Archive - June, 2010
Sustainable Travel thru Paris -Velibing with Gregg and John
A Beautiful Photojournal of John and Gregg with local friends, Amber and Leo, as they do their own Velib tour through the streets of Paris…
Philippe Starck-French Designer Introduces Sustainable Energy to his Genius Branding
I have always viewed French designer Philippe Starck as being one of the most progressive designers and certainly most well known in the world for the new style of design. His famous designs range from interiors of Hotels private residences including the apartment of former French President, Francois Mitterrand. He is a savvy designer of furnishings and products such as the Ghost Chair, and everyday household items for example the spider-like juicy salif fruit juicer. His products and furnishings are often stylized, streamlined and organic in their look and are also constructed using unusual combination of materials such as glass and stone, plastic and aluminum, plush fabric and chrome More recently I am glad to see that Starck has approached the concept of sustainable design with his inventive and creative eye with his design for a wind turbine. Starck has taken his designs to a new level with his new line of Micro
Wind
Turbines unveiled in downtown Milan in January. The “Revolutionair”
turbines, produced out of Italian power generator company Pramac, are
designed for domestic use by homeowners. Another functional, yet
aesthetically effective household product, resembling a sculpture to add
flair to your garden or rooftop.
Wind
Turbines unveiled in downtown Milan in January. The “Revolutionair”
turbines, produced out of Italian power generator company Pramac, are
designed for domestic use by homeowners. Another functional, yet
aesthetically effective household product, resembling a sculpture to add
flair to your garden or rooftop.
One of Starck’s Hotel designs is The Mama Shelter, in the
heart of Paris in the Saint Blaise historic district. It offers an eclectic and electric ambiance thanks to its friendly, warm
and casual common areas. The website states it be “rebel character and city life at a country pace.”
heart of Paris in the Saint Blaise historic district. It offers an eclectic and electric ambiance thanks to its friendly, warm
and casual common areas. The website states it be “rebel character and city life at a country pace.”
Relax in eclectic and electric ambiance at the Chic-Chic bar and lounge,
a French brasserie or the cozy romantic terrace.
a French brasserie or the cozy romantic terrace.
Cozy rooms look out over the district.
One of his most recent designs is the Mi Ming armchair, sure to become a
classic. made of polycarbonate and available in re, black, white or
silver at Avant Gallery.
classic. made of polycarbonate and available in re, black, white or
silver at Avant Gallery.
Hotel Fasano, is
another chic hotel designed by him in Rio de Janeiro is designed of wood, marble and
glass and features furnishings from the 50′s and 60′s.
another chic hotel designed by him in Rio de Janeiro is designed of wood, marble and
glass and features furnishings from the 50′s and 60′s.
If wind turbines, armchairs and hotels don’t grab you then check out this mega yacht “A”, designed for billionaire Andrey Melnicheno . Reminiscent of a submarine warship on the exterior.
http://s.wsj.net/media/swf/main.swf
photo courtesy Design Bloom
Stunning and elegant on the interior.
photos courtesy Live Yachting
Or if you just need something as basic as a juicer, the everyday
household item, Alessi juicer,
has even found its way into the Moma
Gallery in New York. The list of his genius
branding goes on and on to include shoes for Puma and even
toothbrushes.
household item, Alessi juicer,
has even found its way into the Moma
Gallery in New York. The list of his genius
branding goes on and on to include shoes for Puma and even
toothbrushes.
Merci, Paris: Eco Luxury & Eco- Conscious Design Finds
”Merci: 111, Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75011 Paris, France
All the benefits, minus the costs and salaries – go to children in Madagascar.
Fashion is a joint effort: Merci offers specially designed pieces by Stella McCartney, yves Saint Laurent, Paul Smith. These are 30 or 40 percent cheaper than retail because the designers gave up their profit margin. The collection includes YSL’s famous Safari Jacket, specially re-edited for Merci in white and Khaki. The rest of the clothes for women, men and children is eclectic and fun offering designers such as APC, Isabel Marant, Paul&Joe;, as well as brands such as Acme, Swildens and Forte Forte. The vintage stand, is fun and retro. Second hand Chanel purses and complete with a selection of pieces donated by various actors, models and singers. There is even Fragrance, an Annick Goutal perfume laboratory, when one can create their own fragrance.
A charity concept store. It is the result of several years of hard work by Marie France and Bernard Cohen, the creators of French luxury childrenwear Bonpoint. The 1500 square meter (16,000 square feet) space was previously a fabric factory; today, it is a luminescent menagerie split up into three stories, it offers a multitude of books, clothes, flowers, furniture, but also a café and an elegant cafe and courtyard garden.
Numbered comfy sofas for hanging out and waiting for your turn or your partner.
A dramatic and creative renovation of this old factory makes for luminous and large spaces.
How about wood picnic 18th c. style flatware and spring loaded chopsticks? Very chic!
Even the Packaging is eco-chic for these stylized picnic utensils
The top level of the loft offers a wide range of furniture, some affordable, some more decadent, and in limited editions, along with a multitude of home accessories. This includes a 1950s school desk by Arne Jacobsen, 19th century stools found in Chinese farms, but also contemporary pieces by designers such as Oskar Zieta or François Azambourg. “This is a personal mix of rare pieces and daily objects, which illustrates my life philosophy” said Marie-France.
Everyone needs a pocket truffle harvesting knife and cleaning brush!
For Lunch, a Fantastic Organic Cafe.
The cafe is adjacent to a beautiful courtyard garden.
A gorgeous organic salad to help shake the jet lag from California.
Les Deserts!
More shopping, Bowls, mugs, to make colorful displays in your tiny Parisian Kitchen.
Another favorite of mine were Pantone mugs, perfect for the design office.
Vintage and Retro Chic Garden furnishings and recycled furnishings go catch the eye of any designer.
Fashionable and trendy donated vintage clothing has been professionally edited for style.
Fashion is a joint effort: Merci offers specially designed pieces by Stella McCartney, yves Saint Laurent, Paul Smith. These are 30 or 40 percent cheaper than retail because the designers gave up their profit margin. The collection includes YSL’s famous Safari Jacket, specially re-edited for Merci in white and Khaki. The rest of the clothes for women, men and children is eclectic and fun offering designers such as APC, Isabel Marant, Paul&Joe;, as well as brands such as Acme, Swildens and Forte Forte. The vintage stand, is fun and retro. Second hand Chanel purses and complete with a selection of pieces donated by various actors, models and singers. There is even Fragrance, an Annick Goutal perfume laboratory, when one can create their own fragrance.
Next door is an international bookstore, Café Bouquiniste (the Reading Café) and cafe where every book was donated and used. Check out this incredible ‘must see’ destination when in Paris.
“Merci”
T.: +33.1.42.77.10.38
www.merci-merci.com
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