Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
Designed by Carlo Contin in 2012, the Orbit Server is an adjustable, 3-tiered server that combines eco-friendly bamboo plates with a sleek stainless steel base. Shift the supports around to suit your table and the foods you want to serve – Orbit works just as well for a family meal as it does for a dinner party of invited guests. Folded compactly it also preserves space when not in use.
The server measures 12 1/2 inches long by 3 3/4 inches high. Bamboo plates are 8 inches in diameter.
The Italian Contin is perhaps most widely known for his Satellite Bowl of 1999, and his more recent NINNA chair, designed for Adentro. His earlier SNAKE table for Meritalia is a larger-scale version of Orbit, being made up of multiple round tables set at different heights.
Berlin based designer Michael Hilgers created this super compact desk, called Flatframe, for furniture brand Müller Möbelwerkstätten. Disguised as a wall art, the piece folds down into a functional workstation. It includes a non-slip surface, storage for your writing tools, slots for the iPad and iPhone, bulletin board, integrated sockets for your laptop and other devices. Impressive number of conveniences from an item that is just 2.5-inch thick. The Flatframe desk is a winner of the Interior Innovation Award 2013. No surprise there…
– A fascinating story of Hermitage cats.
– The most interesting measuring cup in the world.
– Inseparable – a beautiful (though sad) short film starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
– Probably the most gorgeous disposable tableware I’ve ever seen.
– Love this surreal photo of trains.
– This Swiss style calculator app is absolutely awesome.
– Wishlisted – Daycraft Signature Duo Notebook.
– And something for the senses. Nightvision – a stunning night view of architecture found across Europe. (thank you, Stanley!)
The Living Cube by German designer Till Koenneker is a clever structure, combining all those elements we usually struggle to find space for in a tiny apartment. It houses a walk-in closet, ample media storage, and serves as a loft bed. Here is how designer describes it: “I moved into a apartment studio without storage room. So I made a minimalistic cube design with a shelf for my vinyl collection, my TV, clothes and shoes. On the cube is a guest bed and inside the cube is a lot of storage space.” The carpentry work was done by Remo Zimmerli of Holzlabor.
Photography by Rob Lewis
The Sepia hook, designed by Berlin-based studio e27 for Pulpo, is an expandable piece. Completely flat when you don’t need it, stretched into a dynamic 3D form when you do. Thanks to its curves, Sepia can accommodate several hangers at the same time. Many points for space saving right there! It is made of powder coated steel and can withstand 4,5 lb.
The beauty and versatility of this piece make it an exciting option for any stylish shoebox dweller. The Parity cabinet by British designer Gareth Batowski is a small oak cabinet comprised of two shelves and four colored drawers. The item can serve as a desk compliment, printer stand, night table, side table, even as kitchen storage, if you so choose, the options are endless. I also love the aesthetics of the piece. Parity’s upper surface is tinted in black while the drawers are painted in bright colors. The rest of the structure is finished in natural wood, which creates an authentic and rich personality.
Here is another ongoing noteworthy Kickstarter – Camerino Valet Stand by London based design duo brose ~ fogale. The piece is a lightweight and compact alternative to bulky wardrobes. Here is how designers describe it: “Camerino is a flat-packed valet stand that provides a convenient place to hang your belongings, keeping your house tidy and giving a home to your pocket ephemera. Traditional valet stands were popular in the 1920’s, but have since been forgotten. We have revisited this piece of furniture to fit a modern lifestyle.” What a cool idea! Camerino is available in fluoro yellow and oak. The mirrors are hand polished in copper or chrome. Pledge at Kickstarter to get yours.
Athens based architectural studio S-Archetype proposed this concept of a tiny dwelling, called Chamfer Home. “We wanted to take the challenge of designing a stylish, sustainable and affordable compact home to match different contemporary lifestyles and needs. A bold design statement, an eco friendly structure that could be set up easily anywhere and a completely autonomous prefab, serving as the perfect vacation home,” – architects say. Thanks to its lightweight structure, the Chamfer Home can be anchored in any location – in the woods, on the beach, on a rooftop, you name it. The interior includes an open plan living space complete with kitchen and bathroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows flood the house with light, making the most of the daylight hours while the special double glaze window manipulates solar energy differently throughout the year to heat up or effectively ventilate the interior. Everything a modern nomad can wish for…
– Stunning sequential photography at Red Bull Illume Contest.
– Amazing time lapse video showing different weather moments.
– This is really bizarre. Illegal rooftop cities in Beijing.
– Chocolate nails. Yum!
– This sushi plate is absolutely brilliant.
– Typography herds, you’ll love it – Type Hunting.
– This rad minimalist 3-color pen is currently Kickstarting. Pledge to get yours.
– Cutest idea ever – custom made soft toys designed from children’s drawings.
Have a spectacular weekend, everybody!
Designers Mateusz Mastalski + Ole Robin Storjohann came up with this bold urban idea, proposed to windows manufacturer Fakro. The project, titled “Live Between Buildings!” is part of Farko’s New Vision of Loft 2 Competition. The proposal shows an array of infills between buildings that consist almost entirely of Fakro window technology. It allows to use already existing blind walls of the city. What a fun and sustainable idea.
