Wallpaper Handmade exhibition 2018: Meaning of wellness explored in exquisite one-off pieces
By Home & Decor Team -
Fresh from this year’s Milan Design Week, the Wallpaper* Handmade Exhibition is currently held at Gillman Barracks, where exclusively-made one-off pieces are on display until 26 August.
This year's theme was 'Wellness & Wonder', and the designers came up with objects that accessorised the cult of self-improvement, exercised the cerebellum, replenished the body, and restored the innate harmony of the self.
Anti-stress Objects by Zoe Mowat & Casone
They look like stoneware that you may find from an archeological dig, but these are modern-day foot massagers and stress cubes from Canadian designer Zoe Mowat, made with Casone Italian stone. The textured stone foot massagers rock back and forth to provide orthopaedic release, while the multi-textured cubes can be used to relieve tension around the body.
Elementi Dumbbells by Davide Aquini & Lundhs Real Stone
Italian designer Davide Aquini worked with Norway's leading exporter of natural stone, Lundhs, on this collection of objects made of stone and steel. From far, they look like sculptures, and can double as a stylish paperweight. But they are more than that. Thanks to their metal handles and heavy stone components, the objects are in fact, designed to be used as a featherweight kettlebell, lightweight and middleweight dumbbells and a heavyweight barbell.
Oval Spheres Back Benders by Space Copenhagen & Sorensen Leather
Danish design studio Space Copenhagen designed this collection of back benders as beautifully sculptural objects that also serve a functional purpose. Lying on the leather-clad back benders can help relieve back pain and stretch the chest muscles. The designers say they treated the shape of the oval with the same attention to detail and craft that is applied to a piece of furniture, which they usually design. When not in use, the back benders look like stylish ottomans in the living room.
Well Crystal Bottle by Studio Warm & Mario Cioni
Cut crystal glass is typically used to decant champagne and high-value spirits, but safe drinking water is the most precious thing that humans can consume, says Corinna Warm, founder of London-based design firm Studio Warm. With that in mind, she designed a hand-blown crystal glass carafe that is hand-cut to perfection by Italian glass specialist Cioni. Now the fundamental daily gesture of drinking water can be turned into a special moment to be cherished.
Water Vessel by Beatrix Ong, Lou Blackshaw & James Cropper
To combat waste, Ong, a shoe designer worked with paper manufacturer James Cropper and set designer Blackshaw to create a water vessel out of old coffee cups. The technology, developed by James Cropper, involves removing the polyethylene lining from the cups, then repurposing paper fibres for further use. The resulting vessel is biodegradable and its sculptural form evocative of seashells.
StayFit Bench by Kunsik & Nikari
Malmo-based cabinet maker Kunsik Choi and Finnish wood specialist Nikari have produced just what the style-minded fitness freak needs - a designer workout bench. Made out of ash wood, the bench has a cork cushion, a handle with leather grip for abdominal workouts, and a hard surface area for leg exercises. A bottom shelf provides storage for mats and dumbbells.
This article was first published by The Business Times. Click here to read the original story.