blog:proleno

ASPACE has pushed the frontiers of design with their stunning new Uffizi bunk bed collection. Fans of this renowned children’s furniture company are sure to be bowled over by the sheer audacity of this cool, cutting edge design. The collection was designed by Argington of New York, and is exclusive to ASPACE in the UK.

The Uffizi collection offers loads of fun and functionality for the children but with an aesthetic that reflects the lifestyle of stylish modern parents.

The Uffizi has several configurations including a semi enclosed bunk with window-like openings which kids will love and friends will covet! The matching toy box (with static feet and castors, plus slow-close safety hinges) offers useful and stylish storage. The matching bookcase / storage cupboard is a gorgeous piece of minimalist furniture in its own right which could work equally well in the bedroom, living room, playroom or study.

The bunks can be arranged three different ways with no extra parts needed:
• Classic Bunk style
• Cantilever Bunk with Desk
• High Sleeper for older children and teenagers

The Uffizi system offers stunning detail, complete versatility, real practicality, and, most of all, immense style.

Demand is expected to be high so ASPACE has announced the opening of a waiting list with initial stock arriving late April 2010

More details at ASPACE.

Roderick Fry has designed an extremely stable and easy to mount table for French producer Moaroom.

Pi is a flat-packing table, which helps minimise its carbon footprint during shipping. The table is simply assembled by inserting a tabletop, without any screws or Allen keys. Simply slide in a wooden board and to block the board just reposition the feet on the floor to insure a maximum stability. The trestles can be purchased separately or of course you can just use your own. They say that the simple things are the best and this is simple in the extreme!

Though dealing with being stuck inside a burning building is a very uncommon scenario, there is now an invention that could help you survive such an event. The Dang Jingwei Firescuba was conceived just for that very scary scenario.

A fairly basic design using a cardboard and carbon filter, it creates a pocket over your nose and mouth to allow easy breathing until the emergency services arrive.

Firescuba is designed to protect people from smoke inhalation in the case of a fire. It is low cost, easy to manufacture, and very thin, which makes it easy to distribute or store at appropriate locations.

Though The Dang Jingwei Firescuba seems like nothing more than a French fry container, it is sure to give you those extra essential minutes of survival until the fire department arrives!

Maybe this is something that all businesses, especially those in high-rise office blocks, should consider.

‘Ru’ is a wooden chair created by Shane Schneck and commissioned by Patricia Urquiola for Promosedia. The chair is made by Danish producer Hay and debuted at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010.

Its strength is gained by cross laminating layers in the seat. The methodology used enables a cantelivered surface and robust structure with a series of laminated ‘bridges’ completing the form. The chair is also stackable and without the additional two legs of conventional chairs it can be suspended on a table for easy cleaning.

At Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010 (Feb 9^th to 13^th 2010), Wästberg launches a lighting fixture developed in collaboration with French designer Inga Sempé.

This elementary lamp is meant to be as simple and solid as a nail or a push pin. As with traditional tool machine lighting, the mechanics are sturdy and long-lasting, with the aim of improving classical industrial elements: the clamp is inverted to offer a better way of using it.

The lamp mixes solidity and lightness: a thin beam joins the two opposite pieces of the lamp: the heavy cast foot to a delicate shade.

The lamp, called Sempé, features an LED solution, hand spun aluminum shade and steel beam, clamp or base in cast iron.

News reaches us from London’s Design Museum of a three day half term course for 12-16 year olds.

Explore the various techniques and processes employed by design group Farm Studios and take a closer look at their work during Designers In Residence. Working alongside product designers Giles Miller and Sebastian Hejna, participants will explore current exhibitions and develop skills to create their own product design solutions and prototypes on this exciting 3 day course.

So, if you are looking for something to keep your not so little ones busy this half term, especially if they have an interest in design, this is a must!

Monday 15 February – Wednesday 17 February 2010
10.30am – 3.30pm each day
£125.00

For more information or to book a place contact the Learning Team on 020 7940 8782 or by email: learning@designmuseum.org

SmartRads are Feature Radiators’ exciting new range of innovative electric radiators, recently launched at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show 2009, in Harrogate.

SmartRad electric radiators wirelessly link together to provide a centrally controlled electric heating system that is easy to install, easy to use and easy on the eye.

SmartRads offer zoned heating, which increases efficiency and cuts out energy waste by dividing the home into distinct heating zones covering different heating needs. Thanks to the SmartRad controller, each zone has its own time and temperature control, providing optimum heat only when and where it’s wanted. As lifestyles and use of interior spaces change, the zones can be quickly and easily altered.

Smart Environment – SmartRads are 100% efficient and being designed to provide targeted precision heating, Smart Rads use fuel economically. They are made in the UK and use electricity, the greener fuel. They are also noise free.

Smart Design – SmartRads ooze good design and quality finish, confirming that thermal comfort and good design are not mutually exclusive. The minimal timeless looks, compliment both traditional and contemporary interiors. SmartRads are available in a wide variety of finishes and sizes and sit very close to the wall.

Smart Savings – the figures stack up. SmartRads are well priced and with no pipes or boilers required, installation is quick, easy and highly affordable. SmartRads are maintenance free, economical to run (particularly in well insulated new-builds) and with no moving parts, they have a long life expectancy.

In the UK, heating isn’t a luxury item that can be cut to avoid going over budget towards the end of a build. For all warm-blooded house dwellers, it’s a necessity. Up until the advent of SmartRads, minimal set up costs and attractive stylish heating products were mutually exclusive. SmartRads design focuses on accessibility, practicability, usability, timeless good design and eco-friendliness.

For more information contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789 or visit www.featureradiators.com

With its plans to take over the former Commonwealth Institute building winning the backing of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and English Heritage, the Design Museum, London, has begun its search for a design team to help it achieve its vision of creating the world’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture.

The successful design team will be required to provide a fully coordinated scheme for the Museum fit-out within the existing Grade II listed Parabola building on Kensington High Street. The transformation of this building will require the creation of temporary and permanent exhibition spaces, education, event, catering and retail spaces, an auditorium and associated office storage, circulation, back of house areas, plant and plant-related spaces.

The completed museum will be an inspirational place that welcomes diverse audiences and is the London destination for contemporary design.

The deadline for submission of pre-qualification questionnaires is Friday 4^th December at 12 noon and the appointment of the Design Team will be announced in February 2010.

Designer makers Iron Vein have expanded their range of gifts by introducing new sizes of steel allium sculptures, augmenting their wide range of accessories for the inside or outside living space. They look as good in a vase indoors as they do spiked into your garden. These beautiful galvanised allium sculptures brighten winter borders, and lend structure to herbacious or perennial planting all year round. They are architectural and striking whether reflecting the sun, moving in the wind, or clad with raindrops, frost or snow – making them ideal for winter!

See more at www.ironvein.co.uk

For homeowners who require a designer look and feel bathroom but without the designer price tag, award winning Taylor’s Etc adds the ‘Pro’ collection to its product portfolio.

‘Pro’ is a ceramic range comprising basins, furniture, WC’S and bidets in addition to a bath. All pieces feature an up-to-date industrial design that is attractive to both the eye and budget. Proving the point that good design does not have to be expensive, clean lines with simple styling have been selected to ensure longevity and a bathroom that is highly functional.

A number of basins are offered; all constructed in the simple, geometric form of a rectangle to provide clear, un-fussy aesthetics within the bathroom. Ceramic pedestals and siphon covers are available as well as options that cater for sit on, drop-in and semi-recessed basins.

Making ‘Pro’ an extremely family-friendly option, complementary vanity units are also on offer, adding to the appeal and functionality of the room.

Call 02920 358 400 or visit www.taylorsetc.co.uk for further information.