my favorite five new things from dwell on design 2014

My third Dwell on Design Friday!  My first DOD, 2012, wow'd me. I was overwhelmed with all the cool things. The 2013 DOD seemed a little more lower key than 2012 for whatever reason although, I accidentally had my very own one second of fame.

 But... the 2014 DOD knocked my socks off. The exhibits and displays were impressive. And the Dwell Outdoors area was the best ever.

Having been to three now, you kinda know what to expect. I went in like a veteran, looking for something fresh and new. Here are my top five picks for new things that got my attention at the show.

#5 GE Monagram wall mount oven with French doors.

I am kind of a fan of the GE Monogram appliances in general as I have been shopping for a kitchen remodel for like two years. They are solid and look good. AND, they don't cost an absolute fortune and sometimes run deals and incentives (e.g. buy one get the next one for less ... blah blah blah). Their designer was standing by this oven demonstrating a new design.

This is a prototype which will be available in January. I really like the French doors and the shelves glide in and out very easily. My home originally had a wall mount oven that had been removed long before I got there. I may just go back to its mid-century roots.

The designer mentioned the oven will be manufactured with a black interior. I kind of like the demo navy blue. Yes?

#4 The Docking Drawer

This is a DAMN good idea. But, it just does not photograph well. Let me paint the picture: when rebuilding your kitchen or bathroom, you would mount an electrical box behind a drawer and hook up various plug-into-thingys.

Style drawer with a blowdryer.

USB adapter, iCharger... kind of drawer.

My friend, who came with me, observed that it IS a great idea but she would still find istuff all over the house, none of it charged. A pessimist. I, on the other hand, believe this drawer is the answer to my prayers.

#3 A new take on barware - Goverre.

Okay. You are thinking ... so what is the big deal? Goverre (any wine any time) are wine glasses that have lids for transporting your favorite vin. You can pull the lid off and drink, or use it like a sipppy cup. The glass looks small, but holds 17 ounces of wine (5 ounces or so constitutes one glass of wine). Yum-o.

These clever beverage containers have silicone sleeves, and are very colorful. They are shatter-proof because they are made out of thick glass. Wine drinkers know that plastic ruins the taste of wine. Perfect for a glamorous picnic at the Hollywood Bowl.

Or your next kid's soccer game. We like to be discreet AND stylish in Southern California.

#2 Super interesting cabinet knobs

This vendor absolutely fascinated me.I stopped, and talked and stared and took pictures. None of these pictures makes sense but I am going to 'splain. Let's start out with what it is. Contemporary Pull. Yes, that appears to be the company name. Super descriptive.

Okay, not enough? These are interesting handles which you actually inset into your cabinet door. They come with a template which your cabinet maker uses to route out the door and put the pull perfectly in. Oh so chic.

Do you get it?

Here is a table full of them.

Handles flush into the cabinet. I give up. Go take a look and let your imagination run for a bit. They will suck you in.

#1 Coolest chair ever.

It is covered in microsuede and really, really comfortable.

Lounge22 is the manufacturer and named it the Arctic Chair. Lounge22 was also showing a coffee table that impressed me with its spectacular versatility.

Good idea? This interesting coffee table was not on the Lounge22 site. The pieces swing out and provide more table for your guests...and their beverages.

And, not to overdo it, the coolest side table ever (goes with the coolest chair ever and is called the Ripple).

I think my home can only take one of the Lounge22 pieces. It is between the end table and the chair. The owner of Lounge22 was quoted in the OC Register remarking about the Dwell on Design show:

“My dream is to be in a hotel in Europe, for people to just turn a chair around and it says ‘Made in Los Angeles,’” said Armen Gharabegian, owner of Lounge22 furniture store in Glendale. His Eames-inspired furniture, such as tables made of bent bamboo, is designed and made in Los Angeles.

“We’re proud to build stuff in L.A., because we’re one of the best industrial cities in the world,” he said. “And I think that it’s time for the Europeans to start recognizing great American design again.”

Take that.

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