The packaging for Equal Exchange products is simple, effective and quite quirky... all that I look for in my organic, gourmet food products produced by democratically run farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Brought to us by the folks at Good Creative.
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
New on 2Modern: Droog! Different and fun, Droog's products are wide-ranging; from Doorbells to Swings, Tablecloths to Parasols. Based in Amsterdam, Droog prides itself in "creating innovative concepts that change perspective."
Wonderfully-crafted new pieces by Alex Marshall Studios are now on 2Modern. Fun new Ripple Vases come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. The Ripple Lamp compliments the new vases perfectly, along with any other Alex Marshall pieces. And new Ripple Plates are a great departure from the normal tablesetting.
If you happen to be in São Paulo, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Museu da Casa Brasileira, or just MCB (Brazilian House Museum). There, you will certainly find a good exhibition. In their fixed collection, you can find furniture pieces from the XVII to the XX centuries. The Museum also presents temporary shows of contemporary objects and accessories from Brazil and around the world.
Some of the pieces of the Museum's fixed collection:
"Mole" Chair - Designed by Sérgio Rodrigues, 1957
"Peg-Lev" Chair - Designed by Michel Arnoult, 1968
"Z" Bar - Designed by Zanine Caldas, 1950
"Nômade" tea car - designed by Claudia Moreira Salles, 1993
"Giraffe" Chair - Designed by Lina Bo Bardi, Marcelo Ferraz and Marcelo Suzuki, 1987
Additionally, the Museum promotes debates, courses and lectures about themes related to art, architecture and design. But, if you're just looking for a place to have lunch and want to try the Brazilian cuisine, it's an excuse too.
Imagine you can choose a different kind of chocolate everyday of your life, in the perfect doses. I'm talking about real exotic flavors to variate your diet. Do you like the idea?
It seem a Japanese store already have it in mind. They are 100%Chocolate Cafe, and they sell their products in this beautiful square packages. They actually have 56 varieties of chocolate by numbers, or 365 by days. For example: N°40 royal milk tea, N°42 black pepper, N°50 basil... the list will be amazingly long.
Cute and delicious!... Now I have to find a way to get it, and put my self on a gym.
Via ReubenMiller.
Well, not exactly. If DVD is now in risk of extinction, imagine the poor floppy disk!
But, design always give a second chance to those memorable retro products. Now they are coasters for your drinks.
The super idea is from Supermandolini.
designboom's 'dining in 2015' competition results are in and i am just floored.
the competition rules (i should know, i entered and then faltered to find time with travel, work, etc. to actually send in my entry) were to re-think and re-design the way we [will] dine: how we go about this activity at work, at home and during travel. there were other guidelines, such as sustainability and recycled materials and just how our eating habits (how, what, where) and the act of eating in general (with family, on the move, alone) may/may not change according to how the way we live may/may not change in the future. it was an awesome competition and brain-storm exercise (giuseppe and i came up with about 10 ideas while, go figure, cooking one night).
check out the winner(s) and also some honorable mentions and shortlisted entries...i can only imagine how fantastic the entries that didn't make it on this list were as well, it seems like everyone had their creative thinking cap on for this one. i am personally looking forward to many exciting and creative dining adventures in the future (and really cool things to buy for the kitchen in a few years)!
New on 2Modern, Offerors is straight out of Great Nordic Design, and sister to Designer's Eye. All glass crystal, these beautiful pieces will make any collection sparkle. The modern Construct Candelabra is strong and straight contrast to most round tableware. The Lightstones Votives are cute little glass skipping stones with a votive candle nestled inside. And the Mingle Plum Bowl is different and fun for any season and setting, and come in an array of colors.
I just found this incredibly cute & chic website, KippyGo Contempo, chock full of stylish mod gear to deck out your pad with. With retro-designed patterns printed on everything from retro pillows to magnets, this one-stop mod-shop is sure to be able to inspire your every whim - and corner in your home.
Here are some of my faves:
Mini Buttons
Magnets
Mugs
Holiday Stationary
Throw Pillows
