VESSEL'S TOP 10 DECANTER PICKS

So many beautiful decanters, so hard to choose! 

We have to admit, here at VESSEL we're wine obsessed.  After all, our roots stem from a modern wine concept shop where we showcased some of the most highly designed wine accessories ever amassed into one collection.

We've went ahead and picked some of our favourites.  While all of these decanters are gorgeous, they are also first and for most quite functional, and are guaranteed to be the talk of the table.

Molecule Decanter by Thomas Kral

The Molecule Decanter is really two decanters in one.  Each sphere has an opposing spout, allowing the beverages to be poured from each chamber without spillage.

Mickey Decanter by Studio Sano

Resembling its namesake Mickey Mouse, this cheerful decanter aerates your wine in style. Designed by Takehide Sano and Handblown by Massimo Lunardon, the Mickey is part of a spherically inspired collection of decanters from Studio Sano.

Uplifting Carafe by Dean Brown

Uplifting Carafe (disassembled)

The Uplifting Carafe is simply stunning.  The central carafe is suspended, seemingly in air, by a large and cavernous base making for an elegant presentation.  The Low Uplifting has a tall thin counterpart, and olive and vinegar bottles complete the collection.

Dorian Decanter by Ichendorf for VSL

The Dorian decanter is modelled off a traditional Spanish Porron.  Sleek and modern, the long spout makes for an easy pour with no drip.

Siloboutille 75 by Silo Design

Besides looking lovely, the double walled design of the Siloboutille has a practical purpose, allowing for temperature maintenance of hot or cold beverages.

Funny Fauna Red Wine Pot by Secondome

This is a carafe of grand proportions!  The Red Wine Pot easily decants a Magnum, or even Jeroboam (3L).  Large and in charge, this decanter is part of the Funny Fauna collection designed by Fabrica for Secondome. (And yes, we realize it looks as though it may be intended for other purposes now legal in some states).

Stilla Decanter by JAGA

A marvel of engineering.  To use the Stilla, tip the decanter and fill from the punt on the base, then pour through the spout.  Trust us, it works.  Its unique design prevents the wine from spilling and makes for a great hand feel and easy pour.

Heart Decanter by Kosmos Project

The Kosmos Heart Decanter is a functional art piece.  The attached funnel allows for easy filling, and the top "ventricles" make for a nice grip.  Each decanter is handblown and hand formed by Polish design studio Kosmos Project.

Funny Fauna Duck Decanter

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...it may be a decanter.  The whimsical Duck Decanter from Secondome is large enough to fit a Magnum and clever enough to bring a smile your guests. Part of the Funny Fauna collection designed by Fabrica.

AK Decanter by Anna Karlin

All cylinders and spheres, the voluptuous shape of the AK decanter is simply sublime.

There are so many more that we truly love.  We're always on the lookout for new and innovative designs. Do you have a favourite that didn't make our list?  Let us know!

So there's our roundup.  We've left some amazing pieces off the list, and if we were to do it again tomorrow we may just pick differently.  We're always on the lookout for new and innovative designs from talented artists.  If you have a favorite that's been left off our list, let us know!

ALL THAT REMAINS...DARK DESIGN BY THOMAS FUCHS CREATIVE

ALL THAT REMAINS...a drop dead beautiful collection from edgy New York design studio TFC.

Macabre, portentous, and darkly alluring- the Remains Collection from Thomas Fuchs brings us face to face with our own mortality.  

Remains Cocktail Shaker

And what better way to while away our time remaining than sipping champagne chilled to the bone in a tombstone bucket.  

Black Marble Skull Bucket

Handmade using traditional techniques including hand-carving, wax-casting and glass blowing, these stunning objects will bring a lifetime of enjoyment...and beyond.

Crystal Bottle Topper - Black

Inspired by nature, Thomas Fuchs creates timeless objects featuring a classic aesthetic but with a markedly modern twist.  Art, in all of its infinite forms, is a catalyst for Fuchs, who has designed furniture, created Venetian glass forms, and is an avid painter.  

Honeycomb Skull Cocktail Glass

Thomas designs with the “golden mean” in mind, using a geometric construct that heavily informs his work.  His designs have been showcased at the Ritz-Carlton Miami, Bellagio, and Venetian Las Vegas as well as Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman.

Remains Skull Coasters and Silver Bottle Stand

Thomas Fuchs

DRINKING IS THE FUN PART (now who's going to clean the decanter?)

For those of us who use decanters on a regular basis, there comes a time when a simple rinse with soap and water no longer does the trick.

The other day we were inspecting one of favourite carafes and noticed something...a little off.  As in we could barely see the new contents for the remains of the old.

A thorough washing under the tap didn't alleviate the problem. Sigh.  Time to go to more drastic measures.

There are a few schools of thought on the best way to clean a clean a decanter, but most revolve around 2 central themes: some sort of cleansing solvent which causes a chemical reaction, or an abrasive scouring method caused by brushing or swirling the contents.

You can buy decanter cleansing solvent, but most people just opt for some sort of mildly acidic home remedy.  Here are a few pro ported suggestions:

• A vinegar and water solution: swirl on the inside and let sit from a few minutes to 24 hours (make sure to rise well.  No one wants to drink red wine vinegar.
• Baking soda and water: this has the added benefit of being mildly abrasive.  
• Oxyclean: there is a whole contingency who believe this is the very best method to get sparkly clean results.  Although it's worth noting that if you are cleaning crystal this may eat into the surface over a period of time.
• Denture cleaner: same theory, a bit more extreme.
• A neutral organic substance: i.e. use a bottle of cheap white wine.  Swirl and soke.  The alcohol acts as a cleanser.  You can also use vodka, tequila, or technically any colourless alcohol (including good old rubbing alcohol).  Be prepared, this may take an eternity of soaking.

Usually people opt for a scouring method.  Used alone, with water, or with vinegar.

• Decanter brush: these come in all shapes, sizes and forms, from bristles to foam.

  

• Cleaning balls: you can opt to buy official "decanter cleansing balls", but really, BB's are exactly the same thing.  Pour in decanter and swirl until the build-up starts to come off.  Be careful when adding to the decanter that you don't chip or break the glass.  Add vinegar, swirl and let soak for an extra layer of grit removal.

           

• Rice: same principal as the bb method.  Be sure to use uncooked white rice, or you'll have another mess to clean up.
• Ice: It's not corrosive and non-abrasive.  However this may take some time and effort.
• Other rough surfaces: sand, crushed eggshells (that was really a suggestion), barley or other grains.

Now if only someone has a good suggestion on how to clean this...

SECONDOME, AWE INSPIRING GLASS DESIGN

If you've laid eyes on the creations of Italian design house Secondome, it's likely you'll remember.

Based in Rome, Secondome is a "kinetic, contemporary brand" helmed by architect Claudia Pignatale.  Pignatale and her husband originally founded the concept in 2006 when they opened their first concept gallery in the Palazzo della Scimmia.

The creative showroom featured various interior accent pieces, including furniture, kitchen accessories and table decor.  Met with rave reviews, the couple soon began to expand their collection and commission limited edition objects, focusing heavily on the medium of blown glass.

The collaborations expanded to include both well known and up-and-coming designers.  Fabrica, Sam Baron, Kiki Van Eijk, Nigel Coats and Zaven are all included in the company's design repertoire.

The "Uplifting" carafe collection by Dean Brown is a testament to the innovative design spirit championed by Secondome.  These ethereal decanters are designed to evoke the feeling of elation experienced when drinking with old friends and new.  The contents appear to be levitation in mid-air, as if celebrating right along.  The center of the carafe lifts out for service, while the outer vessel resides on the table, serving as a beautiful stand.

Secondome Uplifting Carafe Collection

THAT'S A WRAP: THE DESIGNS OF SIMON HASAN

At his studio in London, award winning designer Simon Hasan likes to play with leather.

The award winning British designer  is interested in the convergence of ancient crafts and the industrial production processes. His work is imbued with a richness and texture borne from historical research, and a fascination for obscure crafts techniques. 

Through heating, twisting and moulding, Hasan creates a substance with the hardness of timber that will not soften over time. The leather is conformed to a glass vessel to create the decanters, carafes and bottles in his aptly named Wrap Collection.

The moulded and wrapped leather sections provide warmth and contrast to precision, hand-made glass and turned brass fittings.  

THE CURIOUS CASE OF ROSE. RABBIT. LIE.

Recently Las Vegas Weekly gave Rose. Rabbit. Lie at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas a stellar review, calling it a real "game changer" in the industry.

The article features photos of the VESSEL curated tabletop- including our lovely Curious Toile collection, which makes the delectable food look even more amazing!

When we were looking for plate ware for the RRL venue, we needed something to tie in with the vintage English transfer ware we had sourced from Nancy Roberts' amazing collection.  (How awesome are these...)

GLASS WITH CLASS: ANDY PAIKO'S DARK AND LOVELY CREATIONS

Awe-inspiring. Those are the words that come to mind when first encountering the glass designs of Northwest artist Andy Paiko.  The towering absinthe fountain is just one example his visionary craftwork.

Working without assistants, Paiko is largely self taught.  His works are extremely intricate, with detailing reminiscent of an antiquated style- bell jars containing obscure or extravagant artefacts, or sculpted glass interpretations of obsolete technologies.