The HI-MACS® House in Bavaria, Germany

A stunning villa, totally made in HI-MACS® Solid Surface. The interior and exterior were completed with its fabulous material piece-by-piece.


Read more

Beautiful, Practical, or both?

www.hermanmiller.com

VONDOM - A Special Night, Valencia Shopening Night

Valencia joins the trend of New York, London, Paris or Milan of mixing fun and shopping around the most chic streets of the city.

The streets of Valencia celebrated a stylist and glamour event, named Shopening Night.

Alma pots by A-cero from Vondom presumed its elegance in the entrance of each space, shining and welcoming everyone who approached.

Westfield Shopping Centres and naughtone

Westfield shopping centres have recently used a wide variety of naughtone products in their new centre at the Olympic park, Stratford.

Westfield's in-house design team worked very closely with naughtone to tailor their products to Westfield's specific needs.

Audrey stools were stained to match other wood finishes and an additional footring has been added to the low stools.

Standard tables from their range for the cafe court were produced in a special stainless steel finish. naughtone also designed a bar height table in stainless steel specially for this project.

SleepBox

SleepBox represents a contemporary and organic piece of furniture, designed for the demands of an increasingly urbanized environment. A sinuous life-sized object which creates a place of comfort and relaxation within airports, offices or other semi-public spaces, providing peace and quiet in busy urban environments. The solid, smooth and uniform shell is made of HI-MACS, and contains a leather covered mattress.

The project was designed by Caspar Lohner at the Chair for Computer Aided Architectural Design [CAAD], Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich, supervised by Mathias Bernhard and Manuel Kretzer and produced in collaboration with Kläusler Acrylstein AG, who is the exclusive distributor for HI-MACS® in Switzerland.

The free-form shell is made from HI-MACS®, the architect choose the material thanks to its extraordinary properties: it’s extremely robust, but it can be thermoformed and visually seamlessly connected – which was essential for this project.

Caspar Lohner was in charge of each stage – from design to fabrication - of his first project using Solid Surfaces. He was both managing the project but also producing it with a team of students from the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich with constant assistance of Kläusler Acrylstein, who supported with their expertise and technical resources. “Every day was a challenge for me, but when something didn’t work, we tried and tried again until it was resolved. I learnt a lot about HI-MACS® fabrication possibilities thanks to this project” says the designer.

The necessary MDF moulds were produced on a three axis CNC milling machine at ETH Zürich’s in-house facilities Raplab. The flat HI-MACS sheets then were thermoformed into shape using a vacuum membrane press. After the material cools down it exhibits the same properties as before and can be further processed in a similar way to wood. The eleven individual pieces were finally glued together to create a single seamless homogeneous object.

SleepBox will be exhibited from 17^th to 21th January at Swissbau 2012, the most important meeting point for the construction and real-estate industry in Switzerland and one of the biggest specialist exhibitions in Europe.

Swissbau 2012 (Trendwelt Bad)

Stand Kläusler Acrylstein - HI-MACS®

Hall 2.2 – Stand A40

17^th – 21^st January 2012

Basel, Switzerland

Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your visit to The Furniture Industry Blog.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and hope you will continue to read the blog in the future. Please email your news to; info@thefurnitureindustryblog.co.uk for inclusion on the site.

Best wishes for 2012!

Merry Christmas from Design Prima

Heal’s Launches Mobile Site

After months of planning and development, Heal’s launch a mobile optimised website.  With more and more of us using our mobile phones and tablets to shop, Heal's decided it was time to optimise the shopping experience for Heal’s customers on the go. With the new mobile website you can shop contemporary furniture wherever you are.

After seeing an increasing amount of people accessing Heals.co.uk via mobile devices (Oct 2011 saw +15% of total visits completed via mobile devices versus 3% in Oct 2010), the aim of the launch, was to give customers a better, faster and easier shopping experience that is optimised for smart phone users.

Some of the key development areas were:

Provide an inspirational shopping experience that is consistent with the Heal’s brand across all popular mobile devices

To provide simple, clear navigation, that allows customers to browse through their products and purchase the full range of products available from Heal’s.

To create a simple concise product pages with rich images and detailed product information including ratings and reviews.

Ability to share through Facebook, Twitter and Email

Ever present site search bar to allow customers to find products quickly and easily

Store locator to allow customers to easily access store locations, opening hours and contact details

Seamless integration of mobile and main website enabling customer to use a single account to shop across both channels.

“Over the last year, mobile has quickly grown to become one of the most important channels for our customers to access to our website.” said Mike Traill, Head of Ecommerce at Heal’s. “Creating a mobile optimized site that enables our customers to quickly and simply research and purchase products as well as find our store locations at home or on the go will enhance our multi-channel strategy.”

New from Arturo Alvarez

The MIUU floor lamp is an arch that has the characteristic of turning 180º easily without any effort.  This piece is very suitable for lighting tables or sofas. Suits both residential and commercial uses; e.g., common areas of hotels.

Click here for images.

HOME

HOME is the first and foremost interiors event of the new calendar, opening January 15th for three days. 

Register now at www.home-london.net to ensure you are the first to see and select standout products for the new buying season, many of which are making their worldwide debut at Home.

Offering a wide range of stunning classic, contemporary and ‘Homegrown’ British designed furniture, lighting and interior accessories. The event will be divided into three distinctive sections representing the cream of each of these sectors.

In the Modern Home section, visitors will discover the very latest in contemporary interior products. Modern Home will house both the well-established design companies alongside younger boutique brands.

DELLA ROVERE PRICE LIST INCREASE

Update from Della Rovere advising of a 3.9% price increase effective on orders received from 1st January 2012.

Aqua Creations

Aqua Creations Wishes You Happy Holidays

Staverton Launches New Website!

The innovative British office furniture manufacturer, Staverton, is proud to announce the launch of its new website, www.staverton.co.uk.

With a clean, contemporary and stylish design, the fresh website presents the entire Staverton furniture collection via an interactive product viewer that allows users to browse by range or category. 

Merry Christmas from David Fox

David Fox Design would like to wish you all a very merry christmas, and a prosperous 2012. 

Classic Tangerine

The Colour for 2012 is said to be Tangerine.  If you like to keep up with trends but at the same time invest in something lasting, this Wishbone Chair is a great idea- the colour is bright and beautiful and the design a real classic.

The Wishbone Chair (CH 24)

The Wishbone Chair is a classically elegant and lightweight sculptural dining chair. The top rail is carefully steam curved to enhance freedom of movement and provide additional comfort. This design is a compact masterpiece of craftsmanship. More than 100 stages in the manufacturing process involve genuine handwork, including the seat, which is hand woven from 120 meters of paper cord and can last for up to 50 years. Hans J. Wegner designed the Wishbone Chair for Carl Hansen & Son in 1949, and production has continued uninterrupted since 1950. RRP from £391 ex VAT

www.carlhansen.com

Design Event 2011 Highlight

As part of the festival, Design Event commissioned eight new designers to develop a product using materials or processes they’ve not used before, in order to create eight exclusive products for the Mart. The resulting designs formed ‘Design Event Presents’ and raised the profile of the eight design newcomers from the north of England. These products are also for sale at www.britishbydesign.org

Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers * INTERVIEW

Click here to read more

Opening of BD Barcelona Design Gallery

BD Barcelona Design Gallery,
C/ Ramón Turró, 126,  Barcelona (Spain)

BD was created in 1972 by Pep Bonet, Lluís Clotet, Cristian Cirici, Mireia Riera and Oscar Tusquets. These five architects later became progenitors of contemporary Catalan design, but were also responsible for creating one of the first and most successful companies to promote local design both within the region and to the rest of the world.

BD edited and sold furniture and domestic objects signed by Mackintosh, Antoni Gaudí and Salvador Dalí, alongside the best in international contemporary design: Óscar Tusquets, Martí Guixé, Jaime Hayón, Konstantin Grcic or Ross Lovegrove....

Herman Miller and Magis

Herman Miller are now the exclusive distributor of Magis products in the U.S. and Canada. Much like Herman Miller, Magis collaborates with the leading independent designers from around the world, adding a new set of names to the ranks of Eames, Nelson, and Stumpf. 

Ru Chair wins award

The Ru Chair received the Swedish architectural award The Golden Chair (Guldstolen).

The Golden Chair is awarded annually by the Swedish Association of Architects (Sveriges Arkitekter). It is awarded alternately to Best Product and Best Project and this year Ru Chair won the prize in the Product category.

Jury’s statement: “Ru Chair, with its neat and discreet profile is both innovative and inspiringly idiosyncratic. With a meticulous and solid woodworking craftsmanship adapted to industrial production techniques, this chair is both cogent and functional, a clear expression of our time.”

The Ru chair is designed by Shane Schneck and made by Hay. Available in the UK from www.iconsofdenmark.dk. It retails at £166.00

Surface Design Show

Registration is now open for Surface Design Show

Cigar box for Louis Vuitton, by Philippe Hurel

For this bespoke cigar cabinet made to measure for an American connoisseur, Louis Vuitton called upon the expertise of Philippe Hurel for the fine woodwork and the choice of the wood species.

And although French President Nicolas Sarkozy does not smoke, he is the proud owner of one in his Elysee's office.

This very exclusive piece appears in the book "Louis Vuitton : 100 Legendary Trunks".

Made to order at Louis Vuitton stores.

Dining with Hay at Nest

New at Nest for 2012 are five simple and affordable dining chairs and three contemporary tables from Danish brand Hay.

The ingenious design of the tables, designed by Jorgen Baekmark, allows the table top to be lifted off the base and reversed depending on your mood. Each table is available in a natural, black or white frame finish.

The pieces form part of the FDB Chairs & Tables family - a collection of well priced dining chairs and tables designed to complement each other.

Prices start from £514.00 for a set of four identical chairs and from £258.50 for the square table.

For even more inspirational ideas for the home and garden and 1000’s of products to search and buy check out www.nest.co.uk or visit the showroom in Sheffield.

Herman Miller Holiday Sale

It's that time of year again- your inbox is probably flooded with pre-holiday sale reminders, but this reminder is a bit different. Everything in the Herman Miller store is 15% off until midnight on December 12.

Bene Spectrum

After just under two years Bene has freshened up its selection of colours and materials, the Bene Spectrum, with new veneers and melamine surfaces along with extensive additions to the fabric collection. This universal and versatile colour and material system is ideally suited for designing modern offices.

Click here to read more

A One Day Conference Curated By Its Nice That

Friday 9th December, 9.30am - 6.30pm
It's Nice That's one-day conference showcases groundbreaking ideas and projects from 2011, and explores how they might shape 2012 and beyond. Championing creativity across multiple platforms, In Progress promises an expertly curated programme of high-profile talks and insights from some of the most exciting and forward thinking people in the creative industries.

Christmas at The Dock

Christmas comes to The Dock with a four day shopping extravaganza including complimentary champagne and chestnuts at Tom Dixon's late night shopping evening. The Tom Dixon Shop offers festive gifts from over a dozen international designers including Danish jewellery from boutique goldsmiths Line & Jo and original 1960's cookery books from Idea Books. Mr. Smith offers a bespoke Christmas card service and live printing on his portable letterpress and Wrap magazine's illustrators create one-off wrapping paper and offer a free gift wrapping service.

8th-11th December

Thursday 8th December, Late Night Shopping till 9pm 

Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm

Sunday 11am-4pm

Tom Dixon Shop
Wharf Building
Portobello Dock

344 Ladbroke Grove

VICCARBE & KVADRAT

Click the image to enlarge.

The Temporium

Starts today- Covent Garden.

Last DayTo Apply!

Hosted by Frame and Moooi, the inaugural award is looking for the best furniture and lamps that have been designed for a specific interior. Think you have what it takes to win?

Submit your application online TODAY (1 December)

The grand prize recipient will walk away with €25,000 and his or her project will be published in Frame magazine. All entries will be reviewed by our superstar juror, Philippe Starck, who will select the winning design.

Submit your work at www.framemoooi.com

Wall lamps that resemble a skin with a variety of textures from Arturo Alvarez

Gea, Kala, Cors and Tati are wall lamps with different forms and textures, pleasing both to the eye and the touch where originality is not incompatible with simplicity.
Click here to view these new lights

Winter Sale Preview at SCP

The SCP Winter Sale starts this year on Friday 30th December at 9.30am and will run until Sunday 5th February 2012. SCP will be offering up to 50% off ex-display items, 20% off new SCP upholstery and furniture orders, 15% off all other new furniture and upholstery orders, 20% off all rugs and 10% off all new lighting orders.
  
Thursday Lates: SCP East will be open until 8.00pm on Thursday 8th, 15th and 22nd December offering wine and mince pies.
   
Their Christmas opening hours are as follows from 28th November:
 
 Mon-Fri: 9.30am - 7.00pm
 Sat: 9.30am - 6.00pm
 Sunday: 11.00am-5.00pm
 
 Thursday 8th, 15th, 22nd: 9.30am - 8.00pm THURSDAY LATES with mince pies and wine
 Sat 24th Dec: 9.30am - 4.00pm
 Sun 25th - Thurs 29th: CLOSED
 Fri 30th: 9.30am -6pm SALE STARTS
 Sat 31st: 9.30am - 6pm
 Sun 1st Jan 2012: CLOSED
 Monday 2nd: 11.00am - 5.00pm

Sparkle the Dark Up at the Design Museum

Friday 2nd December, 6-10pm

Warm up your winter with the glowing glamour of Design Overtime. Be photographed in one of Tom Dixon's festive fantasies, get into the Christmas spirit with a mix of hands-on cracker and card making, followed by the inevitable visit to Design Museum Shop for expert gift wrap guidance.

iF Closeup: iF Kicks Off Video Podcast Series

iF launched a monthly video podcast series entitled "iF closeup." The first podcast in the series takes a closer look at the jury session for the iF design awards 2012 - the first large common jury for all four iF competitions: the iF product design award, the iF communication design award, the iF material design award and the iF packaging design award

Read more

Herman Miller and MASS Design Group Partner for a Better World

Herman Miller announced a collaborative partnership with MASS Design Group (MASS), which includes an employee volunteer program where Herman Miller lends resources and employee support to MASS projects in Rwanda and Haiti. Herman Miller will also sponsor a fellow in an upcoming MASS Design Group fellowship program.

Read more

MORE REDUCTIONS AT ARAM STORE JANUARY SALE

The Sleep Event

Starts Tomorrow (23rd) - 24th November

The Jill Chair from Vitra

The Jill chair is the result of the first collaborative work by Vitra and Alfredo Haberli. Inspired by the early days of plywood moulding, Jill explores the modern boundaries of this technique while offering a surprising level of comfort.

Click here to read more

RIBA Urges Architects to Embrace Localism

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has called on architects to use their skills and expertise to help communities make the most of their new planning powers and create exciting and bold visions for the future of their areas.

Read more

Clement Joscelyne

Click the image to enlarge

Gunni & Trentino and arturo alvarez get together again in Madrid

Given the success they experienced in Barcelona Gunni & Trentino and arturo alvarez are getting together again, this time in Madrid, to show people the infinite possibilities that the firm’s lamps provide in customized lighting.

Moooi at Design Post

Moooi lands at the beginning of 2012 in Cologne, Germany with an exciting exhibition including inspiring designs and iconic pieces!
If you are planning to visit imm Cologne (the international furnishing show) from Monday 16th to Sunday 22th of January 2012, don't forget to pass by Design Post to appreciate a unique Moooi presentation.

Should a gift be practical or beautiful?

www.hermanmiller.com

Greg Bettis and Charmaine Holland Join KI Europe

KI are pleased to announce two new members to its Sales Team.

Greg Bettis, former MD of Sedus Stoll, Clerkenwell, has been appointed with the remit of developing opportunities in the Business Sector in London and the South East.
Greg brings with him a wealth of experience, with 25 years in the office furniture industry, his main focus will be major projects in addition to developing the reseller and specifier channels.
Greg has worked for dealers and manufacturers, and his knowledge of the systems furniture and seating market will be invaluable as KI enters an exciting phase of new product launches.The introduction of the new bench and task seating ranges recently developed will complete a locally manufactured product portfolio enabling KI to be a total workplace solutions provider.

Charmaine Holland has been appointed as the new Higher Educational Sales Manager.
Charmaine has had experience in creating innovative spaces within Building Schools for the Future projects. She will be using her knowledge and her area of expertise in Academy Schools, Independent Colleges and Universities in order to help promote the vast range of educational furniture and storage products that KI have to offer, including the recently launched Lecture Hall and Auditoriums ranges provided to Colleges and Universities.

Nest reminisces

Nest has been inspired by Mad Men and The Hour to bring you their selection of the best 1950s ‘lounging’ products.

Team the gorgeous new Fritz Hansen Favn sofa with the classic and elegant Carl Hanson CH008 coffee table for a brilliantly 50s feel.

For a slightly different take on the trend pair the simple Knoll Florence Knoll three seater sofa with the bright and fun Cassina Petalo occasional tables. The Florence Knoll sofa has the KnollStudio logo and Florence Knoll's signature stamped into the base of each frame, to guarantee authenticity.

Or if it’s a lounge chair you seek, Nest have the perfect option with the Fritz Hansen leather Egg lounge chair designed by Arne Jacobson, alongside the infamous and beautiful Vitra Noguchi coffee table.

Simply add some atmospheric lighting into the mix to create the perfect lounging experience.

For even more inspirational ideas for the home and garden and 1000’s of products to search and buy check out www.nest.co.uk or visit the showroom in Sheffield.

Ideal Home Show at Christmas

Starts tomorrow (16th) - 20th November 2011
Earls Court London

arturo alvarez sets up a spectacular display at Gunni &Trentino Madrid

Using five different but complementary models from its CORAL collection of pendant lamps, arturo alvarez is presenting one of its most spectacular pieces, both due to its size as well as for its constructive beauty, at Gunni & Trentino at C/ Basílica, one of the most spectacular showrooms in Madrid.

With this sculptural piece, arturo alvarez aims at giving decorating professional ideas so that they can create as many combinations as possible in their lighting, depending on the needs of the relevant project.

The CORAL collection is composed of five organic shapes that recall objects on the seabed. The warmth of the light that passes through the material created by the company and which has become its star material, puts the final touch on the entire arrangement.

Herman Miller + Mattiazzi: Nitzan Cohen

In June, Herman Miller announced their exciting partnership with Mattiazzi, and now, with Nitzan Cohen's He Said and She Said chairs available at the Herman Miller store, they can finally share the elegant designs.

Click here to read more

Arper renovated corporate communication wins its first iF Communication Award

Arper corporate identity has won the iF communication design award 2012: an internationally recognized label and a symbol for outstanding achievements in design.
The international jury, consisting in experts and renowned designers, awarded Arper with the prestigious German prize, for the first time in the “print media - corporate communication” category.
The project was carried out by the New York design firm 2X4 in collaboration with the studio Lievore Altherr Molina and Arper internal design team. It entailed the updating of all communication materials, and involved an evolution of the company’s brand language and corresponding graphic identity.
The goal was to extend Arper key values (synthesis, harmony, systematic formal rigor and customization, colour, play and a mindfulness toward the environment) from product design to an integrated corporate communication system.
The new graphic language is aesthetically pure, refined, playful and pragmatic and broadcasts a unified, coherent and inspired message. It uses the building blocks of historical modernism, in a bold, contemporary way, creating a clear and stable frame to feature a lyrical, informative narrative about Arper products and culture.
Photography created by Scheltens & Abbenes helps to articulate this message. These still-life images describe the design systems, modularity, diversity of options, and ethos inherent in the form of each product collection.
Thanks to this award, the project will be on display at the iF design exhibition in Hannover and Hamburg, at the multi-media exhibition in the city of Haikou (China) and at the iF online exhibition (starting February 2012). The awards night will be held on 10^th February at BMW World in Munich.

www.ifdesign.de

The Floral Collection...

And So To Bed.
Click the image to enlarge.
www.andsotobed.co.uk

Invisible City presents Incunabular

Invisible City, design studio, launches its first handmade furniture collection, Incunabular,designed by Creative Director, Simon Moorhouse. The collection debuts with the Incunabular Side Table, which is available to buy today through Invisible City.

Simon Moorhouse describes the table “as having an irreducible simplicity and is the essence of Incunabular.” The collection takes its dimensions and ratios from the international paper standard ISO 216, Series A. The geometric rationale behind this series is the square root of 2, which maintains the aspect ratio of each subsequent module, i.e. A3, A4, A5 etc.

The collection is handmade in the southeast of England and blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative modern design.It will launch with aside table, sideboard, tallboy and armoire to be released during November.

The debut piece is handmade using high quality, sustainably sourced, solid wood. The side table is available in black American walnut, ash or oak and finished in Danish or white oil. The draw front is available in selected coloursor in matching wood. Additional colours are available upon request.

The complete Incunabular collection will be available to purchase by the end of November through the Invisible City website. http://www.incunabular.com/

The ARC Show and Design PRIMA announce unique collaboration

UBM and Design Prima are delighted to announce a unique collaboration which will see The ARC Show and Design PRIMA being staged alongside each other in London in six months time.


Both exhibitions will now be held at the Business Design Centre, in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant areas, from 29 February to 1 March 2012, marking an exciting and innovative initiative which will bring considerable and self-evident advantages to both exhibitors and visitors.

The power and reach of UBM’s Interiors Portfolio, which includes leading interiors exhibitions Decorex International (www.decorex.com) and Interiors UK (www.interiorsbirmingham.com), and Built Environment brands such as Building Design (www.bdonline.co.uk), Building (www.building.co.uk) and Property Week (www.propertyweek.com), alongside Prima’s experience and knowledge of the sector makes for a heady partnership, one unsurpassed in the industry and capable of building the critical mass and resultant return on investment all exhibitors are clearly seeking.

The benefits of staging two established shows with a common audience under one roof simultaneously presenting the products of over 200 high-end companies, cannot be disputed, especially when those companies are the class acts ARC and PRIMA have both shown they can assemble.

The ARC Show Brand Director Andrew Vaughan commented: “There is a natural synergy between The ARC Show and Design PRIMA so we are delighted with this collaboration. Design PRIMA is a complementary event for many of ARC’s exhibitors and the combination will allow us to offer the industry an unrivalled opportunity to grow and develop their business offerings and present their products to a wider audience. I’m looking forward to the next six months and the future of both these events.”

MD of Design Prima, David Field: “Design PRIMA is still the only niche, high-end, contract interiors event in the UK. Prima companies are design led, principled, well researched and connected. Always creative, frequently copied. 'Synergy' is certainly the principal word here. With ARC and UBM, we are joining forces with solid business and media partners bringing commercial benefits for all in this sector.”

ARC LIGHTING + Design PRIMA

Each event, although linked, will have its own defined space within the building and its own signature. The yellow branding of ARC, already in use, remains unchanged and the powerful, well known, minimal ‘open’ staging of PRIMA complemented by Alan Fletcher’s iconic logotype will continue to signal exhibitor confidence and continuity to all visitors.

For further information, visit www.thearcshow.com or www.designprima.com

VIP party invitation

Savoy | The Restoration

A new book by Siobhán Doran- Savoy | The Restoration

Join Crest Living in celebrating the book launch on Wednesday 16 November between 10am-9pm.

Food and drink will be available throughout the day, whilst you liaise with Siobhán Doran and enjoy viewing exclusive prints on display.

BRITISH FURNITURE MANUFACTURER CELEBRATES BEING FORTY AND FABULOUS!

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Hitch Mylius is a veritable ambassador for home grown furniture manufacturing in the UK.

Founded in 1971 by designers Tristram and Hazel Mylius, the London-based company has produced contemporary, upholstered furniture for an impressive roll call of public spaces spanning offices, hotels, universities and airports. Clients have included English Heritage, Google, Channel 4, the Guardian Newspaper, British Museum, St Andrew’s University, Kings College Hospital, Eurostar and Forte Hotels, to name a few.

Within the design industry, Hitch Mylius is renowned for their inherent “Britishness” and long-held commitment to manufacturing in the UK. Architects and designers hold them in high regard consistently specifying their products in new and high profile projects.

Over the years, Hitch Mylius has collaborated with prominent product designers and architects, including Kenneth Grange, Nigel Coates, Simon Pengelly and David Chipperfield, to produce special pieces or ranges, many of which are still in production today. With an impressive 40-year pedigree of designing, prototyping and manufacturing furniture product ranges, each piece is handmade to order, in Enfield, by a highly skilled team of craftsmen.

The anniversary celebration include a new collection of modular seating (hm63) designed by Nigel Coates, additions to the popular range designed by Simon Pengelly (hm86) and a new seating range for the healthcare sector and the elderly, designed by Kenneth Grange. The celebrations culminate with an exciting programme of events during the London Design Festival (details below).

Tristram and Hazel Mylius both have an inherently strong sense of design. Tristram studied furniture design at the Hornsey College of Art (now Middlesex University). His training combined with Hazel’s natural eye for design and passion for textiles, created the foundations of Hitch Mylius incorporating both their areas of expertise.

Founded in 1971, and following the amicable departure with John Hitch a few years later, the company has grown organically and today comprises thirty employees involved in furniture production. The company has overcome four recessions, during the most recent Hitch Mylius recorded their single largest order; 900 sofas for the Princess Noura University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, simultaneously completed with an order for 1300 pieces to furnish the new London Mint Hotel in Tower Bridge.

As far as Tristram and Hazel are concerned, Hitch Mylius’ staff, many of whom have been at the company for 30 years, are their greatest asset. Hitch Mylius works like a finely tuned machine, strong on logistics, skills and training, resulting in beautifully crafted, functional furniture. Its mission is to continue to promote good British design and to demonstrate that the UK can still produce affordable, quality furniture design.

(Re)Introducing the 101: the very first lamp from David Weeks

The 101 is the very first lamp designed and made by David Weeks. It was the start of his lighting collection and represents the artist's––and the company’s––formative beginnings.
Weeks found inspiration for the 101 in 1994 at the 26th Street Flea market in NYC. He was drawn to a typical 1950s desk lamp, purchased it, took it home, and took it apart. Weeks shaped and refined the shade, then hand-formed a new steel structure employing two intersecting loops to provide a weighted base, as well support braces for the uprights and the shade.

The original prototype featured a cloth covered electrical cord repurposed from a vintage iron. But while scouring the hardware section of BHV (Bazaar de l'Hotel de Ville) in Paris that same year, Weeks came across braided, cloth-covered electrical cord that gave the original production version its final touch.
The 101 was the cornerstone of Weeks' original lighting collection launched in 1995. Only 25 of these lamps were made and sold in the first years of the company history before Weeks retired the piece and turned his attention to larger, more sculptural, pieces.

The limited edition 101 has been produced with the last remaining parts that were fabricated for the original design. This hand-signed edition of 20 features powder-coated, hi-gloss white shades, with a nickel plated frame and cloth covered electrical cord. 

The 101 by David Weeks. A hand-signed, limited edition of 20, available exclusively at Tweek.
The Limited Edition 101
Size: 14"H x 16"L x 8"W
Shade: Powder-coated aluminum, hi-gloss white
Base: nickel plated steel
Cloth covered cord with switch on cord.

Surface View add innovative Scandinavian prints and new National Portrait Gallery collection

Innovative Scandinavian Surface prints, and new National Portrait Gallery archive now available from Surface View.

Surface View is a whole world of bespoke interior graphics. Their extensive and uniquely beautiful image collections offer a huge range of possibilities to create bespoke surface products.

With winter fast approaching Surface View introduce the ‘Scandinavian Surface’ collection, this range, from a quartet of innovative Norwegian pattern designers has been in development over the past decade. These unique designs draw their inspiration from the steep mountains, dramatic coastline and the rare outbursts of sunshine that surround the designer’s Bergen based studio. With great care and consideration the designs have been intricately composed with intriguing and surprising details with each image created to form a repeat pattern.

This month sees new collection, the National Portrait Gallery, added to Surface View's extensive portfolio of imagery.

Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery, London, holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Granted special access, Surface View have curated their own refined selection of striking and commanding portraits.

Homegrown British Talent at Home

Homegrown is the EXCLUSIVE new addition to Home, the definitive new trade event for the very best in homewares and interior accessories. Homegrown offers buyers and retailers the ultimate opportunity to discover the BRAND NEW, emerging British talent guaranteed to make a huge impact for 2012.

The Homegrown sector is one not to be missed, consisting of the crème de la crème of British brands offering an exclusive chance to see the newest and most innovative products from lighting, graphic wallpaper to soft furnishings and interior accessories.

Register now online for free entry

Above: Design Instinct

Exhibitors confirmed to Homegrown include:

Room 39, Design Instinct, Green & Blue, John Green Designs, Woven Oak, Snow Home, Chocolate Creative, Alex Garnett, Surfacephillia.

Light of Fancy

Create a warm and inviting atmosphere for when you are at home with clever lighting. Receive 10% off all lighting* at SCP throughout November to help banish the darkness and brighten your day.


Visit SCP online or instore for more details and to check out their extensive range of pendants, floor lamps, desk lights and bulbs.

* Offer excludes Tom Dixon products.

Gothic revival at Nest

Nest loves the revival of the gothic look and can’t wait to recreate the ambiance these perfect pieces will create - especially as the winter really creeps in.


With a subtle hint of gothic madness you can’t get better than the Magis Troy chair, which will look prefect in any dining setting.

Bring a touch of humour to your home during the winter months with the fabulous Moooi Rabbit light.

For a more classic take on the trend look no further than the Kartell Louis Ghost opaque armchair.

Let the walls do the talking with the iBride Cornelius the Monkey Gentleman tray – an antique tray that does look just as good on your wall as it does carrying your afternoon tea.

The Norman Spine rug has a dramatic print in grey and black shades - designed for all of us who love fashion and design.

If just a touch of this trend is enough for you then try the Diamentini & Domeniconi Millelancette wall clock.

For even more inspirational ideas for the home and garden and 1000’s of products to search and buy check out www.nest.co.uk or visit the showroom in Sheffield.

Call for Applicants: Frame Moooi Award

Thinking of applying for the Frame Moooi Award?

Submit your work before 1 December 2011

Hosted by Frame and Moooi, the inaugural award is looking for the best furniture and lamps that have been designed for a specific interior. The winning project will be chosen by the award’s juror: Philippe Starck. Finalists will be published in Frame magazine, while the winning project’s designer will receive the grand prize of €25,000.
Applications will be accepted from interior designers, product designers and architects; developers, funders, contractors and other associated organizations can also enter on behalf of architects or designers with their consent.

Submit your work at http://www.framemoooi.com/

ELLIPTICAL INTERIORS LTD NEW CONTACT DETAILS

With immediate effect ELLIPTICAL INTERIORS LTD new contact details are as listed below:-


120 Pitt Street
Edinburgh
EH6 4DD

The new telephone number is 0131 554 4900
The new fax number is 0131 554 0504

Method's telephone number has changed

Method's telephone number has changed with immediate effect.

New choices for you to build your chair, from Herman Miller

Furniture Retailer Home of the Sofa joins The Furniture Ombudsman

Stratford-upon-Avon based Home of the Sofa has become a member of The Furniture Ombudsman, an organisation which aims to inspire consumer confidence in the furniture industry by raising standards.


Independent furniture retailer Home of the Sofa specialise in high quality handmade English sofas, chairs, chaise lounges and footstools. They join a long list of independent retailers and large well-known brands alike in their pledge to work in a way which is both fair to the consumer and the furniture industry. The company has demonstrated their commitment to the consumer by joining The Furniture Ombudsman and signing up to a Code of Practice.

Rachel Spence, Director at Home of the Sofa said; “We believe in delivering exceptional customer service but things can occasionally go wrong. By partnering with The Furniture Ombudsman (TFO) we can ensure that any complaint is followed up on and handled in the appropriate manner. Any queries, claims or disputes relating to the condition of the products at the time of delivery or within the guarantee period may be referred to and managed in conjunction with TFO.”

Rachel continued, “Our TFO membership means that we have access to a comprehensive range of information and support services aimed at reducing the level of complaints and offering our customers peace of mind, this ensures that buying from Home of the Sofa should always be a pleasurable experience.”

With TFO membership, any queries, claims or disputes may be referred to and managed in conjunction with The Furniture Ombudsman. The independent TFO dispute resolution service is administered by adjudicators and is recognised by the European Commission.

Through their membership of The Furniture Ombudsman, Home of the Sofa has agreed to follow the scheme’s code of practice, and pledged to act as a responsible retailer within the furniture industry.

The Furniture Ombudsman aims to inspire consumer confidence in both the furniture and home improvements industries and offers an impartial and independent dispute resolution service for both consumers and furniture retailers. By joining The Furniture Ombudsman, Home of the Sofa is offering their customers additional reassurance and further demonstrating that they are a responsible furniture retailer.

For more information on The Furniture Ombudsman, and to watch a short film explaining The Furniture Ombudsman service, visit www.thefurnitureombudsman.org.

With the economic climate still up-in-the-air, it’s time to invest in classic design pieces that will stand the test of time.

So love your Nest and re-discover design with these top five classic investment pieces from Nest.

Display your clothes in style with the Vitra Hang it All coat rack, designed in 1953 by Ray Eames. This is an iconic item that you and your family will treasure forever. Now also available in three special edition colours, it costs £182.00.

Tell the time in style with the Vitra Sunflower wall clock. Designed by George Nelson in 1949, it is simply beautiful and stunning and costs £692.40.

The Cassina LC2 sofa designed by Le Corbusier, is featured in the design collection of the Museum of Modern Art. It costs £4,938.00 and is now available with beautiful coloured frame options.

The BL2 table lamp from Bestlite achieved the status of a national icon when Winston Churchill had one standing on his desk during the Second World War. Designed in 1930 by the English designer Robert Dudley Best it proved a great success and still is today. Buy a bit of history for £349.00.

This classic investment selection wouldn’t be complete without featuring the Vitra Lounge chair and ottoman – this has to be the ultimate investment piece for the home and family. Prices range from £4,777.20