I have a bad habit of tossing my jewelry on top of my dresser at night and as a result I often forget what pieces I have because they're all jumbled up and hard to find. What I should do is invest in some decorative jewelry stands like these from Polli. Available in cheerful bright colors, there are both standing and hanging versions in patterns inspired by coral branches, gum trees, and bamboo. Laser cut out of acrylic, these stands can be used to hold and display jewelry or act as a decoration all on their own. AU$140
It's cool to spend lots of money on fancy electronic gadgets but it's totally not cool to spend several minutes fishing around for a remote control to (gasp) actually have to get up off the couch in order to turn them on manually. Of course The Clapper could do the trick but who needs such a startling way to adjust the mood when you could have this gold (that's one of the last places you thought you'd see bling, isn't it?) electricity switch by Tobias Wong. Put it wherever you want (it works wirelessly) and you'll be having lights, music, and whatever else whenever and where ever you want -- no fumbling required. $150
Italian car design firm, Pininfarina, is well known for projects with Ferrari and Maserati but their innovation hasn't stopped with luxury vehicles. Their newest project is definitely a departure from the auto industry -- creating the Aresline Xten ergonomic office chair. This chair is for the most elite of CEO's with mega-budgets as the single piece of furniture cost the design company about $1.5 million to develop -- who knows how much they will charge to purchase one of your very own! Currently available in UAE through OFIS, the chair's impressive materials include a dynamic fabric used by Olympic athletes for durability and a substance called Technogel. Are we talking sprinter's spandex material or the seat of the equestrian team's pants? Either way this premier piece of office equipment with its iconic affiliation is sure to be coveted by many corporate giants.
As I was browsing a home magazine I was stopped by an ad for Sherle Wagner doorknobs, I mean, "hardware." They were so beautiful, I wanted to know more. So now I share ... Sherle Wagner International, headquartered in NYC but with eight U.S. showrooms and one in Kuwait, offers a number of home accessories in these categories: finishes, stones and patterns; bath fittings; bath fixtures; accessories; hardware; lighting; furniture; textiles; linens; and wall coverings. All Sherle Wagner products are originals, made by the company from the design inception stage to completion. The company uses "old world artisans and timeless techniques, so that every piece is a true original." And the staff is experienced in working with architects, designers and clients on projects of any scale. If you browse the catalog, be sure to check out all the categories on the lefthand nav bar; there was much more on the site than I noticed the first time around. No prices, however, but I'm going to guess on the high end.
If summer holidays have kept you out of the city, you may have a treat waiting for you upon arrival in New York: the pietre dure (Italian for "hard stones") exhibit at the Met. The museum's second floor galleries are filled with ornately designed furniture, vases, and various objêts d'art all featuring hand-carved pietre dure that could take artisans years to complete for just one piece. As highly valued now as then, one recently auctioned example of pietre dure was sold for $36.7 million in 2004.
The exhibit will run until September 21. If your travels won't take you down 5th Avenue by then, see the gallery for stunning examples of this painstakingly rendered art.
Gallery: Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe
Urban Nature, a Los Angeles-based design firm that specializes in sleek-yet-simple modern planters, now introduces a line of limited edition vessels crafted by local artisans from titanium and platinum. Planters include an avant-garde exotic plant arrangement that is personally couriered to its destination. The company also offers custom designs in addition to on-site consults and maintenance. Reminiscent of Architectural Pottery's vintage Cal-modern pieces, Urban Nature's collection seems to do exactly what its name implies: create a corner of life in an otherwise sterile urban landscape.
Titanium planters start at $50,000, while the platinum version will cost $250,000 and up, making these precious metals indeed. Shown above is Urban Nature's Minimalist Bowl, which retails at a more reasonable $1,395. Though I think you'll want a pair.
Frette's holiday collection is always something special. In 2006, we had Sophia, a line inspired by ancient brocades and damasks used by royal dynasties across Europe. In 2007, we experienced Helena, a golden set inspired by Helen of Troy. This year the inspiration was 17th Century Swedish Queen Christina and her stirring portrayal by Greta Garbo in the 1933 film. The dramatic collection rendered in rich reds with a tapestry look consists of just 64 numbered sets in an ebony box containing a duvet, two Euro shams and two pillows. The retail price is $6,000.
The rest of the holiday collection includes mink slippers, a mink throw, wool blankets, cashmere scarves and a few selected high-end pieces of loungewear. The collection will be on display in Frette windows in November but you can catch a sneak peek in the gallery below.
The Travelmate Portable Fireplace by Conmoto is made of black powder-coated steel and glass with an adjustable steel fuel-holder and burns on bio-ethanol liquid fuel (not included). Now you can put a fireplace where you want or need it for warmth or atmosphere. It's smokeless too. Safe to place on carpet, a table, near furniture, or outside. The glass pane is held on with magnets and only is removed in order to light the fire. Once the glass pane has been replaced, the fuel tank can be opened and closed, using the stainless steel slide at the front of the fireplace, so the flames can be regulated from the outside. I would love this in my home! Dimensions: 20" H x 28" W x 8" D, 55 lbs.($3,300)
We've covered light fixtures made of sunglasses before and although it's an idea that will never fit it with my home's decor I must say the concept is growing on me and I especially like this 'R&S' (Ray & Stevie) pendant light by J.P. Meulendijks. The design is incredibly simple, consisting simply of 18 "reservoir dogs" sunglasses arranged into a circle. The result is an interesting piece of art and, when you turn it on, fun sunglass-shaped shadows on the walls and ceiling. Available in both black and white the lamp goes for just over $200.
Sub-Zero has just announced a new line, its "Built In Refrigeration Series," which will keep food fresher longer, effectively reducing food waste. Between its unique dual-compressor system, advanced air purification and water filtration system, this refrigerator is a work of science. For those of us who don't quite understand how aforementioned systems work, there's also a "freshness guide" inside the unit to tell us where best to store fruits versus leftovers.
The line will be available in Fall 08. Check out the gallery to see some of your options!
If you fancy yourself a Frank Lloyd Wright fan and wish to emulate his designs in your backyard or patio this Oak Park Studio Vase may be of interest. The vase is a cast stone replica of the very object which decorated his Oak Park residence in Chicago. Illustrating one of his classic designs, the cross within a circle within a square, this strapping vase is available in three sizes with prices starting at $1,350. I imagine this would serve well as a plantar, birdbath, or decorative piece holding its own along a path or strategically placed on a patio.
A luxe new coffee table book called Dream Homes: Coastal California (Panache Partners, $34.95) showcases over 40 of the region's finest architects, designers and builders. Focusing on Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, it features 250 photographs of breathtaking designs such as the Villa Beaumont pictured above, an Italian-Renaissance country villa in Santa Barbara by Sorrell Design based on the work of the great 16th-century architect Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola. From multimillion dollar classical revival mansions to modernist beach dwellings, no expense has been spared in realizing clients' dreams (hence the title). See the gallery for a tour.
First off let me say that decorating your home with large, artificial gems is a delicate task that is really hard to pull off. That being said, though, used sparingly and in the right ways artificial diamonds can be a great way to satisfy (somewhat) your craving for sparkly gemstones and add a touch of glamor to your decor. Chiasso offers diamond sculptures in a couple different ways, miniature ones (above) and a large paperweight version if you're really looking to make a statement.
The latest in the line of minimalist bath accessories from Denmark's Vipp is this ultra-sleek laundry basket. The basket is available in white or black lacquered steel and rubber and has a rounded shape similar to the classic Vipp pedal bin. The lid is made from brushed stainless steel and is perforated for air circulation. Inside there is a removable dual-section inner bag for sorting. The basket also has hidden rubber wheels. At $625, this laundry basket costs as much as some washing machines.
Classic Rug Collection has just introduced its "Luxe Collection," a series of Eastern-inspired rugs hand-knotted from fine silks and featuring patterns borrowed from the graphic pasts of Morocco, Tibet and Nepal. Classic Rug has been known to provide custom decor to discerning interior designers and is perhaps best known for its collection of Gee's Bend inspired rugs, which were formerly on exhibit at the Whitney Museum and will be part of a special exhibit this September at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Note: Classic Rug Collection founder Barbara Barran also has a reputation for her commitment to eradicate child labor in the carpet industry.)
The Luxe Collection is primarily available by special order, although Classic Rug has teamed with 66Degrees.com to offer its limited edition Bargello rug through August 2008. The four by six foot piece inspired by 13th Century Florentine design is crafted from silk and pashmina in Nepal. I love this juxtaposition of age-old pattern from one part of the world and age-old technique from another. The Bargello rug sells for $4,400.
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