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Cool Idea: Kartell/Philippe Starck Topiary Garden

casasugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:21 -0700

As part of Milan Design Week 2008, Kartell installed seven 13-foot-tall topiary sculptures depicting a selection of its best known outdoor products at the Triennale Garden in Milan. The super-sized shrubs included a giant Dr. No chair, Victoria Ghost chair, Bubble Club chair, La Boheme stool, and Mr. Impossible chair, all designed by Philippe Starck. Starck announced in March that he will retire in two years, so this foray into the garden serves as a bit of send-off. And, since Starck has expressed shame for driving consumerism and materiality, this is certainly a step in the right direction for him. To see more images of the garden,

Nice and New: Lou Lou Ghost Chair

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:15:39 -0700

Building on the success of the now famous Louis Ghost chair, released in 2002, Philippe Starck has come up with a child-size version of the chair for Kartell. A worthy heir, Lou Lou Ghost incorporates the features of its big sister, with a Louis XVI silhouette that is resolutely modern and features a polycarbonate body, a resistance to scratches, and perfect ergonomics. All you design-fiend parents out there can turn your kids on to good design from an early age with the Lou Lou. Available in a variety of candy-colored transparent pastel colors (fluorescent orange and green, sugar pink, blue, sky blue, purple, lilac, and pale green) and three opaque colors (red, white, black), you're bound to find one that suits your little darling. And for those of you without kids' rooms to furnish, I honestly think it'd be pretty cute used to stack books beside your favorite reading chair. It should be available in Kartell shops for about $116 in Europe this Summer, and hopefully in the US soon there after.

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

casasugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:30:30 -0700

. . . would you match your furniture to your dress with this Dolce & Gabbana Philippe Starck Mademoiselle Chair ($950)?

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

Absolutely — furniture should be fashionable, too!

Maybe — but not in that pattern.

I like the chair, but I'd never wear leopard spots on a dress.

No, not my style.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Cool Idea: A Table Lamp as a Centerpiece

casasugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:30:31 -0800

Tick tock: The Oscars are fast approaching! If you haven't yet, you should fill out BuzzSugar's ballot for a chance to win a cash prize. YumSugar was kind enough to share photos with me of her preview tour of the Governors Ball, the Academy Awards' official afterparty, and I noticed that the Kartell Bourgie Table Lamp ($362) was used in a rather unusual manner. For once, the table lamp found itself atop a dining table, used as a centerpiece along with a plethora of red roses and a ruby-red runner, rather than placed on a bedside table, a desk, an accent table, etc. So long candelabras, huh? How do you feel about this curious use of a table lamp? Would you use this technique at your own dinner party?

Casa Quickie: Kartell Plastic Cleaner

casasugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:10:35 -0700

The European furniture brand Kartell popularized plastic furniture in the U.S., so it's no surprise that the company's Kartell Plastic Cleaner ($17) is a must-buy. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to clean plastic surfaces without them looking streaky? This miracle spray cleaner and microfiber cloth solves that problem.

The Plastic Cleaner works wonders on all sorts of plastics, clear or opaque, as well as glass and other shiny surfaces such as counter tops (especially formica), porcelain, and chrome.