Recently we have discovered some seating designs from French designer Francois Azambourg and found some similarities with the French 1950s decoration.

Use of the leather and whole formal compositions of Azambourg`s Frisoline and Cuire Mousse armchairs resembles some vintage designs of Jacques Quinet or Jacques Adnet for us. Elegance and leather work mastery we can find in both, 1950s and 2010 as well.

Some time ago I have prepared curated slideshow of my Italian architectural adventurous for New York-based blog Sight Unseen. Thanks editor Monica Khemsurov very much for editing it and very nice story which prepared on our activities.

All the houses you will see in the future here as well or in one of our upcoming publications.

We have visited famous Czech sculptor Stanislav Kolíbal (born 1925) at his Prague home and we have discovered several beautiful things.

One of them is this book on sculptor Alexander Calder. Published by Aimé Maeght of Maeght Éditeur in 1963 in Paris, the book is limited edition brochure including graphics by Calder, as well as photos of his beautiful atelier and home in Saché, France.

Stanislav Kolíbal deeply admires Alexander Calder`s work and in the 1990s he stayed in Saché workshop for some weeks to make residential work there.

More on Kolíbal in the future!

Do You know what is it? It is wonderfully designed shade for one of the lamps which you can see at our Light Sculptures exhibition opening today at DOX by Qubus.

We have found it in the studio of our friend, designer, collector and big enthusiast Jan Jaroš who runs Cohn auction. This shade comes from 1963 and was designed by Josef Hůrka, creative director of NAPAKO lightning company. His "Nun lamp" is one of the most elegant design from the 1960s and its simple steel shade documents Hurka`s formal skills.

See it at DOX by Qubus today!

Here is the selection of very rare Czech table lamps from 1950s and 1960s. All these lamps we could not find for our exhibition at DOX by Qubus opening tomorrow. So here you can check our online exhibition of the hidden lamps icons.

In the stationary and writing instruments exist many icons, such as Parker, BIC and others. But today we have here example of the precise functionalist design from Italy.

Tratto pen for Fila was designed in 1975 by Design Group Italia, industrial design agency which was founded by Marco del Corno in 1968. For its practicality and desgn austerity, the pen received prestigious Compasso d'oro award in 1979.

Angelo Mangiarotti (born 1921) is a heavyweight in the history of Italian modernist design and architecture. This residential building on Via Quadronno in Milan he built with Bruno Morassutti.

Designed and built in 1960, the building represents typical house typology quite often found in Milan and other Italian cities. Luxury condominium with comfort apartments was a classic theme for Italian modernist architects. Each of them like studio BBPR, Ignazio Gardella, Gio Ponti, Marco Zanuso, Luigi Caccia Dominioni and many others designed several luxury condominium residences around Milan. In their significant style influnced by minimalism as well as brutalism, Mangiarotti with Morassutti built several too.

This one is one the most exceptional examples how architects could connect historical environment of the city of Milan with totally modern architecture. Brutalist bloc, today covered in greenery, creates its own intimate complex. The entrance is very interesting there. Constructivist sculpture like entrance gate leads us to slope walkway into the reception. Combination of materials creates beautiful compositions of everything from greenery to benches. At the reception you can still see the original marble table by Mangiarotti.

Luxury living by Mangiarotti we have visited last year.

French 1930s modernist René Herbst (1891-1982) is famous for his chairs design mainly. But we have found his amazing fashion figurines and decoration now.

Both objects, woman figurine and presentation object for man fashion, come from 1930s and were designed and executed for Siegel. In both cases we can see ultimate modernist look as we know it from figurines by Oskar Schlemmer or from decorations of Metropolis movie. There are unique examples of modernist design in very rare typology.

Some times ago we have showed you model of the famous airplane Spirit of St. Louis by Lego. This time we have discovered another unique Lego gem.

In the 1950s and 1960s Lego collaborated with Volkswagen very much. So this model of Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Van was a common product in the line of Lego.

Our friends from Prague-based Denim Heads store showed us this very nice catalogue of the pioneering outdoor brand called Holubar.

Founded by Alice and Roy Holubar in 1947, the brand is one of the most classic American outdoor wear companies. After the developing their business with series of stores all around the USA, they decided to sell the company in 1968. After that, the brand disappeared virtually from the market. Today, the company is relaunched with business in Italy.

New catalogue is more book than classic product presentation. Biggest part of that is devoted to history, old advertisements, memories and other vintage stuff. Contemporary line is quite small and is influenced by the original mastery of Holubars. In their times they developed many revolution techniques such as the use of nylon, the invention of a special “sandwich” padding made of down feathers and “Holufill” (polyester), conceived to accelerate the drying process or the innovative "wavy" quilting. After that it was big source of inspirations for another big outdoor wear brands.

If you want to know something more about the company, visit Denim Heads store at Rámová 3 in Prague where you can see and read this beautiful catalogue or another nice work wear and style magazines.