When it comes to bathroom storage we, small space inhabitants, are not spoiled with the abundance of choice. Which is why this collection from Royo Group is so exciting. The Keops Evolution series feature functional drawers and shelves around the bathtub itself. This elegant solution allows for much needed product/towel storage while taking virtually no extra space. It also provides for easy access to your beauty spoils. Thoughtful… The bathtub finishes are available in white acrylic and walnut and the furniture part can be chosen to be white or black.
This room divider is a collaborative effort of Anne Lorenz and Hanna Emilie Ernsting (who you may remember as the creator of the Moody Couch). The piece, called Parawall, is a modular structure with optional openings that lets you decide how much or how little of the space you want to reveal. Better yet – every opening can be fixed with a storage box, fastened in place with magnets. So, whether you need to divide the room, create a private area in the middle of it, or generate more usable wall space – this piece will get you covered.
Since we are on the subject of kitchen space – here is an interesting idea from German designer Kilian Schindler. His Concept Kitchen, designed for Naber, is a modular system that allows to built various configurations on the same frame. You can combine your basic worktop with either an oven, sink or storage. The basic elements are made from steel and easy to disassemble. They feature pre-drilled grid patterns for the flexible arranging of construction and storage shelves. So, if you decide to move house or remodel the existing one – there is at least one major project you can cross off your to-do your list.
Bedpack is a clever design by Eveline Borgermans that can help you to organize your bedside space. We all like to see our bedroom neat and serene, but at the same time – we like to have our essential things at our fingertips. Bedpack allows to achieve both. It hangs off the sides of the bed giving you an extra space for your books, notepads, glasses, medicine or anything else you need to have immediate access to. The product is available in several sizes and various colors.
This whimsical shelf by Dripta Design Studio made me smile. Designed to resemble a thought bubble, it could be a fun addition to a living and a kids room alike. It may not be able to hold many items, for it is more of a conversational piece than a heavy-duty storage unit; but with this shelf on a wall you will never be accused of living in a dull home. Still in the concept stage, the Dream shelf can be made from fiberglass or wood.
This elegant modular storage system was created by MDF Italia. Constructed from 6 mm thick MD-wood fibreboards, the Random system can be built in any way you see fit. You choose the height and the layout of your unit, and whether you want the cabinets to be open or closed, free-standing or wall mounted. Shelves fit into the backs through concealed slots, which makes creating your unique design a child’s play. The Random shelving system comes in black and white.
Dutch designer Reinier de Jong, in case you need reminding, is the person who gave the world this brilliant thing. His new creation, a neat little desk called DEX, is another example of functional minimalism. Small enough to fit anywhere in your home, DEX is a refined take on an old classic. The frame has a minimal presence round the seat for optimal comfort, the drawers can be pulled out completely to accommodate heavy load of paper or a printer, the ultra slim top (only 12 mm wide) consists of alternating layers of high pressure laminate and aluminum for extra strength and durability. Ethereal in its appearance and structurally strong, the DEX desk can be a perfect home office piece.
This clever shelving system, called One Shelves, was created by Singapore based Studio Juju, a design partnership of Timo Wong and Priscilla Lui. The piece itself wins many space-saving points – it is modular, light (made of powder coated aluminum), can be assembled into multiple configurations, and requires zero tools to build. When not needed, the boxes can be nested together and conveniently stored out of the way. This year Studio Juju was selected to be one of the recipients of the Designers of the Future Award. As winners they were commissioned to create new work to be unveiled at Design Miami/ Basel, Switzerland ’11, which starts tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done.
UPDATE: Please visit Design Miami Blog to see all three Designers of the Future installations and watch interviews with the designers.
Matt Brown is a Brooklyn based designer, artist and DJ; and this project, called Pitch Control, derived from his long-term passion for record collecting. The slight pitch allows for records (as well as books or magazines) to lean naturally and avoid warping. Born out of specific function, this leaning storage idea made for a visually stimulating piece. The system consists of identical modules that can be arranged into various configurations. The assembly is easy – the units interlock, and the gravity adds stability to the structure. And because it is designed to fit and withstand records, there is no limit to what the Pitch Control system can handle… Handmade in Philadelphia using high quality birch plywood and stainless steel fasteners, the product can be ordered here.
Brazilian artist Marcela Casarotto created these cool colorful accent tables that can bring character to the room while serving as a book storage. The inspiration for the collection came from the colorful esthetic of the La Boca district (Argentina). Here is what the author says about the pieces: ‘The project proposed the creation of a set of residential auxiliary tables using the colorful district of La Boca (Argentina) as semantic reference, searching for meanings attributed to it and reflecting them on the product through its esthetic and symbolic functions… The product allows the consumer to assemble it at home and select the colors for the finishing, making it part of the environment it’s inserted in a pleasant and humorous way.’ The materials used to make the prototype are MDF, hardwood and PET finishing.
