Saw this hook at the Container Store today and it reminded of the Piano Hanger I featured some time ago. It’s more compact, but the principle is the same. Flat when not in use, it spikes when you need to hang something. Clever space-saving idea! The piece has been designed by David Quan for Umbra. It comes in two colors – black and white. Available for purchase here.
Cyclock bike hook is a fun way to reclaim your floor space and hang your bicycle. Cycloc’s unique shape, combined with your bikes own weight, holds it instantly in place and you can even attach a normal bike lock for security. Thanks to the innovative curve, you can store virtually any bike at any angle, even a folding bike. The space inside the hook is good for keeping lights, gloves and other cycling accessories. Available for purchase here.
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
The five-piece Steam Tower by Menu takes the best qualities and techniques of the traditional Asian steam cooker and adapts them to contemporary use by means of innovative, modular and elegant Scandinavian design.
To prepare a meal, the Tower components are stacked above the porcelain water-filled base and placed in the oven. When the water vaporizes, the steam circulates through the oven and the perforated openings in the base of the upper components, cooking the food while retaining its moisture. Since the steam doesn’t transfer taste among foods, it’s an ideal way of cooking fish, meat, vegetables and dessert together at the same time.
Not only does that cut down on successive cooking times, it also helps the environment by using fuel more efficiently. And, being attractive enough to go straight to table for serving, there are fewer dishes to wash after the meal – another time and energy-saver. Made from white porcelain. Designed by Christian Bjørn.
This product has been born as an answer to our daily frustrating task of looking for keys and essentials. The Butterfly hook by Copenhagen based studio Makers With Agendas is a great addition to an entryway area. The dual function allows you to hang your clothes while keeping all your small items handy. Light and unpretentious, the piece is made of powder coated steel. It comes in ten colors and two sizes. Available for purchase through designers’ website.
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
Designed by Carlo Contin in 2012, the Orbit Server is an adjustable, 3-tiered server that combines eco-friendly bamboo plates with a sleek stainless steel base. Shift the supports around to suit your table and the foods you want to serve – Orbit works just as well for a family meal as it does for a dinner party of invited guests. Folded compactly it also preserves space when not in use.
The server measures 12 1/2 inches long by 3 3/4 inches high. Bamboo plates are 8 inches in diameter.
The Italian Contin is perhaps most widely known for his Satellite Bowl of 1999, and his more recent NINNA chair, designed for Adentro. His earlier SNAKE table for Meritalia is a larger-scale version of Orbit, being made up of multiple round tables set at different heights.
The Sepia hook, designed by Berlin-based studio e27 for Pulpo, is an expandable piece. Completely flat when you don’t need it, stretched into a dynamic 3D form when you do. Thanks to its curves, Sepia can accommodate several hangers at the same time. Many points for space saving right there! It is made of powder coated steel and can withstand 4,5 lb.
Here is another ongoing noteworthy Kickstarter – Camerino Valet Stand by London based design duo brose ~ fogale. The piece is a lightweight and compact alternative to bulky wardrobes. Here is how designers describe it: “Camerino is a flat-packed valet stand that provides a convenient place to hang your belongings, keeping your house tidy and giving a home to your pocket ephemera. Traditional valet stands were popular in the 1920’s, but have since been forgotten. We have revisited this piece of furniture to fit a modern lifestyle.” What a cool idea! Camerino is available in fluoro yellow and oak. The mirrors are hand polished in copper or chrome. Pledge at Kickstarter to get yours.
This simple and stylish shelf mirror made me look. Comprised of two interlocking parts, it can be assembled in seconds and disassembled again for storage and transportation. Love the angular shape of the piece. The wooden hook is also a nice touch. Available for purchase from Golden Biscotti.
We are at that point of a summer season, when grilling fun starts to wear a bit thin. If you are tired of burgers on a barbecue, check out this product from the Austrian brand What a Wok. It allows you to expand the horizons of traditional outdoor cooking and include some healthy alternatives. The product is comprised of a metal bucket that you would fill with wood or coal, a clay topper and a wok pan. Just ignite the coal and start cooking. I also love the fact that the whole apparatus is very compact and easy to store till the next season. Wishlisted.
A big part of the appeal of Apple products is their streamlined design. However, if our workspace is cluttered – the minimalist effect is nulled. Bind is a new noteworthy Kickstarter project that offers a very simple and clever solution. This acrylic fame is designed to keep your keyboard and track-pad aligned while you’re working. And when the work is done – simply attach it to the back of your iMac monitor for easy storage. Bind keeps your desktop organized, and allows you to discretely store (and charge) your accessories and additional devices. Watch the video to see how this product works and pledge to get yours.
