Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Working from home but have no space?





Fredrik Paulsen has just the thing for you if you live in a small space and work from home a lot. Called the "Minimal Work Station," this fun and minimal desk system is perfect if you only have a few square feet for work. I, too, have a very small space that fits a neat little desk. Maybe I should upgrade? Sadly, I could not find pricing information, but you can contact Mr. Paulsen if you are interested.

The best thing about the Minimal Work Station is the fun little bags and storage containers where you can place pens, staplers, cords, etc. I love it.

http://www.svenskstandard.net/

Sunday, June 27, 2010

$8,500 is kind of a lot...




But in the case of Russell Pinch's Vigo Triple Shelving Unit, one can make an exception, especially if you are a millionaire. I love the the different sized shelving with small drawers, and the well-selected colors and wood. Pinch Design is an amazing company with lots of really classy furniture. I will later write about one of their superb couches. But for now, whilst I am not in the market for a shelving unit, I will probably drool over this Vigo piece for a while. All I can say is "wow" and "I wish I had a spare $8,6500" and other things, too. World peace would be nice as well.

Drool here: http://www.pinchdesign.com/vigotripleshelvingunit.htm

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Gorgeous!



This has to be one of the most gorgeous sofas I've seen in my entire life (except for the Polder Sofa)! I actually sat on this sofa today and could not believe how comfortable my behind was! I imagined spending many a day and hour reading a book or watching the telly, or even writing poetry or a sonnet. That's how gorgeous the "Oscar" sofa is -- it inspires you to do beautiful things. As to be expected, this sofa is not cheap at around $3,200, but actually that price is not too bad considering it's made in England using really good materials.

From the SCP website: "Part of the SCP 2009 collection, the Oscar sofa is made in the UK using sustainable materials. The Oscar sofa strikes a pleasing balance between modernity and tradition, large in size yet light in appearance. The sofa is made from a European hardwood frame, jute webbing and hessian straps and then covered with a mix of materials that includes natural fibres, animal hair and wool. It features two large feather cushions that are notable for their depth, the back has a line of sewn in pulls, lending the sofa the appearance of a buttoned back, without the actual buttons. The feet are made from walnut stained beech, with the front two being turned versions. By contrasting long straight lines with delicate natural curves, Hilton has created a piece that is both reserved and full of humility. The Oscar sofa is a piece perfect for those who like their modernity laced with a little familiarity."

I wonder how much shipping costs to New York....

http://www.scp.co.uk/collections/furniture/products/oscar-3

I WANT THIS!




I've been on the lookout for a cool little calendar. So far, my favorite is Enzo Mari's Formosa calendar, but this is in a close second place! Unfortunately "Ping Pong" calendar is sold in Australia only, but it costs around $45 so it's not too bad. For those of you who like ping pong, you will definitely like this cute little thing! I'm not really into ping pong (I like foosball better), but it's still a fun game! And it's even an olympic sport -- I think.

Check it out here: http://notemaker.com.au/products/mmmg-ping-pong-calendar-black-desk-perpetual

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Something inspired by Shell Silverstein


I had to throw in this "árvore generosa" by Mr. Pedro Useche (wow, I really like this guy!) because of the radness of his "Generous Tree" project. The tree shaped coat and hat and wallet and purse rack is made of one piece of responsibly harvested wood. AND all the leftover pieces are made into a little dog! Remember Shell Silverstein's story about a tree that loved a little boy, and the little boy kept taking and taking from the tree until there was nothing but a stump left? That story, my friends, is the inspiration for "árvore generosa." Brazilians are cool (and I predict, will win the World Cup this year!)

Pedro Useche!!




We at CLI are thinking, in a retrospective sense, that June should be termed "Brazilian Designers Rule" month, but it's almost July, so it's a bit late. Speaking of which, I can't believe it's almost July! That is kind of lame.

All digressions aside, we are quite taken with Pedro Useche's designs. Quite frankly, he is a totally awesome dude. There is sometimes nothing to be said about a master's work, and in this case, we are again at a loss for words. Check out a few of his cool "Cinta" collections pieces. They are, in a nutshell, breathtaking!

http://www.useche.com.br/

More Swedish Lights!




This cool light by Mattias Ståhlbom reminds me of a CLI post from long ago. The "Bottle Lamps" look a lot like rounder-ish milk cartons, and perhaps that's why I like them soo much. I also like the playful use of color. Very nice, Mattias! (Note: Doesn't it seem like a lot of cool designers are named "Mattias"?) Something to ponder for the rest of the evening!

By the way, I don't know how much these cost, but check them out here:

http://www.tafarkitektkontor.se/projects.asp?id=128&imagename=Bottle_Zero_Mattias_Stahlbom_03.jpg&nr=3

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Holy Moses! Look at this bed!!!




I cannot believe how beautiful this bed is. The first moment I saw it I thought "I cannot believe how beautiful this bed is!" I wish I didn't already have a bed! I'll bet "Noah" by Philippe Allaeys is around $5,000 or something. It's made from European oak and its set back feet give the bed the appearance that is it floating in the air. I am in love! (Or at least in lust). Question: Can one feel genuine lust for a piece of furniture?

http://www.viaduct.co.uk/vshowroom.php?id=1019747

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Yellow Sofa!


I totally love this cool "SOFA 529" by the Finnish company Artek. They come in other colors too, but I kind of like the yellow one. I don't know about you, but I totally want one.

I've spent a lot of time today (okay, maybe like 4 minute or so) trying to find out the price and where it's sold, but to no avail! Will one of CLI's readers help us out? If you do, there is a prize awaiting you!

http://www.artek.fi/products/sofas/165

Friday, June 18, 2010

Carlos Motta - a genius of epic proportions!


It's really fun to "discover" furniture designers that have been really famous for a long time. One such person for me is Carlos Motta, a really cool Brazilian woodworker and furniture designer. He is quite senior and has been in the business for a while, but I think his furniture is very contemporary. It's also very Scandinavian with a bit of Japanese-ness. And of course, we at CLI are obsessed with these two areas of the world. I now quite like Brazilian design!

Anyway, check out his cool "Cadeiras São Paulo Coloridas," or Sao Paulo Colored Chairs, I think.

http://carlosmotta.com.br/index2.asp?lingua=eng

Brazilian Zanini de Zanine



The Moeda Chair by Zanini de Zanine is totally cool. I think he uses leftover perforated metal from Brazilian coin minting production! Isn't that neat? I wish I could get one, but it's probably very expensive and, uhh, Brazil is a little far.

http://www.doizdesign.com.br/ing/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

A cool desk I've always loved



Yes, it's true. I have always loved this LAX Series wall-mounted desk. I like wall-mounted things. They are less in the way and create more functional spaces. Plus you don't have to move furniture in order to vacuum or clean the floors! Plus it just looks cool. The only downside, I guess, is that it once you've installed the desk, it's very hard to move without doing some big cosmetic damage to your wall. I guess the grass is indeed always greener.

At $740, the desk is not cheap. But it is made from solid English walnut, natural oil finish, aluminum with white powder coat. The company website says that "the materials that go into every LAXseries piece are meticulously selected for their quality and positive environmental impact. Each piece of furniture is made of solid English Walnut, free of formaldehyde glue and other toxins. By using an engineered wood, the LAXseries is able to maximize the yield from each tree and virtually eliminate waste. All of the pieces are sealed with a natural oil finish. Made from linseed oil, the finish is VOC-free and solvent-free. The aluminum sliding doors, an integral part of the LAXseries design, are all made of 100% recyclable, powder-coated aluminum."

http://www.laxseries.com/products_wmdesk.html

Something really pretty!




I totally, totally am digging these oak and ceramic centerpieces by Eindhoven designers Daphna Isaacs and Laurens Manders. They just look sooo..........great! I don't know what to say about their functionality, but does everything always have to be functional? I don't know. I will leave that up to the designers themselves.

These cool light fixtures with something of a storage function are called Tafelstukken, and I would like at least one, please!

Check them out here: http://www.daphnaisaacs.nl/

Sunday, June 13, 2010

B&B Italia does it again




I pretty much love everything by B&B Italia. They have such classy and cool style. I wish I was a gazillionaire so I could buy some of their stuff. Oh well; it's fun to admire from afar. I especially find their new Eileen desk kind of crush-worthy. The top can be in natural, back or Russian leather set atop a colored steel frame. Very cool! And only $3,200 to $3,900!

http://www.bebitalia.it/#BEBITALIA/COMPLEMENTS/EILEEN_1_907_6_1

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A cool desk





I think this company called Offi has some cool products. I particularly like this cool "Trundle Desk" because of its shape and the fact that it has wide and deep drawers. I can't tell if there's a clever place to put your computer cables (for example, for a small laptop), and if not, I think that may be it's only flaw.

I hope you like it! It comes in maple and walnut for around $1,400 to $1,500.

http://www.offi.com/products/tablesanddesks/TRUNDLE.php?p2c=589#top

Wonk!





I can't believe that we at CLI have not commented on one of the best furniture stores in Brooklyn! I guess it's one of those things where you take a certain conventional wisdom - like chocolate ice cream is delicious - and think everyone already knows about it. For example, everyone knows chocolate ice cream is delicious, but since this is conventional wisdom, there is no need to talk about it because its one of those known facts. Such is our explanation as to never really mentioning Wonk in a true capacity. We thought everyone already knew about it!

Anyway, again the digression. I love this beautiful, BEAUTIFUL bedside table called "Prospect." It is soo clean-lined, simple, functional and just plain awesome. (One of CLI's interns actually has two of these in her bedroom). The Prospect is made with bamboo, but can be made in a wood veneer if that is what you fancy. At $395, they are a good deal considering they are made in Brooklyn and from bamboo! Brooklyn rules!!

http://www.wonknyc.com/furniture/prospect/?img2=1&cat=cabinet

Monday, June 7, 2010



I wish I could understand just why, oh why, Scandinavians have such good style. I think one day I'll have to go on a research trip to thoroughly investigate this enigma. While I'm there, I can interview Niels Hvass and ask him how came up with this really cool, simple and functional "Cutter Mini Wardrobe" piece of storage furniture. I want it! The wardrobe has a hanger rail, four hooks and a place to store your hat. I actually have been looking for a place for my hat! Thanks, Niels!

The Cutter Mini Wardrobe is made in Denmark of teak, black stained teak and/or oak. And it costs around $210. Now to find out if this is sold in the good old red, white and blue.

http://mjolk.ca/product/living/cutter-mini-wardrobe/

Friday, June 4, 2010

Two Beauties On Which to Place Your Bottom




Formfjord (what a cool name) makes really great hanging lamps/lights, but i also really like their cool upholstered bench and day bed. The Bench B194 and Daybed L194 are really clean and cool, and they look quite comfortable to sit on or to use for placing magazines or for taking naps!

The designers are really cool German dudes. From their website: "Since 2006, Engineer Fabian Baumann and Designer Sönke Hoof have been working together from their Berlin-based design studio Formfjord. In addition to furniture, lighting and accessories, they enjoy working in various fields: "Each project holds inspiration for another. The more different the jobs, the more fruitful and unexpected the synergies are." The direct teaming of designer and engineer lends Formfjord's designs their unique structural language."

Note that the top picture is the Day Bed, and the bottom picture is a coffee table of sorts, if you will.

http://www.formfjord.com/194.html

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Trash Me Lamps!




The other day I bought something that came excessively wrapped/packaged in soo much plastic I had to use a knife to open it! Then I felt bad about buying something whose packaging I couldn't recycle. Soo lame. That's why I like this Trash Me Lamps soo much! Think of all the egg cartons the world uses! (I actually recycle my paper egg cartons, but this is a better way to reuse something). Victor Vetterlein, the designer, is very cool. I wonder how much it costs?

http://victorvetterlein.com/home.html

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Please, take a seat!




Check out this cool "Sheetseat" by Efecem Kutuk! Efecem is a cool Turkish designer working in New York. There are quite a few companies/designers who make chairs that can be hung on walls, but I think this is probably the coolest one I've seen lately. Not sure about the price, but contact the Efecum if you are interested!

http://www.efecemkutuk.com/furniture/sheetseat/