Editors Choice - Desire: The Shape of Things to Come

Came across this great book at the weekend. Here's a preview of some of the pages.

From blog images

"Desire is an up-to-date comprehensive survey on furniture and object design today showcasing the crème de la crème of designers culled from around worldwide. It presents celebrated designers who represent the Modernists, creating sophisticated designs that are redefining the formal language of Modernism blending the restraint of form with the refined use of materials. They are featured along with the inventors; visionary designers who continue to challenge our perception of design with futuristic shapes, and the experimental, innovative and often unprecedented use of materials."
You can find the details on my 'book of the week' listing.

Deborah Bowness

From blog images

Love these hand printed photograpghic wallpapers from Deborah Bowness. You can find these and more on her website at www.deborahbowness.com

Jaime Hayon’s Fantasy Collection for Lladro

From New Album 17/...

I loved this collection that Spanish designer and artist Jaime Hayon designed for Lladro shown at Rossana Orlandi's space in MIlan. Jamie seemed to be the man of the show in Milan this year having also designed a range of shoes for Camper and launched a new book of his work published by Gestalten.

Maison & Objet -Orla Kiely Stationary

Orla Kiely's prints have translated really well into this new range of stationary that has just been launched at Maison & Objet.
I've been in touch with the company that produces this but unfortunately they've no supplier info at the moment.

Stockholm Design Week - Wastberg lighting

New Swedish lighting brand Wästberg has just launched these cool task lights designed by Ilse Crawford, Claesson Koivisto Rune, James Irvine and Jean-Marie Massaud. www.wastberg.com [via Dezeen]

Graham & Brown Launch Monsoon Wallpaper

Graham & Brown have colaborated with Monsoon to develop this new range of wallpaper. Original artwork from the Monsoon archive has been used to inspire these stylish patterns. All the designs are available in several color ways that are synonymous with the Monsoon brand. This is Monsoons first ever range of wallpaper and is available now from the Graham & Brown Website www.grahambrown.com

Maison & Objet - Iris Hantverk

I love these Lata Pigan (“Lazy Maid”) floor brush and pan set. Produced by Swedish company Iris Hantverk and designed by Tove and Hans. The Beautiful quality of the wood almost makes me want to do some cleaning... almost.

Tove and Hans are two sculptors who have become increasingly oriented towards design and production. The Iris group owned by Synskadades Stiftelse and has close ties with the the visually impaired. Within the group, business benefits are combined with benefits to society. The production facility employs visually impaired craftsmen from a range of cultures.
www.hantverk.iris.se

KENZO Home Collection - Maison & Objet

One of the most popular design super stuff posts of last year featured the Kenzo Maison Collection. So here's an update of images from Maison 08 for all you Kenzo lovers.

You can find more images and info from www.kenzo.com

Anna Torfs Glass Collection at Maison & Objet

This is my current favourite Glassware, it's by Czech based designer Anna Torfs. She exhibited two collections at Maison Objet, Basic and Edition. The 'Basics' collection represents the origin of Anna Torfs’ work. She starts from basic forms such as a cylinder, a sphere or a drop. These shapes are then altered using cuts, overlay of colours and other techniques. The Edition collection is a continuation of Anna’s unique approach to glass, most pieces in this collection are based on geometric shapes that undergo intense manipulation. Pronounced colours and sharp cuts are applied to create dynamic, energetic pieces. This collection is produced in editions and each piece is numbered.

All of Anna’s pieces are handmade in the Czech Republic. Herwork is infused with her wonder at how the techniques of glass blowing, cutting and sanding – which have hardly changed over the past 200 years – can lead to contemporary objects. Anna has developed new techniques together with great glass masters, bringing fresh and surprising creations to an old tradition. Each piece is made by hand, each piece is unique, each piece carries the warmth with which it is made.

www.annatorfs.com

Japan Style 2008 - In the Details at Maison & Objet

My favourite of the show was 'The Japan Style' showcased in the 'Now' design Hall 7 at Maison Objet in Paris. This collection features 17 product techniques by a Japanese designers and represent “products that blend age-old Japanese craft making techniques with the sleekness and appeal of modern design” these designs have been firmly built upon traditions and refined over many generations evolving as they pass through each generation. The products below are examples of the variety of techniques featured.

This 'Traces of Layered Ceramic' tableware collection by Aida Yusuke is made from a technique called neriage, in which slices are cut from a layered combination of several clays. This beautiful tableware is made in a kiln which is the only one in the world that has mass production capacity for ceramics made in this sophisticated Japanese neriage technique. www.yusukeaiada.co.jp

Kurikyu's Japanese wooden ware, or magewappa is made with blending and coating techniques that bring out the beautiful texture and straight grains of Akita Cedar. These lightweight items are both works of art and daily functional objects.

www.kurikyu.jp

Kanazu Sen-i's environmentally friendly bags are made using mostly plant- origin materials, which are 100%, biodegradable and do not produce hazardous gases when burned. Materials include a base fabric of polylactic corn fibres, natural cotton threads and buttons made of biodegradable plastic. The fibres are pleated or scrunched to give elasticity, allowing the bags to be folded for easy storage.

www.knaplus.com

Miami Design week - Fragiles Malin lundmark

I love these teacup lamps by Malin lundmark which were featured in the Fragiles show at design Miami.

"Fragiles is an eclectic collection of contemporary porcelain, ceramic and glass objects by a new wave of designers who are manifesting their creative visions out of fragile materials. Fragiles presented over one hundred innovative objects that expand and challenge our notion of these classical materials and traditions, simultaneously exploring a new aesthetic approach and technological boundaries. From experimental and avant-garde to evocative retro-inspired reinterpretations, these cutting-edge examples indicate how visual culture and high tech production processes are influencing and reshaping this delicate territory in pioneering ways". You can find more of the Fragiles collection at www.die-gestalten.de/fragiles