July 19, 2012

There are many tricks designers use to incorporate a full dining experience into a confined urban setting. They often make a table really compact or foldable. Designer Lisa Tischer went on a completely different quest. Her Living Table is a generously sized piece. The secret is in its adaptability to many different activities and roles. Here is how she describes it: “I see the Living Table as a platform, meeting place and workstation. It is the centre of a home and lives from being in use. It is a reluctant and unobtrusive piece of furniture but though something special and unique with many ingenious details. The Living Table is much more than just a simple dining table; it can be a workstation and a home office at the same time.” The table is equipped with a light (perfect for work or as an ambient illumination at the dinner table), several outlets for your devices or cooking electrics, and a generous number of drawers, big enough for your work papers or dining paraphernalia. Thus, by shifting the line between work, cooking and entertaining, the table can be used for all three, the heart of a home, indeed.

(via mocoloco)

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July 18, 2012

This bookshelf by French designer Alex de Rouvray is so stunning, it’s borderline art. Yes, I’ve fallen in love with a furniture item again, don’t judge… An elegant steel frame holds seven thin shelves, specifically constructed to hold paperbacks, DVDs and CDs. The shelf is light and compact enough to fit in every corner of an average room. And because it looks good virtually from every angle, you can even put it in the middle of the room and use as a room divider. Made from powder-coated steel and American walnut veneer, the Severin Bookshelf is part of the broader Severin Line, which you can see (and buy) here.

(via designsponge)

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July 17, 2012

This customizable sofa from Drawer made me look. A seemingly straightforward piece contains clever transforming mechanism that allows the two seats rotate and change configuration of the sofa. Depending on your seating needs, you can turn it into two lounging chairs and reveal a built-in coffee table. You can recline each seat to create a settee. You can even unfold the seats completely and turn the sofa into a comfortable bed for two people. The piece comes in low-key easy to clean fabric and offers three neutral color choices.

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July 16, 2012

This desk by German designer Gregor Korolewicz, called Klippen Klappen, tiny in its folded state, can be unraveled to reveal a hidden storage capacity. The clever mechanism of the piece (one can compare with a sewing box) allows the parts slide both forward and backward, exposing three compartments: a tray for laptop, a shallow storage container and a box for writing paraphernalia. The lid can be used as a bulletin board and display notes and pictures. Every essential and beyond… The piece even plugs into the wall and offers two outlets for workplace devices.

(via leibal)

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July 13, 2012

– Cool self-tidying bed – I’m sure every kid would want one.

– Ogilvy & Mather came up with a beautiful campaign for audio books.

– How to build a successful business in one year and stay human? 7 great tips from swissmiss, the creator of Tattly (among other things).

– If you’re in New York this weekend, you can enjoy loads of cultural events on the cheap.

– The box-within-a-box apartment is brilliant.

– Another book-related blog – Underground New York Public Library. Instant new fave.

Puppy vs. crab.

– Now, that is really clever – iPhone fan.

Power Cactus by Manifattura&Design – love it.

The Library Hotel on the Koh Samui beachfront – a great idea for a bookwormy retreat.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

July 11, 2012

These modular children’s dressers by Chigo made me look. Comprised of stackable pieces, this system can grow as tall as you like, which is a great way of adapting kids’ furniture to an adult life. The design is neutral enough and the colors are just happy enough to be innocuous in a grown up bedroom. Each modular piece fits fine as a stand-alone object set up side by side or around the room. And if you want to build a taller configuration, the units fit perfectly one above the other. A must have for a small apartment, where often the only way to expand is up.

(via dornob)

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July 10, 2012

There is a lot to love about this railing planter by Greenbo – it is functional, durable, easy on the eye, space-saving and compatible with the large variety of railings. It does not require any adjustments. Simply place it on your railing, deck or fence and its design assures that it will stay fit and stable. Beautiful. And because it is made out of strong heavy duty plastic, it will withstand the weather. The planter comes in eight vibrant colors, which, thanks to the UV protection components, will not fade. It also includes two built-in draining trays, that are removable, cleanable and replaceable. The product is available for purchase at the Yanko store.

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Fair Companies never disappoint. One of the recent home tours they have posted simply made me gasp, that’s how brilliant it is. The 40 square meter (430 square foot) apartment is comprised of a bedroom, living room, fully equipped kitchen (even the wine cooler is there), dining room, dressing room and a shower. Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, the author of the project, Miguel Angel, used sliding doors to divide the place into zones and create privacy when it’s needed. These doors move in multiple directions, allowing for softer closings of one large space. How clever. But my favorite detail of the apartment is the indoor/outdoor shower. Located in the center of the apartment, it features a hole in the ceiling. From above the hole appears to be a simple planter on the roof deck with the ivy plants disguising the depth of the descent (though the wood of the planter is the same wood of the shower). From inside, the hole turns an otherwise windowless bathroom into a magical place. During a storm it allows showering in the rain, provides cool air during summer and creates an illusion of a tropical retreat during chilly winter days… Check out the video to see the comprehensive tour of this rare urban gem.

July 9, 2012

Higher Ground is a name of the cool multifunctional bookcase by Karen King. A rather traditional piece at first glance, it has a hidden convenience – a pull-out ladder. The bookcase is tall enough to make the top shelf a stretch, so the ladder features just three steps – all that is needed to reach it. While closed, the ladder sits flush and rungs align seamlessly with the lower shelves. The handholds and custom sliding brackets make the ladder easy to open and close, while felt under the feet protects your floor. What a clever idea!

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July 6, 2012

– Shelter “byGG” – a cool experimental housing concept combines sculpture and architecture to create a cocoon style habitation space.

– Sixty Eight competitive designs of the Great Tower for London, which was never built.

– I’m obsessed with this electronic magazine lately – Llamas’ Valley. Inspiring, tasteful and full of great original content.

– The rebirth of the pocket watch – a fun and multifunctional watch by Mathieu Lehanneur.

– Hysterical – Avocado Bathtub by glorious David Mitchell and Robert Webb.

– Cool aerial nude photography by John Crawford.

Dante’s nine circles of hell recreated in LEGO.

– Probably the most satisfying trash can ever made.

– Finally! Chameleon bandage.

– I feel that I should introduce you to such a thing as Russian sarcasm. This pseudo guide to Norilsk would be a place to start.

Have a nice weekend, guys!