Patmos tray
This tray design I find of exceptional creative dimension. Very functional , you can carry it with one hand and so beautifully.
This creation of designer John Stefanidis is hand crafted by skilled craftsmen.
Monthly Archives: July 2007
no vertical penholder
Coaster
Indian furniture and decor market is at the moment filled with imported(foreign) goods or Chinese stuff. To find a true Indian designer who has merged tradition and need to modern day design is a very difficult task.
Penholder
So when I found designer Krishnakumar’s site I was excited. Why? You can see for yourself.
Penholder
He describes his products as:
combination of warm and cold material which is very characteristic of Indian craft products.
Coaster
Penhoder
Not only he has designed these warm wood winners he has also experimented with palm leaves. Using natural dyes he has got these amazing effects.
Photoframe
Jewelery box
Tray
Krishnakumar’s wearables are also techno delights.
(27/05/09 -Edit: I have lost designer Krishnakumar’s links. It seems he has moved away. I haven’t found his new site so far. If you know or come accross his new site, please let me know. Thanks!)
charpoy, the art of sleeping
I like Doshi-Levien team because they put traditional Indian lifestyle into international arena. They also add their own subtle modern changes to each design they put forward.
Charpoy or as pronounced in Hindi ‘charpai’ or called ‘khat/khatia’ is latest from them.
Let us see charpoy in past and present perspective.
A traditional charpoy is woven with rope (sutli) made of a particular plant.
The rope bites a little into the skin so people sometimes upholster the charpoy with colourful clothes.
This is still a common site in Indian villages.
A modern day charpoy woven with white cotton rope.
Another modern day charpoy with plastic rope.
a very colourfully strung charpoy.
Ah bliss! This is one of my favourite nook.
Big momma is watching!
Are we really free? Why are we being watched over by cctvs? Are not we capable of watching our own steps? What is the cost of absolute freedom? What is being criminal? These are few of hundreds of questions I started asking when I saw experimental fashion designer Hussein Chalayan’s e t-shirts in his online shop.
I never thought I would feature a fashion designer in my blog. But his concept and questioning made me rethink.
When a design offers a solution it becomes beautiful and when a design poses a question it becomes compellingly beautiful.
These e t-shirts are awakening comments on our life and times.
red is hot and blue is blue
I love this amazing site The Guild , the place you can buy home decor products made by artists. I think the artists make everything brilliant. Only if they make it little affordable too. I enjoyed and love these red & blue elegance in glass.
ps do not forget to go through guild sourcebooks.
Convergence by Victor Chiarizia
my wished convergence: with all those ants, flies and cockroaches who live in and invade my kitchen everyday.
Cobalt Neo Geo Sphere by Eric Bladholm
my neo geo sphere: spinning hope inside.
Sunburst Flutter Bowl by Chris Mosey
my sunburst: bowl of kiddy laughter.
Rose bowl by Mark Rosenbaum.
my bowl: 3d effect on a wall full of black+white roses, red+white roses, blue+white roses.
UR Here by Kathleen Ash
me: where was I uptil now.
Wave Cylinder by Jamie Harris
no, thanks I don’t drink milk; it is red signal for my stomach, it makes wave if I drink it.
Curly Pitchers by Cal Breed
my curly sign says I am always thirsty for more of everything.
Amber Leaf vase by Michael Kohn and Molly Stone
my leaf motto: lines of a Gujarati poem:
peepal pan kharta, hansati kumpalia,
muj viti tuj vitashe, dhiri bapuliya. (bad translation available here: when old leaves of peepul tree fall down, buds laugh. Old leaf says slowly kid, I am through it,your turn will come).
Flattened Vortex vase by Michael Trimpol
falling flat on my face is my vortex habit.
Salt and Pepper by Skip Horton
and then after falling salt & pepper and my spice rack shake me up.
Ume Globe Vase By Richard S Jones
best bunch of flowers seen so far: at the age of 69, my mother picked up on her way up to see ice cave in Salzburg, Austria.
Tall Birch Vase White Trees by Bernard Katz.
wonder about tress 500 years old, about amazing stories and secrets they held.
End Grain Tray by Richard Parrish
Really want to send a grain train to all those little kids whose photos WHO send around.
Italian Line Boat Bowl by kathleen Ash
party never ends but take a boat and go home folks.
Axis vase by Harry Stuart
life is red and blue both, beautiful! bye.
India rediscovering her grass of origin
Konkan railway has started to plant vetiver grass along its laterite slope to stop landsliding. Roots of vetiver grass grow at least 3 metres inside the soil and its fibrous nature bind and hold soil tightly. The roots have strength of 1/6 of mild steel (eco steel!).
The konkan railway region is one of the most scenically green belt in India. Konkan railway has been called a tech marvel for its difficult terrain, tunnels and sky bus project. It has added one more green feather to its cap. Vetiver grass is not only a green solution but it’s primary centre of origin is India.
It was long long ago when I was in school, I had seen ‘ khus ki tatti’ (vetiver roots screen) at my maternal uncle’s place. The screen was used for cooling (eco-manufacturers listening?) and it gave mild earthy aroma. I do not see vetiver roots screen anywhere now.
Among many uses vetiver grass is used for soil and water conservation. Vetiver grass is called ‘khas’ in Hindi and is used now mainly by itra (scent) manufacturers.
I have also rediscovered this-people’s-grass. Beautiful handicraft’s were used to be made from vetiver. These days I see cane and coir handicrafts but unfortunately not a vetiver grass handicraft.
I wish to revive vetiver grass craftmanship. Any artisan listening?