December 8, 2010

What can be more ruinous for your budget and space than children’s furniture? If only it could grow as fast as the owner does, all would be well… Moan no more. The new Stack Me Up chair from designer Ho-Chieh Hsu does just that – it grows. As your child is getting bigger, the chair can be elevated via application of books under the seat. The beauty of the concept is in its versatility – the chair can sit a child, but does not look like children’s furniture. Thus Stack Me Up can survive in an adult home, becoming a conversation piece, a customizable sitting solution, and a nice book display.

Source: Yanko Design

November 23, 2010

This neat idea from Cerekapery innovation lab combines a table and a chair in one stylish item. With an easy movement you can make it either one. The sweetch18 switches (alliteration intended) to give you additional sitting or table space. And because both versions of the piece are equally cool and functional, there are no sacrifices. Just convenience and visual joy. No wonder this table/chair has won a designer award in Paris already.

November 12, 2010

Living in small spaces takes discipline. Discipline means fewer things. Fewer things need to be smarter things. Designers Leonardo Fortino and Andrea Bartolucci, founders of the Spigoli Vivi project, created something that fits the bill. Helios is a chair by day – simple, functional and understated. But by night it becomes a table with a built-in light. A hidden power-cord slot allows switching the light on and off. Thus, Helios can be employed as a night stand for a visiting guest, a side table, a night light with storage… And this is what minimalism is all about – limited form, limitless function.

November 11, 2010

This unusual piece belongs to Shay Alkalay, the London-based designer and one half of design firm Raw-Edges. When I say ‘belongs’ I mean just that – Alkalay created this item for his own apartment. This truly unique Book Case has no drawers, shelves, or doors. The books are suspended among flat plywood stems, which in turn serve as bookmarks. The surface created by the spines of the books can be used as a tabletop.

Some bibliophiles might condemn this concept, seeing it as disrespectful and damaging for the books. Others will like the simplicity. Besides, who doesn’t love to flaunt their reading choices…

Source: Sight Unseen

November 9, 2010

We’ve all done this. With more or less damage to our spines and surroundings. Finally there is an idea that celebrates human urge to climb shelves and bookcases.

Designer Danny Kuo created this modern take on an old library classic. Lower boxes slide out and serve as steps, allowing you to reach upper shelves and cabinets.

With all elements combined in one unit, there is no need for a ladder. This helps to save even more space.

IKEA! How can we avoid thee… Its ubiquitous nature is beyond any comparison. Nearly any person owns an IKEA item. But in spite of the obvious appeals of the brand (cheap, folds flat), it does not add any uniqueness to our home. The Mykea company aims to change that and offers ways to personalize our IKEA.

A design print will arrive in a transport-tube along with an application guide to become your another weekend project. Just like the furniture itself…