We came, we saw, we sat on the floor…

But it needn’t have been so…..

Once again the Europeans show the Americans how it should  be done. One of the largest stands in New York was that from the Saloni Milano -a  mix of the finest Italian designers: And they brought their own press room. No electricity, no Internet…but tables. And coffee.  How fondly we look back on April….

Press Lounge at the Saloni Milano Stand: First Chair and First Table by Stefano Giovannoni

Although greatly impressed by the typewriter, we also liked Desk 51 by American producer bludot as a desk. Personally we wouldn’t use the pull out lower surface, as suggested,  for stowing a keyboard; much more the beauty for us is that you can “hide” piles of papers, notebooks and the like when the desk is not in use. And so give the impression at least that your desk isn’t cluttered.

Desk 51 and Real Good Chair from bludot

We don’t neccesserily need a large table… a small side table will do. For example the stable, yet practically height adjustable Tom Tom by Konstantin Grcic for SCP.

Tom Tom by Konstantin Grcic for SCP

Or the gorgeous Spot Table by Tom Dixon with its interchangeable height stems….

Spot Table by Tom Dixon

But what does all this help, we don’t have a table…and so nowhere to place the Foster Series desk accesories by Sir Norman Foster for Helit :(

Foster Series by Helit

In a recent article wired magazine presented their own take on the evolution of office furnishing.

From the introduction of the vast, cattle-shed like offices that characterised early office design through the cubicles and “virtual offices” of the 1980s and 90s and onwards the text makes one thing clear: Too many office workers have suffered through bad office design concepts.

But one needn’t work from home in order to benefit from the advantages of a convivial and stimulating office environment.

System USM Haller

The Swiss designer USM Haller has been producing its patented – and in the MoMA New York displayed – System USM Haller furniture for over 40 years. Centred around the USM Haller ball the units are not only infinitely expendable but can be designed to suit your individual requirements. And then re-designed as your requirements change. In addition USM Haller tables are available in range of sizes and colours. Or alternatively the Eiermann Table from Lampert also fit wonderfully with System USM Haller units.

Tolomeo Tavalo from Artemide

The Italian lighting designer Artemide has been producing high quality, stylish lighting systems since 1958. With it’s floor lamps, table lamps and hanging lamps Artemide has established a reputation for excellent luminescence in timeless designs that fit just as well in a reception area, office or conference room.

Among the pioneers of office furniture design were Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson and many of their classic designs remain in the Vitra collection – including their Aluminium Series of chairs which offer outstanding quality and versatility with the minimum of material and fuss.

Headline by Mario and Claudio Bellini for Vitra

And while Vitra “adopted” Eames and Nelson through the collaboration with Herman Miller, the company has established it’s own reputation for high-quality office furnishings. Through, for example, collaborations with Mario and Claudio Bellini, including the award winning Headline Chair or Jasper Morrison with his ATM range onto its new Net’n'Nest concept Vitra is one of the most active and innovative office furnishers on the market.

In addition smow stock the Foster Series of desk accessories by Sir Norman Foster for helit.

And with many items in stock and available for immediate worldwide delivery, you may be able to write your own chapter in the development of office design quicker than you imagine.

Foster series from helit

Norman Foster is not only a lord of the realm and one the worlds most in demand architects, but also one of the leading modern industrial designers. With his agency Foster + Partners, he has completed important architectural projects in six continents including the Vivaldi Tower in Amsterdam, Stansted Airport in England and the Elephant House at Copenhagen Zoo. However, Lord Foster has also turned his attention to smaller-scale object, including a range of desk accessories for helit; a range which combines functionality with simplicity.

Business card box from the

Using a combination of aluminium and PERDUR – a black synthetic fabric with a silky finish – Lord Foster has created not only a high quality items but an optically and tactilely outstanding product range.

The clock, penholder, paper clip holder, note paper container and tape dispenser initially hide their true function. Only once the lid has been removed and inserted into the base can their functionality be enjoyed. And once you are finished replace the lids and not only do the articles regain their annonymity but your desk a controlled order.

Hole punch from the

Additionally the helit Foster Series contains a mousepad, a hole punch, a stapler, a filing tray and a waste paper bin. All articles can be mixed-and-matched and slide into specially constructed rails on the writing mat.

Further information on the Foster Series can be found here.