2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

NORMANN Copenhagen

Souk al Bahar (the new souk open at The Palace Hotel in Downtown Burj, Dubai, where we live) has opened some great little places since it's grand opening a few months ago - shopping, cafes, restaurants, furniture...and as in most of the souks in the city, some great one-of-a-kind boutiques. We are lucky enough to have 50 degrees (check out Kitsch22 for more on their brands, links, etc.) - a kitschy, groovy hipster boutique selling things for your home, music, journals and all things cool - lighting (think Tord Boontje), music (think Ennio Morricone remixes) and all things NORMANN Copenhagen.
Founded in 1999, this is what their catalog has to say about them:
"...honored with numerous international design awards, the brand continues to challenge convention, and reinvent the everyday to make even the ordinary extraordinary through great design."
From silicone vases and pen/toothbrush holders to brushed steel and rubber money clips and card holders, NORMANN Copenhagen I am certain can provide you something to use, showcase or just admire...
Some of my faves are below, as well as a list of upcoming fairs you are invited to, to see a presentation of their collection:

ICFF
New York - 17th to the 20th of May 2008 - stand # 904
www.icff.com

Pulse
London - 1st to the 3th of June 2008 - stand # M1
www.pulse-london.com

Decorate Life
Frankfurt- 4th to the 8th of July 2008 - stand Nordic Design, hal 4.1

i29 interior architects: amsterdam, netherlands

in the spirit of just returning back from a quick stint in amsterdam, i thought i would post on this really cool design studio, i29 interior architects, a collaboration between jaspar jansen and jeroen dellensen. they create these amazing, simple and balanced spaces and also create furniture, called "leifmachines" which literally means "machines for living." these include kitchen units, bathrooms, sofas, closets/storage, unique bedroom pieces (one space can include bedroom, sink, toilet and shower) etc. check out their work and some of my favorite projects below...

keep an eye on these guys, they have done/are doing some amazing things - in 2006, they completed a custom furniture installation project for Het Veer, a public school for children with learning and concentration difficulties located in Almere, the Netherlands. The education provided at Het veer is highly specialized and geared towards improving the children's disabilities through use of creative practices.

Are You Listening?

Take your tunes into the shower, rock out at the kitchen sink, or chill out at the beach with these TearDrop iPod Water Resistant Speakers.  Battery operated, these little cuties can be used for iPods or other MP3 Players.

Modern Fan Co.

All new to 2Modern: The Modern Fan Co.! Great ceiling fans at affordable pricing. The popular Altus fits in with any modern home. The unique Halo combines a soft light with a cool breeze. And the gritty Industry can be a great finishing touch to that studio or loft.

Inmodern

Cute new Inmodern Stools make great gifts for all! In three fun styles: Intown, Rekindle, and Surfin. Available in different color options to match any setting.

Cotton Monkey

Cotton Monkey has two fun new items for the little ones; the Gift Set and the Hooded Towel. The Gift Set includes a bib, burp cloth, and bag. The Hooded Towel is perfect to drape around the kids at the pool or beach!

John Beck Paper & Steel

For one-of-a-kind steel, glass and concrete furnishings, turn to John Beck.  Visit his unassuming website when looking for kitchen islands, fireplace surrounds, lighting, office desks, bathroom vanities and much more.

As John says, "We aren't here to impress with shiny doo-dads, assumed design or oversized conversation pieces.  We impress with traditional materials, time tested techniques, an eye for what looks right, and most importantly, our hands."

House & Garden magazine closes

On a sad note this morning, Conde Naste Publications annouced yesterday the closing of one of our country's oldest magazines, House & Garden. Since 1901, they have been the source for modern shelter design and sparked the onslaught of dozens of other interiors magazines in the years to follow. This comes as particularly upsetting news to me and other daily readers of Grace's blog, Design*Sponge. Fellow blogger, and my personal inspiration for entering into this field, Grace has been working for H&G over the past two years while still avidly maintaining her personal site Design*Sponge Online. Our thoughts go out to Grace, and to the entire House & Garden team as they say goodbye and look for new beginnings.

Function Tiles: Dutch Design Concept that Deserves its Due

Function Tiles is an oldie but a goodie. It’s a tile system from 1997 by Droog Designers Peter van der Jagt, Erik-Jan Kwakkel, and Arnout Visser that makes the tiles work more functionally, thus the name “Function Tiles”. The concept is brilliant. That is, getting more out of your shower or bathroom with limited space. Or, does the system function for minimalists that need tons of gadgets but want to hide them? However you spin it, the idea is really, really cool. I mean, how cool would it be to have a tv built into your shower? Pretty damn cool. BTW, it’s not available, so if someone could please manufacture this soon, that would be good.
OK, sure, the project was designed a decade ago, and I’ve really been trying to keep my design searching very fresh, but I’m starting to take my guards down and looking for older, fantastic designs. I don’t know if I would ever go as far as having anything as popular as a LeCorbusier chair on the site, but preserving the memory of a project like this seems like a good goal.

Walker Zanger

Designers and architects turn to Walker Zanger for a huge variety of ceramic, stone and glass tiles, terra cotta, mosaics and bathroom vanities.  Here are their products envisioned in modern room design: