CasaSugar

Tord Boontje Named Head of Design Products at the Royal College of Art

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:22 -0700

Dutch-born, London-based product designer Tord Boontje is no doubt a force in the design world (and even influences tattoo choices). But, he's about to become a direct influence on a group of budding artists, already talented in their own right. He's been named the successor to Israeli industrial designer and architect Ron Arad as head of Design Products at his alma mater, the Royal College of Art in London. The Royal College is the world’s only wholly postgraduate art and design institution, and also one of the most respected. Don't worry though, he'll maintain his role as director of Studio Tord Boontje; his whimsical, nature-inspired lighting and curtains aren't going anywhere.
To hear what he had to say about upcoming venture and see some of his designs, read more:

I am very excited about my appointment as professor of Design Products at the Royal College of Art. It is a great opportunity to lead and inspire a fantastic group of students, tutors, technicians, and administrative staff. The department has a fantastic pluralistic character, an experimental nature, a culture of innovation, and a very individual approach to student’s development. I am very keen to maintain these qualities and to build further upon them.

Artecnica Come Rain Come Shine Chandelier - Multicolor - $4,950.00	Artecnica - 'second shadow' garden lamps by tord boontje for artecnica - $95.00
Artecnica Midsummer Light - White - $95.00	Moroso Tord Boontje Wall Graphic - $1,380.00
Moroso - shadowly armchair by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $2,832.00	Artecnica - Fairy Tail 6ft greeting cards by Tord Boontje - $9.00
Artecnica - flora garland by tord boontje for artecnica - $5,251.00	Artecnica - thinking of you vase covers by tord boontje for artecnica - $44.00
Moroso - bon bon side table by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $623.00	Artecnica - come rain come shine light by tord boontje - $4,950.00
Swarovski - wall flowers by tord boontje for swarovski - $211.00	Artecnica - midsummer light by tord boontje for artecnica - $56.00
Moroso - tord boontje collection by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $744.00	Artecnica - candle clamps by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $82.00
Artecnica - 'puddles' appliques by tord boontje for artecnica - $15.00	Authentics -table stories - fine porcelain dishes and crystal by tord boontje for authentics - $18.00
Artecnica - tranSglass mirrors by tord boontje for artecnica - $2,200.00	Artecnica -bright times tea light holders by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $32.00
Moroso - nest outdoor chair by tord boontje for moroso of Italy - $699.00	Moroso - closer chaise lounge by tord boontje for moroso of italy - $7,704.00

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Love It or Hate It: Tord Boontje Shadowly Armchair

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:15:00 -0700

Normally I love everything Tord Boontje touches, but I have some reservations about the Shadowly Armchair ($2,832), which he designed for Moroso. This beach chair echoes shapes used in similar chairs in the 1920s, and its plastic thread upholstery will certainly stand up to the elements. Still, I can't help but think Nightmare Before Christmas: Summer Break when I look at it. What's your take?

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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Love It or Hate It? Tord Boontje Transglass Mirror

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:30:48 -0700

Who would have ever thought that Dutch designer Tord Boontje would be inspired to create a mirror based on Guatemalan tribal masks? The Dog Mask Mirror ($2,200) is just that: one big woof of Guatemalan inspiration. I'm a big Boontje fan but I'm kind of thinking there's a reason why the Atlantic separates Europe and Central America; maybe Boontje should consider making some mirrored klompen instead.

Love It or Hate It? Tord Boontje Fig Leaf Wardrobe

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:00:24 -0700

The Tord Boontje Fig Leaf Wardrobe for Meta has doors comprised of 616 hand-painted, enameled copper leaves in 10 shapes and many colors. It opens up to a cast, patinated, bronze coat tree and interior walls lined with hand-dyed and woven silk.It's certainly not as "ready-to-wear" as the other Tord Boontje designs I've written about, but that doesn't make it any less mystical. Very Adam and Eve, right?
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Designer Spotlight: Bjørn Wiinblad

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:00:37 -0700

If you're wondering where Jonathan Adler got his inspiration for his Utopia series, or where Tord Boontje got his taste for saturated colors and fanciful flora, look no further than Danish artist and designer Bjørn Wiinblad. This midcentury ceramic artist set up his own studio in 1952, and continued to reproduce his designs through the 1990s.
Much of his work is inspired by the fairy tales of fellow Dane Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote such well-known stories as The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea. Starting in the 1950s, he produced silver, glass, furniture, and ceramic designs for Rosenthal Porzellan AG, and also designed posters, costume and stage designs, tapestries, and textiles for hotels and restaurants across the world. His work is particularly popular in Japan.

To see more images of his work, and to find out whether or not his work is a good investment, read more.

The good news for you? His work is still undervalued, which means that you can snap up some of his finds at reasonable prices (unlike some other midcentury designers' works), and the value is predicted to continue rising. You can find some of his designs on eBay and from other antique dealers, as well as at Unica Home. I love the childlike joy that's evident in his designs, as well as his unique illustrations of people. Are you a fan, or are these a little too fanciful for you?

View 14 Photos ›

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Love It or Hate It? Tord Boontje Garland Table Lamp

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Tord Boontje's much-loved Garland pendant light reinvents itself as the Garland Table Lamp ($165). The addition of the steel base on this lamp gives it a bit of a tree-like appearance, which works because the garland itself is made up of leaves, flowers, and other botanical bits. And, cool thing, you can tap the base to dim it or turn it on and off. What do you think? Do you love it? Or is the original still your favorite?

Love It or Hate It? Transglass Recycled Vase

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:31 -0700

The Transglass Recycled Vase (starting at $38 each) was designed by Emma Woffenden & Tord Boontje, and is made from recycled wine and beer bottles. Do you love it, or does it look too much like a frat house decorating strategy to you?

Nice and New: Tord Boontje's Ombré Midsummer Light

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:30:36 -0700

By now, you must have seen Tord Boontje's Midsummer Light, yes? I think I can safely say that it, along with several of his other designs, was partially responsible for the laser-cut lace trend that's been going on lately. But Boontje isn't just a trend-setter; he follows the trends as well. He's reinvented his ubiquitous pendant in ombré, a recent trend that's been flaunted all over catwalks and kitchens for months now. Regardless, I'm loving this "fading" (as it's called), and hope to see it in more colors. Let's wait and see if Boontje can work any other fads into this pendant. Maybe he'll make his next one out of birch.
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Steal of the Day: Tord Boontje Until Dawn Curtain

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:09:29 -0800

If you've been reading Casa closely, you probably know that I have a thing for laser-cut lace, animal life, and Tord Boontje's designs. The Tord Boontje Until Dawn Curtain ($69.95, reduced from $99.95) is all of those things rolled up into one, so clearly it caught my eye. It's made of layers of black polyethylene Tyvek and laser-cut into a lacey pop pattern of flora and fauna. It can be used as a traditional curtain (with loops for hanging), as a room divider, or just as something pretty to rest your eyes on. It's also tear, temperature, and water resistant. Dare I say you can take it anywhere?