Growing Jewelry by HAF

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Green, poetic and original: these gorgeous rings are from the Growing Jewelry collection designed by HAF, a company based in Reykjavik founded in 2011 by industrial/interior designer Hafsteinn Juliusson. How great is this combination of gardening and jewelry! All pieces are made out of silver and contain real icelandic moss. All you need to do is watering it and trimming it once in a while and the moss should stay green up to 8-12 months. I've managed to kill cactus plants in the past, but I'm pretty confident I could take good care of my growing ring if I had one! Necklaces are also available here.

Photos: HAF

The Land of Giants: Powerful & Aesthetically Pleasing Pylons

To turn ugly looking pylons into majestic 150 foot sculptures. I know it's not new, in fact, it's from 2008, but I don't care, it's a brilliant idea and I want to share! This project, 'The Land of Giants', by Choi + Shine won honorable mention at the Icelandic High-Voltage Electrical Pylon International Design Competition. It is, for designers, an original way to rethink electrical pylons.


From the architect firm: "Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a series of towers that are powerful, solemn and variable. These iconic pylon-figures will become monuments in the landscape. Seeing the pylon-figures will become an unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity."


"The pylon-figures can be configured to respond to their environment with appropriate gestures. As the carried electrical lines acend a hill, the pylon-figures change posture, imitating a climbing person. Over long spans, the pylon-figure stretches to gain increased height, crouches for increased strenght or strains under the weight of the wires."  


"Like the statues of Easter Island, it is envisioned that these one hundred and fifty foot tall, modern caryatids will take on a quiet authority, belonging to their landscape yet serving the people, silently transporting electricity across all terrain, day and night, sunshine or snow."

Images from Choi + Shine

The Giants are not a part of the Icelandic landscape yet, but I really hope to see them in the future! While waiting, have a look at the 'The Power Collection' by norwegian brand Funkle. They created lovely cushions and plaids to stay warm and stylish!

Image from Funkle via Norway Designs

The Troll Family by Lund & Paarmann

Quick, before Spring, I still have time to dream about this Troll chair! Could a chair look more comfortable? I'm afraid I would stay curled up on it forever if I had one. This fantastic collection, created by Danish designers Oluf Lund and Eva Paarmann, "was inspired by the Nordic troll tales and cold winter days". The seats are made of Icelandic sheepskin, full grain saddle leather and legs are in massive oak.
Unfortunately, I don't think it's a good idea for me to buy one of these. My cat would probably think that an evil beast is trying to intrude into her territory. That poor chair would be ruined in 3 minutes. I'll just keep dreaming about it, I guess!

Images from Lund & Paarman

Hildur Yeoman Bags

Hildur Yeoman is an Icelandic fashion designer, and she designed those delightful crochet bags. Isn't that poodle adorable? And there is also a swan bag! I'm very fond of her playful and original designs and hope to see more very soon! You can shop here and here.

                                                             Images from Hildur Yeoman
Hildur is also a talented fashion illustrator, have a look at her website, it's worth it. 'Garden of Enchantment', below, is a collaboration between Yeoman and fellow Icelandic artist, the London based photographer Saga Sig: "We combined our forces, my photography and her illustrations to create a magical world where our own tales inspired by greek mythology and russian fairy tales are combined in an icelandic winter wonder land". Dreamy!

                                                   Images from Hildur Yeoman and Saga Sig