Vitra has just released 3 brand new wall clocks by George Nelson. Shown is the Polygon Clock, Wheel Clock, designed in 1961. And the impressive Flock of Butterflies Clock, designed in 1955!

Verner Panton went into production on his first Panton chair in 1967.  That was the Panton Classic, a uniquely styled chair made of a rigid expanded plastic, and using cantilever technology.  This chair is distinguishable by its shiny appearance due to the lacquered surface.  Also, it is only available in Red, Black or White.  The Panton Classic was the starting point for a long and successful line of Panton chairs, that now come in Junior (Child’s sized version), a set of Miniatures, and a more affordable version of the Classic known just as the Panton Chair which came in to production in 1990.

Red Classic Pantons being put to use

The advantages of the newer Panton Chair, other than it is about 1/5th of the price of the Classic, is that technological progress has allowed it to be made out of Polypropylene, and it is available in a wide range of colours.  You can now get it in White, Grey, Orange, Red or Chartreuse.  This chair has a matte finish, and is incredibly versatile.  I find the chair surprisingly comfortable;  I had assumed it would be cold, hard, uncomfortable and, well…plastic!  But I have to say it is now one of my favourites, and none of my qualms rang true.

White Panton Chairs

The Junior Panton is exactly the same as the newer Panton Chair, just about %25 smaller.  Perfect for children, and comes in lots more fun colours: White, Red, Orange, Light Pink, Light Blue and Lime (I wish they would produce these colours for us big kids!).

Junior Panton Chairs

A great gift option for a Verner Panton fan would be the set of Panton Classic Miniatures.  They are a 1:6 scale, and come in a  set of 5.  They are produced exactly as the originals were (materials, construction, etc.).  According to Vitra, on average it takes 5 hours of manual labour to create these little gems!

As a final note, I came across the picture below while surfing the net.  It amazed me the uses that Panton Chairs have been put to.   As you can see, these chairs have been customized, but what an interesting concept!  Enjoy!

Panton Chairs, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Chodovice.

1. Hideaway – use unique storage to get organized
2. Cubic versus square – don’t focus on floor space, even the smaller spaces offer plenty of wall space
3. Smaller scale furniture – try chairs instead of a sectional and round tables instead of square
4. Mirror and glass – mirrors trick the eye into seeing into another room, whereas glass allows the eye to see through
5. Nesting and multipurpose pieces – nesting tables offer flexibility and a small footprint
6. Functional zones - split your space with different paint colours so if the dining room and living room have no wall separation, use different tones of paints in order to show functional difference between spaces
7. Accessorize – small spaces develop their style through the accessories

Modern Nesting Tables by Vitra

Lofty open concept space … how I love thee, but I just need a LITTLE bit of structure in my life!  Though kitchen running into living room running into bedroom running into bath… er… (ok that’s going too far) is wonderful and can make a space look bigger and more open, sometimes a room divider is just want one needs  to subtly define a space in lieu of a wall, or create a little bit of privacy under the sheets.  Thankfully screen dividers are no longer limited to the solid, opaque, hinged, vertical folding devices we are used to… Much gratitude to Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for a modern screen that is innovative, flexible, modular, and demands creativity of its owner for installation.

Algue by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Algue, designed by the super-talented duo in 2004 for Vitra embodies the idea of space division sans the traditional limitations.  “Lego for Adults” is a description we’re fond of here in the showroom as the small modular pieces can be joined together in a million different ways in a million different settings.

Algue Hallway

Not only does it make a stunning free-hanging room divider, it can also be a headboard, wall hanging, ceiling suspension, window covering, or free form sculpture in space.  It can be thick and heavy or light and airy depending on how many pieces are used and how they’re layered, but it always remains beautiful and captivating in any application.

Algue Screen

Algue can divide and define space in your home but preserve an open concept feel as its components are linked together with wee dowels and skinny stems; a perfect pairing of structure and play.

How cute is this!

Eames Elephant, Charles and Ray Eames 1945 by Vitra

Originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in molded plywood, this adorable child’s stool/table/toy/best friend is now produced by Vitra in several different colours of plastic.   See more about Vitra Elephant by Charles and Ray Eames.

Why hide the little miracle that makes it all happen?  Props out to those designers who bare all and assert the thing for what it is – a light bulb in a fancy vehicle… or best yet: not so fancy.  Bare bulbs are honest, straight up, industrial, and georgous! … so long as they don’t leave a million blind spots in your vision.  Here are some of my faves:

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Toio Floor Lamp, 1962 by Flos

Archille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu', Parentesi Suspension, 1970 by Flos

Jean Prouve Potence Lamp, 1950 by Vitra

Ernesto Gismondi Miconos Table lamp, by Artemide

Achille Castiglioni Taraxacum 88 S Suspension, 1988, by Flos

Achille and Pier Ciacomo Castiglioni, Luminator 1954, by Flos

When I was a little kid, a livingroom pillow fort was my own pre-freedom version of today’s studio apartment.  Structure, privacy, colour and particularly spatial planning are some of the major considerations when building a skookum livingroom fort.  Not unlike today’s real estate market, location was also a very important factor… the edge of the sofa always worked well in conjunction with the coffee table, but the back of the sofa (if freestanding) allowed a brilliant “lean to” opportunity.  Of course, a fort is an intimate place for your favorite things, snuggles, safety, private thoughts, and only your most favorite people .  Thankfully, for nostalgic adults with no less need for these things, Vitra has the solution.  Feast your eyes on the Alcove sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec:

Now that’s fort making at its finest.  No roof… but who needs it with towering walls, zippered corners, and a chrome tube surround.  Beautiful from any angle, the alcove brings our childhood efforts to fruition with a perfect elegance.  My thanks to Ronan and Erwan for nurturing a human need for “snuggle space” in a sophisticated and beautiful way.

OMG Christmas is coming! Gift shopping is easy at www.gabrielross.com – awesome, collectible, designer gifts with free shipping. Here’s my gift picks!

George Nelson clocks by Vitra such as the Ball Clock, Block Clock, Sunburst and Asterisk to name just a few. The Alessi Anna G. Corkscrew and the Alessandro Mendini Corkscrew both designed by Alessandro Mendini are so much fun with a choice of colours/patterns. Also, the Alessi toaster is like a piece of art on your countertop – designed by Giovannoni Stefano, it’s a beautiful, sleek, shiny stainless steel appliance with bun warmer! Let’s not forget the coffee fanatics with an Alessi 9090 Espresso Maker designed by Richard Sapper in 1979 . . . choose from different sizes, made of stainless steel, makes wonderful espressos on your stove top in minutes, the Italian way! Another great gift would be the Eames Hang-It-All by Herman Miller designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1947 is so much fun with it’s different colored balls and versatility. Let’s also add the Alvar Aalto Vases by Iittala made in Finland, ‘wavy’ mouth blown glass is modern and stylish for any home! And one more . . . the Viking Steak Knife sets! A gift box of four stainless steel steak knives, each knife weighted with such an amazing lightness – I love the beauty and feel of these knives! And if you really cannot decide what to get someone, send them a Gift Certificate and let them have fun choosing!!!

Dear Santa . . .

I love the new children’s size ‘modern’, mid-century design furniture pieces that are being manufactured! The Junior Panton’s originally designed by Verner Panton in 1999 and manufactured by Vitra are kid friendly with soft edges, durable material and seven fun colours! Kartell manufactures the Lou Lou Ghost chairs which are so, so adorable in transparent colours or solids. Philippe Starck designed the Louis Ghost chair in 2002 and was an instant furniture fashion hit! Kids and parents will be excited to decorate their homes with these additions!

Junior Panton