Author: Justine Harvey

Categories / Design and Interiors, Food and Drink, Homeware

Alvar Aalto Tea Trolley

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A new study has been reported this week that claims tea has health benefits. So we’ll all be drinking more tea until another study contradicts it next week, but in the meantime, why not serve your tea in style, with Alvar Aalto’s Tea Trolley.

Introduced at the Paris World Fair back in 1937, it was based on a design created for a tuberculosis sanatorium, but this version was updated for domestic use.

It is available to buy online from Bauhaus 2 Your House, priced $2,359 (approximately £1,200). Admittedly that is a lot of money for a trolley, but the greatness of this one has been recognised by MoMA who have a one in their permanent collection.

Categories / Homeware

Blofield Inflatable Chesterfield Sofa

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We recently featured Branex’s re-launched inflatable Quasar range of furniture, which included a sofa they were called a Chesterfield, but it would seem that this is not the only blow-up Chesterfield on the market. Blofield also make an inflatable Chesterfield Sofa that is available to pre-order now from the Design Conscious website.

Whereas the Branex sofa is obviously an inflatable as it was transparent, the Blofield version looks more like a real Chesterfield, except you can use it outside.

The Chesterfield costs £350 and will be available in white at first with other colours being introduced in the future. So if you’ve always fancied something formal looking to sit on in the garden, order yours from Design Conscious.

Categories / Design and Interiors, Homeware

Bengt & Lotta Iron Lamps

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Best known for the iconic Moose design, Swedish designers Bengt & Lotta take inspiration for many of their designs from traditional Scandinavian folk art. That tradition can be seen in their series of Swedish Iron Side Lamps.

The lamps are more than just mere lighting solutions, as they more like sculptures. The collection takes in abstractions, animals, angels and people, but all have that unmistakable Scandinavian look.

They are available to buy online from Fjorn, priced $325 (approximately £170).

Categories / Art and Photography

Higher State of Consciousness: The Psychedelic Event, ICA, London

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The ICA has been holding a series of talks looking the various curatorial approaches that have been taken in the institution’s history. The latest in the series is entitled "Higher State of Consciousness: The Psychedelic Event" and addresses the organisation’s reaction to the psychedelic scene. 

This will be with particular reference to the 1969 performance by Soft Machine and the ICA’s “Mid Summer High” event. The talk will address the question of whether the intellectual position of the curator was undermined by drugs and flashing lights or if it allowed artistic experience to be fully realised. Stirring intellectual stuff indeed!

If you fancy a stimulating evening of debate, it takes place on Tuesday 25 June at the ICA in London. Further details can be found on the ICA website.

Categories / Food and Drink

Vintage 1970s Dana-plast Nutcrackers

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Classic Modern currently has a small selection of 1970s Dana-plast Nutcrackers, designed by Stig Jorgensen.

Whereas most nutcrackers are made of metal, these are made of glossy plastic. This being Danish design at its best, this doesn’t mean that they’ve sacrificed any functionality to look good. This means they are still more than up to the job of cracking nuts!

The nutcrackers are available in black, brown, purple, yellow, white or clear, priced £11 each. Visit the Classic Modern website to buy.

Categories / Homeware

White Club Sideboard

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There isn’t much information given about the White Club Sideboard on the website Living 24, but its simple design caught my eye.

It is described as resembling “something out of Star Wars” and whilst it has an undeniably space-age look to it, I think it could look good in many style lounges or hallways without making them look like a Sci-Fi set.

It measures 68cm x 160cm x 45cm and can be ordered from Living 24, priced just over £645.