Something Good
A look at how one young studio views the future of Italian design, as seen during Milan Design Week 2014
While the “Made in Italy” moniker may not mean quite what it used to, Italian design is still alive and well. And, thanks to forward-thinking design groups like Something Good, it’s becoming more responsive to reoccurring themes in contemporary design—though the internet may be partly responsible here. The young concept brand prides itself on being part of the new generation of Italian design by creating functional objects with a strong decorative sense, as well as working directly with manufacturers to ensure quality, selling direct to consumers and understanding the role of the product in the larger market. We recently saw Something Good’s second collection during Milan Design Week 2014, and were immediately smitten.
The Ombra wine decanter takes a unique approach to the traditional vessel found on many Italian dining tables. Made of hand-blown metallized borosilicate glass, the elegant decanter is both lightweight and heavy at once, with a visual personality that changes beautifully when full. Sharing a similar, translucent silhouette and attitude towards traditional objects, the Bumblee is a modern take on the oil lamp. The two-part, hand-blown glass orbs make up a clever design that allows for greater dispersion of light, while also being suitable for stemmed candles.
Continuing the collection’s focus on light, the Match Point votive holder addresses the issue of lighting an out-of-reach candle without being burned. A small hole in the side of the blown glass allows the user to insert a match from the side, lighting the candle inside and keeping their fingers out of harm’s way. The three-layered glass is made by traditional Venetian craftsman using centuries-old techniques.
While glass is obviously a well-loved material of Something Good, cork continues to stand out as a material of the moment as well. The Tip Top salt and pepper shaker set blends more hand-blown transparent glass with turned cork. A funnel-like body allows the contents to filter gently out of the openings to avoid over-pouring, while the cork absorbs moisture, keeping contents fresh. The recently shown collection will soon be available in its entirety from Something Good.
Images courtesy of Something Good
