February 24th, 2010
What is black and white and sterling and transparent all over? This is not a joke. This is Metropolis, a stunning collection from THG featuring Cristal de Lalique.
Form, shape, and texture are Metropolis’ first notes of intrigue, starting with the ultimate in unique structure – the Urban Bathtub. The ultra-modern Urban Bathtub features a unique transparent curved glass opening intended to reveal the body in its true relaxed form. The beautiful lines of the Niagara waterfall tub filler create a gentle cascade of water from its spout into the bathtub. The Metropolis Collection of faucetry, bath fixtures and accessories combine pure geometric lines with the refinement of inset Lalique Crystal. The iconic raisin motif of the crystal sculpture, originally created by designer René Lalique in 1928, decorated the interiors of the Orient Express and evokes the texture and fluidity of water.
The square shaped handles reveal crystal encased in precious metal. The tops of the lever handles are adorned with the same raisin motif, creating a sophisticated contrast of crystal against shimmering metal surfaces. Sleek, modern, and fantastically urban, the city may never sleep, but here, it certainly is tranquil.
All images courtesy of THGUSA.com and THGStyle.com

Metropolis Handles
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October 6th, 2009
Faucets in solid stainless steel with simple silhouettes make for a contemporary spa retreat.
In contemporary design, less is more. This is the philosophy leading faucet and fixture manufacturer MGS had in mind when designing their new Minimal Beauty Collection. Featuring simple shapes and slim silhouettes, all crafted from true solid stainless steel, this handcrafted collection pairs high-quality materials with expert functionality and cutting-edge design. The Minimal Beauty Collection is comprised of deck and wall-mount faucets, which were manufactured using the most progressive machines available, and each piece is created seamless and smooth, without the use of screws. After the mechanical fabrication, the final touch is given by expert polishers who hand finish each part to an impeccable shine or soft luster of natural brushed stainless steel. MGS fixtures are characterized by a minimal, yet graceful, aesthetic with the purpose of emphasizing the beauty of the stainless steel itself.
There are six bathroom faucet models available in the Minimal Beauty Collection including wall-mount and deck mount single hole mixers and a bidet faucet. The MB6 wall-mount faucet is incredibly unique because it comes without traditional handles. The faucet is operated by a handle on the end of the spout, in which volume can be controlled by moving it up or down, and the temperature is controlled by moving it from the left to right. MGS’ MB4 and MB5 faucets are also deck mounted, but feature a modern square spout and are also operated via a handle on the spout itself.
“The Minimal Beauty Collection showcases MGS’ stunning Italian design identity,” said President of MGS USA Eric Goldman. “These are fixtures that make contemporary and modern design timeless.”
Click on any image to see a larger version. Pictures provided by www.mgsdesigns.com

MGS Minimal Beauty - MB1
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July 23rd, 2009
We see more and more green designs these days, despite the fact that sustainability is not necessarily a new trend in Architecture and Interior Design. This has produced even more amazing designs that are completely sustainable and LEED Certified, much like the Founding Farmers restaurant we wrote about last week. Here are just a few of our favorites that we’ve seen this year.
Recycled Cardboard Office: Photography by Joachim Baan.

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