Amoebe Chair, 1970 by Verner Panton for Vitra

I can say with confidence that this chair receives the most attention in the showroom from those looking for something off-beat, fun, and from those under the age of 15. Kids love this chair! (adults do too… they’re just, for the most part, more reserved about expressing unabashed glee for big purple chairs. Or yellow ones for that matter.

Amoebe Chair, 1970 by Verner Panton for Vitra

This chair also comes in an even cheekier version – the high back Amoebe. This design offers all the comfort of a lounge chair with a place to rest your head. It also has a little wrap over ceiling, you know, in case it starts to rain The curved top edge further emphasizes that whimsy that Verner Panton is known and loved for.

High Back Amoebe Chair by Verner Panton for Vitra

This chair is certainly not short of character – it’s human like form is very expressive – see below… Amoebe: “Let me out to play!”

High Back Amoebe Chair looking longingly outside by Verner Panton for Vitra

Available in an array of lovable colours, both Amoebes are orderable on our website and/or through our showroom – 250-384-2554. We also have a purple version in stock on SALE – check it out on our clearance page, here.

Alessi 90 Year Collection

Alessi celebrated 90 years of innovative design by many of the world’s most renowned designers with a special collection of their most iconic products over the 9 decades. Each piece is stamped with the number “90″, the designer’s name, and the year it was originally produced. Beginning with the eternally classic cocktail shaker and ending with Mario Trimarchi’s modern centerpiece, this is a group of objects to make a design collector’s mouth water.

UTA1391 90 Cocktail Shaker, Ufficio Tecnico Alessi

MT03 90 Centerpiece by Mario Trimarchi for Alessi

UTA407 90 Beer Tray, Ufficio Tecnico Alessi

9090/6 90 Espresso Maker, Richard Sapper for Alessi

PSJS 90 Juicy Salif, Philippe Starck for Alessi

9093 90 Kettle, Michael Graves for Alessi

50 90 Sugar Bowl, Carlo Mazzeri and Anselmo Vitale for Alessi

55 90 Sugar Bowl, Carlo Mazzeri for Alessi

826/24 90 Wire Basket, Ufficio Tecnico Alessi

These pieces have been branded as a special and limited edition right through to the packing. Each piece is carefully wrapped in a unique box and labelled “Looking ahead to the next 90 years”.

With gift season upon us, Gabriel Ross is stocked with each item available individual purchase and also available as a set of 9. Treat your design savvy friend with a collector’s piece to be treasured for another 9 decades.

View the collection on our website, here.

Urban Chic by Christina Hilborne

Our latest showroom addition/LOVE is local designer Christina Hilborne’s AH-mazing coffee table – part of her “Urban Chic” collection. We love this table as much for its beauty as we do for its environmentally friendly composition and design. Kirei board (pronounced KEEray), the collection’s base material, is a by-product of Japan’s sorghum crops (grain crop). Prior to Kirei manufacturing, the after process straw like material was pitched into landfills or burned. With Kirei, it is compressed and sealed with a non-toxic water based adhesive, making it reusable for multiple purposes.

Kirei board detail - Urban Chic by Christina Hilborne

This piece has something for everyone. A substantial stripe of stainless steel inset in the top surface of this piece gives it an industrial flair – a cool and sexy juxtaposition against the warm and earthy Kirei grain.

Top surface detail - Urban Chic by Christina Hilborne

Afraid to hide the top of this beauty with magazines, glasses, and remote controls? Fear not – this design is made for the clutter bug. The hallow interior of the table body is not only functional – providing ample space for storage… it also serves to allow light and air to flow through this sculptural design. It is heavy and substantial in its square and sturdy composition, but also delicate with its open centre and beautifully considered angled feet.

Urban Chic Table Interior by Christina Hilborne

Urban Chic by Christina Hilborne

It appears our green Project sofa (local design and build by our own workshop) has found its perfect mate – both in aesthetics and environmental agenda. Both pieces were featured together on stage at the recent TEDx Victoria event.

Project Sofa and Urban Chic table at TEDx Victoria

To learn and see more of the incredibly talented Christina Hilborne, visit her website, here.
To inquire about the “Urban Chic” or “Project” collections, call our showroom at 250.384.2554 or toll free: 1-866-207-1111.

Ahhh… it’s that time of year…

Crisp autumn air? Scarves and mittens? Holiday decor hits storefront windows? Hot tea and crackling fires? yah, yah, it’s all good, but what’s great about this time of year? Herman Miller is on SALE!

Today until December 12th, Herman Miller products are 15% off. Now that’s something to drink tea to.

Herman Miller is a canon of authentic mid century modern design – reproducing the greats: Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Isamu Noguchi. The design house also commissions and manufactures contemporary designs from an array of talent including Yves Behar, the designer behind Herman Miller’s most recent office chair SAYL. They are also, of course, the name behind the infamous Aeron chair. They sign their name to the groundbreaking Embody chair and continue to push boundaries in the area of contemporary ergonomic office design each and every day.

Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller - photo: hermanmiller.com

Noguchi Table by Isamu Noguchi for Herman Miller - photo: hermanmiller.com

SAYL side chair by Yves Behar for Herman Miller - photo: hermanmiller.com

Aeron Chair by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick - photo: hermanmiller.com

Embody Chair by Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber for Herman Miller - photo: hermanmiller.com

The newest addition to the Herman Miller line up is a partnership with Italian design company Magis.

This line carries products for indoor and outdoor and is committed to technology innovation, working with top designers from all over the world. Magis brings a breath of fresh air to an already impressive and dynamic selection of products in the Herman Miller portfolio. The best part? Magis products are also on SALE until December 12th!

Shop the sale for Magis by Herman Miller on our website, here.
Shop the sale for other great Herman Miller products on our website, here.

Little Field of Flowers by Studio Tord Boontje for Nanimarquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Nanimarquina, the exquisite area rug design company based in Spain, is 20% off until November 21st. This is a purchase that you will be happy with for reasons beyond great design and aesthetics. This company goes to great lengths to ensure that their products are ethically manufactured, working closely with Care and Fair’s initiative against child labour in carpet production.

Roses by Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Topissimo by Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Zoom Cojin by Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Nanimarquina carries a wide variety of unique rugs in a rainbow of colours and neutrals. There is design for every space in this line. The Victoria and Losanges designs are reminiscent of the delicate palette and patterns of Persian carpets while the Aros rugs are modern and minimal.

Victoria by Sybilla for Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Losanges by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Aros by Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

Aros by Nani Marquina - photo: nanimarquina.com

nanimarquina – making of v.2 – 2011 from nanimarquina on Vimeo.

Check out these and other Nanimarquina rugs on our website, here.
Visit Nanimarquina’s website, here.
Learn more about Care and Fair, here.
Read our earlier blog post on Losanges by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, here.

Last name: Wästberg. First name is of little concern according to the manifesto: “Lamps for Neanderthal Man”. Yes, this is a lighting line that comes with a manifesto. The manifesto is brilliant and hilarious. The designs are mega functional and super cool.

Wästberg Claesson Koivisto Rune Table Lamp - w101 - photo: wasteberg.com

“Man appeared.
Man felt comfortable and safe around light sources he could control.
Man felt comfortable and safe for 300,000 years.

Man began to over-illuminate rooms and halls.
General lighting was calibrated for the areas that needed the most light.
Far too many areas received far too much light.
Man felt dazzled and irradiated.
Man no longer felt comfortable or safe.

One of the people affected (a Swede) started reasoning to himself.
What would happen if you softened general lighting, and used direct
lighting where needed instead? A more functional, more economic,
more energy efficient, more flexible and more aesthetic lighting solution
would ensue.
But entirely new demands were made of the new direct lighting.

Man started to experiment.
Man got scent.
Wästberg appeared.“

source: wastberg.com/philosophy

This is a new line for Gabriel Ross and we are thrilled to have it. These lights combine beautiful, simple, modern design with adjustable everything. These lights twist, turn and tilt in every direction – head and stem.

Wästberg lighting display in our showroom

Wästberg Irvine Table Lamp - w082

Wästberg Claesson Koivisto Rune Table Lamp

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084 - detail

Wästberg Studioilse Table Lamp - w084 - base detail

View these, and the rest of the amazing Wästberg collection on our website, here.
Read the “Lamps for Neanderthal Man” manifesto on Wästberg’s website, here.

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.

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.

Draper Stripe Bed Linens, Ash. 100% cotton percale (320 thread count)

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 Draper Stripe, Ash. Rumpled.

Draper Stripe Sham, Ash

DwellStudio Draper Stripe Sheet, Persimmon/Cream. 300 thread count woven yarn dyed cotton sateen

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.

Find DwellStudio on our website, here.

Fix Healthcare, located in the Atrium building at 805 Johnson St., Victoria BC, offers an impressive range of services and is also a feast for the eyes. Featuring the new SAYL Chair by Yves Behar for Herman Miller, Fix’s reception room is bright, modern, comfortable, and ergonomic to boot.

Other Gabriel Ross pieces in the space include an Alvar Aalto side table with black lacquer surfaces and Aalto’s signature bent wood frame. This is the perfect compliment to Fix’s wood striped accent wall and reception area.

George Nelson’s bench for Herman Miller with black legs and slotted wood top also makes an appearance, and of course, ties in perfectly.

SAYL, Herman Miller’s latest ergonomic office furniture marvel, is offered as a side chair (as shown above) and also an office/task chair. Read our previous blog  about SAYL and Yves Behar’s collaboration with Herman Miller, here. As a side chair, SAYL is unique and intriguing upon first glance, and an incredibly comfortable and supportive sitting experience.

This chair makes perfect sense when paired with a contemporary healthcare facility offering such a wide array of services and classes including acupuncture, chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, pilates and yoga.

Our thanks to Fix for supporting authentic design and providing such a valuable service to Victoria’s downtown core. We wish them the best of luck!

visit Fix’s website, here.
see the SAYL chair at gabrielross.com, here.
see the Nelson bench at gabrielross.com, here.
see other Alvar Aalto designs at gabrielross.com, here.

Esquire Magazine’s “The Big Black Book, Spring/Summer 2011″ issue” boasts itself as “The Style Manual for Successful Men”. Reading this, I was immediately reminded of the recent lighting and home design collaboration between Foscarini and Diesel fashion label, coined “Successful Living” (read our blog post on this collection, here). It seems that success is highly dependent on style – or so the fashion and design houses would suggest. In our business of some of the most iconic, stylish furniture and home accessories in the history of modern design… who are we to argue?

Esquire Magazine Cover - Spring/Summer 2011 Issue

The magazine issue’s index, after 9 pages of glossy dapper men sporting Gucci watches, Ascot Chang suits, and Hermes blousons lists “The Portfolios – How to put yourself together for wherever life takes you.” Under Portfolio No. 2: “The Anti-Suit”, is a one page article on selecting a stylish man chair. Titled “Take a Seat – Eight iconic chairs that help you sit with style”, this article is reminiscent of a gabrielross.com product page. I was pleased as punch to see that we offer every single one of the 8 chairs that Esquire features.

Esquire Magazine Article, from "The Big Black Book 2011 Spring/Summer Issue

#1: LC3 Grand Modele Armchair:

LC3 Armchair by Le Corbusier for Cassina

#2: Barcelona Chair:

Barcelona Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll

#3: Eames Soft Pad Lounge Chair:

Eames Soft Pad Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller

#4: Swan Chair:

Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen

#5: 1006 Navy Armchair:

Navy Arm Chair for Emeco

#6: Wassily Chair:

Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer for Knoll

#7: Aeron Chair:

Aeron Chair by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf for Herman Miller

#8: Womb Chair:

Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

Visit gabrielross.com to see these chairs and many many more, here.