“Urban refuge” – Géraldine Dumont - Geneva, Switzerland (Student)

This year’s HI-MACS® Design Contest focused on Urban Furniture, and received over 500 projects in the two categories - Professional and Student – from the most mind-boggling to fabulous avant-garde ideas. Including;

The "Urban Refuge" is a structure in which people can find shelter from bad weather or high temperatures. It can also function as a hospitable place for people to meet up in cities or parks. Up to seven people can be accommodated within its 230-centimeter diameter.
This refuge is primarily intended for smokers, who are now practically banned from public places. It protects its users come rain or shine, whilst providing them with a reassuring environment as it lights up at night-fall.
After nightfall this bright urban fixture creates a reassuring environment, providing a sense of security. The structure is illuminated while respecting the environment through the use of solar panels installed on the roof. An armrest and an ashtray are incorporated into the base section of the structure.
The shape of the "Refuge" is inspired by vegetation and so integrates harmoniously with its environment. The degree of curvature is made possible through the highly flexible nature of HI-MACS®. The light is diffused thanks to the translucent properties of HI-MACS® Opal.
Géraldine is student at HEAD, University of Art and Design in Geneva.

The winners will be announced at 100% Design.

100% Design launches app

Keep up-to date with all the latest news from 100% Design & despoke plus videos, Twitter feeds and an event planner.

Download your 100% Design app now

Tom Dixon Friends And Family Sale

Tom Dixon Sale starts today.
www.tomdixon.net

AHEC collaborate with Amanda Levete

For this year’s London Design Festival, AHEC are collaborating with Amanda Levete, Arup and Cowley Timber. The Timber Wave, a majestic three dimensional latticework spiral made from American red oak is AHEC's most exciting and ambitious public installation to date. The Timber Wave will feature at the grand entrance of the V&A Museum for 6 weeks demonstrating red oak's strength, machinability and wonderful colour.

VICCARBE New Ryutaro tables.

Click the image to enlarge.
For more information contact the new UK representatives- Crest Contract Interiors www.crestcontracts.co.uk

Lighting creates atmosphere

Modern Antique

Mixture of new and old. Interest in and fascination for individual objects, coalescing in an organised, yet contrasting chaos. Lighting creates serenity and harmony, underpinning the overall impression. Louis Poulsen has a wide range of lamps that fits right in.

Small additions impact hugely on mixtures of new and old, creating a personal look.

www.louispoulsen.com

Lightsource

Read 'An interview with... Matt Strigden Project Manager at White Light' here
Registration is now live for The ARC Show 2012. To register, click here

Q&A: Architects David Freeland and Brennan Buck

To read the Herman Miller interview, please click here

Final call for entries - WAN Product of the Year Award

Brought to you by WORLD ARCHITECTURE NEWS, the world’s leading global resource for architects, the WAN Product of the Year Awards in partnership with BAU is a major international competition that celebrates and promotes the best in architectural products and materials.

Enter the awards for a unique opportunity to impress clients, motivate your staff and secure work through exposure to our readership of over 200,000 architects, manufacturers and clients from over 120 countries.

Not only will your entry have a guaranteed listing on worldarchitecturenews.com and the WAN APP, which reaches over 30,000 mobile readers, the shortlisted and winning entries will also feature in our weekly News Review, providing a global platform to showcase your designs.

To find out more contact Amy Knight on amy.knight@wantoday.com or call +44 (0)1273 648939.

Deadline 30 June 2011

worldarchitecturenews.com

Icon Design Trail

Register now to apply for inclusion in the Icon Design Trail. Click here for details

New Designers 2011

Part 1: 29 June - 2 July 2011 (Awards Preview 29 June)
Part 2: 6 - 9 July 2011 (Awards Preview 6 July)

New Designers, the UK's most important graduate design exhibition, returns this summer. Over 3,500 of the brightest and most creative talents from Britain’s leading design courses will come together for the 26th edition of New Designers. From architecture to animation, furniture to fashion, graphics to illustration, New Designers is an event not to be missed.

Crest Living Summer Sale starts this Friday

We are delighted to announce the Summer clearance at Crest Living.
The sale will start this Friday 1st July and ends Sunday 31st July.
Enjoy up to 30% off designer furniture, lighting and accessories for the home from a range of leading brands. Brands featured will include Artifort, Metalarte, Pallucco, Seven Salotti and Thonet.
Join us throughout the month of July to take advantage of our exciting offers.
Crest Living 242 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2BB www.crestliving.co.uk

Best Of 500 Timeless Interiors

The series of interior books from Beta-Plus started in January 1995. The fifteenth anniversary of the series is marked with two large, luxurious compilations: on timeless interiors and one on contemporary interiors.

The best interior design presentations from over 150 titles (many of which are no longer available), a treasure of information and inspiration for anyone looking to decorate or build a home.

Click here for a preview

Sad News for Habitat

Habitat, a leading UK furniture retailer, last week announced it was going into administration. The high-street company will continue to trade in 3 of its London stores while over 30 of its other locations are said to face closure.
The Home Retail Group, the owner of the retailers Argos and Homebase, are known to have purchased the rights to the brand. The group have suggested their plans to maintain the branding and furniture designers of Habitat as well as the flagship London stores and the online side of the company.
Finance website This is Money reported that the future of the international side of the business is still in discussion. The sale of Habitat’s 27 French stores, 6 Spanish and 5 German is likely to include the branding.
While this will mean job losses and store closures, the Habitat name will not altogether disappear as yet.
Habitat’s presence in many of the UK’s busiest shopping districts made this company a familiar brand within the homes of style-conscious shoppers and design enthusiasts alike. Its launch in the early 60s saw an innovative move for the industry. Terence Conran, designer and founder of the company, set out to provide affordable, design-led quality that set his generation apart from that of his parents’. The heavy, traditional and practical pieces of the previous years were given a contemporary, youthful makeover.
The stores also revolutionized the experience of furniture shopping itself. The company brought a freshness to every aspect of the industry: from product design to exciting retail venues. With its own designers producing pieces that followed fashion as well as function, the stores gave people the experience of dressing, and styling, their living spaces.

How can furniture act together with you?

For more information visit the Herman Miller website

DELIGHTFULL LAMPS

Jackson and Evans by Delightfull - Unique Lamps

Delightfull, the lighting brand which want to recover the class and charm of the last century based on the stylish creations of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s through contemporary design has just launched two new models.

The team, which is just composed by 2 young designers , is able to challenge the limited resources available in a small workshop in the city of Porto, Portugal and give birth to contemporary creations using the same methods has 60,70 years ago... No injected plastics, no Cad cutting machines, just the knowledge and experience of craftsmen who have dedicated their lifes to the art of metal working.

For further information please email info@thefurnitureindustryblog.co.uk

De La Espada

This Spring, Matthew Hilton launched Orson desk. Made in rich hardwood and seasoned cast iron, Orson simply and quietly performs the task required, while remaining approachable and appealing to the senses. Three solid wood drawers with dovetail joinery provide ample storage for desk accessories, while three small compartments at the back of the desk provide an efficient and attractive cable management system. Accessories designed to complement the desk include two storage trays and a pencil holder which are available separately. Designed by Matthew Hilton and manufactured by the expert craftsmen at De La Espada.


www.delaespada.com

PHILIPPE HUREL FURNITURE / NEW COLLECTION

New pieces add to the Philippe Hurel collection, including the two above examples. Click the images to enlarge or visit the newly decorated Philippe Hurel showroom on 122 Fulham Road alternatively visit www.philippe-hurel.com

Product of the Year Award

As the entry deadline is rapidly approaching for the WAN Product of the Year Awards, I wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to expose your product to some of the most influential decision-makers in today’s construction industry.

The WAN AWARDS are now the largest architectural awards in the world and most of the bigger firms of architects, developers and consultants are engaged with our programme, either by entering or as part of our judging panel.

Some of the names you will recognise are Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Foster and Partners, SOM, HOK, BDP, Daniel Libeskind, CF Møller, MAKE, Denton Corker Marshall, Populous, Arup, Atkins, Buro Happold, British Land, Land Securities, BAA and PwC; firms realising some of the most significant projects in the world today, such as the Freedom Tower in New York, the Shard of Glass in London, Beijing Airport, Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital, the London 2012 Stadium, Velodrome and Aquatic Centre, to name just a handful.

The WAN Product of the Year Awards is the most cost-effective way of getting your product in front of these people and firms.

Many manufacturers ask us “what kind of products are the judges looking for?” Well, it’s no secret that they love innovation, products that look good, products that have good eco credentials, products that can make a difference. Other than that, anything goes, from a new non-toxic paint, to safer playground equipment, energy-saving lighting or software that makes their life easier, to a stylish WC that saves water…

If you have an innovative product that is forward-thinking, has good eco credentials or just looks fantastic, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

Enter the WAN AWARDS now!

Tuesday 28 June - onoffice talks

Click the image to enlarge

SCP Summer Sale // Starts 25 June

The SCP Summer Sale begins on the 25th June 2011 with up to 50% off discontinued lines and ex-display items, 20% off all new SCP upholstery, furniture and rug orders, 15% off all other upholstery and furniture orders and 10% off all lighting and rugs.

We have now published the discounted prices of our ex-display and end of line items on the SCP website. Click here for a sneak preview of all the items that will be up for grabs at our East and West stores from Saturday 25 June.

And for those of you who want a head start, you can now pre-order new upholstery, furniture, lighting and rugs at a discounted price. Pre-orders can be made in both of our stores. Call 020 7739 1869 for further details.

Case Summer Sale

Up to 70% off selected items and 15% off all orders.
Visit their showroom or website to view all sale items.
www.casefurniture.co.uk

SIGN UP NOW TO VISIT MACEF SHOW IN SEPTEMBER

The September 2011 show will be the 91st in the history of Macef, a series which started in September 1964 and which has accompanied and promoted an industry as important and creative as that of homeware for over forty years.

The next Autumn Macef will take place from 8th – 11th September 2011. As per every edition, the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK, in collaboration with SBID, is organising the UK buyers delegation to the show, offering your company the opportunity to benefit from:

2 nights 4* hotel accommodation ( booked by Fiera Milano directly);
pick-up service and drop-off at the airport;
Shuttle service to the exhibition centre;
free entry pass;
access to the Buyers Club (buffet lunch, drinks, cloakroom and hostess assistance)

So, if you are looking for new suppliers and exciting products secure your place now to visit Macef in January at this incredible offer!

REGISTER ONLINE

Actiu reaffirms its presence in Morocco

On June 2, 2011 Actiu officially opened its new showroom in Casablanca. The collaboration in the project by New Concept, Official Partner of Actiu in Morocco has made it possible implement this commitment to our future in Morocco.. Click here to read more

Decorex International

Registration is now open for Decorex International 2011, the industry's leading high-end interior design show, taking place on 25-28th September.
www.decorex.com

SARAH KAY

BESPOKE FURNITURE DESIGNER MAKER.
Click the image to enlarge.
View this piece and the 'Infinity Tall Boy' at Crest Living, 242 Brompton Road. www.crestliving.co.uk

The Design Contest finalists are...

This year's HI-MACS® Design Contest received over 500 projects in the two categories - Professional and Student - from the most mind-boggling to fabulous avant-garde ideas.

We are glad to announce the 8 finalists exhibiting at 100% Design London.

View more details

Herman Miller Canvas Office Landscape; A Holistic Workspace Platform

Herman Miller has released their latest advancement in systems design: Canvas Office Landscape
Click here to read more

Mixology North nearly sold out

Mixology North is now 85% sold out. Palace Hotel, Manchester, 17 Nov 2011.
Tables of ten £1900 +vat, tickets £200 +vat each.
www.mixology-north.com
If you want one of the last tables before we sell out - book now!

The iF Design Awards 2012

The iF Design Awards 2012 is open for entries.
Since 1953, iF has invited international manufacturers and designers to enter their products in the iF design awards.
For the first time, all four iF design awards are taking place at the same time; iF product design award 2012, iF communication design award 2012, iF material design award 2012, and iF packaging design award 2012.
Deadline for registration is August 31, 2011.

CDW Special Offer

Click the image to enlarge, or visit www.newdesigners.com for more information

Tom Dixon Friends And Family Sale

www.tomdixon.net

Sancal - Surrender to colour therapy this summer!

This summer we propose enjoying the positive properties, energy and good humor offered by the yellow and orange colours. Fresh, juicy, citric, tropical and challenging are the colours proposed by Sancal to release this new season.We add the yellow and mango to our lacquer finishes and present them in Rock by Rafa Garcia and Tab by Nadadora.
In addition, the Tea collection comes with novelties in the summery orange and yellow.
And do not forget Mandarinas: vitamins all year!

Embrace by John Green

Embrace is a multi-functional piece of furniture that has just been launched by Mocha. The award winning design by British designer John Green is both versatile and space saving.

For more information, click here

Exciting Contrasts Set the Tone for Autumn with H&M Home

Warmth, comfort and glamour are all in focus at H&M Home this autumn, with a palette of forest-inspired colours bathed in candlelight to make everyone feel welcome as the nights draw in.
Read more

Rug company looking for representation in the UK

Please email info@thefurnitureindustryblog.co.uk for more information

Vondom

www.vondom.com

Cascando

Since its establishment in 1998, Cascando has grown into a leading Dutch producer of high-quality, expressive interior accessories for the office and home.

For more information visit www.cascando.nl or Crest Living - 242 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2BB

Clement Joscelyne - Summer Sale

Click here for more information

Bean Sofa for Tec 72

David Fox Design is pleased to announce the latest design for newly formed company Tec 72.

Bean is a modular seating system, the concept is a departure from the conventional linking or bench seating system. The organic shape, draws inspiration and fluidity from the natural shape of a Bean, and how the objects scatter randomly, aesthetically working in harmony with no apparent order.

Manufactured from wooden frames CMHR foams, the sofa and “Pod”, are covered in a choice of contract fabrics or hydes, the chromed or powder coated steel rail hovers seamlessly above the floor, creating a shadow gap, as the uplifting angled shape emerges from the ground.

The shapes can be loosely arranged to form interior landscapes, side by side, back to back, formed in a circular installation, the limitations are endless and driven by the creation of the scheme.

Boca do Lobo

Boca do Lobo is designed to evoke emotion in its admirers. The sensational collections of furniture pass on uniqueness and exclusivity.
They never cease to surprise, and surely never go unnoticed. Each piece is Handcrafted in Portugal with the finest materials by a team of talented artisans who have a passion to deliver only the highest quality furnishings.
All of the items are fully customizable and the designer always love a challenge!

Herman Miller

www.hermanmiller.com

Diverse Interior Architecture

Diverse Interior Architecture have a new postal address, please click the image to enlarge
www.diverse-ia.co.uk

NEW TO REXITE

Click here to visit their website

Herman Miller Sale

15% off sale ends today

Glass Night

www.fewandfar.net

ilio new products mercury and lily pad

mercury

This set of 3 hot pads is like drops of a mercury on the table. When used together, their matching curves allow them to create big drops for your big pots.

Designer: Sule Koc demirden design

Set of handmade nickel coated metal hot pads

lily pad

This special tray set is like big lily pads on the water, turning into trays for feasts and party tables with their natural forms. They can be used separately as single trays in different dimensions and are also very easy to stack.

Designer: Mehtap Obuz demirden design

Handmade green colored metal stacked serving tray

www.ilio.eu

Hand-made products, differences are a value not a defect

We have reached such a level of industrialization, globalization, where everything is similar, that we are losing our objectivity and perspective on author products, hand -made products, whose value lies on the fact that even when we take the same reference, no two products are the same.

For more from Arturo Alvarez click here

Making your bed unique with And So To Bed

Click the image to enlarge.
And So To Bed has twenty four showrooms across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
0808 144 4343 www.andsotobed.co.uk

Clerkenwell Design Week

If you enjoyed this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week then you will be pleased to know you can already register for CDW 2012 here

KOKET | Love Happens

KOKET is devotion to the seduction of the exquisite and to the enticement of love. Highly influenced by the decorative arts, fashion, flora and fauna, forms and decorative techniques from glamorous eras past reappear in the most sophisticated versions of contemporary trends. KOKET brings empowering style to a highly edited unique collection of furniture, passing on a sense of entitlement, exclusivity and prestige.

KOKET’s innate desire to seduce and entice its devotees is perfectly illustrated in its debut collection, Guilty Pleasures.
Composed of dramatic statement accent pieces – case goods, upholstery and lighting – which mesmerize with their magical mineral medley, lux metallic’s, vibrant jewel tones, exquisite craftsmanship, luscious fabrics, exotic stones and hand crafted jewelry for the home.

As the leading piece in the GUILTY PLEASURES collection, the fluid and unusual Mandy stool transcends design and jewelry.

Please find below link to download our catalogue

Milan Salone Internazionale Del Mobile 2012

2012 dates now on the Exhibition Dates page of the blog

Free Registration for The Sleep Event Europe is now open

This is your exclusive opportunity to register now for free and save the £25 entry fee.

The Sleep Event Europe is located in London, the heart of the design community and is the only exhibition dedicated to hotel design. A new hand-picked collection of cutting edge interior products and design services for those creating unique hotel experiences.

www.thesleepevent.com

London Design Festival

A reminder about probably THE most important date before the Festival - the deadline for inclusion in the Festival Guide: 15 June. This deadline allows time to design, print and distribute The Guide before the end of August so that it has the maximum impact for your event.
You can’t say you've not been warned!

London Design Festival 2011 Partner's Meeting

The next surgery takes place today (Wednesday 8 June) from 6-8pm.

These informal sessions are for you to come and meet us and other partners, share a drink and discuss plans. They are helpful for sharing ideas in local areas, assisting with general issues and putting faces to names!

If you’d like to attend, email Joanna.

Time: 6-8pm

Venue: St Martins Lane Hotel, Sanderson Terrace, 45 St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4HX.

Herman Miller and Magis

Exciting news. Herman Miller announced today that they will be the exclusive distributors for Magis in the US and Canada.
Click here to read more

SCP Summer Sale // 25th June to 31st July

The SCP Summer Sale begins on the 25th June 2011 with up to 50% off discontinued lines and ex-display items, 20% off all new SCP upholstery, furniture and rug orders, 15% off all other upholstery and furniture orders and 10% off all lighting and rugs. Here are some of our star buys...

Click the image to enlarge, or for more information visit www.scp.co.uk

Latitude Interiors

PROJECT NEWS : SUSSEX UNIVERSITY The project moves into its final phases 8 & 9. We are very proud of our association with the University and our working relationship epitomises all that Latitude does well, from conception, project management to the final touches. Latitude are now looking forward to assisting the organisation in new areas around the Brighton Campus.

www.latitudeinteriors.com

A classic graces the J. Irwin Miller House

www.hermanmiller.com

RIBA 2011 National Conference Programme

A season of national conferences aimed at enhancing architects' skills and business prospects has been announced by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

For more information- click here

Artek to Host New Perspectives Event in Chicago

Artek and Metropolis Magazine announced "New Perspectives," a special event celebrating the history and future of Artek, to be held at the landmark Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed IBM Plaza

Click here to read more

Republic of Fritz Hansen - FAVN

www.fritzhansen.com

HAY POPS UP IN SELFRIDGES

Icons of Denmark is pleased to announce that a pop up Hay shop is in Selfridges on 4th Floor since 31 May for two months.
The entire range is on sale, including all the new products, there are bargains to be had! So don’t forget to pop in!
Hay’s ambition is to encourage Danish furniture design’s return to the innovative greatness of the 50’ and 60’ in a contemporary context.
www.iconsofdenmark.dk