I’m quite fond of this stylish cat house from studio Modern Mews. Sleek and aesthetically pleasing, it will not be an eyesore in any space. And your kitty will appreciate the privacy, comfy cushion inside and a peekaboo slit on the back. The interior is covered with carpet to keep your scratchy companion occupied. The white acrylic panels are removable, so it’s easy to take the whole construction apart for cleaning. The item is made to order.
This compact and minimalist mobile home has been designed by Madrid based studio Ábaton. The space includes a double bedroom, a full bathroom and a combination of kitchen and living room that can blend with the outdoor area thanks to the sliding doors. “The proportions are the result of a thorough study by our architects’ team so that the different spaces are recognizable and the feeling indoors is one of fullness, – designers say. – It is a simple yet sturdy construction made of materials chosen to provide both comfort and balance.” The simple and bright interior is covered in light wooden panels, which unify the surfaces and create an illusion of larger space. The outside is covered with grey cement wood board. The use of wood throughout the building not only adds calmness but it is also hypoallergenic. The house can be manufactured in eight weeks and assembled in one day. It is light enough to be transported by road and placed just about anywhere.
Milan based designers Enrico De Lotto, Georgios (koli) Kolliopoulos and Cristian Loddo of studio Mandalaki created this timely object, called Mandalaki table. The piece consists of two iron pipe legs, that are attached to the double faced light blue/white tabletop without any screws, just by virtue of their curve. The table is easy to assemble and disassemble. But the best feature of the piece is the control over pesky cordage. It features six main plugs and two USB ports, which allow to charge iPhone, iPod, iPad and other mobile devices. Here is how designers describe their idea: “Our relationship with electronic devices is changing fast, and the number of portable applications grows day by day. That’s why we developed a line of office / house instruments, that integrate the electricity outlet, easy to mount, and adapting to user’s new needs to simplify his actions.” Very clever.
Photography by Miro Zagnoli
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
The five-piece Steam Tower by Menu takes the best qualities and techniques of the traditional Asian steam cooker and adapts them to contemporary use by means of innovative, modular and elegant Scandinavian design.
To prepare a meal, the Tower components are stacked above the porcelain water-filled base and placed in the oven. When the water vaporizes, the steam circulates through the oven and the perforated openings in the base of the upper components, cooking the food while retaining its moisture. Since the steam doesn’t transfer taste among foods, it’s an ideal way of cooking fish, meat, vegetables and dessert together at the same time.
Not only does that cut down on successive cooking times, it also helps the environment by using fuel more efficiently. And, being attractive enough to go straight to table for serving, there are fewer dishes to wash after the meal – another time and energy-saver. Made from white porcelain. Designed by Christian Bjørn.
– What happens when you freeze flowers and shoot them with a gun? Something very cool.
– Possibly the most minimalist playing cards I’ve ever seen.
– Louis C.K. talks about sadness – absolutely brilliant.
– Love this idea of a product – soup sticks.
– A mesmerizing video – The Street Aesthetic of New York City.
– This house-shaped humidifier is adorable.
– This could be my favorite Mercedes-Benz ad of all time.
– A beautiful tribute to the iconic Wishbone chair – delight for the senses.
Have a lovely weekend, everybody!
Elegant futons are not easy to come by. I only featured one in the past. This one, called Figo, is another futon idea I quite like, mainly because it can look and function like a legitimate and attractive piece of furniture. A lounge chair by day, Figo transforms into an impromptu bed by night. Perfect for small apartments and unexpected guests. The frame is made in Denmark from sustainable nordic pine, the mattress and the headrest are produced from soft and durable polycotton (55% cotton and 45% polyester). Figo comes in nine colors. Available for purchase here.
This small and beautiful writing table has been created by Amsterdam based designer Roel Huisman. The piece is first in its kind, its tabletop is made from polyester resin. Added pigments informed the subtle aquamarine color and the opaque quality. Ash-wood accessories complete the workspace. The table features a lamp, a vase and a small storage compartment, concealed by a sliding ash writing surface.
If you are guilty of systematically killing your greenery – this product might help. Moistly, a cute plant alarm, will notify you when your plans need attention. The device is stuck in the soil next to a plant. When the plant needs water, Moistly senses this and starts to bleep and blink by playing a short melody and flashes a green LED light to alert you. It looks unobtrusive and doesn’t take away from the beauty of the plant. I also like that there is no learning curve involved in using this product. No network, no configuration. Simply put it into the soil and walk away.
This multifunctional shelf, aptly called Nomad, has been created by studio VE2 for the Danish furniture brand Skagerak. Elegant and understated, Nomad can be used in any room. You can easily move it around and change its function with supplementary shelves and hooks. The piece has won the The Formland Design Award in 2012. Available for purchase here.
Lean Man table series were created by UK based studio & Then Design. It is the combination of a table and a bookshelf that really made me look. Made out of ash and spray lacquered MDF, the Leaning Man range uses the wall to hold themselves in position. And, as it is typical for any leaning constructions, the more weight you put onto them – the more stable they become. The pieces are produced in seven vibrant colors. Available for purchase here (or, if you’re in the US – here).
