Vintage markets in Brussels

Last month WGSN-homebuildlife paid a visit to the antique markets in Brussels to seek inspiration. The Sablon Antique Market and the popular Flea Market of the Marolles were crammed full of incredible vintage finds, but we were particlarly taken with the selection of beautiful gold gilded tea sets on show. Hand painted floral patterns in dainty pink hues trimmed with gold lace borders were everywhere. Here are a selection of our favourites.

Madokadoke by Ross McBride

This bracelet watch is the first outcome of IDEA International’s new project ‘Untrod’, which challenges designers to expand on established product typologies.

Cappellini at the V&A

Left to right: Tom Dixon, 1992; BarberOsgerby, 2000

As part of the London Design Festival this September, the Victoria & Albert Museum will host an exhibition chronicling Giulio Cappellini’s collaborations with British designers over the last two decades. Amongst the pieces on show will be designs by Tom Dixon, Jasper Morrison, BarberOsgerby and Raw-Edges.

FL Cocktailbar, Stockholm

A new Swedish speakeasy-style club has imposed strict etiquette rules on its patrons, including the instruction “a gentleman addresses a lady only when spoken to”.

Designer Makers at NYIGF 2010

Rachel Dormor Ceramics

This year's New York International Gift Fair proved once again the show's ability to bring together home and gift retailers from around the globe. While walking the show floor, one gets a sense of the variety that exists in today's market. HBL of course, is on the prowl for innovative and forward thinking design, but NYIGF addresses not only the designer market, but also traditional and mass markets as well.

Berlin Weekly, the shop that never opens

Artists and designers are given one week each to fill this Berlin shop window with a display of their choosing. The items on show are not available from the shop itself, which doesn’t open; instead, admirers can go online to purchase selected pieces from each display and learn more about the ideas behind them.

Dezeen Watch Store launch

Online architecture and design magazine Dezeen has expanded into retail, and will launch its online watch store during the London Design Festival this September.

One Glass promotes healthy drinking with design

A group of Italian designers from Verona have created a new wine packaging design that is intended to promote a healthier drinking culture.

Ørgreen produces special edition Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs

The creative worlds of product design and fashion will merge this September during the 2010 London Design Festival. Eyewear design firm Ørgreen Optics has joined forces with exclusive furniture brand Republic of Fritz Hansen(tm) to produce a series of Arne Jacobsen Swan(tm) chairs that feature the same Copenhagen skyline design as a new special edition collection of eyewear by Ørgreen. The chairs and eyewear will be seen for the first time in the UK at new contemporary design showroom EDC London, 18th September - 26th September.

Mutewatch launch

Swedish electronics company Mutewatch have designed an interactive wristband which operates as a watch, timer, and alarm clock with vibrating alerts.

Working Class Studio launch Fall 2010 collection

Savannah College of Art and Design's retail service, Working Class Studio, has launched its Fall 2010 collection, with products available including aprons, oven mitts, home storage and a lamp made of recycled album sleeves.

Diane von Furstenberg at Claridge's

Last month, Diane von Furstenberg became the latest fashion designer to turn her hand to interior design as she celebrated the launch of a series suites that she designed for London's Claridge's hotel.

Artopia by Oxfam

Human rights charity Oxfam is challenging Londoners to envision "a future free from climate chaos" by creating their own personal utopia over the next three days, at an event in Bethnal Green, East London.