Ingenious fixture

I'm in love with this bathroom setup. I love the entire 'drawing water from the well' metaphor the designers employed. And you can't beat the functionality of having hand towels right there.

The name of this setup is 'Canali' and the manufacturer is Neve.

Hat tip [Neve]

Function over form

When Form Follows Function
Originally uploaded by queenbeeamy

Seems I'm not the only one who noticed that furniture shows were more subdued this year. The WSJ ran an article [subscription may be required] discussing the Milan show and noted that gone are the days of iconic attention getting pieces. In its place are thoughtful, functional pieces that get their cache from craftsmanship and perfectly executed details rather than outrageous design. Personally, I'm fine with the shift.

ICFF Koncept LED Lamps

Now available from the MoMA design store is this LED lamp from Koncept, which comes in both table and floor heights.

I love LED lights; I have two standing ones I bought from Levenger. They consume very little power and they look great. The only thing I dislike is the fluorescent-like blue cast to the light, which is not always flattering or soothing. Koncept lamps solves that problem by offering the option of both warm and cool LED bulbs. I hope the industry standardizes on the warm bulb.

Cork

I'm in the market for a media console and this one caught my eye. The front is made of cork, which can be uniform or several colors/shapes of cork. I really like the simplicity of the construction – particularly the legs – paired with the texture and complexity of the cork. Nice piece that's on the list. It's from a Pennsylvania-based eco furniture company named Iannone.

ICFF - overall thoughts

The next few posts will deal with the ICFF I mentioned earlier. It was a really cool experience, right off the bat. I've been excited by furniture design for a long time so it was great to immerse myself in a show on the topic, much like the NY Auto Show I attended a few weeks ago. For those who are well versed in this exhibition, pardon my layman's analysis.

All things considered, it was a pretty sedate show. In fact, it was much more sedate than expected. I thought I would see lavish displays – and there were a few – and lots of incredibly unique pieces that were more design statement than a piece of usable furniture. While there were a few of those, it wasn't the predominant theme of the show. By far, 'green' designs were the most prevalent. Green can sometimes mean bland but designers rose to the challenge and focused on simple forms and texture. Mid-century modern hasn't released its grip on design minds and it was great to see it hasn't, since it's a favorite of mine.

It is reflective of our economic times that the focus of the show was on sales. I disappointed many by saying that I wasn't an interior designer or a retail shop. On the plus side, so many vendors sold direct on their website.

I wish I had gone to the big Milan show this year. I may put it on my list of places to go next year. That and the Frankfurt Auto Show. More from the ICFF to follow soon.

Flexi lamp

Filed under 'when and how much' a flexible lamp designed by a Spanish design studio. Love. Check out the link for more details.

Hat tip [Design Spotter]

Stunning chandelier

Launched at the Milan Design Week a few weeks ago, Hope by Francisco Gomez Paz and Paolo Rizzatto.

Hope is a pendant light that could be defined as an innovative interpretation of traditional chandeliers. Both use hundreds of crystal pieces that multiply and diffuse the light.

It's light and easy to assemble. I think I see 'Hope' in my future.

Hat tip [Moco Loco]

Time measure clock

This is a very cool clock concept called the 'Measure Wall Clock' by Burak Kaynak. I love the wall reference to Tadeo Ando, one of my favorite Japanese architects. I also love the description by the designer most of all. I hope this gets produced.

"Time is linear, so can you measure it ?

It's a wall clock / inspired by the measuring tape rotation / a winding device for winding a measuring tape into its housing by the action of a winding spring.

It shows the time just like a measuring tape, has a central red line is fixed in position whilst the numbers move from right to left and left to right that indicates the time on a scale of 0 to 23. Additional part moves in and out automatically from the housing.

The minutes are shown in a line group / 10 minutes...

Top loading dishwasher

This is an interesting concept of a top-loading dishwasher for Fagor Brandt, along the lines of basket fridges and basket dishwashers. It's certainly easier for the disabled and those with bad backs.

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]

Vortex by Jose Jorge Hinojosa Primo

Speaking of vehicles... I like this buggy. It's a street racing vehicle so it's not for road use, but I like the look. It there's any way for the GM/Segway PUMA to be as daring and rakish, they would have a hit on their hands. Double plusses for colored tires.

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]

BMW's Chris Bangle leaving!

Thanks to the folks at LeftLane for breaking the news – to me at least.

Will the world's BMW enthusiasts be sorry to see him go? Probably. The rest of the auto world may not. His controversial designs really did change auto design. Even Toyota mimicked the 'Bangle Butt.' 

From bench to sofa

This intriguing design from Olivier Grégoire. This is an inflatable bench that converts to a sofa when you unzip the back. I'm not sure how comfortable it will be to sit on but I like the idea. Check out this French site for more pictures. 

Hat tip [Crib Candy]

Ring cam

If they manage to reduce today's digital cameras down to ring size and still offer 1 billion megapixels, sign me up. 

It's a very cool idea. Hope someone is able to bring it to market. 

Hat tip [Design Spotter]

Great glassware

Love the simple elegance of the Hruska line of glassware from Czech designer Martin Zampach (with accented z). 

It's shot incredibly well too. 

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]