"Single black light", Erwan & Ronan Bouroullec

photo crédit : Paul Tahon, R & E Bouroullec

Bouroullec brothers's latest productions between art & design are disproportionates and sensitives, like this strange black lacquered pendant light swevelling in the air as it's alive. Many more unique furnitures are to "meet" at Galerie kreo until march 8th...

"Skin", Jean Nouvel

Et Jean Nouvel réinventa le canapé. Sa dernière création, "Skin" (Molteni&C), est une prouesse technique : un cuir double face soyeux sous-tendu sur une structure en acier. On découvre alors son étonnant profil, architectural. Une sculpture contemporaine où le cuir se fait léger comme une plume. Impressionnant.

Jean Nouvel reinvents the sofa with his latest & impressive creation named "Skin" (Molteni&C) : a cutting edge design where leather becomes light like a feather (seating is suspended). No doubt, you're in heaven.

Raphaël von Allmen's "plastic chair"

What striked my attention from Cologne Design Week this year was this "plastic chair" by Raphaël von Allmen, a young and yet promising swiss designer. In polypropylene, its back fits the chair's structure in aluminium. And of course : this beautiful light kaki color gives an army chic twist to this chair.

"New Paris Interiors"

Georgous interiors of smart parisians (in no particuliar order : Christian Liagre, Rick Owens, Mr. Louboutin, Carine Roitfeld...), that's the enticing menu of "New Paris Interiors". Another must-have book by Taschen due to be released in April.

"Crytogammes", Roger Tallon

Here's a tasty preview of Roger Tallon's "crytogammes" (a limited edition of 60 specimens). Be sure to check this out tomorrow at Jousse entreprise.

These chairs... Siracusa (Italy)

(photo credits : Salvatore Gozzo for the NY Times)

This challenge with this 18-century house owned by an italian painter as a summer residence, no windows on the sides, was to make it lightfull. Mission well accomplished by the american designer Johanna Grawunder based in San Francisco and also in Milan. Furnitures and lights are courtesy of Roberto Giustini & Partners gallery (Rome). Simply amazing.

"Dendrier" by Lionel Estève

Si officiellement depuis le 1er janvier 2008 il est interdit de fumer dans les lieux publics, personne ne peut au contraire vous empêcher de vous en griller une chez vous. Malheureux les design addict que nous sommes, voilà que débarque ce chic & caustique "Dendrier" de Lionel Estève pour D&A (qui fera partie d'une retrospective du label à la galerie belge Z33 en février). Une enième tentation pour les futurs non-fumeurs...

Even if smoking in french public places is now banned since january 1st, you can at least smoke at home. Saddly for ex-design addict smokers, here comes this chic "Dendrier", a funny ashtray Lionel Estève for D&A (part of this label restrospective at Z33 in february). The last temptation...

Palazzo Delle Espozioni, Roma

It seems museum renovations never mess out with style these times, and it's not to blame. For the Palazzo delle Espozioni, via Nazionale in central Roma, which reopened last autumn after five years of restructuring, we must thanks architects Galdo and De Lucchi. Of course for the well integrated design furnitures from Newson to Morrison, but mostely for the restaurant, administrative quarters and especially the bookshop (last picture above) which definitely stands out with an impressive light ceiling. This minimal, cold design is making an elegant contrast compare to the Palazzo main hall dating from the 19th century.

Warner loft, London

via lifestylebazaar.com

Laurent Nurisso and Chris Curtis from Lifestylebazaar have just opened their new flagship store in London where they bring us cool stuff from young european designers. But maybe you didn't now this two talented guys also offer interior design services. My favorite of their accomplishments is this ancient factory transformed in a loft where metallic staircases, concrete and personnals objects & furnitures match perfectly.

Poltrona Frau, Knokke

That's no news Belgium is a paradise for every design addict, and the chic seastation Knokke le Zoute makes no exception with lots of great art galeries & high-end furniture shops. So to see Poltrona Frau's first single-brand store in this country open there, fronting the sea, is just a blessing.
Now, the most difficult thing will be to resist of buying some of Frau's "little" design goodies after a quick bath. Hum, let's see... Monica Förster's "Esedra" leather pouf or François Azambourg's "Jockey" seat?

Patricia Urquiola's "Canasta" collection

via bebitalia.it

B&B Italia new outdoor collection is interesting. Classic pieces from Richard Schultz ("1966 Collection") with a black & white twist meet Patricia Urquiola's chairs and sofas called "Canasta" : a brillant vienna-straw comeback with subtile color tones. For instance, look at these elegant coffee tables. Modern shape + tribal feeling.

Love is in the air...

Here's the MacBook Air Apple brough us yesterday during Macworld Expo at San Francisco.

Vipp Purple Cut, Shan Rahimkhan

via vipp.com

When Holger Nielsen made for his heardresser wife Marie the first Vipp pedal bin, maybe he didn't know this was gonna be a must have for every home sweet home. Now, almost a decade after, another hairdresser return the compliment. This year for Vipp, Shan Rahimkhan has created two unique bins : the first one is decorated with long hair, the other with a peacock inspired by Persian mythology. Hairdressers or not, we'll have to wait until february...

"Psycho", by Benoît-Marie Moriceau

via 40mcube.org

The gigantic billboards, M/M (Paris)

These are parts of the beautiful new 2008 M/M (Paris) poster catalogue. I love their work.

Pottery workshop, Rhodes

Lors de mon séjour à Rhodes il y a deux mois, j'ai eu l'occasion de visiter un ancien atelier de poterie où tout est fait à la main par de vieilles femmes et hommes depuis des générations. Dommage qu'ils ne vendaient pas leur poteries sans décorations, les plus belles : pures, douces et tellement simples finalement.

I went to a famous ancient pottery workshop on a country road in Rhodes island (Greece) two months ago. Too bad they didn't sold the unfinished products without mythological paintings on them, these are just beautiful, soft & simple.

I don't do fashion sales on the first day.

via taschen.com

Instead, I just found this cute little book, Tokyo Style, for the price of wasabi peas at Taschen. Want more now... :/

Nicolas Beaumelle's untitled bench

via mpvite.org

Pierre Hermé's 08 lucky charm

Le must have du weekend pour votre accompagner votre galette des rois ou simplement pour faire patienter les foodistas avant les soldes : les fêves de Pierre Hermé en porcelaine blanche. Cherchez l'intru...

This weekend must have to go with your "galette des rois" (french puff pastry with frangipane in it) : Pierre Hermé's lucky charm in white porcelain. Will you find him?

[rp : bottom right]

... Beaux-Arts new café

Carnegie Hall Studio Towers, NYC

photo : Josef Astor, via nymag.com

Avec d'autres locataires, le photographe Josef Astor se bat pour conserver son triplex en haut du Carnegie Hall (New York City). Rencontrez-les à travers son touchant reportage photo où l'on découvre ces appartements bohèmes, baignés de lumières... d'une sérénité toute étrange alors que les procès viennent de débuter. J'espère qu'ils trouverons un compromis.

With others remaining tenants, photographer Josef Astor is fighting to stay in the Carnenegie Hall Studio Towers set to be remodeled & converted for education facilities. Meet them in they light-filled bohemian studios with Astor's heartfelt photos, when trial has just begun... Hope they'll find a favorable issue.

Pol Quadens's C09

courtesy of OVO Editions

Après son ingénieuse table d'appoint "Tavolina" éditée chez Vange en 2003, le designer belge Pol Quadens remet le couvert. Cette fois-ci chez Ovo, avec une série de mobiliers et de luminaires au style particulier onirique et industriel à la fois. La pièce qui a attiré mon attention est la chaise "C09" en fibre de carbone (reprise de la "C07", restée au stade de prototype). Plus encore à voir à la galerie Ligne (Bruxelles).

After his ingenious bookshelve-table named "Tavolina" (Vange, 2003), belgian designer Pol Quadens is back now at Ovo with some nice light industrial furnitures & lightings. My favorite is the "CO9" made of carbon fibre (which preserve the design of "CO7", still a prototype). Many more to see at the Ligne galerie (Brussels).

The morning after...

Voici un moyen simple pour rendre assez stylé de vieilles caisses de bois et des chaises d'écoliers. Peignez-les juste dans une teinte noire ou rouge, toujours brillant, et voilà!

Et puis, Bonne Année 2008!

Quick snap in front of a restaurant yesterday. This is a simple way to make old wood boxes and school chairs look stylish. Just paint them in glossy black or red, et voila!

By the way, Happy New Year 2008!