gift15 ideas – DesignApplause

trending architecture and design books. gift ideas 2015.

Dec 3, 2015

three books come to our attention. we recently picked up and read paul goldberger’s new book when he was in chicago to accept an award from the society of architectural historians and also speak at the chicago humanities festival. and designers & books suggests two titles that are trending.

building art. the life and work of frank gehry | paul goldberger | knopf
of interest, pulitzer prizer architecture critic paul goldberger has written his first full fledged critical biography, that of architect frank gehry, a story of his life that has not be told in full detail. goldberger’s goal with this book is to appeal to the general reader – the intelligent, educated reader – not just the architecture public, and his narrative is that of a storyteller more than the critic. he also makes it known that gehry had no right of review, no right to delete anything that displeased him, and though the book is positive, there are words in it that he would rather not have be there.

the book cover in the weimer republic | jürgen and holstein | taschen
a biography by antique dealer jürgen and holstein, who has spent his entire career collecting and curating catalogs on art and architecture, assembles 1,000 covers. the period between 1919-1933, the years between the first and second world wars in germany are regarded as the golden age of german publishing. expert essays discuss the aesthetic and cultural context of a spirited nation only to be driven out of the country with the rise of national socialism.

how to | michael bierut | harper collins
the first monograph, design manual, and manifesto by michael bierut, protégé of design legend massimo vignelli and partner in the new york office of the international design firm pentagram — a career retrospective that showcases more than thirty-five of his most noteworthy projects for clients as the brooklyn academy of music, the yale school of architecture, the new york times, saks fifth avenue, and the new york jets, and reflects eclectic enthusiasm and accessibility that has been the hallmark of his career.

designer gifts 2015. stewart/stand.

Nov 25, 2015

[ stewart/stand ] has gained a reputation for producing innovative accessories for men and women with quality and craftsmanship that is unmatched in material, interest and style.

above> slim line billfold herringbone black | click on image to engage lightbox | 4 images courtesy stewart/stand

above> zipper wallet pale jade | click on image to engage lightbox | 5 images courtesy stewart/stand

[ about stainless steel wallets ]
the discovery, refinement and development of stewart/stand’s signature stainless steel material coincided with a seminal exhibition at the cooper-hewitt national design museum in new york. the title of the exhibition: extreme textiles.

the material has diverse applications: incorporated into spacesuits for durability, architects for flexibility, engineers for precision and impermeability, surgeons for strength, and stewart/stand for its beauty and security.

around the time of this exhibition we began developing the material for our specific applications, falling in love with both the steel’s touch and handle. stewart/stand sensed a tremendous opportunity at the intersection of fashion and technology. combining age-old tailoring techniques, with state of the art equipment, stewart/stand ensures a thin, lightweight alternative to traditional leather; an intelligent accessory that can be carried every day.

designer gifts 2015. chilewich.

Nov 24, 2015

[ chilewich ] using both traditional and modern manufacturing techniques, sandy chilewich’s use of yarn fuses style and sophistication to create innovative textiles and original designs.

[ dahlia ] extends chilewich’s innovative molded technique beyond the first circle of experimentation. acting more like a charger than a placemat, plates will sit surrounded and enhanced by the open lace cutwork it exhibits. dahlia placemats are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

[ color tempo indigo ] every placemat presents a carefully considered spectrum of color from light to dark in block configuration. color tempo placemats are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

[ shag dot mats ] shag indoor/outdoor mats are made by tufting custom extruded yarns as loops onto a primary backing and then binding them onto a hardworking vinyl that could weather any storm outdoors and provides functionality underfoot indoors.

designer gifts 2015. mondaine.

Nov 24, 2015

above> helvetica bold | also comes in regular and light

inspired by new york city, the massimo vignelli subway map and the system’s use of helvetica typeface throughout, mondaine created its helvetica 1 new york edition in blue, green and red accents to match the a-c-e, 4-5-6, and 1-2-3 subway lines, respectively. it comes in beautiful packaging that features a section of the map as well as 6 vintage postcards with images of interesting nyc/helvetica views.

[ details ] [ where to buy ]

designer gifts 2015. menu.

Nov 13, 2015

[ menu’s ] philosophy is simple. We want to make the world better, less complicated, a little bit nicer to wake up to. Collaborating with super-talented designers, we make objects to be treasured now… and forever. shipping> menu will only ships to north america at this time.

[ champayne sabre by karim rashid ] “if a sabre’s too much, you’re too young”

one piece of polished, stainless steel flamboyance, for opening up a bottle of bubbly the flashy way. made by an equally flamboyant designer, the champagne sabre by karim rashid is sure to impress at dinner parties. here’s hoping for delightfully extravagant champagne experiences!

the champagne sabre is designed for opening champagne bottles swiftly and extravagantly. aim towards where the vertical seam of the bottle meets the top lip of the bottle, and strike away from the base. the normal pressure inside the bottle automatically ensures that no glass shards contaminate the champagne.

the champagne will rush out just like when a cork is removed, so be ready to pour!

click on image for lightbox

[ jwda concrete lamp ] the stockholm-based designer jonas wagell successfully mixes the delicate and the raw into a beautiful little lamp with a concrete base and a metal dimmer knob. ready to decorate your sofa table, your shelf, or the bedside table.

designer: jonas wagell
dimensions: 6.7″w x 11.4″h
concrete, brass/steel, glass
light source: 1 x 40w 120v bi-pin g9 halogen (1 included)
cord length: 6.5 feet
metal knob functions as switch and dimmer

click on image for lightbox

[ teddy ] the mascot for the entire nepal project. this soft wool teddy can be a decoration as well as a beloved toy.

“nepal projects grew from our desire to use menu as a platform for making a positive difference. many young nepali women from poor families risk being lured into prostitution. through education of children and employment of young women we offer a sound and viable alternative. the nepal projects is our way to celebrate great craftsmanship, while helping vulnerable workers secure a better future for themselves and their families.”
– bjarne hansen, owner & founder, menu a/s

menu has launched a new trade initiative, nepal projects. developed in collaboration with aid organization danida, nepal projects provides much-needed fair employment and future opportunities in one of the world’s poorest countries by combining traditional fabric working skills with a contemporary scandinavian design aesthetic. the result makes up part of our new collection of home accessories: exquisite hand-weaved scarves and blankets, puffy pillows, practical desktop containers, roomy laundry bags, and cool teddy bears for kids and grown-ups alike. himalayan cashmere, merino wool, leather and cotton of the finest quality are the main ingredients in the collection. bridging traditions of east and west, the carefully crafted items are finished in muted grey, blue, green and red tones to suit a minimalistic scandinavian home decoration style.

while production of the collection takes place in the kathmandu area, where it employs hundreds of weavers, tailors and other local craftspeople, the design process happens in collaboration with kasper rønn and jonas bjerre-poulsen of norm architects; kristine engelbrecht’s a hint of neon, both in copenhagen; as well as the stockholm-based taiwanese design duo hung-ming chen and chen-yen wei at afteroom – and the seven-strong team at note design studio.

designer: afteroom (se)
material: 100% wool
dimensions: 2.5″l x 4.5″w x 10″h
movable arms and legs
care instructions: hand-wash with wool detergent

designer gifts 2015. luminaire.

Nov 12, 2015

42 years after its inception, luminaire’s existence continues to evolve, while always maintaining a leadership role in bringing the best designs from around the world to the american public and making good design part of many lives.

designed by jim rokos, the mouth-blown gauge crystal glass vase is a distinctive and playful piece that takes on the natural behavior of a flower. just like a gauge, the vase indicates the level of remaining water, by the angle of the vase’s neck. taking on the behavior of a flower, the weight of the water will at first hold the vase upright and then properly ‘wilt’ as the flower(s) drinks the water, letting you know that it needs watering. the vase leans and sways and always returns to where it best balances. the narrow neck limits the number of flowers so it does not over-balance. the vessel is available as both a table vase and as a large floor vase. the mouth-blown design is free formed by hand in england, without the use of moulds. each piece is accompanied by a certificate, indicating its unique production number. the minimal gauge crystal glass vase is reminiscent of flowers dancing in a breeze.

light my fire old meets new with the light my fire candle holder designed by omar carraglia for davide groppi. a candle holder in the form of a light bulb, the object plays with your perceptions of light. a witty and humorous piece, the light my fire candle holder is ideal to enlighten any space giving it a quirky edge.

designer gifts 2015. chisel & mouse.

Nov 11, 2015

brothers robert and gavin paisley, at [ chisel & mouse ] bring their passion for beautiful buildings to life. their mission is to bring great architecture into your living room.

from hobbyists to architectural sculptors they take their inspiration from the built environment that surrounds them; there are some buildings that speak through their beauty, they reflect this beauty in their artistic representations.

the sculptures are made of plaster which gives them a reassuring weight and a smooth, cool feel. most feature fine details, such as window frames, etched in metal.

chisel & mouse, victoria cottage, dodds bank, nutley, east sussex, tn22 3lr, united kingdom

london cityscape framed 1:5000 // a 3d map of the city of london at 1:5000. a single resin tile measuring 30x30cm encapsulated in a beautiful perspex frame. the model can wall hang or be displayed on a desk or table top.

bauhaus dessau // the bauhaus dessau was designed by walter gropius in 1925 to house the bauhaus design school. the building bares many similarities to his critically acclaimed fagus factory. the school was responsible for launching the modern movement and shaped much of the architecture of the 20th century.

the bauhaus dessau with its strong lines and simple form is an outstanding example of modernist architecture.

battersea power station // battersea power station, built in 1933, has been crumbling away since shutting down over 20 years ago. despite its dilapidation the building remains an iconic landmark with its instantly recognisable chimneys. this building is a true london landmark and worthy of the term ‘iconic’.

our architectural sculpture of battersea power station’s northern chimneys is striking. it displays the beauty and function that sir giles gilbert scott was so famous for and is the perfect example of mantelpiece art.

each of our architectural sculptures is handmade in our studio in sussex, england. they are made of strong plaster that has a reassuring weight and smooth, cool feel. stylish ornaments, gifts or presents that are handmade in britain and look fabulous on a desk, shelf or wall.

address: battersea power station, 188 kirtling street, london, sw8 5bp, england.

lescaze house // in 1933-34 william lescaze, the revered modernist architect, designed and built his own house in manhattan. claimed to be new york’s first modernist house, it stands out from its row of brownstones due to its striking design. white concrete, glass bricks, an absence of ornamentation and its use of strong geometric forms make this house unique.

lescaze approach to architecture can be seen in every facet of the building. from the external design to the internal layout, his focus on function and practical living are evident.

chisel & mouse have produced a stunning sculpture of the front facade, paying a fitting homage to one of new york’s most desirable residences.

address: 211 east 48th street new york, united states

designer gifts 2015. sebastian bergne.

Nov 10, 2015

Sebastian Bergne is renowned for making everyday objects special with his essential and human approach to design. Sebastian and his team work as an external Industrial design facility for international brands, as a designer and supplier of bespoke objects for restaurants, retailers and individuals or as producer of a growing collection of personal editions. His work is extensively published, exhibited and included in the permanents collections of museums such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Design Museum, London.

Bouncy Bauble is a Christmas decoration with a difference. Sebastian Bergne has repurposed children’s rubber bouncing balls to make a uniquely festive object. These unbreakable spheres are a playful use of material that turns the idea of the fragile glass ornament on its head.

Monthly Measure is both a perpetual calendar and ruler. The star is positioned on the serrated side of the ruler to show the day and date in the month. The date is easily changed by rolling the star along the ruler.

Make your books fly. Whether vertical or horizontal the Fiction book stand turns an ordinary pile of books into a sculptural feature in your home or office.

Hands Up is the purest of trays. Its handles are bent up out of it’s stainless steel surface leaving their imprint as witness to it’s manufacturing process.

designer gifts 2015. dreamfarm.

Nov 8, 2015

Garject is the world’s best garlic press. It presses unpeeled garlic, scrapes itself clean, and even ejects the peel. All of the garlic ends up in your meal, your hands don’t stink and your Garject practically cleans itself in the process. Boom.

Levups are our incredible leveling measuring cups that are perfect for both dry and liquid ingredients. Each Levup is clearly marked with cup, ounce and millilitre measuring lines for liquids. For dry ingredients, Levups handles squeeze together to make a scraper swipe across and push off any excess, leaving you with a perfectly level and accurate measurement. Levups are a set of 4 measuring cups that snap together for storage and can be easily snapped apart so you only have to wash the dirty ones.

Smood is not a strange-looking whisk, it’s the world’s best potato masher. It makes smooth mash in seconds, scrapes the pot clean and serves. As you push down, Smood’s spring flattens which forces your potato through the thin gap in its coils, creating smooth fluffy mash in just one press. Holla!