By Robert Monk, on May 14th, 2013
Maps can hold an endless fascination for those of us who have a love of geography and travel. The wonder of examining different lands and decoding the measurements and symbols present in geometry and symbology is a joy that doesn’t ever really diminish for cartophiles across the globe.
They should therefore find plenty to celebrate in these quilted maps from Emily Fischer’s Haptic Lab company. The ’soft maps’ are quilted representations of various cities and regions produced onto duvets and mats.
“Haptic” refers to the sense of touch and the Brooklyn based Fischer developed an interest in the subject back in 2002 when her mother developed glaucoma. Fischer creates these marvellous pieces in order to represent maps through the sense of touch for those without the best of eyesight. The rest of us can simply marvel at the intricate sensory detail.
For more on Haptic Lab.
And if all those duvets sets you on the route to the bedroom, let Dotmaison guide you! There are fantastic duvet and bedding designs from Orla Kiely, Descamps, Kylie at Home and many more! Lie back and relax…
By Robert Monk, on May 10th, 2013
Art is not produced in a vacuum. Despite some artist’s attempts to close themselves off in their own web of creativity, memories and inspirations from the outside world will always surround even the wildest of ideas. The forms and shapes found in nature in particular always have a bearing on an artistic output. Taking this further can produce stunning results, as seen here with the sculptural work of Laura Ellen Bacon.
The British artist’s work reflects her desire to build new forms, often complementing or abstracting the spaces that surround it (and us). as the artist explains: “my ambition for my work is to generate a kind of intrigue and an appeal that touches a powerful (and perhaps ancient) nerve that we cannot precisely locate.”
 Photography: Laura Ellen Bacon
This sense of mystery is a truly powerful force in artistic creation and one that is capable of bringing the viewer of the piece into the constantly shifting cycle of observer, observed and location.
For more on Bacon and her work, check out her site.
By Robert Monk, on May 8th, 2013
There are many of us who think that we’re genuine artists in the kitchen. Concocting new delights to impress friends and family can quickly become something of an obsession! Experimenting with new flavours and textures usually takes place in a recognisable kitchen framework, however. This creation from Bulgarian twins Desislava and Branimira Ivanova of Gemelli Design Studio on the other hand is certainly not your traditional kitchen design…
Taking their cue from the Cubist and Surrealist art movements of the 20th Century, the designers make bold use of energetic green geometry to invigorate the room.
While it certainly won’t be everyone’s melting cup of tea, there can be no argument that some interesting ideas could be dreamed up inside the chaotic workspace…
By Robert Monk, on May 6th, 2013
What’s the best material to use when designing the best in practical and well designed seating? That’s the question asked by Italian designer Andrea Borgogni with his Maybe Chair. Wood, aluminium or both? Well, as the name suggests, it is all a big maybe…
Acting as a hybrid of the two materials, the chair represents the perfect combination of the die-cast tech of aluminium with the artistry of wood. Split into two parts the seat is easy to store and package, making it a great practical design for modern lifestyles.
The above Dutch Design Chair is another example of modern chair design. Chair, foot-stool or coffee table? It can be all these things and represents a flexible design and creative inspiration. Find out more at Dotmaison now!
By Robert Monk, on May 3rd, 2013
Colour and lighting are amongst the most important factors in creating the right ambience in the home. Soft and intriguingly coloured lights can add an extra dimension in comfort and interest. Designer Arik Levy certainly seems to understand this perfectly and has brought this into his Jar RGB collection for for Czech glassware company Lasvit.
The series is based on the idea of naked light passing through different coloured filters of glass bottles. Designed to hang together in groups of three or seven, the collection is so named as it creates a form of RGB colour mixing.
The Paris based Arik Levy unveiled the collection at Milan design week earlier this year.
If original designs for lighting products are of interest to you, be sure to check out the designs available at Dotmaison. Designs from Koziol, Fontana Arte, Louis Poulsen and others satisfy originality, class and function. Get illuminated!
By Robert Monk, on May 2nd, 2013
We all appreciate a good relaxing sit down – but how much more satisfying is it when important things can be achieved while safely seated? That’s part of the idea of the Wind Up Chair from designers Pega, which is perfectly capable of charging your electronic devices while you sit.
The user simply has to turn the oversized mechanism for the clockwork action to begin. Phones and devices can then be plugged in and a very environmentally friendly form of charging can begin!
The Taiwan-based Pega D&E have a reputation for combining smart technological items with everyday objects. It looks as though with the wind-up chair they have succeeded again in this endeavour.
By Robert Monk, on April 30th, 2013
As well as being home to incredible sunshine and breathtaking beach-side scenery, Miami, Florida is also the centre of an art and design scene that is frequently pushing boundaries progressively forward. The glamorous concepts of Miami architecture and design are often the result of Latin-American and Cuban influences meeting North American and European ideas of style and class. With British architect John Pawson’s stunning work on a new leisure complex on Miami Beach this is all firmly in effect.
Including 26 unique apartments, known as ‘homes in the sky’, Pawson’s designs will reside on the top floors of the Edition hotel. Making use of the glorious Miami weather, the apartments include ‘outdoor rooms’ with more than enough space for pools and outdoor kitchens, dining areas, fireplaces and pergolas.
Many of the homes include wide views of both the city and the bay, while those on the top floors of the hotel have terrific ocean views.
For those after some Miami adventure, this could be a great place to start!
By Robert Monk, on April 25th, 2013
Giving an impression of vibrancy and life renewal is hugely important in all kinds of designer activities. That combination of the human brain and the natural world is not always an easy one to achieve, but if the inspiration and the effort can respond, the rewards are often impressive. This is certainly the case with Veronika Szalai’s living furniture.
The talented designer scoured the area of her native Hagyaros Village in Hungary and hand weaved stray branches onto a living tree into the basket perch’s formation. Made of willow, the perch is a perfect place to look out and contemplate the beautiful Hungarian countryside.
As the designer herself mentions the goal of the project was to blur the boundaries between nature and objects. In this goal she has undoubtedly succeeded.
For more on Veronika Szalalai please check out her site.
By Robert Monk, on April 23rd, 2013
As anyone who has ever moved home will know very well, the deconstruction and reconstruction of furniture items is not always the simplest of tasks. Often we’re left wishing for a design with a bit more portability. Thankfully, the Swedish designers Kristian Andréason and Kristin Leibel have come up with something that might just do the trick in making moving and renovating that much more easier…
The Babylon Tower Desk is made from larch wood and was, the designers say, inspired by a 16th century painting of the Biblical Tower of Babylon. As well as looking extremely attractive, the desk is capable of being folded into a flat pack. For a practical and great looking unit, it is certainly a success!
If you were to make use of such a practical item as this you would certainly need things to put in it! Dotmaison can be of great help in this matter, with a great range of home accessories perfect for ornamentation in display furniture such as this. Check them out!
By Robert Monk, on April 19th, 2013
There is something endlessly fascinating and mysterious about the spiral staircase. Hinting at adventures and undiscovered knowledge, the construction is a link between two separate floors and acts as a gateway of thoughts. This design by American studio Matter Design is a wonderful example of this in action.
Above and top: photographs by Brandon Clifford
Named Helix. the design has been constructed at 50% size to make it easier to present and display to interested parties. The designers say that the reduced scale made it easier to experiment with heavy concrete materials and create a sense of fun. As Brandon Clifford and Wes McGee explain; “It is both column and stair, yet hangs from the ceiling. Its uncertainty and changed scale inject playful characteristics into the surrounding space, while maintaining an allegiance to the past and known.”
Helix will be on exhibit at the BSA Space in Boston, USA until May 15, 2013.
For more on Matter Design check out their site.
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