DESIGNRO » london design festival

Rybakken’s Tinted Mirror

Georgia Klebleev — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:06:50 +0000

The ideea behind the Tinted Mirror continues one of Daniel Rybakken’s previous concepts as with the Colour-lamp, to make an object that actually consists of several individual objects.
With the Tinted Mirror the coloured glass and the mirror are two completely separated objects, as one is hang on the wall and the other hangs from the ceiling. What links the two parts together is their exact same shape and size and being positioned in the same hight as each other, giving the impression of a three-dimensional object. The shadow rendered on the wall changes through the day depending on the ambient light.

If you find yourself in London these days you can visit the Norwegian Prototypes exhibit in Blackhall Studio, 73a Leonard Street, where the object was first introduced within London Design Festival 2010.

Daniel Rybakken
Norwegian Prototypes

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Light study—by Daniel Rybakken

Mrs. Robinson flies to London

Georgia Klebleev — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:38:51 +0000

Mrs. Robinson and Saddler take on another journey that might permanently change their lives, from Pudelskern’s studio in Austria straight to Mint Shop in London as proud representatives of the designer’s work, during London Design Festival.

Mint is dedicated to showcasing new emerging talents. Nina Mair, Georg Ohler and Horst Philipp were able to catch their attention and ours as well. Coming from architecture and cabinet making, the three share a non academic approach towards furniture design.

The work of Pudelskern combines natural materials with fresh ideas and a narrative approach to design and has attracted a lot of interest worldwide. Stories of sustainability, hand craft tradition or landscape aspects are fluently told through appealing products – intellectual yet playful design. On display at Mint will be two pieces of the current collection presented earlier this year in Milan, the chest of drawers Mrs Robinson and easy chair Saddler.

Mrs Robinson has a white solid body containing six drawers flush with the corpus. No handles break the monochrome front, instead the drawers open with a slight push inwards. On the inside colourful patterns are revealed ranging from pills to domino games or bottles – every drawer has its topic. The patterns are printed on maple wood, giving the inside of the chest a contrast to the outside. On the outside a pattern is used to define four shoe-like pieces on the bottom part of the legs.

Easy chair Saddler‘s predominant expression is made by its leather covered seat and backrest. The parts seem to be plain boards with a three dimensional shaped landscape of leather. A very thin construction of the cross section makes a surprisingly soft experience when sitting down. The naturally tanned leather is shaped in smooth bumps of varying height. The frame of ashwood is contrasting the soft shapes through a sharp edged construction with minimal material use. The quality of handmade cabinet making can be easily recognized noting the artful joints of the frame.

Pudelskern
Mint Shop

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Too much creativity will never do wrong on brands like De La Espada

Cosmina Dinu — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:30 +0000

All poets have recurent themes, all artists have muses and all bloggers obsessions. Is it my latin origin or the rigorously arranged newsletter that brings me back to De La Espada?!
Oh, Lord, give us rain and economical crisis!…This autumn was incredibly full, don’t you think? I was overwhelmed by so many launches, new projects, lay offs, associations and good intentions. People really switch to positive thinking, not just on paper or negociations manuals. And particularily for Europe, there is a genuine work pleasure revival, turning to craft and doing fewer things and better.
One of the places where I would have loved to be this October is London during the Design Festival. I tried to catch up as much as I could through online means but of course, there’s no comparison with actually being on set.
The Portuguese-British brand De La Espada had some very good interventions during the 8 days dedicated to design. They held a series of three exhibitions in East London:
PROCESS: The Modern Workshop which focused on traditional craft in modern design
PRODUCT: which focused on 18 new products and several classics by four collaborating designers
PHILOSOPHY: Seating for Eating welcomed De La Espada’s newest collaboration, Studioilse

PROCESS: The Modern Workshop exhibition
At Tent London, it was presented a rare, behind-the-scenes look at De La Espada manufacture. The exhibition highlighted the relationship between craft and modern design through the presentation of raw materials, components and products.

PRODUCT exhibition
At the A Foundation in Shoreditch, thre were presented 18 new products designed by Autoban, Leif.designpark, Matthew Hilton and Studioilse. A vast, open plan exhibition space allowed the products to exist in their own area, whilst interacting with one another, highlighting the diversity of the products as well as the common ethos they share. The relaxed environment was enhanced each evening with casual drinks and nibbles.
If I were there, I’d take the following tour: I’d start with Matthew Hilton: Fracture Table
Brando SofaMars Table.
In 2008, De La Espada launched a collaboration with one of Britain’s most highly respected designers, Matthew Hilton. Hilton’s designs are understated, sculptural and meticulously detailed, with many already considered design classics. The Matthew Hilton range is designed by Matthew Hilton, and produced under licence by De La Espada. The complementary expertise of the two firms has ensured a furniture range true to Matthew Hilton’s creative vision, as realised through De La Espada’s material options and expert manufacturing.

Gloves put, tank fueled, wheels rolling, we enter the Autoban.Deco Sofa & Pumpkin Table
Holy Table
Wired King
Nest Lounge
The collaboration between Autoban and De La Espada launched at New York’s ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) in 2007. Autoban is an Istanbul-based architecture, interior design and product design studio, founded by Seyhan Özdemir (architect) and Sefer Çaglar (interior architect) in the historic and bohemian district of Galata in 2003. The products, largely made from natural materials, cross boundaries of time and culture and playfully reinterpret the familiar. A selection of designs from Autoban’s ever-growing product portfolio are supported by De La Espada’s manufacture and understanding of solid wood.

Crossing the ocean, I’d wreck on Leif.designpark’s isle :Tone Cabinet
Lin pod Bench
Tone chair
Tone Chair for kids
Leif.designpark, a Japan-based design studio consisting of Takashi Ueno, Mamoru Naito and Keizaburo Honda, has been designing products in a variety of natural materials, with a specific emphasis on wood since 2006. Leif.designpark holds monozukuri- the art of traditional craftsmanship- in high esteem, and values the warm, playful relationship between a product and the user, as well as the comfort of the space where the two enjoy interaction. Their aesthetic is a result of applying monozukuri to the construction of modern designs to give the products a connection to traditional Japanese culture. Since 2007, De La Espada has manufactured and distributed select designs from their portfolio.

Heels kicking, neck twisting and enter into StudioIlse’s teritory:Low Bench & Stools
Settle &Low Bench
De La Espada recently launched a collaboration with renowned London-based design office, Studioilse. Ilse Crawford, principal of Studioilse is a creative director and designer who crosses the worlds of brand creation, interior architecture and products. She is a figurehead for design as a means for change and revitalisation; with a human approach that is emotional and intelligent. As the licensed manufacturer and distributor for Studioilse products, De La Espada will realise her designs through premium materials and expert craftsmanship.

PHILOSOPHY: Seating for EatingThe London Design Festival marked the beginning of our collaboration with Studioilse. Leila’s Shop in Shoreditch housed an installation of the new Studioilse seating collective, allowing visitors to sit on the products while enjoying a meal. A series of Kitchen Table Talks were held on the premises each evening focusing on the link between growing food and community. Speakers included the founder of Aesop, Dennis Paphitis and Tristram Stuart, author of ‘Waste: Uncovering the Global Food Scandal’. The installation remains until 1 November.

You wish you were there too, I know…

De La Espada
Matthew Hilton
Autoban’s
Leif.designpark’s
StudioIlse’s
London Design Festival

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supraNatural wood: Matthew Hilton for De La Espada

Marina’s home sweet home

Donna’s Calendar

Donna’s Calendar

Cosmina Dinu — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:18:47 +0000

Summer moved on…to the autumn’s enthusiastic popping projects. Designers murmur around their stands, concentrated to receiving their guests.
There are so many things to regain in autumn – reading blogs, doing long-term strategies, financial planning, rethinking your home, dusting, knitting or just prepairing for the winter. Authentic “Joie de travailler”! So, lets start with the beginning. Bags packed and bicycles prepaired for London Design Week and Maison et Objet, both in September.
With so many things happening, wake up earlier to keep up the pace. Let’s start with one of the most active (and one of my favorite) designers: Donna Wilson.

The biannual Parisian design fair Maison & Objet will be taking place from the 4th – 8th September and this year, for the first time, Donna Wilson will be in attendance to launch her 2009 Collection. You will find her and her colourful array of creatures and cushions in Hall 5B Stand T44 – U4 (Stand 17) where she will be exhibiting as part of the British Design Group.

Also not to be missed is Donna’s new range of decorative bone china for SCP as well as her Mabel sofa and Frank Henry and Ernest Pouffes on the SCP stand in Hall 5B Stand T28.
Made at a factory in Stoke on Trent with china clay sourced from St Austell in Cornwall, the collection is produced entirely within the UK. The pieces include a mug, teacup and saucer, jug, side plate and a salad bowl, all of which will feature Donna’s inventive, original and decorative artwork.

From the 19th – 27th September, Donna will be presenting new work in three different locations around London so do drop by and see us at one of the following events:
The Dock
As well as being home to Tom Dixon’s new London showroom, the Canal Building at Portobello Dock is also the venue for an event entitled The Dock that will run from the 21st – 27th September throughout Festival. The Dock will be an exhibition of creative talent curated by Tom Dixon and sponsored by Derwent London. Donna has been chosen to take part and will be there to present a colourful display of cosy accessories including all of her new designs for Autumn 2009. Presenting alongside her will be Thorsten Van Elten, Industrial Facility and Very Good and Proper.
The Dock runs from Monday 21st – Sunday 27th September
5th Floor, Canal Building, Portobello Dock, 344 Ladbroke Grove, London W10

Made in Britain at Liberty
Donna Wilson will be launching new designs at Liberty’s Made In Britain show to be unveiled on the 19th September. The exhibition has been curated by the Telegraph’s Design Editor David Nicholls and Head of Home at Liberty, Michelle Alger to showcase the best in British design. Donna will be showing off a new armchair design for SCP named Eadie and also brand new editions of her Frank, Henry and Ernest pouffes in some striking new colourways and exciting new patterns.
Made in Britain runs from Friday 19th – Saturday 26th September
Liberty House, Regent Street, London W1B 5AH

SCP West
After previewing at Maison & Objet, SCP will host the UK launch of Donna’s new range of decorative bone china.
The china will be on display from Saturday 19th – Sunday 27th September
SCP, Westbourne Grove, 87 – 93 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UL

In preparation for chilly Autumn nights Donna Wilson has been busy knitting new scarves, blankets and cushions to help keep out the cold.
You may have already seen Donna’s wintery Mountain Peaks cushions which were introduced earlier this year. Now, just in time for Autumn, the alpine design is available as a mini blanket too.
If a mini blanket isn’t quite substantial, you will be pleased to know that Donna is also working on some new larger blankets. Watch out for large Rainy Day , Blah Blah and Wooly Wood blankets which will all be launched in new colourways very soon.

Also new to Donna’s collection this year is the large floor size Garden cushion. Garden is made from 100% lambswool and available in four colourways.

As well as making accessories for your home Donna has also been working on some new knitted wool scarves to keep your neck cosy. Choose from the Fox, Birdie Walk and Skyscraper walk designs!
And,of course, new funny buddies: Rufus, Bertie & Rosie and Pierre.
All of Donna Wilson’s designs are handmade with love and care in the UK from 100% lambswool allowing the end product to be unique and have its very own character.
…Also! I almost forgot to tell you about the new greetings cards! Donna has made a series of cards that show her colourful creatures up to all kinds of antics! The cards are left blank inside so perfect for any occasion and all available to buy online.

Donna Wilson
Maison et Objet
London Design Festival
SCP
The Dock
Liberty

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Too much creativity will never do wrong on brands like De La Espada

See in the box! – new collection from SCP

Marina’s home sweet home