Today we take a look at the Bouroullec brothers and the top 10 picks of new homewares and accessories.
January 22nd, 2011
Today I was devastated to find out I had missed a presentation from the Bouroullec brothers yesterday. A real shame, but it is clear to see that the pair’s approach to design and a general aesthetic can be seen everywhere at this fair (and I’ve included some shots from the conference here too!).
The brothers have been recognised this year as Designers of the Year, along with French ‘Green Architect’ Edouard François and Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier.
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have been working together since 1998, developing their simple aesthetic – built upon complex design and manufacture. They have designed for some of the world’s biggest names, from Vitra and Alessi, Magis to Ligne Roset.
An exhibition of the Bouroullec’s recent works acts, in many ways, as a representation of much of what is seen out in the Now! design á vivre hall. They’re simple aesthetic echoes throughout – this isn’t to say that they invented it, but they’re approach has definitely become popular in recent years.
Check out the official video interview with the Bouroullecs below:
On with the show…
Today I browsed the latest homewares on offer from a range of different brands. Below I’ll take you through my top 10.
1. PUNKT.
This is not only a debut product, but a debut brand being launched at the fair. The PUNKT. DECT cordless telephone came about due to a lack of well-designed, functional options in this sector. English designer Jasper Morrison came on board as creative director to create the PUNKT. phone. It comes in red, black and white and will be joined by a clock radio some time this year. A little retro, but very cool.
2. JOE
ibride’s macabre display of animals’ heads on people’s bodies (bookcase/artwork hybrids) was lightened by these massive bookcases shaped like polar bears (AKA ‘JOE’).
3. Fun Time
Progetti had their latest wall clocks on display including a colourful dotty version of their ever-popular ‘RND time’ clock, called ‘Fun time’ and a very Gen Y ‘What-ever’ clock.
4. Peculiar Attachments
Singapore-based d.lab were on show at Now! design á vivre, with their latest products, including beautiful wood and aluminium ‘objects’ (can be used as lights) called peculiar attachments.
5. HiHo
Another Singapore-based designer, Jarrod Lim, had his fantastically-fun HiHo, adult-sized rocking horse on show with its new distributor, Innermost. They’re fluffy, they’re fun and they’re from a great local designer – check them out if you get a chance.
6. Join
This quirky little knife, fork and spoon set turns your cutlery into a design object when not in use. ‘Join’ by Konstantin Slawinskiis is described as more than cutlery; it’s decoration for the table.
7. Whisk
These new whisks from Normann Copenhagen should definitely be kept out of the draw and on display and you may need to buy 16 of them; then you’ll get the full impact of them as a forest of little trees.
8. Friends
Another great one from Normann Copenhagen is the collaboration between a designer and street artists – these cork placemats will be hitting the shelves soon.
9. Tea Sets
Muuto have just launched this new tea set collection, featuring oversized “cartoon-like” cups, teapots, cookie jars and sugar pots.
10. Wooden Spoons
Last but not least Muuto have these great new wooden spoons and salad servers that are affordable enough to be in everyone’s kitchen drawer, but so well made and beautifully simple.
Tomorrow I take on the huge Hall 7, featuring Scenes d’interieur and Maison et Objet éditeurs.
Stay tuned…
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
WeWork has become a massive commercial operation, tapping into the growing ‘freelancer’ workforce. As the company recently opens its latest offering in Bourke Street Melbourne (designed in-house), Alice Blackwood speaks to Balder Tol, the General Manager Australia, to hear what makes the start-up so successful.
A new – and beautiful – book written by Kylie and Tiffany Johnson takes an in-depth look at ceramics and the work of the artist from clay to kiln. Covering a wide variety of artists, Earth & Fire also ranges from porcelain and sculpture to everyday functional pieces.
Storytelling, as a leadership capability, can become the strong foundation of company culture. But just how can the power of narrative and storytelling help leaders to spearhead and activate change in their business? DQ Editor Sophia Watson explores the Apple case study, and how Steve Jobs used storytelling to lead his team.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Extrapolating the typology of farmhouse architecture, Cameron Anderson Architects (CAARCH) has drawn on the local architecture of Mudgee in both form and materiality to deliver a surprising suite of buildings.
A school in India, designed by Vijay Gupta Architects, showcases the importance of the natural world by engaging and educating the young.