bathroom – DesignApplause

gia global innovation awards honoring product design excellence. international housewares show 2018.

Mar 11, 2018

lockdown cut-proof bag by travelon / home organization + storage / booth n6031

with features like safetex cut-proof strap and body material, sold brass lock and one-piece construction valuables are safe when on-the-go.

safetex material cannot be cut with knives, scissors or razor – nor can bolt cutters cut the strap. lockdown bags come in two sizes, one for essential items the other for larger iPad size items.

theft is a crime of opportunity and the travelon¨ anti-theft lockdown bag stops theft.

below> fledge – flip edge cutting board by dreamfarm / kitchen hand tools + cutlery / booth n8107

fledge is the world’s best cutting board. fledge has unique flip up edges that prevent food from falling or rolling off the sides when being transported to a pot, bowl or table for serving. both fledge and the double-sized big fledge (coming soon) have non-slip rubber feet and knife-friendly patterns on both sides, and a generous juice groove for carving on the underside. won’t warp in the dishwasher.

below> flex by joseph joseph / bath + personal care / booth n7900

the concept behind the head is appearing in a variety of products. what makes this product standout is the unique head design and elegant packaging that easily stores with its minimal footprint, even if you don’t have a utility storage room.

conventional toilet brushes hold dirt and liquid, making them messy and unhygienic to use and clean. also their bristles can distort and wear, meaning they need to be replaced regularly. flex™ is an innovative toilet brush designed to solve all these problems.

it features a flexible, d-shaped head that reaches all areas, even under the rim. it has widely spaced bristles that prevent dirt clogging, allowing liquid to drain quickly and minimising drips between cleaning and storing.

it also has durable bristles and comes with a slimline holder for neat storage.

below> ta da over the sink drying mat by jascor housewares / cleaning / booth s1217

dry your dishes right where you wash them. made with fda-approved silicone and reinforced with stainless steel rods, this simple, sturdy mat allows runoff from freshly washed items to drip directly into the sink. you can even use it to rinse and drain fruits and vegetables. roll up and put away when you’re done. that’s how to-do becomes ta-da.

below> sensor mirror compact by simplehuman / personal electrics / booth n7735

a simple concept tweak creates a must-have travel companion. tru-lux light system simulates natural sunlight, allowing you to see full color variation, so you’ll know when your makeup is color-correct and flawless. the 3x magnification gives you a hyper-clear view of every detail. sensor turns light on automatically when taken out of the sensor pouch, and turns it off when put back in. the power button lets you toggle between 650 or 300 lux dual brightness settings. a fold-out ring handle is secure and comfortable in your hand, or can be used as a stand for hands-free viewing — and it comes with an attached button strap that keeps the mirror secure inside the pouch. the mirror is rechargeable, and one charge lasts up to 1 week with typical daily usage.

below> titan – trash compactor by joseph joseph / household + home electrics / booth n7900

titan is an innovative waste solution with a patented, hygienic compaction system. this allows it to hold up to three times more than a similar-sized household bin. compacting your rubbish means you empty your bin less often and use fewer liners. titan also features an anti-tear design that won’t stretch or pinch the liner and a replaceable odour filter to neutralise any unpleasant smells.

below> cuisnart venture portable gas grill submitted by the fulham group / cook + bakeware / booth s1672

the cuisinart venture portable gas grill is not your average “tailgating” gas grill. the sleek and modern aesthetic, with store ‘n go design inspires adventure and helps couples enjoy those intimate moments. perfect for the date night picnic or small group gatherings. the wooden lid doubles as a chopping board; simply remove the cutting board from the top to prepare your meal or use it for cheese and crackers to enjoy while sipping a glass of wine. the grill grates are porcelain enameled cast iron, giving off more heat and holds heat longer than steel. a simple, complete, and compact portable grilling system.

below> jura s8 / kitchen electrics / booth L11102

below> globe watering can – jet and shower watering can by eva solo / home décor * gifts / booth8324

globe watering can allows the user to select between a jet watering or shower watering with a simple turn of the spout. practical hole in the side for easy filling. perfectly balanced for easy pouring.

below> messy mutts travel water bottle and bowl by jascor / pets/ booth s1217

perfect for your thirsty mutt on the go! just fold up the silicone bowl and press the quick release button. unused water drains back into the 700ml or 24 oz stainless steel bottle after use and the bowl folds back over the bottle for easy portability.

care > disassemble and hand wash with warm water and mild soap or place in dishwasher. hand wash recommended. do not microwave. silicone bowl can be removed from cap. bpa and pvc free.

below> cubit by plott / smart home products / booth L14000

cubit is the first tool that can bring your dimensional data to your smart device and also extract it back into the real world after you have manipulated it. this means that after you measure your space and arrange it to your liking in the app, cubit will then guide you to make your design a reality bringing your project to life. editor’s and gia judge note: with regard to category strength the smart home products category contained quite a few exceptional products and a shame we couldn’t have had a tie amongst two or three products.

below> thawthat! deluxe by that! inventions / kitchenware / booth n8303

thawthat! deluxe defrosts meat right on the countertop without any external heat or power source for a gentle, even thaw in less than half the time of traditional countertop thawing.

features >
dissipates cold and draws ambient warmth to the surface / eco-friendly / rugged anodized aluminum, abs, polypropylene construction / cleaner than soaking and gentler than microwaving / faster (up to 2.5x) than traditional countertop thawing / concave surface directs melted liquid / green – no wires or batteries required / hand wash recommended

/////////
below> collida by promeco / tabletop / booth s3277

promeco has created tempcontrol® technology which keeps dinnerware warm or cold for more than 30 minutes.

this technology is presented via the calido onyx black dinner plate by sanodegusto, offering the perfect backdrop for a culinary tour de force. the anti-scratch structure ensures multiple use without devaluing the design. moreover, the integrated revolutionary tempcontrol® technology makes sure any dish stays warm for at least 30 minutes. sanodegusto is a division of promeco.

[ gia global innovation awards – product design ] the iha innovation awards have honored the best in product design at the international home + housewares show for the past four years. the award’s name and tagline have now changed to the iha global innovation awards (gia), honoring product design excellence.

all products entered into the new product showcase will have a chance at winning. innovative products will be judged by a panel of experts that includes designers, retailers and news media.

product finalists selected by the judges were announced prior to the show and will be featured in each buyers club and at the iha global innovation awards display in the lakeside center lobby.

editor’s note: ron kovach has been a judge since inception of this award.

pantone 18-3838 ultra violet (ahem) color of the year 2018.

Dec 31, 2017

here’s what pantone marketing spins…

enigmatic purples have long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. musical icons prince, david bowie, and jimi hendrix brought shades of ultra violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of pantone 18-3838 ultra violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

prince, bowie, and hendrix.

we do like the color – enjoyed finding examples for this gallery – but ultra violet has very limited applications. not a quintessential first choice for durable goods such as furniture. in an interior, more likely to be an accent and not a dominant color. and maybe not a very long shelf life, typically a year from collection to collection.

but then again this year, a homage to prince. and bowie. and hendrix…

luminaire a highlight among many 2017 design miami/ satellite offerings.

Dec 3, 2017

above > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104

in addition to its distinguished gallery program presenting 34 design galleries from around the world, design miami/ – 6 > 10 december 2017 – offers an extensive series of collaborations, satellites, events, retail and hospitality offerings as well as site-specific design commissions for visitors to enjoy throughout the fair week.

above > luminaire’s latest design district outpost, lab², comes alive with an illuminating investigation of the future of domestic design. in conjunction with the launch of the monograph, this will be the place, cassina’s recently appointed art director, patricia urquiola will join the book’s editor and pin-up magazine founder and editor felix burrichter along with renowned german industrial designer konstantin grcic to interact with guests and sign copies.

event > cassina: this will be the place
venue > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104
date > wednesday 6 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > homage to kuramata by synthesizing the familiar with the avant-garde, japanese designer shiro kuramata created a dynamic and wide-ranging oeuvre that is still celebrated today. on thursday, december 7, luminaire lab opens its latest exhibition with a look at prolific designer featuring a collection of pieces produced by cappellini that highlight his sensitivity to form an abundance of creativity.

event > luminaire to open shiro kuramata exhibition during art basel 2017
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > thursday 7 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > luminairex in collaboration with neushop will host creativemornings / miami presenting designer and dj lia figueredo who will share her experience throughout her career in design, marketing, and music through an interactive talk over breakfast. creativemornings has reunited new york’s creative community and engaged the city’s creative talent, connecting like-minded individuals based on a global theme. today, attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of experts on different topics.

event > creativemornings / miami
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > friday 8 december / 8:30am > 10:30am
[ register ] [ free / details ]

talking to riccardo conti in fantini’s new space in chicago.

Nov 14, 2016

we are visiting italian bathroom fixtures specialist fantini in their new chicago showroom in the luxehome design resource center in chicago’s merchandise mart and speaking to riccardo conti, managing director / fantini north america. one’s first impression when looking at the products is striking sophistication and a leanness in form.

[designapplause] riccardo, welcome to chicago. please tell us what’s unique and special about fantini.
[riccardo conti] first of all this year is special as we celebrate 70 years. i think over the last few decades fantini has been particularly successful because of consistency. for example, every time we introduce a new collection it’s always a collaboration with a designer, and though each designer brings their own personal vision to their solutions, everything is very much aligned with a style that tells you it’s a fantini product.

and that’s always been the case but recent introductions the company has become very aggressive to a change in mindset. we have entered a new phase that while preserving a fantini style of simplicity and elegance, we’ve have added a more transitional look.

[da] looking over your presentation in this showroom you are an exception to the rule. it’s very rare for a showroom to successfully mix and match iconic simplicity with iconic traditional. the two esthetics usually are served up as diametrically opposed —— and people normally like one or the other. fantini has managed to maintain simplicity while adding classic sumptuousness.
[rc] yes, i certainly agree and thank you. the new vision goes together well with what is existing. our designs are never too loud, more quiet but very elegant with a good sense of proportion.

a good example is our fontane bianche collection designed by italian architect and interior stylist elisa ossino, a fusion of stone and water. in addition i’d like to say the collaboration with salvatori for the fontane bianche collection is not new to fantini because we have collaborated with others before, especially boffi which is ongoing. and coincidently, salvatori is also celebrating 70 years.

above/below> fontane bianche

the materials in this collection is more industrial with a sort of delicate touch. industrial elements are rough and unfinished surfaces. the idea behind the collaboration with salvatori was not to just introduce a line of faucets, but also include sinks and accessories that tie into one concept. maybe some clients would prefer just the faucets or just the sinks.

and this idea is precisely special and unique because today companies try to be include too many iterations together and lose some focus on being a specialist. we do have kitchen products but maybe we are not yet very strong. in fontane bianche, fantini remains a bathroom specialist.

another new introduction is a collaboration with belgium architect / designer vincent van duysen, who is also the creative director for moltini, to create icona which offers two distinct concepts, icona classic and icona deco which communicates two sentiments, one of timelessness and one of memory.

above> icona classic / below> icona deco

[da] a noticeable detail is a distinctive metallic-like matte finish. how did the matte concept appear?
[rc] the finish is not new to us, it’s pvd (physical vapor deposition) treatment seen typically on jewelry, aerospace and biomedical applications and permits an unlimited range of color tones. pvd is more durable than chrome and aligns well within a bathroom environment. the new color palette comes in three options, matte gun metal, brushed copper and matte british gold. the finish permits an aged look but in fact it doesn’t age like real metal that tarnishes.

interestingly the use of color go way back to 70s and back then there were many colors. in recent years, black and white started trending although the trend never really took off. in addition to black and white, we added numerous other colors (all on custom request based on the “ral” range of colors) and it’s been quite successful, applied to the balocchi collection first and then extended to the whole range.

[da] what else is new?
[rc] two new looks for us is lamé and venezia by italian designer matteo thun and spanish designer antonio rodriguez. lamé is an interesting shape and interesting to the touch, a square shape with rounded edges. it comes with a polished chrome finish with a unique and a choice of a contrasting matte black or white handle. a surprisingly well received new look are beautiful round crystal handles found in venezia which communicates style, tradition, elegance and refined luxury. venezia also has another classic lever handle in black or chrome plated metal.

above> lamé / below> venezia

[da] this finish looks like stainless steel.
[rc] for many years we’ve done the brushed nickel finish. but we’ve discontinued that finish and we now use stainless steel 316 as it is marine grade and highly resistant to corrosion. it’s used a lot in outdoor applications, it’s recyclable and really eco-friendly because when you do brass/nickel finish there’s a lot of chemical processes you have to go through.

we now have four collections made entirely of stainless steel two of which are new in 2016. one designed by naoto fukasa is called aboutwater, a collaboration with boffi. aboutwater is the result of an exploration into the simplification of forms. the faucets and shower system become discs and cylinders; the taps look like the controls of a stereo. the design is so reduced the aesthetic quality of materials is emphasized.

above> aboutwater af21 / below> mint

another new stainless steel product is mint and designed by angeletti (silvana) & ruzza (daniele). mint is a first in the marketplace, a square faucet. why is it the first? the reason everyone stays away from this shape is the difficulty to execute in production. with circular shapes you work with materials already available on the market. this shape is completely custom.

below> fantini in the luxehome design resource center in chicago’s merchandise mart

above> riccardo conti

[ fantini ]

following luminaire during milan design week 2016. day 2.

Apr 14, 2016

above> entrance to fairgrounds

miami and chicago based luminaire offered DesignApplause a glimpse of milan design week 2016 through their eyes. four of those eyes belong to founders nasir and nargis kassamali.

[ day 2 ]

desalto space at salone del mobile 2016

catifa 53 chairs designed by lievore altherr molina for arper

flexform space at salone del mobile 2016

kartell space at salone del mobile 2016

piero lissoni and nasir

maruni space at salone del mobile 2016

rock table designed by jean marie massaud for mdf

metallico table designed by piero lissoni for porro

ronan bouroullec

glas italia space at salone del mobile 2016

32 philippe starck explaining his designs for stanley

nargis in classicon space at salone del mobile 2016

three showers that boast a 70-90% water savings.

Dec 10, 2015

curiously, 2015 saw three shower products boasting both water and energy savings surfaced, though one of the products has been in use for over five years ago by the australian air force. they save water with clever design, an unusual application of the 200 year old venturi effect and recycling and filtering shower water itself.

above/below > [ nebia ] is a $400 shower using aerospace-grade spray nozzles that atomize water, allowing for a smaller volume of water to get you just as wet. water savings: 70%. a [ kickstarter ] product.

above/below > the $3,000 [ hamwell e-shower ] recycles what normally goes down the drain. the used water gets filtered and mixed in with about 1.5 liters of fresh water each minute; that mixture gets hit with a uv light before raining down on your head again. the app-controlled shower can also stream music as well as see how much money you’re saving in both energy and water cost. in addition to the 90 percent water savings, the shower should also reduce your energy consumption by 80 percent, the company says. hamwells already has deals with several hotels, so you could come across them even if you don’t actually buy one yourself.

above / below > five year old [ e-shower ] uses the 200 year old venturi effect to draw a tiny jet of air in the shower head, forcing the water into extreme turbulence inside – not atomizing but aerating the water into nanobubbles, an air bubble covered in water. in a normal shower most of the water that hits your body bounces off, while with an e-shower when the air bubble hits your skin it ‘pops’ causing an impressive cleaning effect. a recently funded [ kickstarter ] product, price and availability not yet known at this writing.

diffa brings specify with care effort to the tradeshow circuit.

Nov 5, 2015

Specify With Care®, DIFFA’s cause marketing program, invites companies to designate a collection or collections and donate a percentage from sales of those to the Foundation.

DIFFA is making its mark on the tradeshow circuit this fall, bringing its Specify With Care® cause-related marketing program to BDNY in NYC 8>9 November / Booth #178. Specify With Care (SWC) invites companies to donate a percentage of sales from designated collections to benefit DIFFA in its fight against HIV/AIDS.

Many of the program’s affiliate products will be displayed in DIFFA’s booth at the shows.
Current participating affiliates include Blanco, Bolon, Ege, Maya Romanoff, Laufen and Wolf-Gordon // Gift of Hope.

“Specify With Care is a win-win proposition,” said Rick Wolf, CEO of Wolf-Gordon. It associates manufacturers’ names with a good cause and effectively differentiates their products. The interior design and architectural communities are supporting Specify With Care with overwhelming enthusiasm and optimism.”

As the program grows, DIFFA plans to exhibit at numerous other tradeshows throughout the year and support participants through a number of strategic activities and marketing and PR efforts.

image courtesy of blanco

image courtesy of bolon

image courtesy of ege

image courtesy of laufen

image courtesy of maya romanoff

image courtesy of wolf-gordon

[ DIFFA ] Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at rick of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, have provided more than $40 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide.

2015 clerkenwell design week round-up.

Jun 5, 2015

Clerkenwell Design Week is one of my favorite festivals. It’s small enough to get around in a day (although increasingly, I’m there for all three!), the sun (almost!) always shines, and it has a real ‘festival’ vibe with showroom parties spilling out onto the streets, interesting installations, and of course, ice-cream!

My favorite installations this year: Glaze by Cousins & Cousins in collaboration with Gx Glass – an interactive space made of candy-colored glass panels;

…the Invisible Store of Happiness by Sebastian Cox and Laura Ellen Bacon in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council;

…the Johnson tiles transformation of the entrance to the Farmiloe Building created by Verve – an installation of colored and mirrored tiles, arranged so that you saw all the colors of the rainbow looking one way, and your own reflection looking the other;

…and Agora on the Green – a collaboration between Scandinavian Business Seating, Article 25 and Russ & Henshaw, which invited passers by to take a seat, add to its design, and even raising money for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal.

The main hub of the festival is the Design factory at the Farmiloe Building, and this is where the more established brands can be found. Anglepoise launched three new editions of the Original 1227 desk lamp by London-based surface pattern designers Eley Kishimoto.

I loved &Then Design’s limited edition Flora in copper – designed in collaboration with Scarlett San Martin.

Sean Dare of Dare Studio was launching this fabulous pink sofa – I love the gold legs: a grown-up take on a feminine 1970s-inspired corner sofa.

Husband and wife team Baines & Fricker were showing their SB01 and BF02 collections. The latter is their colorful take on a pew – although I think it might raise a few eyebrows in church!

I loved this tailoring detail on Cornish furniture manufacturer Mark’s Fold Sofa.

Next I moved on to Platform, Clerkenwell Design Week’s space for up-and-coming designers – in the spooky subterranean setting of a Victorian former prison. I loved this little orange-legged stool by Amy Whitworth.

The Naive chair by etc.etc. has been stripped down to the bare minimum, with none of the fun removed – each piece comes in a range of bright colors that can be mixed and matched. This all-yellow version is perfect for me.

There is a real trend about at the moment for embracing the imperfections of natural materials, such as ‘waney edges,’ – the wobbly outside section of wood that goes right up to the bark, which is normally trimmed off to create consistent straight planks. What I love about Richard Hardy‘s collection is the way it combines this sustainable approach with a sense of fun.

Ambrose Vevers’ furniture is all hand-made in the South-West of England – he even fells the trees himself.

Additions is the space for small home accessories at the Crypt on the Green, the brick-walled crypt underneath Clerkenwell’s St James’ Church. I spotted Gemma Kay Waggett‘s quilted textiles almost as soon as I walked into Additions and was immediately drawn by their complex patterns and understated palettes.

I am a big fan of Billy Lloyd‘s ceramics. This collection of mugs was being shown as part of a curation by Charlotte Abrahams called This Is Craft.

This is the debut collection from N and N Wares and I’m already a huge fan. This one stopped me in my tracks – just beautiful.

I love Matt Pugh’s little wooden birds, so was interested to see more of his work. These candlestick holders come in a set of five and I think they work just as well without a candle – as abstract forms adding a pop of color to your interior scheme.

Alicja Patanowska hand-throws ceramic forms to turn discarded glassware (which she collects on the streets of London in the early hours of the morning!) into functional plant-pots, in which you can see both roots and stem.

And last but not least, Homeware and paper goods brand Hjem (Home in Danish), is based in the French Alps and run by Emma Richmond – it launched in October 2014 and this was Emma’s debut show, so it was really exciting to see her work. I’m looking forward to seeing more from her at the London Design Festival in September.

luminaire celebrates anniversary. 1:1 piero lissoni exhibition.

Jun 22, 2014

For the past five years I’ve attended terrific installations created and presented by Luminaire: Miami in December during Design Miami at the Luminaire Lab and in June during Neocon at the Chicago showroom. 2014 was a very special year because the first showroom in Miami was 40 years old and Chicago 25. Luminaire founder Nasir Kassamali needed something / someone special to help celebrate the occasion. He invited long-time friend and collaborator Italian designer Piero Lissoni to lend a hand. 1:1 Piero Lissoni exhibition will be on display until 10 July 2014.

275 attended a lecture at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary art. Lissoni presents what he does best and few can claim – his range of mastery in product design, interior design and architecture. Here are a few comments I remember – ‘I was born six hours late and Alessi asks me to design a watch, insane!’; ‘Even with traditional material, you can do anything’; ‘If you design without decoration, it’s enough to be both precise and uncomfortable’; ‘It’s possible to do something only if somebody helps you’. His 60-minute presentation and self-deprecating demeanor conveys his playfulness and allows for 15 minutes of ‘what was I thinking?’ such as the lamp he was asked to design that elicited no light – very controversial with client – [ Once (in the blue) for Flos ]

over 550 attend a reception at luminaire and a book signing

A discerning and passionate visual coffee table book containing brief-thru-execution case studies including concept sketches and material resources.

exhibit on third floor

exhibit on third floor

one of three floors of showroom curated for 40th-25th anniversary

event> [ 1:1 piero lissoni ]
venue> third floor of the chicago showroom | 301 west superior | 312 664 9582
date> till 10 july 2014

1> chicago mca lecture
2>8 lissoni exhibit
9>13 luminaire chicago showroom
14>16 reception
17>18 the book

<a href="about ron kovach

haute living video experience. milan 2014.

Apr 24, 2014

thank you [ haute living ] chicago / video: nate ross