CasaSugar

Nice and New: Tord Boontje Crystal Ice Furniture

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:00:49 -0800

Renowned tech-meets-folk product designer Tord Boontje debuted his new Crystal Ice furniture collection for Swarovski at the Maison et Objet trade show in Paris last month. The range includes three designs (a bench, table, and stool) which use densely wrapped crystals to create an illusion of floating icicles. If the words "winter wonderland" could ever translate to interior furnishings, he's pulled it off. The collection is completely stunning - almost (almost) too precious to own.Boontje wasn't alone in creating the Swarovski Crystal Palace; among others, Tom Dixon created a suspended virtual sphere out of crystals and Belgian architect Vincent van Duysen took home an award for his opulent 10-foot chandelier made from cascading crystals. It's not even Valentine's Day yet, but I'm definitely in love.
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This Just In: Tom Dixon Makes Foray Into Fashion

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:30:07 -0700

British industrial designer and head of design at Finnish company Artek Tom Dixon, who has been designing furniture for 30-some years, and whose lighting designs are all the rage, has decided to channel his design talents into the world of fashion. A new bimonthly fashion digest magazine, Distill, targeted towards creative professionals, launched on Monday, and Dixon is on the editorial board for the next issue, according to Design Week. The new glossy is published by Craft Publishing. Along with Dixon, the editorial board will be composed of fashion designer Giles Deacon, Design Museum director Dejan Sudjic, fashion designer Matthew Williamson, and Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet. The first issue showcases the work of about 25 global fashion and style magazines.

For details, read more.

While this new read may be up Fab’s alley, I am certainly curious about it as well, as it seems to be a departure for furnishing-focused Dixon. Distill creative and publishing director Lockwood explains that the new publication “is about the way fashion is presented globally.” “Fashion is an important visual stimulus and inspiration to the creative sector as a whole, which is why we have recruited designers from a range of disciplines to sit on the editorial board,” he explains. There’s certainly an overlap in trends where fashion and interiors are concerned, especially in textiles, so it’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for this new pub.
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Nice and New: Tom Dixon's 2008 Collection

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:30:03 -0700

British designer Tom Dixon, who brought you one of my August Must-Haves, has unveiled his 2008 collection, a range of new lighting and furniture, which was on show until yesterday at Superstudio Più in Milan during the Milan Design Week. Some of his new works include his Slab Bench and Chairs, as well as additions to his Copper and Mirrorball collections. The collection, called A Bit of Rough, derives from "a British colloquial saying that typifies down-to-earth characteristics and a straight talking, devoid of affectation attitude." I'm loving the Mirror Ball newly configured as "an array of various sized balls, tightly held in place with robust, industrial strength clamps creating an extraordinary sculptural interior lighting 'tree.'"

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Crave Worthy: Design Within Reach Airstream Trailer

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:34:05 -0700

Although I don't suspect most of you are hunting for an Airstream trailer, I had to share this Design Within Reach model ($49,066) because there's no other way to describe it than Crave Worthy.

In 2000, architect-designer Chris Deam gutted a vintage trailer to create a booth for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, and DWR contacted Deam about creating a special edition trailer for their customers. The result is a 100% outfitted vehicle, with a light and airy interior made of the most durable materials. DWR equipped the galley with top-notch amenities like an Elkay faucet, recessed halogen lights, eco-friendly flooring, glossy overhead lockers, custom aluminum window treatments, and a Sony sound system. It is also dressed with modern DWR décor accents like a Nelson ball clock ($300), Heller dinnerware ($60), a Tom Dixon Wire Coatrack ($300), and Tripolina chairs ($400).

Even the most steadfast indoorswoman can appreciate the beauty of this updated icon. It could be a perfect hideaway from a busy life, stationary or on the road—if you can afford it.

Steal of the Day: Eclipse Pendant Lamp

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:28:44 -0700

Thanks to a suggestion from alltherage, we've decided to begin a new feature called Steal of the Day. While our Crave Worthy products do have us salivating at the mouth, we understand that they often inhabit a price range very distant from what we can afford to pay. So, we wanted to alert you to some products that you won't only covet, but can actually own without breaking the bank.

I'm super excited about our first Steal of the Day, and I think you will be too. I spotted these Eclipse Pendant Lamps from CB2 for only $19.95. They shine in both the glossy white and silver finishes, and resemble the Tom Dixon Copper Shade Pendants ($450) we posted about in August. Their spherical shape also parallels the pink one ($241) in our Midday Muse last week. Regardless of who or what they mimic, they're understated and versatile, and would look fabulous in any home. Plus—20 bucks for a lamp is practically unheard of!

This Just In: Tom Dixon's Great Light Giveaway

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:15:04 -0700

I love the stunning mod light fixtures designed by Tom Dixon; his Copper Shade Pendant even made it onto my list of August Must Haves. And I especially love that the lighting designer is promoting the use of low-energy compact fluorescent bulbs.

I just read about this event called the Great Light Giveaway, where Dixon has created an art installation featuring 500 "Blow" lights equipped with CFLs in London's Trafalgar Square. As if the pure beauty of this installation weren't admirable enough, Dixon is also giving away 1,000 of the lamps today starting at 5 p.m. London time, on a first-come first-served basis.

Any Londoners planning on going to the event? If not, would you check it out if you lived nearby?

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:00:02 -0700

The Derby may be over, but you can still dress your furniture in seersucker.- Style Court
Learn to unclutter your home to prepare for disaster.- Simply Stated
A charming paper feather wreath tutorial is just the thing to fly you through Spring.- Poppytalk
Hear what lighting designer Tom Dixon has to say about drinking champagne.- MoCo Loco
Swoon over these glossy-coated orchid paintings.- Design MIlk
Make a custom tablecloth using mushrooms and potatoes.- AT:LA
How about some DIY projects to share with Mom?- Charles & Hudson

Desire/Acquire: Copper Pendant Light

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:00:19 -0700

Designed in 1968 by Italian architect and designer Roberto Menghi, the Globo di Luce Pendant ($813-$1,170) is as captivating as it was 40 years ago. Blown glass defines the globe's shape, a transparent cable gives it the appearance of floating mid air, and its copper finish gives off a rich, warm light. It's practically solar. Unfortunately, its price tag is out of this world (for most) as well. Luckily, there's a more affordable alternative that's equally spellbinding. To see it, read more.

The Copper Shade Pendant ($495) by Tom Dixon, which received its share of fanfare when it hit stores in 2007, is the spitting image of the Globo - but it sells for half the price of the original. Yes, it's still a splurge. On the other hand, it hasn't gone out of style in 40 years, so that helps to justify the expense.

Found It! Copper Pendant Light

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:00:49 -0800

I spotted this photo in the portfolio of Swedish interior stylist Jakob Solgren and couldn't help but think the central copper pendant light looked quite familiar. It makes a very bold, masculine statement in the nearly all-white, very Scandinavian room, so it was hard to ignore. But where had I seen it before? To find out, read more.

It's the Tom Dixon Copper Shade Pendant ($495), which I featured as a must have way back in August 2007. A year and a half later, it's still a crave-worthy piece. Do you approve?
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CasaSugar's 10 Favorite Products of 2008

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:44 -0800

This year certainly provided me with a glut of great design finds! From fabulous new wallpaper designs to gorgeous seating options, I was awash in a sea of interior design fabulous. I was particularly in love with the new lighting designs in Tom Dixon's 2008 collection. To see nine other products I love, check out the slideshow. Source

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