eBARRITO : A Store Made of Cardboard

Designer : Francesca Signori in Milan

“eBARRITO is a green-thinking brand that specializes in bags and leather accessories with100% Italian quality – its ecological integrity extends right through – even to how its sales outlets are built! They are made from specially carved and shaped cardboard.  The new eBARRITO stores consist of modular, double-pressed cardboard walls equipped with wavy-style shelving – an  effect achieved with interlocking tubular sections and modular lamps resembling bird-cages.

A fresh new ethical style with a strong visual impact created by the designer Francesca Signori for the Milan-based brand.

eBARRITO is full of hope for the future –  its new ethical approach and world made up of perceptions and sensations.”

– FRANCESCA SIGNORI

View the eBarrito website. (awesome background music too…parlo l’italiano??? tutto va bene.)

Hello to you Mr. Naked

Yes, it is more Milan Design Week stuff. Yes, I do realize that it was a while ago now, but I just keep running into great pieces (and Italy is my second home).  This one reminds me of a friend.  It has great personality.  It’s easy to ship and treads lightly on the earth too.  Way to go Outofstock at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan in April 2009!

Naked Chair A chair made of solid beech and folded sheet steel, it can be described as naked because the chair’s structural frame is revealed in the seat and backrest, flaunting its construction as its principle aesthetic. The intention was to dematerialise the chair and present it in its elemental state. The chair’s strength derives from the action-reaction forces between the folded steel sheets and beech wood frame. The Naked Chair flat packs in transportation, resulting in a low carbon foot-print.

Italy Sketch + Blog

Learn about our experiences in Italy by reading our class blog (start with Monday Feb. 9, 2009 thru April 16, 2009).  I miss that place!

Amanda Eubanks : Italy Study Abroad 2009

don’t sleep dream = bel disegno de italiano [beautiful Italian designs]

– “Non Dorme, Sogna” translates from Italian into English as “Don’t Sleep, Dream.” I love it! Props to Plinio il Giovane.

– If you choose to check out their blog/site. Don’t let the Italian intimidate you.  Check out pictures and if you get stumped try this.

– I like the light in the window, “Riedizione lampadari”  [Reproduction Chandeliers]. They produced this in a limited series of lamps in American pine wood, hand built by Antonio Asnaghi designed by Mauro Bolognesi.  These lamps are inspired by the Scandinavian 50’s.

– Check out Mauro Bolognesi to see other furniture and fixtures that this Milan store has in stock.

– Delta-bo Project is another antique Italian store. It’s in Bologna, and has some awesome furniture and lighting.  I found it through a link on the Mauro Bolognesi site.

Hand-painted Italian Pottery

Deruta Pottery Collage : Deruta, Italy : Photographs by Amanda Eubanks : Study Abroad Spring 2009

Patrizia Moroso @ Milan Design Week 09

spot.id photography

I have found nothing but wonderful things about Patrizia Moroso. Her “Africa Meets Italy” exhibit was curated by Stephen Burks. I truely love the way they combine pattern, texture, and color.

Moroso_
“We wanted to showcase the creativity of a few of the great artists and exponents of contemporary African culture,” explains Patrizia Moroso, who devised the event, “because looking at Africa through the eyes of contemporary art, photography, architecture and design is perhaps the most appropriate way of approaching this vast, powerful continent, so creatively rich and diverse that today it is still one of the greatest sources of inspiration for modern design”. African-American designer Stephen Burks was asked to design the exhibition (held in Moroso’s Milan showroom)

Watch an interview with Patrizia Moroso.