interior design

Back in grade school, whenever we were bored in class, some intrepid student would make a game by folding a paper at the corners so that it turned into four-sided origami. The creator of this Fortune Teller would slip his index fingers and thumbs into the four slots, and, via a system of numbers, give another student the prediction written inside the paper (of which there were various choices). The Fortune Teller was created by folding the paper at right angles in a series of moves I cannot quite recall, but in the end it was a three-dimensional paper sculpture composed of triangles. This game from my youth is what I’m reminded of when I look at Yakouza Lou, a limited edition chandelier designed and constructed by artist Eddy Sykes.
Yakou Lou. Designed by Eddy Sykes.
And, though Yakouza Lou looks like it comes from some exotic location straight out of a storybook, it hails from Detroit. Yes, not only is it made in the United States, but it’s also made in the middle of the United States, where both East and West coasters assume that nothing interesting happens. The kinetic chandelier, as its creator calls it, might take its movement from all the car manufacturing mojo flying about the Motor City. After all, it opens and closes on a complex system of hinges: “Yakuza Lou is a meticulously hand-made light sculpture that gracefully transforms itself—dynamically illuminating as it changes shape” (see the movement on video). Yakouza Lou—and even the designer doesn’t know what that name means—displays the brilliant craftsmanship of Eddy Sykes, who has fashioned every piece with its very own charm (note the complex abstract patterns on every triangle, like a Rorschach test).

The chandelier comes in brass or black chrome, in various sizes and configurations. Every piece takes up to four months construction, but the limited-edition, signed and numbered Yakouza Lou is worth the wait, since “it creates an experience like no other chandelier before it.”

I’d bet the two most popular materials in hot, design-savvy climates are concrete and silicone. Concrete, for its natural ability to keep you cool, and silicone, (for its not-so-natural ability) to keep you hot. Although Singapore designers Cici Chen and Lui Honfay of Cilicon Faytory have not intentionally wanted their designs compared to Le Corbusier or lip injections, their new Squeeze and Mushroom Collections have recently “lifted” the concrete furniture scene to new levels.
Mushrooms. Designed by Cilicon Faytory.
Admittedly eying their own Asian market before going worldwide, the duo may find that California’s design style and appreciation for every kind of garden works well with the simple structures. In fact, both Squeeze and Mushroom come with a special sealing agent applied to keep them virtually free of maintenance and perfect for both indoor or outdoor, public or residential use.
In the Squeeze Collection, simple lines and round edges give the appearance of a weighty, concrete park bench. Thankfully for your indecisive moments, each Squeeze piece is transported to instantly reconfigure any setting - embracing chance instead of dreading it. The Squeeze Collection comes in a two-seater, bench, stool, and coffee table and the colors vary from off-whites and tan shades, to grays and greens.
The Mushroom Collection is best recognized for the perfect, giant mushroom stool seat, but also comes in the two-seater and bench seating. The colors are the same as the Squeeze Collection - offering quite the variety to spruce up your indoor or outdoor space - but the shapes in the Mushroom Collection are much more abstract, coming in jesting, cloud-like shapes.

Squeeze. Designed by Cilicon Faytory.

Mushroom. Designed by Cilicon Faytory.

Squeeze. Designed by Cilicon Faytory.

Mushroom. Designed by Cilicon Faytory.
As youthful as their designs may seem, take a look at the Cilicon Faytory website and you’ll see Chen and Honfay put their serious side into sustainability. Using environmentally-friendly materials like coconut fiber and rubber wood in some of their furniture designs, they also sustain their overall practice by designing public spaces, fashionable rainboots, and through architectural projects that are currently under construction in Kuala Lampur.
Although Singapore is not Hollywood, Cilicon Faytory would shine with a bit of your garden’s limelight.

Perhaps you’re one of the lucky few—like my mother—for whom the high school experience was the epitome of “good times” (or “happy days,” as her particular generational cliché has it). But I suspect that the bulk of readers—whether children of the 70s, 80s, or 90s—remember high school as an emblem of subtle despair, and think of it fondly only in regards to its termination. Italian manufacturer Seletti offers the latter a cool retro way to recontextualize the past: Seletti Stack is a modular storage solution made of interlinking metal cabinets, the largest of which resembles the iconic high school locker.
Stack. Designed by Alessandro Zambelli.
Designed by Alessandro Zambelli, Stack debuted in April at Salone, but with the fearsome threat of back-to-school on the horizon, late July seems an ideal time to re-visit this colorful and creative assemblage of painted metal storage containers. In spite of the timelessness of the school locker, the piece certainly has a 50s vibe. This is owed to the muted pastel palette as much as the reference points for the various items (old-school safes, filing cabinets, office drawers, lab cabinets, and industrial closets). Stack is decidedly contemporary, however: back in the mid-century environs in which these items would have served a purely functional task, the color would have been uniform—and, most likely, uniformly drab—and the items would have been uniform as well.

So Stack’s eclectic assemblage poses quite a contrast from the rows of avocado lockers that symbolize high-school entrapment in films from Rebel Without a Cause to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Admittedly, Stack’s profusion of various shapes, sizes, and functions may seem a bit off-putting to those who prefer a highly symmetrical brand of organization. But if you appreciate a touch of chaos to your personalized method of arrangement, Stack has high appeal indeed
For other faux-messy modular storage pieces, check out A Pile of Suitcases, Schubladenstapel, and Decades by Wis.
Via InteriorDesign.

Here at Design*Sponge we jump at the chance to feature young, independent designers. Alice Saunders is the genius designer behind ForestBound, a unique line of accessories made out of upcycled, recycled, and salvaged materials. Alice spends a healthy amount of time sourcing antique, WWII military fabrics coupled with unexpected textiles such as vintage tents, backpacks, and grainsacks. She is quite the trailblazer on Etsy; her wares sell out almost as quickly as they are uploaded into her shop! Oh, and she moonlights as an organic farmer, in her “spare time”. She truly epitomizes ethical and sustainable American design. Alright y’all, give Alice a big, warm internet welcome!
1. Design*Sponge : What is in your toolbox?

Alice Saunders: So many things! Most importantly are my sewing machines… 3 industrials that I use pretty much all day long. The first machine I got, an Adler from the 1970’s, is one of my most cherished possessions.

I incorporate a good amount of leather into the work that I do so I’m also constantly using an array of leather working tools – rivet press, leather punch, various mallets, bevellers, skivers, etc. At a flea market a few months ago I came across a WWII era grommet setter with a few bags of military issue metal grommets. Since I use so much WWII era canvas in my work being able to incorporate bits of original hardware using the equipment that was originally used 60 years ago is a great feeling. I spend a huge amount of time assessing my materials in their original form and then taking them apart. Most of the canvas I work with originally comes as WWII era (or older) military duffel bags, cots, tents, etc. I’ve also started using a lot of grain sacks and feed bags that are 50+ years old. This means I need to take apart lots and lots of hems. I always use a very sharp knife for this part of the process.

I’m never without one of 3 knives – a Leatherman that I originally gave to my boyfriend as a Christmas present a few years ago but have sneakily claimed as my own, a camp knife from the 1950’s with a stacked leather handle, or a Carl Schlieper eye brand knife. And of course there’s fabric – I never have enough space for all of the fabric that I seem to accumulate. I spend a lot of time searching for and carefully collecting all the material that I use for my bags. These days it’s mostly military duffel bags, antique ticking fabric, grain sacks, old Boyscout packs, WWII era tents and cots.
2. Design*Sponge: Fill in the blank,”When I am in my studio I feel…”

CLICK HERE for the rest of Alice’s interview (her tips for staying organized + what superhero power she’d want!) after the jump!
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Back to the basics.  Simple wooden tables and shelves have been around for longer than any of us can remember. Latis, a bathroom creation from Omvivo, is inspired by the fundamentals of tradition and quality. Clean lines and uncomplicated forms meet timber and natural stone to create this bathroom suite designed by Thomas Coward, the principal designer for Australian manufacturer Omvivo.
Latis Trestle and Round Basin Designed by Omvivo.
“The Latis forms borrow from the crafts… from spinning clay on a wheel to the traditional nature of the trestle. The material relationships create a sentiment of history whilst maintaining a contemporary sensitivity” explains Thomas Coward, the principal designer for Omvivo. Contemporary finishes lend to a modern minimalist aesthetic, promoting relaxation through simplicity. Named after the Celtic Goddess of Water, the Latis range includes basins, the trestle vanity and a bath. The stone basins are available in round and rectangular designs with soft curves, in a variety of finishes and are set atop wood tables with wood or stone storage shelves underneath.  The deep rectangular soaker tub, the centerpiece of the collection, maintains an ultra-modern yet timeless aesthetic through the merging of traditional materials with chic diagonal lines and modern edges.  It features an optional timber end with practical open shelves. The bath and trestle vanity both have clean angled lines that contrast and compliment the sculptural form of the basins.

Latis Trestle, Round Basin and Bath with Timber Storage End. Designed by Omvivo.

Latis Trestle, Rectangle Basin and Bath with Timber Storage End. Designed by Omvivo.
Despite its traditional roots, Latis creates a modern minimalist bathroom style.  For another traditional-wood inspired design, check out the Home Sauna designed by KLAFS.

hello friends! this is  barb blair from knack, where i transform furniture on a weekly basis and love every minute of it. i opened knack studio about three years ago, but have been painting furniture for the past 8 years. in that time period there have been numerous creative experiences, which ultimately led to my passion for transformation and all things “furniture”.
i am thrilled to be joining you all as a new contributor here on d*s to share my passion, tips, and tricks with all of you! today and every thursday i hope you’ll join me before and after basics. each week i’m going to walk you through the basic steps you’ll need to tackle some of the methods you see in each week’s before & after projects. from paint washes and stains to stripping and painting furniture, i’ll teach you everything you need to know to create your own before & after masterpieces.
today we are going to tackle stripping furniture! the process of stripping wood back to its natural beauty (by removing layers of old paint and varnish) is truly a labor of love. but if you have the patience, the process is a win win situation in the end! even if you’re planning on stripping down the layers to repaint again, this process will teach you the skills you need to get done to the heart of your favorite piece. so let’s get started!

CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump!
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Like my beloved Spaghetti Chandelier, which brought back childhood memories of spending Saturdays with my father at construction sites, Cage puts me in mind of the plastic light guards of my youth. I had a fondness for those orange coops, especially for their cocooning effect on naked bulbs. It’s the same feeling that I get from the Eiffel Tower and Brooklyn Bridge—an offering of simplicity and transparency that still maintains complexity. Scaffolding of any kind will also entrance me. Clearly, I am not the only one who favors grates and grids. Exhibit A: the Cage Group of lamps from UK company Dare Studio.
Cage Group. Designed by Dare Studio.
These laser-cut aluminum wonders can be used as a pendant light, lamp base, or freestanding light. The small size measures 12” W x 13+” H; the large 18” W x 20” H. Powder-coated in a variety of finishes, Cage Group comes in an array of vibrant colors: Traffic Red, Sulphur Yellow, Coral, Graphite Grey, Oyster White, and Blue Black. Bulbs hang inside Cage as if caressed by the robotic hand of a sentient cyborg. I admit, I’m fascinated by the beauty of light bulbs: the curvature of the thin glass, the flicker of the hot filament, the spirals of the metal base. Consequently, any fixture that flaunts its incandescent innards appeals to me.

Despite my odd love affair with the bulb, Cage Group lights up beautifully. It casts lovely shadows—both of circles and lines, since the bulbous shape gets tempered by angular pieces of aluminum. As a lamp base, the exposed red cord snakes its way through the truss, reinforcing the linearity of the piece. I also love a red cord: it ties into pleasant memories of old Electroluxes and Kirbys (I hope there’s no analysts out there deciphering my fixations on skeletal casings and scarlet cables). The bottom line is that Dare Studio’s Cage Group deserves a long look.

sometimes there’s nothing quite like a good makeunder: taking something that has been decorated, painted, or bulked up somehow and stripping it down to a simpler, purer state.  this chair, the brainchild of lauren and nick of second coat design in boston, is a perfect example of this theory in action; i never would have thought such an airy, modern chair could be found under all of those layers of paint! they found the lovely embroidered fabric from the etsy seller kainkain, who was kind enough to make them a custom piece for the project. i just can’t get over what a lovely transformation this is! it definitely inspires me to bring some old furniture back to basics. great work, lauren and nick! -kate
*stay tuned for a new column today at 12, before & after basics, where we’ll learn how to strip furniture like this!

CLICK HERE for jennie’s amazing chandelier (i love the bulb change-out!) after the jump!
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Perusing OWI this morning, I came across this Chapel House in the Flemish village of Bazel. While the chapel windows and lofty ceilings definitely induce envy, the mix of soft muted colors and occasional odd material makes for an inspiring interior. Perhaps with the right paint color in a strategic spot and the addition of a few antiques or collectibles, you can steal a little bit of the look for your own home. Also, take a look at their use of chicken wire, or at least that’s what it looks like… photos below.
Photos: Verne

That is chicken wire used on the staircase, right??

To see more, visit OWI.

Okay, so we usually try to avoid featuring things from IKEA, because you most likely already know what they have and it’s a no-brainer if you’re on a very tight budget. But this little desk seems like the perfect sort of thing for a cramped workspace, and with the inside lined in felt with pockets and paper holders, plus a cable management compartment, it’s suddenly sprung from so-so to a wow-that’s-a-big-bang-for-your-buck sort of item. Keep in mind you’d still have to buy the legs, but that’s not a lot to add on price wise.

-Cable outlets and compartment in the back keeps cords and cables out of sight but close at hand.
-Spring hinges let the lid close gently and silently.
-Inside lined in felt; absorbs sound and can also be used as a notice board.
-Pockets and paper holders on the inside of the lid. Easy to keep your workspace well organized.

Width: 39 ”
Depth: 23 5/8 ”
Height: 4 3/8 “

i am seriously in awe of the amount of skill that went into transferring these stencils onto the surface of this desk. i have hard time keeping a stencil straight when it’s simply on a piece of paper…seriously, way to go jill! this was jill’s desk as a child. she revamped it so that her boyfriend (a screenwriter) can use it for work. while the original does have rustic charm, i love that with some skilled handiwork the desk now has a totally different feel. the decorative stencil details you can only see up close are also a nice surprise. great job, jill! -kate

CLICK HERE for jill’s desk makeover after the jump!
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sometimes the most entertaining part of going to flea markets or yard sales is to see the ‘disasters’- unfortunate pieces of furniture have already been through a transformation: one that’s a bit more frankenstein than cinderella (i know this a tragically conventional notion of beauty…sorry frankenstein.). some of us laugh and continue to walk on by, having deemed the triage involved too time-consuming to bother (note: i am one of these people). i really have respect for the brave souls that decide to take on this type of recovery project.
when ryan found this poor chair at the flea market, it had been painted hot pink with standard house paint, including all the caning and the stitching (yikes!). after numerous sanding sessions, a lot of elbow grease, and some smart color choices, she managed to bring the chair back to glory. the color choices are fresh and crisp, which doesn’t surprise me after viewing ryan’s art prints at her site modernpop, or on her etsy shop.  good work, ryan! -kate

CLICK HERE for the sara’s knitted table runner after the jump!
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