James Bond-inspired interior gadgetry
Even James Bond would approve of the magnetically floating bed from Universal Architects
Friday, 17, Nov 2006 12:15
With James Bond's latest blockbuster, Casino Royale, opening across the country, householders who want a slice of 007 gadgetry have a lot of exciting products to choose from.
House moving specialists Cadogan Tate have put together a list of the ultimate gadgets for the home, from disappearing alarm clocks to hovering beds.
"Plasma screens and wireless internet are old news. Working in the best-heeled homes in London, we're stunned by the new home gadgets showing up in luxury homes," said Paul Haynes, Cadogan Tate's head of residential moves.
He added: "Moving high-tech homes is an art in itself. Handling these futuristic moves has meant we've become experts in home gadgets."
Cadogan Tate's most luxurious home gadgets for 2007:
The Smart Table from Gorenje is a stylish round slab with a built-in refrigerator. Unbeatable for having instant access to perfectly chilled champagne and caviar, with a touch of a button from the remote control the circular refrigerator will rise from the centre of the table.
For more info see www.gorenje.co.uk
Clocky is an alarm clock that runs away and hides if you do not get out of bed on time. The alarm sounds, you press the snooze, and Clocky rolls off of the bedside table, and wheels away, until it finds a spot to hide. When the alarm sounds again, you have to try and find it.
Difficult to sleep through, but not an alarm you will want to leave on over the weekend. For more info see www.clocky.net
The White Box PC Bot is a computer that moves, talks, sees, hears, senses and can physically react and respond to the environment around it. The robot can also be set to act as round the clock security guard, with its remotely accessible camera and lights.
For more info see www.whiteboxrobotics.com
Finally, a bed that floats. According to Universe Architecture, in Holland - award-winning designers of the Floating Bed, the history of architecture and design is, to a large extent, embedded in the struggle with gravity. In contrast to conventional furniture which falls towards the earth, the Floating Bed falls towards the sky.
Kept aloft by calibrated magnets, the floating bed is a technological marvel. However, only one floating bed currently exists, and it is not cheap at $1 million.
Mr Haynes said: "Cadogan Tate's Fine Art division would be tasked to move one of these. It's essentially a sculpture."
For more info see www.universearchitecture.com