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May 20, 2015

NASA-Inspired Green Wheel Lets You Grow Your Own Food Indoors

Growing your own food is the first step on the self-sufficiency journey, and it can never hurt learn having fresh food close at hand. But as we New Yorkers know, it's not always easy to create a lush garden on the fire escape. To tackle this subject, Italian studio DesignLibero created The Green Wheel, a rotary, hydroponic garden that provides a constant supply of micro-herbs and salad. Its futuristic aesthetics are sleek and modern; in fact, it takes direct inspiration from a 1980s NASA idea.
Learn more about this wheeled vegetable patch

May 12, 2015

Travelbox Is a Compact Hotel That Weighs Only 132 Pounds

Want to get away this summer, but don't have the bucks to throw down for a hotel? Consider Travelbox. The compact, lightweight (at 132 pounds it weighs less than the average person) structure has everything you need to comfortably travel on a budget. Designed by the architects of Austrian firm Juust, Travelbox contains a bike, bed, table, chair, and storage, all of which fit into its contemporary wood and aluminum-clad frame that measures just 6.8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 1.3 feet wide.
More on Travelbox here

The Whitney Bag: Renzo Piano Designs a Purse to Go with His New Museum

The Whitney Bag via Max Mara (L); The new Whitney Museum via 6sqft (R)

May 11, 2015

The Whitney Bag: Renzo Piano Designs a Purse to Go with His New Museum

The architecture world has been pretty "meh" on Renzo Piano's new $422 million Whitney Museum, neither loving nor hating the patchwork of shapes and angles. But if the starchitect is hoping for a more glowing design review, he still has a chance with the fashion world. Piano has designed the Whitney bag, "directly inspired by the pure design and sophisticated materials of the new Whitney Museum of American Art," for Italian fashion house Max Mara.
Find out more about this architecturally inspired collaboration

May 8, 2015

Stephan Siepermann Redesigns the Classic Locker Using Oak Wood

Sometimes there's no need to re-invent the wheel when you're working with a classic. But if you just can't help adding your signature touch, you can always keep a tried-and-true form and change the material, just like Stephan Siepermann did with Locky. The German creator crafted a version of the classic steel locker entirely from wood, translating all the little details like hooks, vents, and slots into the warmer material, creating a new design that's more stylish, but just as functional as the traditional metal model.
Learn more about this classic with a wooden twist

May 4, 2015

Will the Bronx Be the Next Branded Borough? This Hot Sauce Says Yes

Just about everything from artisanal mayonnaise to scented candles has branded itself as “Brooklyn,” so much so that we recently wrote an entire feature on the made-in-Brooklyn trend. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that another borough is now looking to get in on the action. The Bronx Hot Sauce is a locally made product that gives back and […]

April 28, 2015

Danish Product Designer Jonas Edvard Uses Fungiculture to Make Lamps from Mushrooms

By blending plant fibers and mushroom-mycelium into wonderful lights, Danish product designer Jonas Edvard proves that oyster mushrooms are much more than a tasty delicacy. He doesn't use factory produce, but rather grows these glorious luminaries over two or three weeks into a flexible, soft-light-emitting shade. Compostable and organic, this brilliant creation is called MYX and is one of the designer's brightest ideas.
Learn more about this design

April 27, 2015

Ikea’s Concept Kitchen 2025 Predicts We’ll Soon Use Smart Tables and Drone-Delivered Groceries

As part of Milan Design Week, Ikea has revealed their Concept Kitchen 2025, created in collaboration with London-based design firm IDEO and students from Sweden's Lund and Eindhoven universities. The futuristic kitchen prototype is based on predictions about what the world will be like ten years from now. It assumes we'll all be living a much greener, reduced lifestyle and technology such as smart tables and drone-delivered groceries will run kitchen operations.
Learn all about the modern kitchen prototype

April 19, 2015

Brooklyn Designer Katy Skelton Crafts Storage-Friendly and Stylish Furniture for City Dwellers

It's a dilemma that almost everyone has faced — where do we find a media console that's storage-friendly, but isn't a complete eyesore? Enter Brooklyn-based designer Katy Skelton, whose Desi cabinet brings us the best of both worlds. Made from solid walnut, the beautiful console features two drawers and two cabinets, each with removable shelves that owners can move and adjust according to their needs. Doors are equipped with soft-close hardware and cabinets boasts cord management cutouts to help organize all the different video and stereo systems.
See more of Skelton's timeless designs here

April 14, 2015

This Schematic of NYC Structures Shows the City’s Icons in Blueprint Style

Want to bring a little bit of the city into your home, but tired of the standard black-and-white photos of landmarks or graphic maps that can be found at every craft fair these days? Why not frame this lovely print called Splendid Structures of New York City? Based on Brooklyn-based Pop Chart Lab's popular print The Schematic of Structures, this new design takes iconic NYC structures like the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center, along with local landmarks such as the Unisphere and Wyckoff House, and presents them in a hand-illustrated, blueprint-like style.
See the full print here

April 13, 2015

The Compact Gali Kitchen Is Perfect for Always-on-the-Move New Yorkers

Wouldn't it have been nice to have your own kitchen when you lived in that cramped apartment you shared with six people? Or to actually have a kitchen at all when you lived in that shoebox studio? For constantly on-the-move New Yorkers who like to cook (or maybe just wash a dish here and there), these are common conundrums. But a new compact system called the Gali Kitchen can easily solve these problems. The creation of recent design school grad Ana Arana, Gali is considered a revision of the kitchen, "letting each individual distribute their space as wanted, having everything necessary to cook when needed but allowing the living space to embrace new possibilities." Remarkably, the adaptable, compact module includes everything one needs -- a sink, fridge, induction cooktop, storage, and prep/dining table.
See more ahead

April 10, 2015

This Architectural Coloring Book Is Made for Adults

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through Instagram after a long day at the office, why not unwind by doing a little coloring? Yes, that's right, every child's favorite pastime is now being marketed to adults. As Business Insider reported earlier this week, the two best-selling books on Amazon right now are adult coloring books–"Secret Garden" and "Enchanted Forest" by Scottish illustrator Johanna Basford. The books feature nature scenes and geometric patterns of flowers, trees, and woodland creatures. But for those of us who prefer analyzing floor plans to arranging flowers, there's another adult coloring book called "Fantastic Cities." Created by artist Steve McDonald, it "features immersive aerial views of real cities from around the world alongside gorgeously illustrated, Inception-like architectural mandalas."
More here

Rent Stabilization Demystified: Know the Rules, Your Rights, and if You’re Getting Cheated

Image by Jorbasa Fotografie / Flickr

March 24, 2015

Rent Stabilization Demystified: Know the Rules, Your Rights, and if You’re Getting Cheated

In New York City there are currently about one million rent stabilized apartments–about 47 percent of the city’s rental units. So why is it so hard to snag one? What are the benefits of having one (other than affordable rent, of course)? According to the New York City Rent Guidelines Board nearly 250,000 rental units have lost the protections of rent regulation since 1994. Why are we "losing" so many of them?
Find out the facts and how they could affect you

March 20, 2015

i Ready O Turns Old iPhones into Retro Radios

As Apple releases new versions of the iPhone there are plenty of phones–those that have been discarded for not running the latest apps or holding a charge all day–filling our landfills. But Korean design studio PlusD is tackling the issue with their innovative i Ready O, which can turn any old iPhone into a new, cool radio. With minimalistic aesthetics inspired by the classic Dieter Rams designs for Braun, this object hacks Apple's planned obsolescence with sustainable design.
Learn more about i Ready O

March 17, 2015

Bookniture Is a Moleskine That Turns into a Handy Pop-Up Stool

After the terrible snowstorms and generally freezing weather we went through this winter, it goes without saying that spring can't come soon enough. And one of the best ways to enjoy warmer times is to be out in the park, hanging with friends, having an alfresco picnic, or catching up on some work. For these outdoor occasions, Hong Kong-based designer Mike Mak created Bookniture, a light and stylish Moleskine-like stool/table that combines books and furniture in one pop-up design that you can bring on the go.
Learn more about this book-furniture piece

March 16, 2015

Love Hulten’s Senescent Desk Comes with an Enchanting Self-Sufficient Garden Built In

If you feel you're spending too much time at your desk and too little time in nature, here's a way to bring a piece of the outside world in. Called the Senescent Desk, this whimsical work by Love Hulten comes with a self-sufficient gardening system that allows you to interact with a chunk of nature right at your desk—without all the work usually required when tending to plants.
Learn more about this desk with a garden

March 2, 2015

Ikea Releases Furniture Collection That Will Wirelessly Charge Your Phone

The latest trend in the electric world is USB outlets, which allow you to charge your devices right there in the wall socket without a plug. That still requires getting off the sofa and walking the probably two feet over to the outlet, though, which can really put a cramp in one's "House of Cards"-binge-watching style. But thanks to a new furniture collection from Ikea, you can power up your phone without having to search for a cord and while still in the reclined position. The new line of lamps, bedside tables, and desks features integrated charging pads that allow users to simply place their wireless gadget on top.
Learn more about the new collection

February 8, 2015

Sebastian Errazuriz’s Bizarre Magistral Chest Hides Valuables Behind Its Spiky Skin

Chilean-born, New York-based artist, designer, and activist Sebastian Errazuriz isn't happy simply designing nice things to please the eye. Through his work, the internationally acclaimed creator wants to provoke some thoughts and make exceptional pieces, tackling everything from political artworks to experimental furniture. Just take a look (but do you dare to touch?) at his Magistral Chest, a porcupine-like chest of drawers that can hide and protect your most valuable treasures inside its spiky shell.
Learn more about this spiky chest of drawers

February 6, 2015

Cubitat: Sleek Plug-and-Play Unit Shelters a Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom and Living Room

A new plug-in home station for small-space living has just made its global debut. Called Cubitat, this giant "Rubik’s Cube" by Italian designer Luca Nichetto and developer Urban Capital, packs every modern convenience you need into a compact construction. The minimal storage container is divided by function, sheltering a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom and a living room inside its sleek silver shell.
Learn more about this magical cube

February 4, 2015

Govert Flint’s Futuristic Computer Chairs Allow You to Click with a Kick

Although our bodies are designed to move, the furniture we possess is usually based on a monofunctional posture. Day to day, we tend to segregate our basic bodily needs and just stare at screens, often forgetting how important it is to keep joints and muscles moving. To compensate for this inertia, we'd like to introduce you to "Segregation of Joy" by Govert Flint. This innovative skeletal seat allows you to take different postures and move freely, and boost your health and happiness, all from the comfort of your chair.
Learn more about this interactive seat

February 2, 2015

Build Your Own Urban Utopia with Ittyblox’s Ultra-Detailed Miniature City Blocks

Modernists and preservationists can now plan the city of their dreams without a war of words from their opposing side. Called Ittyblox, this 3D-printed modular collection features tiny structures, ranging from Tudors to modern towers, that can be arranged—and re-arranged—to make a diorama of dynamic city blocks.
See more here

January 30, 2015

Philippe Malouin Designs Space-Saving Hanger-Chair Hybrid

Hosting dinner parties can be a challenge for those of us who live in cramped city apartments. If you don't enjoy asking your guests to eat while sitting on the floor, there's a simple space-saving solution that will help with this common dilemma. Created by London-based, Canadian-born designer Philippe Malouin, the Hanger Chair is an elegant collision between, you guessed it, a hanger and a folding chair. When you don't need the extra seating, you can hang the chairs in the closet, neatly and out of sight.
Learn more about this innovative chair with a hook

January 29, 2015

Wishbone: The World’s Smallest Smart Thermometer Checks Body, Object, and Environment Temperature

There's only so much our iPhones can do when it comes to thermometer functions. They can tell us the temperature in a specific geographic location, but not in the exact spot where we're standing, and they can't read our personal body heat or that of a pot of water. Enter Wishbone, the world's smallest smart thermometer that can accurately check body, object, or environment temperature in two seconds (compared with 30 seconds for a traditional thermometer) just by hooking up to your smart phone. And it requires no contact at all.
More info ahead

January 27, 2015

Ienami Bonkei Planters Are Tiny Houses with Green Roofs

We're big fans of green roofs here at 6sqft, so we were pretty excited when we found these planters that let us have our own miniature green roof right on our desks. A design of Metaphys, the Ienami Bonkei planters are simplistic models of homes with actual planted green roofs or gardens. The Japanese art of Bonkei refers to 3D, miniature landscapes created using dry materials like rock, cement, or sand. They often feature tiny figurines of people, buildings, and other outdoor elements.
More details on the Bonkei planters

January 26, 2015

Hilla Shamia Blends Tree Trunks and Aluminum into Beautifully Imperfect Furniture

Tel Aviv-based designer Hilla Shamia has a thing for what she calls "controlled imperfections." And this particular interest is what makes her Wood Casting furniture line so poetic and special. Hilla's unique tables, stools, and benches are made by casting molten aluminum into wood—an unusual pairing of two very different elements that when fused not only reveal surprising details, but a third element born from the unlikely marriage.
Learn more about these striking designs

January 21, 2015

Meet LO-LO, a Capsular Microkitchen for the Home or Office

LO-LO is a capsular microkitchen from designers Tanya Repina and Misha Repin of Aotta Studio in Moscow. The family of three standing pods was designed for the basic office kitchen, but we could easily see the stylish pieces in a studio apartment. Each module is intended for a specific electrical appliances -- a water cooler, microwave, and coffee pot -- and its corresponding accessories such as cups, plates, cutlery, tea, and coffee.
More about LO-LO ahead

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