SELECTED | The best of design from Barcelona

If you have been following the blog, you will remember my earlier post about the first Barcelona Mercado Condal del Diseño, an event created to approach design to the wide public. The Design Market, the first of his genre, took place in the jungle-like location of the Palo Alto foundation in Poblenou, here in Barcelona (check the post here). And I promised you last Monday, here it is the selection of my favourite products.

I have to say I was very impressed by the selection and its international aesthetics: though all the designers here are Spanish and their products made in the country, you will agree with me their story - as a fusion of concept and form - goes beyond the national boundaries. So it is for Branches, a collection of salt&pepper shakers inspired by nature and available in several selected colours (above, hold by Raúl Durà).

Branches is a design by the Valencia-based studio La Mamba for their brand Omelette, whose Mirrors series has been showcased in magazines like RUM, Wallpaper and Case da Abitare or selected by the best design shops, like Lotta Agaton Shop in Stockholm. 

I loved the concept behind Branches, simple and functional, the materials and its natural and pastels tones. I am happy to say the wood&black version is now at home with us.

More Nordic inspiration was to be found in Enola cabinets, created by Javier and Laura, previously an engineer that decided to move to design as a way to express their passion for Scandinavian design and well done, affordable furniture (above, on the left).

Another beautiful encounter was the one I had with Ana Roquero, the designer behind Jomon. Ana felt the worldwide fame of Spanish chefs was not mirrored in the tableware design and decide to work with them to create Jomon. The shape is pure, essential and natural and you will agree with a Japanese atmosphere but, actually, the shape comes directly from the tradition of the Basque countries, where Ana Roquero comes from and home to some of the most outstanding chefs in the international scene (above, on the right).

Would you have been able to resist to this sensual piece? I was not so they came home with me.

But I think ceramics was the medium with the higher presence, from jewellery to natural and geometrical bowls and sculpture. Above, the irresistible necklaces by talented Julieta Alvarez, in the hands of Gudy from Eclectic Trends (later on around Gudy's neck!).  

Check her web to see more pieces, all available for sale.

Another outstanding piece was the sculpture by Paco Orti in the image below. The presentation of his work was outstanding and, in fact, won the prize from the jury.

Last but not least, Aparentment. As soon as I saw the brass mirror on the Carrara marble stand, I knew I had seen this before. In fact, Josep Vila Capdevila was one of the young designer that presented their work in the Greenhouse, during the last Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair (check more here). It was a real pleasure to meet Josep and listen his story and passion for essential design. The mirror was the piece that caught the most my attention but you can see more of Aparentment works here.

I hope you enjoyed the little tour! All images © facing north with gracia

Milan Design Week 2014 | A first selection

The Milan Design Week 2014  is officially opened and it looks is going to be great. Here it is a first selection of designs launched for the occasion. 

Assemblage by Faye Toogood moves from the angular and straight line to round corners and fat appearance. The swift was influenced by the designer's recent pregnancy and motherhood. All the products are made out of fiberglass, a reminder of Eames' iconic chairs. Also, Markus Johansson's new sofa named Coquille,  after the French word for "shell". Glass and Carrara marbles are the materials used by Lee Broom for his On the Rock glasses collection, one of my favourites so far. Then, Japanese Nendo with the furniture collection designed for Italian brand Glasitalia: the furniture is produced out of  rectangular sheets of glass finished with layers of paint in blue, grey and beige hues. The last object is part of the Chinese Zisha Tea Project. 

Salone del Mobile | Brdr. Krüger in Milan

The biggest event in the design world is about to start: next Tuesday, April the 8th, the 2014 edition of the Salone del Mobile will open its doors in Milan. There is always a very special excitment and great expectation around the Milan Design Week and the most difficult part is usually to be able to pick the best companies to visit. 

Anyone passionate for Scandinavian design should not miss to visit Brdr. Krüger booth at the DANISH LIVINGroom at Salone del Mobile International. Brdr. Krüger was founded by brothers Theodor and Ferdinand 125 years ago and, still, it is a family run and owned business completely dedicated to its passion for  high-quality woodcraft. 

Widely known for their production of design classics designed by  Hans Bølling and Nanna Ditzel, Brdr. Krüger will take a new step and present two products during the upcoming Salone del Mobile: the Ferdinand chair designed by Copenhagen-based design studio OEO and the Lune Lamp, by Norwegian designer Sverre Uhnger. The high-quality craftmanship, that the company is famous for, is revealed in the productions of both new products while embrancing modern technology. 

The Lune lamp is a great example of it. Inspired by the wood-turned object (the sphere), it reveals a tactile and welcoming feeling and makes a perfect fit for any home. It is available in three finishings: smoked oak, linseed oil-treated oak and soap-treated oak, the last one being my favourite.

In the Ferdinand chair we find the same great passion and woodcraft ability that charactherized the Lune lamp and Brdr. Krüger production - the famous Wooden Monkey designed by Kay Bojesen is produced by the company since 1992. The piece sculptural appearance, especially of its backrest, is enhanced by the the soaped-oak finish that gives the piece a very domestic and honest touch. 

We could stay in front of two new design icons of  Scandinavian design. So, if you are in Milan next week, take a chance to go and feel these two great pieces. Brdr. Krüger the Danish Livingroom in Hall 10, Stand B03.

All images Brdr. Krüger.

Interior trends 2014 / Storage systems

One of the main threads at Stockholm Furniture Fair was the new high quality but affordable storage solutions. These systems are all characterized by modularity, variation and adaptability and mirror our society's strong need for flexible solutions and customization.

Menu Stick system is a good example of this. The designer embraces the characteristic "soft minimalism" of the Danish company in the simple but not simplistic details and finishings and creates a system that can be easily expanded at our will or need. 

At the fair, Danish design brand By Lassen presented their flexible storage solution Frame. Originally inspired by a sketch by Mogens Lassen that dates back to 1943, the modules are extremely versatile. They can be used as storage boxes for small objects, stacked together on the floor or hung directly on the wall creating a sort of sculpture. And, as Igor from Happy Interior blog pointed out here, the colour palette is very balanced and well composed for design savvy eyes.

 

I cannot help mentioning the iconic Scandinavian brand String, that presented their new bowl shelf. The bowls, in white ABS plastic and divided in 3 compartments, are waterproof.  They have now become a new favourite for organising small stuff in the kitchen, bathroom or in the office. We also had a chance to see the String Plex that we discovered was designed by the founder only four years after the classic system. The idea was extremely new at the time as the designer used perspex (plexiglass), a material coming from Germany. The only change carried out to the original Plex is that, nowadays, the panels are laser cut.

For more insights from our Stockholm Bloggers Tour, please check here. All pictures by Riikka Kantinkoski / Weekday Carnival 

Interior trends 2014 / Lighting

Today I want to share with you some of my favourite lighting elements from the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair, starting with the Volume lamp designed by GamFratesi for Lightyears (above here). The table lamp was inspired by the old stereo amplifiers in the mechanical gesture of the button rotation that reminds of the increasing or decreasing of the volume.

At the fair, I also had the chance to see the Ascent lamp designed by Daniel Ribakken for Luceplan. The lamp was presented last year at Euroluce in Milan and was a real success. Also, from the same company and designer, the Counterbalance lamp (below).

The GM Pendant by Menu.

 

Brass Mass Light by Norm Architects above In Between chair for &Tradition.

 

From the Greenhouse area dedicated to the young designers.

My favourite object at the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair was the Noidoi lamp, in the Greenhouse area (the new talents). Designed by a Norwegian-Romanian company,  it's a sculpture-like element that adapts to the different lighting needs. In fact, the different facets of its base serves to orientate the lighting in different direction, therefore adapting to different needs. (above). Finally, the Pirouette Table Lamp by Studio Baag Milano. This draws its inspiration from old-fashioned spinning top and its whirling movement. Available in ash, oak or walnut wood with brass details or a playful striped-marble version (below).

Tomorrow Interior Trends 2014: Storage systems.

Stockholm Bloggers Tour // All pictures by Riikka Kantinkoski / Weekday Carnival.

PLACES | Asplund selection

I'm back from Stockholm and have now some time to share with you part of the beautiful things we saw during our Design Bloggers Tour. It was an amazing experience in toto: the Swedish capital is so vibrant and, surely, we had the chance of visiting during one of the best moments because of the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair and the Design Week.

One of the things I loved most was we could actually meet the "minds" behind some of the companies I heart and, luckily, the designers behind some of my favourite objects. This was the case during our visit at Asplund, one of the most fascinating interior stores in town. Here, before relaxing with a delicious Turkish dinner, we were given a tour by two of the studios that collaborate with them.

Having a piece explained by the very voice of its creator is something extremely interesting for many reasons: the designer guides you through his/her intellectual journey; explains how the primeval idea interacts with the production of the object and how this can sometime change the final output. Also, we could understand why that specific combination of materials was chosen and, something "outsiders" always forget, the fundamental exchange and interaction with the commissioner.

Johan Ridderstråle of the award-winning studio Broberg&Ridderstråle talked to us about the products they developed with Asplund, such as the Luc storage system and their rugs for the Capture by Nature collection, as well as about the Tati series. One of my favourites, Tati combines the elegant simplicity - in the core of Asplund selection - with the possibility of personalizing the object in many ways through the different materials and frame finishings. Infact, the frames are made of lacquered metal and the tabletops are available in wood, leather, metal, Carrara marble or slate. This series consists of a nest of tables — coffee table, side table and vanity table — all of which slide together beautifully. There is also a clothes hanger - perfect as a display in a store or for the intimate selection of our favourite items at home. A big table has been added recently and new products could be added in the next future. Broberg&Ridderstråle's work is very recognizable for the rational approach and the witty twist they always give to their designs (Leaf Lamp for Muuto is an example of this). Nevertheless, their production is characterized by great elegance and a particular emotional patina.

It was a beautiful experience to be surrounded by a quintessence of Scandinavian beauty and a striking selection of international pieces, like Issei Miyake Mendori lamp for Artemide, Martin Margiela's objects, Pallucco Mini in white, just to name some. Asplund is surely a must-visit for anyone planning to visit Stockholm.

For more insights from our Stockholm Bloggers Tour, please check here. All pictures by Riikka Kantinkoski / Weekday Carnival