Holidays are fun. What’s not fun is storing away holiday paraphernalia in a small apartment. Luckily, there are solutions today that allow to combine holiday spirit with urban practicality. Portable menorahs from Israel-based company Agayof are a great example of such combination. The pieces are creatively made to ease the storing process. Each menorah either disappears into another item entirely, adding off-holiday usage to its list of duties. Or it folds so compactly – every space can accomodate it. The items are made of lightweight anodized aluminum, which makes the colors permanent and the finish very durable. Cleaning is easily done by pouring boiling water over the pieces or placing them in the dishwasher. They made a great gift too. Available for purchase here. (more…)
Designer David Hanauer had a very cool idea. He created a multifunctional geometric frame that can be transformed into a wall-mounted structure, capable to perform many different roles. It can be used as a home office, bar, shelving piece, dining table, media unit, and more. “The object can either be placed on the floor or mounted to a wall, can exist visually as a sculpture or be utilised physically as furniture. By adding one sheet of metal the rectangular wooden structure becomes a functional table,” – says the designer. Watch the video above to see the transformation in action.
This beauty of a desk by Leonhard Pfeifer was shown at the latest Maison et Objet Fair in Paris. The aspiration for the piece was “to look striking from any angle so it could sit in the middle of a room, instead of pushed up against a wall.” And indeed it does. The Ravenscroft desk features a cross-legged design, wide desktop, hidden cable access slots, filing compartments, and a raised rear surface, perfect for monitors, lighting and various odd objects. The piece has a pronounced mid-century modernist feel to it, which makes it work incredibly well floating in the room.
(HT 3 Rings)
Can a hanger become a decorative element? Vilnius based designer Julius Bucelis argues that it can. His sleek and beautiful Hook hanger can serve this purpose aside from holding clothes. Thanks to its curvy shape, each piece can also be used as three hooks (hence the name). And when utilitarian duties are over, several Hook hangers can form a pendant. Triple function done right.
Flat-pack designs are very popular today, and there is a reason for it. They minimize the manufacturing efforts, reduce shipping costs and allow us to save space. And they also promote creativity. Just look at this collection by Ufuk Keskin! Called Flatobjects, the line consists of three pieces: Typeshelf – a type nerd’s delight and my personal favorite; Timewarp – a wall clock with laser cut numbers on the face that are ready to be bent; and Highrise – a dual function object which can be used as a vase or wall accessory. The collection is currently on display at the New York International Gift Fair until August 18.
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.’
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.
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 clever folding stool by Jack Smith was recently presented at the Royal College of Art show in London. The stool folds away neatly when lifted by one side. When the piece is unfolded, three hinged legs fit perfectly into a y-shaped hole in the seat. As weight is placed on the frame, the legs get pinched together creating a stronger join. So, the heavier the load the stronger the stool. Brilliant!
The Clouds coffee table set is a lovely versatile design from Mark Hark. When used as one piece the lines create a textured effect of real clouds. The set may also be separated into three individual pieces and used as a series of occasional tables around the room. Made from oak veneer on high-quality medium density fiberboard (MDF), the Clouds set comes in three colors – white, black and walnut. If they make it in frosted glass – my life will be complete…
