Try your hand at the Spore Creature Creator and win free stuff from Big Download!

Visionaire's $150,000 Magazine Collection

The Wall Street Journal reported that Visionaire magazine -- a publication where design, marketing, style, trends and art intersect -- is charging $50,000 for a special Goyard trunk designed for its collectors. The handmade trunk will house the magazine's first 50 issues. This summer, Visionaire also will offer 10 complete sets of its first 50 issues in the Goyard trunks for $150,000. The customized steamer trunks, assembled by hand, will have shelves and insets designed for all 50 issues. Collectors also can buy an empty trunks for €34,500 ($54,000).

From its premiere issue in April 1991 (now up to 54 issues, with each issue typically priced between $150 - $350), Visionaire "challenged notions of what it meant to be an art and fashion publication and was conceived of as a venue for artists such as Mario Testino and Steven Meisel to publish personal work," WSJ stated. It has morphed into something more like a design challenge for its many contributors.

Each issue (which can take between nine months and three years to complete) is typically a mixed-media riff on a theme, posing an ongoing set of challenges to a small crew of designers. For example, White began with the question: How do you publish without using ink? Answer: a combination of Braille, embossing, varnish and paper-cut illustrations. Scent came with perfume capsules, Taste had specially-designed flavor-strips and Sound featured a Mini Cooper toy car that played record albums.

The New Bulthaup B2 Kitchen


The latest kitchen design from Bulthaup debuted in Milan recently and is based on the concept of a "kitchen workshop." Called the Bulthaup B2 it's designed to be personalized to suit each individual owner's needs and cooking habits, as each of the three main compartments can be easily modified and adjusted. The 'workbench' includes the sink and cook top, the 'tool cabinet' holds utensils, dishes, and food, and the 'appliance cabinet' holds (you guessed it) appliances like the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher.

One other nice feature to love about this kitchen: cleaning up has never been so satisfying because everything closes up and 'hides' out of sight when you're not using it!

Gallery: The Bulthaup B2 Kitchen

Famed Trianon Palace Hotel's $30 Million Makeover


The legendary Trianon Palace hotel and spa in Versailles, France where the likes of Marcel Proust, René Lacoste and the Duke of Windsor once frolicked has just completed a breathtaking $30 million renovation. Situated just outside Paris less than a mile from Louis XIV's famed Château de Versailles, the 5-star luxury hotel's upgrades include a new wing, Gordon Ramsay's first restaurant in France, a refurbished Guerlain spa, revamped public spaces and glorious gardens. Noted interior designer Fiona Thompson, who oversaw renovations to the 199-room property, has managed to modernize the 1909 building without detracting from its historic magnificence.

Gallery: Hotel Trianon Palace

Front desk.Lobby luxe.Green with envy.Suite life.Ballroom.

Johanna Keimeyer Recycle Lights


I'm not going to say that these Recycle Lights by Johanna Keimeyer are pretty because they really aren't (in my opinion), but that doesn't mean I don't like them. Inspired to re-purpose the ugly plastic bottles we all see laying all over the place to into something use-able again, Johanna Keimeyer took a trip through Europe that resulted in this unique collection of eclectic lights that incorporate bottles from water, soda, detergent, and numerous other products. They're especially interesting to me because they look so completely different when the inner bulb is illuminated versus when it isn't. Plus with all that melting and twisting they look really fun to put together!

Gallery: Johanna Keimeyer Recycle Lights

Celebrity Lamp


It's amazing how something so common and simple like a classic pair of aviator style sunglasses can be the inspiration for a gaudy (but still strangely attractive) lamp called the Celebrity Lamp. Named after the many celebrities who are more often than not spotted in public wearing their favorite shades, this lamp is made up of 40 pairs of mirrored aviator glasses resting on a shiny linear stand with a temple light switch. It's a shiny silver sculpture during daylight and becomes a kaleidoscope of color and light when turned on at night. Like I said, gaudy but strangely attractive... $1,600.

Via Dvice

Gallery: Celebrity Lamp

$400,000 Diamond & Crystal Champagne Glasses


Champagne is always considered a fairly luxurious drink (even when it's the cheap stuff) but any champagne, cheap or not, is sure to get a class upgrade when it gets served in one of these two glasses. Valued at $400,000 and blinged out with 1,700 white and pink diamonds the glasses were chiseled out of 8kg blocks of rock quartz crystal and it took 5 jewelers 3 months to put them all together.

The set was designed by John Calleija and although they'll be present at the opening of his second store in London they'll eventually be returning to the home of the Melbourne businessman who bought them and plans to turn them into family heirlooms.

D. Porthault Cashmere Picnic Blanket


I'm not sure you'd want to subject it to grass stains or beach sand but D. Porthault, the French company famed for their luxurious sheets, have created the first-ever cashmere picnic blanket. The 51" x 71" cashmere picnic blanket by D. Porthault is decorated with their signature Hounds & Hope design. The blanket retails for $3,600, and is also available with a tiger print design for $3,400.

The 1984 Fishbowl by Danny Cheung

I came across this gem while browsing pictures of unique children's rooms. Named The 1984 Fishbowl, this revamped design by Danny Cheung putts a modern twist on the age old glass fish bowl. It's quirky shape is eye catching, the windows are made of magnified glass providing a detailed look at your goldfish, while the opaque walls provide refuge. I love the retro look of this funky little fish bowl, it would make a stylish addition to any room, and I imagine kids would go nuts for it. Available online for $430.

The "Pantonova" Chrome Sectional Couch


Generally when I think of sectional seating a large, overly plush couch with too many throw pillows and a 90 degree angle comes to mind, the kind you sink into and can't get up out of without a helping hand. The "Pantonova" couch is something else altogether though, made of chrome steel it consists of 4 pieces that fit together to form a very cool looking (and also very uncomfortable looking) 74" sofa. Designed in 1971 it still looks modern and contemporary, and although cushions aren't included (you can ask about getting them though, for an additional charge) I think you would definitely need them (sitting on this couch without them brings to mind the infamous "waffle print thighs" that result from certain types of lawn furniture). $5,000

Via Design Mind

Gallery: Pantonova Chrome Seating

More Fire Glass Studio Jars


These hand-crafted jars come in such vivid lollipop-like colors they seem almost lickable. They are created by Elizabeth Lyons of More Fire Glass Studio and have inflated stoppers that give them the look of game pieces. Each one measures 19" x 8", they come in green, orange, or ruby and sell for $775 each.

More Fire Glass Studio is located in Rochester, New York and they also offer classes in making glass beads, jewelry and more.

The Star System Collection


Bright vibrant hues are totally in this season on the fashion front and if you want to translate the look over to your home decor also then a few pieces from the Star System collection would do the trick. Featuring candy colors in solid shades of orange, blue, purple, fuchsia, and white the set includes 4 versions from the small one-seater Starlet to the full-fledged Superstar. The "stars" are created with removable steel buttons (why would you want to remove them?) and the whole look is, to me, a combination of relaxed and in-your-face. Very glamorous.

Via Denzeen

Gallery: The Star System Collection

Charlotte Thomas Bespoke Sheets


Charlotte Thomas is already known for elegant, romantic bedding that speaks of old England but her Bespoke line goes beyond any luxurious expectations you could possibly have. With 1,000-count Egyptian cotton, 22 karat gold threads woven into super 150's merino wool and hand-loom silk, her Bespoke products are all made to order to suit your boudoir's essence and your desire. You are going to need some amazing lingerie to feel like you belong in such an incredible bed.

[via Aisledash]

The I.V. Plant Pot


Love to decorate your home or office a little on the bizarre side, and also have a hard time remembering when it's time to water your plants? This I.V. Plant Pot will take care of both those issues at once, and although it would be especially entertaining in a doctor's office you don't have to be medically inclined to appreciate both it's creativity and functionality (it really does water the plant). The set includes the stylish contemporary pot, a metal I.V. pole, and a refillable I.V. bag with a flow regulator that you adjust to fit your particular plant's needs. And the best part? The water goes into the pot, not the plant, so no worries about "finding a vein." £159.50

Via Denzeen

Gallery: The I.V. Plant Pot

Chubby, by Marcel Wanders


The Chubby armchair by Marcel Wanders is an interesting combination of cute, sleek, and modern all wrapped into one design. Looking like it was formed out of colorful Play Dough, the chair is smooth and round and looks outrageously comfortable -- although for real relaxing a higher back would probably be nice. It's available in 5 colors (white, black, green, red, and orange) and there's also a coordinating footstool called Chubby Low (see it in the gallery below) that looks like an overgrow piece of chewing gum. Good times.

Via Denzeen

Gallery: The Chubby Chair

Him and Her Chairs


I appreciate art just as much as the next person, sometimes even more so than average I think, and although these "Him" and "Her" chairs by Fabio Novembre are definitely interesting, there's just something about them that make me think eeeew. Maybe it's the idea of a naked person sitting on a chair? They kind of remind of this creation by Pharrell Williams.

Anyway, they're available in black, red, and white, and if you've got the right place to put a set they'll be sure to get a second look (and a third even) plus it might be fun to mix and match colors and make an even deeper statement?

Gallery: Him and Her Chairs

Next Page >

Categories
Apparel (593)
Art (185)
Auctions (438)
Big Givers (22)
Books (24)
Celebrity Shopping (607)
Charity (212)
Charity of the Day (135)
Children (26)
Cigars (200)
Cosmetics and Fragrance (165)
Decor (1777)
Dining (708)
Estates (2117)
Events (218)
Gadgets (946)
Garden (36)
Green (132)
Handbags (1138)
Holiday Guides (34)
Jewelry (851)
Journeys (1454)
Men's Style (35)
Pets (136)
Preferred (13)
Real Estate Developments (67)
Services (269)
Shoes (191)
Spas (231)
Spirits (480)
Sports (86)
The Classicist (11)
Timepieces (696)
Water (618)
Wheels (935)
Wine (860)
Wings (490)
Writing Instruments (149)

RESOURCES

RSS NEWSFEEDS

Powered by Blogsmith

Sponsored Links

Luxist bloggers (30 days)

#BloggerPostsCmts
1Deidre Woollard1583
2Rigel Gregg744
3Jared Paul Stern500
4Laura Malesich303
5Lisa Palladino180
6Star Sutherland150
7Marsha Reid10

Most Commented On (60 days)

Recent Comments

More from AOL Money & Finance

Weblogs, Inc. Network

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: