Six Out-of-the-Hearth Fireplaces

by Tim Yu

Sooty, ashy and smoky, traditional fireplaces can be more hassle than their mood-setting abilities are worth (and if you've seen Factory Girl, the romance of a fire looks especially trite when it sets a clichéd sex scene). These downsides look all the more dismal considering the environmental hazards posed by such an inefficient heat source. What follows are CH picks to keep you warm, eco-friendly and in the company of good design during winter months.

Made of two stainless steel oil lamps nestled together like logs of wood, Carl Mertens faux fireplace (pictured above right) creates a focal point, radiates light and warmth and is small enough for a tabletop. Mertens' designs intend to elevate supposedly mundane actions such as eating and drinking to a pleasure-filled dining experience. The very contemporary Tabletop Fireplace is available for $350.

via Urban Daddy

The Spark Fire Ribbon is so clean and modern it almost looks electronic. Fully customizable, the vent-free fireplace reflects the design of the room with options including copper, brass, stone and ceramic, to name a few. Fireplaces without vents produce a very hot flame that results in nearly complete fuel combustion, eliminating nasty carbon monoxide and soot. They also come equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), a safety device that monitors air quality in the room. It is available for $3999 at Spark or by calling 01-866-938-3846.

Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, the Geniol Fireplace, is made of cylindrical Schott borosilicate glass and brushed stainless steel. We think marshmallows are still better toasted over a campfire, but the Geniol still brings all the hypnotism of an open fire. Fuelled with a gel fuel paste, the fireplace comes in two sizes, the standard, which is a little under 16 inches tall and costs $653, and the large scale "Edition" model ($1839) that measures nearly 40 inches tall.

The fireplace Balance, designed by Peter Maly, distinguishes itself with its modular interior design concept. Able to assemble in a variety of ways, you can choose between the floating version, where all elements are fastened horizontally to the wall, or the free-standing version on stainless steel feet.There are convenient storage elements for firewood in various widths and the bench extends in a clean horizontal line. Ventilation options include either a vertical smoke flue or a direct wall connection. See Conmoto for more information on Balance.

The first stove of its kind, the Europa 75 burns natural bioenergy materials like shelled corn, hulled wheat and wood. More importantly, these bioenergy fuels do not contribute to climate change (which may eventually make all these fireplaces irrelevant). As non-renewable energy prices like gas, oil and propane continue to rise, it is also an economical choice to heat your home. Efficient and clean while throwing enough heat to fill an average home, find a dealer close to you at Pellet Stove.

For those in warmer climes Extremis' Qrater, an outdoor fire dish, is a simple saucer shape that makes stacking wood into well-burning arrangements easy. Made from special weather-resistant steel, the surface of the dish forms a protective layer called a "platinum layer" that prevents erosion from fire and rain. Designed by Diry Wynants, a pedestal protects the surrounding from heat damage, a hole allows drainage and the Qrater comes with a poker. $1676 from Unica Home.

With contributions by Ami Kealoha and Evan Orensten.

Cellswapper

by Ami Kealoha

Capitalizing on the loophole that lets most mobile users out of unwanted contracts by transferring it to someone else, Cellswapper is a new online service allowing those who want to abandon their current plan by posting it for someone who wants a short-term plan. To facilitate the win-win exchange whereby neither party has to pay a fee for starting or canceling service, Cellswapper uses a Transfer Tracking system to keep users informed about the exchange and helps facilitate the legal transfer. Swappers are encouraged to offer a handset or a small cash incentive, which is one of many searchable criteria, including plan cost and features. For early adopters looking to ditch non-Cingular contracts in the wake of the recently announced iPhone and its multi-year exclusive deal with Cingular, Cellswapper is an expeditious solution.

Ron Mueck: Brooklyn Museum

by Tim Yu

You might have already heard, but it's worth a reminder that time is running out to see Ron Mueck's solo exhibition of eleven extraordinary works at the Brooklyn Museum through 4 February 2007. Known for his empathetic renderings, the sculptures are startingly lifelike—so much so that it was easier to look at the sculptures that had their eyes closed, because only then could you feel unhibitited in your observation, sympathy and admiration. Mueck's attention to detail is excrutiating. Take notice of the subtle translucent skin revealing veins on the lower back of the 15 foot (4.5m) long piece called "A Girl". Also, be sure to catch the video showing his sculpting processes. Prior to this visit I had only seen his work in photos and books—there is no comparison to seeing it in person. The Brooklyn version of the exhibition travels next to the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, February–May 2007.

Stuart and Your Gallery

by Leonora Oppenheim

If you missed the launch last year of powerful art collector Charles Saatchi’s foray into the online networking, don’t worry you are not the only one. We only recently learned of the growing phenomena that are the Saatchi Gallery’s two online spaces for artists, Your Gallery and Stuart. Realizing the potential of tapping into the MySpace format, Saatchi started Your Gallery to provide a free online platform for artists. A New York Times article last month reported that since launching in May the site has, "contributions from about 20,700 artists, including 2000 pieces of video art. Everything there is for sale, with neither the buyer nor the seller paying a cent to any dealer or other middleman. About 800 new artists have been signing up each week."

Capitalizing on this instantly successful format—that demonstrates artists’ need for self promotion and to communicate with other artists—Saatchi launched a sister site in November called Stuart (student art) to cater for the worldwide student art community. The result? In one month 1300 students created web pages for themselves there. They now have upwards of 6 million visitors a day.

It’s not only the students and professional artists who are benefiting from these online galleries, Saatchi himself is fascinated by the opportunity to see so many artists’ work from all over the world in one place. He says he spends hours each day looking at work on both sites, though for now he is leaving it to others to snap up the creations. As the rest of the art industry, dealers, gallerists, museum directors and collectors, gets involved, Saatchi is just enjoying the spectacle.

Refinery29 Shops

by Ami Kealoha

Just about a year and a half ago, Refinery29 launched, curating the best of New York retail into one easy-to-use website and pairing it with sharply penned, of-the-moment editorial. Now a regular CH contributor and friend, Refinery29 is making the coveted finds—those items that define New York as one of the world's shopping capitols—available online with this week's launch of Refinery29 Shops. Using the same set of criteria—"inspiring spaces, distinctive products, and proprietors with a distinct voice and a discriminating vision"—that makes the original site such a great resource, Refinery29 Shops hand-picks fashion and housewares from their roster of NYC boutiques. Divided into sections for men, women, kids (coming soon) and objects, the interface is effortlessly navigable and has plenty of info (down to cleaning instructions) and tools to make the experience of discovering the guaranteed good buys enjoyable. From Seize sur Vignt's gorgeous grey oxfords to Shelly Steffee's red silk harness-slash-suspenders, Refinery29 Shops provides access to the kind of items you can't find anywhere else. Designer profiles and "Style Sheets" by fashion insiders (currently Vogue Paris' New York editor) make the shopping experience complete—and easier than braving the crowds if you live in NYC or booking a flight if you don't.

Shure SE530

by Josh Rubin

Shure has some new ear candy coming out next month in the form of the SE530, a new sound-isolating set of earbuds. I was able to sneak a listen and was blown away—they literally brought a tear to my eye. For such a small earphone they deliver a huge, surprisingly expansive sound stage, full-bodied bass and highs that stayed crisp alongside rich, full textured vocals.

The buds come with a Fit Kit to ensure a personalized secure fit and maximum sound isolation. Shure also introduced a new sleeve that is a synthesis of the comfort and isolation of foam sleeves while maintaining the shape and cleanliness of plastic sleeves. Other customizing accessories include a 9'' (23cm) line to extend cable length for exercisers who use armbands. The whole SE line sounds great, but the SE530 is the standout by far, an improvement on older models offering new sound signatures, modularity, style and improved ergonomics.
On sale this February 2007, they can be purchased at Shure for $450.