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August 20, 2014

Flux Chair: A Colorful Plastic Seat That Can Fold Up in Just 10 Seconds

The Flux Chair might look like a giant plastic envelope, but it's actually a surprising seat that can be assembled in about ten seconds. Design by Dutch duo Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten, it's made from recyclable plastic and comes in eight different colors. Flat-pack, space saving, and durable, this clever product can quickly become a comfortable, graceful seat.
More about this fantastic plastic seat here
August 20, 2014

Watch Charles and Ray Eames Unveil Their Iconic Lounger on NBC’s ‘Home’ Show

Few chairs are as recognizable as those designed by Charles and Ray Eames. And though Modernist duo were pioneers in the creation of quality furniture, both easily produced and sold at affordable prices (though you wouldn't exactly guess that now), did you know that their lounger was their first foray into the high-end furniture market? Officially titled Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671), the chair was originally designed for Herman Miller back in 1956, and when it was released, Charles and Ray were already household names counting nearly 1 million chairs in homes across the country. To that end, when the pair were ready to debut this latest luxury creation, NBC's Home show invited them to come on and talk about their design. Anyone who admires the Eames will without question love this video featuring the adorable twosome modestly taking compliments from host Arlene Francis while discussing everything from their plywood chair, to their precedent home in Los Angeles, to their lounger, which in the segment gets a comically dramatic unveiling complete with curtains, lights and music.
Watch the video here
August 18, 2014

Morpholio’s Innovative Mood Board App Lets You Design Your Entire Apartment on an iPad

The brilliant minds over at The Morpholio Project are at again, and this time they've introduced a real doozy to their already impressive suite of design apps. Devised for interior design professionals and design enthusiasts alike, this ground-breaking new application is pretty much like Pinterest on steroids, but made for the tech savvy who never stop creating. Featuring an incredible cloud library of over 1,000 top-notch curated design products and a highly refined suite of editing tools, this powerful app allows you to pull images of everything from furniture to materials to complete backdrops, onto a digital board that can be manipulated and transformed into a one of a kind vision: your own. The app was launched today and is now available at the Apple store for free!
More on this game-changing design app here
August 15, 2014

Aureola is an Elegant, Stackable Tea Set Inspired by Russian Nomadic Traditions

The beautiful Aureola tea set was born out of a collaborative effort between a Venetian and a Russian designer. Luca Nichetto and Lera Moiseeva created the elegant set from two noble materials, porcelain and wood. The inspiration comes from traditional objects used by ancient Russian nomads and consists of a stackable teapot and cups that can be carried with just one hand.
More about the Russian-inspired tea set here
August 8, 2014

#sofa4manhattan was Crowd-Crafted for a New Yorker’s Lifestyle

Couch shopping in New York is not as simple as one may think. The furniture has to be petite enough not to overpower a small space, fit through the doorway, and make it around the sharp walk-up turns (remember the "pivot" scene from Friends?). And with those challenges in mind, Berto and Design-Apart brought together 11 New York-based designers and Italian designer Luca Nichetto to crowd-craft the ideal sofa for Manhattanites. Design-Apart produced one of the three designs from the workshop. Called #sofa4manhattan, the selected concept is a contemporary work that unites a number of different pieces.
More about the project and sofa
August 8, 2014

Lego Architecture Studio is a Grown-Up Version of the Famous Building Blocks

We'll now have an excuse to relive one of our favorite childhood pastimes. Danish toy company Lego has taken its world-famous building blocks to the next level, giving the children's toy a sophisticated update geared toward architects and designers. Lego Architecture Studio is the first set of the plastic, snap-together blocks to come without instructions. Comprised of more than 1,200 pieces of 76 different unique shapes, options range from standard bricks to chamfered wedge-shaped blocks.
More about how Lego Architecture Studio will “allow you to explore the ideas and principles of architecture”
August 5, 2014

Rianne Koens’ Modular Otura Furniture Takes Inspiration from Her Turkish In-Laws

Dutch designer Rianne Koens' latest furniture collection was inspired by the friendliness and warm hospitality of the her own Turkish in-laws. Named after a combination of the Turkish words 'otur' (sit) and 'oturak' (stool), the Otura family has a flexible design that can easily adapt to any occasion. Separate stackable drawers, cabinets, tables and stools, all made from wood, were designed to be arranged and rearranged in an easy functional way.
about this versatile furniture here
July 28, 2014

William Pedersen of KPF Strives to Design the Perfect Chair with Loop de Loop

If the name William Pedersen sounds familiar, it should. The 76-year-old architect is a founder and partner of Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the powerhouse architecture firm behind massive building projects like One Vanderbilt and the cluster of 16 skyscrapers coming to the Hudson Yards. Though Pedersen has made a name for himself changing international skylines with his monumental structures, to our surprise, he also dabbles in industrial design. This year, Pedersen staffed his own booth at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and presented, for the first time, his new furniture collection called Loop de Loop. The series features a set of incredible chairs made with dramatically curved carbon-steel forms that resemble the forward movement of a body in motion.
Learn more about the design
July 25, 2014

Add a Pop of Color to Your Home with These Fun Legato Cabinets

Storage space is usually a challenge for New Yorkers, but finding attractive cabinetry is even harder. If you've been looking for something more than what's on IKEA's showroom floor, look no further. This cool contemporary design called 'Legato' comes courtesy of the folks over at Claesson Koivisto Rune. The designers wanted to create a piece that was not only eye-catching, but functional and adaptable to a home's ever-changing storage needs.
Read more about the design here
July 19, 2014

Kangaroo Clock by David Raffoul Doubles as a Storage Pouch

Say goodbye to that ugly key holder and boring mail basket. The aptly-named Kangaroo clock by David Raffoul conveniently doubles as a storage pouch that can function as the perfect entryway catchall, while letting you know if you're running late. The clock would also look nice with dried flowers or sparkly jewelry peeking out of its pouch. Really, the possibilities are endless!
More about the design here
July 18, 2014

Another Studio’s Convert Vase Collection is Inspired by Architectural Geometry

As architecture buffs, we can't help but love that the Convert Vase Collection was inspired by architectural geometry, but even putting that influence aside, Another Studio's design is simply stunning. The trio of multi-faceted vases is made from a flat sheet of steel, folded and converted into shape by hand in the firm's London studio. The steel has a semi-matte finish and geometric patterns etched onto its surface, which creates an appealing aesthetic, a mix of hard and soft.
More about the design here
July 10, 2014

Formafantasma’s Delicately Engraved Glass and Copper ‘Still’ Vases Purify Water Using Activated Charcoal

Italian designer duo Formafantasma created a charming collection of objects that purifies "the most humble and fundamental of all drinks". They called it "Still" and it consists of a series of carefully engraved crystal and copper vessels paired with activated charcoal designed to purify and improve the taste of tap water. Created for Viennese company J. & L. Lobmeyr, these unique handcrafted objects clean water in a simple yet very sophisticated way.
Learn more about it here
July 3, 2014

Add Some Desert Flair to Your Garden with Spacio Terreno’s Brooklyn-Made Faceted Concrete Planters

The sandy deserts of the southwest are a long way from New York, but that doesn't mean we can't add a little of that earthy style to our lives. And the Faceted Concrete Planters by Spacio Terreno are the perfect way to start — their distressed concrete bodies and dusty colors remind us of sandy deserts, while the geometric design maintains an urban aesthetic. Plus, they're made in Brooklyn.
More on the lovely planters right this way
July 1, 2014

Moorehead & Moorehead’s Chipboard Pendant Will Light Up Any Room With Its Sinuous Form

The Seattle-based lighting manufacturer Standard Socket teamed up with Robert and Granger Moorehead of Moorehead & Moorehead to create an uncomplicated, organic pendant light that takes on a shape much more complex than its basic construction. The result is the Chipboard Light — an elegant, sculptural fixture that complements both traditional and modern design esthetics.
More on the design here
June 30, 2014

These Ballpark Blueprints are a Homerun for Baseball Fans

There's only so many miniature bats and steeply priced game tickets you can buy for the baseball-loving family member or friend in your life, so Uncommon Goods' Ballpark Blueprints are the perfect gift for aficionados of America's pastime. The framed illustrations "evoke the nostalgia of midcentury architectural plans" through an aged finish that gives the look of a vintage document. Each print comes complete with the stadium's design specs and notes particularly interesting game stats. The Portland-made drawings are printed on museum-grade archival paper and framed in black poplar wood using acid-free archival board.
Step up to the plate for more design details
June 23, 2014

BOUNCE Collection by Véronique Baer Will Make Your Foam Matress Jealous

Comfy foam is not just for mattresses and your grandma's slippers anymore.  The BOUNCE Collection by Véronique Baer is made up of sculptural foam seating that can be adapted as chairs, stools, ottomans, and even chaise lounges.  The quilted pieces transform to the body that sits on them, and when that person gets up they bounce back to their original form. Véronique Baer had three goals when creating the BOUNCE collection: to create an adaptable seat that would offer maximum comfort; keep production simple and the product affordable; and bring joy to the user.
More about the joyful collection this way
June 23, 2014

OKUM’s oon Power Outlet Makes the Boring Extension Cord Fun

Next to the desk at which I'm currently sitting is an unattractive, jumbled mess of extension cords. I've always figured this was an inevitable way of life, until I saw the oon power outlet by OKUM.  The fun and functional product is a flexible, cloth-covered cable that stretches up to six feet and has painted wooden blocks strung on it.  Made of Connecticut hard maple, three cubes are outfitted with sockets that can be rotated to accommodate blocky adapters, while smooth spheres prevent tangling.
Say goodbye to your white extension cord and learn more about oon here