The end's not near, it's here...for now

Have we got news for you! 

Smart Living Objects is undergoing quite the change. As of Monday 3rd June our online store will have a new name: XLBoom. Visit the new web shop on http://www.xlboomshop.com

We came to the conclusion that many of our visitors were being referred there through the XLBoom.com website. So we decided it would be easier and clearer if the online store carried the same name as our main brand.

Apart from the name change nothing much changes. We will keep striving for high quality products and an excellent service. 
But we also have some bad news: we're going to focus on some other things for the moment, which is why we're saying goodbye from this blog for now. However, don't cry for us, dear reader, because we will be back at some point!

There's not much left to say except this: thank you very much for reading our blog posts. We had a blast searching for interesting topics. We hope our small reports were entertaining and that you will come back as soon as we restart this blog.

Take care for now!

The last days of Mommy Month

A few countries still have to celebrate Mother's Day this month, so we'd like to take the opportunity to draw your attention to our Mommy Month promotion for the last time. If you buy one of our new Palm Trays before 31st May you will get 4 Spring Clips worth € 15,50 for free!

See you next time!

Products in the picture: the Tribe Table with Wood and the Cork Top for Slice

The use of natural fabrics in design is far from new. Untreated wood, cork, grasscloth or seagrass: it seems that many material that have a biological reference can be used in home decor :)

It's not the first time XLBoom designs 'natural' objects. Quite a few Extra Large products such as the Champagne Cork and Diablo Stool are made from full cork. And when it comes to picture frames the Square Floating Box, the Prado Frame and the Belle Frame all come in an untreated wooden version. So why not keep focussing on what we're good at? Therefore two brand new natural creations: the Tribe Table with Wood and the Cork Top for the Slice. 

1. This splendid table is made of recycled ABS and the cover lid is made of wood. The Tribe collection is designed by PinkOliv and XLBoom.

2. The Cork Top for Slice was designed by Finn Stone, who also created the Slice itself. The Cork Top is suitable for both types of the Slice, either with or without cover lid.

You want to discover more novelties? Then visit the online store!

See you next time!

Celebrate your family in Antwerp!

15th May is the International Day of Families, an initiative of the United Nations that wants to emphasize the importance of family. We believe as a family it's important to spend (quality) time together. And what's a better way to bond than visiting a great city, where every member can find something he or she likes? We chose to give you a small virtual guided tour through Antwerp, the city we know best!

This first picture was taken at FelixPakhuis (translation: Warehouse of Felix). It's a trendy eating and drinking place near the wharfs in the north of the city, that has different concepts in different rooms. Everyone can easily find something that he or she likes, which makes this warehouse very family friendly :)   

After a quick refreshment or a full lunch it's worth the effort to pay a visit to 'Museum aan de Stroom' or just MAS. Not only a beautiful building, but also a place where you can learn more about untold stories of Antwerp, its river and its port.

If you have small children, you should definitely take them to Park Spoor Noord. Water fountains bring them refreshment on hot summer days and a playground keeps your toddlers busy at all times, so that you can have a drink in the supercool Cargo Bar. Highly recommended!

Apart from the places we discussed here, there are of course tons of other must-see spots in the Harbour City: Het Steen, Het Modemuseum (the Fashion Museum), the Cathedral and many more. For more tourist information, visit the Visit Antwerp website.

If you ever make it to our Home City: enjoy your stay! If you don't: enjoy the pictures ;)

See you next week!

Getting to know Alain Monnens

They've been available in our store for quite some time now, but we never officially introduced them to you on our blog: the Cork Bowls.

These iconic full cork bowls come in 4 sizes: small, medium, large and extra large. But today we want to show you the man who is behind this brilliant design. Allow us to introduce to you Belgian Wunderkind Alain Monnens!

Welcome Alain! Tell us, what do you like to do in your free time?

Alain Monnens: In my free time - as well as in my professional life - I enjoy being creative. Photography is, for example, one of my hobbies. I also really enjoy cooking. Apart from that, discovering new things with my children is something that I also really treasure. They make me see things from a whole new perspective.

Summer holidays are approaching. What is your favourite holiday destination?

Alain Monnens: When on holiday, I want to discover new things. So I prefer a city that has a lot to offer. When it’s too calm, I get bored. A city like New York for example, really makes me feel like new.

How do you hope to make a difference with your work? What do you strive for?

Alain Monnens: As a designer I hope my creations outlive me. I try to design products that are timeless. In other words, products that people can cherish and that are life lasting.

What product of the XLBoom collection do you like and why?

Alain Monnens: I’m a big fan of Finn Stone’s Ball Chair, as it’s the perfect example of a timeless product. There’s no other shape that fits this particular product. It’s so self-evident that it seems as if it’s always been there, that it always existed.

What advice would you like to give to young designers?

Alain Monnens: Try to gain as much experience as you can in order to discover where you want to go to as a designer. Don’t assume it will all work out by itself. Designing is a verb, so it implies a lot of ‘doing’ and ‘making'. 

We will keep it in mind :) Thank you very much for this interview.

We also want to know what our readers think, so bring it on: what is your favourite holiday destination?

If you want to know more about Alain Monnens and his work, visit his website! 

See you next week!

May = Mommy's Month @ Smart Living Objects

If there's something we should all agree with it's this: Moms rock and they deserve more than just one day of celebration per year. So basically, everyday should be Mother's Day :) And in a way it is, because not every country celebrates it on the same day or in the same month even. Most countries celebrate it in May, though, which is why Smart Living Objects dedicates the Spring Month to all Mommies out there. And we do that with a special promotion:

Visit the online store to read more about it!

We're very proud of our Palm Trays and we're sure many moms will like them, but we also want to give you some more gift ideas for one of your most favourite people in the world!

1. We cannot emphasize it enough (and hope for it, to be honest): it's gonna be summer real soon and what do you need for that the most, except for sunscreen? Right, sunglasses! This pair of Ray Ban's are so stylish and timeless your mom is even gonna wear them on rainy 
days :)

2. Every woman loves accessories and we're pretty sure your mom will love this scarf. And if you think she doesn't, have a look on the Etsy website. Loads of items that can make her 
happy :)

3. We really don't want to cause a stir by suggesting the following gift for a mother (yes, in terms of gender thinking), it's just that we really like this Shelby Apron, a very nice item of Anthropologie :)

Ok, so, do your best. Pick a great gift and make sure your mom has the most wonderful day so far!

See you next time.

Are you a fan of Andaman?

Sometimes ideas for a new collection arise without much further ado. The creators know exactly what they want, designs are drawn and executed. And that's that. If only life were always that simple :)
The Andaman collection that was first launched in September 2012 is a result of this smooth way of working.

The lids of the boxes were first made of mango wood, but due to too much production waste the designers opted for the more environmental friendly rubber wood. This type of wood doesn't have that problem and the natural look of the lid with the coated box is kept, which was the initial goal.

The New Andaman Collection is an assortment of small and medium decor boxes that can be used for storage. However, since they're not food safe, don't try putting sugar, jelly or cream in there :)

So what can you store in there? Well, have a look:

New Andaman Ronda

The New Andaman Ronda is the perfect hiding place for Nespresso cups. Or jewellery. Or tissues. Or keyrings. Or business cards. Or...Since the possibilities are endless, we're quite convinced you can find at least one yourself, too!    

New Andaman Capri, Landa and Pilo

One never has enough boxes for stationary, so why not choose for the stylish and timeless kind? Whether you want to store paperclips, staplers or adhesive tape, it all fits perfectly in the New Andaman boxes!

Have a great week and see you next time!