It has never been so rewarding to be a klutz! Underful Tablecloth by young Norwegian designer Kristine Bjaadal turns your spills into beautiful textile patterns, so instead of embarrassment at the dinner table – you will be filled with delight and ease. At first glance this innovative tablecloth appears to be a traditional white floral damask. But as another oopsy happens, a hidden design gets activated by moisture, and the pattern emerges. The idea is not only visually pleasing and fun, it allows to reuse the cloth even if the stains persist after washing (because they don’t look like stains, you see). I really like this concept and hope it catches up with other industries. Would be nice to have a few shirts made from this fabric too…
This simple and clever table by Copenhagen based designer Julian Kyhl is a godsend for those in need of versatile furniture. The piece, called Timber, is a thing of stunning woodworking, which you can see with a naked eye. But what delighted me even more is its ingenius assembly principle. It is so easy and intuitive – one person can do it in less than a minute. Not a single screw or indeed any metal tool is required.
Here is how designer describes his vision: ‘Timber consists of 10 massive wood parts. It is held together by its own weight. Design and function is merged to let the observer see and understand the principles of its construction.’
Check out the video below to see this elegant assembly idea in action.
When it comes to organizing your workspace, the smallest things can make you either happy or miserable. And we all know which emotion cables and USBs can be ascribed to. Luckily there are companies like Bluelounge, who turn dealing with cordage clutter into a mission. Their latest invention, called Sumo, is a little tool designed to be placed on a desk, tabletop or workstation to prevent cables from dropping off the edge. Not a very commonly addressed issue! Sumo acts like a paperweight for your cables and features high-tech Japanese micro-suction pads underneath for even further grip. There are two grooves for cables to be placed underneath Sumo. Run the cables along the grooves, place Sumo on the desktop surface, and voila. One less annoyance that can temper with your temper.
The James side table, created by Oslo based design studio Gridy, made me look. This multifunctional piece can serve as a side table, and its removable top can double as a tray. Furthermore, this tray/tabletop conceals a clever storage compartment sufficient enough for a few books and newspapers, remotes, glasses and other small items. The materials include 3D veneer, MDF, and steel bolt. I like the simplicity of the table, its understated and elegant form. Would really like to see this piece hitting the market.
Boundary Desk is a multifunctional piece, created by British designer Felix de Pass. Aimed at both home and office environments, the desk can be adapted to virtually any space and setting. The part of its appeal for us, space-saving connoisseurs, is the clever system of modular storage components, customizable to a specific user.
Designer explains: ‘The essence of the desk’s construction occurs in the corners where a singular repeated aluminium dovetail extrusion connects all the materials together, allowing for easy assembly / disassembly. The horizontal aluminium extrusion desk frame conceals integrated tracks to which various accessories are attached. Folded sheet aluminium drawers, cable management solutions and privacy screens can all be fitted allowing the elementary desk to adapt and meet the varying needs of the user and situation.’
I like the preemptive nature of this piece, it solves existing problems and also those that might occur during future use. An intuitive product that definitely flairs up my desk envy.
This beautiful shelving system, called Ladder Rack, was created by Japanese designer Naoya Matsuo. The components of the piece are interchangeable and able to accomodate various storing needs. The assembly process is simplified and intuitive. Position shelves according to your preferences, secure them with the red rope, and voila. No wall mount is needed. The shelving unit comes in two sizes and can be folded and put away when not in use (although, I am yet to see storage furniture resting in the closet).
Ukrainian design couple Valeriy Kuznetsov and Ekaterina Kuznetsova of Decorkuznetsov studio created a series of fun and functional side tables that can double as seating. Made of ash and birch wood, these unusual creations are compact in size, contain storage and offer a lot in a way of character. Each seating table features a decorative backrest, which can also be used as a hook for clothes and other items. Side table on a daily basis, an extra seat in a party situation, and a strong statement at all times…
The Kai table was custom-designed by Naoki Hirakoso in collaboration with Takamitsu Kitahara. A seamlessly rectangular object from even a short distance, the table unfolds to reveal many hidden storage compartments. The craftsmanship of the designers is truly impressive, they have incorporated as many hinged cupboards, slide-out panels, pull-out cubbyholes and drawers as the 900 centimeter wooden box could possibly allow. Beautiful idea and inspiring execution!
Vedge is an interesting concept project by young British designer James Wood. He proposes to combine a planter and a compost receptacle into one compact and stylish item. The product has within it a 20 litre wormery for the decomposition of the households organic waste. This waste is broken down into a nutrient rich fertilizer, which is then used to grow fresh organic produce. Vedge creates a perfect cycle of sustainability and allows you to glow herbs and veggies indoors all year long. It is built vertically, which saves space and makes the item a serious contender for a tiny city apartment.
If you are a cat lover you probably know that the only way to preserve the integrity of your furniture is to make some alternative scratching arrangements for your claw-happy kitty. But the choices we often see in pet stores, although offering some fun for our cats, don’t always give us something nice to look at. The Sky Scratcher by Portland based designer Mike Estes combines both – joy for the pet and an an aesthetic pleasure for the owner. Inspired by Chicago skyline, this architectural scratching post will make a design statement rather than an eyesore in your home. It is quite clever too. The item is stackable, which gives you the option to change and renew parts. It uses no adhesive, employs sustainable and recyclable materials and requires zero assembly effort. Check out the Sky Scratcher Kickstarter campaign for more details. And to see the product’s usage (and enjoyage) in action – watch the video below.
