Speaking about living in a shoebox! Felice Cohen lives in a studio apartment that measures 12 feet by 7 feet. When faced with the old urban dilemma – space vs. location – she clearly chose location. This beautiful Upper West Side neighborhood is enviable for many. By settling for a tiny 90 sq ft studio, Felice managed to afford it on a budget of $700 (whereas the usual monthly rent for a studio here comes up to $3,600). Check out the video below to see the tricks she used to make the place not only livable but even charming and cozy.
If you are looking for a non-linear solution for your shelving – consider this cool and colorful Parametric Bookshelf from Caterina Tiazzoldi. The unit is custom-built to your liking (you determine three crucial parameters – length, height and color), which is another advantage for us, space-challenged folks. This interactive approach lets you co-create and personalize your shelving, effectively utilizing your living space, no matter how big or small… Clever stuff!
This inspired piece of design was created by Jiyoung Seo, who is studying at the HDK School of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Catalist Shelf is equipped with the silicone flap that not only keeps books in place, but can also serve as a bookmark. ‘My shelves aim to invite the user to interact with its form, – says designer, – they utilize various “play signals” that engage the user to touch, feel, and react to the object… The Catalyst shelf has a thinner layer on the upper part that holds things like books, papers, pens, whatever you want. And can also be used as a bookmark. A bookmark of your favorite page can make this shelf more special for you.’
Photographs taken by Annie Song
Source: Dezeen
This anti-consumerist idea of a mobil room belongs to German design studio Caluso Concept. As a response to the increased flexibility and mobility of today’s life, designers Marcel Krings and Sebastian Mühlhäuser combined all furniture essentials in one compact box, which can be easily moved. ‘We take on obligations and responsibilities and obtain house goods far beyond what we really need. When it comes time to move we are aware of the burden of our increasing accumulations. We must overcome our fundamental ideas of consuming so that we can move and change,’ – they say on their website. So, if you frequently move houses (and can stop yourself from acquiring things) – this mobil solution is for you. Check the video below to see the demonstration.
Source: The Designer Pad
Sitting combined with storage is always a good idea when the space is limited. Observe MP3 from Tunto – a seat that doubles as a versatile storage box. Made from birch 1/5 plywood, MP3 is available in a variety of colors and patterns. So, store away your precious items and sit on top of them. It is a nice feeling.
(HT BLTD)
Since we are on the subject of coat hangers, here is one that any minimalist home can use. The Star hanger from Thai design studio Aesthetic was recently presented at the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2011. The best feature of the piece is its compactness. It arrives to you flat, and you assemble it in a few easy movements. You can also dissemble it just as easily and store it out of the way. The Star hanger is handmade from one single piece of ash wood, covered with nothing but oil, so it looks and feels natural.
Source: Designboom
The Coat Check chair from Joey Zeledón, made for Continuum, is not only modern, fun, and minimalist. It also promotes tidiness. And that makes it extremely lovable (no wonder its designer has already scored the Annual Design Review recognition from the I.D. magazine). The piece consists of steal tubing that serves as a frame for plastic hangers. Brilliant for house parties, this clever little item can bring an element of organization to your entrance area. And do that in a cool and non-condescending way.
Versatility is a must when it comes to children’s furniture, and this clever item from Country Living fits the bill beautifully. These colorful benches, called Groowy, can be transformed into shelving. Stacked on top of each other, they create a bookcase, a free-standing room divider, as high or as low as your space allows. And if your child is having a play-date, and some extra sitting is needed, you can easily take the storage unit apart and transform it back into cool and child-friendly benches.
HT Babble
SO3 is an efficient and practical DIY shelving system from Zhaolei, designed to fit any space. These wooden shelves can be assembled into any configuration, they are the building blocks with which you can create a bookcase, a decorative shelf, a room divider etc. SO3 arrives to you in a form of a flat and compact package – another sign of a well thought out design.
Source: Yanko Design
http://vimeo.com/20014868
Isn’t it nice when your things can perform additional tasks? Even when it is something small, like providing a place for your book… This Book Rest Lamp, resembling an outline of a house, will allow you to save your page. When you are done with your reading, simply place it face down on the lamp. The book becomes a literary rooftop, and the lamp itself – an instant night light. Made out of glass, the Book Rest Lamp contains low-heat internal CFL bulb, which gives it both safety and a warm glow.
