Miller Goodman PlayShapes

by Ami Kealoha, 5 February 2010

For our winning pick for the 2010 Accent on Design Blogger's Choice Awards as part of the New York International Gift Fair, we chose this irresistible set of modular building blocks called PlayShapes by British design-duo Miller Goodman. The set of 74 rubberwood pieces debuted last fall to much buzz and includes shapes like mustaches and eyeballs for inspiration, as well as arcs, circles, drops and the like, that all fit together to create endless possibilities for 3D creations. Sure to inspire the most jaded of tots (and parents too), pick up a set for £75 from Shhhop. For info on availability in the U.S., contact the distributors Neo-Utility.

Check out the rest of the winners on the Gift Fair site and see more images after the jump

Sina Pearson Colores de México Outdoor Fabrics

by CH Contributor, 5 February 2010

by Tisha Leung

Handwoven serapes and ponchos in the stalls of Mexican markets inspire Sina Pearson's latest collection of outdoor upholstery fabrics, set to premiere early this Spring. Based off of the archetypal rib weaves and bold colors of Mexican folk textiles, Pearson infuses a modern spin for this new series named Colores de México.

Colores de México sells by the yard only, and is woven from 100% Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic fibers, which provides colorfastness and protection from the elements, chlorine, stains and mildew, as well as sunscreen for residential, hospitality and public spaces.

Comprised of five complementary styles (three stripes, a floral and a solid) in 23 complementary colorways spanning south-of-the-border brights (blue, turquoise, red, yellow) mixed with neutrals (Mexican chocolate, and the black and ivory from raw fleece), the collection offers options to suit any design scheme.

Pearson rounds it out with a Luis Barragán pink, a habanero orange, and a lime green. The styles consist of “Poncho,” ($136/yd) a basic, "solid" background with narrow stripes and dashes, “Serape” ($136/yd) features complex alternations of broad and narrow bands. “Rebozo” ($136/yd) is the most animated with six different sequences of skinny stripes and dashes, while the two-color “Flora” ($112/yd) is an abstract floral motif in a jacquard weave inspired by Mexican tissue paper cutouts, and handcrafted floor tiles, and “Tela Solar” ($54/yd), a coordinating solid offered in five hues.

Prices are available to the consumer through select showrooms.

Stockholm Fashion Week: Beckmans XV, Odeur and Whyred

by CH Contributor, 5 February 2010

by Richard Prime

Day two of Stockholm's Fashion Week brought an enticing mix of old and new together. Drawing an inquisitive crowd, the Beckmans XV show represented fifteen students from the second-year fashion program at Beckmans College of Design.

Similar to how their third-year counterparts collaborated with colleagues in advertising and graphic design courses, Beckmans XV did likewise but chose to showcase their debut collections in the more traditional catwalk format. A wise choice too, as the audience was treated to an energetic show full of color, concepts and diverting form.

Odeur, a young Swedish brand founded in 2006 as more of an experiment, showed how much they have grown since last season with their latest collection drawing on a rich melting pot of influences and seeking to challenge conventions of basic garment construction. A dark greyscale base of color offset metallic silvers, with detailing like zippers acting as accents.

Like the Bondage years of Helmut Lang, Odeur's collection also looked at controlling and adjusting shape of the garments. Adding dimensionality to already nice-looking tailored blazers, jackets and feature pieces, the tactic speaks to what seems an inherently Scandinavian approach to shape and layering.

One of the solid performers of the Swedish top-end brands, Whyred hit a typically understated note synonymous with a brand which built a name for itself around quality, style and incredibly wearable clothing.

For its menswear, tight, cropped and lean suits and blazers defined the collection. Single breasted, one-button and with a nod to the brand's mod influences, Whyred emphasized cut over flashiness. Womenswear similarly trended towards letting the wearer instill their own personal style values rather than the clothes making a statement.

With many of Whyred's pieces ending up as part of a "base collection of trans-seasonal (and even trans-annual) garments and items," several elements of the brand's AW 2010 collection will likely follow suit.

Hands On with the Lexus LFA

by Evan Orensten, 4 February 2010

We recently had the chance to check out the streamlined LFA, the first super car built by Lexus. While we're waiting for our test drive, we did sit in and explore the car in-depth.

Marking Lexus' 20th anniversary, the LFA leverages the brand's design and engineering expertise to both celebrate how far they've come as a brand, as well as demonstrate their wide-eyed vision of their future. Built by hand, the 500 LFAs feature the specs and capabilities of other super cars but does so in a (slightly) more accessible way. Each is, of course, extensively customizable.

The LFA is constructed out of carbon fiber, keeping it ultra lightweight but extremely durable. Redlining at 9,000 rpm, the 4.8-liter V10 engine easily reaches its top speed of 202 miles per hour and goes zero to 60mph in 3.6 seconds. Each of the 500 will be custom-built according to the owner's specifications, but will be precisely engineered to function beautifully both on and off the racetrack.

One of our favorite features is the digital speedometer (see video above), which changes depending on driving mode selected. The press of a button on the steering wheel moves the speedometer to the right, exposing secondary data and controls for other functions.

While ownership in this exclusive club is extremely limited, Lexus fans can look forward to some of the LFA's technology and features (especially the CFRP construction) to be included in standard production cars. The Lexus LFA is available for order worldwide for $350,000. Contact your local Lexus dealer for details.

Good Magazine's Tips to Slow Down

by Maggie York-Worth, 4 February 2010

The most recent issue of Good Magazine focuses on a notion that's come dangerously close to extinction: slowing down. Covering such widespread topics as agriculture, communities against suburban sprawl and cheating death, the mag has a nifty "Good (and readymade) Guide to Slowing Down." One of our favorites from this DIY list is number six, "How to Cultivate Conscious Laziness."

Good posits the truly radical notion of staying in bed all day as one that's harder than it seems. The truly competent and successful among us don’t generally spend all day horizontal, but a true dedication to slowing down provides a different definition of success.

The concept involves not just sleeping to the wee hours of late afternoon, but truly and totally—in the spirit of John and Yoko—committing yourself to a bed-ful existence, and letting "sweet lethargy take over.”

With tongue-in-cheek humor, the advice doesn't forget the strangeness of such an exercise, recommending satin pajamas and smoking jackets, and a cocktail hour “to differentiate 'day' from 'night.'" The editors suggest infomercials, as well as flavored ice cubes (to keep tastebuds dazzled) and the ever useful "Fine Literature."

Read the full article on the Good site.

Primary Atmospheres: Works from California 1960-1970

by Brian Fichtner, 4 February 2010

If you happen to be in New York City this weekend, consider yourself lucky and make a bee line to Chelsea for the closing day of "Primary Atmospheres" at David Zwirner Gallery. The group exhibition presents a survey of minimalist work created in and around Los Angeles in the 1960s from artists Peter Alexander, Larry Bell, Laddie John Dill, Robert Irwin, Craig Kaufman, John McCracken, Helen Pashgian, James Turrell, De Wain Valentine and Doug Wheeler.

By the mid-'60s, these California artists had become widely engaged with Minimalism, creating work with a distinct West Coast sensibility. Often referred to as "Light and Space," this proto-movement was shaped by the unique atmosphere of southern California, with its bright light, shimmering automobiles and boundless aspiration. These elements suffused works with rich color and reflective qualities.

At the same time, new advances in plastics and applied paints—brought about through fields as diverse as aerospace technology as surfboard design—influenced the way artists made these works. Cutting-edge materials and processes, such as fiberglass reinforced polyester, cast polyester resin, and vacuum coated glass, led to astonishing surfaces and contributed to the moniker "Finish Fetish."

In a world besieged by up-to-the-minute news cycles that makes movement-defining culture, like the slow germination of shared purpose and sensibility, seem impossible, "Primary Atmospheres" is both a look at a future that once was, and perhaps an irretrievable past.

Primary Atmospheres: Works from California 1960-1970
Through 6 February 2010
David Zwirner Gallery
525 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011 map
tel. +1 212 727 2070

The Impossible Lamp

by Maggie York-Worth, 4 February 2010

From designer Jeeves Basu, who recently pushed the boundaries of furniture and disbelief with his Rat Table, the London-based creative tinkerer is now using wax to paradoxically make a melted wax lampshade that's un-meltable.

Created by melting a candle over a glass shade, the Impossible Lamp stretches wax art into function without losing the strange, ephemeral quality of this material. Using a liquid-cooled LED bulb, Basu ensures its impossibility.

The artist-slash-designer is taking custom orders for his lamps through his website, where you can also see a motion capture video of his process and the final product. Prices available upon request.

BMC Handmade Beanies

by Karen Day, 4 February 2010

Super-soft BMC beanies are making grannies proud not only for their hand-knit construction, but also because for each hat purchased BMC donates one hat to a child who lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

Similar in concept to Krochet Kids, BMC keeps it authentically bohemian both in style and pursuit. A comfortable elastic band around the rim, secures their slouchy beanies on the head.

The four styles—small, medium and large slouch as well as a snug fit—in classic shapes suit any face. On a recent trip to San Diego, I found my large slouch to be just the trick for keeping hair out of my face during the day and my head warm at night.

Prices vary, but average just $20. Pick one up online from BMC.