Nevels Pellet Stoves

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Paul Ketz’s Marshmallow Stool

If you’ve ever longed to sit on a cloud, this marshmallow-like stool, from Istanbul-based German designer Paul Ketz, might be your best bet. Its cushy, non-toxic polyurethane foam seat is a soft perch that looks good enough to eat, leading to its name, Marshmallow.

Its soft seat is made without a mold, expanding around the steel wire frame that supports it. As is the nature of polyurethane foam, it expands as it wants resulting in each piece being deliciously one-of-a-kind.

Want Marshmallow in your life? They’re available via kinder MODERN in four colorways: Sugarpink (blue/pink), Licorice (black/grey), Mint (white/green), and Tennislove (chrome/yellow).

Tennislove

Licorice

Sugarpink

Mint

Photos by Matthias Ketz.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/paul-ketzs-marshmallow-stool/

Craft Cocktails… Elevated… Literally!

This new year has brought many changes… some more exciting than others. Regardless, we have a feeling many of us could use a drink! So after a year of product development, Pinch Food Design is finally debuting our craft cocktail division – TWIST!

The physical TWIST collection has been an incredible collaboration between many talents that grace the Pinch studio. From Marjorie Artiere who so cleverly took our concepts and created an evolving modular design showcasing the art of cocktail making… to our in-house furniture making duo – Michael Bewely and Donna Fisher who literally make our dreams come true every day!

The “Mod” Bar is the base furniture for 3 additional cocktail activations. The bar itself is rooted with a white washed maple cube at its center. On either side of the cube extends a brushed brass frame with hanging exposed glassware. The bar tops are sprinkled with beautiful hand selected vessels, some brass, some etched glass, for housing the fresh garnishes and bar tools (i.e. atomizers, peelers, etc.). There is also a large brass bowl suspended in a cube stand for holding the crystal clear carved ice.

The design holds true to our concept of see-through, lightness, and transparency with floating levels and mixology structures. It focuses on creating a playful and whimsical drinking experience for guests, an immersive journey driven by the 4 senses. The design elements are carefully considered and structured into harmonious compositions. Subtle and elegant raw and matte finishes, soft tones and pastel colors. Combining noble and natural materials together: glass, maple, brass, and marble. Their raw finish supports the idea of craft cocktails and a menu based on natural and fresh ingredients.

THE BALON
The Balon activation is essentially a decanted wine experience. Careful decanting can improve most any wine, especially young wines. Each glass balon holds 5 bottles of wine and is positioned on an individual maple wood and brushed brass frame.

POUR OVER
The recent pour-over coffee trend that has become so popular in New York’s best coffee shops inspired us to apply this method to craft cocktails. Glass funnels are filled with a variety of ingredients like hibiscus flowers and teas that infuse into the cocktail as it drips down through the funnel into the glass.

MARBLE SLAB
The Marble Slab is made from a beautiful piece of dune chiseled Carrera marble thats grooved channels allow the liquid to mix and aerate as it pours down the stone. The bartender pours the 2 parts of the cocktail perfectly proportioned down the slightly pitched slabs.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/craft-cocktails-elevated-literally/

Make Your Garden Modern: Landscape Design Tips from Fernando Wong

After studying architecture at Universidad de Panama and another three years in an interior design program, landscape designer Fernando Wong journeyed from Panama to Palm Beach in 2001, where he started at the bottom and worked his way up. He went from watering plants to opening his own firm in Miami Beach in 2005, and is currently working on landscape designs for The Four Seasons. Since it’s been raining and cold lately, we’ve been dreaming about lush, greenery and outdoor spaces, so we asked Fernando to inspire and educate us with some landscape design tips. Ready to whip out your green thumb? Read on…

1. Use native plants from local nurseries.
Native plants tend to use less water and you know they will are guaranteed to grow well in your area. I also recommend purchasing plants from local nurseries instead of big box stores. Nurseries typically have a larger selection, their quality is higher, and their staff is much more knowledgeable about useful tips such as which plants work best in shade or direct sunlight.

2. Create a focal point in your landscaping to form beautiful views from both the interior and exterior.
Be thoughtful of how landscaping can be showcased and enjoyed both in your house and out in your garden. Think of doors and windows as the frame for the art you’re creating, whether it’s with an antique urn or a center fountain that will create the beautiful vista.

3. Create intimate nooks and areas.
I create outdoor spaces so that they slowly reveal themselves, like this soaking tub and outdoor shower tucked into the side of the home by the master suite. If you create separate outdoor rooms it actually makes properties seem larger, not smaller. So I always try to create a number of different areas that work harmoniously together.

4. Use colors and materials to create a seamless transition from the interior to the exterior.
I like to use the same material on terraces that is used inside the home. This creates a seamless indoor-outdoor transition. I also try to use similar colors the same way you would in an interior. For instance, red and yellow do not go together inside or out—ever!

5. Hire a landscaping professional to develop a master plan.
I always advise engaging a professional landscape designer who can work with you to develop a master plan for the entire property. This will help you save time and from making costly mistakes. It will also ensure that your garden is as beautiful as the interior of your home. If the budget is an issue, having a master plan also allows you to work in phases.

See more of Fernando’s work here.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/make-garden-modern-landscape-design-tips-fernando-wong/

TRACK by Box Clever

TRACK is a minimal bike rack created by San Francisco-based designers Box Clever. The designers wanted a rack that could live in modern homes and offices while elevating the environment and showcasing bikes – like a frame for an artwork, or mantle for a trophy. Box Clever began by taking inspiration from a Shaker Rail for its organization, flexibility, and simplicity.

Early on, the designers mapped out the relationship to a bike wheel, and where and why material was required. This design language began to ring true to the simple forms they were chasing. Rough functional prototypes were quickly built with off-the-shelf parts to validate the geometry and test strength.

The final design simply screws to your wall and is infinitely scalable based on your storage needs. The track itself can be made shorter for home use or longer for busier environments. Hooks and pegs can slide on or off the end of the track and adjusted as needed. The rack fits all tire sizes from narrow road bikes to heavy mountain bikes. The circular wooden hook bumpers make sure the hook meets the rim evenly and protects wheel rims from scuffing. Marks are kept off the walls as the top tire rests directly on the rail.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/track-box-clever/

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Opening Ceremony x Google Get Political

New York-based Opening Ceremony is leveraging their cred to plant a flag of protest, opting to skip the usual runway pageantry to unveil their new Spring 2017 collection in a more inspired and artistic fashion: The Times Are Racing, a New York Ballet production choreographed by Justin Peck, with music composed by electronic musician Dan Deacon as a “meditation on the American melting pot”.

Costumes worn by dancers onstage were designed by Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony, several emblazoned with provocative and politically-charged single word slogans that harken back to the AIDS-era art activism of Keith Haring, Barbara Kruger, and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Drawing on 19th-century photographs of Ellis Island, where individuals from diverse backgrounds crossed paths, the Spring 2017 collection is a meditation on the American melting pot. Lace and satin brush against Americana denim. Loose silhouettes ideal for long journeys get a luxe upgrade with macramé fringe and embroidery.

In addition, the Opening Ceremony Spring 2017 Collection is further represented in a series of limited edition, customizable phone cases for Pixel and Nexus, the latest in Google’s Artworks Live Case program. Of the eight cases unveiled, six are emblazoned with storybook prints from the Opening Ceremony ready-to-wear collection, with two additional patterns imprinted with the fashion brand’s openly political Action Capsule designs covered with calls to “unite,” “protest,” “defy,” “change,” and “act”. All eight designs include a live wallpaper of rotating OC prints and a customizable shortcut button to instantly launch a favorite app or the Opening Ceremony website.

The Spring 2017 Collection’s storybook theme draws from Wizard of Oz illustrator, W.W. Denslow’s menagerie of fantasy lands, decorating the Opening Ceremony collection of cowl-neck dresses, kimono jackets, and mesh tops with an idyllic and soft palette, a strong contrast to the Barbara Kruger-esque messaging of the socially conscious Action Capsule styled editions.