CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Kartell/Philippe Starck Topiary Garden

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:21 -0700

As part of Milan Design Week 2008, Kartell installed seven 13-foot-tall topiary sculptures depicting a selection of its best known outdoor products at the Triennale Garden in Milan. The super-sized shrubs included a giant Dr. No chair, Victoria Ghost chair, Bubble Club chair, La Boheme stool, and Mr. Impossible chair, all designed by Philippe Starck. Starck announced in March that he will retire in two years, so this foray into the garden serves as a bit of send-off. And, since Starck has expressed shame for driving consumerism and materiality, this is certainly a step in the right direction for him. To see more images of the garden, read more.

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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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Scenes From the Milan International Furniture Fair

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:59 -0700

What I wouldn't give to be in Milan right now! For the next week, if you're lucky enough to be traveling in the area, you should stop by the 48th Milan Furniture Fair, which features the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the Milan Lighting Fair, and the SaloneSatellite, which features creative new talent in the design world. Many designs that I've featured here are featured in the fair, including one of my favorites, Maarten Baas. You can download and print a map of the fair here, or take a virtual tour when you read more.

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This Just In: Arne Jacobsen's Classic Egg Chair Reimagined

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:30:10 -0700

To celebrate 50 years of the iconic Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, artist Tal R has created 50 unique designs of the chair, which were revealed this past week at the furniture fair in Milan. The 50 designs will be exhibited at Galleria Carla Sozzani through April 27, and then will travel to galleries and museums around the world.

The patchwork-quilt Egg chair designs are made from materials collected in such far corners as Istanbul and Denmark. "The whole point was to make a chair that tells a multitude of stories. So the pieces of cloth had to be full of life. It should look a bit as if it was homemade," explains Tal R.

I love this unexpected take on the Egg chair. Are you a fan as well?

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Love It or Hate It? The "Her" Chair

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:00:23 -0700

The "Her" Chair is undeniably feminine in form. Created by Fabio Novembre, the chair was displayed at Milan Design Week 2008. But the question remains: Do you want to rest your booty on something this bootylicious?