Dublin based power supply company MyVolts teamed up with product designer Paula O’Connor and created something quite special – Z-Charge. It is a long pouch with two charging pockets that hang on both sides of the bed, allowing you to juice all your devices at night, conveniently and securely. No more knocking down your phone from a nightstand or loosing it among pillows. Z-Charge keeps all your gismos handy, but out of the way. And, because it has only one cable, you eliminate cordage clutter next to your bed. Neat! The piece is compatible with most phones, readers and tablets and can charge up to six devices simultaneously. Watch the video after the break to see the product in action and visit Z-Charge Kickstarter campaign to preorder.
This is by far the tiniest of dwellings I have ever seen. The 8 sqm (86 sqft) studio apartment, formally a maid’s room in an elegant Haussmann building, was remodeled by studio Kitoko to serve as an independent living space for one person. In spite of its confined dimensions, the apartment includes all the necessities: twin bed, dining table with two chairs, wardrobe, kitchenette, fully equipped bathroom and a decent amount of storage. And thanks to the clever built-ins, the elements slide out when you need them, and disappear, when you don’t. Check the floor plans after the break to see how the areas are nested to utilize every inch.
(thank you, Dragana)
Inspired by international travel, this unusual shelf blends the line between nomadic and permanent. Designed by Assaf Israel for Joynout, the piece consists of a number of modular components, which can be put together in a form of an open wardrobe, a bookcase, or a desk. The poles and the shelves are made of solid wood and the rings tying between the poles are made of Birch plywood. Most of the parts are produced using CNC cutting: a precise and rapid production and the structure is ready to be assembled, using 12 screws only. The storage baskets and planters can be added to customize Tipi shelf even further. Available for purchase here.
This exciting Kickstarter project made me look. New Zealand based studio Refold took the most understated material, cardboard, and turned it into something cool, useful and ergonomically advanced. Their cardboard standing desk is foldable, portable, affordable and 100% recyclable. “Weighing only 6.5kg’s our design adds a new dimension to hot desking and fluid workspaces, – designers say, – The portability facilitates a modern workflow, allowing flexibility and aiding collaboration.” Even at home, it makes a lot of sense. You can move it from room to room, fold it when extra space is needed or adjust its height and share it with another person. You can check out the campaign and make a pledge here.
The Indoor Stoop by Thing Industries encompasses everything I love about good design. It is compact, well thought-out, aesthetically pleasing and multifunctional. Featuring three soft-close drawers with peg board surface, the Indoor Stoop works well in any area of your apartment for storage of clothes, books, stationary, papers, kitchen supplies, or just about anything. It can also be used as a step ladder for reaching things, a display area for showing things, or as extra seating. And it’s made in Brooklyn. Sweet.
(via minimalissimo)
I fell in love with the FollowMe lamp, designed by Inma Bermúdez for Marset. Portable and compact, it can be taken anywhere inside and outside of your house/apartment. Perfect for small spaces, kids’ rooms, fire escape parties and folks who have recently moved (and require a versatile lighting object). The polycarbonate lampshade is supported by the oak handle, that beckons you to pick it up. The FollowMe lamp comes with LED technology and a dimmer. The battery is built-in, and it has a USB port for recharging.
For all you espresso nerds out there – here is a perfectly brewed shot wherever you are. Minipresso is a compact manual espresso maker, that takes less space than a regular coffee mug. Perfect for the office, camping, travel, and, of course, tiny city apartments. Available for purchase here.
This cool apartment in Brooklyn used to be a bare open space with a garage. The roommates Adam Finkelman and Evan Garfield transformed it into a functional two-bedroom pad, perfectly tailored to their needs. And they did it without hiring a designer or contractor! The bedrooms are tiny, but well-thought-out. They include all the essentials – loft beds, stendup desks and hidden storage. The ample space, dedicated to the living and dining areas, is used to entertain, host at home music performances and supper clubs. How rad is that… Check out the video for the full tour of the apartment. Lots of DIY space-saving ideas there.
A cat lady in me is very excited by this initiative. More than 12 Los-Angeles architecture practices participated in a one-night-only exhibition event to raise money for animal charity FixNation. The exhibit was titled Architects for Animals “Giving Shelter” and consisted of cat houses of every shape or form. Some of these creations look pretty obscure, but some could be an attractive and fun cat home/playground. Read more about the fundraiser here.
This beautifully simple self-watering planter makes a lot of sense. Created by Boskke, the piece features an in-built reservoir and a “slo-flo” internal irrigation system that supplies plants with up to 4 weeks of moisture. The body of the pot is made of clear plastic, so you can witness the growing process. And also see when the water level is low. Neat. Available for purchase here.
