All posts filed under: Things for Decorating

3.2.1 Glassware Collection for Kontextür by Jeff Miller

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These handblown and hand-etched Czech crystal decanters and tumblers, designed by New York City-based designer Jeff Miller for Kontextür, would make a good (and luxe) holiday gift for anyone that equally appreciates good liquor and good design. The decanters (available in 32 fl. oz and 16 fl. oz sizes) feature a triangular base and a large mouth for smooth pouring. The decanter’s stopper, along with the tumblers, are encircled by etched bands. Retailing for $400 for the decanters (either size) and $400 for each set of four glasses (tall or short) these are pieces you should really only take out when you are drinking the good stuff.

Hanagasumi Series of Cherry Bark Tableware

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The Hanagasumi series of tableware, from the Monochro design studio, is made of cherry bark in a 200-year-old craft technique that originated in Kakunodate, Japan. The series includes the square-shaped Hanagusumi tray, a matching moisture-proof box, wooden teacups, and canisters that are suitable for preserving tea leaves and coffee beans. I like the version with the colorful bands on the canisters and cups — a grouping of these on a shelf would look so serene.

Camome Collection from DANIEL

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Camome is a collection of solid wood furniture and design accessories from the Yokohama- based furniture manufacturer DANIEL. The manufacturer uses wood from timbers from fallen trees and forest thinning, as well as rejects from production. My favorite in the collection, which I saw during the London Design Festival in September, is the Wood Crown Basket. The basket’s circular spoke design was inspired by the splash made by a drop of milk. The baskets come in two sizes and are made of birch wood with a clear lacquer finish. Another accessory in the collection is the Kii key holder made of solid wood from fallen tress and brass. The shape, made by traditional turnery techniques, is designed to fit well in the palm of the hand. All images courtesy DANIEL.

Accessories from the Chilean Design Studio bravo!

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The Chilean design studio bravo! combines local Legna wood, copper, and bronze to create a line of elegant handcrafted accessories, including coat hooks, candlestick holders, and containers. In addition to their product design work, the Santiago-based studio also designs architectural interiors. I like how a grouping of mushroom-capped coat hooks, made of wood and bronze, transforms a wall into an art installation. All images courtesy bravo!

Memories USB Collection

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I met Vanessa Redondo during the London Design Festival, where she was displaying her Memories collection of ceramic building-shaped USB sticks. Redondo, an architect and designer, was born in Caracas, Venezuela and currently lives in Madrid. She began her career as an architect and graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in 2010, after which she studied photography and design at the Instituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Spain. Inspired by the city of Caracas, her Memories collection of USB sticks are an amalgamation of her studies. The green and cream ceramic pieces mimic skyscrapers and small buildings to form a little cityscape on the wooden base. The concept, says Redondo, is to be able to organize important life events and keep them within reach. “Nowadays we’ve become more digital…we load information in computers and are no longer aware of it, we accumulate for no reason,” she writes. Her collection of USB memory sticks are an attempt to bring value back to this common digital storage tool. “In the end…it has become a delicate piece with …

London Cube Co

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I spotted these whimsical wooden cubes from London Cube Co at the 100% Design show in London last month. Claretta Pierantozzi established her design shop in 2013 after graduating from the Architectural Association and having worked for top architecture firms including Foster+Partners, Heatherwick studio, and David Chipperfield architects. Handcrafted in Shoreditch, these oversized versions of the alphabet block can be used as stools, side tables, shelves, or design objects.  In addition to letters, the cubes can feature illustrations from children’s books or entomological plates. The custom cubes are made to order from techniques including silk screening, letterpressing, laser cutting, and CNC milling, along with hand-crafted labor. The cubes feature frames, fretwork, and plates in birch plywood, white oak, or black walnut and come in two sizes, 17.3”-square or 8.7”-square. Though decorative, these pieces aren’t flimsy. Depending on the size and style, they can weigh from 4 to 30 pounds. This type of quality doesn’t come cheap however, and prices start at £340.