Crashing the Secret World of Interiors

Every year at the NEC designers, retailers and architects gather to rub shoulders with over 600 manufacturers and suppliers from around the world. This year, DesignTrawler crashed the party.

Some amazing finds at Interiors 2011, but the biggest was discovering the trade prices for seriously high-end kit before seriously high-end retailers add on seriously high-end margins. Nonetheless some fantastic suppliers, some of whom, like Culinary Concepts (pictured), also retail direct to the public.

Best of the London Art Fair 2011

DesignTrawler was invited by a number of galleries to a special preview of the London Art Fair last week. Always on the look out for shiny new pieces, the Zaha Hadid like steel sculptures from Russian born artist Margarita Trushina certainly tick the 'shiny and new' box. Available from the Salon Vert and also Dare to Joust galleries, all pieces are one-off with smaller examples from around £400.

Also of interest was Stephen Aldrch's gigantic and obsessively detailed hand cut collage 'Mechanism' made from old engineering journals, and of course the ever brilliant Alban from the French Art Studio.

Happy New Year from DesignTrawler.com

DesignTrawler.com wishes you a very happy and prosperous New Year! May 2011 be filled with fantastic finds, inspired ideas and brilliant concepts from around the world.

Many thanks to all of our readers including those in the US, UK, Luxembourg, South Korea and Japan, our 36 readers in Iraq, Blackberry readers, iPad readers and everyone that has emailed in.

I look forward to our first Birthday in May, our 100th article and what ever the future holds for this little website. It's been a fun journey so far and I hope you enjoy the perspectives to come.

Well Designed Champagne to Toast 2010

It's been a great year with some remarkable finds from around the globe. What better way to see in the New Year than with some suitably well designed fizz.

From Hediard in Monaco; Alpha Romeo prosecco by Scrimaglio Wines. From Maxim's Restaurant in Paris; Année Follée Champagne. And if you have nothing better than Moët (or if the thought of flashing a bottle of vintage Krug around fills you with embarrassment) you can hide your marque with this fur cooler from Restoration Hardware in New York.

A Very Postmodern Reindeer Fur Throw

Already a veritable game reserve with springbok, wolf, cow and pony, any more deceased animals in the Mancave might prompt a visit from unwashed Greenpeace sorts yielding cans of red paint.

This pure new lambswool blanket is made in Norway by Røros-Tweed who have been making blankets and woolen items in the town of Røros since 1936 (They also count the Japanese Emperor and Christian Dior as clients). Purchased in the Apgujeong district of Seoul, it's the perfect postmodern animal fur. No reindeer were harmed in the making of this article.

Three Elements of a Bespoke Bed

Somebody once said "invest in good shoes and a good bed; if you aren't in one, you're in the other". When it comes to the latter, nobody puts together a masculine platform like Ralph Lauren - but that monogram doesn't come cheap.

While having some suits made, I had the idea of asking if I could get some pillow cases made from the same Super 120's wool & cashmere cloth. Not a problem; £10 for each one Sir. Amazing, and far cheaper than the designer equivalent.

But why stop at bespoke cloth? How about a bespoke headboard in the style of Mies van der Rohe's iconic Barcelona Expo chair? Add some monochrome framed hotel style sheets from the US, and the only thing you're missing are your own initials on the inside label.

Keeping it Clean - Winnif Pang's Razor

Designer stubble is all well and good, but sometimes even the well groomed gent needs to clean things up a little. Rising to the occasion is this simple Muji/Apple inspired razor by Hong Kong Based designer (and ex Chairman of the HKDA) Winnif Pang - but it isn't for the face; rather the bathroom mirror.

Yes, this 'razor' is actually for de-misting the looking glass before getting down to business with your Acqua di Parma Collezione Barbiere. Spotted in the Kosney lifestyle store in the Myeongdong district of Seoul, it's about time somebody brought the concept of designer grooming to the home.

Design Heroes - Sir David Tang

I've always been fond of FT newsprint. From a design perspective it's instantly recognisable colour and typeface proudly proclaim it means business. Masculine certainly, but it's not just the financial pages that draw attention. Aforementioned design hero Tyler Brûlé is a regular columnist in the Life & Arts section, as too is eclectic businessman and power networker Sir David Tang.

This framed article by the Knight Commander is aesthetically pleasing, but monumentally important from a design perspective. Sir David discusses demolishes the fiddly pretense of interior design and preciousness of today's super designers. Like a beacon, this article represents everything design should stand for. Read it Here.

If Calatrava did Christmas...

Christmas for some means decking the halls with a multitude of garish fairy lights - Either bright enough to be seen from space or, with the popularity of LED bulbs, cast a glow so eerily unnatural that they may as well be from outer space. A shame because many of the forms of Christmas are so iconic; architectural even.

Take the candle bridge; a staple for many a mantle. Designers like Santiago Calatrava will spend many months designing a crossing before lending weeks to the task of lighting it. This coincidentally influenced decoration draws on the work of the acclaimed Spaniard for a suitably architectural Christmas.

Japanese White Charcoal - Actually Black

While Trawling a few years ago in Tokyo, I came across a mysterious black honeycomb cube for sale in the Need'k store near Daikanyama. I hadn't the foggiest what it was for until I noticed them again at 100% Design. The mysterious cube was a Japanese White Charcoal odour remover and it seems that the UK is getting a taste for the enigmatic substance.

The pictured chikutan sticks (£25 for a pack of 3) are created by carefully controlled the burning process of woods such as Japanese bamboo. The result is a porcelain like material that in air removes odour and in liquids absorb impurities. Once again, a suitably mancave solution to water filtration.

Faux Fur - Caveman & GQ Gent Approved

Synonymous with the wealthy fashionistas, alpine log cabins and yes, prehistoric cavemen, fur is an effective and iconic material. An absolute luxury in today's society, its use seems to attract the wrong sort of attention (as anyone who has ever strolled past Harrods will know).

Thankfully, a market exists in super luxury, super high quality faux fur. Today, demand for this premium and ethical product outstrips supply by a considerable amount (Japan alone is thought to consume one third of global output).

This Iberian Wolf fur throw from UK based specialists Faux Fur Throws, is made in England and exceptional in every way. Priced at just under £100, the lustre, depth and fineness of the fibres would be enough to fool  any Russian oligarch - And if you're not out to impress visiting tycoons, the company's association with Tatler and GQ should make you popular with visiting supermodels too.

Design Heroes - Tyler Brûlé

The first in a range of 'Design Hero' themed posts highlighting some important figures in mancave-orientated design. Tyler Brûlé is the editor in chief of Monocle Magazine an absolute staple for 'today's multifaceted male human'. Before founding Monocle, Tyler also founded Wallpaper* Magazine and creative agency Winkreative.

This framed illustration from Monocle Mediterraneo is signed by Tyler after the DesignTrawler spotted him at the soft launch of Marylebone clothier Trunk. I'm a particular fan of Monocle's fastidious attention to detail and Winkreative's design work with airlines such as Swiss, Porter and BA.

Piave - Italian for [Designer] Toothbrush

Ever wondered what the secret to an Italian supermodel smile is? The answer takes the form of these over well-designed toothbrushes from Italian toothbrush manufacturer Spazzolificio Piave. The special chrome and iconic Kent Comb style editions are made in Italy and certified by the University of Milan.

It isn't the first time the Italians have worked on a toothbrush, but refreshingly Piave gets it right with a focus on simple materials and simple angles. At around £5 each, these are an easy win for any design conscious boutique hotel, airline amenity kit or aspiring mancave locker-room.

The Locker Room - Chrome Louvre Vents

Following the previously mentioned post on interior signage, the mancave locker-room can be easily enhanced with additional hardware. These chrome louvre vents add an industrial coolness to the shower room; no cutting holes in your doors required. Be sure to use matching chrome machine screws.

Teak, Holly, Lacquer & Fizz... Veuve by Riva

It may be October 31st, but the combination of teak, holly, lacquer and fizz is no Halloween concoction (despite the seasonal pumpkin-yellow label of Veuve Clicquot's signature bottles). This presentation box for the 1998 Grande Dame from the aforementioned champagne house, is a work of design excellence.

Crafted by super-iconic Italian yacht maker Riva, it features a polished teak and holly construction: Reminiscent of the achingly cool wooden motoryachts dotted around Lake Como in Italy, and manufactured of course by Riva. Throw in some black lacquer, chrome, a engraved nameplate and you're ready to hit the water. Purchased from New York merchants Sherry-Lehmann on Park Avenue.