Accessories, fun as they are, inevitably cost us in space. Unless, in addition to their decorative role they can also perform some functional ones. These pillows from Ronel Jordaan are a good example. Shaped as pebbles and rocks, they can add a nice zen-like touch to your interior. And when extra seating is needed these ‘rocks’ can demonstrate their soft side. Made from 100% wool, hand dyed and hand felted, the rock pillows come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
This chair is a looker. Beautifully constructed by Lyon based designer Petit Romain, the piece, called Chaise Leaf, has a fluid continuity to it. It also features storage under the seat. This elegant little shelf can hold a few books, periodicals, an iPad perhaps… Made in a variety of colors, Chaise Leaf can add a happy note to a room. And if you like to read while you eat (one of my vices), this piece can be a nice dining chair too.
Our seating furniture is a notorious clutter magnet. Its demoralizing coziness compels us to pile more and more things closer to our bums, so we don’t need to bother getting up. Design firm Quinze and Milan and backpack manufacturer Eastpak took this desire quite literally and created the Backpack Sofa, a transformable piece of furniture with unlimited storage possibilities. The number of pockets and compartments is impressive and will allow storing books, DVDs, periodicals, iPads, and all other toys and spoils you like to keep close to you. Beautiful and at the same time dangerous idea…
Manhattan based architect Luke Clark Tyler lives the life of extreme space-saving in his 78 square foot studio. Even though the place can barely house his bed and has no kitchen, Luke does not see living small as a sacrifice. He employed his professional skills to customize this closet-sized dwelling to his needs. Another proof that we, New Yorkers, can endure almost anything for a great location.
Cara De Planta is a modular vertical garden system comprised of series of waterproof pockets. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces (assuming you are lucky enough to have both), these modular segments are easy to install. And because they are stain and drip free – there is no worry that they can mess up your designer wall paint. Each pocket can expand to allow maximum space for roots to develop; and thanks to the clever flap – you can combine different plants in one unit. Finally, with the fully incorporated air-pruning system, even an inexperienced gardener can be confident that Cara De Planta will yield results.
If you know what it feels like to be taking a lot of medications, you also know what ugly clutter they create. That is because your main supply and daily dispensers need to be stored separately. Add to this meds you have to take with you, and you get an overwhelming picture. Not to mention – the very aura of pill bottles has this sickening ‘Sweat November’ doom about it. Luckily this artful storage system, created by young French designer Celine Forestier, can address all of these issues. The collection is comprised of three parts – wall cabinet, weekly pill organizer, and series of handheld single-dose boxes. These components are not only convenient and cover nicely all medical storage phases, they are aesthetically pleasing as well. Thanks to this destigmatizing design, medical supplies can now be comfortably stored at your fingertips.
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…
