DESIGNER CABINETS FROM PORRO
For its 90th birthday, Italian furniture label Porro brought together 10 new and old designers it had worked with before to put out a collection of wooden boxes that showcases the brand's range of 16 types of wood and design versatility.
The Cabinet of Curiosities exhibition, which made its debut at last year's Milan Furniture Fair, will be in Singapore next month at multi- label furniture store Dream in River Valley Road.
Designers who worked on the boxes include Italian architect- designers Piero Lissoni and Alessandro Mendini and Viennese studio Soda Des/gners.
Expect interesting renditions, such as the box by Shanghai- based practice Neri & Hu - run by husband-and-wife team Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu.
It is a modern take on the traditional Chinese dowry box given to young women, with a metal handle that can be pulled up to reveal a mirror frame.
Where:456 River Valley Road, tel: 6235-0220
When: March 10 to April 15
FLAMING QUEEN HOME OPENS AT WHEELOCK
High-end home fragrance retailer Flaming Queen Home opened its Wheelock Place store earlier this month.
The 470 sq ft store features international labels such as Belgium brand Baobab Collection and Kartell Fragrances, a home perfume line from the Italian furniture company. The Kartell collection was a collaboration between Italian designer Ferruccio Laviani and top perfumers.
For a high-tech option, check out the electronic fragrance diffuser Otello by Italian brand Mr & Mrs Fragrance.
The sleek-looking standing device, about 1m tall, can be operated by remote control or from the device itself.
Prices for the Otello start at $339 and it comes in colours including silver and charcoal.
Where: 501 Orchard Road, Wheelock Place, B1-04A, tel: 6732-1088
HOME DECOR AND ART FAIR AT PARAGON
Sign up for workshops and check out exclusive merchandise at the Home & Art At Paragon fair.
Held for the first time, the mall's tenants that sell home decor and art, such as Muji and Lalique, have set up booths in the atrium to showcase furniture, accessories and artwork.
The event, which started on Thursday, ends on March 8.
Some exclusive items on sale include a Highback Reclining Sofa by Muji (prices start from $489 for a one-seater sofa); Dual-Tone Collection from furniture store Commune (prices range between $399 for an end table and $1,999 for a sideboard); and animal woodblock monoprint ($390) by artist Larry McLaughlin from White Space Art Asia by Heng Artland.
This weekend, there will be a live mural painting by Tell Your Children Studios, a home-grown art collective. It takes place today and tomorrow from 1 to 5pm.
There are also free workshops and demonstrations. Ikebana artists will share their tips on the Japanese art of flower arrangement next Friday and on March 6.
You can also learn to make your own terrarium, watch a floral arrangement class by BoConcept or catch a calligraphy demonstration by Baker & Barbara Barry Gallery.
Where: 290 Orchard Road, Paragon, Level 1 Atrium
When: Till March 8
Info: Admission to the event is free, though places for the workshops are limited. E-mail promotions@paragonsc.com.sg to register.
NEW ITEMS AT FINN AVENUE
Take a royal nap in Finn Avenue's latest range of beds, Aristocrat King Beds. The online retailer has brought in three styles of handcrafted bed frames made with solid French beechwood frames and padded upholstery.
Options include the black-framed Andre Corbeille king-sized bed ($4,680), which has cabriole feet and carved detailing on the headboard. It is also clad in Belgium- made jacquard woven fabric.
Finn Avenue, which has a showroom in Admiralty Street, also carries rugs and cushions by Canadian interior designer Candice Olson, who is best known as the host of reality home- makeover shows such as Divine Design and Candice Tells All.
The carpets are hand-tufted with New Zealand wool and feature elegant designs and prints, while the comfy pillows have down feather inserts.
There are more than 31 designs from the Candice Olson Collection. Prices start at $1,360 for a 152cm by 243cm rug and $182 for each cushion. There is a 20 per cent discount on Candice Olson items till June 30. Info:8B Admiralty Street, 02-21, or go to www.finnavenue.com, tel: 8699-3466
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