The Anna Torfs Vaza is reminiscent of a round, clay pitcher. But clay it is not, and refined it is. Perhaps she drew inspiration from a shape typically emitting a more Southwestern association, giving off an earthy vibe in a modern sensibility. The Vaza offers up a distinctively now touch, coming in either a sharp, clear or opague finish, members of Torf’s basic collection. Torf sticks to her unconventional cutting techniques to create classic glass pieces that never sacrifice their color or form, delivering a fresh presentation of the home staple- the vase.

designer: anna torfs
material: colored glass
period: 2000s

An elegant “blob” of glass is a sophisticated way to arrange your pens, pencils and ruler. The indentations in the molten, glossy glass were specifically molded for this purpose, while the solid weight of the glass naturally acts as a paperweight. Available in multiple colors and shapes.

This desk organizer and paperweight was inspired by the left-over “blob” materials from the glass blowing process. Its organic shape and indentations hold an array of office supplies such as pens, pencils, and rulers, while the mass of the glass suffices as a natural paperweight.

designer: estd
producer: established & sons
material: hand-blown glass
period: 2010s

The Naoto Fukasawa Leia lamp was inspired by the sophisticate of the grand piano. The Leia lamps come in either a high-gloss black or white, including a family of standing, table and reading lights. The body of the lamp is made of an impressive opal, sanitized art glass that can be dimmed or switched on or off independently, depending on what kind of illumination you want to achieve. The body is also an unintentional energy-saver. The base of the lights contrasts distinctly with the cover above it. The head of the warmly lit, halogen reading light can be tilted to allow the light beam to reflect at 35º.

designer: naoto fukasawa
producer: belux
material: opal glass
period: 2000s

You don’t set the glass on the table- the glass is the table. Established & Sons have crafted a hand-blown glass table, designed by Konstantin Grcic. The unique design is a two-part construct. A voluptuous, free-form glass bubble makes up the base of the table, and is topped by a translucent, colored table-top sheet of glass. This piece, named Blow, represents the work achievable using the skill of fine Venini artisans.

Anna Torf’s Valenta collection is an exclusive cylindrical family of vases of varying heights and widths. The collection includes three long, slender traditional pieces, and two forms with an exaggerated width, and shortened height. The forms are made with hand-blown colored glass with thick transluscent bases that are reminiscent of ice. These beautifully made vases are perfect for combining with a well-matching palette of colors, available including aubergine, deep purple, green, light purple, petrol, ruby red, and white.

designer: anna torfs
material: colored glass
period: 2002

The Glo Ball lamp family, designed by Jasper Morrison, is a collection of orbs lamps capable of setting any space they are placed in “aglow”. The collection of light models allow the Glo Ball to be both suspended from the ceiling or to stand upright in a room. The soft sphere of hand-blown opal glass is complimented by the stark, white stainless steel base it rests on. The modern lamps are produced by Flos and are available with fluorescent or halogen lights.

designer: jasper morrison
producer: flos
materials: metal and glass
period: 1990s

The craftsmanship of Murano’s master glass blowers inspired the design of this contemporary light created by Ronan & Erwin Bouroullec. Their idea to use traditional know-how from Venini, Italy gave birth to a lamp that balances the vulnerable nature of classically blown glass with the industrial look of hardware at the base, which is instead supported with a more delicate aluminum cylinder. The Murano glass color palette varies in function to the lamp, and ranges from pale pink to vibrant orange. Throw marble into the mix, and there shines a sophisticated display of light.

designer: ronan & erwan bouroullec
producer: established & sons

Nike hindsight gives you unparalleled vision.

Stay one step ahead of irresponsible motorists. The Nike Hindsight gives you superhuman-like powers with extended peripheral vision so all those sneaky cars, beware.

They work similar to bifocals except for your peripheral vision. By using fresnel lenses on both sides of the glasses, riders can detect motion in a field of view beyond the normal human limit of 180º. If you want to get technical about it; high power, diverging fresnel zones aligned vertically distort into view an extra 25º on both sides. Vision is radically distorted in the periphery, but as the eye detects only motion in that area, little clarity is lost in the process.

A rider’s clear benefit is in the early warning of approaching vehicles, but a less obvious advantage is reducing the necessary head rotation to check behind. Tho it was intended for bicyclists, there’s a myriad of sports and activities where a greater field of view becomes an advantage. As for me, I would totally wear these 24/7 to keep this one particular friend in check. He finds it funny sneaking up on me. My nerves are shattered enough. I can’t take it anymore. I need these shades.

Designer: billy may
Producer: nike

A home that makes the Smart car, standing side-by-side, look like a SUV. No, an 18-wheeler.

“Micro-Compact Home” [m-ch] was inspired by Japanese tea houses, yes, the Smart car and first class air travel. They are lightweight, modular, mobile and very minimal 2.65m (roughly 77 sq ft). That equates into a 266 x 266 x 266 centimeter cube ‘Home,’ Imagine that? It’s not for the claustrophobic, a dwelling non-the-less, for one or two people. This is not a tent, a trailer, but a home, in a super compact design.

Producer: via microcompacthome.

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