Even if comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko smells like a disaster – a noxious mix of gases that have the odour of Porta Potties and rotten eggs – it looks undeniably incredible. Both spectral and sublime, it might have the shape of a rubber ducky, but it’s the coolest rubber ducky ever. The rocky, icy entity is a potent reminder that the magic of our universe extends well beyond the limits of our own, very small world. Even if the Philae lander, which sent the images back, stays dormant (its solar panels hidden in the shadows of the comet) the decade-long Rosetta mission will still have been an immense success. It is the first time humans have landed a spacecraft on a comet, and so has given us a never-before-seen close-up of the building blocks of our solar system.
Like previous, monumental achievements in space exploration (the moon landing, Star Trek), Rosetta will likely inspire people (sure, lots of kids, but also many kids at heart) to add touches of space-inspired decor to their spaces – anything that reminds us of the immensity of our university, the allure of unearthly objects and the wonder of travelling beyond our own atmosphere. Fortunately, there are many celestially appropriate designs that borrow from the stars, and look just as beguiling. Here, six of the best.
Shine
Fewer than 50 of Piergiorgio Cazzaniga’s Lofty loungers are produced in Italy each year. The George Jetson-worthy seats require hundreds of hours of hand metal work, high-tech laser cutting and a crazy amount of polishing to get the perfect mirror sheen. $33,000. Through kioskdesign.ca.
Statement
Amsterdam-based designer Jolan Van der Wiel uses a fundamental force of our universe to produce his Gravity stools. A pool of magnetized clay is placed in a pan, then drawn upward by a series of powerful magnets. The gravity-fighting pull creates the jagged legs – each one unique, depending on the play between the counteracting forces. Price upon request. jolanvanderwiel.com.
Sparkle
The Peacock candle holders, by French designer Dan Yeffet, have a simple, heavenly beauty. Elegant, black marble stands support a bright polished disc. As the flame burns, the flicker reflects against the brass, creating a star-like, twinkling reflection. From $880. Through avenue-road.com.
Glow
For its Planet pendant lamps, Italian brand Foscarini was inspired by a joint study by NASA and MIT to discover more efficient fabrics for astronauts. The lampshade is sewn from polyethylene terephthalate, a textile that has an inherent rigidity. The way it’s sewn together, it needs no internal structure beyond the stitches to support the spherical shape. From $1,397. For a list of Canadian retailers, contact foscarini.com.
Bright
For her series of pendant lights, Toronto-based designer Talia Silva uses porcelain to capture the awe of unidentified astral objects. She hand-works the surfaces of each orb so that it’s elegantly mottled and pocked, resulting in intricate, shadowy surfaces similar to a moon or comet. From $450. Through taliasilva.com.
Glitter
Bits of crushed glass are set into hand-formed clay for Anthropologie’s Celestial coasters. The glint of the glass against the deeply hued ceramic looks like a supernova in a far, far away galaxy. $32 for a set of four. Through anthropologie.com.