BLOG : INDUSTRIAL & FURNITURE DESIGN

Paul Smith for Stelton

By Tom Ran

Published: February 19, 2010 under Industrial & Furniture Design

Add Colour - Bright group by Paul Smith for Stelton

Photo: Stelton

Stelton is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by commissioning Paul Smith to reinterpret their Cylinda Line. Originally designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1967, the elegant ensemble is timelessly executed. Nonetheless, Paul Smith was able to add his signature flare to the line by incorporating color and playfulness to the otherwise cold and austere collection. The result is a reinterpretation to the series. The black handles are replaced with bright, muted, and pastel colors while a new line called Dot consisting of various sized stainless steel bowls are included. To top off the series, Smith’s personal quotes have been etched into the bar accessories. This ultra luxurious line will most likely be displayed rather than used in any household. Paul Smith added his own notes about the series on his blog. More photos after the jump. via Henricks Tankar

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Neo-Utility

By Tom Ran

Published: January 28, 2010 under Industrial & Furniture Design

Anything's stationery colleciton

Photo: Anything

After working at Vitra and Areaware, Kip Kotzen started his own company, Neo-Utility, to assists with distribution and brand strategy for independent product design companies from around the world. The products Neo-Utility represent range from the functional to the decorative. We first came across one of Kotzen’s clients while visiting Brooklyn’s Matter, drawn to the strikingly simple yet bold colored staplers and stationery supplies, manufactured by Anything – a design duo operating out of Osaka and London. Then last fall we read Monica Khemsurov’s entry in T Magazine on Miller Goodman’s PlayShapes. The colorful wooden block toys are reminiscent of Naef’s classic designs that even adults can appreciate. Neo-Utility runs a tight ship and is currently only working with eight companies. We look forward to seeing more.

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Blu Dot Real Good Experiment

By Tom Ran

Published: December 17, 2009 under Industrial & Furniture Design

Blu Dot Real Good Experiment

Photo: Blu Dot

Last month Blu Dot dropped off 25 of their Real Good Chairs throughout New York City over two days. They announced its location on twitter and tracked several of them using a gps. The chairs were picked up in a matter of moments. The unsuspecting individuals were being watched and documented from a distance. Watch the results in this wonderfully produced short.

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Vitsœ New York

By Tom Ran

Published: November 11, 2009 under Industrial & Furniture Design

Vitsœ New York

Photo: Courtesy of Vitsœ

“Living better, with less, that last longer” is Vitsœ’s motto. For more than 50 years, the company has been producing the popular 606 shelving system designed by Dieter Rams. Very little has changed, if any, since its inception. The company does it well and continues this tradition. For the better part of this decade the only place that offered the system in the U.S. was Moss, until now. Vitsœ recently opened its store on Bond Street, directly across from the Herzog & de Meuron designed condominiums. Along with the shelving system, the showroom is furnished with Vitsœ’s 620 chairs and elegantly accented with vintage Braun radios and Memphis lamps.

More photos after the jump.

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Annual Vitra Sample Sale

By Aaron Carambula

Published: October 1, 2009 under Industrial & Furniture Design

It’s that time of year again. This weekend is Vitra’s annual sample sale, boasting up to 75% off of furniture, lighting, and accessories as well as hourly raffles.

October 3 & 4
10am to 5pm
The Vitra Store
29 Ninth Avenue btwn 13th & 14th

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Quarter Round Series by Christopher Kurtz

By Tom Ran

Published: September 22, 2009 under Industrial & Furniture Design

Quarter Round Armchair

Photo: Christopher Kurtz

Artware Editions, will host a reception next Tuesday for our good friend Christopher Kurtz. They will be introducing his Quarter Round series, a collection of furniture that includes an armchair, side chair, stool, bar stool and counter stool. Each piece is hand made by Kurtz in his studio upstate. With his expertise in woodwork, he has been able to find the sweet spot between art and commerce first with his wonderfully delicate wooden sculptures and now with his finely crafted furniture. Reception is next Tuesday, September 29th from 5:30-8pm.

Artware Editions
327 West 11th Street
(between Greenwich Street and Washington Street)

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FEATURES

Billykirk Studio Visit

By Tom Ran
Chris and Kirk Bray of Billykirk

Photo: Rose Callahan

Billykirk’s studio is surrounded by things, equipments, flat files, paintings, photos, and memories.

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By Loft Visit

By Shawn Kelly as told by Sarah Williams
Before - Piero Lissoni for Living Divani - Softwall Sofa, Box series chairs and Metro2 table, Ile side table.<br> Vintage and Flea market accessory pieces. Lighting by Flos.

Photo: Jordan Provost © 2009

Anyone with a design fetish in New York City dreams of a cavernous loft space to create endless compositions of beautifully designed furniture punctuated with rare artifacts, and the luxury…

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Life of a Personal Chef

By Maggie Shi
Left: Jill Donenfeld Right: Whiskey Prawn Skewers w/Tomato Curry

Photo: Left: Jill Donenfeld Right: Melissa Ricketts

It sounds like an idyllic life—cooking inventive meals in private homes, working flexible hours, spending your days shopping at the greenmarket, and getting paid to do it all.

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