Good Design according to Dieter Rams

When a product designer rambles on about good design, the first thing you do is check their designs. If said designer is Dieter Rams, you can pay closer attention to his word for you will learn invaluable information (design rules). And you can take his word for it because the gentleman knows his subject. If this weren't enough, he proves it too with his immaculate timeless executions!

PCS 45 Record Player, designed by Dieter Rams for Braun (1962)

Design without the Noise

As Chief Designer at Braun (1961-1995), Dieter Rams applied the winning formula of form and function to the 'T' of technology,  with a concise, methodical, pared-down ('Less, but better'), sleek and sober design. The end result was electrical consumer goods that served beyond the mere consumer act. We had the fusion of practicality, functionality, discipline into a stand-alone style icon that we may describe as a useful object of desire. Expect no brash, tack, bells or whistles. This is a case of unadulterated and enduring design. We're talking the 90% pure cacao bar of the chocolate world: potent, punchy and a classic.

"Indifference towards people and the reality in which they live is actually the one and only cardinal sin in design." - Dieter Rams

Mirabelle wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Apple took a leaf out of Dieter Rams' design book in their formative years or whether they themselves came up to the equation of form and function that would challenge planned obsolescence by standing the test of time, trends and fads, and never fade or date. A quick online search validates my assumption.

Clockwise from top left: Early Shaver Series, F 1 Mactron Lighter, H 3 Heater and F 26 Flash Unit for Braun

You get it: there is design and then there is good design. For the former, expect the average, the bog-standard, and the mediocre, uninspired, imitative mass-produced hotchpotch from a mass of sycophantic designer cheats.

"What Dieter Rams and his team at Braun did was to produce hundreds of wonderfully conceived and designed objects: products that were beautifully made in high volumes and that were broadly accessible." - Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple

However for good design, expect a small distinct number of measured - usually quiet - dutiful and industrious personae like Mr. Rams, busy working on their next ground-breaking design innovation. Good design is not a case of here today, gone tomorrow. It makes a statement and it lasts the distance.

(L-R) SK 4 Phonosuper (1956), and TP 2, portable transistor radio and phonograph (1959), via Wallpaper

Dieter Rams Ten Commandments of Design:

1  . Good design is innovative
2  . Good design makes a product useful
3  . Good design is aesthetic
4  . Good design makes a product understandable
5  . Good design is unobtrusive
6  . Good design is honest
7  . Good design is long-lasting
8  . Good design is thorough down to the last detail
9  . Good design is environmentally-friendly
10. Good design is as little design as possible

Source: (1-2) All photography via Das Programm, the UK-based specialist dealer of Dieter Rams' designs for Braun and Vitsoe (1955-1995), described by the company as "some of the best 20th century modernist industrial design". Photographic montages by Mirabelle. (1) PC 45 Record Player by Dieter Rams for Braun (1962). (2) Clockwise from top left: Early Shaver Series by Futterer / Braun / Rams / Muller / Gugelot for Braun (1954-1962);  F 1 Mactron Lighter by Dieter Rams for Braun (1979);  H 3 Heater by Dieter Rams for Braun (1962); F 26 Flash Unit by Dieter Rams for Braun (1963). (3) Left to Right: SK 4 Phonosuper, combined audio system by Hans Gugelot, with Otl Aicher, Wilhelm Wagenfeld and Dieter Rams, for Braun (1956); TP 2, portable transistor radio and phonograph, by Dieter Rams for Braun (1959). Photography by Marcus J Leith, via Wallpaper. (4) 'Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible', the definitive monograph on Dieter Rams' life, work and ideas, by Sophie Lovell.

Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible by Sophie Lovell

Baby Arts

When I was in secondary school in Saint-Quentin, northern France, one of my arts teachers was Serge Dutfoy. I doubt he would remember me years and thousands of pupils later (!) but I sure do remember him because not only was he my arts teacher for a couple of years, he also established himself as a fixture on the local arts scene as a cartoonist and a jazz musician. He is a local celebrity!

Earlier in the Summer, when I stumbled across his name while browsing through a local arts blog, I traced monsieur Dutfoy back to his personal blog. Although it hasn't been updated in three years, it still managed to catch my eye, or rather this piece of anthology, "Serge et ses Grenouilles" (Serge and his frogs) did, drawn by his artist auntie Germaine, in Paris in 1946-47. The two family cats, Titite and Totote, are studying the figurines in the water from a safe distance, maybe trying to figure out whether or not they are edible...

My arts teacher's happy bath time as a baby, captured in watercolours! And with his grandma a piano teacher and his mum a piano player, we can safely say that art runs in the DNA of the family!

Source: "Serge et ses Grenouilles" watercolour, via Le Blog de Serge Dutfoy. His biography (in French) is available via La Lanterne à BD, L'Aisne Nouvelle and Wikipedia.

Villa Grecque Kérylos

In the elegant French Riviera resort of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, at the tip of the peninsula, and set against the dramatic landscape of its rocky shoreline abruptly crashing into the bay on its way to Italy, stands a palatial estate from the Belle Époque era. Its architectural style pledges allegiance to classical Greece, to which modern comfort was discreetly incorporated.

The vestibule, photography by Veran.

Théodore Reinach was a gifted, French multi-disciplinarian of German descent, mostly remembered as a historian, archeologist, numismatist, and above all a fervent Hellenist. He joined forces with architect Emmanuel Pontremoli in order to manifest the hellenist vision, in the shape of Villa Grecque Kérylos, palais antique de la Côte d'Azur. In Greek, Kérylos means Halcyon, a bird of good omen, a blessing for the house to be.

The peristyle, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

The property was designed and built between 1902 and 1908; it was inspired by the oppulent properties on the Greek island of Delos (200 B.C.). Like its bona-fide counterparts, Villa Grecque Kérylos is constructed around a peristyle (central courtyard surrounded by a colonnade). The estate incarnates the wish of every architect's worth their salt: a well-appointed, architectural delight that will stand the test of time in its timeless elegance and inspire generations of residents and visitors.

The library, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

Detailed precision was never compromised in the loyal reinterpretation of Greek classicism, no shortcut allowed! The best materials were used throughout, for cost was no issue for this grandiose project in style. And only the most talented tradesmen and craftsmen were tasked to conjure up their skills into the making of this unordinary abode from the ground up. And the brief goes beyond the proverbial brick and mortar, with made-to-spec furnishings and homewares given careful thought and attention. The panoramic garden is too a faithful representation of a classical Greek garden: olive, palm, pine, carob, pomegranate, myrtle, acanthus, cypress, papyrus and more.

The peristyle, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

Villa Kérylos wasn't designed as a showhome. The Reinach family would vacation there. On the death of Théodore in 1928, it was bequeathed to the prestigious Institut de France. Tragically the villa was seized by the Nazis during WWII and one of the Reinach children, Léon, his wife and their children sent to the death camps of Auschwitz, never to return.

After the war, the Reinachs would continue vacationing at Villa Kérylos until 1966 - fifty years ago - when it finally became a French national monument.

Triklinos, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

Troubled wartime aside, a feeling of peace, sobriety and Greek splendour envelops you as you visit the estate that seems cut off from the vagaries of modern day. Should you be on a quest for simplicity that stands tall, noble, luxurious and steeped in Antiquity, this place requests the pleasure of your visit. Step in and you will step 2,200 years back! How regal for a time machine that is carved up in marble, clad in rare woods, sequined in mosaic, assembled together by colonnades and saluted by statues, and with ample space provided in between for enchanted introspection and other errances of the mind...

Andron, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

If 'Labour of Love' were in search of its physical representation, Villa Grecque Kérylos would be it.

Sources: The interior photography of Villa Grecque Kérylos was sourced from the excellent dedicated article by Alain R. Truong; photography by Sophie Lloyd and by Veran. (1) A bronze serpent statue takes pride of place in the vestibule. (2) The peristyle frescoes are a work of art and furnish the space all to themselves. (3) The library bears a little Art Nouveau influence. (4) A stroll down the peristyle is likely to put you in a contemplative mood. (5) Triklinos is the Villa's octogonal banquet room, where daintiness expresses itself. (6) The Andron breaks off with classical lines through its flamboyant marble walls and colonnades, ornate friezes, coffered ceiling and floor mosaics. (7) There is a notable touch of modernity in the Oikos, with the custom-made Pleyel piano, concealed in its lemon tree wood cabinet. Note the delicate garland detail on the white stucco wall. (8) Exterior view of Villa Grecque Kérylos at dusk, uncredited photograph via Concierge Royal Riviera.

Oikos, photography by Sophie Lloyd.

More architectural details about Villa Grecque Kérylos may be found on Wikipedia (in French). Further architectural eye candy from early XXth century French Riviera awaits, via ibid. In order to enjoy their slide show, double-click the top picture to load it on the screen and scroll from there using the side arrows.

YSL Music Legends

Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Chuck Berry >> These musicians are living legends, and we'd be forgiven for calling them family. They are somewhat part of the furniture like grandad's rocking-chair or mum's favourite ornament. And when back in late Summer, YSL approached them as part ot its Saint Laurent Music Project, conducted by photography maestro Hedi Slimane in the form of a classic timeless tribute, a generation of fashionista freshers were about to (re)discover them - and we've happily joined the bandwagon!

Jerry, B.B. and Chuck... We have grown up with those guys playing somewhat in our background without realising it, making themselves familiar to us, weaving the soundtrack to our lives in all sorts of funny and weird ways: either by us rummaging through an older relative's record collection, or hearing their music as part of a movie soundtrack, or their names being mentioned by younger generations of musicians as musical legacy to Rock'n'Roll and Co. Their repertoire is a piece of Americana anthology.

The story even goes deeper, through a fond respectful attachment to the guys (regardless of whether we actually know much about them or listen to their music). They're household names, subliminally ringing a bell in our subconscious. Even if we are no music connoisseur, song titles like 'Great Balls of Fire' by Jerry Lee Lewis, 'Three O'Clock Blues' by B.B. King or 'Johnny B. Goode' by Chuck Berry are bound to - at the very least - ring a bell.

Those music legends are now in their late 70s to mid 80s, and when sadly they pass away, they won't just die, they will enter a form of immortality in the arcana of fame, remembered like Elvis or Sinatra, immortalised in the collective psyche. Those guys were meant to stay, not fade away. Like a classic YSL tuxedo.

Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis, Nesbit, Mississippi, August 15th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent Classic "Teddy" Tux (pict source)

Mr. B.B. King, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 8th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent "Le Smoking" (pict source)

Mr. Chuck Berry, Saint Louis, Missouri, September 7th 2013, wearing his Saint Laurent "Teddy" Tux (pict source)

J'Adore a Ristretto!

I might be on about TV advertising, and yes Christmas might be creeping up on us, but please let's give Toys 'R' Us and Coca Cola a rest. No disrespect here, but I'm aiming off a tangent away from our kids and teens towards an adult audience with a penchant for elegance and self-indulgence packaged up in timeless style with a deluxe proposition neatly delivered in an experiential mini-film.

Basically we come to the realisation that Christmas is hinted our way when one or both of those household stars sashay into our lounges uninvited (although we'd dream to invite them to stay!) and steal a minute or two of our precious viewing schedule, via the primetime advertising slot that interrupts our favourite programme. Yet - big difference - we don't mind an interruption of such a calibre. And bingo, those two have been teleporting their charms across our TV sets for a few seasons now, with each new season a revisit of the theme without a sign of fatigue in sight!



Ladies, when our easy-on-the-eye suave suited and booted modern Cary Grant a.k.a. Mr Clooney pops round for a presto Nespresso tête-à-tête for our TV eyes only, all our senses get magically awakened (am I talking taste buds?), even if we are no Clooney fans! In a world of swags, how can we resist the charm of such a true gentleman, I wonder?

Our slightly paranoid other halves know darn right we're not swooning over the latest shiny gadgets that come with the latest version of the Nespresso machine but eh they can comfort themselves with Christian Dior's commercial right here (I'm thinking of my dad who just so happens to be Charlize Theron's biggest fan!). Who can fault such excellent taste?



P.S: A great excuse to revisit the great 'Heavy Cross' soundtrack by Gossip!

I Wanna Be Ador(n)ed!

We've heard that Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, while the only rock some chicks care about is the one they wish to wear on their wedding finger, while some would rather spend their Breakfast at Tiffany's, feasting their eyes on dazzling gems rather than forlornly sat at their local Starbucks in a tête-à-tête with their daily mochaccino-donut combo. So be it!

Mirabelle likes it easy, freestyle, free-spirited and way way cheaper (how about $22.00?) with no compromise on style and kudos. And the effect from those little facets adorning the Parvati's Cuff bracelet from Pondicherry is guaranted to rock you more than Queen or Her Majesty's crown jewels - in our opinion! Would you agree?

Z Movie Set

North of Bastia (Corsica) is a kitsch seaside hotel with a colourful and eccentric reputation that goes beyond its love affair with concrete posts and crazy paving. Its grounds double up as an alfresco impromptu modern art centre, with upcycled consumer waste, weathered raw rusty sculptures, metal wreckage, junk and debris. There is an air of neglect and abandonment that confer it that lived-in feel. Facts and fiction blur further as you venture deeper into the lush semi-tropical swampy gardens. The mind boggles and you start wondering whether what you see is meant to be showcased or you have actually entered a parallel universe... Is this a military testing area, an abandonned Soviet bloc resort, a failed Tiki trove, a jumble sale gone wrong or a (Rob) Zombie film set?

Across from the hotel, the pier is a crazy architectural feat, with totems, rusty sculptures, plaster figurines and incongru artefacts flirting with art from afar, broken down by shots of colour, incrustations and mosaics. It seems whoever concreted and partitioned off the creek with the pier had some fun and games trying to liven up the utilitarian look. You either get it or you don't. If in doubt ask the loyal crowd of afficionado hotel residents for their view. What is certain is that you will not remain indifferent to the rawness of it all and that's the name of the game!

The Festival d'arts "Singulièrement Brut" art fest has been in residence at the Hotel Caribou, 20228 Porticciolo, Cagnano, Corsica every Summer since 2006.

Source: All photography © Mirabelle Design Inspiration.

L'Odyssée de Cartier

May I have your attention please, Ladies and Gentlemen... The latest television advertising campaign by Cartier, the renowned French jewellery house, is an effects-packed film featuring its panther mascot packing a punch with its core brand values: luxe, elegance, feminity and travel, punctuated by a handful of carefully-chosen landmarks associated with the history of Cartier, including the famous Place Vendôme in Paris... So may I assure you to prepare to be spellbound!

Source: Cartier's 'L'Odyssée de Cartier', includes extras, such as the making-of, the music and... the panther sections (in French).

Hit the Road Mac!

When we all despair about engineering and manufacturing taking the easy route down China way, there are reasons to be cheerful right here right now with Mac Motorcycles taking us down the fast lane in a sleek, designer-led classic British fashion. Those bikes were born to be wild, man: Captain America and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club would do them justice, while Britannia can rightly claim to rule the roads once more, and that does us proud, yeah!

Sources: (1) to (4) All photography by Mac Motorcycles, via Carefully Considered. (5) The aforementioned Captain America (Peter Fonda) and Dennis Hopper revisit the American dream on Harley Davidson in Easy Rider (1969). Check out the 'Top 10 Memorable Movie Motorcycles' compiled by Time Entertainment. (6) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (the band that took its name from the Marlon Brando film).

Sweet Valentine

Without faffing about and without flinching, while floating like a cloud in a flurry of flimsy fluffly fickleness, I found a way to express how much I love you, how deep I care, without even writing the word down or saying it face to face; I just took advantage of the fact Valentine's Day is Lovers Day to express my feelings for you! Tomorrow is bright.

Sources: (1) Leave out the words and say it with hearts instead, you cannot go wrong if you go the pared down way, with this simple yet message-effective letterpress Valentine notecard from Claire Short @ Shortgrassdesigns via Etsy. (2) Bring sexy back all the way from Ukraine with this naughty bookmark with 'Personalised Valentine Tattoo on Sexy Butt', from Olena Mysnyk @ MyBookmark via Etsy. (3) Playing with old tin has never been so much fun for jewellery designer Kate Hamilton-Hunter, turning the mundane into the costume piece, like this 'Floral Romantic Bracelet', available to purchase from her site. (4) Keep it odd (as a number!) and decorative with Hotel Chocolat's 'Dark Lemon Truffles Keepsake Heart'. (5) Intellectualise it if you may with some poetry; here an extract from Pablo Neruda, via Department of the Interior. (6) And finally picture it and show it off! Photography love duo Bryan and Mae pictured by Bobbi + Mike, via Style Me Pretty. Love ain't dead baby, it's only the beginning!

But hang on, love wouldn't be so without its share of pain, right? 'Love Hurts' by Incubus:



'Love hurts...
But sometimes it's a good hurt
And it feels like I'm alive.
Love sings,
When it transcends the bad things.
Have a heart and try me,
'Cause without love I won't survive'.

I'm Not Yours

It was one of those heartstring moments while idly surfing the high tides of the web: Mirabelle stumbled across a nifty monochrome animation cleverly put together by Brighton-based freelance animator Nick Murray Willis for the 'I'm Not Yours' song by Australian brother and sister duo Angus & Julia Stone. Not exactly the sort of video you may wish to show your sweetheart on Valentine's Day (unless purposedly trying to prove a point...), and while not lifting spirits up on a sad rainy day, it certainly won't leave you indifferent, we promise!



I'm not yours - Angus and Julia Stone (2011) from Nick Murray Willis on Vimeo.

Start Something

Whenever you go round in circles, skip a beat and lose track of things, whenever you feel stuck in a rut, chained down to a reality that has lost its sheen, tell yourself that fate has nothing to do with it. Life is a series of options and opportunities and it is up to you to see them, seize them or make them happen to become what you aspire to be, rather than be your worst (best?) enemy, feeling sorry for yourself. So then, put your skates on because it won't be long until the best that life has to offer you will have passed you by and you'll be that bitter old prune stuck to a dusty corner of that dirty old couch, watching those same old re-runs from back in the day when you could have chosen to get up and go and make it all happen!

Sources: (1) Pack of Holstee greeting cards featuring the inspiring (2) Holstee Manifesto, an invitation to stand up, get creative and live your life to the full. (3) Take the plunge with Arcade Fire's awesome concert poster at Seattle's Key Arena on 26/09/2010, which was designed by Invisible Creature and is available to purchase from Poster Cabaret as a hand-made screen print.