Poetic yet functional objects for our home: designer vases as centerpieces

  Vases make a stunning addition to any home decor. A perfect center piece for your room, a designer vase is sure to make a statement. Simply fill it with a bouquet of flowers, advise Harrods Homeware team. Use these luxurious vases as centerpieces to add depth and intensity to a table setting.   Baccarat Louxor Crystal Vase … Read more

When you handcraft the world’ finest coffee maker, there’s an art to every single step

 

The Royal Coffee Maker from Royal Paris is a handcrafted 24-karat gold & Baccarat crystal balancing syphon brewer. It’s coffee for kings and an objet d’art. Royal effortlessly transforms some of the finest coffee strains in the world with an unmistakable purity and clarity of taste.

Royal Coffee Maker ambiance
Royal Coffee Maker; photo: royalcoffeemaker.com

Developed out of love for the original balancing syphons seen in European courts during the 1800’s, this vacuum coffee brewer from Royal Paris puts “pomp and ceremony” back into coffee making.

Handcrafted in 24-karat gold or silver, using Baccarat crystal and semi-precious stones, the Royal Coffee Maker evolved through countless sketches and hours of model clay forming.

French artist Jean-Luc Rieutort brings to life the exceptional craftsmanship to the Royal Coffee Maker more commonly seen in fine jewelry. Working alongside a team of skilled sculptors, artisans and engineers, with each machine taking more than 100 hours of workmanship, he has masterfully recreated the historic balancing syphon. Each Royal Coffee Maker is accompanied by two exquisite pieces, both handmade in France exclusively for Royal — the crystal carafe and burner vase. Only eight bespoke Royal Coffee Makers are produced by hand each month.

Brass parts such as the gargoyle, counter weight, oak leaves and finials are created by employing age-old methods of casting using the lost-wax method known as ‘cire perdue’, where more than 5 hours are spent on the spigot’s unique‘chasing dolphins’ closing system alone.

The Royal Coffee Maker from Royal Paris
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com
Royal Coffee Maker-finishing touches
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com

After casting is complete, the artist works on each individual detail by hand. Elaborate chiseling, brazing and polishing is involved to meet the exacting standards of the French craftsmen, where each part — no matter how small — is treated with the utmost care for Royal’s fine level of detailing. Each Royal can be finished in gold, copper or silver; with a choice of black obsidian, azurite or malachite to form the machine base.

“Your Royal coffee maker is engineered to create coffee of rare clarity and purity. Every Royal is numbered and is taken through a final test by our Parisian Master Craftsman,” says Royal Coffee Maker.

Royal Coffee Maker is present at the 15th Edition of Top Marques Monaco – The luxury and Supercar show (The Grimaldi Forum Monaco – 19th-22nd April 2018).

The Royal Coffee Maker from Royal Paris-tailored models
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com
The Royal Coffee Maker from Royal Paris-
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com
Royal Coffee Maker-01
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com
Royal Coffee Maker-
The Royal Coffee Maker; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com
Royal coffee
Royal Paris; photos: royalcoffeemaker.com

 

 

100% Made in Maranello: It is a virtual driving Formula 1 Simulator, but not as one usually imagines it

The ultimate Formula 1 Simulator.

At this year’s Top Marques Monaco 2018, virtual driving simulator manufacturer Wave Italy promises to offer supercar enthusiasts a memorable driving experience in its handmade Formula 1 Simulator.

WAVE italy THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR-2018
WAVE ITALY THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR; photo: wave italy

Wave Italy was founded in Maranello, a place with an historic and prestigious automotive tradition, internationally recognised because of the passion for quality . This renowned environment allowed the creation of a unique simulator which truly reproduces the feeling of a real Formula 1 car.

With its 2018 Phoenix Pro simulator, Wave Italy sets a new style line in the simulation panorama distinguishing its product through unique and innovative lines.The carefully shaped cockpit authentically reproduces the cabin size of a Formula 1, while the external shapes make the product unique.

“We have deliberately hidden any moving or wiring part, visual imperfections, to allow the soft lines of the shell stand out, recalling, through a minimal design, the details of ground effect cars rear and the famous curved sides,” explained Wave Italy’s experts.

Wave Italy’s Phoenix Pro Formula 1 Simulator is designed and built with light but resistant materials, such as aluminum and carbon. Precision engineering ensures the best of the simulation performance, while all hardware appliances are designed to transmit the feeling of a real car to the racer. Everything contributes to make the driving experience unique: from innovative belt system and seatback to simulate active braking and acceleration, to the tachisensibile steering wheel, to the brake set to 100kg of thrust, up to highly advanced electronics and software.

The pedals and the seat are adjustable to accommodate drivers of all sizes and ages, allowing them to get in the real position of Formula 1 pilots. A sophisticated vibratory system faithfully reproduces the roughness of the track and the curbs, exponentially increasing the rider’s feeling. Finally, a Dolby 5.1 audio system equipped with ERS transmits the authentic sound of turbo cars, involving the rider even more.

WAVE italy THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR-01
THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR; photo: experience.waveitaly.com
WAVE italy THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR
The Formula 1 Simulator 100% Made in Maranello. photo: experience.waveitaly.com
WAVE italy THE ULTIMATE MOTION SIMULATOR-steering wheel
The Formula 1 Simulator 100% Made in Maranello. photo: experience.waveitaly.com

 

 

Tiffany & co debuts The Home Collection in Europe at 2018 Salone del Mobile Milano

 

 

Tiffany & Co. announced the debut of its Home & Accessories collection in Europe. To celebrate the collection launch during the prestigious Salone de Mobile design fair, the luxury jewelry house is unveiling a creative installation within its Piazza Duomo store in Milan.

Drawing inspiration from the whimsical wit of Home & Accessories, the store will be transformed into a greenhouse – a reinterpretation of the intricate sterling silver, copper and glass masterpiece handcrafted by Tiffany artisans. The façade of the store echoes the linear architecture of the greenhouse, while the design theme continues throughout the store with a large-scale greenhouse on the main floor and artistic floral creations.

Tiffany & Co The Greenhouse Project 2018 by Artist shantell_martin
Tiffany & Co The Greenhouse Project 2018 by Artist Shantell Martin; photo: Tiffany & Co

Five female artists: Anna Galtarossa, Shantell Martin, Marilyn Minter, Laurie Simmons and Anna-Wili Highfield, were chosen by Tiffany’s chief artistic officer, Reed Krakoff, to interpret the garden structure through their contemporary and innovative lens. The exterior window displays will reimagine their extraordinary vision through works that range from sculpture to collage. The creative installation is on display, from April 15 to April 22.

“We chose to elevate the greenhouse from Home & Accessories because it is a perfect expression of Tiffanycraftsmanship and a symbol of the power of creativity,” says Krakoff.

“My vision for the Tiffany greenhouse was to fill it with beautiful Tiffany objects until they exploded out through the windows, out through the roof,” said artist Marliyn Minter on The Greenhouse Project

“I’m a huge collaborator. When it’s a great fit, you get to make something that’s really amazing,” added artist Shantell Martin on The Greenhouse Project.

Tiffany & Co The Greenhouse Project 2018 by artist marilyn minter
Tiffany & Co The Greenhouse Project 2018 by artist marilyn minter; photo: Tiffany & Co

 

Haute Horlogerie know-how: Speake-Marin Crazy Skulls with Flying Tourbillon, Minute Repeater Carillon and double dial animation

  Speake-Marin, the watchmaking company specializing in high-end timepieces founded in 2002 by English watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin, offers a new stunning show on the dial of the new Crazy Skulls timepiece, a unique piece (CHF 387,800/ USD 403,878 without tax).   Hand-engraved skulls hide a 60 seconds Flying Tourbillon and let a heart shape appear … Read more

Prada x MR PORTER reunited for a bowling-themed capsule collection

Rooted in nostalgia: Exclusive Bowling-Themed Capsule launched by Prada x MR PORTER.

1950s an 1980s, two eras of bowling popularity, serve as a source of inspiration for a bowling-themed capsule collection announced by Italian luxury fashion house Prada and luxury menswear online retailer Mr. Porter.

Debuting on MR PORTER on the 25th of April, the 32-piece capsule collection is anchored in ready-to wear and shoes. It draws from eras of bowling popularity – the 1950s and 1980s – and features camp-collar shirts in Hawaiian and pop-cartoon prints and madras and gingham checks, mid-century-style block-panelled stripe cardigans and stripe knit T-shirts, blouson jackets in satin and suede and two printed Tshirts with exclusive PRADA bowling logos, both referencing the eras of inspiration.

prada mr porter
mr.porter x prada; photo: prada

Pleated and flat-front trousers, polo shirts and a mohair bi-colour wool blazer complete the ready-to-wear offering. Loafers, creeper and cap-toe Derbies and cap-toe sneakers in nubuck and deer skin make up the exclusive offering of Prada shoes.

“We are incredibly proud to be working with Prada on this special project and to be the first men’s online retailer to partner on an exclusive collection. The retro themes of 1950s and 1980s menswear were an effortless inspiration for the campaign and content, and allowed us to easily meld the worlds of Mr Porter and Prada,” said Toby Bateman, Managing Director, MR PORTER.

“We are extremely pleased to be part of this exclusive project in collaboration with MR PORTER that we consider being the perfect partner to communicate the values of the brand. Prada’s DNA is in fact about creating products which are really breakthrough that may at times surprise customers, while bringing ideas and ideals to life. We strongly believe that this partnership with one of the major menswear luxury e-tailers is strategically relevant to our digital transformation in today’s changing scenario where we are making significant steps forward,” added Stefano Cantino, PRADA Group Strategic Marketing Director.

The partnership is culminating in a MR PORTER x PRADA hero story with video in The Journal and a MR PORTER x PRADA bowling event in New York City, both on 26 April.

This January, Prada released an exclusive sneaker for MR PORTER -a sportswear-inspired limited edition runner.

prada mr porter 2018 capsule collection announcement
prada x mr. porter 2018; image: mr.porter teaser video