Molecule is part of the “Setcast” collection by British design firm voonwong&bensonsaw. This gorgeous dish is made of bone china, created at distinguished China manufacturer, Asianera. Molecule comes in two sizes (Small: 6.75″ x 5.5″ x .5″h and Medium: 8.5″ x 7.5″ x .5″h), and is available starting around $50 from Merchant_4.

London’s voonwong&bensonsaw was launched in 2001, and since that time, the multi-disciplinary design practice has completed over 60 architectural and interior design projects internationally. The partners draw upon their backgrounds in architecture, engineering and product design to lend a unique perspective to furniture, lighting, product design, architecture and interior design. Currently, the designers are working on new building projects in Singapore, Beijing and London, as well as designing a collection of furniture for the company Air Division.

To learn more about voonwong&bensonsaw, visit voon-benson.com.

*Images courtesy of Merchant_4.

Now showing at Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum: “Ted Muehling Selects: Lobmeyr Glass from the Permanent Collection.”

Jewelry and decorative arts designer Ted Muehling has been invited to curate a Cooper-Hewitt show of more than 100 pieces by legendary Viennese glassmaker, Lobmeyr. The resulting exhibition – which runs through fall 2010 – features J. & L. Lobmeyr glassware from 1835 to 2008 (spanning nearly the entire history of the firm) from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside original drawings lent by Lobmeyr, and other related works from the museum’s collection. The result is a thoughtful show, grouped by period, that demonstrates the timelessness of Lobmeyr’s glassware, the company’s influence on the modern aesthetic, and the its ongoing collaborative spirit.

Over the years, Lobmeyr has collaborated with an amazing list of designers and artists, including Josef Hoffmann, Adolf Loos, Michael Powolny and Josef Wimmer. The collection also features works by major 19th-century designers, such as Ludwig Lobmeyr and Josef Storck, as well as glass by contemporary designers like Max Lamb and Polka.

Muehling, who has also created his own designs in glass for Lobmeyr (see below!), brings a unique perspective to the show, and has chosen works that celebrate the art of drinking and entertaining.

Celebrated for its clear, simple forms, many of the Lobmeyr’s designs have been in continuous production since their introduction in the mid-19th century. One of Lobmeyr’s most celebrated commissions is the Starburst Chandeliers at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

According to Lobmeyr co-owner Leonid Rath, “Our parents conserved an appreciation for quality and the abilities of craftsman. We inherited a great opportunity…and we have a great love for designers in a time when people are fed up by superficial products.” Rather than compromising on quality, he says, Lobmeyr continues to create quality work that simultaneously pleases the contributing designers, the company and the public. “There is no tradeoff.”

“Ted Muehling Selects” is the 10th in a series of small one-gallery exhibitions in the Nancy and Edwin Marks Gallery. The museum invites guest curators from all around the world to create exhibitions and installations interpreted in their own voice from works in the museum’s permanent collection.

*above: Butterfly” Tumbler, pattern no. 279. Designed by Ted Muehling (American, b.1953) . Manufactured for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Austria, 2007. Glass. Museum purchase through gift of Arthur Liu and Anonymous Donor and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.

*above: Josephine bedside bottle. Designed by POLKA (Marie Rahm (Austrian) and Monica Singer (Austrian). Manufactured by Bšhmische Manufaktur for J & L Lobmeyr. Vienna, Austria, 2006. Glass. Museum purchase from General Acquisition Fund.

*above: Ambassador” wine decanter, pattern no. 240. Designed by Oswald Haerdtl (Austrian, 1899–1959). Manufactured for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Vienna, Austria, 1925. Glass. Museum purchase through gift of Arthur Liu and Anonymous Donor and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.

*above: “Black and Gold” Water pitcher. Designed by Karl Massanetz (Czech, 1890–1918). Manufactured for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Vienna, Austria, 1913–14. Glass. Museum purchase through gift of Arthur Liu and Anonymous Donor and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.

*above: Group of table glass, pattern no. 218 . Designed by Stefan Rath (Austrian, 1876–1960). Manufactured for J. & L. Lobmeyr. Vienna, Austria, ca. 1905. Glass. Museum purchase through gift of Arthur Liu and Anonymous Donor and from General Acquisitions Endowment Fund.

*above: Drinking set no.248 – “Loos.” Design: Adolf Loos, 1931. The bar set. The architect Adolf Loos was ahead of his time with this clear, uncompromising concept of form. This tumbler service is made with a so called brilliant pattern on the base. Each line is still cut by hand and carefully matt-polished. This series paved the way for modern glass design and is another Lobmeyr classic since 1931. This particular image courtesy of Lobmeyr.

*All photographs by Andrew Garn, except Drinking set no.248 – “Loos.” Images courtesy of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

NY-based designer Dror Benshetrit has designed the bottle for a new, modern absinthe called fenom (a la “phenomenon”). His launch party during last weekend’s ICFF showed off both the bottle – designed with the intention of reflecting its surroundings – and the beverage inside: an absinthe handcrafted from traditional herbs – including grand wormwood – by one of France’s few remaining absinthe experts. Unlike traditional absinthes, fenom is drinkable without the traditional preparation ritual of water and sugar; in fact, it’s best served as a chilled shot or as a base for cocktails.

Describing his design, Dror tells us: “A mirror has many unusual properties that, when applied to the standard shape of a bottle, give an individual the unique ability to interact with it. In a larger atmosphere, the bottle can capture the image of the entire party from its distant spot on the shelf.”

He goes on, “The ‘f’ also plays with the traditional curves of the bottle. From one angle it is seen as the letter ‘f,’ but when turned 90 degrees it appears only as a straight, sharp line. This encourages people to spin the bottle, allowing both the ‘f’ and the mirror to transform, and providing a playful yet intimate connection between the observer and the bottle.”

To learn more about fenom, including where you can pick up your own bottle, visit fenomabsinthe.com.

*Images courtesy of Studio Dror.

Created by American designer Felicia Ferrone, The Revolution Collection combines two glasses or bowls into one, so that contents inside appear to float, seemingly defying gravity. Handcrafted in the Czech Republic by master glassblowers, Ferrone first conceived of the Revolution Collection in 2001 while in Milan, where it was initially produced by Italian manufacturer Covo. In 2004, this gracefully simple set earned Ferrone a GOOD DESIGN award. Last year, it was inducted into the permanent design collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is currently on display in the inaugural Architecture and Design exhibition in the Modern Wing. They’re also available for sale through the Art Institute.

The current generation of the Revolution Collection includes the award winning Revolution wine and water glass, plus the new champagne flute, liqueur glass, carafe, large bowl, and small bowl. Formed from a pure extrusion of hand-blown borosilicate glass (a material that allows for a range of hot and cold applications), the collection is microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe.

For more info, visit the recently relaunched fferronedesign.com.

When great design inspires healthy living, there’s not much more we
can ask for. Y Water’s perfect union combines a cool and kid-friendly,
100% recyclable bottle with removable, biodegradable labeling and
a flavored, vitamin- and mineral-rich, low-sugar, organic beverage.
Once empty, the container becomes a toy that kids can link to other
bottles through biodegradable, connectable rubber “Y knots,” letting
them create spaceships, animals, robots, or whatever else their
imaginations can dream up. When all is said and done, parents can
log onto www.ywater.us and receive a free mailer to send the bottle
back for recycling.

The cheery Y-shape inspired the drink’s name, a playful riff on two
of the most commonly asked kiddie questions: “Why?” and “Why
not?” As Y-Water designer Yves Béhar says, “The brand, the bottle,
the graphics, the name … everything is one, connected by the idea
of giving a smarter, healthier and much more fun experience. The
category is so bland, so un-original … but kids are open-minded to
new and creative things, and that is what we wanted to give them.”

To read my extended review of Y Water for Clear Magazine, click here.

Droog‘s “Tableau Tablecloth” was created by photographer Maurice Scheltens using the photogram technique, and reveals the aftermath of a (successful?) dinner party. This super-cool tablecloth comes in 6 and 8-person setting sizes that’ll cost you a pretty penny, running $560 and $630 each.