It seems that the more commonplace e-readers get, the more popular it becomes to incorporate actual books into objects. Even Philippe Starck participated in this trend by creating Bibliotheque Nationale – a lamp that features bookshelves. This multifunctional piece will help you to store your books, periodicals and other reading materials right under your light source. And if you have gone completely paper free, the lamp provides a comfortable charging station for all your devices.
What is a sofa but a pile of pillows? This rhetorical question was a starting point in creation of this piece. The Brick sofa was designed by KiBiSi for Versus. The inspiration for it came from a brick bond, the pattern of which was replicated by cushions. When KiBiSi partner Bjarke Ingels tried to find a sofa with strong architectural references for his own apartment – the idea for the piece was born. The cushions are made from polyurethane foam and held together by tailor quality buttons.
This multifunctional table, designed by Italian studio Crop, consists of two parts – wooden tray and upholstered cubes. The cubes can be used as ottomans and provide extra seating in a guest entertaining situation. They can also serve as freestanding side or end tables around the room. The design includes two sizes and two color palettes, warm and cool.
Scene is a smart flexible storage system, created by Dick Spierenburg for Arco. Each unit is comprised of a wooden frame and various metal storage components, freely placed inside it. The components can be open, closed, or with doors and drawers, depending on your storage needs. The frame system itself it modular and can create various configurations – wall units, sideboards, bookcases etc. The sideboard version features a cable transit in the backside for media storage. Scene allows for different color combinations as well. I struggle to imagine what else we can want from a storage system…
A desk that grows with its owner – what a clever concept. The AZ desk, created by Lyon-based designer Guillaume Bouvet allows to adjust the writing surface to accommodate a child through his/her growth. Thus the piece can suit a toddler as well as an adult, which means you only need to buy one desk for your hard-studying offspring. The desktop can be flipped up and turned into a magnetic board. The entire workspace unit is made with three ply panels for added stability.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/24044036]
Here is an idea – instead of throwing away packages from light bulbs, why not turn them into something useful and functional? This is what English illustrator and graphic designer Chris Anderson did. His Lamp is a socket that turns into a real table lamp in seconds. It is fun, simple, and unpretentious. And the product is made from recycled cardboard – another wholesome eco-friendly detail.
Here is something for the senses – an exciting special edition line, based on designs of renown French architect and designer Jean Prouvé. The project is called Prouvé RAW and carried out by Swiss brand Vitra in collaboration with jeans manufacturer G-Star, who was the initiator of this makeover. According to Cool Hunting, 14 Prouvé’s classics, modernized and updated, are on display at the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhein, Germany until 31 July 2011. Between October and November this year, nine of the pieces will be available to buy through Vitra.
This visually pleasing bookcase was designed by Laszlo Rozsnoki, who used layers of rope instead of solid shelves. The piece, called Ropeshelf, presents a hip and flexible alternative to a traditional storage system. The ropes, fastened to a stainless steel frame, can be easily adjusted to accommodate items of various shapes and sizes. This use of materials not only creates a graphical appearance, it also allows to store books and periodicals at an angle, which is the best way to prevent warping.
Xcentric is a coffee table set, created by Serbian designer Goci Bjelajac. The set is comprised of two identical but mirrored tables, which you can put together to create various configurations. Each piece can also function as a free-standing end table to provide storage where it is needed. Xcentic us quite stable too, it stands on rubber legs, hidden beneath the lower board, which in turn can be used as a newspaper rack.
There is a lot to love about this cool minimalistic bed with integrated storage. Called Buden, the item was created by LA-based company Viesso, a young business that prides itself on making furniture ‘as Green as possible.’ The company uses environmentally friendly practices and chooses sustainable sources. This bed, for example, is made from bamboo – a fast-growing renewable material. But what gives it many space-saving points is the storage. Optional foot drawers, as well as base compartments and headboard drawers, are all available. Buden is customizable too – just give Viesso your specs.
