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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,

In the News: Philippe Starck's Democratic Ecology

casasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Back in March, in an interview with German publication Die Ziet, prolific industrial designer Philippe Starck admitted to feeling "ashamed" for being "a producer of materiality," saying, "Everything I have created is absolutely unnecessary." In shock, the design world was buzzing. Would this mean retirement for the can-do-no-wrong designer? What would we blog about? Well, luckily, we haven't yet had to cross that bridge. It turns out, according to a New York Times article, despite his misgivings, Starck has been "advocating environmentalism" for some time in his personal life with his "organic diet, the solar-powered oyster farm he owns in Arcachon Bay in southwestern France, and so forth — ending with 'the least polluting plane on the market,' his private jet." And, more buzzworthy, he has designed a line of products called "Democratic Ecology," which are "relatively cheap, attractive, energy-saving products" meant to “introduce everybody to ecology.” The first is a "miniature rooftop wind turbine, priced between $780 and $1,250, which Mr. Starck said can produce up to 80 percent of a home’s energy." In the works as well is a solar panel film that covers existing windows, a prefab green house, an electric car, an eco-moped, and a solar- and hydrogen-powered boat. As to be expected, these eco products won't be a stitch "granola": Starck says, “It’s very, very important that they’re beautiful, because ecology should be a pleasure, not a punishment." Read more about the line in The New York Times's "And Now, to Try and Catch the Wind."
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Crave Worthy: Philippe Starck Royalton Sofa

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

Though I'm not a mathematician by trade, I still believe that the Royalton Sofa ($9,335) — designed by Philippe Starck in 1991 — can be expressed by the following formula: Settee + Headboard = Royalton. The ever-resourceful and always surprising Starck is responsible for many unique designs, including my fave, the Louis Ghost Chair.

Of course, I'm more likely to spend 10G on my garden than on this piece of furniture — let's face it, if your dog secretly jumps on your sofa, it's never a good idea to drop a lot of money on such a royal piece. However, a girl can still dream, right? The Royalton, a few Louis Ghost Chairs, a luxurious rug . . . my dream living room's out there somewhere, even if it's only in my imagination.

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.

Crave Worthy: Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair

casasugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:34:26 -0700

I know, I know. I'm a bit behind the clock to be declaring this now. But, Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair ($410), have I told you lately that I love you? It just occurred to me that I had yet to introduce Louis Ghost as a Crave Worthy, and since I'm of the persuasion that it's never too late, here it is. Philippe Starck introduced the chair in 2002 modernizing the classic Louis XVI chair (a design that originated during the King's reign) with clear Lucite. This type of daring refashioning of an old design is a token Philippe Starck move. But, six years old, the Louis Ghost has already become a classic and Starck himself has since updated it, offering up new colors and the option of adding a custom decoration (like a decal) to it. Can you think of a modern design that's more alluring than this? I honestly don't think I'll ever be over it; it's my undying flame.

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

casasugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:29:43 -0700

. . . would you splurge for this Philippe Starck Vase Suspension Lamp ($3,260)?

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

Definitely!

Maybe, if I could find a compelling reason to hang vases from my ceiling.

No way, not me.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

In the News: Meet Philippe Starck

casasugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:30:13 -0700

T magazine, an online publication covering women's and men's fashion, design, food, and travel put out by the New York Times, currently has a fun profile of Philippe Starck, featuring a video of the prolific designer as well as a collage with the tagline, "From underwear to mega-yachts, Philippe Starck knows no boundaries." The video itself is a collage of sorts, showcasing his designs, which do run the spectrum from toothbrushes to hotel interiors, as well as his quirky character. If you've yet to "meet" Starck, T's interactive format is fitting for the playful French designer. The collage is much like one you'd see in a print magazine, but scrolls north, south, east, and west with your mouse, revealing more of Starck's designs, photos of him, captions, and brief editorial portraits — "his design dna," "his eco mania," and "his colorful character." Enchanté Monsieur Starck!

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Weird Furniture: Philippe Starck Tooth Stool

casasugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:00:33 -0800

Philippe Starck has never let me down before. In fact, I pretty much fall asleep every night by counting his Louis Ghost Chairs. But the Tooth Stool (price unlisted), which he designed for Saint Martins Lane Hotel, is too much of a mouthful for me. The stool comes in three lacquered-metallic versions: gold, silver, and copper as well as one version in batch-dyed silver gray. If it were my style, I'd say the gold tooth is the only way to go.

Crave Worthy: Deborah Bowness Wallpapers

casasugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:46:07 -0700

I first saw Deborah Bowness's wallpapers for sale a few years ago. It was just a poster version of one of her wallpapers, but regardless, I've been craving them ever since. Bowness has been designing and hand-printing wallpapers for seven years. Her collection includes several series of ready-made digitally and hand-printed wallpapers with trompe l'oeil effects that can reinvent a home or business with just one roll. Many of the wallpapers are printed with technicolor-like images of floor lamps, filing cabinets, Louis XIV style chairs, or other furnishings you might normally see in a home.

They're a clever solution for small quarters dwellers without much room for additional furniture, but they would make a statement in any sized pad. Her pastel colored papers are very girly, which I love, but she also a black and white faux bookshelf wallpaper which would be a perfect fit for man's office. Bowness is also available for commissions, which she designs specifically to suit the needs of any interior, and has exhibited her work in museums and shows throughout the UK. Some of her noted clients include the Soho House , Reebok, Paul Smith, Selfridges, and Philippe Starck. Bowness was also a winner of the ICFF editors award for best wall coverings in 2007. Do you think she's a winner?
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