Sometimes seating can be far more comfortable than it looks. At other times it looks far more comfortable than it really is. At the Maison & Objet trade fair, Editorial Correspondent John Currie and I happened to spy these intriguing and slender gaming chairs as we were trend-spotting in the aisles. He volunteered to try one of them out while I watched carefully from a distance.
Although John ultimately tipped off of the chair he chose I felt certain that my 11 year old, Alex, could be happily balanced upon one of them for hours while he focused on his PS2 or XBox. I snapped this picture right before John lost his battle with balance. He looks much more confident here than he did a few seconds later.
Hope for Better Fashion
Lots of people use fans all year long. For example, my husband has one near his elliptical andtreadmill exercise equipment that he switches on every time he works out. It is not an ugly fan, but it isn’t anything to show off, either.
At Gervasoni in Hall 5B, a rattan-encased fan gave me hope for something more stylish in the future. Here is my quick snap of this practical item.
Making the Most of Space
Consumers love hidden storage but they also love making the most of unexpected display spaces that let them show off treasures from their travels or collections. Yamagata Koubou’s chair is ready for just that. With small nooks in the back of this upholstered chair, I think it could take a lot of time to dust (my acid test for whether any piece, large or small, makes it into my house) but I still like what this designer did to give an everyday piece surprising utility.
Folds on the Floor
With so much embellishment showing up on all sorts of products, it hardly seemed surprising to see a rug that appeared to be pleated at Maison & Objet. Still, it was unusual enough to ask about how it is made, and I did at I & I.
This rug, constructed of all cotton, is folded during the weaving process, making the creases you see permanent. Colored in a Linen hue, this unusual piece was trend-right on many fronts.
Cars on Your Kids’ Feet
When John Currie and I saw the hand made felt pieces at Hut Up Berlin we were both captivated by them. I loved the poodle tea cozy that reminded me of my little White dog, Winston. John’s interest was elsewhere. He picked up on the slippers made to look like cars. Their companion piece: a rug designed to look like a road.
What better way to keep your kids interested in their slippers…although I’m not sure these fun shapes would actually encourage kids to keep the slippers on their feet. John thought he would use them as a toy if they were his.