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.

Sometimes I’m surprised by the things that pop up with the search bar at gabrielross.com. Some of the products that we carry have names that are either difficult to pronounce or just totally adorable like “Magic Bunny.” There are actually two products that appear if you search “bunny” on our online store… the Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder and the Bunny and Carrot Paper Towel Holder by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi.

Bunny and Carrot Paper Towel Holder by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi

Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi

The toothpick holder is available in all the colours shown above: blue, pink, green and yellow. The paper towel holder is available in blue and green. I love the way that the carrot peeks out just above the top of the paper towel roll – as though it is ready to pull out of the ground. The toothpick holder bunny has a “jack in the box” appeal – he is nestled neatly inside the container and as you pull on his ears, he emerges along with the toothpicks stored inside.

Magic Bunny Toothpick Holder by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi - photo: alessi.com

Bunny and Carrot Kitchen Roll Holder by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi - photo: alessi.com

View these, and other adorable products by Alessi, here.
Visit Alessi’s website, here.
Learn more about designer Stefano Giovannoni, 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.

This time of year can be difficult to welcome with open arms. Shorter (and wetter) days, longer nights, more dark, less light. However, one perk of Fall – aside from colourful leaves and cozy scarves – is that our showroom becomes magic after 5pm.

While our lighting lines: Flos, Foscarini, Modernica, Akari, Vibia, among others, are amazing during the day … during the dark they become truly awesome. And it’s not just the lighting itself, it’s everything that falls under their glow. All of perfectly designed, constructed, upholstered, and polished pieces in our showroom shine a little more fabulous after 5pm on a crisp Fall evening.

I can’t wait to see these George Nelson Bubble Lamps shine through the checkered warehouse windows of our future showroom across the street. Get ready to glow Harjim.

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.

The Knoll Sale is once again upon us and life is good. For those unfamiliar with Knoll, prepare to be delighted. As a design house with over 40 pieces displayed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, this manufacturer is an invaluable source to those with an adoration for Mid Century Modernism.

Knoll’s MCM collection includes classics such as Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair, Mies Van Der Rohe’s Barcelona series, and my own personal fave, Harry Bertoia’s Bird Chair.

Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

Barcelona Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll

Bird Chair and Ottoman by Harry Bertoia for Knoll

Read our previous post, “Top 10 reasons why Harry Bertoia’s Bird Chair is the Coolest”, here.

Aside from MCM offerings, Knoll also boasts a respectable collection of contemporary designs. Receiving the “Best of NeoCon Gold Award for Seating” is Knoll’s Generation Chair by Formway Design. GREENGUARD certified and holding several LEED credits, this chair is ergonomic innovation and design all in one neat and flexible package.

Generation Chair by Formway Design for Knoll

Other contemporary designs include Maya Lin’s stone stools of 1998 and Antti Kotilainen’s 2002 “Chip” series including dining chairs and barstools.

Stone Stools by Maya Lin for Knoll - image: knoll.com

Chip Chair by Antti Kotilainen for Knoll - image: knoll.com

Chip Barstool by Antti Kotilainen for Knoll - image: knoll.com

All Knoll products on gabrielross.com are on sale at an additional 15% off of our already low prices now until October 2nd. Now is the time to treat yourself to good design and support authentic design at the same time.

Visit gabrielross.com to view these and more of Knoll’s products, here.
Visit Knoll’s website, 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.

Can you tell the difference between these two photos?

OK OK… enough pats on the back… I did kind of give it away in the title. We’re moving! woot! If you would like to know where we are moving, here are some technical geographical directions:

1. Stand at Gabriel Ross’ current front door on Bay Street
2. Turn 180 degrees

Yup, we’re moving across the street. We thought we would save ourselves the cost of a moving van… heck, we can just roll our Aeron chairs across the street. OK that’s not really why we are moving into the Harjim buildings… we’re moving into the Harjim buildings because they are super cool, old and full of character, donned with beautiful warehouse windows and they are going to be our very own. A fresh coat of paint and some drywall and this gem is going to be a sublime backdrop for Modernica Bubble Lamps and Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chairs. I absolutely can’t wait to see our hot pink fuschia Egg Chair in this space.

Here are some “before” pictures…

Harjim Building, Bay Street exterior

Harjim Building, Rock Bay exterior

Harjim Building 2, Rock Bay exterior

Harjim Building, Rock Bay exterior

Harjim Building, interior

Stay tuned for the “after” pictures! We will keep you updated along the way. We’re really excited to watch this transformation take place and move into our new digs! During the transition, our website will be up and running but our showroom will obviously have some interruptions – although if you can’t find us at our Bay Street location, remember the super technological geographical directions above (or just turn around and look across the street).

For up to the minute updates on this exciting news follow us on Twitter, here. Also, check out our Facebook fan page, here.

Nelson Tray Table - photo: hermanmiller.com

Herman Miller has introduced their newest “Select” product offering – The Nelson Tray Table, originally designed by George Nelson in 1961. The design is being offered with a twist: inspired by Nelson’s “Flock of Butterflies” wall clock, the top surface of this table/try is a beautiful geometric pattern created from an inlay pattern of walnut and santos palisander woods against a white ash ground. The white ash is treated so that it retains a “freshly cut” look and resists yellowing over time.

Tray Table detail - photo: hermanmiller.com

This limited edition piece is being offered as the whole table (here), or as just the tray (here). It will be available until February 6, 2012, or until inventory runs out. Herman Miller’s Select program has proven to be very successful over the years since it’s introduction with the Eames cowhide upholstered molded plywood lounge chair in 2008. Products such as the Eames Spinning Tops and the Hang it All in black and walnut followed, both proving to be very popular collector’s items.

Herman Miller Select Edition Cowhide Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair

Herman Miller Select Spinning Tops Set

Herman Miller Select Eames Hang It All - photo: hermanmiller.com

I’m confident that this Herman Miller Select item will continue the trend, as it is as beautiful an object as it is functional – a quality that ranks highly and consistently amongst mid century modern design. Available now at gabrielross.com, the table is accessibly priced at $692, and the tray alone at $494.

image: hermanmiller.com

Herman Miller Select Nelson Tray

View and/or purchase this product on our website, here.
Questions? Contact us, here.
Read more on Herman Miller’s website, here.

Designer, George Nelson - image: hermanmiller.com

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.