This clever adjustable table, named Wooden Cloth, has been created by Swedish designer Nathalie Dackelid. The piece grows and shrinks easily to accommodate different uses and situations. Thanks to its corrugated underside, the leaves of the table can retract to the exact length you need, perfect for accommodating a few extra friends for dinner, or freeing up a little extra space to dance. Check out the video after the break to see this piece in action.
Bike Dock is an aesthetically pleasing bike storage solution, designed by the Berlin-based design studio .flxble. It is handcrafted from birch wood and constructed in such a way, that allows you to fold the rack away, when not in use. “The design of our bike rack is simple, minimalistic and elegant, – designers say. – In the Bike Dock, we combine modern and traditional techniques in a novel way and use in the manufacture an innovative bending process by which we make the birch wood flexible.” The two belts, that give the piece its stability, come in white, black, grey, brown, and read. Available for purchase here.
Duotable is a new creation of Michael Hilgers, the man who gave the world this beautiful space-saving desk. The new table is a hybrid, made specifically for us, shoebox dwellers. It can be used as a 4-person dinner table, then transformed into a functional homeoffice by simply flipping a table half. Duotable hides a sizable storage compartment inside, ideal for your papers, writing materials, books and gizmos. I also love the cable slot, running on the back. This design has already landed the prestigious Interior Innovation Award 2015. I am not surprised.
This idea reminds me of Lumio, the book light I featured some time ago. Here too, we have a book shape, transformed into an interior object. Bookniture can be used as a coffee table, nightstand, stool, footrest, and more. Folded, it fits neatly on a bookshelf, taking virtually no space at all. A great concept! And a thoughtful gift too. Currently kickstarting.
Here is another notable product launching campaign – Portable Lap Desk Installation No.1 by Yois Design. In spite of its unusually long name, the product itself is very compact and small space friendly. The desk doesn’t have legs. Instead it sits on a set of wall mounted brackets. As a user, you have the freedom to install the brackets at any height you prefer, to use it whether sitting or standing. Neat. You can also move around with the desk, use the groove in its surface for your phone or tablet, and, when done, store the desk flat against the wall. Available for purchase through the currently running Kickstarter campaign.
The 360 shelf, created by Slovenian designer Luka Pirnat, is probably the most unusual storage concept I’ve seen. Minimalist and unobtrusive, the piece rotates (hence the name) to fit your storage need or preference. “360 shelf is made to fit, – designer says. – It has an enviable span that ranges from a chic shelf for books and zines, handy landing for tech, to space for simple stashing or displaying of all your favourite things under any angle.” I like the idea of having a compact, easily mountable parking spot for the things you need close to your daily trajectories. I can see myself using this shelf in the kitchen (for just one or two most prominent cookbooks), by the bedside (for my Kindle and notebooks), and near my desk (for important papers I need to deal with urgently). The project is currently in a funding stage. I hope it becomes a reality soon. Watch the video after the break to see it in action.
This little desk is a great idea for people who want to break the sedentary routine and try different positions while working on a laptop or tablet. Acute by Yorkshire based studio Bee9 is designed to make working and relaxing sat on the floor ergonomically more comfortable to do, with the option to use it as a standing desk, on top of a worktop. The desk leans over at 15° to create an ideal surface to work on and is designed to be used with books, notepads, laptops and tablets. The removable rest is made up of two parts, it keeps everything where it should be and allows you to adapt the surface to different tasks. The horizontal shelf serves as storage for books and papers. And if you’re not using Acute as a desk, stand it on its side, to use as a compact table or stool with a minimal footprint.
Loopholes by Belgian studio Atelier Belge is a fine example of modular storage. Comprised of a steel grid and multiple storage add-ons, Loopholes can serve organizing needs practically in any area of a home. The hooks, containers, and shelves can be mixed and rearranged. There is no limit to what this system can do. You can use it in the kitchen, home office, entryway, bathroom; you can even turn it into a hanging garden wall. The grid comes in black and white powder-coated steel, the shelving components are made from natural wood, the hooks and trays are made of powder-coated steel. Available for purchase here.
Here is a cool idea – a line of furniture that is assembled by way of powerful magnets instead of adhesive or metal fasteners. Dock 312, a young design firm from Chicago, introduced a series of goodlooking side tables, all featuring flat-pack principle and intuitive, tactile assembly without the use of tools. Each design is also reversible – just turn it upside down, replace the glass top and the piece instantly turns into a whole new table. Powerful magnets add sturdiness to the structure. A great concept.
The Leaning Loop is a multi-purpose upright organizer made of solid hardwood. It is a handcrafted modular clothing hanger, bag holder, gadget shelf, mirror, magnet board, key holder, and shoe shelf all in one slender package. Born out of necessity, the piece was envisioned by Jason van der Burg of Urbanworm Design, while designer lived in a tiny room of a shared apartment. He needed something compact, functional and elegant to hold his entryway items (as, indeed, many of us do). The Leaning Loop comes in ash, cherry, walnut, rift white oak, or maple. You can choose between a magnetic blackboard or magnetic mirror and customize your hardware. And the best part for renters (and/or gals) – no drilling of the wall is required.
