Blog Break: Mexico or Milan?

I thought about packing my laptop or pre-loading some posts, but nope - I'm going on vacation and I'm taking a blog break. If I can't be in Milan, I'll take Mexico. Plenty of show coverage at MoCo Loco though, and lots of nice links to the left. See you in two weeks.

Joris Laarman WirePod

Joris Laarman, (of famed radiator design), has taken his curlique, twisting vine motif to the floor with WirePod, a multi-plug power outlet. Manufactured by Artenica. (via dezeen)

Still: Reinier Korstanje

The OKES lifestyle bike is another piece on display at the Design Academy Eindhoven exhibit. This oak frame beauty was made by Reinier Korstanje. Photo by Rene van der Hulst.

Still: Eindhoven in Milan

Students from the Design Academy Eindhoven will be taking part in an exhibition called Still during this year's Milan Furniture Fair. This piece, called 'Waterevaporation', is by Hanneke Guerts vanKessel. I love futuristic-looking plant orbs!

More Meta: Barber Osgerby

Here are a few more pieces from the upcoming Meta exhibition in Milan. The British design team Barber Osgerby teamed up with master glass blowers in Venice to create the lovely 'Cupola' reading table (top). Also on display is their 'Cidade' collection (below). (photos via Dezeen)

Makkum Flower Pyramid Preview

Though ICFF always has a few interesting pieces, the Milan Furniture Fair and it's related shows are really where it's at. This year seems to be no exception as the initial sneak peek photos from Milan have begun to drift out. Over the next few days I'll highlight the best of what I can find coming in from the various exhibitions.

One of the shows that looks particularly intriguing is Meta, a collection of work that brings together designers, master craftspeople and top line materials. Meta is billing itself as, "the antithesis of machine-age production." In it, designers have been given full access to work with these skilled artisans to make one of a kind, or limited edition, handcrafted masterpieces.

As part of the exhibition Royal Tichelaar Makkum, a centuries old ceramics company, has teamed up with a group of Dutch designers to re-create 17th century flower pyramids. The company invited Jurgen Bey, Studio Job, Hella Jongerius and Alexander von Slobbe to work with their in-house artisans to create contemporary versions of the centuries old model. The top image is an original 17th century Delft pyramid restored by Makkum, the middle shows a close-up of Jurgen Bey's piece and the bottom is a wax model of the pyramid Studio Job created. The exhibition has not opened yet, but once it does I will share more photos.

The inside scoop is that Murray Moss has booked these pieces to be in his SoHo gallery in May. So perhaps ICFF will be exciting after all...even if it is due to second servings from Milan. (photos from the International Herald Tribune)

Nobody & Co: Missing

'Missing', a collection of seven chairs by Nobody & Co, will be on display as part of this year's Fuori Salone in Milan.

Rotario Glass in Motion

The Rotario 'Glass in Motion' by Angelika Rümmele promises never to tip. It may swivel and roll, but rest assured your beverage will be secure.

Vahakn Matossian

Vahakn Matossian is one of the young designers presenting at this year's designersblock in Milan. Above are his 'Crucifix' power strip and 'Boomboy' loudspeaker. I wonder if Boomboy is inspired by the Kidrobot Munny - they look similar and both are oh so cute.

Lina Meier: Ollo Eatingware

Ollo Eatingware by Lina Meier was created for the increasing number of people who eat their meals in front of the TV. The bowl was designed with an insulated layer to protect the hand that cradles it and along with special stay-put curved cutlery. Ollo even has it's own little cup rest so you never have to reach for your glass again. Despite the fact Meier specifically calls Ollo eatingware, not tableware, that's the category I have and thus it shall be filed. Sorry Lina.

Tamsin van Essen

Ceramics designer Tamsin van Essen's 'Medical Heirloom' series consists of apothecary jars that, "appear to have been affected by various hereditary diseases – osteoporosis (top), psoriasis, acne (bottom), cancer, syphilis. As heirlooms, the jars can be passed down through the generations of a family in the same way as the medical conditions: a legacy of ill health". Nice way to start your Monday morning.

Cecile Belmont

Sometimes I get very reluctant about posting certain items on designklub because I feel like part of their charm is the discovery of such a wonderfully crafted thing. Cecile Belmont is one such designer whose clothing, textiles and art falls into this category. Her imagery is crisp, refreshing...and was recently shared here so I don't have to feel bad about spreading the word.

Monique Goossens

Interesting ceramic work by Danish designer Monique Goossens. The mix of materials on the top right cup is particularly nice. (via designboom)

Top Floor

Rugs don't come up too often on designklub...probably because they're not that interesting. However, 'Esquire' by Esti Barnes for Top Floor caught my eye - I can't quite tell if the crinkle effect is a trick of shading or if the rug is actually textured - I hope the latter is the case.

Pecha Kucha Night Vol. 1

Thanks to everyone who came out to the first Pecha Kucha Night in Denver on Friday! About 150 folks showed up to hear presentations on everything ranging from design theories to obituaries and ceramic design to one man's love of pi. The next event will be Monday, July 14th - if you are interested in sharing your creative project at the next PKN, email your name, contact info and topic idea to pechakuchadenver (at) gmail (dot) com.

Takashi Iwasaki

Takashi Iwasaki is one my favorite artists right now. The Japanese born designer works with a variety of media ranging from acrylics to paper collages, but it's his delicate embroidery pieces that won my heart. The intricately sewn canvases are like a mix of Kandinsky meets the Yellow Submarine - beautiful work.

Moleskine Love

Take your Moleskine devotion to a whole new level with these snappy laser engraved covers. Choose from an impressive array of artist designed tops or upload your own work. For a mere $25 (and up) you can prove you're king of the neighborhood design nerds.

Voon Wong & Benson Saw

I love this installation by Voon Wong and Benson Saw (designers of the lovely Setcast collection). Made from polystyrene cups, it was commissioned for the opening of Space, a new design shop in Kuala Lumpur. (via dezeen)

Denis Oh

True, Denis Oh's 'Maintain the Balance of Your Knowledge' shelving system may take up a lot of space, but these things are usually worth it when the result is interactive furniture. One can tip the balance of the unit by the placement of objects on the shelf or sliding the counter balances below. Probably best for books...and not your heirloom china.

Boca do Lobo: Mondrian

Portuguese designers Boca do Lobo created the sleek 'Mondrian' as part of their Large Emotion collection. Limited edition of 20 pieces.

Hyock Kwon

'Tree House My House' is a shelving unit with a simple twist. Designer Hyock Kwon added a step ladder that not only leads to the books, but also a small chair, allowing the user to get a whole new view.

Sarah Thirlwell

Designer Sarah Thirwell's pieces are a beautiful mixture of acrylic and wood. Above are her 'Droplet' vases and ash wood bowls.

Pecha Kucha Night: Denver

I am so happy to finally be able to post some information about a project Angela Schwab and I have been working on - bringing the very first Pecha Kucha Night to Denver. For those unfamiliar with the format, Pecha Kucha is basically an opportunity for creative people to share their creative projects with the world. Or at least, in this case, Denver.

The format is simple. The topic is open. Each presenter gets 20 slides, timed for 20 seconds each. Highlighting everything from professional work to personal hobbies and collections, these evenings are PowerPoint meets Variety Show and they are currently being hosted all over the globe. Started by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo, Pecha Kucha Night is a way for creatives of all types to share and network in a concise, exciting, rapid-fire format.

Our first Pecha Kucha Night will take place Friday, March 28th at Buntport Theater in Denver. Doors open at 8 PM, program starts at 8:20 (20:20) PM. $5 suggested donation at the door. The line-up for this first one is awesome - we'll have people talking about everything from obituaries to design theories. Whoa is right.

So come be entertained and informed...and next time sign up to do your own show and tell.

Benta Plates

This is really exciting! Angela Schwab, local Denverite and friend, just released the dinner plate she designed for Umbra. The BENTA plate has a curved edge, allowing you to push the food up onto your fork. Genius. Congratulations Angela - stay tuned for another exciting announcement today on a project Angela and I have been working on. Now go forth and buy your BENTA here.

Stephane de Sousa

Designklub reader and friend, Bob, was the inspiration behind the David Restorick post below - he had mentioned he'd found an interesting bedside table and it reminded me of Restorick's work. Here is Bob's addition: the Habitual table by Stephane de Sousa. Another nice option, although I'd like it in a brighter color. Thanks Bob!

Total Trattoria

I have a particular fondness for projects where a designer doesn't just create a single product, but rather a complete environment - because all design should share a story. London-based Martino Gamper has accomplished this in fine style with his 'Total Trattoria' installation at the Aram Gallery. Conceived as a dining room for 25 guests, Gamper designed every aspect of the exhibit, from the furniture to the coasters. The table alone is beautiful - it's made from remnants of school laboratory desks, church benches and poplar from the London Patent Office. (via dezeen)

David Restorick

I was just talking with some friends this weekend about good bedsides tables. I, admittedly, am one of those horrid people who forgo bookmarks (and all common decency) to mark my place by folding the pages of my books. Luckily, David Restorick has come up with the 'Bookhouse' just for hopeless souls like me. Simply lay your book over the ridge to keep your spot. Restorick has several other nice pieces on his flickr album, including the 'Office Tidy' table above, which has hidden built-in shelving.

Giancarlo Mazzanti

Faceted lights, now faceted buildings. Architect Giancarlo Mazzanti designed these three structures to resemble enormous boulders atop the hillside town of Medellin, Columbia. The buildings house a library, community center and cultural events space. (via plataforma arquitectura)

Gomitolo Clock

Found this sneak peek of Diamantini & Domeniconi's 'Gomitolo' clock for the 2008 Salone del Mobile at yatzer. A hand knit cotton clock is a sight to behold.