The chair that's not there

Oh my gosh. This is a chair?  Well I've never seen a chair like this before.  How cool is it?  So unique, so original and it's almost like a work of art than a chair.  I mean it's hardly even there, a backrest, armrests and a transparent seat like a hammock.  I could imagine feeling a little apprehensive actually sitting on it but it's actually made from polyurethane film, commonly used as a packing material with high elasticity and ability to return to its original state.  Where else could a design like this come from other than Japan.  Nendo recently presented this at Milan (I'm so glad I'm not there right now during the Furniture Fair because it's just too busy.  Ok I'm jealous) I blogged their amazing office back here and they have been so busy since then!

From Nendo:

Our furniture collection explored transparency, but with a difference: not transparency that seeks only to disappear visually, but the half-transparency that exists in gradations in the space between the transparent and the opaque, and the minute differences visible between different levels of transparency.

I'm absolutely in love this set of coffee tables called Pond by Nendo for Moroso that was also launched at the fair in Milan.  The underside is patterned and reflected in the mirrored surfaces, it's quite subtle but beautiful and clever.  I love the thin metal legs, so elegant, I can see this in my lounge room...

From Nendo:

Pond – design by Nendo
The narcissist low table.
Pond illustrates the seductive mystery of an image reflected in a mirror. The idea of a pond as seen in the table’s round shape and in its inspiration which reveals the silence of Nature, the hush of the woods and the trees in bloom reflected inside it.
The table has a simple structure: three rods raise and separate two tabletops, one decorated and upside down, the other a mirror that expands the table’s heigh and depth. But the idea behind this design conceals a particularly fascinating design study.

I love these guys!


Found on Dezeen

Stockroom

Sometimes when you take a wrong turn, you end up going the right way!  We found Stockroom when we took a wrong turn in Kyneton on the weekend and we were so glad we found it, it was so cool.  Stockroom is an amazing old butter factory full of loads of good stuff.  It's quite a unique space showcasing art exhibitions, work and products by artists and designers, vintage furniture and also studio spaces for resident artists.  And they have plans for even more!

It was so inspiring to see so much great design in one place and also that there are so many amazing things happening out in a little country town, even if it's only one hour from Melbourne.  My photos really don't do it justice so you should really head out there some time.

Stockroom
98 Piper Street
Kyneton, Victoria

Green Japan

Here is a collection on some green things I saw in Japan.  I know I've been banging on about it since I got back, but what struck me was the amount of plant life indoors.  Perhaps it stems from the culture of architecture with an inner courtyard of manicured gardens influenced by Zen Buddhism which are to be enjoyed and admired.  I don't really know much about these gardens but it's quite fascinating to me and I would actually like to learn more one day.

Especially in Tokyo where there aren't many green spaces or houses with gardens, so plant life if brought indoors.  We also found that if there was no room for a garden, a wall will do!  We saw so many examples of some brilliant green walls.

1. Kyoto Garden
2. Signage to the 21C Design Museum
3. Kyo Hayashiya, Japanese sweets and tea at Tokyo Midtown
4. Kingyoya Ryokan, courtyard at our accommodation in Kyoto
5. Kyoto Garden
6. Store window at Isetan, Shinjuku
7. Opening Ceremony, Harajuku
8. Tokyo Midtown surrounding gardens
9. Swatch building by Shiguru Ban - green wall
10. Tokyo Midtown
11. On the streets of Aoyama
Photos by Lauren Macer

It's been over one month since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan.  Hasn't it been difficult to watch the horrific events unfold on our televisions and online.  I hope the Japanese people affected by this disaster are managing to rebuild their lives.

What's it all about? Alfie

Oh my gosh, after visiting this gorgeous store, I just couldn't get this song out of my head for days!  I admit it, I'm a huge Burt Bacharach and Hal David fan.  I'm not ashamed.  Anyway I read somewhere that Rumer, a UK artist covered it so I thought I'd share it.

Back to the store, well Alfie is a great little store on Darling Street in Balmain and has a really fabulous edited selection of men's and ladies wear and accessories.  In fact they have such a great range that my husband left with two pairs of shoes!  I loved the store, it's an old terrace building and full of personality and cute quirky touches everywhere.  I loved the way they made the spaces feel like home but still really chic.

Alfie
348 Darling Street
Balmain, NSW 2041

Photos by Lauren Macer

What's in the Kabinett?

After hearing whispers about a little old country town called Kyneton, today we decided to check it out and man, we were impressed!  Piper Street is where it's at in Kyneton, all along the bluestone paved street there are gorgeous restaurants and shops and the old bank which houses the museum.  I loved Kabinett, a store packed with unique vintage homewares and furniture from all over but specifically imported from Eastern Europe.  The owner has a really good eye for interesting finds and merchandising them in a cool way.
They have a really great selection of vintage stuff which was perfect to explore on a lazy Sunday afternoon, then pizza at Pizza Verde.  Do it!

Kabinett, 66 Piper Street, Kyneton (about one hour from Melbourne)
Photos by Lauren Macer

Abigail Reynolds

How fascinating. Seriously, how clever and interesting are these works by Abigail Reynolds?  You might need to come closer to the screen to see how cool these are, go on. Do it!

These relief sculptures interweave two vintage photographs together in a truly unique way.  'Universal Now' is the latest series from London based Reynolds and incorporates two images of the same location from different sources so it reveals the space from different times as the artist describes ‘suspended in time’.

I love the vintage quality of these old photos and the way they have been re-interpreted and given a totally new context.  The folding and layers almost gives them a kaleidoscope quality.  The artist describes, ‘The act of folding one image into the other pushes them out into three dimensions in a bulging time ruffle’.

Fascinating.  I love them all.

Found on It's Nice That

Line of Beauty

 

 

Oh how I miss London sometimes, especially when I'm missing such a gorgeous exhibitions like ‘Dior Illustrated: Rene Gruau and the Line of Beauty’ currently showing at Somerset House.  René Gruau (1909-2004) is a celebrated illustrator, who created some of the most iconic fashion images of the 20th century and in my mind the exhibition design showcases his Dior illustrations perfectly. 

Gitta Gschwendtner designed this beautiful exhibition insertion into the valuted space.  The use of gauze stretched over timber forms seem to compliment Gruau's fashion illustrations with the the layering of gauze boxes a little like the layering of inks in the illustrations.  I love it, I wish this stunning exhibition was coming to Melbourne - please!

Found on Dezeen