Go kaleidoscopic with the latest in contemporary homeware
Missoni's new kaleidoscopic crockery is sure to be an ice-breaker with dinner guests. As well as its trademark stripes and zigzags, Missoni has introduced a new print of bold flower motifs. Almost certain to provoke commentary, the pieces provide a welcome distraction from any dish that might suggest Jamie Oliver is not hiding in the kitchen. The Bianconero and Jennifer ranges are exclusive to Lane Crawford Central, Pacific Place and Canton Road.
The Banyan Tree and Options Home Furnishings are collaborating, and from this month will be known as Indigo Expressive Living. To go with the new name, a shipment of glassware made in Spain has just arrived. Each piece in its La Mediterranea collection is made from recycled, coloured glass using the glass-blowing technique that originated in the Middle East.
The Red Dot product design award is highly coveted by designers worldwide. It is one of the world's largest design competitions, and for winners represents something akin to an Oscar for quality and outstanding design. Last year's awards were the largest yet with more than 4,000 entrants, and German kitchen brand Leicht received awards for two of its designs. Both were for Avance drawers (the FG and HI models) - designs minus messy interruptions by handles but with different finishes (the FG is finished in high-gloss lacquer; the HI in cherry wood). The point is to create an almost puristic appearance, likely to meet the approval of minimalists. Fronts of drawers are slanted backwards and fitted with an aluminium recess grip to provide access to draws and create a horizontal effect throughout a kitchen.
Colour living is about to receive its first shipment of Schiffini kitchen units fitted with the Italian brand?s ALSystem. For those uninitiated in design babble, the system means shelves and cabinet sides can be disassembled for easy cleaning. The anodised aluminium carcass (the frame that holds the unit together) is made with linking screws for automatic assembly. It is also the only unit that has been made from materials that are 100 per cent recyclable. The system is available with the Cinqueterre kitchen model.
Kate Spade has joined the throng of designers crossing the line from fashion to home ware. Earlier this year, she launched her debut home collection of crystal and fine china. The collection is made up of nine patterns which are meant to be mixed and matched - from Larabee dot and library striped crystal, to the library lane (read: polka dot) and larabee road (read: striped) crockery. The range includes vases and bowls, as well as a complete set of cocktail accessories.
