Design Heroes - Sir David Tang

I've always been fond of FT newsprint. From a design perspective it's instantly recognisable colour and typeface proudly proclaim it means business. Masculine certainly, but it's not just the financial pages that draw attention. Aforementioned design hero Tyler Brûlé is a regular columnist in the Life & Arts section, as too is eclectic businessman and power networker Sir David Tang.

This framed article by the Knight Commander is aesthetically pleasing, but monumentally important from a design perspective. Sir David discusses demolishes the fiddly pretense of interior design and preciousness of today's super designers. Like a beacon, this article represents everything design should stand for. Read it Here.

If Calatrava did Christmas...

Christmas for some means decking the halls with a multitude of garish fairy lights - Either bright enough to be seen from space or, with the popularity of LED bulbs, cast a glow so eerily unnatural that they may as well be from outer space. A shame because many of the forms of Christmas are so iconic; architectural even.

Take the candle bridge; a staple for many a mantle. Designers like Santiago Calatrava will spend many months designing a crossing before lending weeks to the task of lighting it. This coincidentally influenced decoration draws on the work of the acclaimed Spaniard for a suitably architectural Christmas.

Japanese White Charcoal - Actually Black

While Trawling a few years ago in Tokyo, I came across a mysterious black honeycomb cube for sale in the Need'k store near Daikanyama. I hadn't the foggiest what it was for until I noticed them again at 100% Design. The mysterious cube was a Japanese White Charcoal odour remover and it seems that the UK is getting a taste for the enigmatic substance.

The pictured chikutan sticks (£25 for a pack of 3) are created by carefully controlled the burning process of woods such as Japanese bamboo. The result is a porcelain like material that in air removes odour and in liquids absorb impurities. Once again, a suitably mancave solution to water filtration.

Faux Fur - Caveman & GQ Gent Approved

Synonymous with the wealthy fashionistas, alpine log cabins and yes, prehistoric cavemen, fur is an effective and iconic material. An absolute luxury in today's society, its use seems to attract the wrong sort of attention (as anyone who has ever strolled past Harrods will know).

Thankfully, a market exists in super luxury, super high quality faux fur. Today, demand for this premium and ethical product outstrips supply by a considerable amount (Japan alone is thought to consume one third of global output).

This Iberian Wolf fur throw from UK based specialists Faux Fur Throws, is made in England and exceptional in every way. Priced at just under £100, the lustre, depth and fineness of the fibres would be enough to fool  any Russian oligarch - And if you're not out to impress visiting tycoons, the company's association with Tatler and GQ should make you popular with visiting supermodels too.

Design Heroes - Tyler Brûlé

The first in a range of 'Design Hero' themed posts highlighting some important figures in mancave-orientated design. Tyler Brûlé is the editor in chief of Monocle Magazine an absolute staple for 'today's multifaceted male human'. Before founding Monocle, Tyler also founded Wallpaper* Magazine and creative agency Winkreative.

This framed illustration from Monocle Mediterraneo is signed by Tyler after the DesignTrawler spotted him at the soft launch of Marylebone clothier Trunk. I'm a particular fan of Monocle's fastidious attention to detail and Winkreative's design work with airlines such as Swiss, Porter and BA.