Chair of the day: Skandiform’s Cleo settee

I think Skandiform’s furniture is cute. Their Cleo settee is sweet.The Swedish company has a beautiful line of home furnishings under the Care section of their site. Here are a few vignettes.

You can find Skandiform furniture in the US through The Hightower Group.

Objects of Desire – A new series on designs we love

Objects of Desire is a new series I’m starting. ¬†I’ve been asking designers and friends to pick two or three objects they particularly admire. The point isn’t cost, or rarity. It could be impeccable utility or perceived aesthetic perfection. ¬†Basically, two or three things the writer would really love to have – or has already, and treasures.

The first person to weigh in with his opinion is misterarthur. He’s not a designer in real life, but he works in a creative field (advertising), and has distinct opinions about what he likes and doesn’t. ¬†Take it away, misterarthur.

“My first object of desire is a Fender Stratocaster. (Preferably a ’57 or ’59). ¬†

The sexiest musical instrument ever made. Incredibly comfortable to play. Definitive rock sound. Designed by an engineer (Leo Fender) who approached musical instrument making with no preconceived notions on what a guitar “should” be. ¬†He actually designed it to be made by non-luthiers, and to be as affordable as possible. Paul Reed Smith, a highly respected guitar maker in his own right, has said “The Strat is part of our heritage. ¬†Someone once said that Leo [Fender] was in a state of grace when he designed the Stratocaster. ¬†I can’t argue with that.”

Nor can I.

Here’s something unaffordable. I think it’s one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I covet one. It could only have been designed by an Italian. It’s a sports car – but not unruly – just a superb means of getting from point a to point b in the most stylish way possible. Driving one would make me feel like Marcello Mastroianni on the way to my villa in Positano. ¬†Even its name is redolent of pure Italian chic: ¬†It’s a Lancia Flaminia Supersport Zagato. (Zagato is an Italian¬†carrossier which specializes in lightweight, aerodynamic variations of makers designs.) ¬†Ecco: (Two photos, just because it’s so beautiful.)”

Thanks, misterarthur. You can look forward to other contributors in the near future.

Meanwhile, is there an Object of Desire in your life? Is there a design that you admire above all others? Let me know.

The Conundrum of Modern Bicycle Design

Ah, the bicycle. Ubiquitous, green, efficient.¬† Designers are always trying to “improve” its basic design, which hasn’t changed much for over 100 years.¬† See?¬† Here’s one from 1898.

Doesn’t look much different from something you’d find at the bike store down the street.¬† That basic shape has been improved over the years so that today, it’s light, strong, and durable.¬† Some designers don’t think that’s enough, and decide to “reinvent” it. Such is the case with Mark Newson’s Biomega MN1.¬† Voila:

Yes it looks groovy and “modern”. But here’s the problem. Mark’s re-imagining of the bicycle frame does nothing to improve upon that which we’ve become used to. It’s neither lighter, nor more efficient, nor easier to produce.¬† Hence the outrageous price: It costs $7,800.¬† (But you do get to pose around and tell people you’re riding a Mark Newson designed bike).

So what’s a designer to do?¬† One route is to leverage everything we’ve learned about making great bicycles,¬† – and execute it perfectly.¬† I can think of no better example than one of Vanilla Bicycles’ masterpieces.¬† Like this.

Here’s a detail that shows the craftmanship.

Beautiful, no?  Craftsmanship costs money, and Vanilla Bikes are quite expensive Рthough not nearly as expensive as the Biomega Mark Newson MN1.

Alright, so where does that leave a designer who wants to build something beautiful that most people can actually buy?

Here’s a great solution by Michael Young. Here’s his “City Speed” designed for Giant Bicycles. Lovely, modern, light, efficient, and affordable.

I particularly like its tail light – most bike tail lights are pretty cruddy looking pieces of plastic.

You really need to visit his site to see all that he’s designed. The guy’s a real talent.¬† The bicycle’s just an example of his work, but I think it illustrates a couple of things.¬† One, that you can take something utilitarian and make it beautiful – without making it look designed (like Newson), and that you can do it so that most people can actually afford to buy one.

Thumbs up to Michael Young from a cycling (and design) fan.