SuperSputnik by Sisman

In these pages we have often bemoaned the number of designers who against all logic insist on building flash websites.

PDF websites are just as daft.

It’s not that we don’t like the good folks at Adobe, it’s just that their technology is good where it belongs – and less good where it doesn’t.

However we can forgive Ahmet Sismanoglu his flirt with pdf because he has promised a proper website from August 2010

And because his SuperSputnik stool is such a wonderfuly simple piece of design.

Sitting somewhere between Isamu Noguchi’s Rocking stool and Charles and Ray Eames’ “R” frame series, SuperSputnik is a delightfully fresh interpretation on the classic three-legged stool.

And neatly constructed to boot.

SuperSputnik by Sisman

Cosmic!

Supersputnik by Sisman

Supersputnik by Sisman - nice, simple, good

Heimlicht by Leoni Werle

Heimlicht by Leoni Werle is not just a lamp.

It is a lamp that thinks it is an old-fashioned bureau – and as such “closes”

Through the “closure” one can not only neatly hide an unkempt corner but also find “closure” on a days work.

Out of sight out of mind as it were.

And when you are working the large, positional diffuser allows for the perfect atmosphere.

Heimlicht by Leoni Werle

Fantastic

Heimlicht by Leoni Werle : open

Heimlicht by Leoni Werle : Closed (photo © annika feuß)

Ceramic light shades by Ji-Hyun Chung

As a general rule we don’t believe in love at first sight… but sometimes we could be convinced otherwise.

As in the case of these ceramic light shades from Camberwell College Of Art graduate Ji-Hyun Chung.

A very simple concept, but as ever an idea that one has to first of all have before the product can be developed.

If ceramic is thin enough, light passes through it.
Mould and colour the ceramic and you have a delicate yet improbably stable light shade.

And that appeals to us.

Ceramic light shades by Ji-Hyun Chung.

Gorgeous!

Ceramic Light Shades by Ji-Hyun Chung

detail

wonderful

Spiral(e) shelf by Argue Design

Spotted this wonderful shelf/storage/coat rack solution at DMY Berlin.

Spiral(e) shelf by Swedish design studio Argue Design is a part hanging part stuffing.
Which appeals top our sense of the correct manner on how to store one possessions.
Hang your jackets and such items responsibly – and stuff the rest inside the tube.

Spirale(e) by Argue Design.
Gorgeous!

Spiral(e) Shelf by Argue Design

Perfect for those who appreciate order, but not enough to maintain it on a daily basis

Anel by Grzegorz Cholewiak

We admit it was an idle moment.
A moment when we technically had other things to do – but our curiosity got the better of us.

Thankfully!

Krakow based designer Grzegorz Cholewiak recently won first prize in the 2009 Herforder Recycling Designpreis with his Patery glass bowls.

The Reycling Designpreis is awarded for especially innovative projects for turning “waste” into useful items. For his Patery series Grzegorz Cholewiak used old TV screens to wonderful effect.

And because we were so impressed by Patery we researched a little further and found some more interesting projects from Grzegorz Cholewiak.

Perhaps the most interesting being his Prouvé-esque Anel garden chair.

While we normally want a garden chair to have sufficient arm capacity to hold a cup/glass and potentially also a plate; we also know from experience that a cup/glass and potentially also a plate will, sooner or later, fall to the ground if left on the arm of a chair.

And so Anel’s curved arms are not only not a problem but present a more attractive option for resting your arms on while reading a book. And the curved form of the backrest promises comfortable support regardless of the seating position.

Obviously with all such chairs one must try them before committing; however from what we have seen  we see no reason to doubt the quality of the product.

Anel by Grzegorz Cholewiak

Gorgeous!

Anel by Grzegorz Cholewiak

Design Classics: Papa Bear Armchair by Hans J Wegner

One of the most famous furniture design anecdotes is that of Charles Eames about his iconic Lounge Chair; namely, that it should resemble and be just as inviting as a well-worn baseball glove.

Similary Hans J. Wegner wanted his Papa Bear chair to be just as inviting as the arms of a ….

Obviously he didn’t.

But with his Papa Bear Chair, Hans J Wegner did create one of the best of examples of early modern Danish design.
In many ways a further development of Finn Juhl’s Pelican Chair, Papa Bear Armchair was created at a time when “plain” wood furniture dominated and was one of the first full upholstered post-war chairs.
A relatively brave decision at a time when resources and money were still relatively rare.

Also known as the Teddy Bear Armchair, Wegner’s Papa Bear Armchair was released in 1951 by AP Stolen; although from 1953 onwards the frames were produced by PP Møbler, who today produce the Papa Bear chair, albeit marketed as the Teddy Bear Chair.

Papa bear Armchair by Hans Wegner

Papa Bear Armchair and Ottoman by Hans Wegner

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz

One of the guiding philosophy’s of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s work is leaving the end-user to decide what an object is and how to interact with it.

Halle based designer Stephan Schulz has taken the concept to new extremes with his Comfy Cargo Chair.

Part of his final year project at Burg Giebichenstein, Comfy Cargo Chair is not in commercial production  – or at least not yet.

But certainly we hope he finds a producer.

For while we admit it doesn’t look the comfiest of seats per se, we love the options it offers not only for individual design but much more to change its appearance as and when your life requires such.

And you can always sit on a cushion.

Aside from being used domestically we can well imagine Comfy Cargo Chair finding use with, for example, trade fair design agencies who can alter the appearance to match the customer/industry involved as well as with companies looking for a  WOW! factor in their waiting rooms and receptions.

Or a shop looking for a novel way to display goods.
As long as it’s not a  butcher’s shop

Or fishmonger.

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz.
Genius!

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz - raw

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz - books

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz - plants

Comfy Cargo Chair by Stephan Schulz - soft toys

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

We know that we occasionally come across as the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec fan club, something that Le Freres Bouroullec occasionally interpret as stalking.

And yes we do enjoy their wonderfully pared down and, somewhat irreverent approach to furniture design.

Among the new products they will be displaying in Milan is the Lamp Lighthouse, produced in joint cooperation with London based producer Established and Sons and Murano based glass producer Venini.

Featuring a large Murano glass shade and a black anodized aluminium base, Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec resembles large candle.

If that is how it also sees in real life remains to be seen.

We will however keep you updated.

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Great!

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec ... and a Bouroullec

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Murano glass shade and aluminium base

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec .. prototype

Postfossil Collection 2010: Valet by Anna Blattert and JWC2 by Florian Hauswirth

There are many good reasons to welcome spring – not least that it herolds the launch of the latest collection from one of our favourite Swiss design collectives Postfossil.

The 2010 Postfossil collection contains, appropriately enough 10 items.

Two of our favourites are Valet and JWC2

JWC2 is, again appropriately enough, the successor to JWC1 which featured in the 2009 Postfossil collection.

And My House is My Castle.

Whereas JWC1 impressed us with its easy Eames-esque charm, JWC2 is a completely different beast.

Vaguely reminiscent of Dolly by Kartell for Antonio Citterio & Oliver Löw, JCW2 by Florian Hauswirth doesn’t fold but does stack.
And is a lot more pleasing on the eye.

Partly due to its unobtrusive form, and partly due to its 100% wood – and just wood – construction.

JCW2 by Florian Hauswirth

Fantastic!

Valet by Anna Blattert is completely different kettle of fish.

Obviously inspired by Thonet 214 minus the seat, Valet is a wonderfully modern yet irresistably nostalgic clothes hanger.

At 1m 50 cm tall Valet is high enough to air a jacket or jumper  and practical enough to allow all of those amongst us who normally leave half-worn clothes lying on the floor to create a vague impression of order in an otherwise orderless space.

Valet by Anna Blattert

Fantastic!

And for all attending the Saloni Milano, the Postfossil collection 2010 can be viewed in the Saloni Salone Satellite

Postfossil Collection 2010

Well worth the wait!

Postfossil Collection 2010: Valet by Anna Blattert

Postfossil Collection 2010: JWC2 by Florian Hauswirth

TT01 by Tom Rossau

Whether it’s Dr Who’s Tardis or Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand, there is nothing , but nothing, more endearing than when apparently small masses reveal themselves as being considerably bigger.

So in the case with the table TT01 by Danish designer Tom Rossau

We sadly wont be able to visit Tom’s showcase in Milan and so we’re just going to misuse the photos from his website 🙂

Two tables in one, TT01 by Tom Rossau grows from a slightly askew coffee/couch table to a dining table that can seat up to ten.

Brilliant.

While obviously perfect for small flats where space is at a premium, TT01 by Tom Rossau could just as easily fit into a modern office design as a relax area coffee table/brainstorming area desk.

But wherever it is used; we’re impressed.  A lovely bit of problem solving, a gorgeous technological application all wrapped up in – teh still relatively – environmentally sound bamboo

If your in Milan Check out Tom at Via Forcella 7.

TT01 by Tom Rossau.

Genial!

TT01 by Tom Rossau

TT01 by Tom Rossau ... in action (click to start)