No matter how well-equipped your desk is, it rarely has enough space for everything that life throws at you. And we all know how ugly and cumbersome most filing systems are. What we often need is something in between – a smallish, manageable piece with decent storage capacity. Smith by Jonathan Olivares could be just the thing to fit the bill. This attractive multi-purpose storage unit was designed for the overlapping interests of the home and office. Its storage area holds folders, books and other useful items. You can use it alone, on the floor, hanging over a table, or combining more elements together by stacking them. The piece has wheels and can be moved around easily and even used as an extra seat. Made out of painted sheet metal, Smith is durable and light at the same time… I really struggle to find a single detail I would change or add. And it looks like I’m not alone: a few months ago Smith has landed the Compasso d’Oro, Italy’s most prestigious design award given to products.
This idea is apparently so good, not one, but two companies had thought of it. Cubby by Materious (above) and Hooknook by Flip & Tumble (below) are variations of one clever storage solution – a hook that doubles as a small shelf. The item can fit any room and fulfill multiple duties around the house. Perfect for entry areas as a place to hang a scarf or a handbag and store keys at the same time, it will also work near your desk, in the kitchen or bathroom and hold small items or any kind. These little hooks with cubbies inside them are smart and unobtrusive. I also like that, thanks to the volume, they won’t damage coat collars or purse handles with sharp edges.
It is not a proper modern shop if a cashier doesn’t make you feel guilty for needing a bag. Even if you have 50 items or more. But luckily now you can ease your conscience and reuse those eco-unfriendly petroleum products in style. Easy Garbage by Spanish design duo Javier Taberner Gomez-Ferrer and Nacho Poveda Lorenzo from Obj.studio can accomodate a plastic bag of any size and turn it into a functional trash receptacle. With no walls and just a metal linear structure, it’s an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chunky dustbins. The structure can be carried around or hung from a wall by the handles and will adapt to any room of the house.
(via Inhabitat)
Why should our furniture have four legs if it is put against the wall? The answer to this question came in the series of delightful two-legged pieces, created by French designer Caroline Gomez. The collection, called Contre, is comprised of a shelf, bedside table and console. All pieces are made from solid wood and can be leaned against the wall without any additional tools or mounts. The tention between the surface of the wall and the shape of the objects create an illusion that we are only seeing the half of each piece. If you have a moment, check our Caroline’s blog, where she shares imagery that inspires her and informs the visual language she brings into her designs.
These works of another talented young designer – this time from Slovakia – made me look. Veronika Paluchova is soon graduating from AFAD Bratislava in department of Product Design. Her ideas are not only functional and braced with a strong sense of purpose, they are also attractive and fun. Veronika takes her inspiration in natural materials and creates simple, yet unpredictable shapes. Check out more of her projects over on Designeast.
Here is one student project I would love to see becoming a product one day. Daniel To redesigned the way we look at common hangers. Instead of arranging them on a bar, as we used to, he suggests to attach them freely to a metal plate via magnets. Here is what he says about the project: ‘Clothes hangers and clothing spaces have largely remained in the same format over the years. Hangers usually consist of a styled wooden, plastic or metal frame upon which clothing rests, with a hook component at the top. Similarly, contemporary wardrobes often use a contained space with horizontal bar(s) upon which to place the hangers in a linear pattern. These hangers replace the hook with a magnet, accompanied by a suspended piece of metal to allow full freedom of arrangement and display.’
If you bring this thing to any New Year’s Eve party – you will definitely be a gift hero. A lamp and wine case in one, created by Spanish design studio Ciclus, is an ideal way to deliver your communal booze contribution in style. Made out of 100% recycled cardboard and wood from sustainable forests, the piece is an eco-friendly party favorite. Once the wine bottle is taken out of the equation, you can transform the package into an ambient lamp. Instructions and cordage are included.
This trapezoid-like storage, designed by Daniele Luciano Ferrazzano, contains many elements we, small space dwellers, like. It is modular and multifunctional, not to mention – an eye candy. The construction of this shelving system includes three types of elements: shelves (which can have both open and closed display options), wooden panels and metal climps, upon which the system is rested. Thus, the assembly is fast and tool free, and, by varying sizes of the elements, multiple configurations can be achieved. You can even take the modules apart and turn them into extra seating. Brilliant.
Hood by London based design studio Quarterre is a minimal and clever bike rack, ideal for limited spaces. The architecturally inspired form is made from folded sheet steel that will support a bike securely by its top tube and can be mounted easily to any solid wall. The piece is trimmed in leather to protect the bike’s frame. Hood’s beautiful and unobtrusive design blends with any interior, providing a vertical storage for any bike. The piece is also customizable. Different colors and finishes are available for an extra cost.
There are two things every pet owner knows about cat beds: 1) everything in your home is a cat bed (especially your trousers of the contrasting with the cat color); 2) your cat will take pride in ignoring your every attempt to provide her with a place to sleep. Cats are independent creatures, and it is challenging to keep their habits in sync with your organizational needs. But hopefully this piece from Lithuanian artists Vaiva Nat can give you an edge in your negotiations. Soft and wooly (made of 100% wool felt), the bed has a simple, modern design. It is also easily collapsable, and you can put it in any extravagant location your cat chooses as a slumber spot. I also love the fact that the shape of the bed gives both privacy and air to the cat. A well thought-out piece that might just work.
