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Monday 31 January 2011

Arik Levy for ACME

You might recognise Arik Levy for his furniture design for global companies, limited editions and installations although in truth his skills are multi-disciplinary encompassing designer, technician, artist, photographer and film maker.

Having moved from his native Israel in 1988 Levy studied Industrial Design at Switzerland's Art Center Europe. His current role in Paris with a strong design team lead by Levy and storng>Pippo Lionni sees him develop brand identity, packaging, signage, exhibition and interior design - really showcasing his all round talent for design.

This Honeycomb pattern for ACME shows his ability to adapt his art  and industrial talents to more accessible design pieces.

Honeycomb Pen £57.99

Honeycomb Card Case £32.50

Friday 28 January 2011

Rainbow Colours

This bright, bold Pictogram Clock will add a dash of rainbow colour to your walls. Featuring contrasting hands and face in a simple black and white combo and 12 different colours from the whole spectrum at a fantastic price to match, this is one instant update you can certainly afford!

Pictogram Rainbow Clock £35.00

Thursday 27 January 2011

Utility Winter Sale ends 31st Jan

There's just 5 days left to get fantastic discounts on great brands in our Winter Sale.

Bag yourself a beautiful CH25 Lounge Chair by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen from just £1,678.75 for the soaped oak finish with natural paper cord seat.

Made from solid oak the CH25 Chair's key characteristic is in the rear leg detail which arches up to form the seat base. This creates a sharp contrast to the front leg detail which supports the chic armrests at right angles.


CH25 Lounge Chair from £1,678.75

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Jakob Wagner for Hay

Our Hay collection is new for Spring 2011 and the simple but very lovely JW01 Chair was one of the very first pieces to be put into production by Hay.

Designed by Jakob Wagner the JW01 is full of design details - chic curved walnut veneer, smooth rounded edges and great proportions - all making is a comfortable, discreet seating option.

If walnut is not your thing, then choose the stained black ash option with either steel or powder coated legs for a contemporary interiors update.

Hay JW01 Chair Walnut £245.00

Hay JW01 Chair stained ash from £181.00

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Neon Style Statement

Make a bold style statement with one of our bright Neon Tube Lights from our new Hay collection.

Choose from six bright contemporary shades - you'll see none of that 1908s-esq lurid fluorescents here! Or pick a chic white and bundle several neon tubes together for a dazzling lighting focus point.

Neon Tube Light £39.00 each

Monday 24 January 2011

Eames Elephant gets digital

The iconic Eames Elephant by Vitra favourites Charles & Ray Eames provided the inspiration for Hella Jongerius' sweet Elephant Mouse Pad.

This adorable decorative mouse pad is made from two pieces of super soft Vitra sofa leather sandwiched together simple stitched in red or white to create the iconic Eames Elephant shape we all know and love.

Soft to the touch, this leather mouse pad will add a classic designer touch to your desk in a home study or professional office and can be used with any standard mouse - the Eames elephant just got digital!


Vitra Elephant Mouse Pad £18.00

Available in white or black leather

Friday 21 January 2011

Foscarini Binic Table Lamp is a winner!

The jury of the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2011 has named Binic from Focarini as the best table lamp produced in 2010. Wallpaper* opens every new year by bringing together leading creatives and opinion leaders in a jury, which announces the most important creations in the world of design, architecture and fashion for the year that has just ended. Binic, designed by Ionna Vautrin is a fantastic little 'take away' table lamp and comes in various colours. Check out the lamp and the deign video on product's web page.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

The prettiest fair trade jewellery you'll see

We've added to our online collection of pretty pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings with the new addition of this beautiful silver weave fair trade jewellery.

Made using traditional craft skills by a small fair trade project in Lima, Peru both our Marisol and Cristabel silver jewellery collections are hand woven and crafted from 950 fine silver ( a grade higher that sterling silver don't you know!).

Small fair trade projects like this one, work with marginalised communities and help support people not only in the development of skills but by providing them with a sustainable living so they can provide for their families without exploitation.

The fair trade project that creates this unique silver jewellery really bring the idea of fair trade up to date. By combining their knowledge of traditional Peruvian craft skills with contemporary jewellery design they have managed to banish the idea of fair trade being a bohemian movement for hippies and make it synonymous with cool, trend-led design.

Marisol Fair Trade Weave Necklace £85.00

Don't forget Fairtrade Fortnight 28th Feb - 13th March 2011

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Patchwork in the City - New Liverpool Wall Art

We've introduced this beautiful patchwork style print from our gift boutiques to our online collection at utilitydesign.co.uk.

This particular Patchwork Print, part of the Liverpool range by Artist Steph Dekker, shows the unique skyline of our home town. Based in the North West, Steph's prints have proved overwhelmingly popular in our Liverpool stores.

Using her own sketches as a starting point, she creates these mixed media piece of art using swatches of patterned paper and fabrics, referring to her huge 'mood board' of inspiration of she ever get stuck! Her fantastic eye for colour gives these patchwork style prints a bold look that will create a talking point wherever you hang them!

Also available as London City Patchwork Prints

Patchwork Prints £22.00 each

print A4 size with cream coloured mount slightly larger

Other sizes are available so give one of our Utility Gift Boutiques a call to register your interest.

Monday 17 January 2011

Award winning Plopp Stool - a new 21st Century Design icon perhaps?

Part of our new collection of Hay furniture and home accessories, this eye catching Plopp Stool won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in 2009.

Made from steel (Highly polished in this example but also available in matt powder coated black, grey, white or yellow) Plopp has a distinctive 'sculptural crumple' look to its appearance giving a contemporary design that's well on its way to becoming a design icon of the 21st Century.
Plopp was created by welding together two flat pieces of steel in the basic three leg shape of the stool. Air was then fired into the piece at high pressure, almost breathing life into it to create a 3D structure with a unique crumple that define the Plopp design.



Plopp Stool polished stainless steel as seen £435.00

Plopp Stool powder coated in white, black, grey or yellow £310.00

Friday 14 January 2011

Wallpaper* 2011 Design Awards

The Comback Chair by Patricia Urquola for Kartell has just been awarded the 'Best Chair' award at the 2011 Design Awards. A release date and price have yet to be confirmed, but please register your interest via the Comback Chair webpage.

Thursday 13 January 2011

Vitra Hall Chair now in

 Introducing Jasper Morrison's reinterpretation of the classic multifunctional shell chair...Hal for Vitra.

The distinct contemporary appearance of the Hal Chair, use of simple flexible plastic shell and chic wooden base means it'll suit any occasion in any home, plus the price won't break the bank!

Sit in any position you choose - relax with friends, have a catch up over a Sunday Roast - the slight flexibility of the material gives you the freedom to choose.

If you're conscious about the impact your interiors has on the environment then look no further, Hall boasts serious green credentials and accreditation of both the 'Greenguard' environmental label and LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).

Vitra Hal Chair with Wooden Base £276.00

Monday 10 January 2011

Just added: Star Sale Offers

Just added to our winter sale is the quirky Mediterraneo Bowl.  Designed by jewellery designer Emma Silvestris for Alessi, the Mediterraneo range was inspired by the wilds of the deep sea and the it's plant life.  Silvestris then translated this idea of natural sea life into a structured cut out metal form in an inspiring coral red!

Mediterraneo Bowl small now £27.65

Mediterraneo Bowl large now £35.70

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Vitra Aluminium Group & Soft Pad Chairs

Created by celebrated design duo Charles and Ray Eames, the Aluminum Group Chairs created for Vitra a renowned as one of he greatest furniture design achievements of the 20th Century.


Now available here at Utility, the Aluminum Group Chairs combine a solid yet light aluminum frame with comfortable, secure upholstery giving a fantastic seating option for a study or home office.


The Soft Pad Aluminum Group Chair option adds to the luxury of the range with large comfy seating pads in sumptuous leather combing supreme comfort and professional image.
Plus, as an added bonus if you order now we'll give you 20% off any chair in the Vitra Group Aluminum range.


Vitra Soft Pad EA216 Chair £2,224.56 with 20% dicsount

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Rob Ryan in Preston

Our beautiful collection of Rob Ryan ceramics and textiles are now available at our Preston Gift Boutique.

The much loved designer has turned some of his most popular paper cut designs into beautiful illustrations adorning mugs, plates, notebooks, oilcloth shoppers and many more items for home and life.

With Rob Ryan gifts starting at just £8.50 for a dainty A6 notebook, there's something here for every Rob Ryan fan.

See the full Rob Ryan collection instore or online.