When it comes to design of daily objects, one characteristic that I primarily and highly appreciate is harmony. When harmony is achieved by also providing an item with an edge, then my need for good design is met and surpassed.

I personally love simple forms and adore different kind of textures as a means of introducing interest. Steltons’s Kontra large fruit ball designed by Maria Berntsen does just that: successfully and harmoniously combining seemingly contradicting materials like stainless steel and bamboo, in a form that smoothly floats. Steel for the base and bamboo for the upper part, this bowl gains its charm and beauty from the contrast between shining and mat surfaces, between cold and warm, between feminine and masculine. Continue reading →

When elegant aesthetics meet playful and innovative design everything is possible… even dining or holding board meetings while… swinging!
“What else will I see?” exclaimed I to myself after becoming familiar with Swing table designed by Christopher Duffy for Duffy London studio.

This is more than absolutely brilliant. While rocking chairs have been since long part of our lives as much as swinging chairs in the form of hammocks or floating couches for siesta summer times or long talks at the veranda, swinging chairs combined with a table, associated with dining or boardroom meetings is a completely new thing around the designing block. Continue reading →

How about some functionality with a dose of poetry all in one? This is how I see Sundays! Functional because one is free to use such days as they wish, nevertheless poetic cause let’s be honest, what is more poetic than breakfast in bed or brunches, cuddling with your loved one, enjoying the view from your bedroom window while reading your favorite books together, side by side? What is more poetic than the simple moments life offers?

Let me not argue about this issue any more and get to this post’s point, which is no other than sharing with you this lovely shelf and wall light combined in one object. An object named after the day we were just talking about: Sunday! Continue reading →

Candles are undoubtedly instant mood inducers. It’s somehow a little ironic how in our modern super industrialized societies and fully technologically equipped lives, the warmth of flickering candlelight reminding of past eras still simply rocks our worlds. From daily family meals, to friends coming over, to more formal occasions, candles are everywhere.

Shelton’s Twilight is in fact an elegant arch made from polished stainless steel which gives home to two candles. Two candles equals light times two, therefore its name, twilight. The name also refers us to the time when usually lights are lit, the twilight or else the border between light and darkness. Continue reading →

When a thermos gets in the hands – ruled by the mind – of a designer like Nicholai Wigg Hansen, the least one can expect is seemingly effortless excellence. Nicholai, a designer who has had his own design studio since he was 26, has designed Geo for Normann Copenhagen and it’s fast becoming a favorite central coffee table piece able to hold both hot and cold drinks. Continue reading →

Here are some chairs successfully falling in the range of unique and unusual ones! Designed by Tomas Alonso, the conceptual basis of this one of a kind chairs was to create each of them using one single bent, powder coated metal tube, around which a solid ash structure was made to support the seating surface. Faithful to the whole unusual process, the wood used to create the seating surface was in fact reclaimed Victorian ceiling boards. Continue reading →

The idea behind the Cocoon came to life when designer Per Eriksson decided to create a private living space within his small and-not-so-private house.

As rooms and furniture tend to have one fixed function, the Cocoon offers a variety of functions by adding different modules, like sleeping, storage, and even cooking. Oh, and for all you techies out there, there’s Wi-Fi as well. Continue reading →

Fireplaces are a wonderful focal point whether placed inside or outside. They add actual and visual warmth, attracting people to sit around it.
Not all spaces are designed incorporating one though. An easy fix is to use a “no smoke, no soot, no ash” alternative, which are usually built to be powered by clean-burning, environmentally friendly bioethanol. Continue reading →

Having the chance to share with you here through my posts exceptional talent is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling moments of writing these mini articles. Keeping short and to the point always requiring effort, the designer duo presented here today is one whose work can certainly not fit in but a few paragraphs. You’ll have to devote time going over their website yourselves, while I take the chance to share but a few facts about them.

In their late 30s Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings are already counting more than a decade since the establishment of their design studio back in 2000 and more than a few nominations and awards. From young designer talent of 2011 for Elle decoration in Milan, to being honored twice with prizes for their textile collection for Hay company (another favorite of mine) in Dutch design awards and Sanoma Woonawards 2011.

What is it that is so special about this magnificent designer couple? Continue reading →

Does combining functionality with innovative design and a quirky twist puzzle you? Do you wonder how can a cutting board serve additionally as a tray, while your favorite glass of wine is safely transported on it, even using only one hand? Continue reading →