In addition to his Kids Only Collection, Richard Lampert presented two new products in Milan: Stijl by Alexander Seifried and Stak by Patrick Frey. Just as developing a kid's range was long a wish of Richard Lampert, so too was the rehabilitation of the much-maligned kitchen corner bench, once so popular in alpine homes. We know people who are of the opinion that there is no need to rehabilitate the unparalleled genius that is the corner seat bench. Why have your kitchen chairs standing in
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As you know we are big fans of Brooklyn designer Jason Miller. And of the from Jason Miller established lighting company Roll and Hill. Launched in January 2010 as a high end manufacturer of contemporary lighting, Roll and Hill currently features the work of 6 design studios and aims to bring an "American perspective" to the international lighting market. In Milan Roll and Hill presented their second collection, or at least the first part of the second collection. A further two pieces will
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Sometimes its hard to remember that Milan isn't just about showing off how clever you are. Its also about furniture. Consequently an interesting barometer for us is what catches the attention and fancy of the (smow)team. What do they want to see in the (smow)collection. What do they find good. What do they find interesting. They are often wrong. But it's still good to know. And yes, we know design is also subjective. On Facebook we have posted a gallery of some of their Fuorisalone Milan
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Back in snowy Stockholm we met up with Arik Levy and amongst other topics discussed his residency as Stockholm Furniture Fair Guest of Honour. In sunny Milan we briefly caught up with Arik Levy again; principally to follow up on how Stockholm had been for him but also to gather his opinions on the importance of Milan. (smow)blog: Is Milan Design Week still important, is it still relevant? Arik Levy: Milan Design Week isn't the expression I would choose. The fair is very important, what
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The story of Azucena begins in Milan in 1947 when a group of young Milanese architects decided to start producing their own furniture and fittings for their buildings. Working with a mix of industrial and artisan suppliers to create a collection of modern, and at times highly experimental items, Azucena were one of the first "designer furniture" companies to emerge in Italy. And arguably Europe. However, whereas many of those companies who came after them have gone on to achieve global
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The Triennale Design Museum Milan opened their exhibition "Dream Factories: People, ideas and paradoxes of Italian design" a week before Fuorisalone Sadly they didn't use the week to test drive it - and then reduce the volume. Intended to explore those producers who have contributed to the rise of Italian design since the end of the Second World War "Dream Factories: People, ideas and paradoxes of Italian design" is simply too much input in too small a space. As Everything Everything so
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Burg Giebichenstein graduates Stephan Schulz and Paul Evermann are presenting a joint show at this years Salone Satellite with each presenting one and a half new products. That's one new product each. And a joint creation. The joint project is called wardrobe bench - and does pretty much what it says on the tin. Its a clothes hanger. And a seat The bench element is made from one piece of plywood, cut by water jet and then the outer element is set a little lower. Through this displacement,
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At the 2011 Milan Furniture Fair Vitra are presenting a range of new products from designers including Konstantin Grcic, Antonio Citterio and Barber & Osgerby. Ahead of the official launch we caught up with Vitra Chief Design Officer Eckart Maise to discuss the new products and the Vitra Home Collection in general. (smow): Herr Maise, before we discuss the new products, and maybe as a little helpful background. How does a company like Vitra develop a collection? Do you go to a designer and
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