Thanks to a clever double-layered design, when the glass doors of Studio Roso‘s Circus sideboard slide open and shut, the colours and patterns appear to magically reverse. 

- A.Morris

Photography: Charlie Schuck

Showing until Tuesday 21 May at ICFF (Booth 850), design studio Grain‘s new collection is our favorite to date. Including the studio’s first small furniture piece, the collection marks the Bainbridge Island-based duo’s 5th year in business.

Photography: Charlie Schuck

Pictured here with the studio’s exisitng navy blue Jaspé pillows and bold striped Laguna pillows are the new natural cotton Comalapa pillows. Handwoven in Guatemala, the design is a graphic sampler of traditional patterns found in Mayan culture.

- A.Morris

A month after visiting Milan Design Week, having had time to reflect on the trip, there are some pieces that are easily forgotten and then there are others that stand the test of time – this line of blankets and tea towels by Lin Morris favourite Mae Engelgeer was one of the latter.

After discovering her Woww collection last year, it’s no surprise that her Ish textiles are equally as beautiful. Comprising 3 blankets and 3 tea towels, the Ish collection features soft graduated shades of mint, cream, orange and anthracite layered with a zigzagging graphic pattern and thin stripes of vibrant orange.

The fabric is a super soft blend of mohair, merino wool and cotton, all developed and produced at the Tilburg’s TextielMuseum in the Netherlands.

- A.Morris

Made of thin metal rods and blown glass spheres, the Warm Up lamp by Matteo Zorzenoni is inspired by the warm up exercises performed by dancers.

We came across this lovely little exhibition of dance-inspired designs in the window of clothing store Dimensione Danza last month in Milan. Called Pirouette, the exhibition celebrated the store’s 30 years in business.

Inspired by rotation and lightness, the Reel candlesticks by Leonardo Talarico feature a green ceramic candleholder supported by an elegant glass cylinder.

Curated by designer Matteo Zorzenoni (previously featured on Lin Morris here), the exhibited designs were the work of 5 talented young designers – Giorgio Biscaro, Leonardo Talarico, Giorgia Zanellato, Zaven and of course Matteo Zorzenoni.

Mounted on a turned and hand-enamelled ceramic base, Matteo Zorzenoni’s Ninfea vase is named after the delicate water lily. The layers of pink blown glass reflect the raised arms of a pirouetting ballerina while the fluted lower layer recalls a tutu.

Each of the ten objects interpret the pirouette movement and have been made in limited editions of 30.

This sculptural metal centrepiece by Leonardo Talarico is formed entirely by turning. The various elements evoke a spinning movement, observed in dance steps.

In case you were wondering what the store’s connection with dance is, when it first opened in 1983, the founders, Enrico Baroni and his wife, the formal classical ballet dancer, Nadia Necchi, also ran a dance school within the same building.

The simple white handle of the Allabarra mirrors by Giorgio Biscarra clearly references the barre at which dancers train.

Made from turned and lacquered wood, the forms of these spinning tops by Zaven mimic two classical pirouette positions – one in which the dancer has her arms at chest height, and the other with her arms raised above her head.

Symbolising the dancer’s hard work and determination, he worn surface on the bottom of Zaven’s Workout vases represent the scuffed floor of the dance studio.

With a marble base and glass body, Giorgia Zanellao’s Siempre In Piedi vase and candelabra highlight the importance of the dancer’s balance and coordination.

Giorgia Zanellato’s Tutu glass bottles with marble stoppers evoke the profile of a spinning dancer.

The glass diffuser of Giorgio Biscaro’s Gala lamp recalls a costume hanging on a mannequin.

- A.Morris

While we cull through our pictures and files from this week’s Milan design week, here are some beautifully staged bowls and vessels. The Soe Cup series by Hanna Kruse was seen as part the University of Art and Design Offenbach exhibit.

- J.Lin

Hailing from Santiago de Chile, The Andes House is a young Chilean design studio that works with Chilean artisans to create contemporary collections like this line of sculpted vessels that are carved from single pieces of locally sourced wood.

Called Las Doce, the collection includes dishes, plates, and mugs and is made by Mapuche artisans using traditional carving techniques to create the tactile exterior, and a CNC machine to cut out the interior.

The collection has been developed in collaboration with Ecosoluciones and Andes Media.

- A.Morris

British designer Matthew Hilton and Portuguese brand De La Espada‘s collection of heavy, solid brass and stainless steel candlestick and tea light holders remind us of shiny nuts and bolts and industrial workshop machinery.

There are three designs to choose from: Tall and sculptural, Industry is inspired by the huge piston arms of steam engines, Drop provides a weighty and rounded base for a candlestick, and Honeycomb is a series of interlocking hexagonal tea light holders, available in three heights.

- A.Morris

A few years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Design Indaba in South Africa on behalf of my previous employers. One of the standout collections at the show was a beautiful line of knitwear by young designer Laduma Ngxokolo, who was inspired by his Xhosa heritage and the traditional beadwork of the Xhosa people.

At the time, Laduma said that he would love to create an interiors collection, and this year at the Design Indaba Expo, he launched the MaXhosa Collection; a collaboration with South African mohair company Hinterveld.

The MoXhosa mohair throws combine Xhosa heritage with contemporary design. The earthy brown and rich blue colours reference the Eastern Cape landscape while the vibrant cameos reflect the rich hues that are unique to Xhosa culture and its people.

- A.Morris

It’s always nice to find something like this series of photos by Swedish photographer Petter Johansson in your email inbox. This colorful still life composition was created for ’Atelier Food‘ – a collaboration between international top chef Stefan Eriksson and leading figures from the fields of communication, science, culture and business.

Here is a little more about the project from Petter:

“Food is an important part of many future challenges. Atelier Food links food with sustainability, energy, culture, urban development and transportation. The project also links chefs with artists, designers, scientists and business developers. Together they seek global solutions and innovation through cooking, food labs and discussions. Atelier Food is represented by its on-going workshops and as a restaurant based in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden.

The Atelier Food still life is built on a grid. The still life represents the work of Atelier Food and the connection between food and society. It links the playfulness and creativity within the project with the ambitious goals and long-term challenges. In the spirit of the whole Atelier Food project, it is also a creative co-operation between a chef, one art director and one photographer.

Petter Johansson Art Direction And Design (PJADAD) is a small experimental studio working in the fields of communication, strategy and design. The studio employs one AD, one copywriter and one graphic designer. We like to see our customers as partners and strive to build, develop or maintain their brands.”

- A.Morris

After a few years of etching its mark on bathrooms around the world, Kontextür has developed its first product for the world outside the loo – the first of many to come.  To do this they have kicked off their partnership with New York City based designer Paul Loebach and launched the x3 Watering Can.  Inspired by the bold yet minimal and functionalist aesthetic of Eastern European motorcycles – the x3 uses industrial steel to elevate the often-overlooked household watering can to an object of conspicuous utilitarian beauty.

- J.Lin