Dr. Skud by Philippe Starck for Alessi

My co-worker recently introduced me to Dr. Skud. She is really quite amazing. I love that Philippe Starck applied his design savvy to an everyday object like a fly swatter and that Alessi made it  accessible to all at a price of $17.00 on our website. The face image that’s created by pin holes through the swatter, varies depending on lighting and what angle you view her at.

Dr. Skuds

The small, but functional, tripod stand makes it easy to display, as this is not a fly swatter that you will want to hide under the kitchen sink.

Dr. Skud feet

Totally utilitarian, with a unique twist, this is the perfect gift for the host that already has it all, or for … me!  (here’s to hoping my friends and family are fans of this blog)

Dr. Skud

Meet Dr. Skud on our website here.

Karim Rashid

“The Cult of Karim Rashid” is a major feature in this month’s issue of BC Home Magazine, and along with it, some of Gabriel Ross’ favorite products by this prolific designer. The magazine illustrates a retrospective of Rashid’s work including the “Blob” light for Foscarini, “Kaj” watch for Alessi, and the “Cadmo” floor lamp for Artemide (which, I might add, happens to be on sale right now).

 

Blob Floor Lamp

Blob Wall Lamp

Kaj watch

Cadmo Floor Lamp

Banal objects need life, they need presence – but they also need to make awful tasks more pleasant.
Karim Rashid

See these and other products designed by Karim Rashid on our website here.
Visit Karim Rashid’s website here.

This month, Herman Miller launched its latest addition to an already monster collection of exceptional task chairs.  At a price point starting out well below the infamous Aeron and most recent Embody chairs, “SAYL”, by Yves Behar, is accessible to a wider consumer scope. True to Herman Miller’s reputation, top notch design and function did not suffer as a result of the attractive price tag.  This chair is lovely to look at: sculpturally impressive with a minimal approach and boasts the ergonomics that this design house is famous for.

SAYL by Yves Behar for Herman Miller

SAYL

Here’s Herman Miller’s product story on SAYL:

People at their best live unframed, going beyond expectations to surprise and delight us. With SAYL, we set out to design and build a chair family that gives form to that spirit. Inspired by the principles of suspension bridges, the frameless back of the SAYL work chair encourages a full range of movement while the suspension back material keeps you cool—all with an extremely small environmental impact. It is everything a Herman Miller chair should be. At a very attainable price.

www.hermanmiller.com

SAYL with designer, Yves Behar

SAYL back suspension

Inspired by San Fransisco’s Golden Gate bridge, SAYL is available in several colour combinations including neutral tones and some bright accent colours, making it appropriate for various settings.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Fransisco

Read more about the design story on Herman Miller’s site here.

Check out SAYL on gabrielross.com here.

Imagine this happy little guy keeping you company while you scrub up after dinner.

Pino funnel by Stefano Giovannoni & Miriam Mirri, 1998

Designed by Stefano Giovannoni & Miriam Mirri, 1998, for Alessi, Pino is great for transferring liquids flawlessly and inspiring warm fuzzy feelings while you do it.  You absolutely cannot help but smile back when you meet this fun and playful kitchen accessory.

Featured on our gift ideas page, this cutie is only $22.00 and would make a great stocking stuffer**

**beware of nose protrusions while stuffing

Konstantin Grcic

Konstantin Grcic has been named Designer of the Year, 2010 by Design Miami.  Grcic’s “Netscape” installation will be a featured at the 6 day event held in December.  Grcic is a prolific German industrial designer with many works well recognized in the furniture industry.  Magis, one of Gabriel Ross’ newest partners, produces his “360°” series and “One” family of products:

360° Family by Konstantin Grcic

One chair by Konstantin Grcic

His “Netscape” chair is a hammock style hanging seat meant to promote movement and environmental engagement, rejecting a static sitting experience.  24 of these chairs will be hanging at Design Miami and Grcic suggests that you might find him sitting in one of them during the event looking to chat with his viewers. Check out this video interview on the Huffington Post for a preview of “Netscape” and a unique glimpse into this designer’s studio practice.

Visit Konstantin Grcic’s website here.

Visit gabrielross.com for a link to Magis’ website here.

"One" chair by Konstantin Grcic

If you have walked past market square in the last few months, you have probably experienced the incredibly delicious scent of Wannawafel at 560 Johnson Street.

Wannawafel Market Square location

This Belgian waffle restaurant is locally owned and recently made an exciting appearance on Canada’s entrepreneureal dream maker/masher television show “Dragons’ Den”.

Wannawafel on Dragons' Den

Wannawafel owners towed their custom designed street vending cart across Canada as part of their presentation, which was definitely a contributing factor to their success on the show.  I expect we will see these carts popping up across the country, now that the business is offering franchises in partnership with Dragon, Jim Treliving.

At Wannawafel’s brick and mortar store in Victoria, you can try one of their delicious waffles while sitting cozy on Gabriel Ross’ own “1951″ bar stools by Emeco.

Emeco 1951 Barstool

We wish Renaat and his family all the best with their growing business.  I can barely wait for my next Sunday morning waffle…

Visit Wannawafel’s website here

View the Dragons’ Den episode here

View Emeco and other great products on our website here

2010 marks the 50th anniversary of Pierre Paulin’s iconic chair, the Orange Slice.  Designed in 1960, this chair is still classic, modern, and beautiful and will certainly remain this way for another 50 years and then some, I’m sure.

Orange Slice Anniversary Edition

My most favorite shoe (in my personal collection) is a strikingly gorgeous and unique leather/suede lace up high top by Diesel – think ballerina meets Rocky over London fogs in the spring.  Absolutely perfect in every way, this shoe is loved equally as a design object as it is footwear.  Diesel has recently engaged in a design collaboration with Foscarini and Moroso to produce a home collection, “Successful Living” or Diesel Lighting – an ultra cool fusion of fashion and function.  Sporting names like “Rock”, “Cage”, “Graf”, and “Tri-p”, the lighting collection references a culture of warehouse rock shows, industrial raw and vintage aesthetic with an elegance and luxury that only these two design houses could front.

Fork floor lamp

Fork floor lamp with table lamp

Cage suspension light

Cage lights, Mic and suspension

Moroso studded mirror with Cage Mic

Rock suspension light

Rock suspension light