sustainable bamboo shelving from iola designtags: livingroom, miscellanea

Vivavi is one of my favorite retailers due to its emphasis on carrying environmentally friendly products. In particular, I am a fan of their stylish, asian-themed shelves by Iola Design. Above: Kumiko is a freestand shelving system made from bamboo planks. Shelves alternate between full-length and half-length, while the base is supported by flared legs. Also available is a shorter version (Miharu). Hasegawa and Chiaki are wall-mounted displays with creatively organized shelves. Hasegawa in particular provides ample storage space with its massive 83 inch wide frame. The more diminutive (but affordable) Chiaki is also more versatile, with a foot print that is not as intrusive as its larger sibling. Lastly we have the Akira and Ayumi wall-mounted shelves which fill the central cavity with dovetailed drawers. Though not particularly large, these cubbies are a great way to hide small clutter such as keys and coins. As with all the other shelving systems mentioned in this post, Akira and Ayumi are made from solid laminated bamboo. For more information, visit Vivavi or Iola Design. Popularity: 4% [?]

Ludlow Bedtags: bedroom

MODERN MONOCHROMATIC MASTER BEDROOM.  Simplicity of the highest quality emanates in a subtle, yet striking glow from the Ludlow Bed.  Because this set features a tufted white leatherette headboard, matching this bed to any design scheme can be done without stress or worry.  The grand headboard is nearly six feet high and is complete with a pine bed frame (the mattress is not included).  Finish off the look of the master suite through incorporation of the Ludlow Nightstand and the Ludlow Dresser, which each feature a matching white finish.  You can purchase these furniture pieces from Wholesale Furniture Brokers at prices ranging between $450.00 and $1,579.00. Popularity: 28% [?]

The Most Beautiful Public Sculpture : A Drop of Mercury

Here on Freshome I try to gather all kind of inspiring things for homes from around the internet, and today I’ve found something that is really beautiful and also inspiring but not related to home design or interior design. What I’ve found is a public sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park, Chicago, that is called Cloud Gate. The sculpture is shaped like an ellipse, and its legume-like appearance has caused it to be nicknamed “The Bean”. It is made of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates, and stands at 33 feet high, 66 feet long, and 42 feet wide, weighing ESF: 110 / Wood Bedroomstons. From a distance it could be mistaken for a huge drop of mercury, while up close its highly reflective surface captures and transforms the skyline, the downtown cityscape and even the passers-by into a wonderfully warped new vista. The artist, Anish Kapoor, has referred to the sculpture as “a gate to Chicago, a poetic idea about the city it reflects.” The quality of the design and craftsmanship are obvious as you approach to study its huge smooth shiny, curvy surface. Finally I can say that the Cloud Gate is truly a new symbol of the city and another good reason to visit Chicago. The sculpture was the result of a design competition. Once chosen, its implementation caused numerous technological concerns regarding its construction and assembly as well as ongoing concerns regarding its upkeep and maintenance. Various experts were consulted some of whom believed the design could not be implemented. Eventually, a feasible method was determined, but the sculpture fell well behind schedule and was unveiled in an incomplete form during the Millennium Park grand opening celebration before being concealed for completion and a final unveiling. - Wikipedia

Knife Hooks : Cool Coat Hooks for the Wall

The Knife Hooks are designed by TC Studio, a studio owned by industrial designer Tianyi Chang. The Knife Hooks are easy to install, simply screw the hooks into the wall and you’ll have a very funny way to hang your clothes. They are available in matte black only and can be purchased from here.

The Splash Chair, Inspired by Water Drops in Slow Motion

Are you ready to see a very creative design ? Is called the “Splash Chair” , and is designed by Michael L. Wendel. As you can see from these pictures the Splash Chair was inspired by slow motion water drops. The Splash Lounge Chair is sure to be a hit for any home, especially for people who want something different that will make their room stand out. Now for those of you who are curious how this chair was made, here is the explanation. - Via - Yankodesign The chair was sculpted at 1/8th scale using Sculpey clay. From there, the model was cut into ¼ inch slices. These slices were scanned, blown up to full scale, and plotted to be used as a template for the full scale model. From there, the templates were adhered to 2 inch pink insulation foam, cut out, and assembled to the full scale form. Countless hours of sanding later, the form was coated in 4 coats of Elmer’s glue to protect the foam from resin. After the glue was dried, the form was sprayed with chopped fiberglass using a chopper gun. Once dried, the fiberglass was sanded down, then coated with Bondo. After sanding the Bondo as smooth as possible, it was painted with high epoxy glossy white paint.

An Interview with the Design Staff of BoConcept Modern Furniture

This week Furniture Fashion had the pleasure of interviewing Kalina Gornicheva, the stylist and store planner for BoConcept, one of the most up and coming modern/ contemporary furniture manufacturers in the business today. We wanted to see what fuels BoConcept's product line, and what significant consumer demands are being catered to. Based on what I have seen and now heard, the future of BoConcept in the modern furniture arena is very bright. What is the fastest growing category in the BoConcept line of products? We've seen a good steady and consistent growth in our upholstery line for the past few years. Sofas like Mezzo, Largo, Indivi2 and Quattro are designed with the customer in mind and provide great customization options. They are among the most popular on the market right now. New design icons like Alpha also contribute towards success of the upholstery line today. Continue reading "An Interview with the Design Staff of BoConcept Modern Furniture" »

shea ii consoletags: livingroom

ELEGANT modernism is LA-based Vioski’s guiding philosophy and is often paired with the well-weathered hands of Yglesias Woodwork. The Shea II Console is a classic modernist piece with straight Beverly Hills: Edge / Leather Sofa Setss and perfect corners; a metal undercarriage adds a splash of color but the star of the show is the beautifully grained Macassar ebony. Finished in satin, the piece exudes a warm, yet subtle glow suitable for sophisticated d furniture Popularity: 3% [?]

First Wind-Powered Building Inaugurated in Argentina

Buenos Aires Province/Argentina - Mar del Plata will have its first wind-powered building. According to its developers this building, called Cefira (whose name refers to the Greek god of wind from the west) is the first sustainable energy in Latin America. The complex, which will require an investment of $ 4.1 million and will be ready by next February. The wind generator (costing about $ 15,000) was built INVAP and produces an energy of 4.5 kV, allowing you to save energy when there is no wind, more than enough for the building’s common-spaces requirements. The eight-storey building was designed by Mariani-Perez Maraviglia architecture studio, but was a project of two young entrepreneurs: Francisco Moreno Ocampo economist (29 years old) and the manager Franco Tocagni of 28. The tower also optimize the use of natural energy available for the layout and size of the openings. To capture more sunlight, windows occupy over 80% of the perimeter and the lights of common spaces will have intelligent sensors ignition. In addition, the system will be used slab radiant heating with individual temperature regulation and to heat or cool environments will be taken special care in the thermal insulation in walls and fences. For those who will live here, this building will mean a saving of ecological 15% in the cost of the expense because the system provides for the distribution company ASDP receive the energy produced and the amount credited to the account of the consortium. Moreno Ocampo one of the entrepreneurs who started this project said : “We intend to make environmental awareness and more than a real estate business with this. The idea is to generate a benefit to society and serve as an example. Once we demonstrate that this possible, we want to be copied. Chances are that such towers becomes Beverly Hills: Trend / Leather Sofa Sets because it is not an expensive or troublesome project and provides many benefits.” - Via - Official Website & La Nacion ( Argentinian Newspaper )

Better View Curtain

Better View is is a series of perforated black out roller blinds designed by Finnish designer Elina Aalto of Fiasko Design. Light seeps in through the small cut out holes creating an image of a city by night. The cut-outs represent the light in the windows of apartment buildings and office complexes in the city. With the Better View blind any  dreary view can be turned into an attractive cityscape. The series currently includes views from Helsinki and Tokyo. New additions portraying Stockholm and Paris are in progress. The images represent a selection of cities that Elina has traveled to in the last few years and the photographs are by her. The chosen views are of contrasting cityscapes: skyscrapers in Tokyo, 60s modernism in Helsinki and 19th century architecture in Paris. Each piece is custom made by hand. This curtain design is part of SAUMA , a traveling exhibition created by the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York.- Via - Decoluxe

The Revelation "Double Wide" Chaise Recliner from W Schillig

Fine Leather meets German engineering in the W Schillig collection of sofas, sectionals, chairs, and my favorite, the "Revelation" double wide chaise recliner. This year at the High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina I saw and sat in acres of leather furniture but this was the most impressive piece. This double wide chaise has enough look to stand its own but the one piece back recliner quickly makes comfort the Revelation's best attribute. In addition, the extra wide seating surface offers room for two people to easily relax while taking in a long movie. W Schillig's entire collection of modern and transitional leather furniture can be seen and found here with help from their dealer locator.
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