Tensor Voting is the name of this clever thing from Swiss designer Guilio Parini. It is a wall sculpture that serves as a customizable storage system. It arrives to you as a pile of rods and fasteners; you decide on a shape and build a skeletal system of your choice. Tensor Voting allows to play with different geometric configurations, so you can really let your artistic flag fly. As a shelving unit this model can withstand a reasonable number of books and small items.
Book storage and sitting space are the things we always need more of in any home, especially a shoeboxy one. Here is a design idea that gives us both. Trick by Sakura Adachi, designed for Campeggi, is a book case that turns into a table with two chairs. It is compact enough to easily assume the either function. Or the two functions can be combined to create a reading station – a true luxury in any space, big or small.
Anyone who has ever entertained in a small space knows that it is a sophisticated dance between perception and reality. We want to give the perception of not having limitations while cutting corners, especially when it comes to furniture. Ideally we wish our furniture to be credible in its entertaining functions and still keep its day job. This piece from Designers at Large studio does it all. FlatFish 2 is a coffee table by day and a full sized dining table by night. Its sub-structure is formed from waterjet cut light gauge aluminum and its legs are waterjet cut and formed from 3/16” plate steel; hence FlatFish 2 is light, stable and easy to operate in the event of a sudden relative invasion. Something else is interesting about the waterjet cutting technology – it optimizes the use of material and minimizes waste. Any scrap from the cutting process is used to create additional products. So, when the model hits the market (it is in design development now), you can dine and rest your feet on it knowing that you saved more than just space.
How many times have you lost things in your chairs and sofas? Phones, jewelry, books… you name it! This clever idea from Daisuke Motogi embraces our old habit (along with all those items we wish to loose and then find in our furniture). The model is called Lost In Sofa and is equipped with numerous built-in pockets for your things. Lost In Sofa allows you to store remotes, reading glasses, books and papers, even drinks! The only drawback of this concept is that when situated in a cushy seat and surrounded by all your spoils – you may never want to lift your bum…
1 – Design Public. Along with designer furniture and pricey lighting, the site features many fun accessories, children’s gifts and unusual tableware.
2 – Uncommon Goods. The name says it all. Go there for humorous gifts, peculiar objects and funky jewelry.
3 – Yanko Design. The store features works of young American designers, such as 25togo, Joey Roth, Scott Henderson, Nonobject, Way Basics and many others.
4 – Yoox. If you are shopping for a serious design connoisseur – you will definitely find something here. Just by looking at the heavy artillery of designer names (Enzo Mari, Alvar Aalto, Bruno Munari, Ron Arad, Karim Rashid etc.) you can tell that the source promises a very exciting browsing.
5 – Neatoshop. Hipsters of all ages will applaud you if you shop here. Cool toys, T-s, gadgets and assorted geekery.
6 – Veer. Great source for a typography lover. Interesting calendars, type-inspired clothing and novelties.
7 – Generate is a big international portal for designer gifts. This year they’ve added an interesting browsing feature – you are asked to click several buttons to determine your price range, receiver’s gender and preferences. If you have done it correctly, your perfect gift idea will find you. Supposedly.
8 – Rockett St George. If unique homewares is what you are after – this place is worth checking out. You can also pick up an unusual card or a funky ornament.
9 – Compartes. What celebration can be complete without chocolate? It is always a desirable consumable gift. Compartes offers artistic chocolate designs for any occasion. And unlike some other consumable gifts – these colorful tasty pieces will be remembered.
10 – Cowgirl Creamery. Finally, if your gift recipient is a foody, but not a chocolate eater – consider gourmet cheese. Cowgirl cheeses make for a beautiful presentation and can be FedExed overnight.
If you hate camping activities and consider yourself a victim of civilization, there might still be hope for you. Being attached to homely comforts and enjoying great outdoors are no longer two mutually exclusive things. If you have spear 25K you can own Opera – a fully functional mobile home from Ysin. Opera is not your grandpa’s caravan, it is a mobile designer suite, complete with the hot air heating, two electrically adjustable beds, ceramic toilet, hot water, and many other perks and cool features. Inspired by the Sydney Opera House, this mobile home (a winner of the Wallpaper Designer Awards 2010, no less!) is a delight for the senses too. So, enjoy the nature, if you really must. Opera will get you covered.
Modern Cellar company is known for its massive projects like custom built wine cellars and specialized wine furniture. The object in question – Insta wine rack – is a byproduct of the main line of merchandise. The ‘off-cuts’ that would otherwise end up in the dumpster are salvaged, redesigned, hand polished and given a new purpose. And there you have it – a modern wine rack and a glass holder in one, elegant and functional. Made out of waste and wastes nothing.
What can be more ruinous for your budget and space than children’s furniture? If only it could grow as fast as the owner does, all would be well… Moan no more. The new Stack Me Up chair from designer Ho-Chieh Hsu does just that – it grows. As your child is getting bigger, the chair can be elevated via application of books under the seat. The beauty of the concept is in its versatility – the chair can sit a child, but does not look like children’s furniture. Thus Stack Me Up can survive in an adult home, becoming a conversation piece, a customizable sitting solution, and a nice book display.
Source: Yanko Design
