Blog... Anorak - picnic blankets
02/07/09
Kissing Animals Collection in our online store now Find out more
Blog... Gubi
28/05/09
Blog... Hay - Hee chairs
28/05/09
Blog... Nobody Chair by HAY
19/05/09
Fully Compostable Chair available online now Find out more
Blog... Ercol Originals
27/01/09
Classics relaunched Find out more
Blog... Merry Christmas
24/12/08
Joy and good cheer to all! Find out more
We love... Origami Dining table
The origami table relies only upon its interlocking angular legs to support it. Buy this item
Blog...Aino Glass - Box Set
02/07/09
Ribbed multi-coloured glass sets
The Aino multi-coloured glass box set, manufactured by Iitala, is ideal for helping to keep liquid intake up during the current heatwave. The glasses were originally designed by Aino Aalto (Alvo Aalto’s wife) in 1932 and they have been in production ever since. The rings on the glasses were inspired by the ripples on a pond’s surface. Each set contains four glasses in different colours, as pictured. Having withstood the test of time, we are confident the glasses will continue to be popular with their timeless simplicity. Furthermore, they save cupboard space by stacking well. The box set comes in at an affordable £24.00 for 4 glasses, make the Aino glass a feature on your al fresco dining table this summer.
Blog...Anorak - picnic blankets
02/07/09
Kissing Animals Collection in our online store now
Picnic blankets by Anorak are now in our online shop, and they are perfect for al fresco dining in the garden or further afield. We just love the simple, animal silhouette patterns consisting of rabbits, stags, horses or birds. The blankets come with a printed cotton front and are backed with waterproof nylon. They can accommodate a decent picnic spread as they measure 145 x 145 cm. However, one of their best features is their nylon carrying handle; once rolled the Anorak picnic blankets become exceptionally portable for treks down to the beach or through the woodland. Get one of your own Kissing Animal picnic blankets to sit on.
Blog...Gubi
28/05/09
A few weeks ago we visited one of our suppliers, Gubi, who have their logistical hub in the heart of Copenhagen's docklands. The vist was a thoroughly inspiring one, needless to say. Gubi is the parent company of Bestlite, which may come as news to many - considering that Gubi is a Danish company. Bestlites are considered by many to be a thoroughly British product, having been manufactured here for 78 years. None the less, they are rapidly appropriating Scandi cool and are a much coveted item on many household wishlists. So if you are buying a Bestlite, just remember they are well travelled pieces having visited Copenhagen's docklands by way of the UK!
Blog...Hay - Hee chairs
28/05/09
If you want to bring some colour into your summer months, why not take a look at HAY's Hee chair? The contemporary wire chairs are simple, but are available in bright colours too. We loved the neon coloured versions pictured we spotted on our recent trip to Copenhagen. They are a limited edition version - only available by request. With their special finish, their usage doubles up, as they are perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Guests can use one chair when visiting whether they are outdoors for a barbeque or relaxing indoors.
Blog...Nobody Chair by HAY
19/05/09
Fully Compostable Chair available online now
It’s true! Moleta Munro has introduced the first 100% compostable chair to our collection of contemporary furniture designs. Hay’s Nobody chair was designed by Komplot and has been winning numerous awards including the prestigious Swedish design accolade, The Forum AID Award.The Nobody chair, named after its lack of body, is made from one single process of thermo pressing a polymer fibre (PET) felt mat. The innovative design is produced from one single piece of completely sustainable material and does not include any additives such as glue or resins, or any materials like screws or reinforcements.The Nobody chair is light, stackable and surprisingly comfortable, and is perfect for your home or office alike. Not only is it exceptionally environmentally friendly, it will also benefit your little tots, since they also come in a child’s size. To see the HAY Nobody chair cick here.
Blog...Ercol Originals
27/01/09
Classics relaunched
Since I first broke the news that we are set to start stocking the Ercol Original line, I have visited several architectural practices. It's fair to say that excitement is building and there are a number of people out there that can't wait to get their hands on this revamped line shortly. The stacking chair (pictured) comes in a range of exciting colours in addition to the natural wood option and is only £250. Further information is available on the Ercol website.
Blog...Merry Christmas
24/12/08
Joy and good cheer to all!
It's unseasonally mild across the UK just now, so the prospect of a white Christmas seems slim. Mind you, a couple of weeks ago things were pretty different. Here is a snap I took whilst driving through Glen Shiel, on a return journey from Skye. Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers. Many thanks for your business during 2008, we hope to see you return in 2009. Have a wonderful break over the holiday season.
Blog...Architecture for 007
06/11/08
Buildings suitable for Bond
With the recent release of Quantum of Solace Bond, feverish Bond mania has gripped the nation. It's fair to say I have willingly been sucked into all of this. I have whiled away hours greedily devouring programmes on the life of Ian Fleming. The fact that another local contemporary furniture business has actaully supplied many pieces for the film has lent an element of jealousy in all of this. But Bond has remained at the forefront of my mind. Thus, when I came across these buildings I naturally thought of him. They perfectly encapsulate the two diverse sides of Bond's character: modern glamour and old school charm. The modern masterpiece, Villa MRMM, comes to us courtesy of Jurgen Mayer H. and the turn-of-the-century grand hotel, Waldhaus Sils was built in 1908 by Josef Giger and his wife Amalie. Both seem very fitting for use in a Bond film and should any location scouts want to thank me, you know where to find me! Justin
Blog...Moon Plate
08/09/08
Covetable new products from Normann coming soon
It might be utterly impractical but there is something captivating about Normann's new product, the moon plate (£45.50). It is one of a number of fabulous new products being launched by Normann Copenhagen over the autumn - expect stock instore soon. This piece makes a holey focal point on dining tables or sideboards, and can be beautifully complimented with fruit.
Blog...Timber House
25/07/08
Rent our Skye retreat for a holiday
It has taken nearly three years for our self build holiday home on the Isle of Skye to be completed. A few white hairs might have sprung up in the process, but the emotional highs and lows have finally paid off with a stunning home. The build was only complete a few weeks ago and we have been booked out since. If you fancy breathing in the fresh air and enjoying a contemporary home far from stresses of modern life, it is available to rent from Wilderness Cottages.. The weeks are disappearing fast, so hurry and make that booking.
Blog...Mobile dreams
23/06/08
Swiss Miss captures Calder beautifully
For some time now I have been thinking about mobiles, usually in the 30 seconds before I fall asleep after a day of work and an evening of trying to settle little people. It may be the fact that we have just moved house and there is plenty of opportunity for aerial decorating, or the pure escapism that is encapsulated by a mobile gently rotating above, but they just keep cropping up in my mind's eye. Consequently, I was delighted to discover this shot by design blogger Swiss Miss in a Flickr photo gallery. For those of you not familiar with her design blog, it is a great, and thoroughly recommended, read. It never fails to captivate my attention and it has been something of an inspiration over recent months. Feed your mind at: http://swissmiss.typepad.com/
Blog...Michelle Mason moves into flooring
10/04/08
A rug that you might love on your walls as much as your floors
I have to say I am a bit biased having stocked Michelle's products over the course of the last year, but I am, obviously, a fan. This progression into flooring is a stunning one. With this felted floor rug, you may be tempted to hang it on the wall as much as placing it on the floor. I am convinced that if you stare at it for long enough you will be taken to a higher state of consciousness. It is made from 100% wool and it comes in black and natural cream(no dyes). The rug measures 1.2 m in diameter x 6 mm thick.If you fancy seeing one in the flesh, make your way to the Grand Designs exhibition at Excel. Of course, we may be tempted to start stocking them here, too!
Blog...Alexa Cameron - Stop, Look, Listen
22/03/08
From illustrating our shop wall to solo exhibition
Her work has been aired on our shop wall for nearly a year now, but with a forthcoming solo exhibiton at the Open Eye Gallery, illustrator Alexa Cameron is about to gain much greater exposure. We have, obviously, always been big fans of her work and can't wait to see the exhibition which runs from the 29th of March until the 15th of April.
Blog...Mari Ruth Oda
19/03/08
Sculpture with a practical edge
For some time now, I have been travelling around with Mari's business card stuck in my wallet. No, it is not the fact that she is the designer of the pebble vibrating "toy" that explains its presence. I met her at a trade show, and was inspired by her sculptures and more practical seats. There is something about their organic form and simplicity that is utterly captivating. They are largely inspired by her own observational drawings and photographs of fruits, vegetables, landscapes, bones and the human form. I can already foresee a desire to invest in some of her pieces with the creation of a sculpture garden at our retreat on Skye. You can find out more about Mari here.
Blog...Maison & Objet and Norway
20/02/08
OK so it’s been a while since there has been any blogging and that would appear to contradict the very purpose of blogging: giving up to the minute news and views.
What can I say, it’s been a whirl of business and pleasure over the last few weeks. Maison & Objet in Paris, trailing round Oslo, and skiing in Trysil (Norway). I won’t bore you with trade fair finds – they can follow in another soundbite, but I must say what a drag it was trying to get into Maison & Objet. First there was the scrum down to get on the free bus from Charles de Gaulle airport (including barking bus driver). Next there was the traffic jam on the motorway only to be surpassed by the ridiculous queues at the venue, and that was just to register. I could go on moaning about lack of organisation, missing staples, and no maps, but some might say a little bit of Paris has just come home with me!So it’s onto to Norway. Great place. However, I must recommend visiting when you are feeling flush. Despite the feeling that my bankcards were melting whilst I was over there, I have to say that the skiing at Trysil was superb. I have never experienced so much snow in all my life (nearly 2m depth when I was there). Also, owing to the prevailing cold conditions there is little in the way of snow melt, so powdery snow remains in a pristine state for longer. And after skiing, what better way to relax than with a beer in the sauna?Justin
Blog...Swims
04/01/08
Possibly the best galoshes in the world
Perhaps it’s the recent flurry of snow that has hit Scotland, I am not sure, but my mind had turned to thinking about galoshes! Before you start worrying I am not a rubber fetishist. I was introduced to the company Swims through a Norwegian friend, only recently. What can I say…they are modern, practical, colourful and, bearing in mind their rather geeky purpose, amazingly stylish. Considering the Scottish climate, I guess I may resort to purchasing some promptly or, even better, I will stock them in the shop. Check out their site here www.swims.no it’s worth it for the photography alone.Justin
Blog...Made in Scotland with Love!
31/12/07
Plora's lambswool cushions and teacosies make a welcome addition to any home.
We are frequently asked if we have any contemporary Scottish design in our shop. It's almost an expectation that, because we are based in central Edinburgh, we should stock Scottish design. Maybe it's because we are located but a stone's throw from the SNP's centre of governance! It's not that we are averse to Scottish design, it simply didn't figure in our initial thoughts for our design philosophy. However, over the last few months we have taken on a couple of Scottish design suppliers. The most recent addition is the new home and fashion accessories label Plora. On first viewing a colourful range of Plora lambswool home accessories we knew they would compliment our offering. We predict that Plora's star will be ascending in 2008. Spread the love.
Blog...We Love Design House Stockholm!
22/12/07
Over the last few months Design House Stockholm has become one of our bestselling brands and consistently creates high quality, thought provoking products that will sit comfortably in a range of interiors. Although we are the largest stockist in Scotland of Design House Stockholm, we do not have all of their range in store or online. However, we are more than happy to get goods in, if something on their website catches your eye.