Bygone be rigid task lamps, welcome the new form of trapeze bar-looking, directed lighting by a young Belgian designer who seems to know a thing or two about working hard to get where you want to be. His name is Quentin de Coster, and his Loop lamp – that exemplifies specified illumination – hangs from the ceiling, giving your task surface the maximum amount of work area necessary to get the job done.

Loop lamp. Designed by Quentin de Coster.

The Belgian Design of Loop Lamp: A Task Lamp that Hangs with Pointed Intensity

Made out of powder-coated steel and wire, the Loop lamp’s swinging flexibility and ceiling-hung ergonomic position stands out as a dark but endearing object that finishes at the bottom with a loop and a bulb. As de Coster states of his design, “Usually unattractive, the electrical cable is here used to direct the lighting by a sliding motion turning it into a nice graphic element.”

“On top of it, the Loop lamp adopts different triangulations according to your requirements and draws beautiful lines in space,” he explains of the austere matte black lighting fixture and its matching rubber cord casing. Whether inspired by his studies in industrial design at the ESA Saint-Luc Liège or the following classes taken at the Politecnico di Milano, de Coster’s prolific range of work ethic-driven to playful designs show an expansive appreciation he must have for modern innovation.

Perhaps as a metaphor to his design style, he finishes the Loop lamp’s design statement by saying that “in a nutshell, (it is) a contemporary light that is interesting both off and on.”

About the Designer: Belgian designer, Quentin de Coster, was born in Liège in 1990. After his formative years proved his interest in object design and art, he went for industrial design at the ESA Saint-Luc Liège in 2008 before moving to Italy where he studied at Politecnico di Milano for a year, graduating in 2011. Forming his own studio back in his hometown, Quentin de Coster now develops products and furniture, collaborating with other designers and manufacturers worldwide.

A rocking horse is an iconic symbol of childhood. It offers the comfort of repetitive movement and the pleasure of an animal friend. In the case of Hesus, a steel and leather rocking horse designed by Israeli designer J. Key of J. Key Studio, it also offers a math lesson—a geometry lesson, to be exact. Hesus gets its form by using “one shape that is repeating itself in different scales into a composition of a horse abstract.” The shape is the triangle, which does a lovely job of evoking the noble animal.

Hesus rocking horse. Designed by J. Key Studio.

Steel and Leather Rocking Horse

Hesus uses triangular pieces of a circle at different scales to create an expressionistic horse. Constructed of stainless steel tubes welded together with a seat of braided leather, Hesus gets across the power and strength of the horse: the tubes reflect the horse’s underlying musculature and the leather echoes the animal’s rich and lustrous fur (as well as its mane).

Hesus is a wonderfully inventive piece for a modern nursery. It is also a perfect fit for Montessori schools or any institution with an unconventional or artistic bent. As much a piece of sculpture as it is an embodiment of the beauty of constraint, Hesus can teach onlookers about the wonder of mathematical precision.

Via Design Milk.

About the Designer: J. Key Studio is the creation of J. Key, a young graduate of the Holon Institute of Technology. Based in Tel-Aviv, Israel, J. Key Studio works on everyday objects such as lamps and candlesticks, as well as concept pieces such as bamboo pencils and modular irons.

Here’s a whole new wrinkle to the marketing ploy/industry buzzword known as modular furniturea; Tetran, as you might infer from the name, borrows from both the iconography of computer animation as well as the timeless childhood pastime of the building block. To be more specific, company founder and CEO Ruke Keragala admired both Legos and Transformers as a child, and he has instilled his extraordinarily versatile modular furniture system with a good dose of both.

Tetran Modular Furniture. Designed by Ruke Keragala. Manufactured by Tetran Living.

Build the Interior Landscape of your Dreams with Tetran Modular Furniture

Much in the spirit of the former, Tetran’s material profile is deceptively simple and mysteriously complex at once. The basic building block is a ¾” mdf panel, available in multiple shapes and sizes from long, thin rectangles to basic squares. Each and every one of these attaches together with Tetra’s patented FX_Facet Assembly or LX_Locks—a one-size-fits-all attachment mechanism that makes assembly (and dis-assembly) as easy as the snap of a Lego block.

Next, the CX_Cushions offer five inches of support foam capped with a three inch foam topper for superlative ergonomics and comfort—“changeable covers offer limitless fabrics and color options.”

Apropos of the idea of no limits, any self-respecting-kid who came of age in the 70s knew of the endless potential offered by Lego’s ingenious system. One could build skyscrapers and seascapes, rollercoasters and railroads with equal facility. Just so with Tetran, as the panels can either be embellished (with fabric, leather, or paint) or procured in the texturally interesting and visually compelling incarnations of hardwood, metal, glass, or stone.

The tremendous variety of finish options lends Tetran its extraordinary versatility. As you can see by taking a gander at the video on the Tetran website, said versatility manifests in quick change transformability and well-nigh endless adaptation: from clean, cool modern kitchens in a palette of silver, white, and icy blue glass; to contemporary office schemes with dark leather and smoky transparent panel partitions; to an oversized lounging booth in the chic tones of velvety red.

Via GizMag.

About the Manufacturer: Fed a steady diet of Legos and Transformers throughout his childhood, Sri Lankan-born Ruke Keragala parlayed this early passion for modular construction into “a new kind of furniture incorporating the modular principles of LEGOs and the transformative nature of Transformers… This transformative new type of modular furniture would meet the basic criteria of every furniture shopper.” The Tetran Modular System features interchangeable panels in recycled MDF, stone, metal, or wood; the integrated cushions can be outfitted in multiple colors and fabric styles, including leather, cotton, linen, fleece, wool, and silk.

Designer, scientist, abstract artist and astronaut come to mind when clicking through the vaguely worded descriptions throughout Han Koning’s website. His new Static Plastic L hanging lamp is proclaimed the way “to go BIG” by the Netherlands-based designer.

Static Plastic L lamp. Designed by Han Koning.

Blurring Imagination with Reality, the Static Plastic L Comes to Life Overhead

Created by hand out of PET-G and rubber, Koning’s “thermo-forced lightobject” is a large addition made for his SP-range that would be lovely above a dining or conference table, bringing to life the use of misconstrued lines that form an elongated, abstract blob that is similar to a mountain range or cumulonimbus cloud bursting with rain.

The SP series of “lightobjects” by Koning consists of a pendant, wall and floor lamp. Each of them are made by hand with the same thermo-forced PET-G plastic as the spaceship-looking Static Plastic L lamp and is, according to Koning, “given a unique height by means of the production method.” Continuing the description of the home or office lamps, they also explain how the four sizes have a horizontal contour of black trim, setting itself apart from the contrasting white glow of the bulbs within.

About the Designer: Han Koning is a designer of lighting, furniture, objects and other extraordinary pieces for the home and office. Based in the Netherlands, his designs cover a wide range of applications that include the home, office and even transportation (he has done both bike and airplane designs for fun).

When out for a great meal at a great restaurant with great service, we still want to be blown away by the intricate details that seem like second-nature to an exquisite, fine dining server. Sure, they’re putting on a show (we all know how that goes) but the ease in which they pour a bottle or hold a large platter is something of a phenomenon.

1010 Bina chairs. Designed by Frank Person. Manufactured by Kusch+Co.

The Beautiful 1010 Bina Chairs Bring Together a Timeless Look with Contract Quality for Any Setting.

While not designed for the hospitality or service industries, the 1010 Bina by Kusch+Co. dish up a fancy platter of their own… except instead of serving food, it’s instead a seat that sits poised atop colorful legs. As the designer of the chairs, Frank Person, describes them within the Kusch+Co. website, they represent “stability paired with elegance”.Combining solid wood with a fine figure that has been designed to the cut specified by the UK-based designer.

Continuing, Kusch+Co. speaks of the 1010 Bina chairs being “a synthesis of simplicity and playfulness”. Using his eye for color and shape, after having been trained as a glassblower at the glass-working school of Hadamar, Frank Person brings to life the graceful, platteresque chairs for the contract furniture company Kusch+Co.

About the Manufacturer: Frank Person is a glassblower, industrial designer and furniture designer who was born in 1963. He is the founding member and co-owner of the company Orange Design, founded in 1993. In the year 2000, he opened up his own design office that he calls fp.formgebung, and continues to freelance for companies like Koziol, Wella, Nusser, Steng Licht, and Kusch+Co. His designs are characterized by durability and a clever materials usage and have been honoured by IF Hannover and Design Center Stuttgart.

What an interesting day… This morning I had an email newsletter from Joe Lstiburek of Builder Science Corp that started; “Sometimes, in order to do the right thing you have to do “a workaround.” I love the “I-Codes.” But they can drive you crazy. I love them because most of the time they are right.
Read more …

Chroma is getting all dressed up. The translucent monolithic material made by 3form is now available in an exclusive range of metallic fabrics known as Chroma Morph. The three finishes—Morph Sterling, Morph Graphite, and Morph Platinum—lend the material an ethereal, ghostly quality. Like thick London fog or crepuscular dew, Chroma Morph evokes mystery with its smoky texture, taking Chroma from colorful to cryptic.

Chroma Morph. Manufactured by 3form.

Metallic Fabrics Dress Up 3form’s Monolithic Material

Chroma Morph are handmade fabrics designed specifically for 3form Chroma. The designs feature small weaves woven in silver, gold, and black, creating “a mysterious effect as the source of the reflection is hard to identify.” The reflective material looks best when front lit, though even when backlit, the metallic yarns cast wondrous shadows. And you can further enhance Chroma Morph by adding any of 3form’s standard colors or a diffuser layer “to define the perfect opacity.”

Chroma Morph creates high drama—without the trouble of traditional textiles. The renewable monolithic material from 3form is highly durable, so you can get the look of a soft and supple weave within an enduring material. Get the vaporous cast of the English Highlands or the cloudy ether of a smoky club with Chroma Morph.

About the Manufacturer: 3form cites multiple sources of inspiration in their rising trajectory as a leading manufacturer of innovative materials: committed people, breakthrough products, and a better planet. The first refers to their unparalleled team of designers, materials engineers, and architects; the second references achievements in lightweight, durable, and sustainable materials like Varia Ecoresin; and the third encapsulates 3form’s pledge to go green—to use renewable sources for power production, to employ reclaimed and recycled materials in the production stream, and to incorporate features that help earn LEED points in a variety of categories.

Starting out with gorgeous imagery, followed by a lengthy, dedicated description, the Atelier chair by EOOS for Walter Knoll uses the familiar phrase ‘form follows function’ to describe the reduced lines and visible purpose of each component within the singular lounge seat. But, as EOOS interprets the oft-used phrase in their own way by giving it functional clarity and a “sensuousness of the minimalist”, the leather and steel come together as the ‘skin and bones’.

Atelier chair. Designed by EOOS. Manufactured by Walter Knoll.

Gorgeous Steel Lines and Supple Texture Give the Modern Atelier Chair a ‘Form Follows Function’ Feel.

Draping down over the steel, the leather of the Atelier Chair gives the modern seating design an elegance that most chairs attempt to find. “Taut leather stretches over the steel framework – just as you would expect of genuine tubular steel furniture. The visible construction reveals the function of the chair. And ticking all the boxes: the patina effect – because leather does no reveal its true beauty until it is in use,” writes Walter Knoll of their new chair for 2012.

Reminiscent of the draped glass look that the Photochrome Suspension lamp by Jean Couvreur gives off – one that is fluid and yet solid at the same time – the Atelier chair’s easy going design is gentle on the eyes. The headrest of the Atelier chair  and its height of the backrest are both easily adjusted, with the leather sliding over the neck roll like a waterfall over weathered stone.

As Walter Knoll describes of the Atelier by EOOS, it is “the ideal place for daydreaming, resting and relaxing”.

About the Manufacturer: Walter Knoll is a German manufacturer based in Herrenberg, Germany who creates high quality residential furniture with special attention paid to high-tech developments and practical craftsmanship that ensures his designs will last. Since it opened in 2006, the company has been growing as a worldwide network, working with skilled designers in residential and office designs of chairs, desks and tables.

With more than 25 years experience in the textiles industry, designer Kristie Strasen opened her own firm in 2006. Place Textiles produces luxurious fabrics for residential and contract applications in beautiful neutrals and colors. But it’s texture that reigns supreme at Place Textiles, thanks in large measure to Strasen’s training as a hand weaver. Usually, it’s difficult to get elegant textiles in a hurry. Thanks to the Place in TIME Collection, however, you can be assured fine fabrics in the blink of an eye.

Place in TIME Collection. Manufactured by Place Textiles.

In Time and In Stock with Eight Go-To Fabrics

A group of eight versatile fabrics, Place in TIME ensures that these patterns are continually in stock. Retablo is a linen stamped with metallic foil, making it a sumptuous choice for any interior. Another linen in the collection is Havana, which is exceptionally heavy. Ideal for upholstery, Havana does not need to be backed. Clare is a soft flannel “that employs centuries-old finishing techniques” and Santiago is a 100% cotton that combines sturdiness and suppleness.

Two selections in Place in TIME are Durable Luxury™ fabrics: Oasis and Marmara are extremely colorfast, stain repellant, and machine washable. Both display the wondrous textures of finely woven textiles and hence make excellent accompanying fabrics. Last but not least is Veneto, a subtle stripe. Thanks to the Place in TIME Collection from Place Textiles, even procrastinators can relax—there’s always time for luxury.

Via Otto-Otto.

About the Manufacturer: Place Textiles is a textile company with a wide range of solids and patterns. Founded in 2006 by Kristie Strasen, who brings over 25 years experience designing textiles, the company offers luxurious fabrics for both residential and commercial markets. As of 2010, Place Textiles is also part of the Textiles Alliance Program (TAP) with Herman Miller, which pairs designated Herman Miller pieces with a selection of Place Textiles fabrics.

It’s funny, but after looking at the recent profusion of images of Colombo Design’s new Pegaso door handle on its recent sojourn through Bangkok, it seems this lovely artifact of the new millennium is designed to open everything but a door. That, of course, is overstating the case, as Pegaso is not only an iconic emblem of the metaphor of opening, but also an eminently functional implement. It just happens to be so gorgeous that it carries this extra bit of scenic oomph.

Pegaso door handle. Designed by Alberto Meda. Manufactured by Colombo Design.

Colombo Design’s Pegaso Door Handle Features Precision Tooling for High Performance

Of course, one look at Pegaso’s sleek aeronautical design and resplendent sheen and users will infer the above. In fact, the implement looks like some integral part of an aircraft, or even a self-propelled projectile in its own right.

Nor is Pegaso just some showy detail. The piece is made to last—Colombo Design’s intricate finishing process assures high performance. This means resistance to decay from both environmental and chemical agents, as well as low surface friction to withstand the typical onslaughts of keys and jewelry, or even the probing paws of pets.

These are incentives, to be sure. But as with any show-stopping detail, what matters most is that the piece, well, stops the show. This is indeed the case with Pegaso, as the handle’s lovely streamlined shape, perfectly vibrant finish, and undeniable texturality will absolutely steal the thunder from anything that surrounds it. And, yes, most likely that includes the door.

About the Manufacturer: Founded in 1990, manufacturer Colombo Design has traveled in the rarefied territory of ironmongery for 20+ years now, and they travel it well: “through a process of pressure die casting or forging, metal alloys are moulded into the forms most in demand on the market… the entirely computerized galvanic bath plant ensures the most avant-garde and refined finishings and guarantees their duration at the same time.” For the layman, this translates roughly to “Colombo Design makes some of the best door handles, toilet paper holders, soap dishes, and lighting systems on the global market.” Frequent collaboration with iconic Italian designers such as Alberto Meda and Bartoli Design confirms Colombo Design’s stellar reputation.