By TRINA O’HARA-THAWLEY

LIGHT-HEADED
DESIGNER FERRUCCIO LAVIANI CREATES PLASTIC A LA OPULENCE
PHOTO COURTESY OF KARTEL

JANUARY PROVIDES THE TIME-HONORED tradition of starting anew. It is also the time when design pundits predict the interior trends of 2005. Here is our guess for 2005. This will be the year for classic, luxuriously styled interior products using modern materials. Like the fresh and flirtatious “Bourgie” table lamp by Italian designer Ferruccio Laviani.

Laviani’s lamp is shaped like a Baroque lamp, only it is transparent polycarbonate plastic, a quirky reference to the precious, crystal lamps of yesteryear. It’s techno savvy too. The lamp has a clever touch-sensitive dimmer switch system, so a quick touch will turn the lamp on or off, while a longer touch gradually increases or decreases the strength of the light. Bourgie can be assembled at three different heights, allowing you the choice of table, desk or floor lamp.

Bourgie comes in transparent clear and black smoke color (¥28,000) or the seriously lavish, limited edition in chrome plate or 24-carat gold plate (price on application).

Available at Kartell in Ozone, 4F Shinjuku Park Tower, 3-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5322-6808 or visit the new flagship store in Aoyama at 2F Collezione, 6-1-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5468-2328, fax 03-5468-2327. Open 11am-7:30pm, closed Wed. M

TABLE TOPS
PATRICIA URQUIOLA TABLES A NEW DESIGN LANGUAGE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARTELANO

IF YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IS TO RID yourself of household clutter, then Spanish design superstar Patricia Urquiola’s collection will have you clearing the table tops with a sweep of the arm. Her fabulous “Damasco” stained oak tables, featuring lacquered inlay floral motifs (in white or gray) happily sit next to graphic retro ’50s and ’60s textiles, minimalist modern furniture or any design style in between.

“Hurricane Urquiola,” as she is known by her friends, has an extensive design portfolio which includes companies like Alessi, Kartell, Capellini, B&B Italia, Moroso and Molteni. She was named 2004 Designer of the Year by the Elle International Design Awards.

If you want to add these designs to your lust list of furniture, the round table (130x73cm) is priced at ¥262,500 and the rectangular coffee table ¥165,900.

Available at CIBONE, B1 Aoyama Bell Commons, 2-14-6 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3475-8017. Open 11am-9pm. www.cibone.com M

GLASS ACT
DESIGN LUMINARY PHILLIPE STARK REINVENTS THE CHANDELIER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF YAMAGIWA LIVINA

STARK HAS ELEVATED glassware a notch higher than the top shelf, with his latest design for the company Flos. His new breed of chandelier emits soft, low-voltage light through individual blown and hand-cut lead crystal vases, mounted on a clear glass platform that is hung from the ceiling. Call it ceiling frosting or jewelry for the home, this remarkable design provides evocative nighttime ambiance or daytime whimsy.

Cicatrices De Luxe are available in 3-, 5-, and 8-light versions. De Luxe 3 is priced at ¥273,000, De Luxe 5 is ¥336,000 and De Luxe 8 is ¥525,000.

Available at Yamagiwa Livina, 1-5-10 Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3253-5111. Open Mon-Fri 11am-7:30pm, Sat, Sun and hols 10:30am-7:30pm. Nearest stns: Akihabara, Ochanomizu. Also available at CASSINA, 2-12-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5474-6581. www.cassina-ixc.jp M

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