I absolutely love these elegant and simple side tables by Stuttgart based designer Simon Busse. Thanks to their clever construction, the pieces fold flat when you need to store them. And when some extra tabletop space is required – you can assemble them in minutes. Here is how designer describes his concept: “Only if all its components interact the table stands firmly. Three flat wooden legs other form the basis and are brought into position by a connective element. A hook on the top side of the connective element holds a coloured elastic band – the marionette’s string. The band runs through the wooden legs towards a tabletop and turns into a carrying handle on the upper side. In order to lock this fragile structure, the tabletop is bevelled downwards, the legs are kept in position and the entire table stands firmly.”
This is delightful. Designer Adrian Candela was overwhelmed by the packing waste stacked in his living room after a recent move and decided to turn the old boxes into new furniture. As someone with the pronounced cardboard fetish, I did feature his Nit nightstand before. And what a pleasure it was to find this video, shot by Kirsten Dirksen of Fair Companies, showcasing his other DIY ideas. Do enjoy! Also check out Adrian’s website for actual downloadable instructions.
If you think rocking chairs are a space-consuming luxury in a limited urban setting, you’re in for a sweet surprise. The Cleat chair by Vancouver based designer Tom Chung is a clever piece that folds flat for storage and moving purposes. Here is how the designer describes it:
“‘Cleat‘ is a knockdown rocking chair inspired by the harbours surrounding both Vancouver, Canada and Stockholm, Sweden. The first prototype was designed and built while studying abroad in Stockholm with the intention to bring it home to Vancouver in my carry on luggage. The chair is constructed from massive birch and is held together with zero stretch climbing rope.”
A prototype at this point, the chair is a beautifully minimal, well-thought-out object. I really hope it sees the light of production.
Kyoto-based studio Miso created this beautiful modular storage piece called XShelf. This system is stackable, flatpacked, and aesthetically pleasing. But best of all – it requires zero tools to assemble. Just interlock the wooden pieces via slots, slide the cubic shapes into groves, and you’re done. Simple, sensible and remarkably customizable… A very good idea for a tiny space.
SmartDeco is LA-based studio, founded by Trent John Mayol, a USC student who likes low prices, mellow vibes, and a simple approach to furniture. Inspired by his own vagabond living, this innovative line is light, incredibly easy to assemble and affordable. Every item is proudly made in America and comes with an assembly video to make the experience completely painless. “Furniture can be an unnecessary source of stress in people’s lives and we exist to fix that as the SMART alternative for furniture. Our sole aim is to save you time and money while making sure you stay stylish, green and patriotic,” – says the designer. The pieces do look rather nice and can serve as a great solution for a starter apartment.
This project from Berlin based studio Ambivalenz is aesthetically pleasing and makes a lot of sense too. The collection of collapsible pieces – chair, stool and coat rack – can be stored completely flat. But here is the kicker – one side of each piece features artwork, so it can be displayed on the wall instead of occupying your closet. What a neat idea! I also quite like the string folding/unfolding mechanism that brings the stool and the coatrack in motion. The stool can be turned upside down and serve as a magazine rack. Plain white versions of each item are also available. The Ambivalenz collection is currently displayed at the Designers Fair 2012 in Cologne.
There is never enough storage around the workspace. Small items, desk clutter, writing paraphernalia… Wouldn’t it be nice to elevate all this above the surface and keep it visible and well-organized? This flatpack modular system by German company Pulpo, called Topos, can help. The series of powder coated metal sheets can be attached to the wall to create a storage area as big or small as your space requires. All modules have slots into which metal triangular pockets are inserted. And if you need to store something more substantial than paperclips and trinkets, a bigger tray can be placed instead of the triangles, creating a shelf. Removable storage components come in a variety of colors.
Real Good Chair is a cool and colorful design by Blu Dot. And as you probably guessed from the perforated lines, it is also a flatpack item. Affordable and efficient, the chair comes to you in a little box with a simple assembly instruction. You can just as easily disassemble the piece, if it needs moving or storing. The Real Good Chair is made from powder-coated steel and available in ivory, aqua, and two glossy tone-on tone colors: satin black or glossy red. Nice work! You might also enjoy their silly assembly video.
This colorful collection by London based designer Amy Hunting employs the power of gravity to generate storage. The Felt and Gravity line consists of a sideboard, storage box and a series of occasional tables. The tables can be stacked to create storage units of various height and configuration. All pieces feature pockets, made from 100% wool. These soft and flexible felt ‘shelves’ get their strength from the weight placed inside them. The items are also flat pack, which makes them easy to transport (or stored when not in use).
If you love typography and flat-pack furniture – you will appreciate these pieces. Originally designed as an advertising campaign for Penguin Books, this line was created to promote reading. The concept is pretty simple – every book is made up of words; and all words are composed of 26 letters of the alphabet, arranged and rearranged in infinite combinations. Building on this fact, DDB Singapore advertising agency created a new Penguin font with one unique difference. Each letter, cut out from plywood and coated with black laminate, could be slotted into another to form furniture. Thus, the letters C, H, A, I, and R make up a chair; the letters T, A, B, L, and E – a table… You get the picture. The campaign was held in eight busy urban locations, encouraging passers by to stop, sit down and read something. The Alphabet collection is now on sale to general public and can be purchased here.
