Vaulot&Dyèvre created Nymphéa, a very dramatic hanging light fixture, for Paris-based Galerie Gosserez . Made of hanging metal discs encircled with LEDs, each Nymphéa chandelier creates a dramatic atmosphere suspended between design and art. The discs can be brought up and tied to change the direction of the light. Much like lily pads, they seem to float above the surface of the floor, as if in an imaginary pond. The pieces are limited of 15 pieces by models + two prototypes (seven different colors of the model are available)
Every year on my birthday, my mom would make me the same delicious cake. I would eat it for days after – for breakfast, for a midnight snack – it is my absolute favorite. So, when she moved to London, I had to learn how to make it for myself. When I called her to email me the recipe, she said to simply look on the back of the Hershey’s Cocoa box. And there it was: Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake. And of course you have to frost it with the Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Frosting.
If you are a chocolate lover – you will not be disappointed in this bad boy. Here’s the recipe – make sure you keep it on your radar!
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with “PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING.
“PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE” CHOCOLATE FROSTING1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.
Recent graduate of Holon Institute of Technology, Israeli designer Hadar Glick created a series of vases that reflect on loss and memories associated with it. Loss translates into every society and to every person and as Glick says, “A loss is always a loss.” Nature and flowers often go hand in hand with loss, whether they’re displayed at funerals or sent to someone who’s lost someone special. This series of six vases were made because everyone can relate to them and knows what they’re for and what they represent. They are empty vessels, void of something, perhaps a loss. Quite the opposite of flowers which slowly die, the vases are made from long-lasting materials that will continue along with your memories.
Since we decided to refinish our hardwood floors last week, I’ve been learning more about flooring styles than I ever have before. Specifically – cork floors. Have you heard of them before? Because I never have and I’m typically looking at all different decor blogs all day and night!
So, how did I miss these? I don’t know, but I’m glad that I’ve found them now because they really are an interesting concept. UK Flooring Direct has several different options, and some interesting information on cork floors as well. Cork floors are supposed to be much easier on your feet – for those that spend countless hours cooking for their families. This also makes a plate less likely to shatter when it hits the soft surface of the floor. [Perfect for my clumsy self!]
Plus, cork floors are also far more environmentally friendly than other options out there. I’ve read that cork comes from the bark of the tree, so pulling it from the tree does not destroy the tree completely.
Well, now I’m kind of upset that I don’t have any place to put cork floors in my house! What do you think of cork floors – do you love this look? Do you or anyone you know have them?
London-based JiB design studio , headed by Je-Uk Kim, is about to launch two new pieces of furniture at 100% Design in London this month. While the company works in various aspects of design from architectural to product, their furniture is truly sublime. Inspired by your basic indoor garden, they decided to combine modern and useful storage pieces with sunken gardens on top making each practical and beautiful. The tops are filled with handmade vessels by ceramist Sun Kim , all of which can be used to hold plants, things, or just as an empty decorative object. Credenza O works at multiple viewpoints depending on what height you’re at.
New York-based product designer Ran Lerner has lent his design skills to many a famous company and when you see his extensive portfolio of work, you’ll see why. His Oval Lamp, which debuted earlier this year during New York Design Week, makes a bold statement and fits right into the mix. The asymmetrical oval shade is bisected by the narrow stem that goes up and over the top of it, holding it in place.
The small Copenhagen-based studio of _Fjeldborg Design has a smart and practical philosophy behind the products they create. Their goal is to create good design without the designer price tag it often comes with. They focus on incorporating the functional elements into the actual structure of a product instead of creating it around a design’s function
