Jean Prouvé…Prouvé RAW…and Vitra

Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé, born 1901 in Paris, was trained as a metal artisan under Emile Robert, Enghien and Szabo in Paris.

In 1924 he opened his own workshop in Nancy and began to produce his first furnishings made of formed sheet steel in 1925.

He was a founding member of the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM) in 1930. In the following year he established his own manufacturing firm, Les Ateliers Jean Prouvé. During the 1930′s, the company produced numerous furniture designs, as well as some of the first prefabricated architectural elements, including components for the Maison du Peuple in Clichy (in collaboration with the architects Beaudoin and Lods), whose steel-and-glass structure attracted a great deal of attention.

Fauteuil de Salon, Prouvé RAW

Due to the scarcity of steel during the Second World War, Prouvé constructed wood furniture and developed simple houses made out of prefabricated parts. Active in the French Résistance, Prouvé was elected mayor of Nancy after the city was liberated. He designed and constructed residential buildings for the homeless.

In 1947 he established the Maxéville factory, a facility of 25,000 square meters in which furnishings, prefabricated homes and schools were produced by 200 employees. In order to meet the increasing demand for furniture, this division came under the direction of Steph Simon as a separate division with exclusive marketing rights in 1949.

Due to disagreements with the majority shareholders, Jean Prouvé left the company in 1953. He designed and built his own residence in 1954. After working as head of the construction office of the Compagnie Industrielle de Matériel de Transport (CIMT) in Paris between 1957-68, Prouvé ran his own architectural consulting firm in Paris from 1968-84.

Table S.A.M. Tropique, Prouvé RAW

Prouvé taught as professor at the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (CNAM) from 1957-70. As chairman of the jury for the Centre Pompidou architectural competition in 1971, he played a major role in selecting the design of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.

Between 1980-84, Prouvé again turned his attention to the further development of his furniture designs. He died in Nancy in 1984. In many of his works, Jean Prouvé achieved the goal of uniting functional requirements, the honest use of materials and economical concerns with the complex demands of mass production. Beginning in 2002, in close collaboration with the Prouvé family, Vitra has devoted itself to the re-edition of numerous designs by this great constructeur.

Cité Armchair, Prouvé RAW

Prouvé RAW Special Edition

Prouvé RAW is a collection of seventeen design classics, which embrace the essence of Jean Prouvé’s work, while at the same time adding contemporary colors, textiles and details.
The Prouvé RAW Special Edition comprises nine designs by Jean Prouvé in exclusive versions interpreted by G‐Star RAW. The products of the Prouvé RAW Special Edition are numbered and feature a Prouvé RAW label.
Starting in fall 2011, the objects in the collection will be available for ordering for one year from select Vitra retailers around the world.

Tabouret No.307, Prouvé RAW

Jean Prouvé‘s designs use a language linked to necessity and construction while simultaneously giving technically innovative objects a poetic playfulness. Generally described as one of the greatest French designers of the 20th century, Jean Prouvé was an architect, an engineer and a passionate teacher, a prolific inventor, a visionary manufacturer and the founder of the Ateliers Prouvé, which was for thirty years the factory as well as a laboratory for his experimental architecture projects and innovative furniture designs. But above all Jean Prouvé was a hands-on “constructeur”, who never stopped experimenting with his designs, and was always adapting them to the spirit of the times.

Get you own Prouvé piece here.

2011
11/19
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Stelton Pure Black Knives from HolmbäckNordentoft….

At the cutting edge of good design…
Excellent functionality and clean, stylish lines. Stelton presents an elegant knife series for serious gourmets who are as daring in their style as they are in their cooking. Pure Black knives are forged from one piece of stainless steel so their handles morph effortlessly into their blades. The straightforward design and special coating make the knives very hygienic and easy to clean. At the same time, the matte black coating provides a superb grip and evokes thoughts of fine cooking, beautiful cuts and gourmet dinners. A perfect gift for those who enjoy beautiful and stylish design in the kitchen.

Pure beauty in your kitchen…
Knives are good to have handy, and a knife magnet helps take care of your knives and keep them sharp. Stelton now introduces the first-ever white knife magnet, so you can both store and protect your kitchen tools in style. The 16.3″ long Pure White seems almost to float on a white wall. Its glossy surface brings out the Black Magic knife series? sculptural beauty. Connoisseurs will enjoy this attractive marriage of functionality and aesthetics. The unique knife magnet is easy to install, and its discrete looks complement any kitchen.

Designed by HolmbäckNordentoft and Winner of RedDot Design Award – Best of the Best 2011.

Sebastian Holmbäck (b. 1971) and Ulrik Nordentoft (b. 1974) initially met at The Danish Design School. Upon graduation (1998/2000) both followed successful individual careers as design professionals, working with product design, furniture, lighting and interior design. As a result of a joined design project in 2008, they discovered their potential as working partners and soon after founded their studio, HolmbäckNordentoft.

Since then the partnership has produced a series of hallmark achievements, including the Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best 2011 and the Formland Design Award 2011.

The studio is located in Espergærde, a small village north of Copenhagen, close to the sea in an old fisherman’s cottage.

Get your Pure Black Knives here.

 

2011
10/10
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The Outsider Jacco Maris…

The Outsider Hanging Lamp

Making something out of nothing and creating maximum forms from minimal amounts of materials… This is the basic concept that underlies the creation, since 1994, of the light features of Jacco Maris. These are unique objects that combine powerful and exciting looks with graceful harmony and subtle elegance, and which are skilfully and individually handcrafted in the Jacco Maris Studio.

Jacco Maris

Most of the designs are based on the bending of a metal strip. Steel strip, the material from which most of the light fittings are made, is therefore the most important trademark of Jacco Maris Design. Stainless steel, black steel and brass are also distinctive elements that are used on their own or in combination. In this way, over the years, seven remarkable lighting collections have been developed, each with its own recognisable character. Since 2001, the collections have been created in cooperation with Ben Quaedvlieg.

Idée fixe

And because all light fittings are made by hand, Jacco Maris Design can, if desired, supplement its standard collections with bespoke work and special designs, incorporating the client’s specific wishes in every fine detail.

Jacco Maris Design does not restrict itself to producing its own standard collections. The team can modify existing designs on request, but you can also approach them for specific wishes with regard to lighting design.

The Outsider Standing Lamp

The pedestal and the arched frame of The Outsider Standing Lamp are made of powder-coated steel and the shade is made of cast aluminium. The large window, made of clear glass, endows The Outsider with an illumination pattern that delights the eye. This exclusive lamp is available in black and aluminum and has a pedestal with bolt apertures for attachment to a hard base such as stone or concrete. Another version is available that can be embedded in cast concrete. The standing lamp is joined by a hanging lamp, an adjustable hanging lamp and a wall lamp.

Jacco Maris available at Vertigo Home in September 2011.

2011
05/11
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Vertigo Bird Flying High…

Vertigo Bird’s “Cabinet Bestiarium” at Salone del Mobile, April 2011

Vertigo Bird is a contemporary Slovenian lighting brand established in 2008. Since its launch the company has worked intensively with both Slovenian and international designers and architects to build a diverse and compelling lighting collection that fills the niches between very upscale design lighting and everyday standardization. It also lends an element of soft, individual design to larger architectural lighting schemes.

Funnel floor + table lamps

Vertigo Bird nurtures the development of timeless designs suited to any architectural context, for both residential and commercial applications. It works to produce quality, flexible, and energy efficient products and solutions. Its growing collection offers a range of custom-made choices based on individual style preferences and requirements. Vertigo Bird transforms ordinary and archetypical forms into unpredictable and engaging new designs.

Baloon table lamps

The brand Vertigo Bird was born in the mining and glassblowing region of central Slovenia. Traditional miner’s wisdom says “You have to go deep to reach high” finds an echo in the brand’s original design statement. The company drew its mission from a respect for local resources and know-how, yet was determined to overcome their limitations. Traditional skills and craftsmanship meets innovative technology and smart brand management.

Jinn lamps

The curious name of the brand finds its origins in the Slovenian artists collective En Knap. Vertigo Bird is actually the name of a film created by dancer and choreographer Iztok Kovač together with film director Sašo Podgoršek. The film’s climactic dance performance unfolds in a coal mine and culminates in a vertigo dance high up the chimney of a local power station.

Likewise, the Vertigo Bird brand hides neither its roots nor its high ambitions to become a truly individual global lighting brand.

Lanterna lamps

Vertigo Bird was founded and is run today by Silvo Kačar, also founder of Arcadia Lightware, one of Slovenia’s most successful lighting companies, and the owner of fixtures producer Sijaj Hrastnik, where the idea for Vertigo Bird was born. With years of experience in the sales, planning and implementation of lighting solutions, Silvo well knows the problems and the needs of the lighting business. Vertigo Bird is the result of his dreams, passions, creative inspiration and ideas toward the ongoing development of  quality, timeless products. Today Vertigo Bird operates as an innovative, independent company with its headquarters in Ljubljana.

Smoke lamps

Vertigo Bird works in close cooperation with various Slovenian and international designers, combining the business experience and talents of renowned creators with the creative energy and originality of a young group of emerging designers. The result is a lighting collection that lives up to the basic idea of bringing together passion, inspiration, and creativity with functionality, quality and timelessness.

Vertigo Bird will be available at Vertigo Home in September 2011.

2011
05/05
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Trash Me Victor Vetterlein…

Trash Me Lamp available at Vertigo Home in June 2011

Through globalization and the constant expansion of opportunity via the Internet, people are on the move and their interest and allegiance in all things is short-lived. The concept word for the Trash Me lamp design is transient. Like our current global culture, it is a product that is ephemeral. The lamp is made of paper pulp spread over a mold and left to dry. Paper is in itself a transient material. A strong concept idea leads to an extraordinary form, and in this case it is a rebirth of what the designer sees as the beauty of the utilitarian forms. It is only fitting that the name is Trash Me, meaning “please recycle me when no longer useful or desired”. The Trash Me lamp can be quickly dissembled and the parts reused or recycled back into trash to be born again as something new.

Meeraboo Side Table

The “Meeraboo-2007 ST-1″ side table is designed to be adjacent to an entry doorway.  The built in light source illuminates a golden orb that in turn baths the entry with a warm glow.  The orb also serves as a storage compartment for precious items such as keys, wallets, and jewelry. The material composition is fiberglass, wood, and metal with a high gloss white finish.  The interior of the orb is finished in high gloss gold lacquer, and this carries through the vent stack where golden light casts an ellipse on the ceiling of a room.

Victor Wayne Vetterlein, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, was raised in a design and engineering family. His grandfather was a mechanical engineer, his uncle a nautical engineer, and his aunt a realist painter.  Design and engineering technology were common topics in the family circle.

Victor received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Fine Arts minor in Sculpture from Colorado State University.  Victor went on to receive a Master of Architecture with honors at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Upon receiving his degree, Victor moved to New York City and apprenticed as an architect in the office of Charles Gwathmey and the office of Thierry Despont where he became an Associate.

In 2007 Victor opened The Office of Victor Vetterlein, located in Soho, New York City, with an emphasis on architecture and industrial design.

Sprig Lamp

Inspired by the fresh growth of plants, a single Sprig lamp makes a pendant light, while multiple Sprig lamps combined build a floor lamp or a chandelier. Sprig is made from recycled plastic, and the lighting source is a standard compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).

2011
04/28
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Sake to me Sake Bombs…

This whimsical pouring vessel is a comical take on the western slang “Sake Bomb”.  The inspiration is a juxtaposition of the Fugu Fish (Blowfish), the most opulent of sashimi cuts and a WW II sea mine. The small drinking cups perch neatly on the spines making it a compact entertaining tool.

The Sake Bomb is hand crafted in Los Angeles. It is available in a variety of vivid colors with a sealed glazed finish. To ensure the complexity and geometric nature of the sake bomb remained true, the manufacturing process combines both high-tech modern technologies with traditional handcrafted techniques.  The vessels were initially design in 3D CAD software and printed using a 3D FDM printer. From these objects plaster molds were taken and traditional slip-casting procedures are employed to create the ceramic versions for kiln firing.

Because the Sake Bomb is ceramic it keeps both your hot sake hot and your cold sake cold.  To heat sake you may place Sake Bomb in microwave for a minute. Sake Bomb holds 8 FL OZ (235 ml)

The Sake Bomb was designed by Alexander Purcell founder of APRRO an interdisciplinary design studio based in Los Angeles and is available at Vertigo Home.

2011
04/20
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Walk with a colorful Attitude…

Colorful Omhu Canes

The Omhu Cane is a walking stick with attitude. Inspired by Scandinavian furniture, bicycles, hockey sticks and skateboards, this joyful design brings style and performance to mobility aids.  The generous birch handle has grip strips for better hold, and doesn’t slip when leaned against a wall.

The wood is hand-finished with Livos oil, an all-natural, non-toxic, plant-based finish. The light-weight, high-strength aluminum shaft is finished in American bicycle paint. The patent-pending tip, made from the same material as high performance athletic shoes, provides cushioning, traction and support.

Handle made from birch wood with rubber inserts.

Omhu is Danish for “with great care.”  Founded on the belief that life is imperfect and beautiful, they offer groundbreaking designs to support people’s abilities as they change throughout life.

Omhu was started after searching in vain for well-designed products for relatives and friends who needed help with simple tasks such as walking, bathing, or reaching overhead. Pooling their collective experience in design and fashion, they’ve created a brand for people like us – caregivers who want more inspired and inspiring choices for the people they love.

Omhu celebrates good design because it’s life-enhancing, and it’s fun.  By creating more exciting choices of things that help, they hope to also help change the way people feel about aging and ability. Because everyone’s getting older – even you!

Omhu Cane available at Vertigo Home.

2011
04/02
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Spinning & Floating with Benjamin Hubert…

  • Date of Birth: 11/03/1984
  • BA First Class Honours
  • Industrial Design and Technology
  • Loughborough University UK 2006

Float – pendants made from hand turned Portuguese agglomerate cork

Born in the UK in 1984, Benjamin Hubert studied Industrial Design and Technology at Loughborough University and graduated in 2006.

The London based studio was founded shortly afterwards in 2007 and specialises in industrial design across furniture and lighting sectors working with international manufacturers across Europe and Asia.

Benjamin Hubert

The studio works on a diverse range of projects including both mass/batch produced consumer products and limited edition/one off’s. Benjamin Hubert has received international critical and media acclaim and has been exhibited internationally. Benjamin has also received a number of prestigious awards including: Design of the year (British Design awards 2010) Best Product (100% design/Blueprint awards 2009) Homes and Gardens Young designer Year (Design Classic awards 2010) and EDIDA International Young Designer of the year 2010.

Patch upholstered dining/lounge chair

 

Spinning Light – spun aluminium pendant lights with gloss laquered finish

available at Vertigo Home

 

Pepple – rotational moulded and oak dining/occassional chair

2011
03/27
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Time, Endlessness & Eternity…All in a days work…

Water Carafe

The work of Aldo Bakker, (Amersfoort 1971) is the work of a designer. With that, Aldo distances himself from the current belief that a strong ‘concept’ will naturally lead to interesting forms. He believes that the mastery and control of aesthetics are essential competencies. Indeed, they constitute a separate discipline. These are remarkable principles for the son of Gijs Bakker, founder of Droog Design and the figurehead of conceptual design. There are possibly stronger similarities between the work of Aldo Bakker and that of his mother, designer of modern jewellery Emmy van Leersum (1930-1984)

Nonetheless, the contradictions in the work of both parents and the development of Aldo share a common tradition. Both worlds display great similarities in their basic principles: the strong conviction that physical objects possess and evoke emotions in the user; the experience and ‘alienation’ that objects can awaken in the observer, just as music, film and art can do; the complete trust in the communicative and associative aspects of material, tactility and form.

Vinegar Flask

Aldo seeks to surprise and trigger discussion among his public. He allows his public to pose questions about the context and relations of his work. ‘My objects should be able to create a space around themselves, to define their context on their own. I question their meaning and, hence, their use. In the ideal case an object acquires a status that legitimises itself, independently of the surroundings.’

Silver Salt Cellar

Aldo’s objects are designed to influence the factor of ‘time’. He is deeply fascinated by such notions as ‘endlessness’ and ‘eternity’. Time is a dominant factor in the production process of his pieces of furniture. His use of Urushi varnish from Japan requires an extremely expensive and lengthy process and is a response to the fleetingness of mass production and increasing consumerism. These centuries-old techniques, combined with his love of architecture, are aimed at slowing the passage of time and creating a ‘time gap’. Emphasis is put on the physical experience and the possibilities offered by moving around the objects, admiring them or loathing them like extra-terrestrial beings. Fantasy and meaning demand an almost meditative state, and the mood of silence provokes the necessary care and attention. All these are collectively ignored today by western society.

Milk Jug

At the same time, Aldo maintains control of his public’s ‘subconscious’. The Urushi varnish produces both reflection and a disquieting sense of depth. Looking at the work almost produces a feeling of vertigo.
The absence of visible structures arouses wonder. His ceramics possess ‘black holes’ that provoke a similar sense of disequilibrium. In that way they allude to ‘endlessness’ and contribute to the narrative character of his objects.

Aldo Bakker

2011
02/10
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My Filthy Home is your Filthy Home…

Golden Shower self-adhesive vinyl wallpaper

Although launched in 2011, Filthy Home designs have been budding for decades. Inspired by raw, simple perspectives, Filthy Home resonates with vintage flare and modern sensuality. Capturing basic moments in life, both contemporary and historic, we value the unusual and sometimes unspoken familiarities that we all share in the overall experience of being human. Often fueled by those random explosions of creativity, embracing rather than avoiding traditional taboos, Filthy Home will rouse your senses. Go ahead…savor our specialties.

Mounted Buck self-adhesive vinyl wallpaper

 

Fill In The Blank self-adhesive vinyl wallpaper

 

Ryan Cox, Creative Art Director
• 1978 – Born in a small Utah town called Hooper, pronounced “hooker” with a “p.”
• 1984 – Started singing in his Grandmother’s band “The Hometown Players” and began to wear pimped out white sport coats, sequins, and carnations in his lapel.

• 1985 – Won his first art contest. A multimedia piece using poster board, watercolors, dirt and glue.

• 1986 – Started helping his mother teach wood refinishing classes and waking up early Saturday mornings to watch “This Old House.”

• 1989 – Learned he was good with power tools and built a rocking horse (for his awesome Sis’ Angie) out of reclaimed oak and 2 x 4′s.  The finishing touch was hair from his pony — Chip’s tail ;)
• 1990 – Got sent home from 6th grade for writing and drawing “dirty things” in his text books.
• 1991-1993 – Grew pubes and was the T.A. in wood shop, pottery and home education classes.
• 1994-1997 – Tried to make out with girls but always wished they were boys.
• 1998 – Started college thinking of a pre-law, but realized he would never survive actual law school. Decided on a BFA.
• 2002 – Interned in New York City.  He was quickly hooked on the Big Apple (or was it the gay bars?).
• 2003 – Received a university artist grant to make a short film about Fame.
• 2005 – Left Utah for NYC to prove that he could “make it.”
• 2006 – Started his “Porn Career” at Playboy Enterprises. Climbed the ranks as a designer in the licensing division.
• 2008 – Turned 30 and finally recognized he was a grown up.
• 2010 – Moved into a one bedroom in Brooklyn by HIMSELF. Embraced his inner perv.  Filthy Home was born.
From bio on the Filthy Home website.

 

2011
02/03
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MYdrap, The First Linen Napkins on a roll…

The range of MYdrap Home products are designed to speed up your housework without having to give up image or style. These crisp linen napkins come perforated on a roll and can be torn off as needed and they offer twice the possibilities, single use or to be washed and reused again up to 6 times.

Their high quality design, many colors and ease of use make them ideal for a busy lifestyle. They will enhance any table setting, from formal dinners to picnic lunches at the beach.

MYdrap is made in Spain from 100% cotton or linen, they are recyclable and biodegradable, perfect for the modern lifestyle.

Available at Vertigo Home.

2011
01/21
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Vipp Limited Edition 2011 – Rising Red…

The 2011 Limited Edition from Vipp is here. Entitled Vipp Rising Red this collection reaches for new horizons with a boost of fresh energy and happiness in a lively tone of red and orange. Vipp Limited Edition is a yearly event. This 2011 collection is made available from March 2011 and throughout the year, as long as stock lasts.

Vipp Rising Red offers the classic pedal bins in three sizes. A new and inspiring take on Danish design classics from 1939. Let your bathroom and kitchen rise to new spheres with a splash of Rising Red.

Vipp – established 1939. Still adding to the recipe for fine craftsmanship. More about Vipp here.

PRODUCT FACTS:

Pre-order yours now at Vertigo Home – FREE shipping on all Vipp products.

Vipp 14 pedal bin, 2 gal. $289

Vipp 15 pedal bin, 4 gal. $319

Vipp 24 pedal bin, 8 gal. $469

2011
01/12
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&Tradition. The Nordic heritage in contemporary design…

Craft meets art. Function meets form. Material meets potential. This is Nordic tradition and heritage. &Tradition aims to bridge these values to contemporary design, reshaping, redefining and reinventing materials, techniques and forms. &Tradition covers the masters of yesterday, the leading designers of today and the talent who may create the classics of the future. They scout for design talent and handpick production facilities globally. But their roots are still Nordic. They respect nature that provide our raw materials, and they believe in design that is made to last.

Some of our favorite lights from &Tradition are:

Topan by Verner Panton

Sometimes the simplest things are the most lasting and memorable, the Topan pendant being a brilliant example. It was the first mass produced lamp by Verner Panton, later to be followed by the FlowerPot. Topan’s simplicity and coolness proves to be of lastin value. Topan was originally designed for the hotel and restaurant Astoria in Trondheim, Norway, in 1960. Here, Panton used his textile designs Geometry I and IV for floors, walls and ceilings in order to give the room a uniform image. The Topan pendants hung all over, dividing large rooms into smaller and more intimate spaces.

Spinning Light by Benjamin Hubert available at Vertigo Home

The spinning-top toy, a childhood favorite, inspires the joyful form of the Spinning Light along with the process of metal spinning. Here, form truly meets function in an innovative way. It’s sleek, It’s sexy and it’s sure to become a new classic.

Corium by Pernille Vea

Corium is Latin for leather and the name of this striking pendant. With the juxtaposition of the softly shaped curves against the firmness and solidity of leather. Corium evokes a mood that is finely balanced between dualities: The feminine and the masculine, the yin and yang, tradition and innovation. Used in this new and unexpected way, leather becomes a highly modern way to implement natures qualities in contemporary design. The leather is tanned with natural tannic acid from oak bark, using a thousand year old technique to create a very modern design.

“Bulb” by Sofie Refer available at Vertigo Home

With Bulb, Danish light artist Sofie Refer lit up the new millenium and a new classic was blown. The shape refers to the first electrical light bulbs by using thick transparent glass. Sofie Refer continues an elegant Nordic tradition, adding her own passion and femininity. The small irregularities in the mouth blown glass make each of the pendants one of a kind and add the story of the glass master’s personal efforts an changing sand, soda and chalk into a modern classic using a thousand year old method.

&Tradition available at Vertigo Home

2010
12/20
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The World’s Most Exciting Hotel…

61 rooms, 21 artists, 1,000 ideas…

For the launch of the new Volkswagen Fox 21, international artists from the fields of graphic design and urban art & illustration turned Hotel Fox in central Copenhagen, into the world’s most exciting and creative hotel.

Each room is an individual piece of art – from wacky comical styles to strict graphic design, from fantastic street art and Japanese Manga to simply spaced out fantasies. You will find flowers, fairytales, friendly monsters, dreaming creatures, secrets vaults and…

What makes Hotel Fox really interesting is that the people chosen to curate the project were Berlin’s “Die Gestalten Verlag” – publishers of some of the most sumptuous, cutting-edge graphics and illustration books on the market.

Some of our favorite rooms are:

Room 215 / Highlights. Designed by Andreas Mindt.

Precise and dynamic curving lines run throughout the entire room. Fine lines become large areas, then disappearing into a counter curve. It is reminiscent of the psychedelic wallpapers of the 70s or modern “tribal tattoos”.
Vehicle details are only discovered at second glance – tail lights, wheel arches, wheel housing are visible. Sharp contrasts are mirrored in the surface of the body, therefore highlighting the reflections which appear on the car. The flow of these highlights is a benchmark for the design quality.

Room 105 / Heaven. Designed by Boris Hoppek.

Daydreams. Hoppek hopes his guests will find his rooms crazy but he is honest enough to say that he designed them principally for himself rather than anyone else: “Everything I do is for myself, I try to do what I like. I am an egoist and get paid for it.”
Hoppek’s heaven is an endless bed of candyfloss clouds, comforting companions, tiny creatures cradled in soft whiteness beyond the eye of the storm and an atmosphere of deep and pervading melancholy.

The spectrum of the German urban artist Boris Hoppek’s work is as intelligent as it is breathtaking. He is constantly seeking new forms of expression in public spaces, galleries and magazines and his media ranges from writing to chalk drawings, cardboard box sculptures to photography and an ever-growing, wickedly funny soft toy character family called “Bimbos”. He describes his background as being one of “Germany, technical drawing, hippy shit, graffiti and painting”.

More on Boris Hoppek.

Room 217 / King’s Forest. Designed by Birgit Amadori.

Space. Amadori is currently very interested in myths, legends, and mystical symbols and wanted to create magical rooms – in the traditional sense – full of life and a rich diversity: “The forest is populated with beings beyond your imagination but the FOX, traditionally known as the traveller between worlds, will be there to guide you. King’s Forest is a place of spiritual freedom, and also a place to gather energy. Take a stroll through King’s Forest and see what secrets are hidden behind its trees.”

The German illustrator Birgit Amadori has developed a rich fairytale world all of her own. Her influences range from the 19th century Czech illustrator Alfons Mucha to Japanese mythology and history as well as the Manga style. Her images uniquely combine a western and far eastern visual language in colours, patterns, planes and spaces. She recently moved to Redondo Beach in California and her work is featured regularly in international design and beauty magazines.

More on Birgit Amadori.

Room 106 / Sleep Well. Designed by Geneviève Gauckler.

Fun. Geneviève found herself working on interiors for the first time with the Hotel FOX. She loved the freedom of the project because she got the opportunity “to control everything; walls, floor – you’re the boss! It’s just your stuff and nothing else: No logo and no barcode to add! The glorious, technicolor-dream-coat room where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.”

Gauckler’s realm is the “magical” side of graphics software, she creates colourful, collaged, kaleidoscopic mandala-like worlds defined by computer graphics. Gauckler works mainly alone but is not averse to collaborative projects now and again. She started out designing LP covers before moving on to videos, advertising and web projects. Her clients range from the Parisian store Colette to Publicis and Virgin as well as BeauxArts Magazine, Mass Appeal, Mixte and Lab Magazine.

More on Geneviève Gauckler.

2010
12/01
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Fornasetti’s Riflesso, Nuvole & Tema e Variazioni…

Lina, a girl Fornasetti saw in a 19th century French magazine, and used in alot of his artwork.

Piero Fornasetti was a Milanese painter, sculptor, interior decorator, engraver of books and a creator of more than 11,000 products. In terms of variety of decoration, Fornasetti’s production of objects and furniture is one of the largest of the 20th century.

Piero Fornasetti

Fornasetti is celebrated as being among the most original creative talents of the twentieth century. During his career he created a visual vocabulary that is instantly recognisable and unceasingly engaging. Fornasetti designed a magical world, saturated in image and color and filled with whimsy and wit.

Biography

  • 1913 Piero Fornasetti is born in Milan, Italy.
  • 1930 Piero entered Brera Academy to study drawing.
  • 1932 Expelled from Brera for insubordination.
  • 1933 First artwork shown as part of a student exhibition at Milano University. Also this year, a series of scarves in printed silk was exhibited at the Milan Triennale.
  • 1935 At the sixth Triennale in Milan, Piero exhibited, among other things, a decorative bronze and ceramic frieze in an archaic style.
  • 1940 Piero met Gio Ponti and went on to design ‘The Lunar’ illustrated Calendar book for him.
  • 1942 Created frescoes for the Palazzo Bo in Padova.
  • 1943-1946 Went into exile in Switzerland.
  • 1947 Exhibited a series of motifs for ceramics at the Triennale (commissioned again by Gio Ponti).
  • 1950 Decorated the interior of the San Remo Casino.
  • 1951 Completed the first example of a complete interior for the Casa Lucano in collaboration with Gio Ponti. Exhibited his ‘Architettura’ furniture during the Ninth Triennale. Created the ‘Palladiana’ chest of drawers.
  • 1952 Took part in the interior decoration of the Andrea Doria ocean liner, designing the first class areas.
  • 1955-1958 Created the Stanza Metafisica; thirty-two decorative panels that could be arranged into an interior environment.
  • 1970 Founded the Bibliofili Gallery in Milan with several friends.
  • 1979 Death of Gio Ponti.
  • 1980 Design store “Themes and Variations” opens in London, reviving interest in Fornasetti’s work.
  • Early 1987 Piero’s first book project is in collaboration with Patrick Mauriès and illustrates his collective works.
  • 1988 Death of Piero Fornasetti in Milan, during minor hospital treatment.

Riflesso wallcovering available at Vertigo Home

Fornasetti’s son, Barnaba, is perpetuating the Fornasetti tradition by continuing to produce, and revive, Fornasetti designs. At the helm of the company and its creative heart, Barnaba is the custodian of his father’s legacy. He continues to create new Fornasetti designs, renew hand-crafted production and works in collaboration with industries which manufacture Fornasetti products under license.

Barnaba Fornasetti

An abundance of important motifs have emerged from the Fornasetti archive thanks to Barnaba’s skilful tenacity and dedication. Today a variety of manufacturers deal with the realisation, production and distribution of items with the application of Fornasetti’s motifs. Similarly, the Fornasetti legacy has been secured thanks to Barnaba Fornasetti’s commitment to projects designed to articulate his father’s oeuvre. And, most importantly, the extraordinary visual language of Fornasetti is as active and strong as ever.

Fuomo Fatale

The Fornasetti Atelier in Milan is an outpost of careful and accomplished craft production. Here skilled craftsmen and women use the same rigorous handcrafted techniques as were employed on the very first Fornasetti products. Colour is applied by hand and the original paper patterns are still followed. Maintaining the quality of these methods of making is an important aspect of the Fornasetti legacy.

The majority of the furniture and objects produced in the Atelier are true re-editions of the original designs created by Piero Fornasetti. Objects referred to as ‘Re-inventions’, are designs created by Barnaba Fornasetti using the decorative elements and imagery found in the immense Fornasetti archive and are evolutions of the exclusive production of his father.

Meditarranea Wallcovering created for the entrance of the Fornasetti House in Milan

Available at Vertigo Home

The Fornasetti family home is an extraordinary testament to the creativity of Piero Fornasetti. The house can be found in the Città Studi area of Milan and was built by Piero’s parents in the 19th century. Like a labyrinth, the house is made up of a complex and intricate network of rooms and corridors.

The family home became a canvas for Piero’s fervent creativity and over the course of the many years he lived here the rooms of the Milanese villa became decorated with his art. There is no better, certainly no richer, example of the Fornasetti aesthetic.

The home was a testbed for Fornasetti’s work with color and motif, unique designs, original furniture, found objects and inspirations fill the rooms. Piero’s home became a living archive of his style – the result is an intoxicating, magical experience. The house remains the Fornasetti family home and has been maintained and developed by Barnaba.

View The Fornasetti Wallcovering collection available at Vertigo.

2010
11/12
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Basque Linens With A Modern Twist…

Weaving is a centuries-old tradition in Béarn and the Basque Region, first in linen then in cotton after the 19th century. Artiga was founded in 1910 in the Basque Region, near the Spanish Border, in the South West of France. Since then, four generations of weavers have remained loyal to the Basque Spirit which depicts the warmth of the Regional houses.

Basque linens are part of the Basque heritage. Artiga weaves the linens in respect of this tradition. Basque Linens are made from high quality color resistant fabrics. The uniqueness of these linens comes from their 7 stripes representing the 7 provinces of the Basque Region: 3 French and 4 Spanish regions. The palette of colors is inspired from the strong regional tones which associate thin and wide stripes, the genuine signature of Basque fabrics. The patterns designed nowadays are a variation of the old mante à boeufs which was meant to protect working cattle from insects.

Artiga Mauleon Fuchsia

Artiga’s cotton comes from Zambia or Egypt. The quality of this thread is the best guarantee of the strength and resistance of the products. The white thread is first enlightened by the dyer’s magical pigments palette according to a staining process called Grand Teint, which guarantees a color resistance. The rolls are plunged into boiling tainted baths and then take their colors in the steam heat of an autoclave oven. They are then dried and put on the weaving looms where they will mix to create the recognizable designs and colors of Artiga.

Artiga launches two new collections each year and ten new designs each season which receive the name of a local village or city, such as Hendaye, Mimizan or Bayonne.

Artiga fabrics and cotton canvas banding available at Vertigo.

2010
11/05
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Hang On…

Hang On in white available at Vertigo

Hang On is an unpretentious and humorous coat rack that is accessible and easy to decode with its oblique expression. Hang On is the work of the British designer Jade Barnes-Richardson.

Jade Barnes-Richardson has taken the archetypal coat hanger and created a new piece of furniture from an original idea. Inspired by how clothes, overcoats and other accessories are often dumped around the home, Hang On is a coat rack consisting of a collection of several coat hangers.

A recent graduate of 2008, Jade Barnes-Richardson graduated from Bucks New University with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Furniture and Related Product Design providing her with the stepping stone to launch her as one of the new and up and coming designers of contemporary design today.

Inspired by the concept of small space living, Jade Barnes-Richardson designs are designed with the intention to simplify modern life. Her particular interest are in designs that work to increase space and de-clutter interiors, through designs that are compact and multifunctional and are aimed to improve the way we interact with furniture and the space around us.Since graduation, Jade Barnes-Richardson has been lucky enough to have exhibited in various exhibitions including New Designers Selection, an exhibition which shortlists the Top 50 new designers from the New Designers Exhibition. Jade’s work is appealing to a wide audience and was also featured as part of London’s Fashion Week ON|OFF Event 2008.

Jade Barnes-Richardson explains:

I am fascinated by multi-functional designs. Just like the disorder that results from our throwing our clothes into piles at home, the designed chaos of Hang On creates order in its very own way. Hang On is a versatile design for everyday objects such as jackets, towels and accessories.

Normann Copenhagen nominated Jade Barnes-Richardson’s Hang On as “Best New Product” among young and upcoming design talents during the LaunchPad Pulse fair held in the UK in June 2009. Now, for the first time, Hang On is available in The U.S. and at Vertigo.



2010
10/25
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Erik Magnussen…

Erik Magnussen was born in 1940 in Copenhagen. Educated as a ceramist at the School of Applied Arts and Design – graduated with a silver medal in 1960.

For a number of years he worked for Bing & Grøndahl and among the latest works are furniture for Fritz Hansen a/s , door handles for Franz Schneider Brakel gmbh, tabletop in pewter for Royal Selangor, tabletop in stainless steel and plastic for A/S Stelton, porcelain lamps for Licht & Form and furniture for Paustian a/s.

Erik Magnussen’s designs are exhibited in museums throughout the world and he has received the Lunning Prize in 1967 and the Furniture Prize in 1977. In 1983 he was chosen “designer of the year” by the Danish Design Council and his products have several times received the ID-prize by the Danish Society of Industrial Design. Erik Magnussen received the Bindesbøll Medal in 1996 and he has received grants from the Ole Haslund Fund, the Royal Jueweller A. Michelsen’s Anniversary Fund and Knud V. Engelhardt’s Memorial Fund.

Plateau Chair

The chair was named Plateau because its right armrest has a wide flat surface on which you can place your dry martini, remote control or laptop.

The chair is set on a highly polished aluminum base which is available with or without automatic return swivel. Plateau is manufactured in cold foam on top of hard foam, which creates a very comfortable seat. Plateau is available with leather or textile covers. Its challenging organic shape has led to new production processes that minimise sewing. As a result, the chair only has two pieces of textile or leather: one for the seat and one for the backrest.

The designer Erik Magnussen found inspiration for Plateau by contemplating the shape of his own left hand. Erik’s thumb inspired the chair’s plateau and his other fingers the backrest.

In 1997 Erik Magnussen was awarded “The Red Dot” in the “Design Innovations 1997″ competition held by Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen and he won the “Good Design Gold Prize” awarded by Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.

Vacuum Jug by Erik Magnussen available at Vertigo Home

The classic Stelton vacuum jug with the unique rocker stop was introduced in 1977 and the same year awarded the ID Prize by the Danish Society of Industrial Design. Since then it has attracted considerable attention for its functionalistic design.
Designed by Erik Magnussen in 1976, the unique sealing system has made this Danish classic with its tall, slender form world famous. Due to the special tipping mechanism, the Stelton vacuum jug opens automatically. The lid closes again, aroma-tight, when put down again.

View Erik Magnussen’s Collection at Vertigo Home.

2010
10/18
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The Danish Norm…

Norm Products available at Vertigo Home

Norm is a multidisciplinary design studio focusing on residential architecture, commercial interiors and industrial design. Norm was founded in 2008 by architects Kasper Rønn and Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen by their vocation to create timeless architecture and meaningful design products.

Kasper and Jonas explain:

The justification of a product lies in its ability to differentiate; aesthetically and in functionality. With a determined focus on the good idea, right materials and fine craftsmanship, our primary endeavour is to create useful products, appealing design, and architecture that captures and inspire life.

Kasper Rønn.

Born 1976, graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2002 with a strong focus on furniture design. In working for numerous designers and architects such as Space CPH, Jorn Langvad and Ole Palsby, Kasper has gathered a great experience in both the field of Architecure and Design. Together with Ole Palsby, Kasper created numerous products for Eva Denmark, WMF and others, before starting Norm.

Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen.

Born 1976, graduated as an architect from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2004 and holds a degree in business administration and languages from Copenhagen Business School. Jonas studied art and philosophy in Rome before commencing work as Design Manager for Danish Designer, Ole Palsby, with whom he developed designs for companies such Rosendahl, Alfi and Georg Jensen.

Some of our favorite Norm designs are Milk Lamp, Wine Breather, Low Fat Lamp, Copenhagen Penthouse II, Forest House and especially Fredensborg House.

Milk Lamp

 

Fredensborg House

See all Norm design and architecture here.

2010
10/10
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Designer Chalkboards…

Hudson Paint 100% acrylic Chalkboard is a beautiful, washable finish for creating erasable color chalkboard surfaces. Low odor and easy application over wallboard, wood, plaster, masonite, MDF, primed metal and wood . Keep in mind that the smoother the surface, the easier it is to clean. The Chalkboard paint is available in 24 beautiful colors.

Hudson Paint is sold in a quart size, and covers about 90 to 100 square feet. For example, a quart will cover the door of a fridge several times, but it will take two quarts for two coats on an 8 by 10 wall.

Hudson Paint can easily be applied with a roller, brush or painting pad. Let the paint dry about 2 to 3 hours, depending on weather condition, before recoating, two to three coats are best. Let the final coat dry for a full 24 hours before using as a chalkboard. Prepare your chalkboard by rubbing a piece of chalk over the entire surface and wiping it clean. This will prepare the surface for long lasting wear and tear. This action is not essential, and may not be possible on large surfaces, but will help.

The Chalkboard surface is easy to clean with a damp cloth, or sponge. Not all chalk sticks are the same, some are hard and some contain waxes or oils which make them difficult to erase. Try different brands for best results. Chalk with deep colors contain pure pigment and will leave streaks or shadows when erased, especially on the lighter chalkboard colors.

Hudson Paint Chalkboard available at Vertigo Home.

2010
10/01
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