It is not a proper modern shop if a cashier doesn’t make you feel guilty for needing a bag. Even if you have 50 items or more. But luckily now you can ease your conscience and reuse those eco-unfriendly petroleum products in style. Easy Garbage by Spanish design duo Javier Taberner Gomez-Ferrer and Nacho Poveda Lorenzo from Obj.studio can accomodate a plastic bag of any size and turn it into a functional trash receptacle. With no walls and just a metal linear structure, it’s an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chunky dustbins. The structure can be carried around or hung from a wall by the handles and will adapt to any room of the house.
(via Inhabitat)
Why should our furniture have four legs if it is put against the wall? The answer to this question came in the series of delightful two-legged pieces, created by French designer Caroline Gomez. The collection, called Contre, is comprised of a shelf, bedside table and console. All pieces are made from solid wood and can be leaned against the wall without any additional tools or mounts. The tention between the surface of the wall and the shape of the objects create an illusion that we are only seeing the half of each piece. If you have a moment, check our Caroline’s blog, where she shares imagery that inspires her and informs the visual language she brings into her designs.
These works of another talented young designer – this time from Slovakia – made me look. Veronika Paluchova is soon graduating from AFAD Bratislava in department of Product Design. Her ideas are not only functional and braced with a strong sense of purpose, they are also attractive and fun. Veronika takes her inspiration in natural materials and creates simple, yet unpredictable shapes. Check out more of her projects over on Designeast.
Here is one student project I would love to see becoming a product one day. Daniel To redesigned the way we look at common hangers. Instead of arranging them on a bar, as we used to, he suggests to attach them freely to a metal plate via magnets. Here is what he says about the project: ‘Clothes hangers and clothing spaces have largely remained in the same format over the years. Hangers usually consist of a styled wooden, plastic or metal frame upon which clothing rests, with a hook component at the top. Similarly, contemporary wardrobes often use a contained space with horizontal bar(s) upon which to place the hangers in a linear pattern. These hangers replace the hook with a magnet, accompanied by a suspended piece of metal to allow full freedom of arrangement and display.’
If you bring this thing to any New Year’s Eve party – you will definitely be a gift hero. A lamp and wine case in one, created by Spanish design studio Ciclus, is an ideal way to deliver your communal booze contribution in style. Made out of 100% recycled cardboard and wood from sustainable forests, the piece is an eco-friendly party favorite. Once the wine bottle is taken out of the equation, you can transform the package into an ambient lamp. Instructions and cordage are included.
This trapezoid-like storage, designed by Daniele Luciano Ferrazzano, contains many elements we, small space dwellers, like. It is modular and multifunctional, not to mention – an eye candy. The construction of this shelving system includes three types of elements: shelves (which can have both open and closed display options), wooden panels and metal climps, upon which the system is rested. Thus, the assembly is fast and tool free, and, by varying sizes of the elements, multiple configurations can be achieved. You can even take the modules apart and turn them into extra seating. Brilliant.
Hood by London based design studio Quarterre is a minimal and clever bike rack, ideal for limited spaces. The architecturally inspired form is made from folded sheet steel that will support a bike securely by its top tube and can be mounted easily to any solid wall. The piece is trimmed in leather to protect the bike’s frame. Hood’s beautiful and unobtrusive design blends with any interior, providing a vertical storage for any bike. The piece is also customizable. Different colors and finishes are available for an extra cost.
There are two things every pet owner knows about cat beds: 1) everything in your home is a cat bed (especially your trousers of the contrasting with the cat color); 2) your cat will take pride in ignoring your every attempt to provide her with a place to sleep. Cats are independent creatures, and it is challenging to keep their habits in sync with your organizational needs. But hopefully this piece from Lithuanian artists Vaiva Nat can give you an edge in your negotiations. Soft and wooly (made of 100% wool felt), the bed has a simple, modern design. It is also easily collapsable, and you can put it in any extravagant location your cat chooses as a slumber spot. I also love the fact that the shape of the bed gives both privacy and air to the cat. A well thought-out piece that might just work.
Bureau by Martin Holzapfel is a handsome, Bauhausy-looking piece indeed. But what is even more attractive is how functional it is. The desk is comprised of two components – the main working area, which is only about 43 inches long and contains a drawer and a file compartment. Another component is a free-standing storage unit that can be attached to the desk from two different sides (depending on your storing needs and space requirements). Here you have two long shelving compartments and one generously sized drawer that can be used for files, papers, immediate working clutter or equipment. Beautiful idea and tremendous execution.
Naturwall by Turkish design agency Designnobis is a clever way to reuse disposable plastic cups by turning them into planters. To illustrate their vision, designers collected about ten used plastic disposable coffee cups, washed them off, then created a simple flexible metal holder system to hang the cups, transforming them into a vertical garden. By adding these metal holders together you can create a garden of any size. Simple, pragmatic and graceful project! No wonder it has already scored a Green Dot Build Award.
(via Urban Gardens)
