*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Shigeru Ban - Artek 10 Unit System

artek0.jpg There are some things you can read about and only when you play with it and get to take it apart in person do you fully understand how awesome it is. It also doesn’t hurt to first see it in an awesomely large grouping arranged like a sculpture on the 3rd floor deck of the The Standard, New York with all of NYC as the backdrop… and then again back down on the ground in a shipping container both intact and taken apart…

Of course i’m talking about Artek’s 10 Unit System by Shigeru Ban! Both Artek and Shigeru Ban are known for their love of beautiful simplicity, functionality, and sustainability ~ so it’s no surprise that this 10 Unit System emobodies all of those qualities wonderfully. “Systematizing, Standardizing, Making It Accessible.” This is the chair who’s motto is boldly “One chair is enough”… and being constructed of 10 identical L shaped pieces, one can create chairs of varying designs, stools, coffee tables, and even combine them for benches and more. When feel like a quick change, simply rearrange the pieces! These are made from ProFi, an environmentally friendly wood-plastic composite - non-toxic, sustainable, and recyclable, it utilizes the surplus materials from the label stock production of UPM. (Artek also used this material for the Artek Pavillion that was sold by Sotheby’s as well as floor tiles.)

Take a look on the next page for images from the The Standard, New York deck ~ in the Playful New Finnish Design 09 shipping container ~ up close ~ press photos ~ and even the really fun propoganda cut/paste/photocopy zine looking booklet!

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.17.09 -

Ørgreen Optics + Artsee “Playground”

play0.jpg Ørgreen Optics and Artsee’s “Playground: Where Danish Design Meets Japanese Perfection” ~ was an unexpected surprise as i turned the corner near the Standard NY while wandering the meatpacking district… you know i can’t turn away from a room of balls… especially a room of pink, silver, and black balls! Unfortunately it was a bit of a tease, since they were only about ankle/shin deep ~ so no ball pit diving! Oh, and how can you ignore the huge hot pink glasses outside too…? Unfortunately they were closing the doors as i wandered past, but it is Ørgreen handcrafted Danish architectural eyewear Solo Exhibition at Artsee Gallery - See more pics on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Bd Barcelona Tout va bien

bd1.jpg The Bd Barcelona Tout va bien ~ a collection by Antoine + Manuel. While wandering ICFF, i was immediately drawn over to e Bd Barcelona for the Jamie Hayon Showtime chairs in new colors… and then mesmerized by this new cabinet! Being human, its near impossible to not attempt to make a story out of random snippets ~ personally i initially assumed it would be some crazy myth or fairy tale… but the woman at the booth informed me it was far more fantasy and artsy and no real meaning… but fascinating details none the less…

Bd Barcelona describes it as: “Rarely does a graphic designer (two, in this case) go into the field of furniture design. We have to go far back in time to find them, to the times of the high and low reliefs. This is exactly what Antoine Audiau and Manuel Warosz have done, a couple of extraordinary Parisian graphic artists who sign their works as Antoine+Manuel. The cabinet they have designed for this new collection brought out by Bd Barcelona design is a surprising mixture of applied arts, hieroglyphic language, contemporary graphics, fantasy and optimism. It is produced with the quality of yesteryear but using today’s technologies in two versions, Basic and Top, distinguished by the shape of the top and because the more exclusive option also offers the possibility of choosing the colour in accordance to the RAL colour referentes.”

Check out close ups and press pics on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Shimna at ICFF

shimna1.jpg Stand out at ICFF that i walked away still lusting after? Shimna! Based right here in NY, their tag line is “avoid the aesthetic of the moment” ~ and it just about sums it up perfectly. It’s like rustic meets modern ~ but not rustic modern. Soft and cozy meet hard and rough ~ but not hard and cozy. Outdoorsy meets urban chic? The only descriptions i can give you sound ridiculously juxtaposed ~ but they have struck a beautiful balance in their juxtapositions that i’m in love with. I can see their pieces in my rustic modern loft… or my modern ranch/cabin in the woods…

OH, and i didn’t even get to talking about the 80$ ebay stuffed rabbit they placed on the bright red couch yet. Details like that really draw everyone into a booth… even adorably mesmerized babies (see pic on next page to make sense of this!). Also the bed, those drawers are slanted! So from afar, you wouldn’t even guess there are 4 large drawers of goodies hidden beneath ~ it just has sleek lines underneath… and then next to your head there are drawers for your glasses and jewelry… but not for your partner/lovers. They even have gorgeous updated variations on what felt like a trunk that evolved into a seat/coffee table that still opens up to provide tons of storage space… and apparently coyotes went from near extinction to overpopulation ~ so they are doing their part by using some of the special culled coyote skins on their cozy chair… and the couch is incredibly comfy/cozy and mounted on gorgeous woodiness… anyhow, see the juxtaposition of press and real world photos on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in home+decor -

Hero 365 at ICFF

hero1.jpg I’m extra giddy about this one ~ my old grad school friends from the Domus/Milan days ~ Jenny Lemieux and Leo Corrales ~ you may remember them as Toronto based Hero Design Lab which did the playful NotConcept series with NOTCOT a while back… have their first series of products Hero 365 showing at ICFF 09!!! Their first two products are the RC-1 Rain Collector and the DR-1 Clothes Dryer. With these “Extraordinary resource saving objects for everyday life” ~ they have taken simple ways to save energy and water, revamped some traditional concept, and made them beautifully functional. Take a look at more pics of these pieces on the next page!

p.s.
And on living vicariously ~ having never had a booth of my own, it’s been so fun to share in their excitement watching people react to their products after seeing sketches and the progress on these pieces over the last few months ~ hearing their stories of the drive to NY from Toronto with their booth components ~ and seeing how beautifully it all came together! Also ~ because of them, i got to meet Dan Funderburgh!!! (He stopped by and was chatting with them about the product while i was there! And i got all excited!)

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*NOTCOT in home+decor - 05.15.09 -

Valcucine + Surface

valcucine1.jpg I’ve been obsessing about vertical gardens lately ~ and while most get complex drip systems, bricks of earth magically suspended, and pretty thick installations… i lit up when i stepped into the Valcucine showroom for the Surface Magazine and saw this brilliant idea of a metal grid with little pots hanging from them filled with everything from herbs to strawberries!!! And it looks pretty awesome? Also between all the luxurious sustainable kitchen and furniture ~ they debuted and let us sample the delights of Valcucine’s Riciclanta sustainable slow food kitchen… really delicious asparagus soup shots and soup spoons of salad bites… the chefs on hand were incredibly sweet and friendly too! Also really cool to see the little wet pots in person! I think i’m finding it much cuter than the eva solo one i just bought as far as use of space, and the same concept pretty much. See pics of it all on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in design -

Tom Dixon + Smallpond + NYC

dixon1.jpg Firstly, oh yes, i will probably be that girl at the supermarket rocking the metallic bronzey Tom Dixon tote in line… with my random magazines staying dry from wet goods and showing off the title perfectly in its exterior pocket ~ clearly made FOR that reason! You will suddenly know exactly what mood i’m in… artsy, businessy, car-y, fashiony?

But seriously ~ how can anyone resist these parties in empty Soho condos on GORGEOUS days with never ending Veuve Clicquot flowing ~ Tom Dixon lighting and furnishings surrounding you ~ and nearly 360 skyline views to stare out at? Dwell hosted a great party! Met some really cool folks ~ and yes… i’m impressed with their very trendy tote. Also see the sweet grassy kid friendly rooftop i spotted as well as many water towers… and all the Tom Dixon goodies on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in travel - 05.14.09 -

The Ace Hotel NYC (Part 1)

ace0.jpg Landed in NYC at the equivalent time earlier than i normally go to sleep in LA… huge points for the sweet Ace Hotel NYC guys for giving me a room at 7am and letting me curl up in bed with wifi and post to you now… yes, i’m a little deliriously giddy and going to crash in a few, but far too excited not to show you these pics first…

I think i’m *home* ~ but i must admit i was nervous ~ kind of like meeting someone you’ve talked to online for ever, and you know you like a lot of the same stuff, but when you finally meet in the flesh ~ well its nerve racking. And you hit your kinks and panic attacks along the way (they JUST soft opened yesterday after delays) ~ but then its love at first sight?

So we’re going to do this the inside out way ~ starting with the room itself, its amazingly awesome details (my house so needs a black smeg, i wish i could just stick it in my suitcase and bring it home!) ~ adorably cozy vintage designy furnishings ~ glossy black outlets and faceplates! ~ big metal door ~ gorgeous lights ~ yummy treats ~ anyhow, see for yourself… pics of the room on the next page…

p.s.
saw sunset in LA and sunrise in NYC ~ and in between it was incredibly clear out tonight ~ really bright moon and stars and darkness with patches of towns/cities in the middle… so also a few pics of the crazy view.

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.13.09 -

A History of Champagne Glasses

vcglass0.jpg Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by a curvature? A silhouette? Just stuck in your mind, and you could stare at it for ages? And it doesn’t help that as you stare at it you can’t help but sip it as well? Well there’s something so beautiful about the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and La Grande Dame champagne glasses that i’ve been obsessing about since that trip to paris with them last year… It actually had me paying much closer to attention to both champagne and champagne glasses, since. You’ll see what i mean in the many pictures on the next page… there’s a comparison of some of the various champagne glasses rounded up from holiday gift boxes…

… also further indulging my curiosity about the origins of Champagne Glasses, the Veuve Clicquot historian was kind enough to put together some information on their background as well as some gorgeous visuals - from vintage Veuve ads ~ to scans from their library to take a look at what types of champagne glass styles exist and how they have evolved over the years.

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.12.09 -

GIVEAWAY! Octopus Hoppus/FOB USB

hoppusmain.jpg
So, you may have heard Mark Hoppus (yes, of Blink 182) ~ loves him some Octopus… it’s even his personal logo that a family friend (Sacha, screen writer by day, artist by… amusement?) made for him… and its quickly spreading to stickers, shirts, vinyl toys, and now a limited edition laser engraved USB key. Actually only 100 USB keys… and on even more amazing things, apparently Mark is a long time NOTCOT reader, and was kind enough to toss one my way to give away to one of you!!! (Also he is an avid twitterer, and those who follow me may have noticed when i found out he was a reader.)

As for this limited edition USB key ~ 100 were made by Mojo Laboratories to promote the Mark Hoppus remix of Fall Out Boy’s “America’s Sweethearts”. On the keys are the remix mp3, music video, a special Hoppus/Octopus pic, and a behind the photoshoot video… and a special code to get a Tshirt!

THE GIVEAWAY: Here’s the deal ~ to win the key ~ leave a comment with your favorite Blink 182 or Fall Out Boy lyrics and which song they are from. And Friday midnight 5/15 EST (i’ll be in NY) ~ i’ll pick a random winner from the comments!

Now, if you’re ready, head to the next page to see the tons of pics and Octopus info and closeups of the tiny adorable drive (yes, i’m having a hard time giving it up!) and sneak peeks at some of the contents you’ll find on the drive…

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*NOTCOT in food+drink -

Lobotomy Bock + other labels

lobo1.jpg On random late night posting ~ while doing the usual wandering through Whole Foods ~ on packaging based shopping, i gave in to some awesomely packaged beers. Really, how fun does the box and label of that Lobotomy Bock look? And take a peek at pics of that as well as some other fun beers and their adorable bottle caps too. (Slightly disappointing that Lobotomy Bock didn’t have a crazy bottle cap… its just solid red) ~ see all the pics on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in playful - 05.08.09 -

Cardboard Safari Rhino

rhino0.jpg Why, yes, that IS a Cardboard DIY Rhino! And seriously ~ who doesn’t need a laser cut, build it yourself, cardboard full bodied Rhino for their desk? (This is only Rambling Robbie JR. by the way ~ there is a larger dachshund sized one as well as an even tinier one!) If these feel familiar, you are probably thinking of Cardboard Safari’s others ~ like their Moose Head Trophy for your wall, which i’m still so tempted by! These Rhinos are their first full bodied creatures.

For those following my tweets ~ these are the pics that i was getting those funny looks from neighbors and passing cars over… but to be fair i was crouched in the grass in the front yard shooting a cardboard rhino? But still! Anyhow ~ impressive to see how perfectly cut these are ~ take a peek at how organized (tabbed!) the pieces arrive… fun detail shots and many more crazy rhino shots on the next page.

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*NOTCOT in design - 05.07.09 -

NOTland in Kidlandia

kid2.jpg I couldn’t help myself. Ami and the Cool Hunting kids clearly had tons of fun with Kidlandia ~ and i had to try it too! Sure it’s for little kids ~ but its like mad libs for a playful crazy MAP! Anyhow, check out NOTland ~ and close ups on the next page! According to CH - “Kidlandia, a website that lets you create personalized fantasy maps for kids, evolved from illustrator, entrepreneur and former Disney producer Brian Backus’ intricate, personalized maps that he started making a few years ago.”

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*NOTCOT in food+drink - 05.05.09 -

Kuhn Rikon Mortar & Pestle

mp0.jpg This beautiful Kuhn Rikon Mortar & Pestle showed up amidst the kitchen construction ~ and it is STUNNING! Also, swiss made, designed by Swiss Designer/Chef Philipp Beyeler, multipurpose and made of porcelain and bamboo! Not only does the porcelain bowl (for grinding) fit beautifully into the bamboo base (for crushing nuts and harder foods) ~ but i’m just such a sucker for porcelain/woody-bamboo combinations! And on brilliant details… the tear drop shaped hole in the handle isn’t merely for aesthetic purposes, it also doubles as a tool for “defoliating stems”.

See the many pics of the beautiful details up close on the next page!

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*NOTCOT in tech - 05.04.09 -

Characters - Reincarnated

alpha1.jpg Where bad letters go when they die? Ok so they aren’t bad ~ but the awesome photography of finnish company, Characters, certainly makes it seem like these are the ones that fell off Sesame Street’s letters of the day… only to end up drunk and in an alley all alone? Basically these are recycled - “saved” letters - orphaned when old signage is neglected or discarded… when i saw these over at designboom, i couldn’t resist seeing if they had NOTCOT available ~ and then debating whether to get some… it’d look pretty crazy to have your own ex-neon sign graveyard… mis matched reincarnated letters all LED’d out?

So what happens? “When company signs and logos are taken down, they get demolished. We recycle the characters into individual design objects. We dismantle the letters, clean them up, add a new transformer, LED lights and the power cord, and put them back together.” See some of the stunning photography on the next page!

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