A blog by Eliana Tomás

Inga Sempé Talking About Her Work.

2012-02-12T23:14:00.000Z

Last Wednesday the Stockholm Furniture Fair held an amazing talk. Inga Sempé spoke about her work and I was all ears.

She's not only one of the best designers but very funny too. Between serious things, like her design process and the frustration that a few ideas would never be built, she would make a joke about French mentality and how they complaint about everything (I actually think its true).

With a very nice and clean presentation she spoke about her work and the whole process. New projects, old ones and where her inspiration comes from. A must!

A few tips I could take from what she said:
1st - Know exactly which detail you like in a product and explore it (she likes classical mechanicalm systems)
2nd - Invest every penny in materials and research (she spends every penny to improve her work)
3rd - If you want to get your products manufactured, make sure you're ready to compromise. Your manufacturer might decide to change your design, even if a little bit.
4th - Think of things you personally need (she's working on two great ideas - a trolley which becomes "shelves" because she travels a lot and a stool which becomes a ladder because she never has patience to grab a ladder to climb and change a bulb)
5th - Do it with love, lots and lots of love. And in case you think it's not enough, add some more. Ah, when you think IT'S enough, add even more because success is hidden within love.

Luceplan Plissé

Luceplan Plissé being tested

Work In Progress - The Trolley

The Trolley

Work In Progress - The Stool Versus Ladder

My favorite lamp

The cabinets which remind me containers. Love it.

Project Development

Probably the most famous sofa to Ligne Roset

Sketches on a project she did for Amorim, the leader supplier in cork (Made in Portugal)

Again, the "Cork Project"

And one more time

Stockholm Design Week 2012 - Note.

2012-02-09T20:57:00.003Z

First time I went to the biggest design fair in Scandinavia. It's been a surprise, a good surprise.
I've lots to show you. From products to talks, I had it all. Three days enjoying good design. Yes, I know! Three days? You could have done in one and a half, but I always love to go back and enjoy again my favorites, plus I had work meetings to attend. Good meeting too though.
Anyway, I have indeed many pictures and a few tips on trends as well. Today I attend to this amazing seminar with Rita Nakouzi, the trend forecaster from New York. Good one.
In the meantime I leave you here a photograph to celebrate what Stockholm has best to offer - cosy hotel lounges to have a cup of tea (if it's still early) and write down all your notes about this amazing visit.
Have a lovely evening.

Nobis Hotel

Stockholm Design Week 2012.

2012-02-06T20:33:00.000Z

From tomorrow until Saturday, Stockholm is probably the most international city in Europe.

One of the best up and coming design events, Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair is the world's largest meeting place for Scandinavian furniture and lighting design, for both home and public environments.

With Inga Sempé as the Guest of Honour (and one of my favorite designers ever), I'm sure it's going to be one of the best design events of 2012.

Stay tuned, I promise to post the best designers and brands.

LEMA @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-02-04T14:22:00.001Z

MDF @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-02-01T14:04:00.000Z

B&B Italia @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-31T12:00:00.000Z

Poltrona Frau @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-30T10:54:00.000Z

Poltrona Frau in other spaces
imm Cologne 2010
Milan 2010

Ligne Roset @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-29T21:46:00.000Z

Minotti @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-27T11:06:00.001Z

More Monotti
imm Cologne 2010
Milan 2010
The Devil Seats On A Minotti

Flexform @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-26T12:44:00.000Z

Flexform is synonymous to sofa luxury, comfortable luxury, which is quite difficult to achieve, I guess.

Their stands are always huge, like their sofas. Not every house (nor wallet) can accommodate such design item. Even though, it is always an inspiration (and aspiration) to go and stay there for as long as you can.

Less is (not) more

Product Of The Year - Modular Shelving Units
More interesting when in different colours and textures

Coffee tables get taller.
Perfect for smaller spaces and to whom dinner in from of TV is a yes when alone.

Materials combination is the detail.
This TV table is in marble, lacquer, leather and stainless steel.

Shelving units become walls

Interlübke @ imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-24T22:21:00.000Z

This year I bet on yellow being the colour for 2012. Cologne Fair and all the amazing furniture companies have it on the background. I am delighted.

They say 2012 is the year of the Sun and apparently the best are taking it as an inspiration to our homes.

Enjoy what this year has the best to offer.

Interlubke in one of my favorite brands in the world. High-end modular systems, it is designed to be used in absolutely any room of the house

With several depths and heights, this system brings movement to the space

Ideas for the kitchen, hall or storage room

A door on the door - versatility

Yellow and white, a perfect match for 2012

More Interlübke
In Blue
In Gold

imm Cologne 2012.

2012-01-17T13:40:00.002Z

Getting ready for another imm Cologne Fair.

Stay tuned. I will be posting about what the design and furniture world is up to this year.

Click here to find out what was going on in Europe back in 2010.

2011 Fragments.

2012-01-02T12:39:00.000Z

To photograph fragments is one of my favorite things to do. Having a camera handy (mobile preferably to email it straight away to my Facebook and Twitpic accounts) is a tool I cannot live with out anymore.

Everywhere I go I see fragments that communicate with me. Here are my favorite 20 of 2011. Yes, I did my best to narrow it down to 10 though I didn't know which ones I preferred.

This stencil is everywhere in Lisbon. It says "What I want is to be happy". This on was shot in Rua do Poço dos Negros.

Hearts I drew in a restaurant in Barcelona. Left them there.

Barcelona again - The Fish by Frank Ghery.

Another stencil in Lisbon. This one in Avenida 24 the Julho. I called it "Don't give up".

What's better than a little break after you accomplish something? This moment was right after I finished my 2 weeks business trip to Norway.
Love to seat outside in a nice café, having a drink and looking at people walking around wondering what they're thinking.

The beach I used to go every weekend. It's my home town.
Check the moon on the top left hand side. Lovely, isn't it?

And again, another stencil. This one here shot in Cais do Sodré, Lisbon.

Details: The Tram cables hook on the wall. Perfect!
(Lisbon, Calçada da Estrela)

The kids are alright. (Santa Rita, Portugal)

One of the most beautiful buildings in Lisbon: Campo de Ourique.

This stencil here I call it "Can buy me love".

2011 was a great year for me. I moved back to Portugal, found the job I wanted, worked on interesting projects and I found the house I wished for: small, old, super cute and central. This picture actually marks that first moment when I felt at home. My mugs are in, I am in!

The basic principle of architecture is the Sun, don't you agree?
Love this structure, which we straight away link to "House" or "Home".

This was a year of great trips, some on business other pure pleasure. Another moment in a Non-Place waiting to reack my destiny.
This picture was shot in Scotland I think.

Love out of the blue.

Moments with friends and others alone.

The first butterfly I saw in years,

La Vie En Bleu
(Portuguese sky, isn't it stunning?)

Provincial-Chic.

One of my top 5 pictures. The Full Moon was stunning, the streets were pitch black and the red line is a car's light.
(Photo shot with my iPhone)

Tokyo #6 | Prada.

2011-12-22T20:32:00.000Z

Tokyo #5 | Nezu Museum.

2011-12-15T12:33:00.000Z

For Japanese architecture lovers - Nezu Museum (Designed by Kengo Kuma).

Entrance

Exit

A crack of light

Parallelism

Tokyo #4 | The Power Of Display.

2011-11-16T08:34:00.001Z

Display - The eyes eat too. Indeed! Another place I get lost very easily is food markets and Japanese people definitely know display is a very important sales tool.

Check these out and tell me if you wouldn't buy just for the beauty of it.

And now, the power of wrapping.

Tokyo #3 | Japanese Textiles.

2011-11-16T01:10:00.001Z

This is the type of shops I get lost very easily. Not that I spend a fortune, but I totally forget the world exists outside. I can be here for hours wondering what I could do with these gorgeous fabrics.

My sense of touch gets in action and here we go...

Didn't resist to get the one on the right. I've already a few options to do with it, but haven't decided yet: to have it on my bed, to make a few cushions, to have it framed or maybe a padded panel on the wall.

Gorgeous collage, isn't it? The fabrics in the center (with rainbows) have an amazing texture and beautiful mix of colours.

Fabrics, beautiful fabrics everywhere.

A tip to make a nice Japanese handbag.

Maybe I'll pop in again today to get more inspiration.

Tokyo #2 | Japanese "Tasca".

2011-11-14T10:51:00.001Z

Fancy? No, but quite chic.

"Tasca" in Portuguese means something like a cheap yet delicious food house, always small and very loud (my own words).

Everywhere these spaces are gaining market and apparently Tokyo is not an exception.
The perfect choice to gather with friends for a warm meal and a good laugh. This one is located in Shibuya @ Meiji Street.

I must say I probably had the best satay chicken in my life.

Lovely kitchen + Lovely chefs = Happiness

Young chefs.

Gone!

Saturday night in Shibuya, where creativity gathers too.

Great Japanese beer

Decoration in a form of collage. Love it.

Tokyo #1 | Muji Paradise.

2011-11-13T01:37:00.001Z

MUJI. We all love Muji, the brand with no label, or is it the other way around?
Why?
Maybe because it is simply beautiful
Maybe because it is highly functional.
Maybe because it has its only language.
Maybe because it is elegant.
Maybe because it has no age.
Maybe because it has lots of style.
Maybe because it will always be a trendy.
Maybe because you just do, you tell me.

First time I saw the products was in London. The subtle design and the huge label with Japanese characters invited me in. Love at first sight, indeed! I'm sure you all felt the same.

From kitchen appliances to clothing, and of course stationary, Muji is part of my material life since then.

Muji @ Ginza. Their biggest shop in Tokyo.

Main display product: shelving units easy to assemble and optional enough to let your imagination fly.

Love product: Wooden hook to hang anything your imagination allows. I've to go back to buy at least one or my entrance. It's gonna look great and of course functional.

Me on my way back, happy and excited with my purchases.

The Tokyo Ginza shop has two floors where the entire collection is on display, including the Muji Grocery Shop and the Café. Delicious! I wish we had this one in Lisbon. I'm sure it would be a success.

(No quality pictures because I sneak these photos with my phone. Naughty me, but I got so excited I didn't resist)

White Xmas @ Selfridges.

2011-11-03T19:05:00.001Z

Selfridges has the most astonishing windows in the world. True stories are told, imagined and wanted.

This Xmas I will indeed miss Selfridges windows.

Here's a space to dream for.

The art of merchandising.

Summer Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor.

2011-11-01T11:44:00.000Z

The annual series of Pavilions is the world's first and most ambitious architectural programme of its kind.

2011 Pavilion was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Peter Sumthor which includes a beautiful garden specially created by the influential Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.

From the 1st of July until the 16th October the Serpentine Gallery was one of the most wanted spaces in London. I was able to see it on its very last day. Luckily the weather was inviting enough to explore what architecture has the best to offer - engagement.

One of the multi entrances.

The Garden, a space within a space.

A dark corridor around the pavilion's perimeter which created the idea of a labyrinth.

The Pavilion is constructed of a lightweight timber frame wrapped with coated scrim to create a dark, cloistered effect.

The materials are so fragile that, when leaning against the wall, one could feel the vibrations created by people talking, children running and walking around.

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011 by Peter Zumthor from Serpentine Gallery on Vimeo.

Last year's Pavilion was design by the French architect Jean Nouvel. Click here to see the photos

Music To My Ears.

2011-10-26T11:06:00.001+01:00

DESIGN IS DETAIL

Spatial design at Oslo Opera House, main entrance.

Gaselin | Malmö, Sweden.

2011-09-26T20:55:00.002+01:00

Malmö is getting cosmopolitan every day. A bridge away from Copenhagen, this cute Swedish city is a design center on its own. Lovely people, gorgeous cafés and lots to look around.

Everywhere you find stunning design shops, with special focus on product design. From international renowned creatives to more low profile ones, Gaselin is The Shop to browse in.

Gaselin is a Picked Pieces shop selling Portuguese and Swedish design only. With an eclectic selection of products there is always something you want to grab.

Color is the main feature. The counter is covered in old style textured tiles from Portugal.

The Leaf ceiling by TemaHome.

Big windows, great space.

Hats made in Portugal.

Maria and Malin, Gaselin's owners, lovely collection of old magazines. Inspirational!

The Handle and Baby Handle stools by Fernando Brizio to TemaHome

Moderna Museet @ Malmo, Sweden.

2011-09-22T17:16:00.000+01:00

Old orange. New orange.
Old curvy lines. New rectilinear lines.

A respectful moment in architecture. Yes, that's what the Modern Museum in Malmo is about.

Simply a façade.

The architectural intervention is highly minimal, though the metallic dots on the façade bring together very nicely the two different types of architecture. It's as if the dots are the common geometry.

Can you imagine when it's sunny outside? This café must be the space to be at.

It's all about precision, something close to perfection.

Stunning overview.

Are You An Influencer?

2011-09-08T16:04:00.000+01:00

The world is waiting for you. Take your chance.

INFLUENCERS TRAILER from R+I creative on Vimeo.