December 2004 / Design & Differentiation


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Features and Articles

A unique hiding place and a form of abstract art

Jennifer's December Diaries '04

Paris — In this issue, Differentiation & Design peaks into the evolving market in China as well as hospitality, intellectual property rights, and emerging trends. How do you use design to differentiate yourself from the competition to secure a competitive advantage? Read Jennifer’s tidbits on GE, Coca Cola, KFC, Nelson Mandela, and traveling to see how they apply to our industries. Plus, visit our gallery of hidden secrets.

A settled case with ACID

A©ID Can Burn

Everywhere — The design and textile industry is on the brink of entering a new era and consequently, the need to protect a design has never been greater. A©ID (anti-copying in design) is a hard hitting international organization leading the war against intellectual property infringement by supporting both emerging designers and established names. In this gallery view and ponder over products of recently settled cases.

Ecofriendly feelings combat fear

FEAR: Read this to Know

Stockholm — Fear needs to be taken into consideration when designing for the future; design is being redesigned as the importance of design is increasing in society. On a global scale the issues encompass economical, environmental, and social issues. From virtual architecture, eco-friendly products, designing that fights crime or encourages it, political art, homeopathic products, to raising the public’s awareness, our industries must turn to designing responsibly.

A VIP at the Arts Hotel?

Lisbon — Located just minutes away from the Exhibition Center, this four star hotel is a perfect example of how a new breed of hotels is following the latest design trends. The VIP Arts is definitely in the design loop on the latest goods. Even the exterior is something to stop passersby for a closer look.

The Italian Suite

The Italian Suite

Florence — Micheli blurs the line between sleeping and bathing by making the shower the centerpiece of the room. Let’s face it; nothing beats a pounding shower or relaxing bath. Micheli’s ultimate objective was to design an amalgamation of a hotel suite and a wellness center that emotionally and sensorially engaged his visitors.

The Future of Furnishing Hotels

Brussels — Hotel interiors are becoming increasingly susceptible to design trends with an average hotel room lasting fewer years in order to avoid becoming passé. In this Hollywood obsessed era, hotel interiors must now exude glamour and luxury for today’s increasingly demanding, sophisticated and critical clientele.

Buddha's Boudoir

Multiple European Cities — At first glance, these images of opulent rooms and products seem a far cry from the Buddhist philosophy, but there are unmistakable signs pertaining to the life of the Buddha and his staunch principles. The rich colors, array of objects and Japanese influence reveal another side of Zen.

Storage in unexpected places

The Doors

Multiple European Cities — This carefully named gallery is a subtle indicator of how that revolutionary epoch’s ideals can apply to current designs. The legendary Jim Morrison, front man of The Doors said; ‘I like ideas about the breaking away or overthrowing of established order.’ Judging from these images, this corresponds to the design of these doors, which have character all their own.

Pear wood and silver fuse together as one

Night and Day

Paris — Do not underestimate this German beauty. By day, Christine Korbmacher strides the corridors of Sanofi-Aventis, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, as a clinical trial manager – project leader in the neurology department. By night, she is a talented artist whose creations have more than just a touch of class.

The Uber-Trendy Svenskt Tenn

Stockholm — Svenskt Tenn, the ultra trendy Swedish store began with the sole intention of reinventing pewter as a contemporary designer material. Located on Stockholm’s waterside boulevard, Strandvagen, today, it has become Sweden’s most prominent home furnishings store.

Damask devinity

Demasking the Future

Multiple European Cities — Gone are all the traditional notions that one might associate with damask. No longer limited to bedding, napkins or curtains, damask is covering everything! In this gallery, the unmistakable pattern has been molded into ceramic tableware, etched into plastics, printed on wallpaper and stenciled across wooden chairs.

Columnized

Multiple European Cities — This lighting colony of columns includes towering models to more modest blocks. In our gallery of images, you will find as simple designs as a light bulb inserted into stout purple glass, to more elaborate creations, in particular the metal column pierced with microscopic pinholes.

Sarogh Persian rug carpet

The Trendease Indicator - Textiles

Worldwide — Using data from eBay, The World’s Online Marketplace, in combination with our ongoing market analysis, we bring you this pertinent consumer market information on the textile category, including top queries, sales and images. See where comapnies like Ralph Lauren and Etro find inspiration.

Full 30% lead crystal chandelier 60” wide 78” high sold for $2,850

The Trendease Indicator - Lighting

Worldwide — Using data from eBay, The World’s Online Marketplace, in combination with our ongoing market analysis, we bring you this pertinent consumer market information on the lighting category, including top queries, sales and images. See that there may be an opportunity here...

Mahogany French grape night stand

The Trendease Indicator - Furniture

Worldwide — Using data from eBay, The World’s Online Marketplace, in combination with our ongoing market analysis, we bring you this pertinent consumer market information on the furniture category, including top queries, sales and images. See the case here!

Tiffany studios Damascene Art glass sold for $9,250

The Trendease Indicator - Pottery & Glass

Worldwide — Using data from eBay, The World’s Online Marketplace, in combination with our ongoing market analysis, we bring you this pertinent consumer market information on the textile category, including top queries, sales and images. Let beauty inspire you.

Complete collection of Bing and Grondahl royal Copenhagen plates from 1908 to 1973 sold for $7,100

The Trendease Indicator - Decorative Collectibles

Worldwide — Using data from eBay, The World’s Online Marketplace, in combination with our ongoing market analysis, we bring you this pertinent consumer market information on the decorative collectible category, including top queries, sales and images. Don’t miss this insight.

The paper magic up-close

The London Watch

London — This gallery is where to come to see what is hot in the London shops this holiday season. Right here you can peak into the windows of well-known retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Habitat, as well as smaller shops supplying hipsters with threads and accessories, gifts, and stationary. Read this month’s trend report on London now!

Ready for the holiday meals?

NEWSLETTER 49

Paris — ‘Tis the season. Decked out for the holidays, Maison de Famille, the three-story lifestyle shop, is laid out like a house itself, with bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms. Furnished with products from the simplest bedding and bath, loungewear, luxurious silver tabletops to comfy upholstery, they are ready for the festivities. You are invited to get in the spirit with this gallery of images.

Winter pastels for 2005 / 2006

NEWSLETTER 50

Multiple European Cities — Winter colors do not have to be dark. Analyzing color palettes for home and apparel for the Autumn - Winter 05/06 seasons we have been seeing quite an assortment of wintery pastels. With sweet vanillas to powdery greys, including blues and rosewood between, this gallery, with Pantone reference numbers, is an indicator of colors to come.

NEWSLETTER 51

Multiple European Cities — We have a few special treats for you this week! This month’s Trendease Indicators using eBay statistics and market research are posted, there is a special report on London that posted moments ago, and you have a chance to win a FREE individual subscription to Trendease by participating in the Name Miss TEI Contest! Feeling green? We are seeing green. Check out this gallery of interiors.

Galeries Lafayette light up the block

NEWSLETTER 52

Worldwide — ‘Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la la! The Trendease Team is in the holiday spirit. This week we bring you a gallery for everybody to visit! While some of the members of our team are a bit camera shy, the others are thrilled to share their smiles and holiday cheer. This gallery is for you, the Trendease Community, and we wish you a healthy and happy holiday.