Egging Them On
Easter Traditions Go Oval
Monday, March 10, 2008
Have you put up your Easter tree yet?
German and other European families are visiting the Easter markets in town squares, shopping for goodies: twig baskets with feathered chicks hiding among daffodils and tulips; small wreaths holding greenery, tiny eggs and black speckled hens with bright red combs; and, of course, edible bunnies.
But the star of the show is the egg. Most families paint eggs at home, especially the children, but eggs of all sorts are available at the markets and in stores. One store in Salzburg specializes in Easter eggs—shoppers can choose from a mind-boggling assortment of offerings in two rooms. Sophisticated, traditional, glittery, appliqued, painted, patterned, freestyle, multicolored or painted to a theme, there are eggs to please everyone, each with a colored ribbon, ready to hang.
The “trees” themselves are usually small interestingly shaped twigs or some sort of catkin-bearing tree. You’ll see Easter trees in homes, bank lobbies, on stoops and in shop windows. In other words, everywhere. It’s a delightful tradition and one that deserves to travel!
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Fire in the Hole
Where You Never Expected It
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Don’t have a chimney? Have one chimney but want two fireplaces. More? No problem.
The Concept line from Planika will have flames dancing in any room you like. The secret is in an eco-friendly fuel based on ethyl alcohol. It’s smokeless and odor-free. Only water vapour and carbon dioxide are emitted - in proportions similar to those contained in the air exhaled from the lungs.
You can put a fire in your coffee table, in a wall unit, on the wall or in a sculptural form. The Coffee Fire Long is a sleek coffee table with aluminum legs into which is set a cyliner for your fire.
It’s easy to set up—the company promises that within 10 minutes, you’ll have a fire blazing!
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Can Do
Aluminum Chairs Go Stylish
Monday, September 24, 2007
Aluminum chairs have been making a statement indoors for a while. For a broad selection of sophisticated styles, check out Emeco, which also manufactures stools and tables.
You’ll find rocking chairs, stacking chairs, even upholstered swivel chairs. There’s a nice selection of Philipe Starck designs, including the oval-back Kong chair and the stackable Icon chair.
All chairs are made from 80% recycled aluminum and are available hand-polished or hand-brushed. They’re almost infinitely stackable and come with lifetime warranty. And don’t forget to recycle them when you’re ready to replace!
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Down to the Wire
Customize Cabinets with Wire Grilles
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Cabinets with wire insets, either with or without glass, are a quick way to make a statement. A touch of Provence? The standard “chicken wire” will take care of that. Something suggestive of Tudor? How about a diamond pattern. Whatever the period, there’s a wire grille that can help evoke the ambiance. Outwater Plastics has about 24 basic shapes, all available in several finishes including brass, antique pewter and silver.
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Walk-ins Welcome
Italian Storage Does Double Duty
Friday, September 07, 2007
Italian furniture design firm Porro has applied its signature clean lines, regular forms and functionality to the storage dilemma.
Designed by Piero Lissoni and appropriately called “Storage,” the system can hold and display different items by changing from cupboard to walk-in closet. Coplanar electric leaves make the opening movement faster and easier while transparent glass leaves enclosed in a thin iron profile allow for a clear view of the interior while satisfying those who prefer a walk-in closet.
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Beyond Bamboo
Japanese Artists Live an Ancient Art
Monday, August 06, 2007
Approximately 600 varieties of bamboo grow in Japan but bamboo artists use only a few select types. TAI Gallery/Textile Arts in Santa Fe exhibits these unique bamboo baskets and sculpture. More locally, the gallery participates in art fairs in San Francisco.
There are now less than 100 working bamboo artists in Japan. Artists in training spend their first 10 years learning the basic techniques of cutting, dyeing, and plaiting bamboo. Another one or two decades are spent developing as an artist. Artists begin to gain full recognition as they come into their fifties and sixties. A number of basket makers are still working in their eighties.
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