Month: April 2009

Luxury campers with blossoming eco-consciousness would not mind switching away from Airstream luxuries to the decent eco-capsule for their next adventure trip in the woods. Nice Architect’s Rolling Stone concept is part gypsy wagon, part RV trailer traveling capsule with aerodynamic lines and igloo looks. Each unit runs 270 sq feet and is designed to accommodate two people comfortably, and six people at the most. The insides feature a bedroom with a double bed and closet, a bathroom with a toilet, shower and sink, and a living room with a kitchenette. The units are designed to survive on their own and are equipped with either a solar system or wind turbine mounted on top. Below the floor of the unit are two reservoirs for clean water and gray water, which can be used for toilet flushing. A composting toilet takes care of solid waste, and an electric heater provides both heat for the unit and hot water. The eco-capsule is constructed from locally sourced wood and OSB panels. No word on price is yet available as this is in concept stages, but is clearly awaited.

Via: Ecofriend/Inhabitat

Incorporating the beauty of fire into any interior or exterior, the Condo Flare fireplaces are a stylsih solution to design needs. Condo Flare’s fireplaces are eco friendly in materials as well as the manufacturing process. All the products are handmade and look elegant enough to complement any modern decor. Many of the fireplaces use ethanol-based bio-fuel that burns clean without any odor or ash. Available in wall mounted and freestanding versions, the Condo Flare offers a range of fireplaces with unique design and characteristics. One of the fireplaces called Loft (80) offers a multilevel shelving opportunity that makes it fit for compact spaces. Another fireplace called Richmond (00) has a mid mount firing position and an oversized widescreen stainless steel backing placed in a ultra-red fire stone. On the other hand, the Roxborough (50) is a trendy fireplace with an asymmetrical slotting design at the bottom, which completes any room it occupies.

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If you are interested in fossils and fossil collecting, the auction house Christie’s is offering a rare, 100-million-year-old petrified shell of an extinct Canadian marine creature. This fossilized ammonite is expected to sell for a meager price, between ,275 and ,125. The ammonite fossil boasts naturally occurring iridescent colors, which were created when the original shell substance turned into a mineral called aragonite. It’s extremely rare, as the precious stone with bright and iridescent colors comes exclusively from southern Alberta. It’s the smaller of two ammonites being auctioned, and the bigger one is expected to fetch over 0,000. Recently, a 50-cm Alberta ammonite (completely opalized green, blue, yellow and red) went for ,000 at a New York auction. Pierre Pare, president of Calgary-based Korite International Ltd., said that the prices have been going up because there’s more and more awareness about the ammonite’s beauty and relative rarity. The exceptional thing will be auctioned off at the Natural History sale in Paris on April 7.

Via: GeekDad/NationalPost

Passionate lovers of fine timepieces love complications that lend a clock the flair of uniqueness. The house of BUBEN&ZORWEG, guarantor of bold innovations for the passionate watch collectors, presented its new, future-oriented masterpieces of craftsmanship at Baselworld 2009. A passionate desire for innovation, elite design and an uncompromising commitment to perfection have made the House of BUBEN&ZORWEG a top address for lovers of fine timepieces. Harald Buben of BUBEN&ZORWEG said that the basic concept behind the “Objects of Time” is to address all the senses and to provide a befitting ambience for time in its most beautiful form. Some of the highlights from BUBEN&ZORWEG presented at the Baselworld 2009 include the Vanguard, Orbit Tourbillon, Phantom, The Treasury and the X-007. Hit the jump to see excerpts from the press release.

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A bespoke Bang & Olufsen sound system has already been announced for the Aston Martin DBS Volante and now, it’s the Aston Martin DB9 to receive a bespoke audio system from the renowned house of Bang & Olufsen. Developed and designed exclusively as an option for the Aston Martin DB9 coupe, the new system marks one step forth in the commended collaboration between the two brands. The BeoSound DB9 continues the company’s strong tradition of technology, design and artistry. It has been designed to complement the luxurious, handcrafted interiors of the DB9. The aluminum loudspeaker grilles integrate seamlessly into the fluid lines and curves of the cabin. Turning on the system makes the twin acoustic lens speakers emerge silently from either side of the dashboard. The system comprises two tweeters, five mid-range speakers, three further tweeters and three woofers, along with a powerful 200mm subwoofer positioned beneath the rear bench. There are 13 speakers in total that are placed in 10 different locations.

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With those beautifully sculpted curves, this piano is no longer just a musical instrument, but an alluring piece of art. Spotted at a piano shop in Beijing, it’s a limited edition Ferrari-styled piano. Featuring a digital sound system and the microcomputer control system, this special edition piano enjoys the Ferrari red color scheme and smooth, lustrous lines. Meant for sale, the Pegasus Guoqin piano is priced at over 2.86 million Yuan (over US 0,000). With its curvy form, it seems like the Pegasus Guoqin piano could in no way stand still.

Via: Xinhua/Noblechinese

Comfortable, stylish and practical, a Creative Mobile Interiors custom coach will be admired everywhere it goes. The custom coach builder near Columbus, Ohio, furnishes your normal 45-foot-long motor coach into a luxurious rolling office, equipped with state-of-the-art luxurious amenities. Lately, Mischa Deeter, a 30-year-old stock trader from Austin, Texas, bought a 0,000 custom coach that integrates a DJ-ready Denon sound system with a 10-screen workstation command center. Creative Mobile Interiors took an empty bus shell for 0,000 and spend another 0,000 to customize it. The upshot was an ultimate luxury coach. Customizing at CMI falls between 0,000 and 0,000. The front lounge of the dazzling executive bus features dark walls, two custom white leather sofas and a 32-inch LCD monitor. Color-changing cove lighting lets the owner set the mood or program multiple light shows. LED accents line the counter edges and encircle the air conditioning ducts on the ceiling. The dining area comes equipped with a flat-screen TV.

Continue reading “Standard motor coach transformed into a luxurious rolling office”

For those who want to stand out from the ordinary, gold and diamond covered handsets may be the just right thing. A firm called Exclusive Me is offering exceptional pieces of luxury, striving to satisfy all your demands in your personal choice of gold, leather and diamonds. They cover your phone with gold, leather and high-quality diamonds. The handmade cases are done in 18k pure gold. Exclusive Me strives for perfection in every single detail. The phones can be had in your personal choice of gold – yellow, red, white or black. Flawless diamonds are used in the making, which are nothing less than VVS grading. The leather options include regular calfskin or reptile leather, durable leather like ostrich and exotic skins like sea snake and sting ray. They have a series of exclusive phones tailor-made to suit your personal business. Pricing remains a mystery, but that will be certainly sky-high, depending on the materials used and customization.

Via: Exclusive Me

Cigar aficionados won’t be able to resist these custom bejeweled cigar bands and gold ashtrays to make it strictly an opulent affair. The bespoke collection features two lines of products; Ysenbands feature cigar bands made of precious metal and fine Italian leather, and Ysentrays feature cigar ashtrays made of crystal glass with 24-carat-gold inlays. Every piece is unique, manufactured by hand. The Ysenband features an infinitely adjustable patented magnetic clip which allows it to fit any size cigar. Bespoke trimmings for initials, logos or emblems can be made in gold and diamonds at the customer’s request.

Via: Ifitshipitshere/Ysenberg

The French are known for decadent and risque lingerie, and Chantal Thomass does the style as well as any. With design cues that evoke a retro femme fatale, the pieces in the gallery above are each softened…