March 17, 2011

Writing nerds – rejoice. There is a new way to celebrate your obsession with typewriters, typefaces and lined paper. These pillows from Pi’lo will state your passion in print! Made from cotton in a neutral color scheme, the pillows are as soothing for the senses as the objects that inspired them. They make great gifts too (if you manage to part with them). Sold at Etsy.

(HT Designers’ Block UK)

Consider Chool from the London based design company Slam – a chair and a stool in one clever item. In its stool version, it can be pushed under the table or stored in a closet, taking very little space. But when the extra sitting is needed, Chool becomes a chair. The weight of your bum is all that is needed for the transformation to occur. The piece can also be locked in any position between chair to stool at the push of a button. Chool is fully customizable with different upholstery choices and finishes. Color combinations are plentiful. And if you happen to have an outlandish design idea that is not represented in the line, the kind people at Slam will make an effort to implement it.

 

March 16, 2011

SO3 is an efficient and practical DIY shelving system from Zhaolei, designed to fit any space. These wooden shelves can be assembled into any configuration, they are the building blocks with which you can create a bookcase, a decorative shelf, a room divider etc. SO3 arrives to you in a form of a flat and compact package – another sign of a well thought out design.

Source: Yanko Design

March 15, 2011

Isn’t it nice when your things can perform additional tasks? Even when it is something small, like providing a place for your book… This Book Rest Lamp, resembling an outline of a house, will allow you to save your page. When you are done with your reading, simply place it face down on the lamp. The book becomes a literary rooftop, and the lamp itself – an instant night light. Made out of glass, the Book Rest Lamp contains low-heat internal CFL bulb, which gives it both safety and a warm glow.

March 14, 2011

If you are blessed with a bit of outdoor space – you might like this clever system from Haldane Martin, called Wallflower Urban Garden. The modular system is made up of three different sized planters, creating a hexagonal, fractal pattern that climbs up vertical surfaces. Each of the three sizes of planters has been specifically designed for the differing soil depth requirements. The video below explains more about the system, its inspiration and usage. Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/20332051

These minimalist side tables, called Abra, were created by Eva Paster and Michael Geldmacher for the Italian brand B-Line. Available in two sizes, they interlock to create an elegant and functional double-top configuration. When taken apart, the pieces can be used as two stand-alone side tables. Simple, clever and flexible design… Abra is made of scratch-proof pained steel and comes in two colors.

March 11, 2011

Can geometry be poetic? This stunning piece designed by Koenraad Ruys, for Moca, provides a clear answer. Colorful and Bauhausy looking, the Framed cabinet can beautify any room. It consists of several differently sized compartments that are integrated into a black steel frame (hence the name). Framed comes in a choice of either neutrals and a bright yellow or sea blues and greens. Fun, airy storage with the splash of color… Something any space can use.

This cool modular design belongs to the Vilnius based studio Onetwo. The wooden stool, called Pinocchio, can be used as a free standing piece of furniture or as a building block for creating various sitting elements. You can build a bench, a sting of stools or just about any other configuration you like. The joining element really does make this stool look like the Collodi’s character, especially in its two-legged form.

March 10, 2011

If you live in a small space, you know that formal dining can be a serious challenge. Luckily, designers know this too. And they come up with solutions, allowing our dining tables to go ‘off duty’ and perform other tasks between entertainments. The Doppelleben work/play table from Ahhaproject design studio and the Flat Fish 2 coffee/dining table from Designers at Large are good examples. The inspired design object we see here utilizes the same idea. A work desk by day and a dining table by night, this multifunctional piece from Goncalo Campos makes the transition between these two activities swift and seamless. The upper tabletop slides up revealing the working surfaces for two people, while serving as a screen to allow privacy and concentration. The set of storage boxes on the side complete the transformation.

Source: Mocoloco

March 9, 2011

Two Danish design school students Anne Ahrendt Futtrup and Anita Johansen created this adorable thing, called The Starling Box. This table/storage combination can save space, but what it also does is make you feel like a kid on a treasure hunt. As you explore the labyrinth of the twisted tabletop – you discover bright boxes that are both intriguing and functional. The Starling Box is made from MDF and solid beech, oak veneer, and a colorful palette of felt.

Source: Abitare