Omer Arbel is the face behind the strikingly beautiful and unique designs at Bocci.  He was born in Jerusalem in 1976 and moved to Vancouver as a child.  Before the world of architecture and design deeply rooted itself, Omer completed a successful career in fencing, representing Canada on 4 Cadet and Junior national teams before retiring in 1997.  Omer went on to study architecture at the Univeristy of Waterloo and to complete his graduate degree before starting his own practice, Omer Arbel Office (or OAO), in 2005.  As creative director of manufacturing and design at Bocci, Omer continues to experiment with material properties and fabrication methodology while challenging the traditional boundaries between industrial design, craft and materials research.

His designs have received numerous awards and perhaps his greatest honour came in 2010 when he was selected to design the medals for the 2010 Olympic games.   With his experience as an athlete and his understanding of the value these medals would hold for the recipients Omer proposed some truly unique and beautiful ideas.  Although budget constraints disallowed his first two proposed designs, the chosen design was innovative, unique and beautiful; everything we’ve come to expect from Omer.

Visit http://www.designboom.com/design/omer-arbel-olympic-medal-design-process/ to learn more about his first two designs.

We are proud to display the 14, 21 and 28 series lighting in our show room at 616 Yates street.  Please come for a visit and marvel with us at the beauty of Bocci.  All Bocci products can also be found on our website at http://www.onlyhuman.ca

Although manufactured by Pablo Designs, Clamp is designed by Canadian, Dana Cannam.  Dana received his Bachelors in Industrial Design from the University of Alberta and his Masters in Social Design at the Design Academy Eindhoven (2010). Soon after graduation Dana established “Dana Cannam Design” based in Rotterdam specializing in product and interaction design.  We’re certainly proud to carry Clamp and even prouder that it was designed by one of our very own.  Well done Dana!

The Clamp light by Pablo is unique and eye-catching in its simplicity.  With no fasteners or screws used to position itself nicely on the side of your desk it is sleek and beautiful. The adjustable head slides up and down the stem and stays in place — just where you like it — without any hardware.

With the holidays in full swing, many of us are gearing up to host friends and family from out of town.  For some that means tidying up the guest room, but for others, with space at a premium, it means trying to make guests as comfortable as possible on a couch or an airmatress, or… a beautiful modern sofa bed!!

Here’s a round-up of the sofa beds you can find through Onlyhuman.

A little tongue in cheek?  Yup.  Hilarious? Absolutely!  According to research statistics, readers of magazines are three times more likely to buy products when they are floating in space over background photos of random, pleasurable scenes like kittens and/or buttered vegetables.  So, Blu Dot’s advertising department thought they’d give it a try and we love it!

With the Blu Dot sale ending soon, we thought this would be a good time to tell you a little bit about this creative company we like so much.

One day in 1997 three very stylish friends graduated from college and were embarking on the exciting task of furnishing their first “grown-up” homes.  Unfortunately they quickly became frustrated because they couldn’t afford what they wanted and did not want what they could afford.  They thought they probably weren’t the only ones in this predicament.   And so, Blu Dot was created in an attempt to provide good design to as many people as possible at an affordable price. They manage to balance functionality and innovative design so perfectly, creating products that are as as usable as they are attractive.

Have you been coveting a Blue Dot item but just can’t quite afford it? Well, Blue Dot understands.  That’s why they also offer customers the opportunity to propose a trade for one of their products at their Swap Meet.  You could offer anything, from performing good deeds to signed Snooki slippers and if accepted, you would then receive your coveted product.  Pretty great deal!  To learn more about the fun and quirky things that Blu Dot does,  check out the “Do not click” button on their website. There you’ll find hilarious behind-the-scenes video as well as films, apps and a link to their blog.

Sale ends November 8th!

I’m notorious in my family and among my friends for being passionately attached to the idea of eating at the table.  Don’t get me wrong, I agree that there are certain times when eating off your lap is a good option but I would argue that most of the time, sitting down at a table is better for your health and happiness.  Conversations happen, children learn to say “please?” when asking to pass food, we casually rub elbows with our loved-ones and we slow down to sit and enjoy the food and the company we are in.

So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for The Dining Table and all the learning, love and laughter it has brought to my life.

In tribute to all dining tables, big and small, here’s a few picks of our favourites!

It’s true, the  eye-catching Stelton Vacuum Jug, designed in 1977 by Erik Magnussen , is still considered one of the most stylish and functional jugs available.  The innovative design was awarded the ID-prize by the Danish Society of Industrial Design in 1977 and again in 2007, becoming the first product ever to win the coveted design award twice. The jug features two lid options.  A screw top for when you’re on the go and the award-winning rocker pouring system for frequent use around the house or office.  The Jug is an international favourite and fashion icon, setting the trend every spring and autumn with new seasonal colours.

Whether you’re keeping your French press coffee hot and fresh on the table or taking your mojitos on the road for a picnic, the Stelton jug will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold.  After 35 years they’re not going anywhere and we’re pretty happy about that because we just love them!

Available in store at Onlyhuman in Red, Pistachio, White, Black and Stainless. 1 L ( $90 each) and 750 ml ($79 each)($155 for Stainless)

It’s funny how things from our childhood can subconsciously dictate our tastes in adult life.

Growing up in rural Metchosin with German parents, they recreated their love of Bavaria in the houses we lived in.

I recently found some photos of the first house they renovated together, so long ago…

The built-in nook in our kitchen was naturally the heart of the home, my first memories are of Dad drinking coffee and passing our dog scraps beneath the table…

A closer look of our floral wallpaper and bright red folksy curtains – funny enough I now have the same haircut as Mom and a wardrobe full of stripes!

The next house we lived in had another built-in nook, only this time there were little hearts cut into the table legs and seat backs….

Those heart cut-outs are definitely something I find so sweet. Chris built me a fence at our home, so cute…

And now for some pics of the nook in our house….

And finally, a photo of our lovely nook (I forget what the flowers were for, but the beautiful chandelier was a gift from the amazing folks at BOCCI – available through Onlyhuman), the look is complete with a Bludot dining table (also available at Onlyhuman) red gingham upholstery and swedish white-washed wood panelling

Have a great weekend Victoria! xo C&C

To all the special dad’s out there! We’ve have your wish list at Onlyhuman set to a T this year.
Make sure to stop in before Fathers day Sunday June 17th

1. For the Musical Dad : Tivoli Model One Radio $179
2. For the Science Enthusiast Dad :  Bludot Pi Small Side Table $359
3. For the Sailor Dad : Sea Salt Soap $7.50
4. For the Evening Nap type of Dad : Gus Cohen Chair SALE $1420
5. For the Casual Dad : Areaware Bottle Teak Opener : $22.50
6. For the Camper Dad: Braun Alarm Clock $60
7. For the BBQ King : Menu Salt & Pepper Grinders $79
8. For the Curious Dad : Bludot Rook Lamp $239
9. For the Dapper Dad : Whiskey Lovers Set $69

There’s a brand new creation coming soon from Omer Arbel and Bocci. Due to be presented to the world for the first time at Spazio Rossana Orlandi during Milan Design Week (17-22 April 2012). The 38 series will be on display for you see and be inspired by… but if you can’t make it all the way to Milan we’ve got some preview shots here. The 38 is composed of hand blown globes that feature smaller globes within…. using a similar technique to the 28 series the blown spheres are intermittently heated and cooled. Once the larger outside globe is cooled a small area is reheated and instead of blowing, the air is sucked out, forming the interior globe. In the case of the new 38 series some of the voids will contain lamps and some larger voids are to be used for potted plants. Multiple globes and planters are linked with copper tubing and wire. I am DYING to see one of these in real life…. hopefully soon. Catch an eyeful below.

If you want to browse more from Bocci click here or drop by the store: Bocci at Onlyhuman

1. Block Lamp :  A sensation of ice and light, of heat and chill $159  2. Bono Bowls : Bone china plates and bowls in various sizes with hand painted décor $60  3. Mañana Lamp :  Seems to have escaped from a comic strip, an insolent caricature leaning against the wall, just waiting for someone to turn it on. And why shouldn’t a lamp have plenty of character  $269  4. Nordic Light :  It is as versatile as it gets. You can fully open this wooden candle holder or fold parts of it away $220 4. (the second) Björk Stool : “The stool is a natural part of the Björk collection, just like the stumps in a birch forest. They are a piece of furniture that is light and soft in its expression.”$319 5. Björk Rug : “The birch, a tree that can be found all over Sweden, is my inspiration for the Björk collection. The expression in the woven structure comes from the black and white trunk of the birch and the leather represents the inside of the bark. The rug forms a beautiful flat textile surface in the home, as natural as stone or wood. To me the rugs are like poetry, like a quiet whisper in the room.” $145-$599  6. Cord Lamp : Wires and unruly lamp cords tend to mess up even the most well-planned decor. Instead of the usual snake’s nest of winding cords $159  7. Tablo Tray Table : Decorative and useful at the same time. Magnus Löfgren’s Tablo Tray Table has a high rim to prevent food and other things from spilling over $157