Love the Dyson fan design but can’t wait until summer to get one?
Hot Fan Heater by Dyson, photo: zillamag.com
Tada! Introducing the AM04 Dyson Hot Fan Heater – pushing heat further than standard heaters, heating up rooms quicker than standard heaters… all with precise temperature control and easy to clean. Another cool feature is the remote control (yes, remote control!) is magnetized and sticks to top of the tower so you’ll never misplace it.
Dyson Hot Fan Heater, photo: zillamag.com
With no exposed heating elements, this heater has all the sleek design properties of Dyson’s popular fan only with warm and cozy, curl up in a chair and read a book, toasty goodness. The encased heating system also saves users from that pesky burnt dust smell that can often happen with conventional space heaters.
Available at gabrielross.com – view and/or purchase the Dyson Hot Fan Heater, here.
Muffin Pouffe by Matteo Bianchi – source: designboom.com
Italian designer Matteo Bianchi’s “Muffin Pouffe” looks good enough to eat. Or is it just that I am caught up in this crazy wonderful cupcake trend?
Muffin Pouffe by Matteo Bianchi - source: designboom.com
Presented at Tent London 2011 – one of the trade shows during London’s September Design Festival, this handcrafted piece can be customized vanilla, strawberry … with your choice of sprinkles! Muffin Pouffe is actually very functional despite its decorative exterior. Offering storage, seating, rest for aching feet … this muffin would be a welcomed addition to any space needing a little sweetening up.
Muffin Pouffe by Matteo Bianchi – source: designboom.com
I get that this ottoman might be a little too sweet for some spaces, and a little too wacky for others. There are some more savory occasional storage pieces and ottoman options out there. A personal favorite is the Bovist Floor Cushion by the ever amazing Hella Jongerius:
Bovist Floor Cushion by Hella Jongerius for Vitra
Box Storage Unit by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec (yes, I found a way to fit R&E into this post!) for Vitra:
Box Storage Unit by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra
Box Storage Unit by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra
The Capelli Stool by Carol Catalano for Herman Miller:
Capelli Stool by Carol Catalano for Herman Miller
Capelli Stool by Carol Catalano for Herman Miller
Or Philippe Starck’s adorable Gnomes Table/Stool which circle us right back to sweet as soon as you gaze into those sparkly gnome eyes and rosy cheeks.
Gnome Tables/Stools by Philippe Starck for Kartell
Gnome Tables/Stools by Philippe Starck for Kartell, gold finish
These little characters also serve a double, well triple, function: he is a table surface, a stool (foot or sitting), and chock a block full of personality. Gnome or cupcake, a bit of frivolity in a room just can’t be all wrong.
Read Designboom’s aricle on Matteo Bianchi’s Muffin Pouffe, here.
Visit gabrielross.com to view the Bovist cusion, Box Storage Unit, Capelli Stool, and/or Gnome Table/Stools, here.
DwellStudio’s Draper Stripe is divine. That is the truth (and a bit of alliteration to boot).
Bed linens, rugs, cozy throws… My only wish that I could take one of those runners and wrap them around my waist to wear as a sweetly structured mustard yellow skirt.
Draper Stripe Area Rug, Persimmon/Cream. 80% wool/20% cotton
DwellStudio Area Rugs
The area rugs are flat woven, composed of 80% wool/20% cotton. Simple but graphic – a perfect addition to any hallway, living room, or bedroom needing to fill their stripe quota. Yes, I am suggesting that there is a stripe quota for any and all rooms to fill. Stripes are awesome. Every room should have a few.
Of course, if you are donning your bed in stripes with the 100% cotton percale, 320 thread count Draper Stripe duvet set… then perhaps the area rug is not necessary. This stripe looks amazing on a bed, particularly when the duvet is turned down at an angle and a bit ruffled … a mish-mash of stripes. I know that everyone loves a duvet that looks *better* when rumpled.
DwellStudio is a dynamic modern design house led by founder, Christiane Lemieux. They produce all kinds of wonderful modern products for the home including (but not limited to) bed linens, area rugs, blankets, and home accessories. They also host a super interesting blog that features all kinds of topics including fashion design, interior design, textile design, and cheesy burgers. Yup, read their recco. on food truck finds, here.
It seems the hard edged square dinner plate and ultra asymmetrical bowl phenomenon has mellowed out a little, and sweet simplicity in dinnerware has reigned supreme. Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s “Ovale” collection embodies clean lines, beautiful and elegant shapes, and unbeatable functionality in a variety of sizes and multitude of accent pieces.
Ovale Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Alessi. image: core77.com
Ovale does not deliver a single serving impression. These pieces require a second glance, some figuring out – a platter of intrigue for the curious and discerning eye. They aren’t actually oval shaped, but almost. And that missing fraction is delightfully captivating. Carefully considered details… that’s where awesomeness lives.
Ovale by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Alessi. image: core77.com
Beyond the standard dinnerware – plates, side plates, bowls, cups, etc., Ovale has a wonderful selection of additional pieces including covered stoneware, serving dishes and trays, an ice bucket, and a little sauce plate (shown above).
Ovale Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Alessi. image: core77.com
The “Ovale” collection strives to be original, but it also wants to be rustic and traditional. We set out in pursuit of delicate expression. This composition speaks about every day life, about breakfast, lunch, about everyone getting together for dinner. There is a desire for simplicity.
The staff at Gabriel Ross are big fans of Dyson’s new fan, or “Air Multipliers”. We have a new display in store, and yes, some of us have put our heads right through them. How could we resist?
Dyson Air Multiplyers in our Showroom
Dyson Air Multiplyers in our Showroom
Dyson likes to take every day products and re-design them so they’re higher performance, longer lasting, and WAY better looking. This fan is an apt example of these efforts. Blade free, the air multiplier sucks in air from the base of the pedestal, circulates around the fan loop, and distributes it out a 1mm gap in a solid, smooth stream. The loop is slightly angled and uses aircraft technology to amplify air flow 15 times. Available in table top and pedestal versions, this fan is for everyone and every room.
image: dysoncanada.ca
Safety and easy maintenance are two more reasons to love this design. There are no rapidly moving parts threatening to chop off a finger or catch and tug a pony tail. And remember how your traditional fan blades are covered in dust when they stop moving? With the Air Multiplier, all it needs a quick wipe with a damp towel – easy peasy! It’s a really amazing product and definitely worth checking out before those hot summer days are upon us. Drop by our showroom at 589 Bay Street to see the fans in person, or get more information from Dyson’s website here.
Rosenthal’s Studio Line is celebrating 5 decades of innovative contemporary design, and have announced a limited edition collection of vases to commemorate the anniversary. The collection includes only 50 vase examples from over the 50 years of designs by a vast selection of artists, designers and architects. Rosenthal has worked with approximately 1000 creatives, couturiers, and prominent people during it’s history, according to their website. On the selection process for the anniversary collection (which I imagine to be a very difficult task) CEO Andrea Vianello has this to say:
“Considering our rich design history over the last
50 years, limiting this collection to 50 vases
was a delightful challenge. Each style we have
included is outstanding on its own, uniting
form and function with the diversity and
innovative flair for which the Studio-Line
is known”
Ura by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1961
Format, by Christophe de la Fontaine for Rosenthal, 2011
Beginning in 1961 with Ura by Tapio Wirkkala and ending with Format, a 2011 design by Christophe de la Fontaine, Rosenthal dug deep into its archives and revived some classics for this special edition. Some other pieces have remained in the collection throughout, since their original design year. The 50 vases, although each representing a distinct era of design, all appear “current” which speaks to the classic and timeless nature of the visionary designers. For instance, Arkadia, 1967 by Hans Theo Baumanncan with its textured surface and organic shape, could easily brunch with the asymmetrical, similarly textured surfaces of Papyrus, 2010 by Vittorio Passaro.
Arkadia by Hans Theo Baumann for Rosenthal, 1967
Purchasing one of these vases is a great way to own a piece of design history for a relatively small investment. Granted, some of these vases are in the $900/$1000 range, others start under $100. If you’re an admirer of Marcel Wanders, Jasper Morrision, Patricia Urquoila, Aldo Rossi, Ron Arad among many others, here’s an opportunity to aquire one of their designs as a treasured home or office accessory.
Contact our showroom for more details at 250-384-2554, or email info@gabrielross.com.
Visit Rosenthal’s website, here.
The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design has honored 5 Alessi products with their prestigious “2010 GOOD DESIGN” award: a 60 year old pretigious program of acknowledging design excellence all over the world. The 5 products that received the award include: “Tonale” Table Set by David Chipperfield (2009), “Try it Trivet” by Dror Benshetrit (2009), “Essentiel de Pâtisserie” Cake Plate by matali crasset (2010), “La Via Lattea” Cheese Knives by Anna and Gian Franco Gasparini (2009), and “La Stanza dello Scirocco” basket by Mario Trimarchi (2009)
Tonale Tableware by David Chipperfield for Alessi
Tonale, by David Chipperfield was inspired by Asian ceramics and a desire to refine utilitarian household products. The colour way in these pieces is exquisite… largely neutral and muted in over all appearance but each colour is unique and beautiful. They also have a wonderful matte finish which allows the surfaces to absorb light in a soft and gentle way.
Try it Trivet by Dror Benshetrit for Alessi
Try it Trivet by Dror Benshetrit is a clever and fun series of circular trivets that can be joined together to create on snakelike support for warm objects on the table. This is a versatile kitchen tool that is bound to incite conversation at the dinner table.
Cake Plate by Matali Crasset for Alessi
Matali Crasset’s cake plate is another design that works with multiple units. It consists of two rings that fit inside of the each other and one small circle that nests in the centre of the inner ring. It can be used in multiple ways for desserts large and small but whatever size your sweets are, they will most certainly end up looking intriguing and delicious on this pedestal.
La Via Lattea Cheese Knife by Anna and Gian Franco Gasparini for Alessi
The blades of the La Via Lattea cheese knives were specially engineered for specific density cheeses. The organic shapes and wooden handles make them beautiful as objects in addition to their functionality.
La Stanza dello Scirocco basket by Mario Trimarchi for Alessi
La Stanza dello Scirocco basket by Mario Trimarchi is inspired by the Sicilian wind blowing objects across the countryside. I like to look at these pieces like a graphic image in 3D. The way the light reflects on each little rectangular cut out is mesmerizing as each one seems to be on a different angle in space.
Congrats to Alessi! We look forward to hearing more about these products and much more from them in the future.
Find Alessi on our website, here.
Visit Alessi’s webiste, here.
Read more about the GOOD DESIGN awards by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, here.
Kastehelmi Dewdrop Collection by Oiva Toikka for Iittala
Modern with a vintage twist, Iittala’s new Kastehelmi (Dewdrop) collection is fresh, fun, and elegant all at once. Oiva Toikka originally came up with the design in 1964 as a solution to camouflage the seam that is created during the pressed glass production process.
Oiva Toikka’s design career’s 50th anniversary was the catalyst in bringing this line back into production by Iittala. Toikka is, of course, is the designer behind the Finnish company’s line of beautiful hand blown glass birds including my personal favorite: the Barn Owl.
Barn Owl by Oiva Toikka for Iittala
The Kastehelmi collection is available in two different plate sizes and a set of four bowls in clear or apple green glass. Find them on our website, here.
Kastehelmi Bowl in Apple Green
These pieces feel wonderful to touch, as the round beads adorn the surface of the glass in various sizes and patterns. The interior of the dishes are smooth, making them completely functional as well as beautiful. Mix them in with other Iittala pieces as accent dishes, or use the bowls for special candies and the large plate as a platter.
Kastehelmi Plate in clear by Oiva Toikka for Iittala
View these pieces and the entire Iittala collection at gabrielross.com, here.
View Oiva Toikka’s glass birds on our website, here.
Visit Iittala’s website here.
You know how sometimes the most mundane objects can bring you some awesome everyday joy? It’s all in the details. I love when great design is applied to everyday tools and stuff that would otherwise remain used but unappreciated.
Gents Tape Measure by Stotz-design for Blomus
Stainless Steel accessory design house, Blomus, produces a great deal of everyday items in a thoughtful and beautiful way. Above is their “Gents” tape measure by Stotz-design. We have been using these in the showroom recently, and as a result, I am no longer embarrassed to hand over a 5 pound plastic and rubber Home Depot door stop to a client when they request a measurement. Simply lovely.
Would your opinions of laundry day change if this was your go-to for dirty clothes?:
Slice Laundry Bin by Stotz-design for Blomus
Imagine picking up your mail every day from this beautiful, modern, stainless steel mailbox:
Signo Letter Box and Newspaper Holder by Stotz Design for Blomus
You won’t be hiding that unruly pile of magazines behind the sofa any longer with this magazine rack:
Wactor Magazine Rack by Floz Design for Blomus
Scooping your bar of soap out of this modern, clean dish each day when you wash your hands:
Nexio Soap Dish for Blomus
Visualize your closet with clothes half falling off of mismatched plastic, wire, and wood hangers transforming to a cohesive, clean row of stainless steel hangers with rubber tips to ensure your clothes stay put and straight:
Toios Tubular Coat Hanger by Stotz Design for Blomus
All of these well designed everyday objects and many many more can be found on our Blomus products page at gabrielross.com. Treat yourself by upgrading one of your utilitarian tools to something that is not only useful, but also beautiful.
Purchase these and other amazing Blomus products at gabrielross.com, here.
Visit Blomus’ website, here.
Visit Stotz-Design’s website, here.
Visit Floz Design’s website, here.
Losanges rug by the Bouroullec brothers for Nanimarquina - photo: designboom.com
I can’t get enough of these guys! Ronan and Erwan have paired up with Spanish area rug company, Nanimarquina to create “Losanges” – an awesome area rug that salutes traditional persian style with a modern interpretation.
Losanges area rug by the Bouroullec brothers for Nanimarquina - photo: designboom.com
This rug is handmade through and through. The 13 colours of afghan wool is hand spun and the rug is hand woven by crafts people in North Pakistan. I love the geometric, rhombus design with a delivery that makes each rug unique.
Losanges area rug by the Bouroullec Brothers for Nanimarquina - photo: designboom.com
Losanges will make its debut at Paris’ Maison et Objet Jan. 21st to 25th, 2011Â as part of Nanimarquina’s booth.
See Nanimarquina’s products on our website gabrielross.com, here.
Visit Nanimarquina’s website, here.
Visit the Bouroullec Brothers’ website, here.
Visit Maison et Objet’s website, here.
