Busty Girl

This modern metal form spoke to us from the corner of a shop recently.  It was just hanging out, no real purpose, not a real dress form but pretty cool.  So we picked her up and brought her home.  We gave her a make over,  painted her in pretty semi-gloss black, created a lighting system for her and she is gorgeous!  The cloth covered red cord is like her red shoes, an accessory, kinda sexy.  The retro like Edison bulb is centered at her heart and glows.  This light is whimsical and makes you smile. You may just want to hug her.  She will fit nicely in a bedroom or in the corner of the living room. Funky or what? $195.00 on puffindesign.ca


If you are around Creston B.C this can be viewed and purchased at Creative Fix 139-10th Ave N. 250-402-6071.  

 

Coat Rack

Archetypes are an interesting phenomena. Psychologists believe that there are certain universal characteristics that all human beings share....such as fear of the dark, snakes etc. It is believed that these "archetypes" have become part of our DNA and are not as a result of environment or upbringing....this is what makes these "feelings" universal.   The interesting thing is that not all archetypes are negative. Some, called "fractals" are the reasons that we as humans tend to feel better about certain shapes and configurations. The branching tree is one such fractal. It is a universal "feel good" shape.

While exploring this concept, I found a vintage "Conoco" oil can with incredible patina at a local antique store. I thought that it would make a wonderful base for a fractal coat rack. Enlisting the skills of iron artist Andrew Bibby, I asked him if he would design and build a hand forged tree using the oil can base. The results as you can see are quite spectacular.

From a technical point of view, Andrew designed the coat rack to easily disassemble without tools. For stability, the oil can can be filled with sand providing weight. So... this coat rack not only looks great, but it works well...form and function.

Unique, universally appealing, and a very functional coat rack. How does it get better?    

Retro Powder Room Sink

A garage sale find, this free standing bathroom vanity started out life over a half century ago as a phonograph. The elegant stand includes fancy fret work and inlay. We replaced the original speaker fabric with a visually stunning peacock motif which adds serious pizzazz to an otherwise neutral palette. The beautiful proportions and sensuous flowing lines makes this a "one of a kind" base for the custom designed, slim concrete top and vessel sink. The  vanity top is hand crafted in sand and mushroom colours with a subtle vein meandering across the center. A polished ammolite fossil adds a bit of wonder and whimsy, reinforcing the organic tone of the piece. The vessel sink... also sand and mushroom coloured, has a unique rough edge. The sink's top edge was designed and crafted to add a tactile dimension - but is just smooth enough to be easy to clean. The overall compact size allows this piece to fit into even the smallest powder room. As with all our work, this elegant vanity sink is unique and sure to become a focal point wherever it is displayed.  $1400

Unusual Occasional

This chair has 'something' about it.... I think it's the back, so unusual.  This unusual occasional chair has had a complete transformation.  I found it in a junk shop and it was sad, sad yet very solid.  Not so cute with a very old, ugly, yellow seat and worn wood.  I gave it some tender loving care, uncovered the nastiest stuffing I have come across yet and brought it down to bare wood.  It's happy now with all new webbing, stuffing, fabric and a fresh coat of off white chalk paint. I can't decide if it's totally finished or if I want to wax it, I am really loving it as it is right now, a clean look.  I am digging this black and white fabric, it adds a little funk to a solid accent chair and allows it to slip into nearly any color scheme.  Claim it for your own... $200

I really need to start taking 'before' pictures, this one has been reborn!

A Chair with French Flair

This chair speaks of French flair.  The graceful legs, the generous seat, the curves of the woven back, it has class.  I love taking an old chair that has good 'bones'  but is worn and bit down in the heel and giving it new life.  This chair was painted in blue chalk paint and then finished with a dark wax to create a look of elegance that can still fit everyday use.  The seat is a durable material, well cushioned and the piping around the edge really finishes it off.  A wonderful accent piece to a room.
If you're around Creston, B.C this chair can be purchased at Creative Fix.  If you'd like it shipped to you that's no problem at all! 
$169

Hangin' out.

• 
  

This hanging light combines all the things we love at Puffin Design, 

're-purposed', 'reused', and 'retro'.  The 're-purposed' pipe fittings create a functional bracket to hang a 'reused' fire nozzle that has new life in this fantastic light and 'retro' edison bulb and cloth covered electrical wire complete the piece.  The bronze wire cage looks like it was made exactly for this light.  We have hung this from the wall but it can hang from nearly anything,  it wraps around and stays put.  

This could be hangin' out in your life... $225

   

Italian Rustic

Wabi sabi rustic Italian????

The Asian philosophy of wabi sabi is that there is perfection in imperfection. This concept explains why we often find beauty in weathered and rusty items. While going through a book on old Italian villas I ran across a sink that was re-purposed from an ancient livestock watering trough. The original limestone trough was crudely carved... followed by centuries of weathering and use resulting in a spectacular piece. The only problem being that although the aesthetic was there, the sink would be almost useless to use from a hygiene perspective. 

Based on the rustic Italian trough, my thoughts were to create a sink from concrete that has the aesthetic of a centuries old sink but is totally functional by modern standards. To complete the effect, I had Chris Balde from Kris Craft Industries do his magic on a matching base. The finishing touch was supplied by Marilin Grahn who came up with some working vintage faucets.

 The result really has to be experienced to be believed. It is fascinating to observe customers experiencing this sink for the first time.  It has been universally "love at first sight". 

Where the rolling crate went....

Thank you Cris!! This is a very wonderful blog about one of our 'boxes on wheels' that we are so fond of!


Cris Angsten Interiors Blog


This is a great blog to follow - she always has interesting things going on. 

Vintage Movie Light

Take One!!! 

Humphrey Bogart enters stage right and saunters up to Kate Hepburn..."here's looking at you kid" he says 'Cut.... that's a wrap' yells the director.

I'm not saying that this vintage movie light was used on a Bogart movie but it could have been.  These old motion picture lights reek of action and the romance of the big screen.  Manufactured by Bardwell and McAllister Inc. of Burbank California, this light has the original 'Fresnel' lens that amplifies the adjustable light source.  The housing has a funky serial number tag that identifies it as belonging to the 'State of Washington' at one time.  The light comes complete with the original tripod that falls into the 'steam punk chic' genre.  This light system makes for wonderful background illumination which brightens up or highlights even the darkest area of you house or business.  In fact, we have it in our formal entrance which was a little dark.  As you can imagine, it is an instant conversation starter with guests.  

Basically in original vintage condition except that the antiquated- and unbelievably bright (and hot) electrical system has been completely replaced with a more user friendly 110 volt system, complete with an energy efficient fluorescent light and retro cloth covered cord.  If you are looking for a unique floor light, this may be the one.  It is certainly one of our favorites $399.

Ships Light

This light is hard to ignore. 300 watts of brilliance filtered through a huge amber lens that is a foot across. Starting out life as a ship's search light made by the venerable "Crouse Hinds" company, one can only imagine the adventures this light has illuminated.  Mounted on a customized - well seasoned and heavy duty surveyor's tripod, this substantial lighting unit is very stable on virtually any surface.  The electrical components are all new and sport a retro - cloth covered cord and Bakelite plug.  Although it can be used indoors, this light may be best suited for poolside, yard or a deck.  
Light up your life for only $599.00

I Can't Believe It's Concrete

I was a bit behind on a very special job for a friend of ours who was opening an upscale/funky store and coffee bar. I had been commissioned  to make an "industrial chic," curved coffee bar from concrete. To get things done on time, I enlisted Alison's help - things always seem to turn out better when she is involved. At the end of the pour - while I was doing the finish troweling - Alison asked what we should do with a bit of left over concrete. I suggested that she make "something" with it.  Interesting things happen when you give a potter who is accustomed to throwing thin, consistent pots on a wheel - a steel salad bowl for a form, a blob of wet concrete and some time. Frankly...the results are remarkable. Alison made this bowl... it is thinner than concrete is 'supposed to be', it has mother of pearl inlaid in a way that would 'normally' not work and the edge is not even. Under the circumstances, Alison had no expectations when she started this piece...the results really didn't matter. Imagine my surprise when I de-molded the bowl the next morning and uncovered a thin, beautiful, work of art. It took a bit of filling and polishing to get it into "display" condition, but the results are simply stunning. When polishing the bowl, I asked Alison if she wanted me to cut down the rim for an even edge, after a quick look, Alison suggested that we leave it "live"....it turned out to be a good decision.

It is interesting to see how people respond to this bowl. The first thing is disbelief that something so elegant is hand crafted from concrete. The second thing is that everyone wants to touch it. They caress the rim and wonder why something uneven and somewhat unfinished is so appealing. The inside is smooth and silky and the outside is mottled and slightly rough. This bowl is a result of not following (or even knowing) 'the rules of concrete', using a set of skills from another medium (clay) and collaborating with someone who knows how to finish and seal designer concrete. Alison knocked it out of the park with this bowl. I suspect that we will be exploring just how thin we can go with concrete while maintaining function.

$149.00

Pufflin'

We have been creating up a storm!  We have so many projects in process but we like to wait to reveal the finished product.  We've been on buying trips, learning new techniques, and working our marketing plan.  So don't worry, Puffin is pufflin' along, more news to come very soon.

Unique Handcrafted Desk

About the design:


In the quest to make the perfect desk, we threw out all notions of what a desk should look like. We started with the concept of sitting "in" the desk instead of "at" the desk. This allows more functional space in a relatively compact space.

Designed for a right handed user, we left more "meat" on the right side for those who still prefer to use pen and paper.

To make the desk versatile we kept the front and left edge flat for placement against a wall or window....although we think the desk  looks great in the center of the room.

 We added a rounded bull nose edge for user comfort that sensuously  curves around to complete the right edge.

To keep the weight down, we crafted the top 3/4 inches thick. To get the thick edge, we formed a false drop down edge that is 1.5 inches deep. There is no metal reinforcing in the concrete as it is glass fiber reinforced.

Once we were happy with the ergonomic design...it was time to create a piece of functional art.

Starting with basic off-white concrete, we added a gold vein and highlights before polishing to a smooth finish. The top is sealed with an environmentally friendly, food safe sealer that offers extreme resistance to acids such as wine as well as coffee etc.

Once the desk top was complete, we took it to master metal worker and artist, Andrew Bibby - at Black Knight Forge - and asked him to come up an aesthetically pleasing base. To say that Andrew knocked it out of the park is an understatement. Every piece of steel is hand forged and custom fitted before the joints were wrapped in iron rod. Andrew added his proprietary bronze coloration to highlight the base. With the exception of the front legs - that are also hammer forged - there is not a single straight piece of metal in the whole base.

The hand forged base is a perfect match for the desk top. The one of a kind desk is not only unique but is literally jaw dropping beautiful.  $5500.00

Art Show

Puffin Design is participating in Arts and Culture Week!  Here are some photos of the work we're showing at the Ingham Art Centre in Creston.  If you are in Creston we encourage you to check out the art scene April 22 - 28th at the Ingham Art Centre, Main Street, Creston. 

Latest in furniture: 
'Cock of the Walk', the gold in the peacock fabric is beautifully embroidered. 
$139.00 

 

One of Bart's favorite sinks: 'Burnished Beauty'.

$795.00

A cool effect of bending concrete: 

'Where the Rubber Meets the Road' $180.00

'Whisked Away', you may have seen this one on our blog before but it's one of our favorites! This unique lamp is funk-a-delic!  $379.00