Pictured above is an 8ft 11in Model D grand piano that belongs to Sir Elton John (circa 1971) and comes in a burr maple wood finish with virtual cross banding on square tightening legs jointly with toning concert adaptable stool. After its completion in Hamburg on 27 September, 1971; it was shipped to Steinway & Sons in London where Elton John inked a neat deal with it and installed it at his Woodside dwelling in Windsor. Now this antique item has reached the Bonhams auction house and is anticipated to generate sales ranging between £35,000-45,000. It is the same instrument that Elton played for BBC TV’s ‘Top of the Pops’, performing ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ with Kiki Dee in 1976.

Come winters and you may start digging into your deep pockets to enjoy the company of snow outside with deluxe fireplace installed in your lodging. But why kill the present time when you have the limited edition line of fireplace by established name in the industry EcoSmart Fire. Agreed, you must be satisfied with the outdoor fireplace by dimplex and to flaunt your wealth you may have inked a deal with Swarovski crystal encrusted fireplace by Dimplex but still I propose you to consider this eco-friendly limited edition chimney “Retro” by Jeremy Donovan.

This creation by Australian artist is the result of his inspiration by the saintly implication that has the fire to the Aborigines. The assorted design can be further modified on demand. This waterproof creation is made up of resistant materials viz. fiberglass, stainless steel or hardened glass. Just spill over $19,573 and flaunt your eco-friendly concern, even if you don’t have one.

Via BlogSelecto

Every industry has to keep itself updated about its customers’ needs and hence offer revolutionary products that stand beyond standards’. Claiming one such thought is the Acutus Reference turntable record player that is for sure better than the best. Retailed at $24,000, it aims to address a new definition to the world of performance. This is the new face of the previous Reference that was costing a measly $14,000 and this upgrade comes with a new power supply and better suspension.

The platter is reconstructed to curtail vibration and noise and weighs 22 pounds. The team behind production of Acutus Reference proposes to stay in the company of this turntable at your own risk as you may not be able to concentrate on your work the next day.

Via Dvice

Cycle manufacturer Koga Miyata has offered its latest creation of a million dollar bike especially developed for Dutch cyclist Theo Bos and is hopeful to have an edge in the impending Beijing Olympics. The reports claim that it offers the lowest air resistance in juxtaposition to all the bikes available globally but carries no brakes and rides on one speed. Add to it the super rigid frame that makes it the most “difficult bikes to ride.” Truly it would claim to be the superfast bike ever but not worthy of taking a ride.

Jump over for video:

Via Reuters

The very mention of few $$$$ over at EliteChoice gives my readers an indication that am going to unveil some diamond, Swarovski or precious stone encrusted product. But here I have an invitation for richie-rich die-hard book lovers who wish to extend their reading experience. How about keeping hands on some luxury publishing? Called ‘Michelangelo: La Dotta Mano’ (Michelangelo: The Wise Hand), the book comprises of a number of shoots of the Renaissance master’s statuettes and is seen as a much-hyped about coffee table book available on stands this year. Priced at $155,000, the book is available with a 500 year warranty. But a question remains, if not diamonds then what is that one thing that makes it demand such a hefty sum.

Skilled artisans from diverse grounds have worked together to produce this pricey book that is no less than an ‘art by itself’. The photographs are carved on high quality handmade paper with a black marble cover being a scale imitation of the “Madonna della Scala” (“Madonna of the Steps”), a bas-relief of the Virgin and Child sculptured by Michelangelo. Weighing 46.2 pound, the book is available in counted edition of 99 only and would make you wait for another six months from the day of placing an order. Go ahead and tag your name in owning this opulence.

Via BallerHouse/ NYT

You can make the most of the outdoor barbeque when your deck is equipped with a fully-functional Outdoor TV. Called the Bright Screen Outdoor LCD television, this stands high in your patio even during winters. Without compensating on your favorite soaps, channels, and movies, you can now enjoy the spicy food whilst enjoying sunny evening. This high-tech LCD comes fitted with a watertight cable entry system that allows you hook up cable, a satellite dish, antenna, a DVD player whilst assuring the cable entry system will keep all cables safe and dry. It has special enclosures that fend off rain, dirt, insects, and other harsh conditions expected to damage TV. During rains, its patented dual-airflow system with filters and baffles assures the dryness of the TV. The integrated thermostat-controlled heater maintains proper temperature in degrees with as low as 24 F.

If the fear of daylight reducing your expected level of clarity of the picture on the screen then no issues as the bright screen takes care of that issue. It features a 20.1″ LCD 1000 nit screen with the high-quality image of 800×600 pixels available in 16.7 million colors. Also, it comes with an incorporated scratch-resistant and contrast-enhancing window. It can be mounted on a wall, pole or can be positioned in a backyard as it weighs as less as 20 pounds. You can compliment its installation with two 5 watt water resistant speakers, stereo sound and a remote control.

Price: $2,999

Truly, this model of clock would loosen the weight of your wallet but I can help being occupied with its atypical design and cute minuscule figures. And above all the philosophical statement on life attached to it i.e. Man’s tough struggle against the time is suffice to restrain anyone’s attention. Designed and developed by artists Malcom and Mary Ann Owen, it is a perfect fun for those in a habit of clock watching.

Created using copper, brass and silver, its teeny tiny figurines push the weights in order to turn back time. It aims to be teaching a clear lesson that you shouldn’t bother about the clock, as beating it is impossible, so enjoy whatever time you have.

Price: $450

Via ShinyShiny

Till date we have been welcoming futuristic creation of homes by various designers. How about lending attention to Microsoft’s reflection of the “Home of the Future”? A software company took it as an opportunity to create a mock home that fits well the title of technology-driven home for tomorrow. The home erected at their campus in Redmond, Washington is now 15 years old but the topical restoration sports Microsoft’s prophecy of how household electronics and amenities should look and can look in coming years.

Through the mock model, it has been clearly conveyed that everything in this home runs on a central network together with cell phones and even home’s doorbell located as nodes on that network. The entry of family members to the home is easily identified by their mobile devices and hence they receive a warm welcome. Equipped with the RFID factor, virtually everything in this home is embedded with radio-frequency-identification technology. There is also a possibility of installing a system, which understands the need for scattered things to go back where it belongs. At kitchen front, while pulling out the needed appliances and ingredients, the “smart kitchen” can sense what they are about to make and hence helps them by enabling the countertop display the recipe.

But this is not all. In order to maintain its exclusivity, Microsoft’s future home does not consist of walls and surfaces covered with PC monitors and screens.

Check out the video:

Interesting insights:

Since ‘40s, Germany-based industrial designer Luigi Colani was engaged in giving a revolutionary meaning to future by offering a curved, streamlined appeal to sedans and trucks, kitchens, spacecraft, furniture, and any sundry thing that he had dreamt of. You may call him a designer, but the title that befits him well is that of a “3-D philosopher,” the one coined by him. Sticking to the concept of round shape of earth and heavenly bodies, Colani wishes to follow Galileo Galilei’s philosophy and declares: “My world is also round.”

And featured above is Luigi Colani himself in his “satellite kitchen,” that was designed in 1969.

Seemingly weird, every appliance in the fully-occupied kitchenette can easily be attained by anyone sitting at the orb’s center.

Colani considers his concepts as no mere proposals, but rather responses to questions that design proposes.

Check out the gallery to know more about Luigi Colani’s futuristic designs.

Via DarkRoastedBlend

Seemingly a pool toy, the speakers pictured above are developed and designed to add to your poolside musical experience. With a potential to submerse up to 9 feet for long 30 minutes, these weatherproof speakers can stand against the weird nature of unusual elements. How it works? By connecting wirelessly to a powered transmitter-dock with an integrated audio-in for an MP3 player, it comes equipped with a six-hour battery life having a range of 150 feet. A single transmitter is enough to support around 10 speakers. Every individual speaker has four ultra-bright LED lights that add to the aura of the lovely evening.

To my much-surprise, it is retailed at just $149.99 for base and a speaker and demands an additional $99.99 for extra speakers. Quite affordable!

Via 7GadgetsÂ