Luxury Gadgets

Netsurfer Ergonomic Computer Chair

Swedish design company Snowcrash is responsible for this ergonomic masterpeice which it has dubbed the Netsurfer. The semi-reclined seating position has the neck, arms and legs all supported in such a way that it is comfortable for extended periods of internet, game or computer usage. The major drawback is the price - $2790. Snowcrash designer Ilkka Terho comments on the design of the Netsurfer thus: ‘When we got the first computer in our office, a big slow thing, we were more or less playing around. We wondered why it just sat on the table. There was the technology and there was the furniture, but there was no connection. It was just the time when people started buying computers for their homes but nobody was doing new sorts of furniture. We began to test out different ideas using bits of furniture in our very messy office. We came up with this idea based on a motorcycle and the way you have the engine between your legs. It was a bit tongue in cheek - all those phrases like the information highway were in the air at the time.

Add comment February 11th, 2006

Aquarium washbasin

The Moody Aquarium offers an interesting “blank canvas” for those who wish to really personalise their bathroom. Billed as an aquarium, the huge glass enclosure which forms the basin could be used in a variety of ways to create an absolutely unique bathroom feature. Ifyour imagination isn’t up to it, there’s always the opportunity of waking up to splash your face in turquoise waters amongst tropical fish.
Designed by Luigi Boni and manufactured by Italbrass, the Moody Aquarium Washbasin is watertight and made from solid glass. Two openings are blended in to the design under a facade of soap dishes on either side of the basin to allow access. The standard features of any aquarium come with the design including a power-head to provide water circulation, oxygenation and filtration, a sand bed and lighting to keep the fish happy. It’s mounted on a chrome finish brass stand with a front towel rail.
If you prefer your wash basin less animated it can alternatively be set up as a Zen garden or pebble river bed. Priced at US$4900, the Moody Aquarium Washbasin can be matched to other themed bathroom fixtures manufactured by Italbrass.
Despite its striking design it’s hard to say how happy Nemo will be in the wash basin aquarium. With a drain pipe at the centre of their universe leading to a dark oblivion, hyper stressed fish could prove a problem.

Add comment February 11th, 2006

Bathroom Fixtures

MEM is a series of bathroom fittings from Germany’s Dornbracht. Nice fittings, but awesome bathrooms. I was looking for an excuse to show these images. Actually, the series features a wide selection mix-and- match fittings and modules, some of them very clever and simple.

MEM is not a new self-contained series of fittings, but more an ongoing process looking to provide answers in response to the personal requirements of every individual person in the bathroom. This concept takes shape in mix-and-match fittings and modules, as well as in idea drafts and perspectives. With their flat, wide spout, the MEM fittings represent a fresh, elementary approach to the aesthetics of fittings.

Add comment February 11th, 2006

Diamond Spas’ soaking baths

The Diamond Spas bath and hot tub line understands the language of luxury. Whether you are looking for a contemporary or traditional design, Diamond Spas can produce a custom bath fixture that will take center stage. Diamond Spas’ soaking baths, whirlpool baths, air system baths and Japanese baths all contribute to pampering one’s inner self. Complete stainless steel and copper bath ensembles can be fabricated to compliment your choice of bath. Shower pans, pedestal, countertop and vessel lavatories all come together harmoniously, creating a modern and inviting bathroom. Let Diamond Spas elevate the level of your bathroom from merely functional to a tranquil haven devoted to beauty and relaxation.
In addition, DSI offers a stainless steel hot tub line. This line also includes cold plunge spas and swim spas. DSI stainless steel spas offer unmatched durability to the spa market. Diamond Spas has the technology to fabricate any size or shape. Custom spas are built to client specifications. DSI has built residential spas and commercial spas. The DSI engineer staff can assist you with every aspect of creating your ideal spa package. Diamond Spas has the capabilities to provide you with a private ticket to relax, immerse and indulge in the benefits of hydrotherapy.

Add comment February 11th, 2006

Bean There, But Haven’t Done That!

Ambient Lounge has redefined bean bags for an upscale urban market that wants style that is casual and sleek.
The new online retailer Ambient Lounge has revolutionised the bean bag market in the UK and Europe by introducing new shapes that are not only quantum improvements in comfort and function, but reflective of the modern style, colours and tastes of home wares today. Rather than being an embarrassing luxury shoved into the cupboard when guests come around, Ambient Lounge bean bags are now a centerpiece of style & quality in many people’s living rooms. With the outstanding new designer range developed by their interior design team, this is set to accelerate exponentially into 2006 and beyond, both in the UK and style driven European markets such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden.
Inspired by sophisticated European style, the Milano is the Godfather of quality and comfort in the beanbag world! Made from soft faux leather material; the distinctive chesterfield buttoned piping and generous sitting area and supportive backrest makes this more a designer sofa than bean bag. It’s sure to be a centrepiece of expression and decadence in any home, apartment, studio, cafe or reception room.

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Design Consistency

Designer Quynh Dang established Element Living back in 2003. Since then he’s built a solid body of work with one quality design after another.
Element living is a design house that strives to heighten our experiences and enjoyment of our surroundings by providing products of beauty, simplicity and utility.

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Globe Shopper Cabas by Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton
Globe Shopper Cabas GM
Price: $1,570.00

The largest of the new Globe Shopper collection, this refined tote proudly touts the line’s signature historic Louis Vuitton logo. Printed on a linen patch that sits atop the fine cotton-and-linen canvas, the logo gives the bag a look that is at once traditional and modern for a very now appeal.
Cotton-and-linen canvas with antique brass hardware
Historic Louis Vuitton Trunks Bags logo printed on front
Natural cowhide trim and linen patch
Two engraved buckles at each side expand or contract the bag’s capacity
Polyester straps with antique brass links
Polyester-and-cotton Monogram Mini lining with interior pocket
Front zipped pocket and patch pocket
Interior snap-hook closure
Protective natural cowhide bands with four metal feet on bottom
20.9 x 13.4x 6.7

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Singing Bird

Singing Bird for Jaquet Droz, Geneve. Made circa 1780. Very fine and very rare, gilt bronze and painted on enamel, eight-day going, center seconds, hanging birdcage clock with automaton bird, singing seven tunes on the hour and half-hour or at will.
C. Octagonal, the fine gilt bronze cage with eight turned pillars and vase finials, pierced and engraved side panels, wirework dome centered by a stiff-leaf cast terminal and ring suspension, the base with gilt bronze pilasters between green painted panels, each alternate panel mounted with a charming painted on enamel scene depicting a child enjoying a country pursuit and within a gilt bronze oval swag and trophy mount, the other panels set with cast and chased gilt bronze military trophies, the whole raised on eight stiff-leaf and flower feet. D.
On the base, white enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five minute numerals, arbor for the regulator. Pierced and engraved gilt brass hour and minute hands, blued steel center seconds hand. M.
The clock movement: Rectangular brass plates measuring 105 x 70 mm, fusee and chain, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance, blued steel flat balance spring, pierced cock covering the balance, blued steel endplate. The clock commands the striking, serinette and singing bird functions automatically on the hour and half-hour.
The serinette: Comprises a going train, fusee and chain transmission, the wheel train terminates to an endless screw on a fly wheel, the 2 wings of which are adjustable. This wheel train drives the bellows and the brass cylinder, 55 x 130 mm, the pins activating 10 levers that command the opening of 10 pewter pipes seven different tunes may be manually selected, by means of a wheel on one of the sides. A silent pull-stop is located on one of the sides. A pull cord commands the serinette and bird at will. The winding hole for the serinette is located on one of the sides.
The bird: With blue, black and white plumage, pivoting, with moving beak and tail. The bird’s functions are programmed by a particular portion of the serinette’s cylinder which engages several small levers; the bird’s rotation is driven by a rod connected to the going train. Dim. 50 x 28 cm.
Estimate: 110,000 USD - 140,000 USD

Add comment February 11th, 2006

Antoine Preziuso - Tourbillon T21 limited edition

Antoine Preziuso, Geneve, The T21, “Only Watch 2005″ T21 Muonionalusta Tourbillon, Piece Unique.
Few new watches can immediately be described as museum pieces. Due to the phenomenal interest it arouses, the T21 could legitimately claim a place in a museum dedicated to watchmaking, but also in a natural history, science or art museum. In addition to its technical qualities, the T21 represents a conversation piece that inevitably leads to deep and fascinating discussions and, on an even simpler level, inspires dreams. Dreams of space, of eternity, of the infinitely large and the infinitely small. With the T21, Antoine Preziuso has once again succeeded in offering us the gift of a good time Quote taken from GMT, Spring-Summer 2005 edition. Case: Precision-milled from a single piece of the Muonionalusta meteorite, circular, sloped bezel, downturned lugs, sapphire crystals, case back secured by screws. Bracelet: Mississippi alligator, meteorite buckle. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness: 10 mm. Dial: Milled from the Muonionalusta meteorite, luminous Arabic quarters, cut away at the bottom to view the tourbillion regulator. Luminous Feuille hands. Movement: Calibre AP/T21, manual winding, rhodium plated, hand-engraved decoration, double barrel, one-minute tourbillon regulator, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, 28,800 VPH, 72-hour power reserve.
Estimate: 110,000 EUR - 130,000 EUR
As the watches donated for this sale, are unique pieces or number 1 in limited edition, the estimates are based on the retail prices of similar pieces.

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“For The Russian Royal Family”

For The Russian Royal Family- Mermod Frères, Geneve - Sainte-Croix, No. 691. Made for the Russian market, circa 1900. Very fine, rare and important, miniature, gun metal, diamond and spinel set carriage clock with special striking and repeating mechanism and the original leather covered carrying case and key.
Multi-piece, Corniche scroll cresting set with old cushioncutdiamonds and spinels in collet settings, repeat button setwith a sugar-loaf spinel in a fluted setting, bevelled glasses, thefront glass etched with the initial beneath a Russian Imperialcrown. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outerminute track and Arabic five minute numerals, black scroll andbell-flower decoration. Blackened "spade" hands. M. Rectangularplates, frosted gilt, spring barrel, platform escapementwith lateral lever, bimetallic compensation balance, flat balancespring,index regulator, striking train barrel enclosed within thebase and with female winding arbour, operating hammer on ablued steel gong by means of a long pinion terminating in a horizontalwheel meshing at right angles with another wheel to liftthe hammer arm. Dial signed, case numbered.Dim. 77 x 46 x 38 mm.
Prices: Estimate: 4,500 USD - 6,500 USD

Add comment February 11th, 2006