August 21, 2008. Using Stafford Cliff’s book "Inspirations"—which recalls the ideas and work that have motivated Terence Conran and is illustrated with images of Conran’s longtime home—as a starting point, the creative team at The Conran Shop has commissioned a number of designers from the UK, France, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and Italy, to create a line of products. Each designer has offered an interpretation of one of Conran’s “inspirations” (from a basket to maps, sofa, and a pitcher). Based on Wells Coates’ Lancia and Conran’s collection of Bugatti pedal cars, Bill Amberg created a chair based on the seat of the Maserati 250. A South African sculptor borrowed local methods to create his Design Afrika Xhosa gourd baskets, creating wire frames in Cape Town, transporting them on buses to weavers on the Eastern Cape, who wove over the beaten up frames, giving each basket an unusual shape and texture. Other pieces take their cues from butterflies, bugs, boats and mechanical components. www.conranusa.com