Did you catch the Salone Bug? …

It’s been a little while since the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2013 took place.  The illustrious event is the pinnacle of the furniture calendar each year and our Caron and Lidia happily jetted off to attend.

Full of great product, interesting people and fun parties – Salone is never one to disappoint.

Did you catch our annual Milan Report which dropped a few weeks ago?  Full of new product available at KE-ZU fresh from manufacturers hot little hands, party shots, introductions and summaries from Caron and Lids – it’s a pretty great Report available by clicking the image below.

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No Comments by O on June 18, 2013
filed in MILANO 2013

Biophilia – Here to stay? …

The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems.

In his 1984 book and largely the running go-to when it comes to the subject, Edward O. Wilson introduced and popularized the hypothesis as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”.

As often is with architecture and design, we take cues from the thoughts and ideas around us and incorporate them into forms, shapes, utilising other design elements and principles to create something which speaks for the needs and ideals of our current society.

There are numerous examples of well known architectural pieces exhibiting largely a biophilic character, the Sydney Opera House, Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s Falling Water house etc.  Loosely, the same could be said for anything which exudes a pattern or a form resonate of nature, whether the intention for biophilic design is there or not.

None is truer to the concept than the case of Ross Lovegrove’s latest collection for Spanish manufacturer Vondom “Biophilia” (see the KE-ZU Blog post on Biophilia here).  Biophilia in essence as is definition, the collection extends to outdoor chairs, arm chairs, sofas and tables.  Lovegrove says of the works:

Biophilia explores the a new design language that forms a dialogue between time , form and space combining the pioneering organic design of Segrada Famila by Antonio Gaudi.

Giving a recognizable nod to the human form and our physical composition, Biophilia works with the gurus of roto-moulding technology Vondom to create the contemporary and shapely designs.  The term biophilia can literally mean “love of life or living systems” – and in these current times of paramount sustainability awareness and the need for us as people to repair the damage that we have arguably caused our environment, there is a need for biophilic design to be incorporated into our everyday lives, a constant reminder of our affiliation with the aesthetics of nature.

We’ll be looking further into Biophilic design in the coming weeks, particularly with the environmental KE-ZU focus for the upcoming Saturday in Design.

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No Comments by O on June 18, 2013
filed in Uncategorized

FFF – Two of my favourite people (and hydration!) …

I like Victoria Beckham.  During my formative years listening to pop music and attempting to find a suitable musical style to which I could call my taste I’ll admit that she was my least favourite Spice Girl.  Her dancing consisted of bending one knee, dragging a one-handed finger point from left to right all the while sporting a doe eye and a killer pout.  She’s since proven herself to me though through her tireless work at becoming perhaps the most successful post-Spice Girl (albeit not for the singing or the dancing).

It’s no surprise then that when it comes to providing me with information about the design world that this FFF fell into Posh’s capable hands through her Instagram account.

Vicky B got her hands on a limited edition Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water bottle honoring Andy Warhol, part of  a new series of limited-edition bottles dedicated to his works; Posh Spice snapping the bottle even before the official images from Perrier dropped.

Some 30 years after Warhol rolled out his iconic screenprints of the Perrier bottle, the vogue water purveyor is paying tribute to the legendary artist.  Warhol’s work graces four different labels that also include famous Warhol quotes such as: “In the future everyone will be world famous for fifteen minutes,” “Art is what you can get away with,” and “I have Social Disease. I have to go out every night”.

It’s not enough that I myself, an unwavering lover of Warhol, the tattoo of his signature I carry etched into my body now have to spend the next few weeks hunting down a limited edition water bottle!  I guess I have Victoria Beckham to blame for that…

The line will be available from June 24.

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No Comments by O on June 14, 2013
filed in FFF - Furniture Free Friday
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Fabulous Fabio Novembre …

Fabio Novembre, Italian architect and designer and evident wordsmith/prophet is the newest collection of designers whose work is available in the form of fabulous furniture available at KE-ZU.

Rolling out as part of the new collection for Spanish manufacturer Vondom at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2013 is Novembre’s “f3” set of outdoor furniture, no doubt destined for international greatness (see the KE-ZU Blog post here).

Fascinating and as visually bursting as f3 is the wider Novembre catalogue – however it’s Novembre’s manifesto, his public poetic declaration of aim is as intriguing as it is breathtaking:

Since 1966, I’ve responded to those who call me Fabio Novembre.
Since 1992, I’ve responded to those who also call me “architect”.
I cut out spaces in the vacuum by blowing air bubbles, and I make gifts of sharpened pins so as to insure I never put on airs.
My lungs are imbued with the scent of places that I’ve breathed, and when I hyperventilate it’s only so I can remain in apnea for awhile.
As though I were pollen, I let myself go with the wind, convinced I’m able to seduce everything that surrounds me.
I want to breathe till I choke.
I want to love till I die.

It’s this sort of passion which embodies the successful designers concepts and design, an obsession with eloquence which translates to his vast body of work.   Overwhelming in its diversity but continually maintaining its fascination – we suggest that you spend some time devouring the epic portfolio, a tiny selection shown below.

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No Comments by O on June 13, 2013
filed in Product News
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Flower Friday @ KE-ZU! …

On a gloomy day, let’s brighten it up with unofficial flower day at KE-ZU!

The striking nanimarquina collection Formosa above is based on genuine pictorial works by the recognised contemporary artist Michael Lin. Formosa, recalling the old name given by Potugese navigators to the island of Taiwan in the 16th century, strives to transfer the painter’s concept to a carpet for the home.

Lin’s art plays with architectural spaces. Exaggeration epitomise the artist’s practice, and the size of his installation works create transformations within the buildings in which he works.

Taking obvious inspiration from the large-scale public works, KE-ZU supplier nanimarquina adapts the patterns, making them available for the home.  Formosa range is available at KE-ZU.

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No Comments by O on June 7, 2013
filed in Product News

FFF(FF) – Flower Friday! …

It may not be Spring, but that hardly matters.  My housemate buys a lot of fresh flowers.  She constantly ensures that the house is smelling sweet and looking beautiful – there’s something gentle and peaceful in the delicacy of a flower – they represent a quality of life that brings joy and delight into a space.

Not always, in the case of Holly Hipwell, who well… who once blew them up.

Holly embodies her blog, The Flower Drum.  A flower-obsessed online destination.  She’s a flower guru, designer, decorator, arranger, stylist, all-round flower enthusiast and just a small amount of hippy who adores the flora .  Holly is another in the new wave of bloggers who’ve turned their online presence into a blooming career, and she’s got a bit of spunk:

I’ve never been to proper flower school. I hate being told what to do, and I think it’s hard to learn from someone who doesn’t love what you love.

Back to the explosion though, Holly teamed up with Analog for Stab Magazine to create The Flower Bomb, a beautiful video with, you guessed it – a bomb of flowers.  Beautiful work.

The Flower Bomb from STAB on Vimeo.

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No Comments by O on June 7, 2013
filed in FFF - Furniture Free Friday

Indecasa celebrates 50 years of aluminium design! …

Indecasa, the company widely heralded as pioneers in the aluminium furniture field – innovators since 1963 in the process.  Doing some simple mathematics, Indecasa is now celebrating 50 years of designing with aluminium.

Throughout its history, Indecasa has become renowned for developing its aluminium furniture production, in the belief that an anodised finish will show this material to its full advantage. The factory is continually expanding and being modernised as the latest technological developments are put into practice.  An interesting fact, Indecasa launched the first tubular aluminium stacking chair in 1963, which as spawned millions of replicas.

Seeing the company’s progression from the 1960’s to today at a glance evidences very quickly why its sturdy and celebrated products are found the world over and will continue to be installed and instantly recognised in contract, commercial and hospitality venues for time to come.

Interestingly, Indecasa recently launched Espiga at Internazionale Salone del Mobile 2013 – a collection designed by Jordi Ribaudí Studio which utilises steel and water-repellent polyester tape, a departure from their go-to material of aluminium.    For more images see the Espiga brochure here.

Celebrating its past and entering an exciting transformation phase, Indecasa is one to continue to look out for – a huge congratulations to you, Indecasa.

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by O on June 4, 2013
filed in Product News, Uncategorized

MMM – The Aussie Blues King …

Today’s MMM comes in the form of another anecdote.

A few years ago I lamented to a friend about not having any new music to listen to as (and my friends will gladly point out) my small rotation of classics was getting rather tiresome. A simple scribble on a piece of paper led me to discover Australian blues singer-songwriter C.W. Stoneking, and what a treat it was to make such a breakthrough.

Playing his first concert in over a year on Saturday night at Sydney’s Opera House was Stoneking, the one they dub “the human time machine”.

C.W.’s original material by definition is simply that, original. His 2008 album Jungle Blues is accompanied by a semi-fictional story of his voyage into the Congo where he was shipwrecked, and hence the albums influence was found, and the content written. The ARIA Award winning album was the feature of the performance, falling under the Vivid Festival umbrella of associated acts.

Stoneking says his style is:

Hokum Blues”, a musical brew influenced by prewar blues, ragtime, vaudevillian novelty tunes, old hillbilly songs, jazz, and calypso.

If that means nothing to you, perhaps I’ll try… his sound is a gypsy carnival like saloon busting memoir of the 30’s. Better? Perhaps not. In any event, never faltering to embody the character of “C.W.” he’s an act not to be missed…

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by O on June 3, 2013
filed in Monday Music Madness

Mare

Our friends and KE-ZU supplier over at Artifort shared the video below with us.

The video is a very sweet and funny Dutch Toyota advertisement, comically evidencing how a smaller car may just save the day when it comes to your grandchilds birthday (and how stunt carparking can be fun anywhere, really!).  The fun part for us?  The cute birthday boy spends most of his time in the ad on Artifort’s Mare sofa – which is available at KE-ZU.

Designed by Rene Holten, whose portfolio of work is incredibly diverse, Mare and is a contemporary collection which finds its rightful place among the rich heritage of Artifort.   Mare showcases clean lines with a touch of European ergonomics, incorporating tightly upholstered surfaces with slim legs  which rise up to meet the sofa cushions.

A distinctive feature is the sled base which in the sofa, The Mare range exhibits high quality construction with steel springs combined with PUR Foam and covered with Dacron to ensure excellent seating comfort and longevity.  It’s bonus is the compatibility of its parts, Artifort says:

Mare and More Mare. More Mare makes this popular designer sofa even more versatile. Make it bigger. Or slim it down. Make it upright and straightforward. Or playful. This is the idea behind the versatility of the new Mare concept: making surprising combinations from its various separate components. To create your own personal sofa. A sofa that is always comfortable and elegant.

Available in various colours with specialty fabric options, Mare is available as a fauteuil, a love seat and as a sofa in four widths. The light, elegant bases of the matching pouffe and tables instantly mark them out as members of the Mare family.

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by O on June 2, 2013
filed in Product News

FFF- The Great Design …

With Lurhmann’s glitzy adaptation hitting the big screens this week, it’s the perfect time to take a look at the creative development behind the typography and graphics of the film.

Lurhmann worked with Sydney based creatives Like-Minded Studio (who have brought branded more product and advertising in the country than you’d believe) to bring a graphic presence to the fabled Gatsby – and not an easy feat, a presence worthy to represent the over $100M price tag attached to the production and have an international identity.

Ranging from deco to nouveau, serif to sans, 2D to 3D – the interesting progression to the final cut invites us to understand how graphics and typography have a story of their own to tell.   Which is your favourite?

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by O on May 31, 2013
filed in FFF - Furniture Free Friday
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