This unusual lighting object, called Matt Lamp and designed by German studio llot llov, is covered in Angora and Merino wool cozy. It conceals the long cord and makes the lamp fluffy and adorable. Thanks to the amorphous structure of the object, it can be transformed into anything you wish and your space would allow – reading lamp, night light, chandelier, the options are endless. Cute!
Koo is a combination of a baby bassinet and a rocking chair. The product is the latest creation of Lunar studio. It is designed to free young parents from buying too many items (which is the usual trap when the new baby is born). This beautiful and ergonomically correct bassinet turns into a chair by flipping down the seat. And when the baby overgrows this piece of furniture, it can be permanently upcycled to a stylish rocker. Clever and eco-conscious idea.
Milestone is a clever minimal storage solution for those of us who park bikes indoors. Designed by Japanese trio Mile, the piece is made of marble and comes in custom sizes. Each made-to-order cube is fitted perfectly to a specific bike. And when you are not using it, Milestone can be displayed as a nice sculptural object or simply stored away.
Here is a great example of dual function done right. The XY chair by Paris based designer Aïssa Logerot can be turned into a low table. And it can be done with one swift pivoting motion – no hustle or muscle required. The chair’s back becomes a tabletop and can hold drinks and appetizers in a party situation, cup of tea, books, and anything else you might need a surface for. The small size of XY makes it perfect for an urban setting.
People used mirrors and fake doors to create an illusion of bigger spaces since the dawn of time. Designer Sarah T. Kang suggests us to use both. Her clever mirror design, named Glimpse, creates effect of a door, leading to another room. The reflection and movement you might catch in the mirror completes the deception.
‘The door half opened always stirs up a sense of seduction and curiosity within us, – says Kang. – Inspired by these ordinary yet inexplicable moments in our daily lives, I designed a mirror that gives an illusion of a door opening on any given surface.’
Cordage clutter is the price we pay for cool gadgetry. But this nasty side of technical advancement doesn’t have to be so hideous. There are products out there, made specifically to help us take our wires and cords under control. This neat solution from Danish designer Søren Refsgaard is called Great Balls Of Wire (witty!) and designed to hold up to five feet of excess wire inside. Refsgaard explains: ‘I chose the round shape because it fits almost all interior surroundings — both lying on the floor and hanging from a table lamp on a shelf.’ His first prototype was made out of a tennis ball. In its current version the ball is 2.7-inch in diameter and comes in nine colors.
Bunk beds are a great space-saving solution, but they are very rarely beautiful. The Maja bed from Helsinki based design studio Aalto+Aalto is an exception. Inspired by treehouses, this bed prototype is a true delight for the senses. It is also modular and can be build in several different ways according to your space requirements.
Here is what designers Klaus and Elina Aalto say about their work: ‘We appreciate working on projects that both functionally, esthetically and emotionally bring something new to our material world. Our aim is to create special everyday objects with a strong identity and story.’
If you are a cooking enthusiast – you will love SpiceCare from TableFare. The manufacturer claims to deliver everything we can possibly want from spice storage. And judging by the looks of the product, it was not an empty promise. I struggle to find one thing they haven’t thought of. The line features clever interlocking design, it is shelf and drawer compatible, each jar has a build-in spoon leveler. You can group spices and print your own labels… Watch the video to see the system in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDcq2g84688
This delightful concept belongs to Moscow based designer Kate Pashinova. The Olly stool is an example of collapsible furniture, that folds flat for easy storage. The principle is simple – the base of the stool is a cross-like construction. When unfolded, it gives stability to the structure. And by rotating one of its parts, the folding is achieved. The piece can be hung on the wall or stored in a closet when not in use.
An object isn’t generous enough if it only performs one function. And we, urban folks, living in tiny apartments, are especially in need of clever, multifunctional objects. Luckily designers are happy to oblige. Here is an interesting project by Hsiang Wang, called Complete Me, Please! and comprised of three pieces: a broom and dustpan / rubbish bin combination (my personal favorite), a lamp with an integrated fly swatter, and a coat rack with hooks that double as shoehorns.
Here is how the designer explains his vision: ‘Not all objects are easy to store as people might expect. People have no idea how to deal with some objects even though they are useful utensils. The aim of this project is create a series of objects related to the household environment which combine two individual utensils into a single appliance. Each must be bi-functional, pertain to a mutually beneficial relationship, and provide a home for the two component products.’
