Harry and Sal's Design Blog

HARRY: I'm looking for a desk lamp and although this one is deeply impractical I would love it. Artecnica has taken the delicate Garland by Tord Boontje and turned it into a table lamp with the launch of their first interchangeable stand (the stand comes in silver or brass and you choose from their range of shades).

Labels: Harry, Lighting

posted by cerentha harris at 1/09/2008 0 Comments

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HARRY: OK, I am now officially a bad mother - kid's are being neglected so I can write about lighting! I have to make this quick. Velocity has some great new light shades. Check out the lovely Norm O3 by Britt Mornum (above). It reminds me of crinolines. Lush. And I just came across Tord Boontje's amazing Second Shadow lamp (below)...has this been around for a while? I know Sal loves these kinds of lights. This I would like for Christmas! Speaking of which I found some very cool LED christmas lights - much kinder on the environment - at NECO.

Labels: Christmas, Harry, Lighting

posted by cerentha harris at 12/10/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: I do not recommend dining table as desk. As much as I love my Eames dining table it is a crap desk. Far too deep and long. I keep losing things. In fact the whole office situation is not good. I need lighting (see the Jac Jacobsen iconic lamps from DWR above) and somewhere to store all the papers and magazines and stuff that accumulates. I did come across Will Self's office, shot by Phil Grey and felt a whole lot better about mine (the link came via a Yahoo group I am part of called UPOD. It's a great community of freelance writers - mostly in America). Any links to inspiring home offices would be greatly appreciated!

Labels: Harry, Lighting, Office

posted by cerentha harris at 11/04/2007 1 Comments

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HARRY: Our renovation is on board to start up early next year. So I am thinking more seriously about....everything. I'm trying to figure out lights right now. DWR has picked up Tom Dixon's lovely copper pendants and David Trubridge's planet-friendly light fitting (below). And then of course there's the amazing Noguchi shades. I like the idea of these fine sculptural pieces. There's something ethereal and lovely about a paper light fitting.

I'm heading south to Melbourne for three days so I'll leave you in Sal's very capable hands til Sunday!

Labels: 94, Harry, Lighting

posted by cerentha harris at 10/24/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: How's this for a wonderful idea? Leave this frosted-glass bell jar out in the sunlight for a few hours and thanks to some inner-wizardry, combined with a couple of solar panels and LEDs, you get to keep the sunlight through the night. Designed by Tobi Wong, available through Charles & Marie. Speaking of green wizardry, I combed through the Living Homes site today and listed out some useful green suppliers. So if you're looking for things such as low VOC paint and denim insulation, take a look.

Labels: Green, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 10/18/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: even the most horticulturally challenged amongst us can enjoy this little bonsai. Such a sweet design. Joji Okazaki has created a cardboard tree that you simply slip together. No scissors or glue ... and no watering. For more Joji products check out the online store at Smoggy Mountain Home. Lumen, below, is another no fuss bit of nature for your home. Not as rustic or crafty as the bonsai I do love the shadow this little light throws.

Labels: 94, Green, Harry, Lighting

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 10/04/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: OK, I'll finish up on the lighting stuff now. But I couldn't resist posting this. One of my favourite sites - mocoloco - covered London's 100% Design beautifully and there was a huge lighting component (aptly named 100% Light). I love Freedom of Creation's 'Palm' and Tom Dixon's new pendants are just very very cool (below).

Labels: Harry, Lighting

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Sal is absolutely right. If you get the lighting wrong your place is doomed. The thing I hate is overlit rooms. Impossible to do if you've got a Noguchi. His lovely paper lamps are pieces of sculpture. Just make sure the kids are nowhere near with anything pointy! His lamps haver been part of the collection at MOMA since the 50s. They aren't crazily expensive either. This one pictured above is $125.

Labels: Harry, Lighting

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/30/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: OK people, I mean seriously. Isn't this the most fabulous thing you ever saw? I think I may be developing a pendant light fetish - but let me explain. You can do everything with a room, spend the earth, but if you neglect the lighting you are doomed. The right lighting transforms an ordinary room to an eye-popping statement. Speaking of which, I had to share with you the PXL lamp from lighting company Zero in Sweden. Stunning. Check out the camouflage pendant also, a white globe with molecule like clusters and holes spreading globby light throughout your home. Very cool.

Labels: 711, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/29/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY Sorry to everyone that we've been off the air for a few days...bugs seem to be everywhere - Blogger, my household...from my sick bed I've been pouring over the exhibitor's list for 100% Design in London. A friend of mine is there and I couldn't help feel a pang of jealousy when she called before leaving. (Sal and I will have to meet up in London next year). I especially like the work of British designer Benjamin Hupert (pictured above and below). He's part of 100%futures, an exhibition of emerging talent. It's a great chance to spot new talent and see what the old guard is up to.

Labels: Furniture, Harry, Lighting

posted by cerentha harris at 9/21/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: There are few things that scream modernism quite as loudly as a Nelson clock. George Nelson, together with Charles and Ray Eames, was one of the guiding lights of American modernism. The sunburst clock pictured above, is one his most iconic statements and is now brought to wonderful life by the Vitra Design Museum. Haus Modern Living has a whole selection of Nelson's clocks for sale, including the Ball clock in a range of colors and the Eye clock. They also have a collection of his lamps, including the criss-cross lamp (below) which was produced by Howard Miller and is now brought to you by Modernica.

Labels: Lighting, Ornaments, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/12/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Sometimes we get a little carried away as we surf the Web looking at all these beautiful objects, and sometimes we need to come down to earth - just a little bit. When I told my sister-in-law how much the satellite lamps that I was blogging about a couple of days ago, cost ($1320 a pop) her response, understandably, was "Lordy!" So that set me about looking for some more reasonably priced options and I've found a wealth of them. My fave was at Design Within Reach. DWR is not usually top of mind when it comes to inexpensive options, but the Icon pendant captures the same kind of vibe as the Encalmo-Stamen I mentioned this week, but at a fraction of the cost. $299 vs $1195. Bargain! Design Public also has some really simple and elegant pendants that I liked, especially the Deco Pendant that's very feminine with lots of different shade options.

Labels: 711, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/10/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: More lighting deliciousness, this time via Grace at Design*Sponge (LOVE her). The Encalmo-Stamen (soothing flower?) pendant light available from Niche Modern is sublimely beautiful, perfect for an intimate space. The new house we are designing is all open spaces and airiness, but I'm keen for it not to become too Modern with a capital M - all white and stainless steel. I really want to retain a feeling of warmth and that for me boils down to two components - lighting and color palette. Think soft, think natural, think organic. That, my friends, is my new mantra.

Labels: 711, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/07/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: A friend put me on to the gorgeous work of the folks over at Lampa and I am totally sold. I really love the satellite pendants pictured above, available in delicious shades of lemon, mandarin and lime! The Mother Lamp looks amazing - I'm not sure quite where in my house it would go - I'm imagining it over a dining table in a room with a very high ceiling. Ah - don't have that quite yet, but I'm working on it!

Labels: 711, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 9/06/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: OK, OK, Harry's telling me I'm going too woodsey. So, enough! Here's a return to some urban chic - yet still inspired by nature ;-). A friend put me on to these wonderful ceramic animals by Jonathan Adler that I just had to share. I particularly loved this turtle box, what a delightful discovery and a perfect place for trinkets. Coincidentally, Domino magazine's Editors Picks for this month was on a similar theme, check out the slideshow of zoologically inspired whimsy, my favorite - the Macaw resin lamp from Arteriors Home.

Labels: Ceramics, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY Moss, New York's best design store, has opened in LA...finally. Unfortunately, we left a few days before the 3500 sq foot Melrose Avenue store opened. But Sal, I am sure, will be beating a path to their door. Murray Moss was recently the subject of a very interesting Vanity Fair piece. And the LA store opening certainly got a lot of press. What I love about moss that it holds design up as art. Murray Moss and his partner Franklin Getchell value good design. Plus they've got a cool blog. And - yeah yeah yeah - I know the stuff is expensive and the shop is intimidating (at least it will be if it's anything like the NY version) but I don't care. LA, here is your chance to wander among the best the globe has to offer in way of design. Relish it. Now if only I could convince Mr Moss that Sydney would support such a store...

Labels: Art, Furniture, Harry, Jewelry, Lighting, Style

posted by cerentha harris at 8/12/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Design firm Artenica aims to enchant you and inspire you with a captivating range of products and I'd say they succeed - I could spend hours going through their beautifully crafted designs. I love these star lights, such a simple, fun design. What is also impressive about Artenica is their dedication to crafting their work with an awareness of the enviromental impact involved in its production - from the materials used, to the way the objects can be shipped to reduce transportation costs. Who knows how well they succeed in that endeavour, but the effort is a noble one, something the folks at Zero Footprint would be proud of. Looking through their range of designers I spotted one familiar name I wrote about back in June - Tord Boontje - whose decorative wall hangings are available at A+R. Love his work - check out these porcelain plates featuring what he calls "dreamscapes". Exquisite. You can find Artenica's products through a wide range of stores in the US.

Labels: 711, Lighting, Ornaments, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/10/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: So to begin with I was obsessing over the Shado lamp, now my friends I'm taking it to a new level. The Moonstruck lamp designed by Austrian firm feinedinge* is exquisitely made. The design on each lamp is different, with each porcelain sphere being individually handcrafted so it is unique. You can use a clear bulb for the full effect or opaque to soften the impact. They also have some beautiful vases well worth taking a look at. Feinedinge's wonderful work is available in the US through Peek Keep who specialize in Scandanavian design as well as Echo Interiors in the UK. Thanks to the funky folks at ShinyShiny for this treat.

Labels: 711, Ceramics, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 7/25/2007 1 Comments

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SAL: I'm a little obsessed with the Sha-do lamps. The wall and ceiling lamps create a combination of projection and illumination that make for some stunning images. I'm not sure how this would work in my own home, it looks like you don't really get enough light to see by, and it's too much to sleep by, but I have visions of just sitting quietly with a glass of full-bodied red on a hot sultry night, with a fan gently humming, the even glow of the Shado lamp and Miles Davis playing softly in the background. Groovy. The lamps are designed by Peter Buning in Germany and you can adjust the size and direction of the shadow cast. Thanks DesignSpotter!

Labels: Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 7/16/2007 1 Comments

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SAL: Anthropologie continues to expand their homewares collection with some gorgeous accessories for the home. This Sundrop Lamp I totally fell in love with - I'm going to add it to my list of things to remember for my new home. A new tag we're introducing will identify those items we're buying for our own homes so you can see that we do indeed put our money where are mouths are! 711 will link you to all good things that I'm looking to outfit the house I've just started to design with our architects from LA-based firm Assembledge. Stay tuned for more on that.

Labels: 711, Floral, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 7/15/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Chandeliers are very in vogue right now, as any visit to the less-than-thrifty Santa Monica flea market will tell you. Beyond your traditional styles there are some really lovely modern options out there - Grace of Design*Sponge recently highlighted the beautiful designs over at Paperwhite and Harry's been uncovering some great sources of inspiration on how to mix some of the newer styles in more traditional settings. But I have my friend Claire to thank for this gorgeous little number from Design Within Reach. However at $2600 it comes with a hefty price tag, so you might want to consider stopping by Z Gallerie for a slightly cheaper version. For shame!

Labels: Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 7/09/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Actually this chair isn't heavy at all...just at a loss this morning when it comes to pithy headlines. But it is a great outdoor chair I found on the Conran site. And if you're like me and want your outdoor stuff to be no fuss and stay outdoors then this chair is perfection. The powder coated steel doesn't rust (unless you scratch the paint) and it wipes down with a cloth. I wish all my furniture was that easy. While you're on the Conran site check out the cool new outdoor lanterns.

Labels: Dining, Furniture, Kitchen, Lighting, Outdoor

posted by cerentha harris at 7/07/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Just came back from my weekly catch up with Harry and we were both ogling these Meridian Table Lamps from Lights Up. They come in a whole range of designs, including the Black Mumm pictured above, as well as this seasons all-the-rage print - Faux Bois, or you can get them just plain. Another bonus is that they come in three sizes to mix and match - at 10, 15 or 20" tall. Design Public are featuring quite a selection of Lights Up designs, with six color lines to chose from and a whole host of modern shades, it's well worth taking a look!

Labels: Lighting

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 7/05/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: New York magazine ran the classic 'what will be hot' story a few months ago. One of the things I loved were the great pics. Check out these shots of Domino editor, Deborah Needleman's, home (supposedly Domino is the next House & Garden). I love the high ceilings and those lovely big globe light shades. I like the paper one - a good inexpensive solution.

Labels: Architecture, Dining, Harry, Lighting

posted by cerentha harris at 7/04/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: I regularly check out the NYT's real estate section online. The page design is not great - way too pretty busy for my taste. But if you scroll down to the multimedia section you'll find wonderful slideshows of amazing homes. I'm lusting after this apartment in Florence. They'll have 36 apartments available in spring 2008. Probably not enough time for us to save up but the interior shots are so inspiring. I like the clever mix of old and new. Also there's a great vineyard in Portugal and a little shingled home on Martha's Vineyard. I love this site!

Labels: Architecture, Furniture, Lighting, Windows

posted by cerentha harris at 6/24/2007 0 Comments

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Three Layer Cake blog of the emerging trend of using paper in design in all manner of new and exotic ways - from clothing to these cool lighting accessories - which I adored. Via Oh Joy

Labels: Lighting

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 6/08/2007 0 Comments

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