The guys behind Wald-Haus say: feeling good starts with the small things in everyday life.
They design and create high-quality furniture for the living room. I think it’s really clever to leverage a process or material you’re familiar with (like they are with the production of the Indiana Skateboards see #12) for use in a different context – it means you end up with something new. The Wald-Haus ash veneer lampshade is so thin that the light shines through and imparts special warmth to the surroundings.
The Thing I like: the use of formal simplicity and high-quality materials to create a product you’ll buy once and always want to keep.
I know Indiana Skateboards through my friend Kevin www.frieszumbuehl.ch who used to come to school on his. That’s some time ago, but when we were looking for products to take to the Designers’ Open, I thought this brand could do well. Indianas are classic handmade boards; they started up in 1989. I had the opportunity to see their production facility and was amazed, not only because everything is handmade, but because a lot of thought has gone into the products. Indiana are now leveraging their slalom material and processing know-how to create a new line of products under the Wald-Haus brand name.
The Thing I like: the thought of getting a walnut Indiana for myself and getting into skateboarding…
An embroidered napkin from grandma reminded me of the fine tradition of personalised linen. Napkins displaying a monogram, name or word make lovely gifts and can be ordered from me. The napkins are made from 100% pure linen and are embroidered in Zurich.
The Thing I like: an old tradition in a new style…
I received the prototype samples of my knitwear today. Yay! They were manufactured on wonderful Swiss knitting machines dating from the early 1910/1920s, which were sourced and restored back to their former glory by Werner and Mr. Eichenberger – I’ll tell you the whole story later. First let me enjoy these children’s blankets, which my mum sewed together by hand (danke tausig!) – I’m also looking forward to designing woollen caps and scarves and a whole lot more. The Blankets can be ordered from me or can be purchased at my booth in Leipzig at the Designers’ Open.
The Thing I like: LANG yarn from Switzerland knitted on Swiss machines in a little village between Zurich and Basel.
In blog #7 I forgot to mention my morning coffee, which I get from www.stumptowncoffee.com right next to the Ace Hotel, where I’m served by four superb baristas. It’s worth queuing – the views are great… The Ace lobby offers wireless internet and comfy sofas so you start your day as you mean to carry on, and there’s a great atmosphere here in the evenings as you wind down and sip your drink. My budget didn’t stretch to a room here, so I bought some souvenirs instead… a laundry bag and a poetic shawl.
Discovered at the 99% conference and profiled by Cool Hunting videos www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/the-mast-brothe.php.
I’m captivated by their concept, their attitude, by the way they design their product, by how they hand-pack the chocolate bars, by the smell in their store – and of course by their chocs!
I devote my favourite number to my favourite city.
A sunny morning in Bedford Avenue, a new bag and wool cap from www.catbirdnyc.com, a walk to www.brooklyndenimco.com and a wonderful meal at marlowandsons.com. Followed by a visit to Mast Brothers Chocolate and a great evening meal at www.txikitonyc.com.
My perfect day.
The MIH watch is a miracle of know-how, technology and design. That said, it’s the opposite of brash – there’s nothing to give away what’s inside the case. The MIH is a voyage of discovery. I like that.
My good friend Kevin Blanc www.kevinblanc.com bought himself one some time ago, and it’s because he did that I met Christian, I bought my ilmias and I’m now writing this blog.
PETER MÜLLER garments go with anything, and their prints and accessories are fab. They insist on handcrafting everything in Switzerland, which I really applaud.
After trying everything in their Basel workshop and buying a shawl, I had a chat with the label’s partners.
LM: So, tell me about this PETER MÜLLER guy.
PM: Well, it’s not a ‘he’, and it’s actually two people: PETER MÜLLER is the design duo Cornelia PETER and Nicole MÜLLER.
LM: What makes PETER MÜLLER stand out from the crowd?
PM: PETER MÜLLER fashion is very wearable, timeless yet contemporary.
LM: Your names go well together – who does what in your partnership?
PM: Both do everything, and everything is done by both!
LM: What does PETER MÜLLER dream of?
PM: Beautiful fabrics, sultry summer evenings, soft pillows…
This trainer manufacturer has a wonderful story, and ilmia is one of the reasons for my blog. Time for a chat with designer Christian Gafner.
LM: How did you come across ilmia?
CG: It was back in 2004; I was delighted to find something on the internet that was not being marketed. It felt like I was the first person to discover it – it gave me the feeling I could be different from everyone else. I ordered a pair, wore them a long time, then ordered another pair, then another.
LM: How does someone get to be a trainer manufacturer?
CG: I don’t make the ilmias myself – they’re handcrafted in Germany. But my technical know-how as an industrial designer really helps. That said, I had to learn a lot about how trainers are made. Like the wristwatches I’ve been involved in (the MIH watch and Porsche Design), the ilmias need a whole lot of individual components that have to be developed and ordered from the right people. Maybe I have a shoe gene – my grandfather made footwear, too.
LM: What’s the most important thing for you when you’re designing?
CG: The challenge of product design is how to achieve reduction. It’s harder to cut something out than to overload a product. When it comes to creating something that endures, function and quality are just as much part of the equation as the choice of materials.
LM: How do you see ilmia going forward?
CG: I hope to make a contribution to the ilmia story by continuing to design authentic and distinctive products.
The Thing I like: wearing my brown and white pairs with my wide-legged jeans and my blazer from Tatjane.