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Homeward Bound
New products that will drive you indoors.



When a sluggish economy slowed the construction of new houses and social realities kept us closer to home, we responded by nesting. Designers and manufacturers responded by offering any number of solutions for transforming residential spaces into personalized environments you want to spend time in. Companies like Dunbar, 12Timer, and Heller are doing it by mining the past with reintroductions of classics by Edward J. Wormley, Verner Panton, and Studio 65. Patrick Jouin, with his radio for Lexon, and Deanna Comellini, with her door sculptures for G.T. Design, are creating a brand-new aesthetic. Others are remaking familiar forms and creating amazing new structures from familiar materials. All the products shown here offer something for anyone searching to transform their house into a true personal retreat.

1. Sogni Nel Cassetto Chest of Drawers, from Qui New York
Designer Guido Zwicker combines history with contemporary design by placing antique and vintage drawers (from the eighteenth century to the 1950s) in Plexiglas exterior cases to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Available in a two-, three-, and six-drawer combinations that can be custom-designed to fit any space. (212) 691-2240; www.zwickercollective.com
2. Listen-To-Me Chaise for Dunbar
Created by Edward J. Wormley about 1948, this chaise is just one of 45 classic modern pieces by the late designer that Dunbar Furniture has reintroduced. Some of the famous designs available for the first time in 50 years include the Chamberlain Nine-Foot sofa (1949), the Tear Drop chair (1951), and the Knowland sofa series (1955). (336) 734-1700; www.collectdunbar.com
3. Bang and Olufsen BeoLab 3 Speakers
David Lewis’s highly versatile loudspeaker design is acoustically similar to the company’s award-winning BeoLab 5 speakers, but it’s significantly smaller and costs less. The BeoLab 3 speakers can be positioned in many different ways: mounted on a wall or placed on a shelf or on the floor (on an aluminum stand). (866) 520-1400; www.bang-olufsen.com
4. Verner Panton Fun Light
This 1964 chrome-and-steel hanging classic is available in the United States through 12Timer, which distributes lighting in collaboration with Panton’s estate. Each lamp is part of a series and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. www.12timer.com
5. Frank Gehry Superlight Chair for Emeco
This six-and-a-half pound chair—inspired by Gio Ponti’s Superleggera chair—is stackable and durable (with three times the strength of steel). At $395, it’s also affordable (especially when compared to the architect’s chairs for other companies). The Superlight is available with an industrial felt pad or brushed anodized aluminum; the all-aluminum version can be used indoors or out. www.emeco.net
6. Edelman Leather and Herman Miller for the Home Partnership
To mark the opening of its new Florida showroom in the Design Center of the Americas, in Dania Beach, Edelman is distributing Herman Miller for the Home classics such as the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, and the Eames Sofa (both shown here) covered in the company’s own fine leathers. Edelman’s leathers, available in more than 600 colors and textures, can also be ordered as an option through the Herman Miller for the Home retail network. Edelman Leather: (800) 886-8339; www.edelmanleather.com; www.hermanmiller.com
7. Whiteout Open Doors for G. T. DESIGN
These felted-wool door sculptures by Deanna Comellini—which come in two sizes (2’6” by 6’9” and 3’9” by 9’2”)—are created using laser technology combined with manual weaving. These elegant space dividers have great thermal insulation and soundproofing properties in addition to being completely biodegradable and recyclable. www.gtdesign.it
8. Silk Striped Drum Pendant for Bone Simple Design
Chad Jacobs’s fixture (shown here in beige, denim, and chocolate brown) comes with a satin nickel stem and canopy. Everything from the shade and fixture sizes to the hardware finish, fabric, and color can be customized. (212) 627-0876; www.bonesimple.com
9. Ted Muehling Porcelain Collection for Nymphenburg
For the past few years Muehling has been working with Germany’s legendary Porzellan-Manufaktur Nymphenburg to make exquisite porcelain pieces, including translucent egg-shaped vases, moonsnail bowls, and coral- and seashell-inspired filigree-thin cups. The latest additions to his collection include a votive nest, a branch candlestick (both shown here), and a mocha cup. www.nymphenburg-porzellan.com
10. TMP Paper Collector by Willi Glaeser
Willi Glaeser’s paper bin, made from chrome-plated steel wire, is available through Icons of Design. The company also makes a compact size—ideal for holding magazines—and a business-card holder. www.iconsofdesign.com
11. PC4 Support Pole for Rakks
The PC4 compression support pole is the latest addition to the Rakks product line. It features threaded compression mounts and works with ceilings up to 12 feet high. When properly anchored to the ceiling, this pole can function as both a room divider and shelving unit. (800) 826-6006; www.rakks.com
12. Jasper Morrison Home Appliances for Rowenta
The German appliance maker has teamed up with the London designer to create a new line of home appliances, available at Moss in the United States, which includes a coffeemaker (near right), an electric kettle (far right), and a toaster. The electric coffeemaker features a place to house the measuring spoon and filters under its lid. www.rowentausa.com
13. Eva Solo Five-Piece Spoon, Spatula, and Whisk Set with Holder
This award-winning set of kitchen utensils, designed by Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbaek, consists of a ladle, spatula, draining spoon, serving spoon, and whisk. When placed together in a smart aluminum holder they resemble a flower bud. Made of nylon, the utensils can withstand up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit and are dishwasher safe.
www.evasolo.dk
14. Marcus Armchair and Footstool for Montina
Jeffrey Bernett’s armchair and footstool for Montina are made of oak and can be upholstered in a wide variety of colors in the company’s fabrics. www.montina.it
15. Bocca Sofa for Heller
This iconic 1970 lip-shaped sofa from the Italian firm Studio 65 is based on Salvador Dali’s famous Mae West seating of 1936. The sofa was originally made of polyurethane foam with fabric and is now available in self-cushioning polymer, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Heller also offers Studio 65’s Capitello armchair and the Kiss, a chair based on the Bocca, both made of rotational-molded resin. (212) 685-4200; www.helleronline.com
16. David Weeks Lighting for Pucci
The Brooklyn-based designer’s range of sculptural lighting for Ralph Pucci includes desk lamps, sconces, ceiling fixtures, floor lamps, and mobiles. His Boi wall sconces (shown here) are made with powder-coated steel and are available in orange, mustard, brown, and ivory. (212) 633-0452; www.ralphpucci.com
17. Metropolis End Table by Jeff Newell
Available through Odegard, this end table (shown in coral lacquer) from Newell Design—with thin tapering legs, elegant lines, and beautiful proportions—takes its inspiration from French Art Deco. It is available in lacquer and satinwood or rosewood, with detail work in bronze or pearl inlay. (212) 545-0069; www.odegardinc.com
18. D. I. vox Radio for Lexon
Designed by Patrick Jouin, D. I. Vox is an LCD alarm clock/radio that features the time, date, and day. Made of ABS plastic, it’s available in an ivory/red or ivory/champagne combination. (305) 567-2800; www.lexon-design.com
19. Chella All-Environment Textiles Collection
The 60-plus traditional and modern designs in this collection are made of solution-dyed acrylic fabrics that can withstand the desert sun and elements, as well as children and pets, making them ideal for high-end hotels, resorts, and private residences. The fabrics shown here include Jamaican Stripe (wide stripes), Di Medici (solid colors), and Tahitian (gradient stripes). Inherently soil- and stain-resistant, the textiles are easy to clean. Because they are preshrunk, they can be machine washed in cool water without affecting the color. www.chellatextiles.com
Images courtesy of the manufacturers
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