All posts filed under: Travel

Moroso

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Moroso is another store that makes up my favourite trio with Flos and Moss. This was the first store that had a lot of textiles on display that we visited.  The standout fixture was the huge white couch with the large, intricate black and white drawing behind it.  The drawing’s historical style contrasts with the modern furnishings around it.  It’s really interesting to see how each store is incorporated invisual displays.  Items from Moss, Flos and Moroso are together throughout the three separate spaces.  That collaborative sales pitch isn’t something I see often and very effective considering the niche placements of each store. The best way to introduce ourselves? Just telling you what we do. Since 1952 MOROSO has been designing its sofas, armchairs and accessories with wellknown designers such as Ron Arad, Carlo Colombo, Enrico Franzolini, Marc Newson, Toshiyuki Kita and Patricia Urquiola. MOROSO has been constructing its sofas and armchairs aiming at top quality. For its quality, the company was the first producer of upholstered furniture in Italy to receive on 24 June …

Flos New York

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Flos occupies the corner of the shared building with Moss and Moroso.  It’s home to some seriously hot looking light fixtures. You can find designers like Philippe Starck, Jasper Morrison and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni here. Today Flos is an international organization that offers a complete range of residential, commercial and even custom-made lighting products that can be seamlessly integrated in any office, hotel, or store, together with a specifically designed line of informative materials, among which a corporate manual. Flos contract division assists architects with the know-how it acquired over its forty years of experience not only as a manufacturer, but also as a specialty lighting systems designer for a wide-range of challenging environments, such as museums, stores, and theatres.(source) The store itself is quite minimal with a few tables. Most pieces are displayed on shelving built into the walls.  The standout item in the store is the oversized Kelvin LED lamp design by Antonio Citterio with Toan Nguyen in 2009. The Hooo!!! & Haaa!!! Lamp By Philippe Starck, Jenny Holzer, Moritz Waldemeyer and Baccarat …

India Diaries: Bracelet Overload

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When I was in India, I went crazy and bought at ton of cheap bracelets from the Dilli Haat market. I basically have sleeves of bracelets in different colours. Here are some of my finds that I’ve been posting on twitter. I’m wearing two sets here. The set that looks blue is actually purple. My friend Sonja got a good picture to some of my bracelets on the weekend. I bought a lot of blingy bracelets in India because they were bright and fun. I came home with sets of bracelets but I still wish I bought more.

India Diaries – Akshardham Temple

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I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see the Akshardham Temple properly. Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.(Source) My coworkers and I were loaded up with our stupid Western gear but you couldn’t bring anything into the temple with you. We opted to stare from outside a bit instead of leaving our stuff in coat check never to be seen again. From the outside the temple takes up a massive space. It looks incredible. It’s only …

India Diaries – Indian Paintings

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Some of my most prize possessions from India were the paintings I bought at Dilli Haat, a market in the heart of Delhi. This experience of buying artwork was interesting because I got to talk to the artist who was from Udaipur. He sat me and a coworker down in his tent. Most merchants in the market would have chairs for customers to sit down at. We poured over his prolific works of art each one more beautiful then the next. This is my favourite piece. The richness of the blues just sucked me in. This scan can never replicate just how detailed and beautiful his work is. This is the piece that was painted on old government paper. On the reverse side is a some Hindi writing. I have no idea what it says. I got these elephant silk paintings for my brother and mother.

India Diaries – Rickshaw Rides

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For the two weeks I worked at the host company’s office, my coworkers and I have had a fleet of cars to shuffle us back and forth to the hotel. On our last full day of work one of our coworkers arranged a surprise, cycle rickshaw rides. A cycle rickshaw is a pedal cycle with two rear wheels, supporting a bench seat for passengers. Most have a canopy that can raised to block the sun and rain. Up to this point, some of the group had been on rickshaws already. The rest of us were green and kinda terrified. After experiencing the crazy roads, I was in the latter camp. The hotel organized a bunch of drivers that lined the street outside of the hotel complex. However, there were some drivers that tried to muscle in on the action. I shared a rickshaw with my coworker but most of the group went solo. One of the drivers tried to lure my coworker and I with the sounds of English words. Our driver caught wind of …

India Diaries – Prachin Kari

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After visiting the Taj Mahal we were taken to a marble shop that specialized in created pieces using the same techniques that were used by the workers building the Taj. These techniques haven’t changed in hundreds of years. Marble inlay consists of finely chiseling a small layer of marble away in the desired shape. Then semi-precious and precious stones are cut to shape and placed in the marble. These stones included Malachite, Cornelian, Jasper, Lapis, Lazuli, Sapphire, Agate, Mother of Pearl, Conch Shell , Black Onyx, Amazonite Indian Jade, Tiger Eye, Chrysolite, Heliotrope, Coral and Turquoise. The technique is called Prachin Kari. The stones are cut using a moving metal wheel. Patterns in marble were drawn using henna dye because it could be washed off after the craftsman chiseled out the designs. A type of glue was used to bond the stones to the marble. Many pieces of stone were used to create the detailed designs. It’s painstaking and tedious work. The Taj Mahal uses this technique to display the blooms, flowers and writing as …

India Diaries – The Taj Mahal

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The Taj Mahal is stunning. I was in awe and even thought the trip there was hell on earth, I was glad I did it to see this marvelous structure. I was a little pissed off at how rushed our time there was. I wanted to spend more time studying the building and the craftsmanship that went into it. I could go off about how bitter I was with the filthy bus we had to take and how sick I am right now but let’s do that another time. The Taj was built by Persian royalty, well there 22,000 workers. It’s the ultimate dedication of love. After the wife of the king died he had a dream of the Taj and commissioned many architects to come up with the building from his dreams to dedicate to his dead queen. It took 22 years to complete and is made of pure marble. The queen and king are buried in the Taj and you could see their tombs inside. Again pictures do better than words and I’m …

India Diaries Housekeeping

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Hi, While I’m in India don’t expect quick replies to any email sent to me. I’m only replying to the most urgent of email as I’m here for work and don’t have much time for personal business. I will be back to my regular schedule on Sept 6, 2009. Thanks

India Diaries – Trident Gurgaon

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So you all enjoyed my business class pics. It’s just the tip of the iceberg. The hotel, Trident Gurgaon is ridiculous. Ridiculous I tell you. It’s like a freaking palace. We arrived at night but I got a chance to get some pictures during the day too. This post is better with pictures and little text. Enjoy.