Spiritually & Physically Balanced Furniture. The New D/ZEN Collection By CTRLZAK.

Once again, the art and design studio CTRLZAK infuses Eastern philosphy into Western design like they previously did with their ceramiX project. Their latest coffee table and stool designs, the D/ZEN collection, consists of wooden blocks cut asymmetrically and balanced upon a symbolic silver cast twig leg. A reflective surface on the top or underside of the tables/stools is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.



The D/ZEN coffee table and stool by CTRLZAK was inspired by the spiritual and physical balance of Buddhist Zen practices. Archetypal forms that sustain objects and people, imperfect forms in perfect balance. The stick is man’s little touch, which supports nature but reminds us that everything is temporary.








CTRLZAK will present the new D\ZEN project in the upcoming Milan Design Week, the 12th to the 17th of April, 2011.

Don't forget to check out their wonderful CeramiX project, too.

Denise Saffren:Original Art Buckles

I am so happy to have found Denise Saffren and her beautifully cast and equally cheeky belt buckles. With both wit and talent, she has managed to create some very fine and very fun functional pieces of art.

She casts in everything from solid sterling silver to white bronze and brass. Some of her pieces have inlays of stone or glass and she does custom work as well.

Her belt buckle designs vary from tattoo and seventies inspired imagery (you know..... mud flap girls, trucks, skulls, flaming hearts, vegas , etc) and has the requisite new age imagery (fairies and mermaids) to my personal favorite....the "chastity' belt buckle.

Just take a look:






From her own site:
Denise Saffren is a professional sculptor in the corporate world.
Welcome to her escape.

In 2000, having little time to create anything bigger than a buckle, she decided to start her own buckle line. In 2001, her first series of buckles were created for her company All-Ready Design. As the buckles began to sell, she decided that this would be the perfect way to feed her own creative yearnings, on her own terms and on her own time.

Since then she has created over 20 buckles for her own line and various custom buckles for Singer/Songwriter Alana Davis, Lukaro Hair Salon in Beverly Hills, Tsunami Sushi, and Delicious Vinyl. Many celebrities own her buckles...P!nk, Linda Perry, Gina Gershon, Jorja Fox, Paul Stanley, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kid Rock and Kat Von D from Miami Ink. Denise has donated many buckles to Heal the Bay, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Hudson River Foundation, among other charities. As of 2006, she started to brand her buckles with her own name and signature, DENISE.

Before now, you could only buy her buckles either by bumping into her on the street or at Firefly on Abbot Kinney in Venice,CA, Ragg Mopp on Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake or at the Abbot Kinney Street Festival where she has been a staple for 6 years.

New designs are always on the horizon, so please sign the mailing list or check back often for her latest creations. Coming Soon! New and matching pendants for some of her favorite buckles! Plus new buckles.

you can reach the artist at her e-mail: info@denisesaffren.com


Buy them here.