We have grown use to the idea of something having two purposes in life, your office that is also your home, your sofa that is also a bed. La Maison De Marina’s furniture has taken this concept and adapted it to the utter most realm of all is quirky. Each item has been combined with another for reasons only Marina Bautier herself must know.
Once I got past her armchairs with attached light fixture that seem to be taken from a fun house, and her portable piece of rubber that she designed for sitting in the park, I found her collection called simply ‘Frames’. Contrasting their distant and quirky cousins, the Frames Collection combined mirrors with squared shelving space in a useful manner. Designed for the neat narcissus on the go, each piece in the collection gives you a place to inspect yourself right before you grab your keys and ‘do-dads’ and head out the door.
I am sure there are other deep and profound meanings for Marina Bautier’s collection of works. More information on these and other items can be found at her website at http://www.lamaisondemarina.com/
Once I got past her armchairs with attached light fixture that seem to be taken from a fun house, and her portable piece of rubber that she designed for sitting in the park, I found her collection called simply ‘Frames’. Contrasting their distant and quirky cousins, the Frames Collection combined mirrors with squared shelving space in a useful manner. Designed for the neat narcissus on the go, each piece in the collection gives you a place to inspect yourself right before you grab your keys and ‘do-dads’ and head out the door.
I am sure there are other deep and profound meanings for Marina Bautier’s collection of works. More information on these and other items can be found at her website at http://www.lamaisondemarina.com/
*Originally Posted on Word on the Street 10/13/06
Labels: Decor
Other than a cheap publicity stunt, I can’t find a real purpose for toasting images on bread. With all that said I still think it is a cute idea. For all those cynics who can’t endure smiley faces and aliens before their morning coffee-- Inseq Design ‘Zuse’ toaster is not for you. This graphic/ furniture design company has combined technical know how with childlike enthusiasm. When I interviewed Alexandra Illera at the 100% East home products show in London, she scribbled her details in a ‘Hello Kitty’ note pad-- which just goes to show that her playfulness isn’t a cheap marketing ploy, but it is absolutely authentic.
So how does this contraption work? Apparently it is a pretty complicated ordeal. But what I got out of it is that you can print an image on both sides and it doesn’t alter the taste of the bread-- which is the most important thing to me. Obviously the design shows better on white bread than pumpernickel, and if you are into some fancy 20 grain bread you use it at your own risk. At the end of the day it will make the kid in you happy, and for those who think it is ridiculous, lighten up its only bread.
*Originally Posted on Word on the Street 10/13/06
Labels: Decor
The do-it-yourself industry got an upgrade with Tool belt divas. I went from color coordinating my throw pillows to picking the right turquoise hammer to go with my suede tool belt. And at first I felt I was going overboard the cute power drill but then I was Charlotte Lancelots DYI felt rug and I knew I was on to something.
So where is this trend going? I doubt that socialites are turning in their Manolo Blahnik for construction boots, roaming through Home Depot on a Friday night looking for a widget for their bathroom. Something tells me if you were the handy type, you pretty much had an inkling before this craze, and if you cherish your French manicure no amount of fashionable tool accessories is going to make you spackle the holes in your wall. But it is a firm belief of mine that if one must do odd jobs around the house at least do it with finesse and if it you don’t know a Philip from a flat head, put the tools down and call your resident handy man.
For more about designer do-it-yourself check out these links:
Pink Tool Belt
*Originally Posted on Word on the Street 10/13/06
Labels: Decor