H&D Hotlist #136: New design products, furniture and accessories
From one-of-a-kind table mirror from a local upcycling brand to authentic homewares from actual African designers and labels, here are the new products we love!
By Asih Jenie & Young Lim -
MONOLITH MIRROR
The Messenger table mirror is a poetic interpretation of what a simple desk accessory could look like when art meets practicality. Composed of construction waste, including mirrors, steel, marble and concrete, Messenger was inspired by the mystery and marvel of monoliths around the world.
The brainchild of local design studio LAAT, founded by Cherin Tan, and award-winning artist Alvin Tan of PHUNK, the collection reflects the ingenuity of the duo in repurposing discarded materials into functional works of art.
Combined together, the textures exude an earthy yet modern vibe, resulting in a look that is instantly eye-catching and other-worldly. In fact, one might mistake this for an alien portal, which opens up into another dimension.
The Messenger table mirror is part of the Monolith collection, and retails for $380. The collection is available at Art Now.
AUTHENTIC AFRICA
While African or safari-themed home decor has gained popularity worldwide, these items are rarely crafted in the continent or by its myriad of native communities, observed Guinean entrepreneur Adama Diallo. So she sets out to create Unseen Africa, a platform that offers a curated selection of home items from African design brands.
And we’re talking about products made with authentic traditional techniques and native materials that look and feel at home in our contemporary world, ranging from soft furnishings like towels, throws and cushions to artwork and ceramic wares. All of them are now available in Singapore.
Pictured are the Addis Vases, which retails from $148. Visit Unseen Africa for more information.
EQUESTRIAN BEAUTY
“I envisioned a horse with an elongated back that could hold several riders. A kind of limousine horse,” says Italian visual artist Gianpaolo Pagni of Hippomobile, his playful tea service collection for Hermes.
Drawing inspiration from joker silks and cartoons, the collection comprises a teapot, teacups, mugs, and various dessert plates with horses wrapped around them, and subtle graphic friezes evoking jockey outfits in the background. Mix and match to maximise the playfulness.
Hermes Hippomobile retails from $210 for a dessert plate at Hermes boutiques and www. hermes.com.
BOUNDLESS BROADCAST
Want to share photos with family anywhere in the world without relying on file transfers? Using Netgear’s Meural WiFi Photo Frame, you can easily display images and videos from anywhere in the world on a premium Wi-Fi- connected display that is perfect for home or office.
Users can also take lifelike photos with its TrueArt technology regardless of the angle from which they are looked at. Additionally, it features a motion gesture that lets you browse images simply by waving your hand.
The 15” Netgear Meural WiFi Photo Frame retails for $449 at Netgear and other official Netgear online stores on Lazada, Shopee and Amazon.