By Robert Monk, on May 16th, 2012
 As we all know from medical experts and dieticians, it is extremely important that we manage to obtain our five pieces of fruit and vegetables every day. With this advice in mind, it seems like an apt time to draw attention to Benjamin Hubert’s oak cut bowls designed for Swedish brand David Design.
 Making the most of concentric circles cut deeper and deeper into the wood as they approach the centre, the stepped nature of the bowls minimises the surface area that comes into contact with the fruit, reducing the possibility of mould.
 Known as Halo, the bowl is part of David Design’s Atelier collection that was shown back in February at the Stockholm Furniture Fair.
Dotmaison have some beautiful designer fruit bowls available – so if you needing a space to store your 5-a day, look no further!
By Robert Monk, on May 14th, 2012
Busy people with busy lives (and even ones with not so busy lives!) collect a lot of stuff – books, CDs, DVDs, ornaments and every kind of keepsake in between – and that stuff needs to be kept safe somewhere. The designers at Stockholm based TAF have come up with a simple and smart storage solution in the form of Trotters, a series created for new brand Pieces.
Aiming for versatility and stability in this eminently practical series of furniture, TAF designers Gabriella Gustafson and Mattias Ståhlbom have created the family of shelving unites and low tables to be highly adaptable and flexible.
 For more on the TAF Trotters range for Pieces please follow the links.
By Robert Monk, on May 11th, 2012
The fashion and design industry – some would say by its very nature – creates a terrific amount of waste product. Tons of perfectly usable material gets discarded every single day. In recognition of this fact, and being a practically minded sort of designer, Pepe Heykoop transforms the disused material in his Leather Loop series of stools.
Using remnants from furniture manufacturers, the Dutch designer created the eye catching stools and in the process gave the material a new, vivid lease of life. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes , the Leather Loop Stools represent a fun and conscious approach to design.
As well as recycling material in such a creative way, Heykoop has also entered into the world of charitable work by partnering with the Tiny Miracles Foundation to produce the stools. The foundation sends deprived children in Mumbai to school, while their parents are given jobs making the stools. An admirable project then, and one that creates great looking furniture!
Dotmaison currently has a fantastic designer item available in the shape of the Dutch Design Chair. In 9 different designs the chair/footstool/coffee table item is sure to be a hit however (and wherever) it is used! Check them out!
By Robert Monk, on May 10th, 2012
The desire to get out of the city and back to nature is one of life’s most powerful impulses in many of us. And what better way of doing just that than exploring the wild of Australia’s outback? That’s the concept behind this beautifully designed cabin in the wilds of the Central Highlands of Victoria from Melbourne based Paul Morgan Architects.
Originally inspired by old bones discovered on farmland, the team made use of local wood supplies that contained natural splits in their formation. The wood provides immensely strong structural support and creates a beautiful, mythic effect.
The lodge is built around a thick central column with beams radiating from it .The interiors are coated with boards that were prepared onsite, lessening the need to transport material and supplies in.
The overall effect is a stunning invitation to spend time in the mysteries of the Great Outdoors!
For more on the Trunk House and other cutting edge architectural projects be sure to check out Paul Morgan Architects.
By Laurence Kogan, on May 9th, 2012
Award winning designer Piet Hein Eek has lent his minimalistic approach to interiors with this stunning Scrapwood Wallpaper Collection. Using class-A double layered non-woven wall paper, the innovative backing of the heavyweight, resilient paper means that it is the wall that is pasted and not the paper. This cuts out the laborious process of pasting the back of the paper on a pasting table and allows much more precision and control of precisely where you wish to place the wallpaper.
The wallpaper is colourfast and fully washable with a soft cleaning cloth or wipe and even DIY novices should have no problem in applying it to their walls. Available now from Dotmaison in eight different styles, the paper is delivered in 9m rolls and comes included with easy to follow instructions,so the process of putting it up is as straightforward as possible.
Hein Eek and his partner Nob Ruijgrok have a completely hands-on approach to their company, taking charge of the design, manufacture and distribution of their products. Recently moved to a stunning headquarters in Eindhoven that includes workshops, a restaurant and a gallery, Piet Hein Eek the company is a partnership to take notice of.
For a product that has only been in existence for just under a year, the global response to the Scrapwood Wallpaper has been one of great interest. Available in 20 different countries from Australia to Israel, Dotmaison can currently deliver the designs to anywhere on the planet. Put in an order and see for yourself what all the fuss is about!
By Robert Monk, on May 7th, 2012
Striving to capture some of the calming spirit of the traditional monastery, the designers from Eriksen Skajaa Architects have created this remarkable brick and wood partition in the centre of a busy office space. Featuring room for plants and provision for draft allowing windows, the space is a perfect place to take some of the strain out of the working day.
 There is also a bench on one of the niches allowing room to sit and think. The design, for Netlife Research, is housed within the larger context of the office, which is artfully decked out in monochrome.
 For more on Eriksen Skajaa Architects please check out their site.
By Robert Monk, on May 4th, 2012
 For some of us, the idea of a spare room that can house a stylish, modern library is a special kind of dream. Simultaneously acting as a retreat and an engaging window to the outside world, this digital library designed by Brazilian architects YTA will appeal to all fans of studying in a relaxed, perfectly presented environment.
 Featuring a large amount of quality pine boarding, the concept of the room stems from three main elements – a concrete base, a wooden shell and a metal wrapping. The boards which run up to the walls can also be used as extra shelving.
 Everything in the hi-tech library can be micro-managed; audio, video, lighting and temperature can all be controlled via a tablet. Old fashioned readers will be pleased to know that books and magazines are also contained within the library, the architects viewing them as irreplaceable.
For more on YTA please check their site.
By Laurence Kogan, on May 4th, 2012
The startlingly original design work of the Netherlands based firm Leff Amsterdam has won highly regarded plaudits, commissions and rave reviews from all over the globe. Central to the team’s vision is to create time pieces without restrictions, limits or boundaries. With an experienced and supremely talented group of designers this dream has been proven to be eminently achievable. The following gifted group of designers are the brains behind the clock face…
Arno Ruijzenaars founded the company with the goal of creating products with personality, style and quality. Wiebe Teertsra has been designing home accessories for many years, and brings his wealth of experience and desire to create modern updates of classic styles as timeless works of art to the forefront of the company’s work. In his own words, he is of the firmly held opinion that LEFF is more. Sharing his views on art and design is Erwin Termaat, an in-house designer for Leff Amsterdam. Termaat’s background in engineering helps him realise the team’s passion for what he calls ‘accessible design’ – putting together unusual ideas in a useful way.
Also part of the design team is Reinhard Dienes, who professes to be inspired by three main principles; function, materials and details. His design for the extremely unusual ‘wyzer’ clock – where only the hands are apparent – is evidence of the idiosyncratic approach to his work. Completing the team are the partnership of Deson Wang and Mike He, who specialise in experimental methods of design work. Exploring the relationship between people and objects is at the heart of the duo’s efforts – an obsession that shows in their wonderfully individual and occasionally humorous way of looking at the world.
With such a wealth of talent, enterprise and experience, it is hardly surprising that the Leff Amsterdam collection is as remarkable as it is. With so much going on, the team know exactly what time it is…
By Robert Monk, on May 2nd, 2012
If there is one mode of transport continually popular with children in toy form (or any form really!) it is the train. Playing with toy trains never seems to go out of fashion with the youngsters and these fantastic vehicles from London based designer Oscar Diaz look set to continue with these smart and fun toys.
 Created from their own tubular packaging, each toy can become a train, tractor, car or tractor. All of the components can be found inside the tube, which becomes the main body of the vehicle. All of the parts are recyclable or made from recyclable material.
 For more about Oscar Diaz and further information on the toys please check his website.
Dotmaison also have some great ideas for toys including some fantastic designs from Jip. Start exploring (and playing)!
By Robert Monk, on May 1st, 2012
There is nothing quite like relaxing in the warmth of the sunshine and summer is the perfect time for the family to all come together to enjoy the outside. After the stunning success of the Pantone folding chairs from Seletti in recent months, we have launched the children’s versions too.
As would be expected from a design based around the famous Pantone colour co-ordination charts, the chairs are available in ten exciting colours, from cool gray and royal purple to ruby red and mccaw green. There is a colour to suit every mood and the kids are sure to have fun with them!
Designed specifically with children in mind, with an easy and safe folding mechanism in place, the chairs are lightweight and easily portable but sturdy enough to cope with the fun and games that children play! Constructed with more than due care and attention using an aluminium frame with a PVC covering, these resilient and attractive folding chairs are sure to become a firm favourite with the children. Get in touch with Dotmaison now to secure yourself one of these terrific items!
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