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Charles & Marie

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Archive for November, 2005

Josephine Watering Can

November 25th, 2005

Uimages Lg 001857What do you get when a world renowned bonsai tree container company commissions several young Italian designers to produce a line of homeware? You get a wonderful fresh new line of ceramic pieces that have all the style and simplicity of a well pruned bonsai. Certre showed off their new line of accessories, including the pictured Josephine watering can at this September’s Maison & Objet exhibition in Paris. These playful, yet simple glazed ceramic watering cans are available in a number of bright colors. Although they are apparently not yet available, keep your eyes open for the entire line, which promises to be equally elegant.

Via Wallpaper

Svan Scooter

November 24th, 2005

There has been a big influx of modern design for kids in the last year or two. I am sure modernist parents sighed a breath of relief when many of the great toys that have been available overseas for years finally started showing up here in the US. The Svan High Chair has been a favorite high chair of mine for a while now. The newest addition from Svan is the Svan Scooter. This very free formed bentwood scooter is just the thing for a child with a good imagination. It’s just abstract enough to be a horse, or a sleek racing car in a kids eyes. Parents will rejoice in its simple modern lines that won’t detract from the beauty of their home. Suitable for kids 1-3 years old. Now if only they made one my size.

Clearaudio Turntable, a clear winner

November 24th, 2005

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Amongst the most devout audiophiles, like Charles, there is little doubt that the vinyl record is vastly superior to CD. The warmth of tones, and the richness of the sound make for the most exact recreation of music possible. So whether you are listing to the techno beats of Paul Van Dyk, or your favorite Slavonic Rhapsody by Dvorak, you really should be doing it on a turntable. Clear Audio’s new ambient turntable is just the thing to match your desire for style, and demand for performance. The base is made of 70 layers of wood sandwiched between two pieces of aluminum. The motor sits on the side creating both superior sound, and a dramatic look. The result is not only stunning on the eyes, but also the ears.

Majamoo Bentwood Trivet

November 24th, 2005

Pictures MajamootrivetsAlvar Aalto was among one of the first designers to use bentwood for home furnishings. He certainly recognized the beauty and simplicity of bending wood to an organic shape suitable for a modern interior. Following on in the same spirit comes the winner of a prize in Alvar Aalto’s centenary year competition, the Majamoo Bentwood Trivet. These simple, yet functional bentwood trivets are handmade from Finnish birch plywood. They perform equally well whether you need a trivet for hot or cold dishes. They are available in sets of two that nest together and may be used nested or apart. They were designed by Finnish artist Jani Martikainen. Also available from Majamoo is a beautiful bentwood tray, that follows a similar form factor.

The Norma Chair

November 23rd, 2005

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Designing a great minimalist chair is not an easy task. It must be simple, yet eye catching. The design must be true to the function it intends to fulfill. Nothing should be included in the design unless it fulfills a specific purpose. The Norma chair, designed by Christophe Bourban, gracefully tackles all of these issues. His award winning wooden Norma Chair has gracefully incorporated the necessary structural support into its design. Instead of trying to hide the structural components, the chair modestly and beautifully displays them for all to see. The end result is both remarkably elegant, and calmingly simple. The Judges of the Promosedia International Design Competition 2005 Caiazza Memorial Challenge, were unanimous in conferring the first, and only, prize to the Norma Chair. We couldn’t have agreed with them more.

Soft lighting

November 23rd, 2005

Pluma 310Everyone knows that soft light is just the thing to bring a nice romantic feel into any room. Maybe thats what Heike Buchfelder had in mind when he designed the Pluma Cubic Suspension Lamp out of goose feathers. I mean, nothing could be softer than goose feathers right? This brilliant, and somewhat whimsical pendant lamp measures almost 3 feet in diameter, and does indeed cast a wonderfully soft light into any room. Textures are such a key to interior design, and this lamp is just the thing to soften up any room. I’m sure Marie would want a couple hanging in the corner of her room in one of her glamorous houses.

Loft 5, Vegas Goes Modern

November 22nd, 2005

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Las Vegas has long been known for its elaborate architecture, bustling night life, and bright lights. Finally something refreshingly different is moving into town. Loft 5, a new luxury residential project located just off of the South Strip aims to capture our attention with its chic modern flair. Flats are available in everything from penthouse lofts with private sky decks to multilevel lofts with 20′ high ceilings and private terraces. Thats not all of course. The whole development is designed around a courtyard with lounging pools, gardens, hot tubs, and open fire pits. Inside you will find that in addition to gracious living spaces, they also have Club 5 — a full service gym, spa, and theater. Loft 5 is currently under construction, and is dedicated to living modern and green in the desert.

Ceramic bath bubbles

November 22nd, 2005

Pastedgraphic5When you think of shower trays you don’t usually think of great designs, until now. Nic Design Ceramic has a line of shower trays, that all are… well, sexy. One thing that makes these shower trays nice is that they sit completely flush with the ground, so they don’t break up the clean lines of your master bath. We love the “Optical” version which has cast bubbles all over it. This nice play on a common bathroom theme is well executed with a very modern print of white ceramic bubbles that won’t pop, but will bring a great fun style into your bathroom. Plus, you will have the most glamorous Italian shower tray on the block, and who wouldn’t want that?

Cassidy Shoerack

November 21st, 2005

200511211129For shoe fanatics like us, comes the ever constant problem of how to manage all those pairs of shoes. Sure, there are plenty of shoe racks out there, but for us, just any old rack will not do. I mean really, can you imagine putting your pair of Carmen boots on a cheap plastic rack. Luckily for us Swedish design comes the the rescue again. The Cassidy Shoerack, designed by Swedish team Henrik Kjellberg and Jon Lindstrom has just the bit of class that your shoes deserve. The curved wood fronts are available in walnut, oak or birch. Jutting dramatically out of them are chrome shelves that offer just enough room to both hold, and elegantly display your favorite pair of pumps.

Lace Window Film

November 21st, 2005

Acatalog Whitelacefilmnew PagePerhaps I like this idea because it reminds me of cold winter days, sitting in front of the fireplace and looking out the frost covered windows, or maybe it’s the lacy pattern that reminds me of the delicate pleasures of life. Regardless of the reason, I find them simply delightful. Gone are the days that you can easily buy frosted window panes. But for our modern times, we have our ways. These lace patterned panes are actually made by placing a film on your existing window. These lace windows give you the privacy that you desire, without compromising the light the you need. Just the thing for you apartment dwellers who can’t go replacing all the windows to get the style you like. Designed by award-winning Brit designer, Emma Jeffs.

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