Firstly, i’m not really a crystals kind of girl… but for some reason Swarovski is doing some pretty irresistible stuff this year! (How stunning is the Crystal Palace?!?!?!) Bisazza has always been a fascination of mine, the way they turn tiling into quite the art form is fascinating, and the designer collaborations are always stunning. However, the one thing about tiles i never loved is how FLAT they can feel visually ~ sure you can cover incredibly curved walls with their tiny tiles, but with the new Bisazza Crystal Collection with Swarovski, the crystal tiles add this incredible depth to the tiling! (Not to mention inevitable blinged out effects as well.) To see “flat” crystals essentially is bizarrely mesmerizing up close, since you see them come to a point beneath the surface, it’s as if you’re peering into the wall… The Crystal Collection is a series of decorative patterns “bejeweled with Swarovski crystals” ~ and the most noteworthy is the Skulls & Crown pattern… I’m imagining the interior of a pool with black reflective tiles and crystal/metallic skull markers for the depths…

See images of the cocktail party last night ~ the candle and chandelier lighting create interesting light effects in combination with the Bisazza tiles~ on the next page!

p.s. With Bisazza going all pixel art, i’d love to see them collaborate with Diesel Sweeties for an awesome pixelated comic wall…

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While exploring Milano Salone Satellite 2010, i was taken by Frame Series, the premiere collection of Rends Design, the design duo Masanao Furkawa and Kaori Akiyama! The quality of the pieces feels incredible ~ so strong, yet delicate in the curvature. With simple elegant lines and a strong japanese modern aesthetic ~ the piece i’m most lusting after is the sofa! Sadly, they didn’t have a prototype of that pieces at the show! The Easy chair is even more comfortable than it appears, and they truly had to pry me out of there after a full day of walking the show floor! Take a look at the images of the collection (and a few fun booth pics!) on the next page…

(On a quick silly side note/disclaimer, Leo and I were actually looking for our grad school friend, Masa, and this ended up being his booth! But no one was in the there at the time! But we loved the collection! It was pretty funny when he finally called, and we looped back to find his booth number, only to realize it was his work we already liked while passing by!)

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Ahhh, Veuve Cliquot ~ they’ve become one of my design week staples around the world ~ that shade of Veuve yellow is starting to feel synonymous with inspiration, i guess they’ve trained me well! For the salone 2010, they’ve launched two new designer collaborations in their Clicquotsphere. The first is The Tasting Gloriette with the Campana Brothers (a playful modern twist on the gazebo of sorts, using coiled thin metal to mimick and overgrowth of champagne vines on a bent wood base… resulting burning man yurt style contraption to relax under and a central nest cradling a champagne bucket). The second is “Once Upon A Dream” by Mathieu Lehanneur ~ a retro futuristic looking bed ~ that is SO much more than a bed. It’s more of a luxury sleep experience created to help you get the best rest physically possible, optimized for jetlag recovery ~ through special lighting, white noise balancing, ideal temperatures, and curtains to create that womb like effect… there is even a plant hanging beside you which is used to control the lighting (coolest living light switch?) ~ and its even designed in conjunction with sleep scientists! Sadly, the best sleep is apparently alone, so this bed is just for resting! Both of these pieces will be installed in the Veuve Clicquot Hotel du Marc which is opening in spring 2011 (and it’s not a hotel at all, so much as their super guest house in Reims)… and in full Veuve Clicquot fashion ~ the champagne never stopped, the music was fun, the food was delicious, and they had unexpected surprises like keys you could try your luck to unlocking prizes… and even a special mailbox where you could write postcards which they will mail from Reims! See lots of pics on the next page…

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One of the most breathtaking things i’ve experienced, perhaps EVER… is this MIlano Salone 2010 Swarovski Crystal Palace. It is a sensory overload in all the right ways, taking the idea of sparkly objects to a new and undeniably attractive new level… each and every piece literally transforms a room, and to be in rooms with others who are standing there quietly in complete awe, it almost feels as if everyone is in the presence of an otherworldly being. It is both incredibly calming and zen while still perhaps impressively luxurious and excessive… So take a look at some of my favorite pieces ~ unlike press photos that tend to have no one in them, you’ll see the photos i loved best ended up being with people! And giving you more of a sense of scale and awe ~ the interaction with the spaces if nearly as fascinating as the pieces themselves! Pics on the next page!

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It’s not often that the rear of a sofa draws you in… but with Nika Zupanc’s new Modesty Sofa, its hard not to look! The way the black sateen bow pops off the bent wood is just stunning. As she describes it. “In a world of demanding circumstances, this is a noble move. In spaces hungry for some identity, a discreet black ribbon comes as a pleasurably stimulating theme.” Also check out the black aluminum legs on the modesty sofa~ and the silk upholstered seat and backrest are lovely too! Not to mention they are housed in a life sized dollhouse of an exhibition space in Superstudio Piu covered in golden pinwheels… pics on the next page!

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Popped by the De Padova opening tonight and can’t get Patricia Urqiola’s Lavenham Executive chairs out of my head. They describe it as “For dining and meeting tables, or behind a desk. Lavenham Executive reprises the quilted pattern on the back of the chassis of the Lavenham chair. A versatile, transformable seat: nude, with a small cushion, or covered with a matelassé housse, put on or removed with a single gesture. The base plays with the materials and finishes. The legs are in oak-stained ash wood, while the swivel version has a base in aluminium, polished or with white or black satin paint finish.” It’s like hypermodern chanel quilting as you approach it, with a satiny eggshell matte when you settle into it. Each of the different bases give them such a different character… i’m craving them for a fun dining/conference table look. See more images on the next page!

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Picked up a NaoLab NaoLoop ~ 90% because of the packaging (after all its pretty much a fancy elastic loop), at Magazin ~ while i was hunting for designy/unique stores in Stuttgart that i’d never seen (my favorite finds? Ikarus, Manufactum, Grüne Erde, 1000 Schoen). The use of layered cardboard is certainly a bit excessive, but intriguing, and a fun idea on ways to packaging other notes for mailing… take a peek at the unboxing on the next page.

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While checking out some of the new malls that popped up in Singapore since my last trip ~ came across the adorable new Atomi in Mandarin Gallery ~ specializing in “Japanese Designs x Comfortable Lifestyle”. Irresistible were the beautiful pearls by japanese parisian Miya Shinma (grew up in japan and studied perfumery in paris) ~ the Perle Parfumée was designed in Paris made in Japan. Basically these spheres (housed in a wood box sealed with wax paper) are scented… and you can leave them in little dishes or satchels around the house ~ and every 4-5 months, if needed, you can refresh them with essential oils. The whole box would make such a lovely gift! Take a peek at close up pics on the next page!

p.s. Also a fun idea ~ her scented fans!

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I currently have a thing for super multipurpose furniture… especially the type that is versatile and beautiful enough to fit in both inside and out! Launching at the Salone in Milan in a few weeks ~ here is a peek at Expormim’s new “Nido” by Javier Pastor. Isn’t it just perfect for the simple mod california house… or out on the deck? And it’s so very NOTCOT, coming in only black and white! See a close up on the next page…

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On one of my latest shopping wanderings, i stumbled upon MOR Cosmetics out of australia, and am absolutely taken by their packaging (products seem fabulous too, but haven’t had a chance to play with them much). Awesome story of how a talented visual merchandiser and industrial/interior designer team up to create a stunningly beautiful line of soaps, scents, cosmetics, and more. The lip glosses are presented in fun pyramids, making for a beautiful stocking stuffer or gift add on… the lip balm tins are SO pretty in their ornate oval tins… and the gift tins even more so, and they are a great size to reuse around the house. Of them all, the Little Luxuries collection is definitely making my “perfect random gifts” list! See lots of pics of my favorites of their packaging on the next page…

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On gyms with views ~ had a chance to check out the gym at the Standard NY while i was there (it wasn’t open when i stayed last time!) ~ and wow. Filled with mirrors, super empty, lots of brand new equipment… and amazing views! Not to mention fun super red drinking fountain… and you can even see the statue of liberty out of the port hole by the bathrooms! Take a peek at more pics on the next page!

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This is the first of a new experiment ~ Dear NOTCOT ~ think of it as our version of letters to the editor ~ SO many stories of amazing experiences filled with inspiration and creativity from our friends like you ~ i’m working on convincing you to share them with us in your own words! And filled with pics of course, since its fun to see the world through your eyes! So hopefully more to come! And if you think you have a visually inspiring adventure to share, feel free to drop us a line!

Heath Ceramics ~ stunning tile and table work ~ i hadn’t realized that they’ve been doing their thing since 1948. Currently lusting after their tile work! Their main store and studio are in Sausalito and they recently teamed up with Adam Silverman of Atwater Pottery for their LA location. Julie Wolfson had a chance to go hang out and chat with Adam as he worked on pieces for Playmountain in Tokyo! On the next page you can see her adventures at Heath filled pics and quotes she came back with!

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So Thomasville is a NOTCOT advertiser, and when they approached me, i got curious. Particularly about this Metamorphic Candelabra from their Darryl Carter for Thomasville Collection. So they were kind enough to send the photo sample over for me to play with. I’ve been a bit fixated on chandeliers and candelabras recently ~ i blame that dinner at Versailles where the fake candle light at dinner drove me absolutely nuts (pictures in that hazy orange glow looked atrocious!) ~ and suddenly i find myself noticing real candles anywhere i go! SO, i brought this brassy candelabra out to palm springs a few weeks ago to play with ~ and dragged the others out exploring palm springs to find candles with me… and we tried it out at the Ace.

Honestly, the concept is what i found most interesting ~ the Metamorphic Candelabra allows you to move the two pieces vertically ~ and then all arms also swing. Whether this is a good or bad idea when you have flames going was unknown, since unlike most candelabras, there are definitely moving parts ~ so running around with the candelabra was a bit drippy… but overall ~ its a fun concept! And we had fun playing with it out in the desert! Have any good candelabra recommendations that are interesting? Would love to see more!

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Dayna Decker Chandel Couture ~ the same way looking up at chandeliers has been mesmerizing recently, looking down at the wide woody crackling wicks of Dayna Decker Chandels. They smell divine, but i can’t get over the lovely glass votive lined in black with the patented EcoWood Wick is “made from organic wood via a natural manufacturing process, and burns cleaner than an ordinary cotton wick. When lit, the EcoWood Wick displays an intriguing “teardrop” shaped flame and emits a soothing crackling sound.” Quick video to share the crackling with you on the next page as well as unboxing and product shots of the chandel!

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And thus begins the posts from the all the Swedish shopping i couldn’t resist that led to an inevitable Rimowa purchase… It was really quite bizarre trying to explain to the US immigration fellow what i did and why i was declaring things like toys, a watering can, a bird feeder, a suitcase and more randomness on my customs form… somehow all of this leads to him telling me about how he’s retiring soon and looking to redecorate his house and chatting about products (with a huge line waiting behind me! Oh! The guilt!)

So firstly, the watering can i found at my favorite, Design Torget. I was smitten. So simple. So iconic. So multipurpose. (Come on, get creative… imagine serving drinks from it? crazy cocktail serving contraption for shots straight into your mouth?) Part of the Born in Sweden collection, this is the Watering Can designed by Pascal Charmolu. It was apparently a nominee for the Årets Sak Design Award 2008. A simple stainless steel cylinder with a rubber hose attached to the bottom… and a magnet holds the hose to the cylinder to stop the flow… and simply playing with gravity you can adjust the water flow and strength… It’s so fun! And can also make for a gorgeous vase as it sits on the shelf… Of course i bought the vibrant red. See more pics of the details and awesome packaging on the next page!

p.s.
how awesome is the silhouette of the watering can?

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