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Friday 31 October 2014

NEW RELEASE - Mondaine Helvetica Family. The No.1 Collection.

The luxury watch market has exploded in recent times, with manufacturers taking a move towards wearable technology and elaborate, expensive and overly "blingy" chronometers. As exciting as the prospect of wearable technology is, here at Utility we're more excited by something we saw unveiled at Baselworld 2014, the world’s most important horological event...and it looks like we aren't the only ones.

The design world is buzzing with the news that Mondaine, the official watchmakers for the Swiss Railway System, are releasing their new "No.1 / Helvetica" watch collection, seeing a shift away from their use of the famous red ticker and the introduction of an equally recognisable, Swiss designed sans-serif typeface design.

It's fair to say that the Mondaine style hasn't changed much since Hans Hilfiker designed the iconic Swiss Railway clock in 1944, but the introduction of the new "Helvetica" watch family sees a huge leap in design for the company.

Available in a range of size, "watch weight" and strap options from leather to mesh strapping, the "No.1" collection features a simple styling with stunning brushed stainless steel case. With the use of the hugely popular Helvetica typeface and left justified numbers on the hour markers, they are guaranteed to appeal to all the typography enthusiasts among us.

Are you as excited as we are about the release? The watches are due to arrive in early November 2014 but you can pre-order yours now at Utility.

Click here to view the collection.

Monday 13 October 2014

Shop The Look // Mid Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern refers to the style of furniture, art and architecture popularised during the mid-20th century, the term being cemented by Carla Greenberg in her 1983 book "Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950's". It is seen as one of the most popular, collectable and dynamic periods in international design history.
Designs from the mid-century period combine beauty, innovation , and function for an aesthetic that is utterly timeless. Characterised by their pared-down forms, sweeping clean lines, variety of colour, unique materials and superb quality, the modern day popularity of these mid-century pieces is a testament to the talent of designers of the time such as Charles and Ray Eames, Hans J Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe.

Shop the entire Mid-Century Modern range now at Utility.

Featured Product

Mid Century Modern Complete - Tome
Price: £60.00 at Utility
The definitive survey of mid-century design, offering a rich overview of all aspects of the subject including furniture, lighting, glass, textile and architecture.

SPECIAL OFFER

Spend £300 or more on Mid Century Modern furniture, design or gifts and you will receive a free copy of Dominic Bradbury's Mid Century Modern Complete tome.

Click here for more information.


Eames Desk Unit EDU
Price: £985.00 at Utility
The Eames Desk Unit from Vitra was created in 1949, when Charles & Ray Eames developed a new system of free-standing multi functional shelves.
Saarinen Tulip Chair
Price: From £1,140.00 at Utility
Though it epitomises 1960's styling Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair was actually designed as a project between 1955 and 1957. The moulded aluminium base and fibreglass reinforced plastic shell completes its classic look.

Eames LTR Table
Price: From: £205 at Utility
This small variable side table from Charles & Ray Eames is available in Black, White or Gold and can be still seen today in the Eames House.

Barcelona Chair
Price: From £4,908.00 at Utility
Designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for the German Pavilion at the Exposicion Internacional de Barcelona, it was actually used as a throne for King Alfonso XIII at the exhibition's opening ceremonies.

Womb Chair & Ottoman
Price: From £4,884.00 at Utility
The Womb Chair & Ottoman, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, was the first piece of mass produced furniture with an integrated seat shell made of reinforced plastic. Saarinen developed the chair at Florence Knoll's request as she really wanted something to curl up in.

Arco Floor Lamp
Price: From: £1,565.00 at Utility
The Arco Lamp from Flos is the epitome of a design classic. Designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1962 it remains one of the most enduring pieces of Italian design.
Frisbi Pendant Light
Price: £280.00 at Utility
A classic 1978 design by Achille Castiglioni. It consists of a polished black and chrome lamp holder under which is suspended a round cream/white disc diffuser on three tensile wires from the cable.
Luminator Floor Lamp
Price: £395.00 at Utility
Designed by brothers Achille & Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni in 1954 the Flos Luminator represents a simple tripod stand with a long galvanised stem on which the bulb is mounted.
Snoopy Table Lamp
Price: £640.00 at Utility
Everybody loves Snoopy don't they? Snoopy is a 1967 design from Flos by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni and its profile and monochrome colouring reminds us of Charlie Brown's silent yet extroverted beagle.

Alessi Citrus Basket
Price: £94.00 at Utility
This classic Citrus Basket from Alessi was designed in 1952 by Ufficio Tecnico Alessi and is one of the earliest projects of industrial design still in production by the company. No self respecting Alessi collector should be without this one!
Sunburst Clock
Price: £252.00 at Utility
This gorgeous re-edition Sunburst Clock from Vitra by George Nelson embodies the spirit of the day when it was first designed - when everyone wanted to be modern and everything seemed possible.
VITRA Doll No 4
Price: £87.50 at Utility
Based on originals found in the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum, the partly joyful, partly grim-looking company dolls makes a charming enhancement to any interior.
Hang It All
Price: £207.00 at Utility
Originally designed in 1953 by Charles Eames, it seems almost too good to cover with coats and hats. It was designed to encourage children to hang up their coats, hats, toys etc. When you have something as beautiful as this to them on you would - wouldn't you? Shop the entire Mid-Century Modern collection at Utility today.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Introducing UMBRA Shift

Here at Utility we get super excited when beautiful design meets superb functionality. That's why we're so happy to introduce the new Umbra Shift collection from UMBRA.

When starting Umbra Shift, the Umbra design team focused on imagining something they wanted to take home themselves. Beyond making something beautiful, the collection was born through a need to create products that would live perfectly in smaller spaces, live/work studios & apartments. The collection is therefore compiled of products that move easily from room to room, that serve double duties and that look good enough to be left out on display.

Shop the Umbra Shift collection here

Stay tuned for more Umbra Shift products coming soon to www.utilitydesign.co.uk