A Shot Of Color.

For all those who are color-phobic, a great design trick is to use color in small quantities. Of course, for more of an impact; its better to use a strong color that really stands out. This French home is a WONDERFUL example. It has amazing punches of color in every room. Another trick is to repeat the same accent color through out the room. How about painting the inside of cabinets?!

Barnacle

From Sea-Urchins to Barnacles! My love of natural and reclaimed materials is captured in this chair, leaning post beautifully.

The chair is made from sustainable ash and reclaimed industrial felt, designed by Ania Wagner who likes to ‘work with local materials the designed to create minimal material waste’.

The chair has two functions, the felt lined bucket style seat which can simply be flipped over to provide a great leaning space! Ideal for chilling out in a variety of ways. The beauty of the light ash with its ‘fringed’ style end adds a touch of visual impact in an understated way. The colour of the reclaimed felt is pleasantly neutral which makes a real change from bright vibrant colours or garish patterns.

There is no right or wrong way up for this piece of contemporary furniture, simply flip it or move it, sit back and relax. I can image this piece being a firm favourite with young people, from toddlers to teenagers. A real piece of ‘me’ furniture when you need to be left alone or a great communal sharing space. I also think young children would find a lot of other role play purposes for this chair, a great boat, or space ship!

Chill out and watch TV with a bucket of popcorn by your side, a book and a mug of cocoa the choices are endless! I think this chair would fit perfectly in a lounge or bedroom and makes a stylish change from the ‘classical’ beanbag for resting on, far more neat and tidy in my opinion!

Image source: www.yankodesign.com

Sea-Urchin Chair

I just love this amazing suspended Sea-Urchin lounge chair! This brings back memories of the large circular suspended chairs of the 60s with a real modern and trendy twist which is not only fun to look at but actually looks very comfortable to use. I can image sitting and contemplating new designs ideas or simply wiling away the time reading in my own space, gently swaying to and fro, free from floor clutter without interruption, what bliss!

The chair is made with a RVS-frame which has been covered with some 8000 black cable ties! The chair is part of a collection of handmade products by Studio OOOMS run by Guido Ooms and Karin van Lieshout, who not only design but also give lectures and workshops around the world to inspire students or employees on different creative themes. Guido and Karin describe themselves as ‘working as designers as well as inventors, not minding to get their hands dirty‘.

The relative simplicity of the finished design is an innovative and effective way to use an everyday object successfully. I assume that any colour of cable tie could be used to create different effects, however, the black is perfect for me, looking great with any colour scheme in a room and ideal for a minimalist look.
The aptly named Sea-Urchin lounge chair really does resemble a sea urchin with its spiny outer shell and soft interior, oceanic blue/green walls would also do justice to this delightful piece of furniture in a contemporary home.

Image source:www.oooms.nl

Break Out The Spray Paint!

I'm not too big on DIY, but these lampshades just might change my mind!
Found via Eddie Ross' blog.

Maybe, I Just Like Sitting.

Do any of you ever catch yourself living a particular pattern over and over? Like when you buy a new dress or pair of shoes, and then realize you already have multiple pairs that look exactly the same! Yet when you were buying the shoes or dress, you didn't remember that. Well, that's how I am about photographing chairs, of all things. As I scroll through all my photos, there's always at least one photo of a chair! I find this to be rather amusing, so I decided to group my chair collection on my Flickr site. Here are two of my recent favorites. I'm not sure if this some insight into my soul, or if I just like sitting down.

Tank Collection

Designed by Peter Petersen, the mastermind behind the Swedish design company Signalement, these shelves offer a crisp clean appearance which would enhance any contemporary home or office space effectively. The Tank Collection comprises of a series of different pieces of furniture all made from MDF or fibreglass.

I particularly like the shelves for their simplicity and practicality. The open frame and deep shelves provide an airy and spatial feel which are just crying out to have beautiful objects displayed on them. The high lustre varnish finish captures the light wonderfully on the colour variations, although I personally prefer the white version the black is equally elegant and the yellow is really funky.

Petersen’s main focus is designing brochure and information stands, however, the Tank Collection shows his abilities to use simplistic forms and transform them into very useable furniture. The Collection also includes an open garment stand which is available in white MDF with a high lustre finish, ideal for hanging jackets and coats in an office area. A white height adjustable desk with three slim line drawers, each with a cool yellow interior. The coffee table made from fibreglass would make an impressive statement in an office foyer or private space, as well as looking very striking within a trendy home environment. All of the pieces have the same beautiful soft curvaceous lines and elegant style, providing a smooth look which is extremely pleasing to the eye.

Sales in the UK can be made via Scandia at www.scandia.co.uk.
Image source: www.notempire.com

Blooming Marvellous

Korean designer Jin-Young Lee has created this stylish and very practical piece of contemporary furniture Da-Bloom. The concept of the design is based on a blooming flower, hence the name I assume, which can be easily customised to individual needs and preferences with a few simple twists and turns of the ‘petals’.

Made from plywood and plastic this modern design is a great spacer saver, with adults or children sitting on one ‘petal’ and using the next slightly higher ‘petal’ as a table. By filling the conical shaped base with water stability is provided, the next ‘petal’ and spacers lock onto each other to build a table with integral seating and work space for three or more children. The top of the central cone is hollowed, providing a space for pencils and writing implements. Da-Bloom also offers easy storage when not in use, the ‘petals’ simply all twist round to fit underneath each other.

I think this piece of furniture would work extremely well in children’s nurseries or schools, providing informal seating as well as a great place to let children’s imaginations run wild turning it into dens, buses and other role play themes, great for encouraging participation for singing and music, the options are endless in my opinion! Alternatively waiting rooms in doctors and dentists would look great with this style of modern furniture. At home this practical furniture would make a super informal eating area!

If white and natural coloured plywood is not to your liking Da-Bloom can be custom made in a variety of different colours to suit interior design colour schemes.

Image source: www.yankodesign.com