Going Long
Easy-to-extend tables accommodate summer crowds
Thursday, May 31, 2007
If you’ve ever had to make room at the table for unexpected guests, you’ll love the extendable tables from Hülsta. The extension mechanisms are light and easy to operate. Best of all, a table that has already been laid can still be extended.
The glass-topped (yes, you can have an extendable glass table!) ET 600 table pulls out in one movement to 3.12 meters (almost 10 ¼ feet). To extend the velvety smooth solid alder or beechwood ET 800, push back the tabletop, slide out the extension panels and unfold. Voila!
That these features come from Hülsta is not surprising. This is the company that designed the first modular living room units. Check out Hülsta.com for dealer and purchase information.
(0) Comments • (1) Trackbacks • Permalink
Now You See It …
Now You Don't. The Disappearing Wall
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
It’s a wall! No, it’s a door! With the NanaWall folding and individual panel sliding glass door systems, it can be both.
NanaWalls are structural glass walls that blend the divisions between the outdoor and indoor spaces. Walls can be fully or partially opened, or completely closed. If you’re looking for a ‘’Wow!’’ effect, this will do it.
Folding systems are panels connected together in a train. When open, the panels remain in the plane of the opening and stack 90 degrees to the track. With individual panel sliding systems, each panel is supported by two carriers and moved independently into position. Panels can be stacked outside the plane of the opening and into a parking bay. The arrangement allows multiple options including swing doors and double French doors.
All NanaWall systems have been independently tested for air infiltration, water penetration, structural perfomance and forced entry.
Five of the systems are manufactured here in California; the remainder are produced in Germany by Solarlux, NanaWall’s partner company. Contact NanaWall for the name and phone number of local sales representatives and installers.
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Il Bagno Bello
Bathing Italian Style
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
We love contemporary Italian bathroom design. And the aptly named Agape is one of the best practitioners of the art. Their Spoon bathtub is, you guessed it, spoon-shaped: wider at the top and narrowing to a delightfully smaller curve at the foot. According to the company, the tub’s inclined concave internal profile allows optimal water distribution. We love it for its clean, sculptured lines.
A different kind of curve shows up in the Chiocciola shower in the form of a nautilus-like spiral, suitable for free standing, corner or recessed locations. Access can be from the right or left and the screen wall can be transparent or translucent.
The Ufo is an extra-large stainless steel bathtub that uses industrial components adapted for use in large bathrooms. Available in polished stainless steel or with a white enamel interior and black enamel exterior, it does rather resemble a flying saucer. The company likens it to a space-age version of traditional cast iron tubs.
Agape also gives a contemporary twist to a traditional material with their Woodline tub in waterproof birch plywood with light, medium or dark oak veneer. The ergonomic interior section is modeled as a chaise longue.
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Try a Sandwich
Layers of a New Resin Yield Fun Panels
Monday, May 21, 2007
Hold the wood! Paneling takes on a whole new look with resin-based panels from 3form. The company uses an environmentally friendly resin to encapsulate textiles, organic materials, textures and custom images in translucent panels that can be transformed into walls, dividers, doors and other architectural solutions
The Organics collection features thinly sliced bamboo rings and hand-dyed banana fibers encapsulated in resin. Other natural themes include panels that feature interlayers comprised of hand-dyed capiz shells and colorful crushed glass suspended between layers of ecoresin, as well as ultra-thin walnut, rosewood and zebrano wood veneer that transmits light while preserving the color and grain of wood. The Texture collection features embossed panels that are particularly striking when illuminated.
The line also includes a collection made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic.
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
We’re Back
Friday, May 18, 2007
We took time off to check out the design scene in Europe. Germany, France and Italy were treasure troves of new and exciting trends and products that we’ll report on in the coming weeks. Check back with us on Monday!
(0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
