Ori robotic furniture has been developed by MIT Media Lab and Yves Béhar in response to the growing trend of living in a small space and expecting the comforts of a much larger one. This furniture allows you to do just that. Ori is a modular intelligent unit that transforms the space from a living room to a bedroom, home office and so forth. It is achieved by clever folding mechanisms that house all the necessary components for this conversion. Hidden into the bottom of the unit is a comfortable bed that glides in and out. When tucked in, the bed is hidden under a closet, office and couch to maximize space. When activated, the unit slides in and out to become a bedroom or a more generous living room. One side of the unit hosts a full closet, but also hides a desk for a home office; the other side holds a media center for entertaining. Each room can be preset for a specific space, including preferred integrated lighting so that one touch on the physical interface or on the corresponding app will morph the room. Wonderful idea! Check out the animation after the break to see the product in action.
I totally missed this Kickstarter, but late is better than never, especially when cute greenery gear is concerned. The Livi planter, designed by San-Francisco based designer Hooman Koliji, looks like a gecko and sticks to any surface. The piece does not require any assembly and is ready to attach to a window (or other surfaces) in your home or office with a gentle push. Inspired by nature, Livi’s micro-suction palms are made of an innovative nanotechnology material that is able to bond with smooth surfaces repeatedly. The uses for this item are numberless. You can even use it for keeping utensils, writing tools, or other small items, if plants are not your thing. Available for preorder here.
This small apartment by studio PLANAIR delivers a record number of space-saving ideas. A tight 322 square meter pad, intelligently furnitured and laid out, contain a kitchen, dining/working area, bedroom, lounging area, and even a walk-in closet. How? By incorporating a multi-functional unit that transforms the room, depending on the desired activity. The series of mobile panels open and close to create privacy for sleeping, reveal a dining and working room, lift the bed to give access to the closet. Ingenius. See more photos after the break.
This gorgeous ladder made me look. Such a simple and utilitarian object wouldn’t usually call for elegant artsy forms, but the Triangle by Jeeyoung Yang is an exception from the rule. The piece folds flat and can class up any wall by hanging on it. It opens with a single swivel movement.
– 9 epic responses to legal threats.
– A book fetishist in me is jealous. The Secret Apartments of New York Libraries.
– These hedgehog dryer balls are all kinds of adorable.
– A funny tribute to all husbands out there.
– One of my favorite blogs is now a book, and just as hilarious.
– Interactive map of Game of Thrones.
– Cuteness galore. This porcupine doesn’t like to share.
– Weather can be entertaining (and scary).
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Every cat owner has been there. You buy a space-consuming piece of cat furniture, spend a lot of money, assemble it, only to find out that your cat prefers the box it came in. That’s cat logic for you. Designers at BoxKitty must have experienced the same phenomenon, which is why they came up with this clever solution. Based on a cardboard box cats love so much, the product arrives flat and contains eight different container types. With these elements, you can build an infinite number of configurations, which you can change at any point to keep your cat and yourself entertained. The assembly is achieved via hook and loop sticky tabs, so it’s simple and fast. Double-layer corrugated cardboard is scratch resistant, strong and even water repellent so that cat accidents can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Watch the video after the break to see the piece in action. Available for purchase here.
Here is a worthy and already well-loved project: Sticotti bookshelf and coat rack. Sustainably made in Argentina, the pieces are modular and can fit space of any size. Thanks to the interlocking principle, the assembly is quick and painless. No toxic glue, no heavy lifting. Just a clever idea masterfully brought to life. Watch the video above to see the products in more detail. See the life stream of the production process here. Currently Kickstarting.
This beautiful knife holder made me look. Made from wooden branches, in all their natural glory, these pieces bring an air of art into everyday routine. Each rack is unique in its shape, color, and size. Fitted with strong magnets, it is perfectly functional too. A beautiful and unusual way to free your counters and display your prized knives with pride. Available for purchase here.
This sleek and compact speaker by studio Nepsu is perfectly geared for a small home. Unobtrusive and fully customizable with interchangeable magnetic panels, it blends beautifully with any decor. It can be placed on a surface, hanged on the wall, it even fits into corners thanks to its triangular shape. The advanced tech inside these little speakers allows you to place them in several rooms and activate them simultaneously, a great convenience during party situations. Watch the video after the break to see the piece in action. Available for preorder here.
This unusual collection takes the idea of folding furniture to the whole new level. Designer Jongha Choi created a line called De-dimension _ From 2D to 3D. As the name suggests, the pieces fold into a believable 2D artwork, and can be easily unfolded to create actual 3D furniture, namely seating or tables. And once you are done using them, they go back up on the wall. The folding mechanism allows you to achieve this transformation in one swift movement. Neat. Watch the video after the break to see the pieces in action.
