Le Cercle # 15 by City News Publishing

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l e c e r c l e #15 w e channel the latest aesthetic wonders engaging neophyte designers across the world – from playful kinetic installations providing a volcanic excitement for all the senses at the London Design Festival, to a Zen calm of clean lines, elegant functionalism and ingenious simplicity of Dutch Moooi interiors set against the rugged spectacular exterior of a South African mountain vista. A blissfully placid sojourn away from the bustle also emanates from Dori Hitti’s update of a Lebanese stone house, while design boutique RGMB unveils its raison d’etre. Beirut is the place to be to absorb some of the most : exciting art – and vibrant Asian City News Privilege styles gave a visionary lift to the on behalf of Le Cercle Hitti city’s Art Fair, offering an inspirational window to the : East. In contrast, we feature Anastasia Nysten European innovations found at the Cannes Boat Show and the : mono-wheeled Ciclotte Helen Assaf exerciser, a new realisation of : the iconic raging bull of Lamborghini. Peter Korneev Wintry objets d’art, : delicious funky lines lines CHAMAS at Rana Salam and Badaro’s www.3achamas.com Smallville Hotel, plus the bespoke tailored art of : Cobra, encompass more Owen Adams of an energetic array of Miriam Dunn creative concepts captured Alia Fawaz by us within the pages of Kasia Maciejowska one magazine. At Le Cercle, Rich Thornton our pursuit of dynamic : design for the individual is relentless. Let us light your sales@citynewsme.net t: +961 3 852 899 fire as the nights draw in!

PARK VIEW BUILDING, BOULEVARD DU PARC - BEIRUT T. +961 1 99 21 16 CHARLES MALEK AVE., ELLIPSE CENTER - ASHRAFIEH, LEBANON T. +961 1 20 00 01 W W W. W S A L A M O O N . C O M

the winter

wishlist Colors collection double ring

goes window shopping for some of this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must-have purchases.

Colors collection Brick

H. 37 x D. 20 cm

H. 33 x D. 15 cm

Blown glass and steel

Blown glass & steel

Vanessa Mitrani

Lilliputmug

Aquariussimple

H. 9 cm

H.25 cm

Blown glass & metal

Vanessa Mitrani

Geneva sound system world radio

free-blown glass

Gaudi vase

W. 30 x D. 6.5 x H. 17 cm

H. 22 / 34 cm

Geneva

LSA International

accessories

BALLS

CAGE

Blown glass with marble, brass or chrome

Blown glass vase on metal stand

H 30cm D 35cm

H 39cm D 32cm / H 29cm D 31cm

Vanessa Mitriani

FAKIRVASE

BALLS

Blown glass

Blown glass with marble, brass or chrome

h 45cm

H 30cm D 35cm

Vanessa Mitriani

No Limit mug set of 2

Lilliput Cylinder cups set of 4

H. 11 cm

H. 5 cm

Borosilicate glass & pewter

Blown glass & metal

Vanessa Mitrani

No Limit Snail vase H. 32 cm Blown glass & porcelain Vanessa Mitrani

BLOSSOMVASE Blown glass, porcelain and pewter h 40cm d 32cm Vanessa Mitriani

accessories

Pop-T collection Vin -Tage

Pop-T collection Beau-Ty

Luisa Bocchietto

Available in 3 sizes

Clear mouth-blown glass, silk-

screened decoration

Egizia

Pop-T collection Segre-Ti

Lace Collection

Luisa Bocchietto

Triple thickness mouth-blown glass,

Paola Navone

Available in 3 sizes

handcrafted silk-screen decoration

Clear mouth-blown glass,

Vase & bowl available in different sizes

silk-screened decoration

Egizia

Garbo collection

Tratta Punto collection

Blush gold bands

Paola Navone

LSA international

Silver vases and bowls Egizia

Tratta Punto collection

Lace Collection

Paola Navone

Silver vases and bowls

Triple thickness mouth-blown glass,

Egizia

handcrafted silk-screen decoration Vase & bowl available in different sizes Egizia

accessories

ESTELLA&ASTRA

OVERSCALECANDLES

MAGICAL FOREST COLLECTION

JEAN-MARIE MASSAUD

Black rose and oud wood scented candles

Sculptural natural black wax candles

BAOBAB

in black varnished brass frames h 20cm w 44cm d 12cm / h 25cm w 13cm d 13cm / h 49cm w 20cm d 10cm B&B ITALIA

CORALPEARLS, BLACKPEARLS & WHITEPEARLS PEARLS COLLECTION Wisteria & orange blossom, black rose & ginger, hyacinth & melon scented candles BAOBAB

COFFRETDIFFUSER 9 COFFRETS COLLECTION Flower fragrance diffuser & room spray Herve Gambs

ASIRA AURELIE TU Vase in wool felt cut and woven by hand H 29cm Ø 26cm LIGNE ROSET

ROSETOPIARIES COUTURE ROSE TOPIARIES COLLECTION Handmade fabric floral arrangements with fragrance spray h 38cm w10cm d10cm / h 55cm w15cm d15cm / h 71cm w15cm d15cm Herve Gambs

accessories ACCESSORIES

BONBONNE

ALONG

JEAN FRANCOIS D’OR

Low or high baskets in grey

Vase in amber-coloured

or black woven rattan

mouth-blown glass

h 35cm ø 56cm / h 45cm ø 35cm

h 22cm ø 30cm

LIGNE ROSET

ROSEAU

VOYAGER

NOE DUCHAUFOUR-LAWRANCE

CARSTEN GOLLNICK

White ceramic vase which can be

Chest in natural oak veneer

finished with twigs or flowers

with brushed steel clasps

H 45cm Ø 22cm / H 60cm Ø 29cm

h 18cm w 110cm d 18.5cm

LIGNE ROSET

LACHINOISE

25-29

PASCAL MOURGUE

ANGIE ANAKIS

Height adjustable standard lamp

White moulded matt white ceramic

with pivoting white chintz shade

with red laser cut lacquered steel

h 183cm ø 60cm

h 18cm ø 24cm

LIGNE ROSET

COLOURLAMP

PAON

D. RYBAKKEN & A.ENGESVIK

ELIA MANGIA

Colour mix lamp to create effects in

Table lamp with American walnut

backlit white lacquered aluminium

base and swivelling oval shade in

with pink and blue sheets of glass

mirror-polished stainless steel

h 105cm w 85cm d21cm

h 34cm w 21cm d 19cm

LIGNE ROSET

accessories + lighting

FORMEDEVIE

KROON7

VINCENT OLM

ZMIK

Ambient blue side lamp in glass

Annodized aluminium

h 35cm ø 30cm

and borosilicate glass tubes

LIGNE ROSET

main lamp h 75-55cm w 10-75cm Moooi

OVNI

HeracleumtheBigO

SEBASTIEN CORDOLEANI

Bertjan Pot

Table or wall lamp of mirror-polished

Metal wire frame, polycarbonate

stainless steel and satin glass shade

lenses and ultra thin suspension wire.

h 17cm ø 47cm

h 53cm, l 210cm

LIGNE ROSET

Moooi

NIGHT PASCAL MOURGUE Standard lamp in black or white lacquered steel with matching chintz shade with dimmer switch h 212cm w 197cm d 40cm

Kaipo Edward Van Vliet Silvered mouth-blown glass with plated fabric shade in powder coated steel frame ø 37 cm, h 89 cm Moooi

LIGNE ROSET

TREPIED NORMAL STUDIO Floor lamp with epoxy resin structure with lacquered steel and embossed aluminium reflectors positioned

Bell Lamp Marcel Wanders Mouth blown glass, ceramic bow W. 23 x D. 22 cm variable height Moooi

with magnets along the frame h 220cm w 47cm d 47cm LIGNE ROSET

lighting

TULIP

BELEM

JEFFREY BERNETT

DIDIER GOMEZ

Tubular steel frame with

Black lacquered aluminium, epoxy, foam

polyurethane cushions, fabric

seat cushions, feather back cushions,

upholstery and aluminium feet

blue & grey removable covers

H 80cm W 67cm D 77cm

h 80cm w 210cm d 97cm seat 42cm

B&B ITALIA

LIGNE ROSET

Andy

COMMONCOMRADES

Paolo Piva

NERI & HU

Available in fabric or leather

Red lacquered solid birch stools

Various sizes

h 40cm w 40 cm

B&B Italia

Moooi

J.J.

HARRY

ANTONIO CITTERIO

Solid ashwood with polypropylene

Tubular steel frame with

upholstery and leather armrests

polyurethane cushions, red cotton

h 85cm w 74cm d 79cm

upholstery and aluminium feet

B&B ITALIA

h 250cm w 82cm d 95cm B&B ITALIA

BART CANAPE BART SCHILDER Wooden framed sofa covered in foam and Dacron h 65cm w 235cm d 100cm Moooi

SEATING

Nils Didier Gomez Upholstered Available in various sizes Ligne Roset

FACETt

@-Chair

R. & E. BOURELLEC

T Kita

Swivelling armchair covered

W 76 x D 84 x H 117 cm

in Facet upholstery

Fully upholstered with

h 87cm w 87cm d 81cm seat 39cm

full removable covers

LIGNE ROSET

Ligne Roset

Elizabeth Nathan Yong Structure in black stained ash, settee composed of cushions W 72 x D 103 x H 95.5 cm Ligne Roset

AMY C. DONDOLY & M. POCCI Rotating arm chair with blue grey leather upholstery h 115 w 75 d 80cm seat 43cm LIGNE ROSET

CALIN

MARCELLA

PASCAL MOURGUE Dining chair with removable cover with pearl buttons and lacquered black or epoxy aluminium feet h 86cm w 51cm d 58cm

NATHAN YONG Sixties-style dining chair in solid walnut and upholstery h 86cm w 45cm d 48cm LIGNE ROSET

LIGNE ROSET

Seating

NENUPHAR

DOC

VERONIQUE MAIRE

EVANGELOS VASILEIOU

Occasional table with removable

Set of three pivoting nest tables of brilliant

black synderme top and epoxy

steel chrome topped with Carrara marble

satin black lacquered steel wire

h 36cm ø 96.5cm

h 42cm ø 50cm

LIGNE ROSET

URBANHIKE

ASHERA

MARCEL WANDERS

NOEMIE ROGNON

Chromed steel, aluminium

Low table in solid wood and glass;

and wood transfer

options American walnut, European

h 76cm d 44cm

walnut, cherry, natural oak

Moooi

h 26.5cm w 100cm l 100cm LIGNE ROSET

LOVEY

NUMERO III

BRAD ASCALON

POPPY PATTERSON

Pedestal table with satin white lacquered

Sculptural low table in natural oak

steel and base of solid European walnut

veneered and graphite lacquered

h 54cm ø 47cm

wood with adjustable jacks

LIGNE ROSET

h 24.5cm w 90cm d 95cm LIGNE ROSET

ROSETOPIARIES COUTURE ROSE TOPIARIES COLLECTION Handmade fabric floral arrangements with fragrance spray h 38cm w10cm d10cm / h 55cm w15cm d15cm / h 71cm w15cm d15cm Herve Gambs

TABLES

Hayek Roundabout, Sin el Fil l P.O.B. 55210 Beirut, Lebanon l tel. +961 1 480520, +961 3 480520 l www. geahchangroup.com

Photo Michel Gibert. Photograph used for reference only. Special thanks: TASCHEN, www.lechameau.fr

European manufacture

Blogger modular sofa, design Roberto Tapinassi & Maurizio Manzoni Diagonal bookshelf, design Luigi Gorgoni. Cuba Libre coffe tables, design Daniel Rode. BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/999 beirut@roche-bobois.com

See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues

lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art de vivre by roche bobois

London Design Festival

2013 W o r d s b y : Kasia Maciejowska

London was in a playful mood for its annual design festival this year. Crazy colours and Postmodern stylistic mash-ups met with immersive interactive installations and surreal optical illusions as designers went the extra mile to engage the public with the experience of designed objects. The allure of surprising material combinations and the capacity of technology to create a sense of wonder and meaning were at the heart of the rich celebratory week

INSTALLATION CITY A festival like this gives design studios of all sizes the opportunity to represent their vision in inspiring ways that are free from the demands of the market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hence the rise of the installation, a micro world in which the aesthetic and experiential can take priority over functionality, and reality can be manipulated within the safe temporary bubble of the exhibition framework. Here we present our favourites among the many installations â&#x20AC;Ś

Wind Portal by Najla el ZeinÂ For her suspended piece in one of the V&Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand doorways, Lebanese designer Najla el Zein created 5000 miniature white paper windmills. Each one was folded by hand and then fixed to plastic tubes using 3D-printed clips that were especially made. Wind blew through the plastic tubes in different places at different times, controlled by a computer. As a result, the windmills spun in various patterns and at different speeds to communicate a range of moods. From afar the two windmill doors appeared closed but on approach you could see they were open. The ethereal gateway was supposed to emphasise the experience of passing between two different spaces and to highlight the feeling that it gives us, which we tend to overlook.

Abandoned Dinner Party by Scholten & Baijings The Norfolk House Music Room at the V&A usually stands empty bar the visitors gazing at its ornate Rococo giltwork. Removed from its home and reconstructed in the museum to illustrate 18th century architecture, it already feels surreally out of place. For the festival Scholten & Baijings played on this existing sense of desertion by installing an abandoned dinner party in the room. The still-life used sugary pastel colours that only add to the sense of unease created by walking in on this unpopulated scene and gave the entire piece an Alice-inWonderland quality maximised by the fairytale setting. The foodstrewn table featured modern pared-back dinnerware by the designers that brought the display into the 21st century.

Faye Toogood for Established & Sons The British multi-disciplinary designer Faye Toogood invited people to generate their own audio visual show with her colourful installation The Conductor at the Established & Sons showroom. 160 fluorescent strip bulbs were connected to a switchboard of resin switches which, when flicked, released a different note and hue, allowing the audience to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;conductâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; various harmonious or discordant combinations of sound and light. Each connected via a cable with a wall of iridescent zinc passivated steel tiles that act like a giant circuit board. The result was an unusual combination of multisensory engagement and mechanistic futurism.

Endless Staircase by Alex de Rijke Experiential installations and illusory play go a long way at festivals, as Alex de Rijke of dRMM studio knew well when he created his Endless Staircase outside Tate Modern. In his commission for the American Hardwood Export Council, de Rijke constructed a 3D optical illusion out of tulipwood, inspired by the drawings of M.C. Escher, currently enjoying something of a renaissance in design culture. Festival visitors could climb up the staircases to enjoy an elevated view over the Thames and experience the maze’s effect on their sense of perspective up close.

THE BEST BEDS Sleep Design by B&B Italia gave people an opportunity to experience the details and personal touches on signature beds by Naoto Fukasawa, Antonio Citterio, Patricia Urquiola and Gabriele and Oscar Buratti. Each designer explained how they channelled their individual design mentality into a product that simultaneously chimed with the design ethos of B&B Italia, and

shared intimate details of how their own sleeping and lifestyle habits shape their attitude towards designing this most important piece of furniture. The beds were displayed in a window installation by Oyuna, a creative cashmere brand that has become renowned for its understated, thoughtful design presentations. The showcase featured giant red cashmere flags suspended in the air in a piece called Flying Throws.

TENDANCES Three leading trend consultancy firms Croisements, Elizabeth Leriche and Nelly Rody collected all the design cues from leading work throughout the year and linked them together to create a trend map of three key moods that are defining design now. The overarching theme that brings this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three trends together is the idea of Energies. Good vibes reign in the new collections with psychedelic colours, experimental materials and patterns taken from science, mysticism and new age iconography are feeling fresh having been given a new spin, usually through digital reworking. The overall effect is one of optimism and transformation that suggest an uplifting vision of the future and the now. Each of the three themes gave this positivity a different tone using an array of references, materials, colour and ambience.

Illuminations Elizabeth Leriche Kinetic sculptures and shadow play define this movement towards more responsive forms of lighting that create a sense of drama and interactivity. Coloured light and effects like watery patterns and starlight simulations give this trend its scientific, space age undertone while minimalist Op Art-style constructions keep it feeling pared back and modern. The works here are all about using technology to imitate some of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most dazzling apparitions.

Psychotropia

Francois Bernard Psychological mindsets and the way we experience our own brains seem to be the thread that ties this trend together. Depictions of the human form â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from hands to head to face to body â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are overlaid with effects, both digital and handmade, that communicate different moods and strange experiences. Trippy references to altered states and psychedelia add an escapist layer to this colourful cerebral series that merges biological references with religious imagery and surreal textures.

Funt@sy Vincent Gregoire & Agence Nelly Rodi Irreverent play is at the heart of this trend for camp, postmodern pieces that comes in many different shapes and finishes. References from both historic design and pop culture are sampled and quirkily requoted in different contexts that render them stripped back and surreal. Meanwhile holographic colours and reflective finishes give a new tech touch and a mix of textures keeps everything feeling super contemporary.

SCENES D’INTERIEUR

Each year the Scenes d’Interieur section of the fair provides a showcase in which the most inspirational interior decorators of the moment can exhibit important examples of their vision. For 2013 French interior architect Joseph Dirand showed off his elegant luxurious style with signature combinations of pale marble and high shine metallic details, alongside his contrasting penchant for a restrained monochrome palette – resulting in a very Parisian look that has come to epitomise the current mood in high end design. Dirand’s star creations for the Palais de Tokyo, Alexander Wang, Balmain, Artcurial and Emilio Pucci offered some particularly striking samples, in addition to his more modernist work for Habita Monterrey. Alongside Dirand the outstanding Parisian architect and academic Odille Decq showed her moody Memories of Highland and Virtuelle Presence installations, and her witty Homeostasie sculpture, initially shown at Galerie Polaris.

KENZO MAISON

The Kenzo exhibit played on the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two perennial keynotes, which are romantic florals mixed with zen calm. This year at Maison & Objet the brand displayed a welcoming dark circular arm chair upholstered in shiny pale blue satin fabric covered in oriental blossom print, set off by a deep variegated stripe and a sweet geometric trellis print â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which all played on the base tone of different blues. A low modular white corner sofa with inset coffee table was decorated with stand-out bolts of colour from two well-placed cushions and a footstool made the centre piece with its embroidered bouquet offering the most detail. The floral theme continued with a large singular plasterwork relief on the wall and a simple outline motif on an overhead lampshade. All in all it was a simple yet rather dramatic presentation that represented the brand this year.

Hayek Roundabout, Sin el Fil l P.O.B. 55210 Beirut, Lebanon l tel. +961 1 480520, +961 3 480520 l www. geahchangroup.com

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Anchors away Cannes Boat Show brings style to the sea W o r d s b y : Rich Thornton

ach September the Bay of Cannes is bedecked with a host of floating jewels ready (for anyone with pockets deep enough) to pluck right from the water. It’s the Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes, or to be less exact but more descriptive, the 36th annual Cannes Boat Show. This is the place where thousands of global yacht makers and local handcraftingboutiques squeeze together amidst the piers and buoys to announce their finest creations to the hordes of marine enthusiasts eager to

set sail or start motor. Spread over the two harbours of Port Pierro Canto and the Vieux Port, over 450 boats were polished, buffed and rigged to the nines. The festival is also famous for being the world’s most glamorous venue for boat-makers to premiere the newest cuts of their jib, and this year was no exception – with 100 brand new vessels on offer, you would have had no excuse if you ended up sailing off having bought the same boat as the gentleman next to you.

Hayek Roundabout, Sin el Fil l P.O.B. 55210 Beirut, Lebanon l tel. +961 1 480520, +961 3 480520 l www. geahchangroup.com

Photo Michel Gibert. Photograph used as a reference only

European manufacture

Less Is More dining table, design Studio Roche Bobois. Stiletto chairs, design CĂŠdric Ragot.

BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/999 beirut@roche-bobois.com

See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues

lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art de vivre by roche bobois

Old Stone, New Visions Le Cercle takes a look at how a traditional Lebanese stone house was brought up to the now with clever touches from designer Dori Hitti W o r d s :Rich Thornton

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fter renovation from architects Joe Achkar and Michel CharriĂ¨re, this old stone house by the sea was brought further to life with a new interior design by Dori Hitti in which the careful selection of contemporary design deliberately contrasts with the heritage walls.

One of the more subtle and complex features of any interior space is how the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture speaks to the furniture and design features that inhabit it. In the grand reception room of this beautiful old stone renovation, black leather sofas sit low at the foot of vaulted arches as modern windows offer just-theright-amount of exterior light. This minimal blend of the functional and the luxury

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continues through into the office and living rooms, where earth tones in the chairs make the aesthetic bridge between pale ochre stone walls and varnished black wood tables. Lighting is often used as a non-physical way for designers to sew the gap between a building’s immovable structure and its flexible furniture. Soft floor lights direct the occupier through the house’s many linking vaults, as golden

pockets of light burn out of high wall indents to add a warm and cosy ambience amongst the cold, ever-present stone. The artwork takes its inspiration from the city in which the home is located, and provides a calming place to rest the eye, with an aesthetic character similar enough to the building’s colours and shapes to avoid jolting a viewer from whatever intimate musings they may be having. In the case of this palatial yet

modest setting, it’s the delicate combination of artwork, architecture and angles that creates an atmosphere full of knowing prosperity and studied calm. Glass and steel bring a sharp modernity to the turning staircase and elevator area, neatly lit by miniature, ankle-level bulbs that both simultaneously guide and soothe. Moving outside, the front façade shifts perceptions as the glass windows stare out asymmetrically

from the face-on stone colonnades. This dramatic movement adds an energy to what otherwise would have been a very traditional renovation. A walk around the back reveals a garden blessed with an arrestingly pretty, bamboo-oversteel bench â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a perfect place to pause and gaze out over the mountains or sea, the dual sublime landscapes which frame this traditional house on both western sunsets and eastern dawns.

A flair for furnishings Words by:

M i r i a m

D u nn

Fine lines and fluid movements define the creative collection from Marseille-born designer, Ora-Ă?to, at Roche Bobois

Cocktail table 3 tops available in MDF or lacquered glass. Ø 131 x H. 34 cm

TV Unit 1 door, 2 drawer TV unit, MDF structure, matte lacquered finish, matte or glossy lacquered top available. L. 224 x H. 45 x P. 50 cm

he launch, twice yearly, of the new collections from Roche Bobois, the French luxury furniture company, has become something of an institution for lovers of contemporary, unusual home furnishings. Founded in 1960 following the merger of two Paris furniture retailers, the company has garnered a reputation for showcasing the work of the world’s most creative designers, whose custom-made pieces would make any passer-by do a double-take at a shop window. The pieces crafted by the Marseille-born artist and designer, Ora-Ïto, slot perfectly into the style remit of Roche Bobois, which champions the fusion of cutting-edge ideas with top-quality manufacturing. Ora-Ïto was barely out of his teens when he famously caused a stir by creating 3D, digital versions of several iconic, big-brand products which cus tomers mistakenly thought they could

purchase. The virtual work was eventually acquired by the National Funds of Con temporary Art (FNAC), in a move which marked only the second occasion that the organisation had taken ownership of digital pieces. The modern and iconoclastic artist has since extended his creativity across the spectrum, designing a broad range of items from perfume bottles and jewellery to fullyfledged bathrooms. Ora-Ïto’s furniture combines formal purity and timeless luxury with a much-sought-after rational functionalism, embracing an aesthetic which perfectly suits Roche Bobois’ ethos. His latest collection for the furniture company features a number of exciting creations which exude the designer’s hallmark fluid movements, pure lines and dynamic shapes.

Modular sofa Upholstered in Tendresse leather, corrected grain, pigmented finish (more than 50 colours available). Multiple compositions and straight sofa available. L.251/183 x H.75 x D.177/197 cm

Dining table Dining table in reinforced polyurethane on steel ballast. Top in clear tempered glass. Mirror base in brushed stainless steel. dia. 165 x H.73 cm

Undoubtedly, one of the talking points will be a signature dining table in reinforced polyurethane which appears to defy the laws of gravity. Resting on three twisted legs, the piece comes complete with a clear, tempered glass top and mirror base in brushed stainless steel. Ora-Ïto’s fans will also delight at his modular sofa, noted for its accumulation of layers and horizontal lines

which are softened by rounded low armrests and a curved back. Other, useful, yet stylish pieces include sideboards and TV units in clean lines which will lend a contemporary touch to any lounge, while also providing valuable storage space, proving that functionality and flair can coexist with ease when it comes to home furnishings.

Taking exercise by the horns W o r d s b y : O w e n Ad a m s

The irresistible, passionate Italian spirit of the Roaring Bull is omnipresent in the ever-expanding world of Tonino Lamborghini

his lurid-red badge of honour, crowned with the legend ‘Puro Talento Italiano’, now adorns luxury hotels, restaurants, fragrances, watches, eyewear, furnishings, apparel, caviar, energy drinks, smartphones, scooters and cars – and now a revolutionary Ciclotte exercise bike, at first glance a sitting bull in silhouette.

Wheels are an intrinsic part of Lamborghini’s DNA, as well as the bull – it is no coincidence that Tonino’s late father, Ferruccio was born under the sign of Taurus. Four wheels, two wheels and now the monowheel is part of the dynastic evolution. The son of grape-farmers, Ferruccio was more interested in farm machinery than fruit-growing, and entered the tractor industry in 1948. An inspirational visit to a bullfighting ranch in Seville in 1962

led to the Raging Bull symbol debuting on his first sports cars. Tonino revived the Lamborghini brand in 1981, when he designed and branded his first watch. And now, to add to his impressive global empire, he has taken 34-year-old Ciclotte designer Luca Schieppati under his wing. Six years after debuting his ideas at the Milan Triennial, the bull-shaped exercise unicycle, loosely based on a popular 1800s mode of transport revived by today’s urban hipsters, is among the innovations to be championed from Lamborghini’s Palazzo del Vignola hallowed headquarters in the Bolognese countryside. Breaking all the previous rules of gym equipment where functionalism

overpowered stylishness, the carbon and steel Ciclotte raises the aesthetic bar for exercising considerably. Designed for everyday use and with easily mounted music and video entertainment, it’s at home in the living-room or office, gym or outdoors. The special edition Tonino Lamborghini Ciclotte can only entice people to take fitness by the horns – or redgrip-banded carbon-fibre handlebars, while astride its Black Alcatara adjustable saddle, made in Italy (of course) by Lamiflex. Ergonomically sublime, it places exercisers in the perfect posture as if they were road racing – as if one needed any more motivation to give one a spin.

INSIDE THE MINDS BEHIND DESIGN

ELIZABETH by Nathan.Yong

n a similar bid to share some insight into how designers think, Ligne Roset hosted Meet the Designers, giving the public an opportunity to converse with two inspirational design minds. Benjamin Hubert and Nathan Yong answered questions and shared news of current projects and latest obsessions at the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West End boutique. Hubert discussed his new ceramic lamp, launched this year at Maison & Objet. The young British designer is a supporter of designers honing a specific identity and expertise to become renowned for their particular niche. He believes this is the key to

CONTAIBER by Benjamin.Hubert

developing a powerful signature in the design world. Yong hails from Singapore and started his career as a buyer before moving into design. Having won a number of awards his studio now covers industrial design, graphics, interior design, architectural design, strategic planning in product development and manufacturing processes as well as branding. His work is understated and calming; he recently launched the Elizabeth contemporary armchair series with Ligne Roset. www.londondesignfestival.com/events/ligneroset-meet-designers

W o r d s b y : O w e n Ad a m s

Clouds - South Africa, Stellenbosch, interior design by Suzy Vissers, photography by Adam Letch

A guesthouse in South Africa receives the Moooi touch

ou might call it synchronicity – Dutch design from Moooi kitting out the interior of the luxurious and lusciously located Clouds Estate in South Africa. After all, the Cloud Sofa by Marcel Wanders is one of Moooi’s most iconic creations. However, the Clouds Estate – a seven-room guesthouse with five private villas - existed before it was extensively renovated by its new owners Jolanda van Haarpen and Paul Burema, neighbours of Moooi from the Netherlands town of Breda.

But post-revamp, the hillside resort which touches the clouds, is a zen-like cotton candy playground. Suzy Vissers, wife of Moooi’s CEO Caspar, has applied her visionary interior design skills to the boutique hotel resort, contrasting the rugged landscape of the Simonsberg Mountain, Helshoogte Pass and Banhoek Valley in South Africa’s Cape vineyards region, with the functional beauty and clean architectural lines of Moooi signatures such as Container tables, Monster chairs and Egg vases.

Clouds - South Africa, Stellenbosch, interior design by Suzy Vissers, photography by Adam Letch

There is juxtaposition between the exterior and interior – the panoramic views can be enjoyed from the supreme comfort of Moooi’s furnishings (and also the infinity pool and breakfast terrace) – and also the ultra-futuristic and traditional. Not only do Wanders, Vissers and Moooi like to play with fresh media such as carbon-fibre and papier-mâché (the main ingredient of the Paper Buffet designed by Studio Job), but they also pay homage to Dutch tradition with the Delft Blue No.12 vase, and colonial heritage is conjured up with the Horse floor lamp (designed by Swedish design duo Front), a feature in the dining and lounge areas. Perhaps the piece de resistance is Bertjan Pot’s Non Random Light, made of epoxy resin-soaked fibreglass. Is it a ball of yarn or a cascade of soap bubbles? Whatever it is, it’s magical.

Landscape, Jeffrey Burnett

SIT BACK, RELAX AND KICK OFF YOUR SHOES

The inspirational interiors at B&B Italia are built around these stellar seating designs

ABOVE: Arne, Antonio Citterio

FACING PAGE: Bend Sofa, Patricia Urquiola

Coronado, Afra & Tobia Scarpa

FACING PAGE: Husk chair and Tufty Too sofa, Patricia Urquiola

ABOVE: J.J., Antonio Citterio

FACING PAGE: Serie Up 2000, Gaetano Pesce

Frank, Antonio Citterio

Viva Venice W o r d s : Miriam Dunn

Located on the majestic Grand Canal, in the picturesque district of San Polo, the Aman offers visitors to the floating city a taste of bygone luxury Venetian style, set off by contemporary furnishings from B&B Italia, aplenty

ot many cities, in their entirety, have earned themselves a UNESCO World Heritage Site accolade. But then, Venice, which sits atop 118 islands, separated by meandering canals and linked by elegant, arched bridges, is unlike any other city ever built. A magnet for culture vultures, art lovers and romancing couples, the attractions of this floating hub in northeast Italy are as plentiful as they are diverse. For some, a tour of Saint Mark’s Basilica would top the list, while others may simply wish to witness a glorious sunset aboard a gondola.

Boats are an integral part of getting around Venice and, if you decide to stay at the majestic Aman, Canal Grande, Venice, they will also ferry you to your accommodation. This glorious resort is housed in Palazzo Papadopoli, a statuesque building dating back to the 16th century. The palace, which is still home to its owners, Gilberto and Bianca Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga and their children, was recently renovated and now showcases a winning combination of Neo-Renaissance and Rococo décor, alongside contemporary furnishings from the luxury furniture company, B&B Italia. After disembarking, guests are led into the resort’s reception hall,

complete with soaring ceilings and historic frescos, recalling the luxury and elegance of Venetian yesteryear. The ambience permeates through the resort, from the gilded dining rooms, which feature the original chandeliers, to the historic library. One of the Aman’s many delights is its beautiful gardens, which provide a refreshing and rare green haven in the city. The gardens also offer access to San Polo’s glorious palaces, churches and bustling market. An elevator takes guests to a second oasis - the hotel’s roof terrace – which is well worth a visit at sunrise or sunset

and, on a clear day, offers views of the distant Alps. Another hidden treasure is the resort’s spa, where guests can unwind in one of three treatment rooms or relax in a soak tub. Old meets new in the Aman’s spacious accommodation, where decorative, protected frescos sit perfectly with B&B’s contemporary furniture. Minimalist themes dominate, with white, leather bedheads and grey upholstery providing crisp, clean, lines, while views out over the canal and garden serve only to remind guests of just why they opted to visit this phenomenal, floating city.

Photo Michel Gibert. Photograph used for reference only. Special thanks: TASCHEN, www.sebastienkito.com

European manufacture

Trinidad large 3-seat sofa in leather, design Sacha Lakic. Ferdinand modular wall units, design Jean-Franรงois Marchou.

BEIRUT DOWNTOWN 33 rue Weygand Tel: +961 1 986 888/999 beirut@roche-bobois.com

See www.roche-bobois.com for collections, news and catalogues

lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art de vivre by roche bobois

Words by:

A l i a

F a w a z

f you are looking for a truly original gift or perhaps some decorative items to liven up your living room, check out the new store by Lebanese design and branding maven Rana Salam. After a successful pop-up shop at the Beirut Souks and the launch of on-line store mishmaoul.com, it was due time for Salam to set up her eponymous bricks and

mortar space so fans can permanently browse through her delightfully catchy and perky merchandise. The products range anywhere from $6 going up to $3,000 and are all designed in-house. They vary from kitchen towels, aprons, place boards, tables, cushions and vintage signs and objects that are sourced from Beirut and the UK. Stylish “pop art” with Middle Eastern references, from

Egyptian film stars and Arabic calligraphy to iconic brands adorn her products that cleverly evoke nostalgia from the past in a fresh, contemporary way. The shop décor is striking and very graphic while products are positioned in a playful and unconventional way, as you may find them at a home in its natural surroundings. Salam playfully pens her signature unrestrained style “glamorous Basta” (Basta as in the vibrant flea market in the Beirut equivalent to London’s Portobello).

Salam’s inimitable style and original products are beautifully displayed in this gem of a store, located in Ashrafieh, next to Albergo Hotel, which is open six days a week from 11 to 6 pm.

Rana Salam Design, 96 Rue Abdelwahab El Englizi, Ashrafieh 01/1200 180

A Jewel in the Heart of Badaro:

Smallville Hotel Words by:

A l i a

F a w a z

he recently opened Smallville Hotel in Beirut may be easily mistaken for a modern residential block. Its sleek urban façade injects a contemporary vibe to the leafy neighbourhood of Badaro. This new addition should certainly create another great excuse to visit the area best known for its National Museum and various academic institutions. Designed by Nizar Sabbagh Architects, the hotel was arranged in three different parts starting with the first two levels marked by an elegant monolithic black stone exterior. The next levels - which are from four to thirteen - have a distinctive façade resembling black wavy ribbons. These floors

offer 117 bedrooms and 39 stunning suites with wraparound floor to ceiling glass. Lastly the rooftop, which has a pool and restaurant, is where you get uncompromising views of the city and the area’s sprawling green hippodrome and park. The contemporary and slightly quirky mood is carried through to the interiors (designed by Architectes Anonymes) where no two rooms are alike. The spaces are more like modern apartments than your typical hotel room. The spacious accommodations with lots of natural light come with elegant greytiled floors, geometric wallpaper, comfortable couches and generous 42-inch televisions. You also have signature items in all the rooms: large metallic lamps that circulate between

the bed and working desk, charming cow-hide carpets and beautiful images of Beirut today from around the hotel’s radius. The hotel also offers three gourmet restaurants, a lobby bar, five meeting rooms and a stunning terrace that can seat up to 110 guests. Clearly the owners had in mind a hotel with first rate accommodations and amenities, but also a destination for the discerning stylish crowd looking for a place to “hang out” and meet friends on a Friday night. It seems that Smallville is going to be that special hotel that’s able to tick all the boxes… Smallville Hotel, Damascus Road, Museum District, Beirut - 01/619999

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THE HAPPY

PRINCE Words by:

K as i a

M ac i ej o w ska

he pair behind Oscar Wilde and Vyvyan’s have opened this casual eaterie off the main strip in Mar Mikhael. Constantly bustling with well-dressed hipster types eager to get a piece of the latest low-lit destination, it serves a wide range of dishes and cocktails but has become best known for its burger. Other options include dishes like seared tuna, healthy salads, a cold meats platter, a steak and egg sandwich, roast chicken and daily specials, including different pastas. The French toast and baked artichoke stand out as tasty hits with bloggers and reviewers. Deserts err on the classic side, with chocolate cake, ice cream and tarte tartin. The house cocktails are popular and there is a good selection of beers

– of course as well as wines. The design of this bar and restaurant centres around sweet rectangular wall insets full of plants, wood and wicker panelling, graphic cuboid lights with onyx panels and a large tree trunk strip that divides the bar from the eating area. Rustic details like the fabric napkin are welcome additions. Reportedly good for brunch and lunch, it switches from laid back by day to becoming more upbeat after 7pm, with an evening party ambiance that has become typical in this part of town. Service details such as valet parking and wifi mean you can cruise from car to bar without lifting your eyes from your phone. Alexander Flemming Street, Mar Mikhael, Gemmayze. Tel: 01 569040

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sweat in style rds by:

K as i a

M ac i ej o w ska

The new Beirut branch of U Energy gym merges design details with fitness expertise

rom poured concrete floors to exposed pipes and heavy metalwork, the look at U Energy’s new gym is firmly industrial. Located in Downtown at the Beirut Souks, this workout destination offers a functional space with added design details that mean fitness fanatics can lift weights, take classes or work the treadmill in style. U Energy first opened a branch in Dubai at DIFC The brand message centres around pushing yourself “further, harder, better stronger” and in keeping with this the walls are decorated with motivational messages,

including the famous Nike campaign slogan “Let’s go”. On top of providing different work out zones and stylish changing areas, both branches offer laid-back hang out zones where users can relax on sofas, read magazines, order healthy drinks and snacks from the bar, and chat with fellow exercisers. The club’s regular U Nights take things up a notch with DJs and cocktails until 11pm. Those who want to push their regime further can take advantage of the personalised fitness programme that the inhouse trainers can tailor around your particular lifestyle, body type and fitness goals. U Energy has put together a team of

trainers that each has a different style and methodology to give members the chance to find their perfect motivational match. For example Dana is the go-to expert in calorieburning circuit training, while Matt is the man to work with for martial arts. Additional details make U Energy a different sort of club. Nutritional advice is on hand and online (quinoa and soy beans feature heavily of course), charity work out events raise money for good causes, and it even offers fitness for children that focuses on agility, balance and rhythm. It’s more like a lifestyle club than a gym – although fitness still comes first.

Sketches of the Fair W o r d s b y : Rich Thornton

This year’s Beirut Art Fair brought the best art of the region alongside a top crop of SouthEast Asian talent to dazzle bigtime collectors and first-time visitors alike

FACING PAGE: Youssef Abdelke, The Knife and the Bird, 2007

RIGHT: On The Kitchen Table, Tarek Butayhi, 2013

ver 45 galleries from 14 different countries descended on the BIEL centre in Beirut this September for the fourth edition of the Beirut Art Fair. Hundreds of artists brought their work across land and sea in the hope of catching the eye of top international collectors, as the Beirut art world spent the long weekend sizing up their neighbours’ stands and deciding what’s hot and what’s not.

With the on-going crisis in Syria, it was unsurprising to see many Lebanese galleries displaying the fruits of Syrian artists who now find it difficult to work, live and exhibit on home soil. But for different artists, different strokes: some pieces, like Youssef Abdelke’s charcoal drawings, tackle the sad truth of war head on, while Tarek Butayhi’s oil paintings pull the seams of a deeper question concerning how women are treated in patriarchal states. One of the highlights of the Fair was the South-East Asian pavilion, a

ABOVE: South-East Asian Pavilion in the centre of the BIEL exhibition space

collection of art from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. With a strikingly different aesthetic to the bounty of Middle Eastern art on show, the Asian work offered insight into how another non-Western culture deals with the artinferiority complex which is cast upon them by the dominance of European and North American critics and collectors. Lebanese art also proved its mettle at the Fair with a section dedicated

RIGHT: A Quilt Called Wander, Anastasia Nysten

to photography taken during the latter part of the civil war throughout the 1980s. The exhibition-within-an-exhibition, Generation War, mixed comedy and tragedy as shots of tuxedo-wearing brass bands playing in bunkers brushed shoulders with claustrophobic moments behind bulletridden walls. Soaring toward the ceiling of the expansive BIEL hall, the bright blue, tenmetre high inflatable VIP area gave

ABOVE: Listener, Choi Xooang

BELOW: Polles sculpture at the Beirut Art Fair

organisers and gallerists respite from the traffic of the Fair. With drinks provided by Momo at the Souks, the rope-and-plastic structure designed and erected by Spanish collective Penique Productions added the touch of magic and alcohol needed to help any undecided investor take the plunge and bring home some world class contemporary art.

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Words by: R i c h

T h o r n t o n

Dutch bespoke art company Cobra Art allow their customers to choose the shape, style and even the content of their galleryquality yet affordable art

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n the 15th century getting the art you wanted was easy. You’d find an artist, tell him what to paint, and pay him. The only problem was you had to be obscenely rich to afford it. Five hundred years later and Cobra Art have finally brought the joy of tailor-made art to the masses. Based in the Netherlands but working through

outlets across the world (including, of course, Le Cercle), Cobra Art offers the buyer the chance to choose the content, style and size of the art they produce, all under the slogan “Finally art that suits you”. Instead of scouring galleries in search of the perfect painting to fit above the mantelpiece, Cobra will ask one of their artists to make whatever you desire. Jan

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Henningheim of Cobra explains, “We are unique in making beautiful gallery/high-end, worthy products but with reasonable pricing and making it accessible for the main public.” Although Cobra specialises in business-tobusiness trade – they make art for commercial organisations – they also use outlets like Le Cercle to reach art-loving individuals who have too much fun to keep an expensive painting in

their home. Jan hints at the lifestyle of the typical Cobra customer, “We create ‘fashion on the wall’ so it’s more like a statement having a piece of Cobra on your wall”. Whether you’re into fashion, contemporary design or just elegant furniture – a tailor-made work from Cobra will give your pad that extra jazz without the worrisome price tag.