While on one hand I'm seriously considering a clean sweep and tossing out every last bit of clutterbug collectibles I have hanging around the house, on the other hand I'm jonesing for these Bitossi vases from DWR. Yes, they're limited edition, hand-thrown, embossed and painted by hand (click here to watch a clip of all that in action). Yes, they're by the masterful Italian artist and ceramist Aldo Londi and yes, they were first produced back in the '50s and '60s. So basically it's a win, win, win, except perhaps for the price, which puts them into the realm of serious collector, rather than where I'm at, which is more on the vintage store rummager end of things. Shucks.
Drink it, sit on it
I'm a bit barmy for a good chair, and pretty much anything from Emeco makes the list fo' sho'. Love their story (the aluminum Navy Chair was first made for US submarines during WWII) and love how they've hooked up with big names like Starck, Gehry, Foster and Putman and now, errr, Coke. Stay with me here people. Emeco's latest just-launched-in-Milan chair is the 111 Navy Chair, made of 111 recycled PET plastic 20oz Coca-Cola bottles. The 111 is seriously gorgeous, ultra light, has a great green story - Emeco has the potential to recycle 3 million plastic bottles a year - and comes in six swish colours selected by Laura Guido-Clark. Oh, and the extra sweet part is it'll be about half the price of the original aluminum Navy Chair (which, btw, contains 80% recycled aluminum). Fancy getting hooked up? Then pop on over to DWR, since they'll have the exclusive.
Perforated in orange
The talk of Tolix-esque chairs on the last post had me digging around and jonesing for the originals, first designed by Xavier Pauchard in 1934. Tolix are sold in North America by DWR as the Marais line of chairs and stools, but if you want everything - and I mean everything - that Tolix makes then you have to check in with Melissa Edelman Antiquaire. Yep, the folks at MEA can get their hands on the fab perforated collection (a lovely twist on the Tolix originals, like the orange stools below), as well as the just launched kid's line (that's the kid's Mouette Armchair below), both of which were designed by Normal Studio. And yep, MEA can hook you up with around 200 custom colour choices as well as a bunch of lovely industrial feeling metal finishes too.
Simply gorgeous
Okay, after a slight fashion-y detour in the last post, we're back in a particularly gorgeous all wood architectural space. While I'd like to think I could live this kind of simple, uncluttered life in the snap below I just don't think it would be possible. Where would all the collectibles go, and what about some art? Anyways, this is the rather lovely new Raleigh line of sofas and chairs from the folks at DWR. The seating, designed by Jeffrey Bernett and Nicholas Dodziuk, has a swish streamlined Danish modern feel to it (the cantilevered walnut frame is extra sweet) and looks awfully nice with DWR's Skagen coffee and nesting tables.
Have knife, will travel
The Swiss Army knife, y'know, the one with the tool that'll get boy scouts out of horse's hooves, is turning 125 and as part of the celebration has hooked up with Airstream. They'll only be making 125 of their Victorinox Special Edition 19ft trailers which, if you take a look below, are pretty sweet. The interior is hooked up with polished surfaces, custom bedding and more Swiss Army tools than you can shake a stick at (though I might ixnay those red dishes...). I've always fancied an Airstream, not only for a road trip, but how fab would it be to park one at home for when the inlaws show up for a few days? And, if the Swiss Army trailer isn't to your taste, then take a boo at Airstream's 16ft DWR model, which comes kitted out with bits and bobs by George Nelson, Tom Dixon and Objekto.
One light, two sales
The light below was the latest find for our place, scored for the princely sum of $60 from a vintage store on Queen East last week. David cleaned it up (it was all tobacco-y, blech) and hooked it up in the living room, and then, well, we're just not sure - It's certainly cute, the copper finish is sweet and I'm totally digging the inset glass squares, but it just isn't big enough for the space. It'll stay up, but in the meantime the hunt is back on...
Onto other news of some pretty flashy sales that are upcoming. If you fancy a bit of modern furniture then Gus* will be having a Warehouse Sale in Toronto on March 28th and 29th (click here for more info). And, if anyone fancies a road trip, Design Within Reach has just announced a mondo Warehouse Sale at all their Annex stores, including the location in Cleveland, that will run from March 27th to the 30th (click here for info on all the Annex locations). Expect major discounts, bring an empty car (or a van!), and think about wearing elbow pads, lol. I Mapquested it, and Cleveland is a totally do-able 5 1/2 hour drive from Toronto...
