I am happy to announce that another cool iPhone alarm clock is here to tempt us. Called c/dock, this sleek new toy needs our help to be produced. Here is how the designer describes it on Kickstarter: ‘A handsome thick piece of solid walnut with either a brushed aluminum or glossy resin face plate with a six foot long black usb cable. The ultimate mix of modern design and convenience.’ The idea is simple – you slide your phone into the fully enclosed sleeve to dock and charge it, while it is running your favorite alarm app. And when you are awake, you can use it as a photo display or as a media player. Sweet!
This versatile piece of furniture, called Tokotoko, can perform several roles in your home. It can serve as a side (or bedside) table, as a stool, or it can even be stacked to create a modular shelving unit. Made from natural walnut, the item comes in two colors, which can be alternated for a visual impact. Tokotoko is made in Japan and can be purchased here.
The ISO System 216 sideboard by Invisible City was designed for one specific purpose. It stores paper. And it does it well. All drawers and cupboards are sized according to ISO international paper standard (A4, A3, A2 etc.). You can customize your piece too, depending on your paper-storing needs. Even though this concept does not offer you endless capacity (which is a myth anyway), it gives you the best possible solution for a specific task. And that is no small feat.
Here is a fun thing you can do, if you have a few minutes to spare – design your own bedding. This new service, introduced by Inmod, allows you to choose and change patterns, play with different colors, and simply let your artistic flag fly. Watch the tutorial below to see how it works.
This piece, called Mushiki, was created by Tomas Alonso of London based design company Okay Studio for Arco. Inspired by Japanese steaming pots (hence the name), the piece can be compiled from several round structures, which turn to reveal generous storage inside. The movement happens via rotation around the wooden column. The Mushiki table, just like its culinary predecessor, is made from bamboo, a strong and sustainable material. The modules are available in two sizes.
Dishwasher is a notorious space eater in the kitchen. That is why designers come up with more and more ideas on how to combine it with other things. Here is another interesting concept – a dishwasher hiding under the drainboard of the sink. How intuitive and simple. It is on the small side, so there are some minor sacrifices, but, according to the manufacturer, the appliance can easily accommodate up to five place settings, including dinner plates up to 11 inches. So, just like in science fiction, you can dump your dirty dishes in the sink and press the button.
This neat little side table by Alessandro Di Prisco contains storage, which is a good news for those of us who struggle with paper clutter in the living room. The piece, called Cubico, has horizontal and vertical slots for your periodicals, books, papers and small items. As you load it, the piece instantly creates the feel of more organized environment. It is amazing what simple geometric forms can do…
If you have an Eames fetish, there is one more way to feed your obsession aside from buying the iconic chair itself. Consider these decorative pillows from Inhabit, featuring oh-so-familiar silhouettes. Made of 100% sustainable recycled polyester from pop bottles and hand printed in the USA with environmentally-friendly inks, the pillows are as eco-conscious as can be. This Eames-featuring collection includes five different designs in various color combinations.
This project breaches the gap between lighting and art. These Modular luminaries by Robert Hoffmann not only change shape and light intensity, they create endless number of effects on your wall. Made from aluminum and steel, these cubic fixtures can be manipulated by turning and tilting the surfaces. Check out the video to see Modular in action.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/21423913]
Young Danish designer Anders Backe attempted to rethink the traditional futon bed and make it fun and multifunctional. The result is highly impressive. The piece, called Nest, is a lounge chair by day and a guest bed by night, which makes it perfect for small spaces. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Danish furniture manufacturer – Karup A/S. Here is how the designer describes his concept: ‘We wanted to design a piece of furniture consisting only of the futon mattress itself; 1: to fully exploit its many qualities, 2: to create a simplistic furniture – both esthetically and functionally – and 3: to meet the price range of the manufacturer.’ The popularity of the piece in Germany, Switzerland, France and Denmark is a proof of the mission accomplished. Available for purchase here.
