Bath sheet
Light as air and thin as paper ... could we really be referring to a bathtub? Designed by Joan Talocci for Italian firm Teuco, the Paper Duralight tub (above) is made from a blend of resin and wood moulding, yet, like paper (or a sticky label), peels back to become a towel bar at one end and a curved shelf on the side. To the clean lines and purist palette can be added an eight-colour 'Chromoexperience' function - so you can bathe in a rainbow. It costs HK$161,000 at colourliving (333 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2510 2666).
Fold master
The latest high-rise to grace the Manhattan skyline is set to become a must-have address among New York's high rollers and shakers. Architect Frank Gehry has brought another of his bizarre steel creations to life with his first residential skyscraper, New York by Gehry (below). The exterior curtain wall of the 76-storey building resembles lapping waves or flapping fabric, with the folds in the apartment spaces result- ing in a choice of 200 layouts. As the facade rolls outward, large bay windows emerge, giving residents panoramic views of the city. Envy not, Hong Kong - Gehry will be sprinkling a little magic dust our way with his design for Swire Properties' 53 Stubbs Road, his first residential project in Asia. At 12 storeys it will be more than seven times shorter than his Big Apple behemoth, but who's counting?
World view
From one icon to another, fashion designer Paul Smith is bringing some old-world charm to the digital age in collaboration with Maharam. The textile company has released a mural-scale, digitally printed wallpaper collection designed by photographers, artists, and fashion and graphic designers. Of note is Smith's photo collage of London's Brick Lane at night. The Stamp World Map (above) is a collage of letters and stamps set against a backdrop of handwritten letters. The line is available at Fabricnation (1205, New Victory House, 93 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2180 8772).