Outdoor accents can be added with ‘non outdoor specific’ fabrics and this opens up options as shown here. The collection by Black Edition is an example of the soft furnishings industry following current trends in fashion. More: The Orchis collection on www.romoblack.com Read More
In a recent post we shared a video showing best in class multi-functional designs. The reality behind these innovative options comes from a simple change. The brand changed the players involved in developing their furniture and so changed the solutions. New multi- functional furniture is taking off by leveraging the talents of mechanical engineers, hardware designers as well as talented furniture designers. The combo is a winning one. Our next workshop will discuss what mechanical... Read More
Next week we will take time to explore ‘Collaborative Consumption’. You may not yet know this term but just as you got to know about ‘ green’ and ‘eco’ issues, Collaborative Consumption will be part of your vocabulary soon. The session will focus on how the trend can be leveraged by Garden Designers. To explore the trend in depth, we recommend you take a few minutes and visit: http://collaborativeconsumption.com/ Read More
Despite the heavy snow Maison et Objet has announced a successful edition with 76 000 visitors, half of which were from abroad. The fair also confirms it is ‘going glo-cal’ with a new show to be held not in France but in Singapore. Read More
This week we will explore the rise of creative outdoor heating options including the increasing number of ‘next generation’ infra red designs. The costs and merits of the different available options will be discussed too. One example will be ‘Hotdoor’ by Antonio Di Chiano for Phormalab. (Take a minute to view the design on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8dHTGgPe3g). Our selection will include more creative solutions such as the ones... Read More
In this week’s workshop we will review available designs in the year’s hot color EMERALD and great ways to play the trend. In our image is a very affordable design by LA REDOUTE, a leading European online shop. Check out the Business week’s article about EMERALD: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-12-06/emerald-green-is-pantones-top-color-of-2013 Read More
Next week we will be discussing decor trends seen indoors and worth migrating outdoors…Including the DIP DYE mania Read More
Offering customized designs seems to be a key to staying ahead for brands in the outdoor market. This is true not only for furniture designs but also for pots and planters. On the demand side, leading interior designers, architects and garden designers will now be in a position to show the full extent of their skills by offering highly personalized sets to clients thanks to initiatives developed by brands such as Eternit. The brand has started offering customization possibilities... Read More
Designer outdoor showers are still in short supply as stand alone designs. You can see our selection HERE. But does it matter? As we will see in our next workshop session, the theme of the outdoor shower (and the outdoor bath for that matter!) has moved on. The appetite for outdoor showers and baths is recognized and has become a well reported theme. Time has come to look ahead and assess where this new found desire is leading us. The first obvious observation is that this... Read More
In this week’s workshop we will be discussing an item traditionally left to architects and interior designers: windows /openings. We will be sharing why we are increasingly finding window sizes ARE part of garden design. Read More
Going forward it is pretty sure urban gardens will have more bike racks…why not try creative options? // // // ]]> Read More
Outdoor space is often a rare commodity. This idea, presented by Wind virtual university, shows a creative solution for balconies for example. Read More
In 2010 the Milan Salone del Mobile kicked off the big transition away from rigid architectural pure lines and textures to rounded shapes, double textured furniture and a heavy emphasis on incorporating wood on walls and in cabinet doors. Two years on, we see these ideas have come to life even in the mainstream. (See Ikea 2012). This year a strong element was using geometric shapes in the overall design scheme for a room or individual units such as cabinets and sofas. Many... Read More
Elena Colombo is a New york based sculptor and architectural designer specializing in site specific fire features and landscape ornaments. Her designs often work combinations of elements: earth+fire, water+fire etc.
Her collection also includes furniture such as the Slot bench seen here. She works with...
Urban escapism can be defined as the art of escaping the reality of urban/city life yet staying put.
Designs that allow you to capture the feeling of vacations or wilderness tap into that trend and demand is on the rise.
This...