You either love it or you hate it but you can’t deny that chess is a timeless classic possessing a unique and almost unachievable longevity.

The history of this classic game spans an amazing 1500 years, with its origins dating back to India in the 6^th century AD.Although since its ancient inception, the humble chessboard has not been radically transformed or altered.

Having said this, there are some ‘alternative’ and highly collectable chessboards out there.

If you happen to be a chess fanatic you may be interested in hearing about five of the most ‘unconventionally’ designed chessboards available.

PIKDA Chessboard

Designed by Franco Marino Cagnina, a designer from Argentina, the PIKDA chessboard is an edible board which features cookie-cutter-like chess pieces that can be filled with appetizers such as meats and cheese. Once the game is finished, the board can double up as a serving platter – the perfect accessory to spark stimulating conversation, not to mention fun, at a dinner party.

Electric Chess

This truly remarkable chess set was designed by chess player and American architect Brent Blake. The set features a white laminate base, a mirrored Plexiglass surface, as well as several components including sockets, bulbs and plugs. Instead of traditional chess pieces, the electric Chessboard uses coloured and transparent bulbs so players can differentiate their pieces.

The Pharmaceutical Chessboard

Using etched and transparent pill bottles and a surgical-inspired board with ‘biohazard’ signs, the English artist, entrepreneur and art collector, Damien Hirst aims to employ the concept of ‘mental Escapology’ with his pharmaceutical-inspired chessboard.

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Although fridges may have come a long way since Oliver Evans invented the first ever refrigeration machine in 1805, which used poisonous ammonia gas as a coolant, fridges have not seemed to evolve with a similar velocity of say telephones or televisions.

Except recently that is with the arrival of the LG Smart Fridge – A tech-savvy device that is predicted to map the future of refrigerators.

In-keeping with most modern technology, the Smart Fridge’s design includes a touchscreen and various apps, including a notepad and weather tracker. This highly innovative and futuristic fridge logs and keeps track of what is being put into and taken out of its interior, and can even make recipe suggestions based on its current stock.

The LG Smart Fridge has three different power settings, which, like its inventory, can be powered and changed remotely via the internet. A price and release date of the LG Smart Fridge has yet to be announced; although we can safely assume a fridge this smart must be worth a pretty penny or two!

Although, as technologically-inspiring as it is, LG is not the only technology manufacturing company to be making its mark on the highly technical and futuristic fridge market.

The multinational technology corporation Samsung is also getting in on the act with the , which, similar to the LG model, is bursting with fun and practical apps.

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The original global design event still manages to attract high numbers in its 50^th year.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors descended on the city for the biggest event in the design calendar. Also known as Salzone Internazionale del Mobile, the fair was originally founded in 1961 and helped to establish the idea that “Made in Italy” was the ultimate guarantee of quality.

Nowadays, the organisers of the fair are keen to prove that the world’s furniture industry is bouncing back from the recession. The prominence of the event is reflected in the numbers, originally opening to 12,000 people in 1961 and rising to 329,000 last year.

In 2003 the event was forced to move to a new exhibition venue in Rho, just outside Milan, due to the sheer volume of designers that wanted to showcase their talents.

The majority of the design talent on show is international, with Munich-based designer Konstantin Grcic being heavily showcased this year. There was also a strong British presence with London-based studios, Barber Osgerby and Jasper Morrison showing chairs with contemporary designers Vitra.

However, the Italians were also prominent with industrialist, Alberto Alessi showing his version of the greatest hits of Italian furniture – showing that Italy is not just home of quality, but also experimentation.

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In 1896, Parisians Salomon Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef founded the Van Cleef & Arpels French jewellery, watch and perfume company, with their first boutique opening in Paris in 1906.

The company quickly gathered speed in becoming world-renowned for its expertise in precious stones and jewellery and watch making and patented numerous milestones in the world of exquisite accessories.

These landmark creations included the formation of the world’s first watch with a leather strap, made with white or yellow gold in 1923.

Seven years later the Minaudiere, a petite and precious box to hold a lipstick, lighter, keys or powder compact, was produced and in 1950, Cleef & Arpel’s Zip necklace came along, which can be opened and closed like a zip.

Since its inception, Van Cleef & Arpels have been synonymous with royalty, the famous and the affluent, providing the elite members of civilisation with exceptional and unique pieces of jewellery, often designed to enhance the beauty of precious stones.

Until 5 June 2011, the Cooper-Hewitt, National; Design Museum in New York City is holding ‘Set in Style: The Jewellery of Van Cleef & Arpels’ exhibition, which explores the company’s exceptional innovation and influence in the world of jewellery making throughout the twentieth century.

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As part of an installation at Milan Design Week, Nicola Bolla has transformed morbid objects into art forms.

The Italian sculptor has used Swarovski Crystals to create works of art, including an AK47 assault rifle, and remains of the human body.

These art pieces were showcased at an installation of Nicola Bolla called Ossuary, which was composed of her sculptures. Historically, an Ossuary is a place where remains of people that died in violent circumstances, such as battles, were finally laid to rest.

Bolla is extremely interested in the subject of transience of life and all earthy things, which she has translated into a more modern meaning – the superficial vanity of our time. She uses a nearly invisible structure and covers this with Swarovski crystals, symbolising the aspiration to preserve beauty and richness against the passing of time.

The sculptures include the assault rifle, along with skulls and human bones.

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