Inspired by placards, these unusual storage units, aptly called Sticks, are perfect if you need to break the pattern of unified storage. Designed by Netherlands based studio Castelijn Wonen, these one-legged cabinets come in four different heights, four different widths and a wide variety of colors. So, you can create a huge number of combinations. You can use them separately or put them in groups, mix and match heights and colors and really let your artistic flag fly. And they really do look like placards on sticks, put into harmonious and fun compositions.
This is just delightful. A bookshelf designed to be assembled like a game, with no screws, tools or indeed muscles involved. Created by Gonçalo Campos, the piece is a soaring example of elegant functionality. It is comprised of two parts that interlock via simple slots, providing for a sturdy construction. The ‘X’ part gives structural integrity to the shelf, whereas the ‘I’ part contributes to its dynamic look. I also love that the instructions are engraved on the piece itself – no paper to fiddle with or lose. Beautiful, no-nonsense approach.
These cardboard series, designed by Heikki Ruoh for Showroom Finland, satisfy my cardboard obsession completely. They are light, eco-friendly and very beautiful indeed. Made out of special kind of cardboard, these pieces can be recycled as paper, yet they are sturdy and functional. Water based adhesives are used to create the material’s sandwich-like construction, so it is perfectly safe and non-toxic. The items arrive to you flat, and can be simply folded into their shapes. No glue or screws required. Perfect for rental apartments or dorms.
I’m slightly obsessed with this website right now – Sydney based studio Evolvex created a cool online tool allowing you to build your own furniture. With this smart and intuitive online application you can upload images of your rooms and see what the piece will look like in its intended environment. And with the presented choice of components you can build an array of simple and elegant items for any room of your apartment.
These modular shelves by Gabi Malacha might look precarious at first glance, but don’t let this impression fool you. A well thought out shelving construction, comprised of several sets of L-shaped wooden components, is being secured in place by screws and rested upon wooden stands. So, in spite of its weightless looks, the unit can withstand a good load of books, DVDs, CDs, periodic marials and small items. And thanks to its modular stacking principle and intuitive assembly method, many configurations can be created, including beautiful tilted ones.
This project from Berlin based studio Ambivalenz is aesthetically pleasing and makes a lot of sense too. The collection of collapsible pieces – chair, stool and coat rack – can be stored completely flat. But here is the kicker – one side of each piece features artwork, so it can be displayed on the wall instead of occupying your closet. What a neat idea! I also quite like the string folding/unfolding mechanism that brings the stool and the coatrack in motion. The stool can be turned upside down and serve as a magazine rack. Plain white versions of each item are also available. The Ambivalenz collection is currently displayed at the Designers Fair 2012 in Cologne.
This table from Studio Uli Budde has a lot to be in love with. It is elegant, compact and loaded with functionality. The piece is a logical combination of coffee table, side table, and magazine rack. The central island is a practical surface for placing coffee, plates, sketchbook, or laptop. The area that wraps around is a storage space for books and magazines. The outside rim also serves as a bookmark when taking a break from reading. Simple and unobtrusive aesthetic of the reading table makes it perfect for the living room, bedroom or waiting room. The piece comes in two sizes.
This simple and clever shelving system by Mehtap Obuz of Demirden Design for Ilio is modular and can perform several tasks. Comprised of light wooden components, Katkat can be stacked as high or as low as you want. And because there are two sets of connecting holes in each segment, you can adjust the height of the shelves – perfect for oversized books of magazines. And if you need extra seating, each unit can serve as a stool. The item is light, intuitive in assembly and visually stimulating. The piece can be made from oak, walnut and/or african padouk, which is another beautiful variable – you can mix and match layers of different colors.
I can never get enough book and bike storage, and when I see these things combined – it’s Christmas. Bookbike by BYografia is a clever hybrid, addressing both your reading and riding needs. The piece is comprised of two parts – one features shelves for your books, another – a hook for your bike. And because the rack is adjustable, it can accomodate a bike of any size. The base is equipped with adaptable legs to ensure the stability of the structure. I also quite like the somewhat retro feel of this design. Bookbike comes in chalk white and gray antracite.
A modern take on a classic idea, Lodelei coat rack was created by designers Martin Pärn and Edina Dufala-Pärn for Nils Holger Moormann. The piece includes a frame with hooks and a canvas pocket for bags and smaller items. This bag storage part made me overjoyed (a New York woman’s bag cannot be hung without bringing the hook down), it looks elegant and can also preserve your wall from wet clothes. The frame is made from untreated ash wood. And because of its clever leaning construction – the more weight you put on it, the stabler the rack becomes.
