In a three part series featuring the modern furniture from Tonin Casa of Italy, Furniture Fashion will highlight the all original designs of one of our favorite lines. Here are some up to date TV stands / audio video entertainment centers that make the best of a small space while offering room for your components and a crisp clean look. Tonin Casa is masterful when it comes to furniture made from shaped and bent glass, some of which are available in a variety of colors to fit your décor. Most of the items shown are swivel units which make them as functional as good looking. Here are some of their unique TV stands that really caught my eye, I hope you enjoy them.
Can their be any better branding than being called a margarita machine from Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville? Have you stepped on a pop-top and blew out your flip-flop? That being said there are lots of blenders and other gadgets on the market. I must say that I was not a believer when I first saw this product. It's not cheap as well, priced at $380. Well I have one of these gadgets so let me tell you more about it.
The first thing is that there is a compartment that holds the ice above the pitcher. In the picture, this is the clear plastic area above the pitcher. The ingredients all go inside the pitcher itself. The dials on the margarita machine are very simple. The settings are for 1 drink, 2 drinks, or 3 drinks. The neat thing about this is that the machine makes the same amount of ice each time based on the selection. Once fired up, the ice is shaved by the motor on the top down into the pitcher. Once enough ice is shaved into the pitcher, the blender itself fires up. It blends the drinks and pauses. Then it blends the drinks a second time. The motor itself is a 550 watt behemoth. It sounds like a large motor when it fires up! This is great since often times blenders don't do a good job of blending ice. Shaving ice requires even more power, so this margarita machine certainly has enough power to get the job done.
The drinks are top notch. I must say that I was very impressed. They are restaurant quality. Now if you think about it, a margarita in a restaurant may cost from $7-$10. So if you make them at home, it would not be long until you came up with the cost of the device. I think a main difference between this and other blenders is the shaving of the ice. I firmly believe this is what makes the texture of the drink restaurant quality. The machine can also make other drinks such as smoothies, sliders, and daiquiris. The margarita machine is attractive itself featured brushed nickel, clear plastic ice container, and a pitcher trimmed in red. It is some what heavy due to its large motor and measures 17 3/4" h x 22" w x 12" d. Available at: Bed Bath & Beyond. Price: $380.
This year at the Milan Furniture show in Italy of course, Tonin Casa made a great showing with their collection of all original modern designs. Furniture Fashion will bring you some of the outstanding items that have made Tonin Casa a real quality find in today's world of cheaper and faster. Here are some of the coffee tables that caught my eye for obvious reasons. You will notice a wide selection of round, rectangular, and oval coffee tables that are available in a myriad of frame and glass colors with a variety of trim and edge options. Enjoy this three part series which will highlight some affordable outstanding modern furniture for all areas of your home.
A small space secretary desk can be the right solution for many rooms. I enjoy having a desk to write out bills, work on a computer, and draft letters. However, finding an ideal space in the home can be a challenge with a desk. Further, a desk often does not blend in well with the remainder of the surroundings. For those people will lofts, flats, or small apartments, it's a double whammy. I have never been a big fan of having a desk in the main room of these living spaces. It usually does not flow well. At least today laptops have taken care of issues such as large computer towers and cables while trying to maintain an attractive overall room appearance. The secretary desk featured here is a small model measuring 40"w x 20"d x 59"h. With being only 20 inches deep and its ability to fit along a wall, the desk can fit in many room settings. I like the fold up shelf which can cover up stacks of paper and other items that you may not want visible at all times. The secretary desk is made of wood stained in a combination of chocolate and white. Available at: West Elm. Price: $799.
Established & Sons has always had a keen eye for cutting edge design, and their latest limited editions series includes a collection from Amanda Levete, appropriately named Future Systems. Among the super slick furniture items in the 2008 collection are three releases that are quite original. The "East" marble desk made from Nero Marquinia black marble relies on the owner's wall for support but stands on its own when it comes to style. Levete also designed the "West" walnut bench with a free flowing organic shape, and it would seem she doesn't use straight lines very much. The third is the winner of the Design Week award in which the Judges were impressed by the fluidity and seamlessness of the design. Made from fiber glass reinforced plastic, the Drift Bench seats six people comfortably and comes in three vibrant colors. The items in the Future Systems series are limited productions ,but there are many great designs in the Established & Sons line up that are quite attainable.
Today as I was looking around I found three great benches from Pottery Barn Furniture. A bench is a great way to have a stylish piece of furniture that can fit along a wall and not take up too much space. Besides the benefit of fitting into a small space, a bench offers flexibility when you need extra seating. Rarely, do we max out our seating in the home, but it can happen on occasion. A bench can come quickly to the rescue! The three benches that caught my eye were the Blanca Settee, the Caitlin Bench, and the Kilim Bench.
The Blanca Settee features a traditional, classy look. A great feature of this piece is the wide array of fabric colors offered by Pottery Barn Furniture. By my count, there are 73 color or pattern options for Blanca making this sure to match the colors of your home. Product: Blanca Settee. Price: $749- $899. Dimensions: 54 x 20 x 25" h.
The Caitlin Bench features a large cushion covered in neutral color fabric. The wood frame and legs are finished in antique white. By adding a few colors from your homes with a throw blanket or decorative pillows, this bench becomes one with your home's décor. This bench also works in a bedroom as a place to stack pillows and linens when removed from the bed. Product: Caitlin Bench. Price: $299.00. Dimensions: 45 x 20 x 17" h.
The Kilim Bench makes a much stronger statement than the other two benches. Featuring bold rich colors, patterned fabric, and espresso stained wood, Kilim is sure to draw the eye of any house guest. I envision this piece in a lodge or a home where the colors are bolder. The fire and rugged carpet from the picture give me the image of a ski chalet housing these two benches. Product: Kilim Bench. Price: $499.00. Dimensions: 48.5 x 20.5 x 14.5" h.
Furniture Fashion has shown our readers the traditional side of Alno and their Designer Country Kitchen collections, so here is a good look at a sampling of their contemporary and modern kitchens. This is a timeless modern look that offers a low maintenance and practical layout with ample storage space and well placed necessities. Alno uses surfaces that are coated with high quality foil and semi-gloss surfaces that blend well with the edges depending on the series you choose. Alno offers a Lifestyles, Country, and Home kitchen series with three distinctly different looks for a wide array of options. Within each category you'll find layout and color combinations to fit your idea of kitchen perfection.
Pictured is the Stalagmite dining table by Paul Evans made in the early 1970s. Paul Evans is a sculptor and furniture designer that was first discovered in an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York City in 1957. For any of us that have toured a cavern you can see stalagmites were the design inspiration for the base of the dining table. The base is made of sculpted bronze. The rectangular table top is made of glass. Market value: $4,800-$5,800. Dimensions: 96"w x 48"d x 29"h.
Turkish manufacturer VitrA teamed up with well seasoned designer Ross Lovegrove to create the MOD series of lavatories, plumbing fixtures, and bathroom accessories that live up to their name. This very modern collection makes a big impact from small scale products like the pedestal sink with handy shelf in a subtle steel or bold contrasting green. The 26" sink also comes in a wall mounted version if that suites the room better. The collection also features a very unique toilet with defined lines and several complimentary plumbing fixtures .VitrA founded in 1942 has become a global brand and a leader in earthenware that transcends ordinary. Their vision sees the bathroom as a recess for tending the spirit and pampering the body, a vibrant, adaptable, fluid room where flowing water is part of the furniture.
If there is one place you do not want to compromise it is your baby nursery. For the style and safety conscious parent, the Oeuf baby crib is a staple centerpiece for the clean nursery look. Like European cribs, Oeuf utilizes fixed side rails and a lower center of gravity, creating the up most of safety and longevity of use. The sides, foot board, and headboard are all cut from single sheets of wood panel to eliminate the hazard of loosening joints. As your child grows the crib easily converts to a toddler bed with a bed conversion kit maximizing your investment. The Oeuf crib is available in white lacquer sides with solid birch base in natural or walnut stain. Changing table shown sold separately. Birch $890 Walnut $920
Dimensions 54.25"W X 30.25"L X 36"H
Dimensions for mattress 28"W x 52"L