La Dolce Vespa. Limited Edition Vespas Inspired by Classic Italian Speedboats.

Digital Veneer in Auckland, New Zealand, provides ultra high quality environmentally responsible alternatives to the use of real wood, marble, granite and stone in the aviation, marine, automotive and high-end architectural markets.

They began their Designer Series of Limited Edition "Tribute" Vespas last February with the GTV Tribute Vespa, using the larger model as a canvas on which to try out a Mahogany veneered version of the originally Italian scooter.

The Limited Edition GTV "Tribute" Vespa:




GTV Specs:


Now, they have released Limited Edition LX50 and LX150 "Tribute" Vespas.






LX50 and LX150 Specs:


The styling and prestige of these limited edition Vespas evoke famous Italian speedboats from the 1960’s with their Mahogany mirror finish and hand stitched leather seats.





Each brand new Vespa is transformed by craftsmen into an authentic and unique work of art and carries a numbered limited edition silver plaque. Their personal customization service is also available to meet any specific requirements you might have.

What is Digital Veneer?

The Digital Veneer™ process decorates 3-dimensional and flat surface products made from plastics, metals, foam, wood, composites and any other structural material with a variety of finishes which exactly replicate the look and feel of natural and man made materials.

Digital Veneer™ is a fraction of the weight of real wood veneers and stone equating to lighter structures and significant fuel savings in aircraft, boats and automobiles.

Digital Veneer™ has the following three significant benefits:

• Environmentally Responsible: With exotic hardwoods, teak and other timber products becoming hard to obtain the ability to replicate the look without using valuable scarce resources.

• Lightweight: Using foams and advanced composites we are able to make hand rails, tables, flooring and cabinets that weigh 60 - 70% less than comparable units made from wood.

• Durability and Flame resistant: Considerable cost savings in maintenance can be achieved using 'Digital Veneer'TM. Utilizing our high solids top coating system developed in conjunction with Awlgrip outside products need only be re-coated every 2 - 3 years opposed to every 2 - 3 months for wood / varnish. As the sub straights are made from a stable material they will not warp, split or swell. The composite construction makes the product stronger than real wood products.

Contact Lance Sheppard of Digital Veneer for more information

Luxury Racing Bikes Exquisitely Crafted of Mahogany Wood By Sueshiro Sano.

Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail make this wooden bike the finest about which I have written. While it's true I introduced you to Woody Bicycles and the first FSC- certified wooden bicycle, the elegance and proportions of Sanomagic's wooden bikes are in a class by themselves.



A ninth generation ship builder, Sueshiro Sano, shown above with his Mahogany Bike T2, has created a lightweight high performance luxury bike using layering techniques employed in shipbuilding to make the wood stronger and more durable.



above images courtesy of Adeyaka Magazine

Sano made his first Mahogany bicycle in January of 2008. Since then he has completed ten and is working on the eleventh in which he is introducing Mahogany deep polished rims.






Every element on the bike, other than the gears and brakes, is handcrafted of mahogany wood. A curved wooden frame, wooden spacers, wooden handlebars, a wooden saddle, wooden kickstand and wooden seat. Even the the wheels, the drink holder and the little cap on the tire valves is wood as well.










Sano claims the bike outperforms aluminum models and even some of the most cutting edge carbon fiber models. Like Carbon fiber, wood is a fiber which has holes inside for water which contain air. So, when the wood gets a shock, it expels the air much like a sneaker sole. This absorbs the majority of the shock and provides a seamlessly smooth ride.




Despite the fact that many people see his bikes as a 'design project', Sano considers safety and functionality first.


above: The Sanomagic workshop

Mahogany Bikes made by Sueshiro Sano.

A Wicked Way With Wood. Font Wall Art & Coasters By Jen Pepper.

Jen Pepper, the designer behind Peppersprouts, combines technology with crafting to create homewares and wall art that have a modern style combined with a traditional sensibility. While she also works in acrylic, I am especially fond of her hand drawn and laser etched cherry and walnut coasters and wall art.


Sans Serif Font Wall Art:


Fan of sans-serif typefaces? Then you'll love this.
Set in laser-cut walnut wood are Helvetica, Gill Sans Light, Century Gothic, Verdana, Univers Light, and Arial Black.

Easy to hang from Two small finishing nails.
Size: 15" x 14.25" (38cm x 36cm) and 1/4" thick (6.4mm)
Material: Dark Walnut
$70


Serif Font Wall Art:


Prefer serif fonts?
Then try this one. Set in Palatino, Copperplate, Archer Book, Courier Bold, Garamond, Times, and Georgia Bold.

Easy to hang from Two small finishing nails.
Size: 15" x 14.25" (38cm x 36cm) and 1/4" thick (6.4mm)
Material: Dark Walnut Laminated MDF
$70

"Home Sweet Home" Coasters:


The hand drawn houses have been etched on the surface of the wood and someone has gone and cut out all if the windows. The coasters have been laser cut from cherry wood, that has been hand rubbed with tung oil to protect them.



This set of coasters contains 4 coasters, each one has a different house.
Size: 3.4" x 3.4" and approx .25" thick.
Material: Cherry MDF
$28

"Take A Seat" Coasters:

The hand drawn chairs have been etched on the surface of the wood while little pieces have been cut away for very fun look. The coasters have been laser cut from cherry wood, that has been hand rubbed with tung oil to protect them.



This set of coasters contains 4 coasters, each one has a different chair.
Size: 3.4" x 3.4" and approx .25" thick.
Material: Cherry
$28

Classic Wood Silhouette Coasters:


The hand drawn silhouettes have been cut from the wood and the fancy ornate frame was engraved into the surface of the wood. The coasters have been laser cut from Colour Rimu wood, that has been hand rubbed with tung oil to protect them from water damage. Easy to clean, just wipe with soap and water.



This set of coasters contains one coaster of each silhouetted figure.
Size: 3.4" x 3.4" and approx .25" thick.
Material: Cherry MDF
$28

"Song Bird" Coasters:


The ornate designs or twirls and swirls have been engraved onto the surface of these wood coasters, while some dots, leaves, branches, and stars have been cut out making for a very lovely 3 dimensional object. The coasters have been laser cut from a cherry wood, that has been hand rubbed with tung oil to protect them from water over time.



This set of coasters contains four coasters of the same design.
Size: 3.75" diameter and approx .25" thick.
Material: Cherry Wood
$28

Shop for all the above shown items and more here.

About peppersprouts

Blurring the line between computer aided design and traditional craftsmanship, peppersprouts offers a wide range of affordable and eco-friendly homegoods.

It all started in 2009 in a tiny basement apartment in Brooklyn, NY. With a background in graphic design and the urge to create something new, Jen sketched a design for a coaster that she would love to see on the shelves of her favorite shop. With the help of some awesome people she was able to have her design protyped through laser cutting. After that, the ideas just keep flowing.

By using modern manufacturing techniques, and a little elbow grease, peppersprouts is proud to offer an affordable, well designed product.