Every renter knows that IKEA’s ubiquitous nature cannot be fought. It’s that convenient shortcut most of us take at one point or another. Fortunately, there are entrepreneurial souls out there, who can help us to embrace Swedish fast food of furniture in a new and exciting way. This particular IKEA hack belongs to Andreas Bhend and allows us to built three original items from a humble Frosta chair. The redesigns include a wall-mounted shelving unit, coffee table and a coat rack. Called Frosta X, Frosta Y and Frosta Z respectively, the items do require some power tool action. But the result is well-worth the elbow grease. I also love the humorously drawn instructions. Watch the stop motion video to follow the process.
This storage system by Sebastian Schönheit reminds me of a Growing Cabinet by Yi-Cong Lu, I featured earlier this year. Here too – the shelves slide sideways to free more storing space. Schönheit’s piece, called Shift, consists of four elements which can easily be stacked on top of each other and moved horizontally. There is no need for screws, brackets or props. Shift can be arranged according to its content (the sliding shelves provide the room for bulky items) or your space requirements. The metal back of the item doubles as a bulletin board, so Shift can be used as a free-standing item.
I am very pleased to beat the drum for a fellow countryman today. Russian designer Lesha Galkin created this modular shelving system, beautifully adaptable to any space, big or small. The structures are composed of plywood and solid pine boards. Thin plywood pieces are nested inside each other, creating various configurations. These small structures are easily assembled without glue or screws, which makes for flexible, lightweight storage.
This retractable hanging rack by San-Diego-based designer Curtis Micklish, called Pin-Up, is a fine idea for a small entry area. The item folds flat when not in use and allows to extend individual pegs or peg groupings, depending on your storage needs. It does require some elbow grease during the installation, but the result this neat is worth a little power tool action. Here is how Curtis describes the construction of the Pin-Up: “To briefly explain how it works, there are a group of free moving dowels that have a stop at the backside. The outside center dowel on each end is attached to a backboard that moves freely forward and backward and allows you to easily push all dowels out to full extension. Then it just depends on the object you hang to push the pins in where its needed.” Some drywall cutting is involved in the mounting process, however, for those of us who rent their shoeboxes the designer is willing to create a surface mounted piece, wrapped in walnut.
Here is another clever work/dining table hybrid. Created by Mathias Hahn for Danish brand Arco, the piece is an attempt to combine work and play on the same surface. The deed is possible thanks to a sizable sliding storage compartment that allows to put away all work-related paraphernalia during dinner time. Here is how the designer describes the concept: “The frame underneath the table top is rather slim, so there is less restriction from a thick top section that comprises a drawer unit or similar. This allowes the desk to be used more flexible when it comes to different living and work situations, however still offering the functionality of storrage within the desk.”
(via stilsucht)
This minimalist shelf by Carme Pinós studio caught my eye. Made out of 2mm thick piece of steel, the Moni shelf is folded and attached to the wall, creating multiple configurations. The piece reminds me of Umbra’s famous Conceal shelf. Here too – the storage becomes visually overtaken by the stored items. “Moni’s receptacle form facilitates easy storage of books and objects, and takes on a weightless appearance as the number of books grows.” – designers explain. The piece is available in three depths – 20cm-25cm-30cm, and two finishes – vanished and coated.
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)
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)
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.
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)
