Saloni Milano 2010: garagedesign

Among the more interesting projects at this years Saloni Milano is garagedesign.

The basic idea is not new and there exist several “commercial” applications, but we like the reference to “avant-garde designers”

Now we know what you’re thinking: My House is my castle are not normally big fans of  “avant-garde” design

True. But we do know that a lot of the very best contemporary design comes from “avant-garde” design.

Tom Dixon. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Ron Arad.

We don’t like it, but it should be critically and responsibly encouraged.

garagedesign is essentially a market where selected design are displayed as prototypes. Orders are collected and only those articles produced that have been ordered.

And so ultimately the market decides which products are succesful.

Now, we’re not saying that consumers have the best taste, but when new, young designers are involved such a system saves an awful lot of waste through the production of non-commercial tat.

Which is of course a plus for the environment.

We don’t expect to find any products we like at garagedesign.

But we hope that one or other of the participants will then be given the chance to develop their talent with an established producer.

garagedesign can be found at Tortonaspazionovi  Via Novi 1 (zona Tortona) 20144 Milano from Aprilo 14-19.

garagedesign at Saloni Milano 2010

moooi Gallery

We do know and appreciate how lucky we are that we have the time and resources to jet from Milan, to New York, to Berlin and the like just to look at designer furniture.

And we are thankful.
We are also thankful that dutch design house moooi will be showing their complete new collection as of 12.06 in the moooi gallery, Amsterdam.

Now if that isn’t worth a trip to Holland….

Eurlanterns by moooi works for moooi - As seen in Milan

DMY Youngsters: NIDO from Eva Marguerre

One of the “off”  shows in Milan that made the biggest impression on us was kkaarrlls from the students at Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. And so it was a shame that it isn’t here in Berlin.

Fortunately Karlsruhe student and kkaarrls member Eva Marguerre has made it here with her NIDO stools/side tables.

Furniture designed to look like it is created from a material other than that from which it actually is formed, is a currently a hot trend in European furniture design.
And NIDO is one of the better examples of this trend.

Although created from fibreglass even from close up NIDO convinces that it is actually straw. Your forced to touch it, interact with it, enjoy it.

In addition NIDO is stable, comfortable, practical and light.

And great.

NIDO from Eva Marguerre, close up...

... and in action

Liesmichl by Nils Holger Moormann

If ever you need someone to think up a quick simple and practical solution to a problem, phone Nils Holger Moormann.

His Liesmichl is the perfect side table for book lovers everywhere…

Liesmichl by Nils Holger Moormann

Wallflower by Marcel Wanders

The Flos stand at Milan was one of the better lighting stands, and among the many wonderful projects I particularly liked the Wallflower Lamp by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.

Wallflower comes as in a clear and a frosted version…and for the best effect a  mixture of both is to be recommended.

Wallflower by Marcel Wanders for Flos (clear version)

Wallflower by Marcel Wanders for Flos (frosted version)

TOBYhouse Beach Ball Lamps

On “Switched on Set” we stumbled across these wonderful Beach Ball Lamps by TOBYhouse. They are made from real beach balls covered in resin and then cut and formed into lamps.

They were on display as part of the designersblock exhibition in Milan, and I think are just a fantastic new product.

Beach Ball lamps by TOBYhouse

Mrs Dalloway

A new rouge?

No I’m not about to start recommending make-up accessories 🙂

The picture in fact shows a new, state of the art single hot plate by Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc for Slovenian household appliances company Gorenje.

Not only is the design fantastic but it is such a wonderfully cheeky critique on traditional female stereotypes, I just love it.

And sadly I missed it in Milan 😦

Mrs Dalloway mini hotplate by Nika Zupanc for Gorenje

Mercury by Artemide

Another oldie but goodie that we observed for the first time is the Mercury family by Ross Lovegrove for Artemide. The lamp provides not only first class illumination but also a reserved artistic charm to any room.

(And don’t miss the updated post Mercury by Ross Lovegrove for Artemide post from IMM Cologne)

Mercury by Ross Lovegrove for Artemide

EDRA

They may not be the newest of chairs but Jenette by Fernando Campana & Humberto Campana for Edra remain an entertaining – and comfortable – product.

Jenette by Fernando Campana & Humberto Campana for Edra

Milan 2009: Children’s furniture

Children’s furniture is an important part of the 2009 Salone. Aside from the Eames Elephants roaming free over the Vitra stand, Magis had a wonderful selection of child friendly articles. In particular I liked the Paradise Tree by Oiva Toikka. It’s the clothes stand in the middle by the way 😉

Magis "Me Too" Collection including Paradise Tree by Oiva Toikka