When two companies collaborate it often results in something that is too expensive for the intended space (often due to luxe materials), or seems to be a stretch of imagination without a target user (too blue sky). In this case we have neither, and the output is something I would love to own. Belgian design brand Quinze & Milan will present their sofa covered in pockets for backpack company Eastpak at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan next month. When two dissimilar entities get together it really does usually end up in a mismatch that rarely makes it to market, and when it does it’s some sort of ill-conceived limited edition. I have to admit I wouldn’t have ever dreamt of pairing these two up with each other but it goes to show that true disruptors come from outside thinking and non-adjacent industries. Via Dezeen.
As part of the recent furniture trend to have thick, blocky chunks of upholstered foam contained in thin bars of metal this addition from Hyung Suk Cho seems to fit in well. It pushes the whole ‘Memphis Revival’ thing pretty strongly with sharp edges and a bright, contrasting accent color. I like it, but don’t heart it as much as some similar offerings in this space. Via Deezeen.
Nendo is a small company founded by Oki Sato, a young designer that has also spun off his own brand of high end sculptural goods, 1%. Think of them as a limited edition Muji that you will be hearing about again sometime soon. In a genius move, the designers simply went to the local manufacturer of globes sold to classrooms and used them for their forte–application of screen graphics and manufacturing of perfect spheres. Add a white powder coated base and retention element, combine that with an altered print template and it’s a done deal.
Graphically, everything has been simplified by reducing the amount of information on the surface, meant to elicit an ‘emotional response.’ Ok, so I’m not sure I buy that but (other than having a hidden bar) what purpose does a globe serve as a decorative element these days? When was the last time you saw someone with a globe outside of a classroom? By taking something out of it’s context it immediately becomes a sculptural piece, but this does so in the most modern of ways…. Points for the uniform matte finish which puts emphasis on the contrast as opposed to going glossy with the black which would have been uncalled for. Via Dezeen.
It’s difficult to keep something like modular furniture fresh, but designer Gordon Guillaumier’s seating system for Italian manufacturer Moroso fits the bill with the dynamic cross-over element that ties the back element to adjacent pieces. What I find interesting is the sparse use of strong color in the purely geometric companion elements that speak in almost a Sottsass/Memphis Style vernacular. Via Contemporist.
Korean designer Hyung Suk Cho has designed seating that consists of two cushions held together in a metal frame. Definitely reminds me of the Pebble Seating I wrote about here from dutch manufacturer Bla Station. Might be due to the small differences in shape and proportion because otherwise it’s pretty much the same approach, but in a different color and finish. I still like it since I see it as a more evolved version of Don Chadwick’s sectional sofa for Herman Miller
Nothing like some vintage ‘tongue and cheek’ commercials to start your day.
It’s about damn time someone took that Karim Rashid Late-90s ‘blobism’ trend and applied it to forms in a useful manner. No doubt it’s a good idea to add a pillow or integrate cushion detailing into the top layer for comfort but regardless this is one killer chair that would command attention in any room, and not just spartan loft spaces or glossy white showrooms either. Product brought to you by UK designer Rousseau via Designobserver.
The minimal design by Naori Miyazaki (apparently not every independent Japanese Designer has his own wiki page?) subtly evokes a bottlecap with it’s material and surface detents. Wall mountable, desk mountable via built in easel, and magnetic also makes it infinitely versatile in application. With function true to form it only takes one battery and only has one button. Get it at the MOMA store for $25.
Apparently I didn’t know three things about Japanese furniture from the Tokushima prefecture of Japan. 1) The fact that in order to open up storage of this nature the central shelf needs to be opened before all others with the tight tolerance of the cabinetry actually acting as a keystone of sorts. 2) In order to achieve this degree of mirror-quality lacquered finish the final steps involve polishing with sheepskin. 3) Vintage manufacturing techniques can be applied to the most modern of objects to make them more valuable.
Ikea doesn’t have shit on the Japanese when it comes to the aesthetics of items of this nature but it’s only a matter of time before we see a cheap knock off–I can just feel it. Make sure to check out the designer, Nosinger’s killer website for some true physical/digital integration. Via Dezeen.
Sculptural treatment of a cavity where no one pays much attention (possibly due to cost) results in an inversion of what typically takes place inside of vs. outside of a lamp. It makes you stop and actually pay attention to the fixture itself. Not sure you would need the contrast between the inside and outside surfaces and finishes but I would bet that it’s available in all white–just a guess. Added bonus: I’m sure the light undulates in an odd, hopefully somewhat even manner in regards to it’s coverage and resulting shadows. Oddly enough I don’t think this would be that hard to build at home, although it would take some time to get just right. Might be neat made out of smoked translucent glass…..but am not sure how that might affect the ‘topographical map’ vibe. Via dezeen.