Riviera Maison Spring Collection


Recently I visited the Riviera Maison showroom in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands, for the presentation of their 2011 Spring Collection.

Sofa Je ne sais Quoi

The new collection is based on different themes such as Yacht Club and Fairfield Stables; without fail, all of them immediately bringing to mind images of the playgrounds of the well to do in either old or new England. Riviera Maison’s signature is writing on items what they are to be used for. From simple words like ‘books’ or ‘tea’ to more elaborate texts like “Martha’s Vineyard Recipe’s” or “Je ne Sais Quoi” in the back seat of a sofa. One might find it a bit annoying that the basket they bought for toys, has ‘bread’  or ‘laundry’ written on it in elegant and contrasting handwritten letters. However, over all, the collection succeeds in making you believe that with the right furniture and accessories, you too can live the dream. And I can only admire the brand for their sheer persistence and coherence in what they believe works. And it does. Most recently they opened a 700m2 flagship store in Düsseldorf.

Clinton Hill Cabinet

The brand is a hit with consumers willing to splash out a bit, and magazines and websites all over the world have long ago picked up on this.

Club 67 Lounge love seat linen

Mazzeto Blanco ‘fireplace’.


This wonderfully designed wall mounted bioalcohol fireplace caught my eye.
It is kitsch and sleek at the same time, making it timeless already.

 

Mazzeto Blanco by Redwitz

 

It’s designed by German design duo Redwitz, headed by Sylvia and Lukas Redwitz. Their own website describes their work as follows:

Sylvia and Lukas Redwitz design objects deeply rooted in the tradition of their craft while using their very own language of form. Their aim is to always seize the essence of an object. The two designers are concerned with the entire process of making: from the concept and design of an object to its production and finishing. Due to this creative process their unique style is developed: minimal and distinct.

Inspired?

The Homevoyeurs.com webshop sells many books about fireplaces. For example this one by Jane Gitlin. Now on sale for $9,98.

Starling Lamp


Fellow Minerva alumnus Marc van der Voorn designed this wonderful lamp.

 

Starling lamp

 

He designed it a few years back to be fair, but it only came to my attention recently. It was commissioned by Dutch label Odesi. The bird looks as if it will fly away any minute. I love how the chintz and delicate fabric of the lamp contrasts with the harsher appearance of the bird.

Funny how birds tend to play part in many Dutch designs.

 

Starling Lamp by Marc Th. van der Voorn

 

The Starling comes in four colours; cream, charcoal, olive and mahogany and costs €240 through the Odesi webshop.

Dimensions: ø 50 x 20 cm
Material: shade: Chintz / bird: RVS

A little bit of history repeating


CPB 2101 fire screen

CPB 2101 fire screen

His royal hunkiness Swedish Prince Carl Philip had designer aspirations. To prove his abilities he designed a series of cutlery and more recently, this cast iron fire screen. The design has historical references: On May 7th 1697, a large fire broke out in Tre Kronor castle in Stockholm, burning most of it down to the ground. It has since been restored, but this screen works as a constant reminder of what fire can do. Set in the fireplace, it will be almost like a small theater stage, with the blazing fire behind the black iron.

Available exclusively through Svenskt Tenn, a Swedish high-end department store.