Elegant Re-use

What do you do with those drafts and plans that are no longer necessary? A brilliant idea how to make something useful and beautiful with them by architects Seth and Jonathan of Graypants (left) - Sketchlight pendants.

Another lighting solution with re-used materials: - Ball Jar Pendant by Conant Metal & Light

"How else can you take an artifact of a by-gone era and make it functional again? Repurpose it! Even if you are just using a jar as, well, a jar again, that still counts. What we’re doing at Conant Metal & Light is taking that flashlight, jar, insulator, or even toaster and making it into an integral part of your home and lifestyle."

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Tufted Pixel - for the first time at Zona Tortona

Under the brand name Tufted the Portuguese Piodao group, makers of handmade rugs, known for manufacturing high quality products for brands like Moroso, Moooi and Rolf Benz will be showcasing some of its latest creations at the Zona Tortona during this year’s Milan Design Week.
Among them, the “Pixel” and the “Capitonné” will be present for the first
time to the public. Initially conceived while the company’s designer were experimenting a way
to display the productions capabilities the “Pixel” is a piece much like a “rainbow of comfort “,
featuring a range of different finishes in a unique item. The result is a colorful rug that brings
life and coziness to any space.

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Young Design at Milan Design Week 2010

Young design - both, as products created by young people, and products created for young people:

In this case - for children: I am fascinated by the new chair that Marcel Wanders designed for Magis and that will be launched at Milan design Week in April - the "Sparkling Chair" (via designboom)

Young Serbian Designers at Milan Design Week 2010:

ANA KRAS KSILOFON

Antipod TROKUT

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New Outdoor Furniture to be Launched at Milan Design Week 2010

Domitalia’s new seats by Italian designers Orlandini and Radice are built from an innovative material: polyethylene shaped with rotational technology, heat and abrasion resistant, suitable for outdoor locations. Babà is a monolithic armchair, suitable for every kind of setting and atmosphere thanks to its building material, polyethylene (particularly heatresistant). A “junior” version for children is available.

Phantom - also a monolithic armchair, suitable for outdoor locations.

Omnia - a practical pouf which, according to your needs, can become a table or a case. A useful and essential item, for indoor and outdoor locations.

 Pattern is the name of this new outdoor chair, design by Arik Levy for Emu:

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Scooter Upcycled... as a Chair!

Great example of upcycling! This is the Vespa chair - upcycled from the famous Piaggio scooter. Spanish design studio Bel&Bel has designed the 'Vespa seat'  using the front shield of the Vespa. They have developed a limited edition rotating chair upholstered in leather and with a strong internal structure and hydraulic piston for height regulation.
source: designboom

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A Restaurant You can Hardly Get Bored In

and hardly can stand sharing the experience! I have always liked most of Tom Dixon's product designs, now I am fascinated with his interior design of the Circus Bar & Restaurant -.

"a venue hosting entertaining acts within a bar and restaurant setting, where diners can ultimately join in to become part of the entertainment." - Contemporist 

This restaurant shows clearly how interior design can create not only atmosphere and setting, but also possibilities - for acting, experiencing, participating, being more alive! 

How do you like it?

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Crafts and natural wood in furniture are gaining popularity

Crafts and natural wood are gaining popularity, especially among young designers and that is great! Many beautifully crafted new designs could be seen both - at the IMM Cologne  and at Maison et Objet:

Itamar Burstein's  Pentagon table and stools entire structure relies on five identical elements - which are up-side-down 'U' shapes - fitting into one another. Each component is made from solid wood and are assembled through dry interlocking. The table has a plateau with a cut-out in its centre that governs the geometry of assemblage in the manner.
source: designboom

'Flex' chair (detail) by Itamar Burstein, 2010 - a two toned wood chair highlights a new more efficient fabrication method where elements are glued vs steamed and bent. More at Itamar Burstein.  

Wood' chair by Richard Perron, 2010

 And something I like very much -  CuldeSac, a Spanish design agency, have created the Welding Wood furniture series. This is how they desceibe the process:

"We have brought back two different production techniques of traditional furniture making (lathe joined wood and steam bentwood) both came in a different period of time, and both are good examples of production technique innovations at that time.

We have combined them in a clear way to generate what we have defined as “Welding Wood.” Where two pieces connect, the section of the wood increases, and once this is done the wood is curved to achieve the structure and functionality.
The lathe work is no longer used just as an aesthetic provider, but it works more as a functionality provider, and that itself generates its own aesthetic.
The result is a sincere and transparent piece that possesses a formal, strong, robust, direct and very recognizable voice."

We have tried to provide new appreciation for antiquated production techniques. We have tried to create a skin in the object that allows us to establish an ancestral and close relationship."

I only wonder how strong the stool is, but no doubt the design is elegant and unique.

 source: designboom

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The natural home decor

Spring is just around the corner, and it's time to get ready to spice up your indoor and outdoor space. Transform your living space into a green living refuge of health and serenity, breathe new life into your home with  eco-friendly products.

This organic cotton Pom Pom Collection in  trendy turquoise color is a great accent for your bedroom or livingroom.

 You can save up to 70% on natural home décor, at VivaTerra now.

I just came accross this beautiful Recycled Glass Terrarium - one can grow a tiny garden in it!

 

From the award-winning Danish design company Eva Solo comes this original, innovative self-watering flowerpot. Never forget to water a plant (at least for about 7-10 days) because this flowerpot will give the plants the moisture they require. As plants draw water they need through their roots, the same principle applies here: nylon threads that hang down from the bottom of the pot are used to extend into the glass container below, which acts as a water reservoir. Water is then drawn up the nylon threads, mimicking the plants own roots.

Eva Solo Self-Watering Flowerpot

Clear French Bottle Lamp with Cork Shade  - mouth blown by artisans, this curvaceous lamp with a cork shade doubles as a sensual recycled glass sculpture.

Riddling Wine Rack
In France, winery workers regularly give aging Champagne bottles a quarter turn after securing their necks in a rack like this. The process is called "riddling"in English and "remuage" in French, and the rack is known as a "pulpit," or "pupitre."Prop this genuine reclaimed pupitre against the wall or use the enclosed brackets for wall hanging.
(from VivaTerra)

 And finally, I am fascinated with the colors and pattern of this Beaded rattan basket, 'Forest Lightning'
hand-woven from rattan and covered with intricate beadwork it represents lightning streaks down from the heavens, zigzagging its way through a cool green forest. An artisan story card will be included with your purchase.

Happy 1st of March!

Chestita Baba Marta! This is one of my favorite Bulgarian holidays - with it we celebrate the coming spring and everyone gives and receives small red-and-white yarn decorating gifts to wear on their wrist, dress or coat as a symbol of good health and happiness. And we hang it in our houses, too. More about this inspiring tradition here. 
A good story about the origine of this symbol is written in Sofia Echo, too.

(this image is from flickr)

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