Recently we had the pleasure of receiving the 2012 Pen of the Year from Faber Castell. The German luxury pen company has been making gorgeous writing instruments since 1839. This is the final instalment of their Pen of the Year collection which started in 1994 with a stunning amber barrelled masterpiece made by the same artist that restored the legendary Amber Room in Zarskoye Selo near St. Petersburg. This year they have outdone themselves again.

“What I enjoy most is doing something I’ve never done before.”

Creator, photographer, designer and editor Karl Lagerfeld likes nothing more than expanding his modes of expression. With an insatiable curiosity, always in search of new creative experiences, this multifaceted artist has had an uncommonly rich career, during which he has developed a perfectly chiseled graphic identity. Now, after all the fashion, the perfumes and accessories, Karl Lagerfeld is releasing his first line of crystal.

Given his exacting perfectionism, the designer could never have collaborated with less than the best: The Orrefors glassworks has been a Swedish institution for over a century, carrying on the age-old tradition of hand-blown glass shaped by master artisans. With its exquisite engravings, streamlined forms and colours ranging from delicate to rich, the Orrefors brand is one of the great symbols of Swedish design and luxury. It is a world-wide brand, gracing the finest tables such as the Swedish Royal Palace.

Knowing the artistic excellence of Orrefors to be comparable with the world of high fashion, Karl Lagerfeld designed a collection in his own image: Clean-lined, subtle and functional. The first members of the Lagerfeld crystal family are champagne flutes and coupes and wine, water and liqueur glasses. Transparent, black or milky white, sometimes engraved with the KL monogram, the series typifies the Karl Lagerfeld ethos of ultra-strict lines. And in the spirit of the designer’s well-known practicality, the series also includes monogrammed coasters to prevent any trace of an errant drop on an immaculate tablecloth.

Based on the same principle, the collection also features a large round bowl, a rectangular vase and a cylindrical vase, each poised on four crystal globes on transparent platforms.

With its simple colour scale, its purity of lines and shapes, the flow of the material and the refinement of the details, each crystal contour of the Karl Lagerfeld series reflects timeless elegance. The collection bestows a new, harmonious and modern face on the century-old Orrefors expertise.

http://www.atkinsonsofvancouver.com/orrefors-karl-lagerfeld-collection.html

An interesting peek behind the scenes at Baccarat crystal.

See Baccarat’s master craftsmen creating vases, glasses, decanters and lighting.

Had it not been a leap year we would all be complaining about the snow even more than usual today. Fortunately this extra day in February saved us Vancouverites from the admission we would hate to share with our friends and family back in Toronto…that it snowed here in March. As the old saying goes hopefully March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. In the spirit of this late dusting of extra cold rain on the city check out these amazing snow patterns by French artist Simon Beck.

Working up to 9 hours a day these geometric wonders are the size of 3 soccer fields. The inspiration behind his work is interestingly enough due to exercise. An injury halted his ability to run and the low impact of walking in the soft snow was the best way for him to stay fit. The precision of his beautiful designs take on a 3D effect when viewed from above. One can only assume his Ipod had The Pretenders hit song on repeat.

We would like to welcome you to our new and greatly improved website along with the inception of our first blog! After 10 years of successful sales through our previous website which created many repeat customers from all corners of the globe, we felt it was time for a fresh face. Thanks to the success of our 3rd Annual Catalogue (designed in house!) we had one of our best seasons in 28 years, leaving us little time to tend to our new toy. Over the next month, we will be working feverishly to populate the site with content from our irresistible, inspired and exceptional collection.