introduced at this year's Salone Del Mobile for Magis' children's brand, Me Too.

Other Re-Imagined Rocking Horses:

above: check out these stunning Modernist Rocking Horses by Frederik Roijé


above: An adult version of the Rocking Horse by Peter Jakubik

Prada Parallel Universes - 12 Animated Gifs for Prada by Graphic Designer Vahram Muratyan.




Graphic designer Vahram Muratyan, best known for his Paris Versus New York series of posters and book has collaborated with uber luxe fashion brand Prada for Parallel Universes 2012, a series of animated gifs.

Prada describes the project as follows:
The creative path imagined by graphic designer and artist Vahram Muratyan, is a virtual road/paved/with Prada 2012 spring/summer men's and women's accessories, which highlights through rapid and intuitive movements two parallel universes that meet under the auspices of Prada style.

Prada Parallel Universes is an exercise that grows out of the drive to experiment with, and to match, new communications media and Prada’s semiotics; to be consistent with the present without nostalgia.

This dreamlike yet virtual story was entrusted to the Armenian born illustrator Vahram Muratyan. Through his adopted city of Paris, Vahram recently came into the limelight for his newly published book Paris vs New York, a work of art which compares the two great cities with graphic signs exploring their different similarities.

The same intellectual path is followed by Prada in its spring/summer collections dedicated to accessories.
PRADA PARALLEL UNIVERSES spring / summer 2012.

PRADA PATENT LEATHER SANDALS:


PRADA DIXIE SUNGLASSES:



PRADA SAFFIANO BICOLOR BAG / PRADA ROCKET SHOES
PRADA SPAZZOLATO+BIKE SHOES / PRADA ROCKET SHOES / PRADA SAFFIANO BICOLOR BAG:

PRADA TEDDY SUNGLASSES:

PRADA ROCKET SHOES:


PRADA SAFFIANO BICOLOR BAG:

PRADA DIXIE SUNGLASSES / PRADA PYRAMIDE BAG:


Illustrator and Graphic Designer Vahram Muratyan:


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