Fire in the Hole
Where You Never Expected It
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Don’t have a chimney? Have one chimney but want two fireplaces. More? No problem.
The Concept line from Planika will have flames dancing in any room you like. The secret is in an eco-friendly fuel based on ethyl alcohol. It’s smokeless and odor-free. Only water vapour and carbon dioxide are emitted - in proportions similar to those contained in the air exhaled from the lungs.
You can put a fire in your coffee table, in a wall unit, on the wall or in a sculptural form. The Coffee Fire Long is a sleek coffee table with aluminum legs into which is set a cyliner for your fire.
It’s easy to set up—the company promises that within 10 minutes, you’ll have a fire blazing!
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Fan Favorite
Where Do They Put the Blades?
Friday, July 13, 2007
Now that environmental and economic concerns are making us more conscious of our energy use, fans are getting hot again.
But we don’t always want to see those giant blades hanging about in every room. Enter the Air Shadow from Fanimation , which features retractable blades. When the fan is not in use, it presents a sleeker profile that doesn’t dominate the space.
Air Shadow fans are available from local retailers including Glow in San Luis Obispo, and Tri County Lighting and Everything Electric in Santa Barbara.
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In the Clear
Glass Lights Up Lamps
Monday, July 02, 2007
Juliska Glass’s line of pendant lamps, like their other glassware, really shows off the craftsmanship of their glassblowers. The clear cylinders sport decorative touches that emphasize their natural shape and don’t interfere with the clarity of the lines. These are striking yet uncomplicated pieces. Alone or in a group, these pendants make a strong statement.
Juliska glass is mouth blown by artisans in the hills outside Prague. The techniques they use have been passed down through generations of skilled glassmakers. The unique composition of Juliska glass allows it to be blown especially thin, making the glass unexpectedly light and pleasurable to handle. No two pieces are identical and each is individually signed. All Juliska glass is lead-free.
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Go For the Burn
Unique Fireplaces Put Flames Front and Center
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
So many of today’s fireplaces are more about the place than the fire. Not a Wittus fireplace. These sleek creations are all about the fire.
Wittus, which imports fireplaces and stoves from Europe, specializes in free-standing fireplaces which themselves resemble contemporary sculpture. Designers from Italy, Denmark, Holland and Germany have contributed to the Wittus lineup.
Their fireplaces combine the most modern manufacturing techniques with old fashioned hand craftsmanship. Steel, handcrafted ceramics and Finnish soapstone are among the materials used in construction. And they’re not just beautiful; they are extremely functional. Sophisticated burning systems include double-chambered burning compartments and adjustable air control, ensuring a clean and efficient burn (the company quotes combustion efficiencies from 71% to 74%).
Wittus offers gas, wood and electric models. Some, like the Sueno gas stoves from Holland, can be mounted flush to the wall for a built-in look. A signature Wittus feature is a pedestal that rotates so the flames can be viewed from any direction, and large viewing areas — even the smaller units have large windows.
If you want the flames to be the main attraction, you can’t go wrong with a fireplace from Wittus’s collection. The company also offers unique cookstoves and outdoor grills. Check Wittus.com for dealer locations, catalogs and contact information.
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Fire and Ice
A Cool Accessory Heats up Fireplaces
Friday, December 22, 2006
Glass comes from fire. And now fire comes from glass. The latest in fireplace accessories looks like flames rising out of ice crystals. And it’s not only compelling to see, it’s beautiful, clean, affordable and safe for the environment.
Fire crystals are nuggets of tempered glass used as a replacement for gas logs in natural gas or wood burning fireplaces and fire pits. No soot, smoke or ashes, just brilliant color and gentle warmth.
The 10 available colors include red, sapphire, burgundy, orange, gold, green and white. You can use one color or mix and match. Colors won’t change or degrade.
And while the crystals look cool, the glass itself radiates heat, providing a constant flow of warmth. It is said to produce up to 600% more heat than gas logs and to be more efficient because there is nothing blocking the radiant heat produced by the flame and hot glass.
Cleanup is easy – if dirt builds up, just scoop out the glass and wash it with dish detergent followed by a thorough rinse.
You can find crystals locally at FireCrystals in Paso Robles. Or visit their online store, which has a handy calculator to help you figure out how much you’ll need (their tip: use less expensive glass on the bottom.) Crystals are sold by the pound and there are no minimum orders.
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On A Lighter Note
A Unique Twist On Contemporary Lighting
Monday, September 25, 2006
Venetian glass isn’t all colors and curlicues. Some of Venice’s glass makers are famous for their simplicity. Oty Light is one.
Founder Eugenio Pamio became known in the 60s for his innovative take on residential lighting. With sons Simone and Andrea, Pamio now produces some of the most daring interpretations of contemporary design.
Oty light fixtures are primarily about form, their clean, sculpted lines pared to their essence. Light seems to float in the company’s Ita sconce of extra-clear, transparent ground crystal plate glass in a brushed steel frame. It flows from the curves of the Kim and Les ceiling fixtures. It glows like a lollipop on a brushed steel stick from the Kio chandelier, as much sculpture as fixture. And the Kioto series is a striking hand-blown clear crystal diffuser wrapped with strands of molten glass. Designed by Paolo Crepax and Silvio Zanon, it’s brilliant contemporary design.
Oty’s highly refined pieces are representative of the innovation in both technique and design that keeps Murano glassmakers at the forefront of their industry. In their hands, contemporary means creative.
Oty light fixtures can be found locally at Glow.
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