Category: design

Scandinavian Design Classics

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A Scandinavian design icon: The Kubus 4 candleholder designed by Modernist Danish architects, designers and brothers Mogens and Flemming Lassen. Photo credit: Story North.

Scandinavian design classics continue to be admired for their elegance and simplicity.

Take the classic design The Kubus 4 candleholder (above) designed in 1962 by Modernist Danish architects, designers and brothers Mogens and Flemming Lassen.

Fifty years later, The Kubus Bowl (below) was produced, as an extension of the Kubus candleholder. The bowl’s design was based on discovered original sketches from Mogens Lassen who was inspired by the Bauhaus school.

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The Kubus Bowl based on discovered original sketches by Mogens Lassen. Photo credit: Story North.

“Intended as a rebellion against the ornate elaborate home, their candleholder was designed with almost mathematical precision, a sharp lacquered steel cubical frame with cylindrical candleholders on top,” says Story North, which specializes in home accessories and furiture from Scandinavia.

Today, the Lassen family owns the rights to the designs by the late Lassen brothers. The family business has carried on the legacy and production of their designs “as they believe that good design lives on through new generations.”

The Kubus 4 Candleholder and Kubus Bowl are both available in black or white at Story North.

Find out more about these and other Scandinavian designs at StoryNorth.com.

Cities Of Europe Designs

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PARIS: The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame feature in the Paris collection, accented by Gallic blue. Photo credit: Villeroy & Boch.

Want to have some European city chic with your morning coffee? Then take a look at the NewWave Caffè Cities of Europe collection by Villeroy & Boch.

Perfect for the world traveler, these stylish cups nestle in the matching wavy designed party plates/saucer for a morning pastry or afternoon treat.

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BERLIN: Brandenburg Gate is the highlight of the green Berlin collection. Photo credit: Villeroy & Boch.

The Villeroy & Boch NewWave Caffè Cities of Europe collection was “inspired by the spirit and vibrancy of some of Europe’s most exciting cities.” The ceramic collection showcases the sights of London, Paris, Rome and Berlin, featuring sketches of iconic city architecture, symbols and words.

 

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LONDON: The red-hued London range includes visuals of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Photo credit: Villeroy & Boch.

Easily collectable, the New Wave Caffè Cities of Europe by Villeroy & Boch comes in a choice of espresso cups, mugs and party plates in three different sizes.

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ROME: The eternal city of Rome reflects the urban mix of antique and fashion with a warm, sunny yellow. Photo credit: Villeroy & Boch.

UK iPad Travel Cover

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The British-made aukward iPad travel cover. Photo credit: aukward.

British design is hotter than ever.  We’re big fans of wonderful and quirky designs like the aukward iPad travel cover.

Based in the Cotswolds, Debbie McGreevy, a former Director of the Benetton F1 team, founded the aukward iPad cover.

McGreevey combined her passion for British products and heritage and technology in creating the aukward design.

And what about the aukward name? “A is for Artisan – because each of our cases represents the best that Britain has to offer,” explains McGreevy.  The company takes hand-blocked fabric, a leather hide or buckram and works with an English bookbinder to craft the aukward cover’s exterior.

“UK is for UK made – because each aukward case is assembled, checked and packaged by hand in the Cotswolds,” she continues. The fabric, leather or buckram is used to envelope a sustainably sourced birch ply frame to secure the iPad.

“Ward is for safekeeping – because the rigid outer book-style cover gives the iPad protection whilst helping to keep British artisan skills alive and providing all the functionality you would expect of modern technology,” says McGreevy. The cover has an automatic on/off facility, fold-over ability and accessible ports and buttons.

For more on this British iPad cover, go to www.aukward.com.

Best Of British Designs

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Alison Gardiner Diamond Jubilee Range, part of the Best of British collection. Photo credit: Roman at Home.

Luxury homewares retailer Roman at Home has launched a Best of British range of designs, honoring the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and summer British sporting events.

These Best of British designs include British-made, handmade and inspired products and iconic British motifs.

In coming months, Roman at Home is planning to develop new designs for the Best of British range including brands such as Welsh Slate.

Designer Alison Gardiner has created Diamond Jubilee memorabilia – commemorative teapot, plate, mug and miniature plate (above). Gardiner’s signature is a cartoon style, a fun alternative to more traditional designs.

Photographer Sarah Deane is featuring her modern fine art photographs of the traditional British days out at the Seaside and Fairground. These 10 prints are available in varying sizes options.

Designer Janet Shaw has created a collection of handmade memo boards with a British-inspired theme of Union Jack colors and design. These memo boards are designed to be lightweight and used for kitchen organization of tickets, invitations, appointments and documents.

A Time In Texas

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G2 Haus in San Antonio, Texas. Photo credit: Boutique-Homes.com.

Mariana McConnell wrote this guest post on a holiday rental in San Antonio, Texas. She is a writer and travel lover currently scouring the globe for modern vacation rentals and small hotels on behalf of Boutique-Homes.com.

San Antonio may be the 7th largest city in Texas, but it’s the #1 most visited by tourists and business travelers alike.

That may seem surprising considering Austin’s reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World”, but San Antonio has something for everyone – not just college students and music industry folk.

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G2 Haus in San Antonio, Texas. Photo credit: Boutique-Homes.com.

For history buffs, there’s the Alamo and the 18th century Spanish missions. For shoppers and foodies, there’s Riverwalk – a lovely array of shops, restaurants, and galleries arranged alongside the San Antonio River. And there’s plenty more to enjoy in San Antonio, from world class museums to a year-round selection of music, art, culture, and wine festivals.

If you’re planning a trip to San Antonio, check out G2 Haus, an updated mid-century residence in the historic Tobin Hill neighborhood.

Located only four blocks from the Riverwalk and across the street from Neva Face & Body Spa, G2 Haus is an ideal vacation rental for tourists and business travelers. Plus G2 Haus is designed to be both kid and pet-friendly.

Courtesy of designers Gari Sprott and Gunnar Burklund of G2 Interior + Lighting designers, G2 Haus boasts beautiful finishings (maple floors and marble countertops) and an abundance of natural light.