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quirky decor
Decorating doesn't have to be an entirely sober proposition. A number of designers use witty techniques to inject a bit of humour into their creations.
London-based Thorsten van Elten (www.thorstenvanelten.com) offers several items with a quirky touch. Caffeine addicts should enjoy Qoffee, an oversized plastic version of a takeaway coffee cup designed by Rainer Spehl. Available in white, beige, dark grey or orange, it can be used as a stool or a storage bin and sells for GBP55 ($750). Another entertaining item is Gavin Coultrip's Innervision, a mirror printed with eyechart-style lettering spelling out your choice of Oscar Wilde quotations: 'It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances' or 'To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance' (GBP45).
Nahoko Koyama and Alexander Garnett at Mixko (www.mixko.net) also favour the manipulation of familiar items. FUNKey enlarges a key from a computer keyboard into a stool, made to order in your choice of colour and graphic (GBP110). Aerostool (GBP200) is made in the shape of an aerosol spray nozzle, handmade in your choice of colour (GBP200). Then there's Basket Bowl, an earthenware casting of a deflated official-size basketball, intended to serve as a fruit bowl (GBP50).
Ona (www.ona.com), a Lithuanian word meaning 'attractive' or 'fascinating', has a cute floor covering in the shape of jigsaw-puzzle pieces (left; US$56 for six). Available in light grey, charcoal and sand, any number can be linked together.
Iluren (www.iluren.com) has a collection of ceramic vases (above and right) in the shape of handbags by Shayla Su. They manage to be clever rather than kitsch by virtue of their faithful evocation of real fashion bags. Available in many colours and styles, they range in price from US$85
to US$575.
Small touches can also add an amusing note to ordinary furniture. Bauerware Cabinet Hardware (www.bauerware.com) was started by Lou Ann Bauer, an award-winning designer who 'always wanted to own a hardware store', according to the site. It sells all manner of knobs and pulls for dressers, desk drawers and other cabinetry, including one in the shape of a climbing man in antique gold finish (US$198). You can also adorn your drawers with handles in the shape of sports trophies (US$45), various clothing articles, including socks, T-shirts and boxer shorts (US$18), numerous animals and food items, and a rather odd baby's head in dove grey, natural bronze or nickel (US$39.75).
All sellers ship to Hong Kong.
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