Posts from — August 2007

Flashfilm recently conducted an interview with Turkish designers Ömer Ünal Alper Böler of ünal&böler studio. The two have a fantastic and unique approach to design, which can be seen in some of their ideas that have come to life. My favorite is the “Salkim” hanging bookshelf. Apparently inspired by the mobiles of playful artist Alexander Calder, this airy design emphasizes the true medium of a bookshelf; books!

“Salkim” hanging bookshelf

“Nar” coffee table

“Petek” bookshelf

There is definitely something to be said for good old antique style. While there’s nothing wrong with modern sleek and clean, there is a certain warmth that antique interiors provide. The New York Times Art & Design section checked out the New Hampshire home of the 14th U.S. Poet Laureate, Donald Hall. I especially love that oversized library catalog card hanging on the wall, not to mention that innovative light switch!

I’m counting down… 3 more days until Japan!

Here at Spoon&Tamago we occasionally like to post things merely for their visual quality. The Scottish artist David Shrigley is a prime example. I went to his exhibition at the Moma a while back and fell in love with his work. I love his bizarre and crude (in terms of both content and technique) drawings. They represent a fresh and valuable view-point that I just can’t get enough of! Oh, he also has a new book that’s coming out on Sept 1, 2007.

David Shrigley’s new Book, “Ants Have Sex In Your Beer.” To be released Sept 1, 2007

Franc Franc is one of those stores that you always make time for when in Japan. One walk-through is enough to tell what the recent modern design trends are in Japan. And Franc Franc usually has their own twist, which makes it all the more enjoyable. A recent browse through their catalog revealed some spectacular finds! I would like to emphasize that I had a really hard time narrowing down this selection…

Buno Cabinet series ($670 – $1,300)

Vertical Toaster ($85)

Wild Wild Romance bedding ($120)

Clip Shelf ($640)

NEW YORK CITY

Through 9/1 (Saturday) – Summer of Love
A selection of black & white prints from legendary French photographer Alain Dister, capturing 60s-70s counterculture in New York and San Francisco!
11:00am–6:00pm | Galerie Envoy | Free

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TOKYO

Through 9/3 (Monday) – With Chairs Exhibition
“With Chairs” is a selective exhibition of 100 chairs by those considered to by the great masters of industrial design. Each chair represents one artist’s individual point of view. The exhibition is like a visual history of the ideas that have shaped contemporary design. The website  is in Japanese but you can look at a sample of some of the work displayed.

10:00am–8:00pm | Shibuya Seibu Department Store – 7th Floor | 500 yen

INDEX – which stands of International Design Exhibition – just announced their category winners. You can check them out here. The theme was the ever-popularizing “sustainable design;” products that not only look great, but improve our quality of life. Below are pictures, not necessarily of winners, but of my personal favorites from the top nominees. I question whether some of thise will perform as intended, but they certainly look nice.

The INDEX top nominated designs will be on display in central Copenhagen through September 23.

XO Laptop
$176 l”one laptop per child” attempts to make learning more accessible to third world countries.

A chair made with environmentally friendly material by Peter Hiort-Lorenzen & Johannes Foersom (Denmark)

Ordrup School
Design for differentiated teaching and creative thinking by Rosan Bosch & Rune Fjord Jensen(Denmark)

In a previous post I mentioned how much I not only love Camper Shoes, but their interiors as well! They always team up with some really exciting designers to create magnificent and inspirational stores. Their newest store in Barcelona was a collaboration with Spanish artist/designer Jaime Hayon. Much of the furniture was originally developed so it’s not for sale but the store is definitely on my list of places to go!

(All photos: Nienke Klunder)

I found this adorable cafe called Alpenstuek that I wanted to share with you. Although I can’t read what their website  says, I’m guessing that the website isn’t fully functioning yet. I just love that comically enlarged lamp! The texture created by the stacked wood wall is also quite spectacular. I’m sure the pictures don’t do it justice. If you’re ever touring Berlin I’m sure it would be worth a stop-over. I would love to hear from anyone who’s been there!

Although the date is not clear, OFFI is set to release this ingeniously designed bassinet  by up-and-coming designer Heidi Newell. Heidi completed her graduate thesis exhibition and graduated with a master’s degree from Pratt University just last year in 2006.

The OFFI Bassinet is one of the most versatile pieces of baby furniture I’ve ever seen. It can be used as a rocker but also as a fixed diaper changing table with storage underneath. My only concern is whether it will be as functional as it looks…hmmmm.

Brocade Home  is a subsidiary of the specialty home retailer, Restoration Hardware, and their online store just launched in March of 2007. Imagine the mid-1800s Victorian era with romantic textiles and curvaceous furniture. It’s a style that has been making a comeback in recent years but Brocade magnified it x 100! It’s a bit over the top but their individual pieces are actually quite attractive. Take these wooden shelves with metal backets ($59-$69) for example. I think they would look stunning on any wall, maybe even with a simpler pattern? (Although the wallpaper is gorgeous!…. It’s also for sale.)