Author: aoife (Page 11 of 28)

Isabel’s Picks for October 2011

October 3, 2011 / aoife / 0 Comments

Isabel’s Picks for October 2011

HIDDEN TREASURES

Bringing to light some interesting selections.

1. GLASS FIRE SCREEN

Manufacturer: Blomus

Product Name: Bebop

Price Range: €315

Material: Stainless steel and glass.

Features: Heat resistant.

Available to Ireland from: Panik-Design

2. RUG

Collection: Rug Star – Designer collection : Love Stories

Name: Johnny I Am Going To Jackson Dark Grey

Price Range: Prices per square meter range from €800 (100 knot, wool only) to €1,210 (150 knot, 15% silk).

Material: Wool / Silk mix or Wool only.

Key Features: Hand knotted, 100 or 150 knots per sq inch. Custom made in 100 or 150 knot quality and may include silk fibers. Rug Star standard specification is 150 knot with 15% silk.

Available in Ireland from: RugArt

3. HANDS FREE DOOR HANDLE

Manufacturer: Ulna Cyclope

Product Name: Ulna Initial

Price Range: n/a

Material: Polypropylene. Available in a range of 13 colours.

Key Features: It can be used without hands. Eliminates the first carrier of contamination through hands. Makes easier the opening with arms full.

Applications: Hotels and Restaurants. Dentists, Doctors and Medical Offices. Nurseries and Play Group Facilities. Hospitals and Clinics. Fast Food Outlets. Conference Rooms. Leisure Facilities. Rest Homes and Rehabilitation Centres. Railway Stations, Airports & Car Parks. Petrol Stations & Service Stations.

Available to Ireland from: James Gibbons Format

4. SPIRAL CELLAR

Price Range: From €10,500

Key Features: Watertight, pre-cast cylindrical system. It can keep up to 1,900 bottles in perfect storage. It relies on the surrounding earth for its insulation, plus an ingenious air-flow system, it requires no power to maintain its constant temperature.

Available in Ireland from: Spiral Cellars Ltd.

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Please Use the Front Door

September 27, 2011 / aoife / 6 Comments

There is a strange habit in Ireland in relation to the use of a house’s front door. Apparently, most people don’t feel comfortable to use it, they feel like they are being too snobbish or something, and to avoid this they prefer using the back door when visiting family or friends. Furthermore, even homeowners rarely use their own front door, they would argue it is more practical and less formal.

As a designer I struggle to find a solution for this. I just don’t want my very well thought-through beautiful entrance to be underappreciated and taken over by the back door. And I surely cannot design a house without a front door.

I don’t understand why someone would prefer to come through the back door and see all the messy laundry, muddy boots, cat litter, etc, instead of coming through the main door and appreciate a welcoming entrance hall.

I know you are going to tell me what this lady says (00:35:43 Room to Improve Series 5, programme 2) but does it make sense? Not to me!

The front door is your main access to your house, you certainly have spent some money and time to make the entrance hall look welcoming and inviting, so why not use it? And why not do the same if you are visiting someone else’s house? Just break the habit, life is too short not to enjoy every living moment and every living space!

Posted by Isabel Barros

Isabel’s Picks for September 2011

September 6, 2011 / aoife / 1 Comment

Isabel’s Picks for September 2011

THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR

Are you ready to indulge yourself?

1. METAL WALL ART

Artist: James Park

Product Name: Ch’i – Etched Metal Wall Panels

Price Range: €251

Material: Aluminium

Features: This exclusive metal artwork from the James Park Studio has a hologram effect which, by day, has have a cool crisp elegance, then by adding lighting, becomes a moody masterpiece that accentuates the ambience of the room. The 3 dimensional effect of these sheet metal plaques creates a dynamic artwork whose metal surface reflects and redirects nearby sources of light.

Available to Ireland from: Artisanti

2. MIRROR DEMISTERS

Model: Different models available

Price Range: starting at €18

Key Features: Simple, efficient, ultra slim heating pad that fits inconspicuously behind most bathroom mirrors – existing or newly installed. Once fitted, the mirror will never steam up in and around the area of the pad. Simple to fit. Economical to run – 0.2 cent for 20 hours. Completely safe. Maintenance free. 5 year warranty

Available in Ireland from: ATC Electrical and Mechanical

3. BIOETHANOL FIREPLACE

Manufacturer: The Fire Company Pty Ltd

Product Name: EcoSmart Fire

Model: Zeta

Designer: John Dimopoulos

Price Range: n/a

Key Features: Freestanding fireplace, easy to install and easy to move from room to room or to outside. It doesn’t need a flue or a chimney or electricity connection. Environmentally friendly. Bioethanol – or simply ‘ethanol’ is a renewable energy source made by fermenting the sugar and starch components of plant by-products – mainly sugarcane and crops like grain, using yeast. It is also made from corn, potatoes, milk, rice, beetroot and recently grapes, banana and dates depending on the countries agricultural strength. The combustion of bio ethanol results in a clean emission: Heat, Steam and Carbon Dioxide. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants. It is then processed via photosynthesis to help the plant grow. This infinite cycle of creation and combustion of energy makes bio ethanol a carbon neutral fuel source.

Available to Ireland from: EcoSmart / Smart Fire Ltd

4. WIRELESS ELECTRICITY MONITOR + USB

Manufacturer: OWL

Product name: OWL+USB Wireless Electricity Monitor

Price Range: €47

Key Features: Provides up to the second information on the amount of electricity you are using in terms of power, cost and your carbon footprint. Monitor your electricity usage, produce live and historical charts via your PC at a time to suit you via the supplied USB cable and software supplied.

Available to Ireland from: OWL shop

5. CHAIR AND FOOTSTOOL

Designer: BoConcept designer team

Name: Imola

Materials: Seat fillings of high resilient foam. As shown, petrol Felt fabric/brushed steel.

Price Range: Chair €1935. Footstool €899

Available in Ireland from: BoConcept

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