HBL Blog of the Week: Swissmiss

Swissmiss

Swiss-born, New York-based designer Tina Roth Eisenberg is an extremely busy woman. Besides running Swissmiss, one of HBL's all-time favourite blogs, she also developed organisation app TeuxDeux, runs talks and events program Creative Mornings, has just founded a temporary tattoo brand called Tattly - and runs a professional design studio the rest of the time.

Such a varied and active working day feeds into the content of Swissmiss - posts range from great TED talks and inspiring quotes to innovative product design, cute kids' toys, interesting videos... the list goes on.

HBL loves: With an emphasis on communication design, the blog is a good way to keep on top of the latest developments in web programming and user interfaces - and Eisenberg's enthusiasm for the topic is infectious.

Compasso d’Oro ADI 2011: the award for best Italian design

Steelwood Chair. Designer: Ronan&Erwan Bouroullec (ERB Studio). Producer: Magis

This year 19 projects were awarded with the Compasso d'Oro. Considered the Nobel Prize for design, the Compasso d'Oro is the first and the most important industrial design award. Founded in 1954 from an idea of Gio Ponti, since 1964 it is managed by ADI, the Italian Association for Industrial Design.

HBL Tradeshows: Live from Copenhagen Design Week 2011

Grid at Copenhagen Design Week 2011

WGSN-homebuildlife reports live from Copenhagen Design Week, highlighting the emerging trends and top three brands seen at both CODE 11 and the off-fair events:

Wooden play: Different sorts of wood and wood colouring are being mixed to create a new feel to the Scandinavian design legacy.

Tweed fabrics: As we are moving towards wintertime, the old-fashioned woollen tweed fabrics are dominating the upholstery of new chair designs.

Wired: The use of wire lends a new and deeper expression to simple designs.

Subscribers can read our full live report here.

HBL Tradeshows: Live from Craft Design and Paralela Gift

Noble Savage at Paralela Gift 2011

WGSN-homebuildlife reports live from the second 2011 edition of the bi-annual Craft Design and Paralela Gift shows in São Paulo, Brazil:

Self reference: Brazil will host the Cup, the Olympics and is experiencing a moment of great self-esteem with the improvement of the economy and its image worldwide. In design, this whole esteem is reflected in the use of typical Brazilian materials such as straw, clay and wood, in references to landmarks and local crafts.

Orange tones: In colour theory, orange means power, creativity and enthusiasm. This colour can adapt more easily to an elegant and formal atmosphere than yellow, and is more joyful than red.

Personification: Backpacks, cups, aprons, mugs, candlesticks - all kinds of object get a human face. The effect is comical and sympathetic, as if the decor receives you well when you get home.

Subscribers, read the full live report here .

Homebuildlife on the road

Suited Case by Eric de Nijs 

September sees the WGSN-homebuildlife team hit the road for a busy schedule of talks, seminars, workshops and judging panels. Here's a guide to when and where you'll be able to watch our macro trends and consumer insight brought to life.

HBL News: £1 billion wasted each year in UK due to lack of insulation

B&Q autumn/winter 2011/12 press launch, photograph: WGSN-homebuildlife

New research from insulation experts E.ON claims that one in ten UK households are throwing money away by not insulating their wall cavities and lofts; citing as their reason that they simply "can’t be bothered". 9% blame clutter in their lofts, while 15% state that they do not know how to go about it.

The average home can save up to £390 a year on their energy bills by simply insulating their house, but 57% of Britons have not taken the energy saving step. 17% of respondents felt they couldn’t afford to insulate their homes when it can cost from as little as £99, pay for itself in just four months and help keep their homes cooler in the summer.

Ford unveils new concept car

Ford Evos

Yesterday, Ford anticipated one of its novelties for the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and unveiled Evos, a new concept car that marks a new design era for the company. Journalists and bloggers from all over Europe were invited to see the presentation in the German capital, led by Ford's Chief Creative Officer, J Mays.

HBL Exhibitions: The Living Room

Zimmer sideboard by Young & Norgate

Shoreditch store Luna & Curious will host a temporary exhibition, called The Living Room, during the London Design Festival this month. Co-curated by journalist Alyn Griffiths and designer Jonathan Krawzcuk, the show will present a selection of British design in its intended habitat, the domestic interior.

HBL Retail: Fornasetti Home Fragrances

Fornasetti Profumi Large Scented Candles

Fornasetti will add new designs to its Fornasetti Profumi Per La Casa home fragrance collection this autumn. Barnaba Fornasetti has created a range of new packaging designs for the collection, which includes scented candles, incense sticks and ceramic diffusers.

HBL Exhibitions: Live from Tendence

ASA Selection at Tendence 2011

WGSN-homebuildlife reports live from gift and accessories fair Tendence in Frankfurt, Germany. Here are the top three trends to emerge from the annual event so far:

Wood and biological materials: the focus on sustainable materials, bio-plastics and wood is becoming stronger and stronger. Non-biological plastics are mixed with bamboo or corn, but some products are made using 100% biodegradable materials.

Bicolour: ceramics, porcelain, melamine and glass products are presented in various two-tone styles.

Back to nature: inspirations from nature play an important role in both form and material.

Subscribers, click here to read the full live report.

HBL Book of the Week: Less and More

ABR 21 Signal Radio by Dieter Rams & Dietrich Lubs, 1978

Dieter Rams is one of the most important designers of the 20th century. Alongside Dietrich Lubs, he was instrumental in shaping the future of electronic design during his tenure as chief of design at Braun from 1961-1995, transforming the anonymous grey box into an object of desire - and providing one of the main influences for Jonathan Ives' work to date at Apple.

LDF 2011: Marimekko at Heal's

Heal's and Marimekko will launch this limited-edition of the Mistral sofa, upholstered in Marimekko fabric, at the London Design Festival 2011

Finnish design brand Marimekko are to hold a pop-up shop in Heal's flagship Tottenham Court Road branch for next month's London Design Festival.