You found the bathroom ... now can you find the toilet?

Usually, when you say the word toilet, the image that comes to mind is pretty much the same from person to person -- a white ceramic object with a round bowl that flushes when you push the lever. However, when you say "design a toilet" to a group of talented designers, the results may make you re-think what a toilet looks like.

The Starck X Toilet, Duravit

The Starck X series by designer Phillipe Starck, pictured above, takes minimalism and technology into the modern day bathroom. This coordinated series offers bidets and toilets in squared configurations that can be wall hung to give the illusion of floating, or can sit neatly on the floor. Bright, crisp, glossy ceramic and elegant fixtures add to the feeling of neat and tidy luxury of the future.

Hatbox toilet by Kohler

The Hatbox toilet, from Kohler (pictured above) is probably one of the most recognized toilets of this group, as when it went into production, it was the first of it's kind and created quite a buzz. One of the most unique features of this toilet is the "hidden" integrated water tank, which allows this toilet to be placed virtually anywhere in the bathroom since it does not need to be placed against a wall. The Hatbox toilet also comes in a range of colors and shades, from white to almond to black.


The Imperial and Avant Guarde toilets from AquAvanty

These interesting toilets pictured above are some of the more unusual designs available from AquAvanty. On the right, the Avant Guarde features dual flush technology inside a tank that resembles smooth stacks of sculpted orbs, while the Imperial toilet on the left features hand-painted 24-karat gold leaf accents on a dragon motif.


Bench Toilet, Julien

And then there is the Bench Toilet from Julien -- you can't get more hidden than this! A stainless steel cabinet with a sliding wood partition neatly conceels the toilet when not in use with a clean minimalist design. Available in a variety of exotic veneers, you might want to pinch your pennies, as this commode starts at $11,475.00

More info on these products:

www.duravit.us

www.kohler.com

www.aquavanti-us.com

www.julien.ca

Timeless Design -- Modern Design from the Past in the Present

One of the most important things I learned while I was studying for my degree in Interior Design was this: Good design never goes out of style.


Above, George Nelson Bubble Lamps, 1947

Bubble Lamps, designed by Architect and Designer George Nelson in the 1947, were a staple of the modern home of the past. The ingenuity of this design was in the ability of the homeowner or interior designer to combine multiple shapes, or use individually, to create a flexible lighting scheme. The series was designed with organic modularity in mind, as the lamps could be hanging ceiling fixtures, sconces, floor, or table lighting based on the hanging accessories chosen. Bubble Lamps enjoyed one of the longest production runs, as these lamps were sold well into the 1970's by Herman Miller, and originally sold for about $14 each. In the 1990's, Modernica resurrected the production of the Bubble Lamps, to much popularity, as they are still a favorite among designers due to their ability to complement today's contemporary design.




The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is one of the most recognized icons of American furniture design. The effectiveness of the design has garnered it it's own celebrity status, as the lounger has been featured in popular movies, television, and print ads to this very day.

Above, the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed in 1956

From the Herman Miller website:

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman is the culmination of Charles and Ray Eames' efforts to create comfortable and handsome lounge seating by using production techniques that combine technology and handcraftsmanship. Its heritage goes back to the molded plywood chairs pioneered by the Eameses in the 1940s, and it's part of the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Charles Eames said his goal for the chair was the "warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." Every one is a special refuge from the strains of modern living.

The Barcelona Chair is probably one of the best examples of timelessness in design. The chair and stool were designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich for the Barcelona World Fair of 1929 as part of the German Pavillion. The design of this chair was inspired by the folding campaign chairs of the ancient Roman military generals.


Above, Barcelona Chair and Stool, 1929

Licensed and manufactured by Knoll, the Barcelona, perhaps because of it's seeming simplicity and pubic demand, is one of the most common chairs to be knocked off by imitators. However, the structural design and complexity of the Barcelona chair design requires a high level and quality of material and manufacturing techniques, rendering imitations and reproductions unequal to Knoll's.




More info on the web:

www.georgenelson.org
modernica.net
www.hermanmiller.com
www.knoll.com

Cute things for around the house from Ferm LIVING

If you are looking to quickly and easily decorate areas in your home, these delightfully designed products by Ferm LIVING may be just what you are looking for!


Bamboo wallpaper, featured above, is a quick way to give your rooms an interesting spin on modern day hawaiiana, without breaking the bank! Geometric bold prints with generous spacing make this product virtually foolproof to install.



The Wilderness Pillow, featured above in yellow curry, gives a bit of spice to a boring room and freshens up sofas and loveseats.



But I think the Kitchen Tools Tea Towel is by far my favorite item! Available in Petrol (above) and in yellow, these towels make me think of our Pedini utensil-with-utensil drawer organizers!

Available from Ferm LIVING : fermlivingshop.us

Lumicor Online Design Studio

Lumicor has launched an interactive custom surfaces designer to create custom architectural panels. Users can create their own custom combinations of colors, textures, and surfaces from the Lumicor Design Studio, and preview their sample before emailing it or placing an order. You can even save your designs to come back to later, or browse other custom designs.



Website: www.lumicor.com

Elica Hoods ... Italian design soon to be available in the U.S.!

Leave it to the Italians to once again take a utilitarian item and turn it into a work of art ... this is exactly what Elica has done, and their ventilation hoods are amazing!



The Elica Star hood looks like a chandelier! A cleverly hidden "magic wand" controls all of the operations of the hood with a flick of the wrist. These hoods are not just pretty looking, they are also highly engineered and quality driven, as explained in their literature where they discuss the pioneering behind Perimeter Aspiration:

Perimeter aspiration represents an alternative aspiration technology. The product functions in such a way that the airflow is moved from the central area to the external perimeter of the hood, a technique that not only does not overload the motor power but in fact reduces energy consumption and noise.

We sure can't wait until these are available here! Until then, you can browse their website at : www.elica.it

Wovin Wall from 3form

Wovin Walls from 3Form is a series of interlocking tiles available in different materials and colors that snap together to create interesting textures for your walls. These new shapes are available in most of the standard 3form ecoresin colors and textures. Another advantage to these? They are only as permanent as you want them to be - tiles can be changed to suit your mood, season, or decor in your home or apartment. The resin is not only a recycled "green" product, but is resistant to mold and mildew too, while providing quick and easy cleaning. Wenge and White Gloss Laminate pictured below. Photos from 3form website.