Making the Most of Small Spaces Good Design For Living in Small ApartmentsAs people migrate to smaller spaces, good design helps a lot. This is something they figured out in Europe long ago, that if you don't have a lot of horizontal room you can go vertical. Tumidei in Italy makes some of the nicest stuff, like this unit with lots of storage under the bed. This unit just raises the floor high enough for beds to slide under. This one looks a bit clinical, but has two single beds plus a pull-out double bed in between. None of this stuff is cheap, nor, as far as I can tell is it available in North America, but there are ideas here that demonstrate how people can share a space and still get a little privacy, a good place to work and a lot of storage in a very small envelope. Like this?
The Light Bulb Effect - Bulb Candles by Helbert Ferreira & Remi Melander - SYSTEM DESIGN STUDIO The Light Bulb Effect Let me put on my monocle and tell you a story. You see long ago before Swan or Edison invented the lightbulb, people used candles. Designers: Helbert Ferreira, Remi Melander – SYSTEM DESIGN STUDIO Luxury African Game Reserve Singita, Luxury African Game Reserve Singita, meaning place of miracles, is a group of world-renowned games reserves in Africa which provide a positive balance of hospitality, conservation and community for all of their guests. The luxury lodges contain an eclectic mix of African heritage and European contemporary furniture which adds a luxury feel to this unique African game reserve. About Richard Barker Love Interior Design & Exotic Travel? May 25, 2010 | South Africa Travel | View comments Be enchanted, entertained and soothed at Nam Hai, Vietnam A beautiful location, a captivating heritage and a retreat of pure luxury, The Nam Hai promises to enchant, entertain and soothe. Interlocking contemporary design – Hotel Pupp, Italy Italian and Austrian architectural practice, Bergmeisterwolf Architekten, have designed the Hotel Pupp project for Christian and Martin Pupp of Cafe Konditorei Pupp OHG.
UK scientists invent artificial petrol - Business News Boffins at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Oxford have invented an ‘artificial’ petrol, which costs just 90 pence per gallon and could run in existing cars. Motorists could even be able to drive for 300 to 400 miles before needing to fill up. The breakthrough comes as average UK fuel prices have hit a record high. The new hydrogen-based fuel produces no greenhouse gases and could be available in as little as three years. Professor Stephen Bennington, the project’s lead scientist, said: “In some senses, hydrogen is the perfect fuel. It has three times more energy than petrol per unit of weight, and when it burns, it produces nothing but water. “Our new hydrogen storage materials offer real potential for running cars, planes and other vehicles that currently use hydrocarbons.” How is it made? It says: "Storing hydrogen up to now has required either high-pressure storage cylinders at up to 700 times atmospheric pressure or super-cooled liquids at -253 degree Celsius.
Coloring Book Wallpaper Ninteenseventythree have just produced some great wallpaper, 1000cm x 52cm roll, that you can colour in for yourself. They retail at £40-£45 (depending on the shop) and can currently be found in The Ikon Gallery (Birmingham), London Graphic Centre, Oliver Bonas (London), Pussy (Brighton), Snowhome (York), Here Shop (Bristol), Junk Funk, Nice, Oblong, Lapstone, Oklahoma, the Tate galleries (London and Liverpool), Baltic (Newcastle) and many more places. Buy the wallpaper online here. Also check out the VECTORVAULT : STORE for more exciting vector based products. * Cut and paste this %10 off coupon at checkout for even more savings; FW9Q3TEPM Be Sociable, Share! Deer found in middle ocean What is that?! Can it be, really!!! It ‘s a DEER!!! Not too much of a struggle? He was very glad to be on board. He was sooo tired and was glad to get into our boat and rest! And yes, we turned him loose when we got back to shore.
Rock Pillows Rocks, stones and pebbles have been used as decorative objects since... well... the stone age actually. But, rocks are usually a bit hard to be around. They often look cool, but you wouldn't exactly hug one - until now! Stephanie Marin is the creator of these amazing looking stones, which is actually very soft and comfortable cushions. Update: See also Ronal Jordaan's Rock Cushions (much better looking than the ones above) Follow: 42Concepts
Unusual Aquariums EmailEmail Do you live a stressful life, have high blood pressure and insomnia? Keeping an aquarium may be a good therapy for you! Although researchers have shown that the greater reduction in blood pressure occurred when there were fish in the tank, vs pleasingly decorated, but fishless, tanks – having a cool aquarium can at least make your friends jealous! 1. Duplex is an acquarium/cage favouring an improbable encounter between a bird and a fish. 2. (Link) 3. (Link) 4. Ever wondered what to do with that ancient 26″ wooden TV set laying around in yours or your grandparent’s garage? 5. iPond The iPond is an iPod accessory the combines a speaker with a tiny aquarium. RSPCA spokesman Hugh Wirth said despite the fighting fish’s ability to breathe air from the surface, the tank was far too small for it to receive adequate oxygen. 6. If you do not have enough room in your new office to put an aquarium, just integrate an Aquarium in the table. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. (Designer: Vanessa Mitrani) 12. 13.
Lost & Found Chair Lighters, keys, coins … cushioned chairs and couches are notorious for nomming all kinds of things that slip out of our pockets or otherwise get left behind and slide into the cracks. This design simply celebrates that existing phenomena, like a giant-sized pin cushion. It may come as no surprised that this clever-but-boxy furniture piece was developed by architectural designers (of Daisuke Motogi Architecture), who have a knack for exposing and expanding uses for classic furnishing types. Pixel-like pads cover the entire surface of the seat both inside and out, forming slots in which one can accidentally drop a small item or intentionally stick a book, magazine, remote and more. Cleaning this piece would not be trivial, but for those who enjoy the occasional boredom-induced, couch-cushion treasure hunt, who knows what you might find that you or someone else left behind.
Warehouse Conversion By Eric • Feb 14, 2011 • Selected Work Spotted on MBP, here is a completely renovated apartment located in a historic building in Melbourne, Australia. This three bedroom, two bathroom residence is on sale and according to the agent, “this superlative warehouse conversion in “Leicester House”, an historic 1880′s building, provides privacy and vast spaces. It features soaring warehouse ceilings, huge original arched timber windows, exposed red brick walls, imposing brick archways of 65 cm depth and high gloss timber floors. By day it is imposing and by night dramatic.” The exposed brick walls and the high concrete ceilings make this apartment feel like a loft. Sold! Photos courtesy of MDP Click any photo to see a larger image - Use buttons or j/k/arrow keys to navigate through the articles
Curved River Sink Elkay has created a number of creative sinks for virtually any style or occasions, coming in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes for both residential and commercial use. The Mystic flowing sink, however, has to be their best yet. As shown above, this sink design curves and winds its way through a chosen surface. It can be set into something that is shaped like it is or can be set against the more standard rectangular surfaces found in most kitchens. It can be filled with ice, fruit and/or beverages for parties. Other sinks by Elkay come in all kinds of innovative forms with various purposes.