Fagor DRIRON

Fagor, European maker of dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves and washing machines, recently launched the world's first dryer that dries and irons. Just take the clothes from the washing machine and hang them in the DRIRON. Your clothes will come out looking fresh and pressed. The system comes with a drawer for small items that don't need to be ironed, like undergarments and socks, hangers for shirts and pants, and even inserts that fit neatly inside dress shirt sleeves to ensure that even the sleeves are properly pressed. All it needs is to learn to make sandwiches.

Bring the Inside Out

If innovation wasn't king at this year's ICFF, then maybe ingenuity's the better word. The Fair had its share of designers exploring traditional woodworking methods and using them to create striking modern design.
Table by Mauffret.

Take Mark Macek of Macek Solid Arts. Working from the premise that the most intriguing parts of woodworking are the hidden away methods of joinery and support, Macek developed the Chisel Table. The table, as Macek describes it, isolates and showcases the dovetail joint, making what would normally be just another construction method into a focus of artistry and craftsmanship.

At Atelier du meuble Contemporain, tables by Bernard Mauffret showed a similar aesthetic. Mauffret is a wood worker who thought it was a shame to build such beautiful supports for church steeples and then cover them up with ceilings. He takes the intersecting lines and all of their inherent mathematical relationships and constructs them of wood as table supports and legs, usually topped with a sheet of glass.

Cardboard's Shelf Life

New York, NY May 14, 2005--Levy Design & Manufacturing, maker of the Frank Gehry inspired collection of ribbon-like cardboard chairs and stools, today introduced the first modular shelving system made of layered corrugated cardboard. It's called the Cadence Shelving System and designer Jeff Beene says, cardboard or not, hardly any modular system can be assembled and reconfigured in just 5-10 minutes. This one can be. And because it's cardboard, the shelving system has added bonuses of being lightweight, eco-freindly, inexpensive; and it's made of 30% recycled materials. Plus, each kit contains 12 panels to build six 16.5" squares in unlimited configurations.

If You've Got It, Float It

Their booth at ICFF reminded us how Soorikian Furniture earned two Good Design Awards in 2004. Their winners, the Modular Media Console and Double Curve Screen, exemplify Soorikian's aesthetic of restrained, architectural pieces with inherent warmth--a unique meld of the architecturally trained couple’s taste melded with a bit of George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames. Now though, Soorikian has taken their current classic Modular Media Console to a new level, about 12” up. Already built to be able to become one in a chain of linked together consoles, the Modular Media Console can also be hung in a channel on a special wall Soorikian developed. Sans legs and slid into place, the Soorikian Modular Media Consule has got it all--sleek design, solid craftsmanship, timeless appeal. Just float and flaunt.

Kitchen Makeovers

According to a recent market research study conducted by Wilsonart Laminate, 68 percent of the surveyed homeowners noted that they were planning some form of kitchen remodeling project within the next five years. The average spent across the United States is around $45,000 -- and certainly a lot more if you are adding anything other than new cabinets and a few appliances.

So what's on your Kitchen Wishlist? One of the new hoods designed by Fu-Teng Cheng for Zephyr? Stone countertops? Glass tile backsplash? Just what would you do in your dream kitchen?

For Libby

The work of mixed media artist Kate Rudin will be on display at Clodagh Collection in NYC from May 17 - July 15.  The artist's proceeds will be donated to the Animal Cancer Foundation. For more information visit www.clodagh.com, or call 212-780-5300.

Unnecessary Necessity

Taking a cue from potty training toilet manufacturers, Herbeau Creations will unveil their Dagobert Throne Toilet at the K/BIS New Product Pavilion. Fashioned after the King of France's posterior throne, the Dagobert comes complete with a hand-painted bowl, pull chain and musical lid (not to be confused with the latest potty training toilet that plays an enchanting royal tune when the mission is complete). For those that fancy this a new "must-have" I must ask, "Why?"

And just when we thought we had seen it all, Brondell announced that the Brondell Swash will be flushing into K/BIS' Las Vegas show this month. This Rolls Royce of hygiene includes a digitized pad to provide temperature controlled water, feminine and warm water wash, heated seat, warm-air dryer and dual retractable wands. It seems that all boomers want are cushy tushies.

To purchase the princely Dagobert, visit http://www.herbeau.com/Herbeau.php. Supply your zip code and find a local retailer.

The Brondell Swash can be purchased online at http://www.brondell.com/.

Curvy Spa Shower Design

There's something very appealing about this spa shower design -- the curves, or the promise of all those showerheads looking to melt tension away. In any event, we'll be checking out PULSE Shower Spa while at the kitchen and bath show in Vegas this week.

Karim Rashid Interview

Karim Rashid discusses his new book, his use of plastics, distaste for nostalgia and reveals his method for designing his own home.

Party at Karim's

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair is May 14-17th in NYC's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and the party schedule is brimming. Here's an affair at the Karim Rashid shop that offers style and savings. If you're attending ICFF, stop by for 10-15% off!