A bit of an event here, at Shoebox Dwelling. One year ago, today, I started this blog in hopes to create a resource for the fellow urban folks who put location before square footage and enjoy the consequences. Little did I know that my blogging adventure will become such a big part of my life. I have met amazing and talented people, created friendships, found inspiration for changing my own ways (not to mention – was kindly featured by my highly esteemed colleagues – swissmiss, Craft, Die Zeit and others – and even made it to the wordpress frontpage for some 4,5 minutes). Thank you, gods of Internet!
But most of all I thank you, lovely readers, for sticking around and being such a kind and graceful audience. I appreciate you all tremendously and promise to keep bringing more good stuff for your designy pleasure. Happy shoebox dwelling to us all!
Designer Thiemo Hildebrandt explored the underused space beneath the staircase, which he turned into a retreat. The project includes a series of staircase extensions on various levels, which allow anything ‘from sitting, napping, awaking, reaching, discovering and finding to even hiding or simply resting.’ What a great concept! Lovely video too.
Since we are on the subject of interesting storage, here is another beautiful piece – 180º shelving unit by Valencia based studio Cuatro Cuatros. This modular storage is part of a collection, called Angles. It is comprised of four pieces, inspired by V’s of different amplitude – two shelves (30º and 180º) , a carpet (0°) and a vase (90°). The line is based on optical illusions and their play in furniture design.
Designers elaborate: ‘The collection s called Angles, given the importance of the point of view from which to observe the products. The effect appears and disappears, provoking an interaction with the viewer. When the effect is created, our perception deceives us and makes us see things as they are not.’
This particular piece is a clever flatpack construction, that can be easily assembled by one person with zero tools required. The shelves have grooves into which the metallic boxes are fitted. You can position the boxes in four different ways, creating various visual effects and alternating between open and closed storage. You can even make your components accessible from both sides of the shelf and use the piece as a room divider. The hight of the unit can vary depending on how many rows you stack. Brilliant!
See the entire Angles collection here.
This beautiful modular line is the creation of Netherlands based studio Pastoe. Simply called Boxes, the collection is comprised of individual open elements that vary in size and color. Fully combinable, these units can form multiple configurations depending on your space preferences and nature of the items you are trying to store. The openness and subtle hue combinations make this storage look almost ethereal. However, closed elements are also available, if you so choose. The separators and rear panels can be selected in a different color. Because there is not a single reason in the world for having boring storage…
This valet designed by Linda Altmann for German brand STADTNOMADEN, is not only minimal and slick – it can be a truly multifunctional item around the house. The piece, appropriately called Kammerdiener, comes apart to create two leaning valets that can be used anywhere you need mobile storage. It can also serve as a single unit with the optional tray for smaller things. Made from solid ash, Kammerdiener does not need any tools for assembly – the parts simply interlock. Lightweight and easily movable, the piece can be taken in any room and put to work. Lovely idea!
Fully adjustable lighting system that adopts seamlessly to our preferences and takes zero floor space? Yes, please. French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec created Aim lamp, a new project for Italian brand Flos. The piece is suspended from the ceiling and, thanks to the clever use of cables, can be adjusted in any direction. Designers explain: ‘We came up with a proposal of a new typology of lamp that naturally positions itself in the space – like a plant would do – thanks to the long cables which facilitate the orientation and the height of the light freely.’ The lamp is a looker too. I smell another big hit from the Bouroullec family.
