bltd

While this chair was designed in 1946, I can’t say that I’ve seen it around that much. Now, the Domus Chair, sure, that’s no stranger, but the curvy lounge chair pictured above is brand new to my eyes. The black stained version has my name written all over it (you just can’t see it because the text is so small, ha ha).

“The characteristic Domus Lounge Chair was designed, alongside the Domus chair, for the public spaces at the Domus Academica’s student housing.”

Designed by Iilmari Tapiovaara
Dimensions: 59w x 70.5d x 39/86.5h

If you can’t afford (or find) Cristian Zuzunaga’s artwork, maybe this colourful tote bag will give you enough of a fix. If you’re not familiar with his work, take a look at his site (you’ve probably seen the results of his collaborations with Moroso and Ligne Roset).

100% Cotton.
Cristian Zuzunaga’s website

Ooo, check out this modular bookcase by Autoban. You stack the modules up and put all your books and magazines in between, to “create your own reading environment recalling the tall, water-side grasses of nature…” hence the name Reedy.

Designed by: Autoban
Available in stainless steel or painted iron.

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Our second free header spot* goes to Martin Zampach. His ICEBLOX look like a lot of fun (note that the silicone mold can be used also for making chocolate, jelly and biscuits), so he gets a little free spot here on BLTD. We asked him a few questions about the design process:

What inspired you to create this product?
Actually inspiration came from my childhood when I was playing tetris like crazy on small one-purpose game handheld. Then It came to my mind again when I was in Moscow in summer 2007. Actually creator of this game is Russian engineer who designed it in 1984. I’ve got the idea that with ice or chocolate cubes could be fun too.
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Maybe it’s not picnic weather just yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare for it. This flatware is pretty clever in that the fork and spoon fit inside the handle of the knife, and then all 3 snap shut inside the cover. That means you have your own flatware for picnics, camping, or, if you’re particularly OCD, at restaurants.

Measures 7″ long x 1.5″ wide.
$16 per set

I’ve been seeing some of these shots around on other blogs and it reminded me of the story I initially saw on LoftLife. Often I veer towards a minimal aesthetic, where I’ll pack away all the knicknacks and thingamajigs I’ve acquired over the years, only to run across photos like these which remind me of how nice a home is when it tells a story. I mean that in a ‘collect-stuff-that-you-love’ sort of way, not in an ‘I-hired-a-designer’ sort of way, does that make sense? I think sometimes it’s hard to tell in interiors magazines which way that pendulum swings, but in the case of Anita Calero’s loft, it just seems obvious that it’s all her. Her stuff, her likes, her collections. (Watch someone tell me she hired a designer.)

That’s enough of my rambling. Click ‘Read More’ for more photos (and a little more rambling).

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Good looking task chairs are hard to come by, and while I’m not sure about the ergonomics of this one by Konstantin Grcic, it sure kicks the heck out of the ones at your local office supply. It looks simple and minimal (if I had a dime for everytime I used those two words…) plus swivels and adjusts in height with a gas piston lever.

Designed by Konstantin Grcic
Material: Frame in steel tube painted in epoxy resin. Foot-rest in die-cast aluminum.
Specs: 63w x 30.5h (inches)

Charles Booth’s renowned surveys (1898-9) classified sections of London by poverty levels. Maybe not so interesting if you’ve never been to London, but seeing as I live here, it’s interesting to see how things have (and haven’t) changed.

See Charles Booth Online Archive for maps and more historical info.

36 pages of A4 paper

Check out this gift/greeting card. It’s a simple pop-out card that turns into a mini living garden. Instructions and seeds are included, so all that’s needed is a little water and sunlight. Within a couple of days your recipient will have their own mini garden.

designed and produced by A Studio for Design
Choose from the three designs available: Allotment, City or Botanical

Well, this ‘chair’ might not be the most comfortable, but it will mark the spot where to stack your magazines.

Vinyl wall-sticker by Florian Kremb
H78 cm x W36cm

[via The Sunday Times]

With all the fancy (i.e. expensive) wallpapers available nowadays, it’s hard to be constrained by a budget. If you can’t quite afford your wallpaper of choice, an alternative to consider is stenciling. While this might bring to mind unfortunate images of hearts and flowers and ducks, forget about all that. Graphic designer Ed Roth’s stencils are simple patterns that will change up a wall with a few easy steps, and if that sounds scary, no worries, there’s a how to video that’ll ease your beginner fears.

-portfolio of reusable stencils, project instructions, and photographs

10 die-cut recyclable plastic stencils
11 x 11-5/8 inches

Nice, eh? Not sure if you guessed already, but these two watches were inspired by a soccer ball. Score!

Made of an ABS plastic case, an acrylic crystal, and a polyurethane band.
& design, 2007

Hexagon White, $75.00 ($67.50 Members)
Pentagon Black, $75.00 ($67.50 Members)

These two kitchens (shot by Stuart McIntyre) are entirely tempting to put into my future kitchen renovation file. However, the lack of upper cabinets seems sort of… scary. I know it’s quite a popular option, as it opens up the room and allows display of dinner and glass ware, but losing all that storage space seems risky. I love the way it looks, but I’ll have to think of alternate storage options if I go that route, as I have very little lower cabinet storage space.

Good ol’ honest Abe. I’m a believer in silly mugs, as they make early mornings a little more bearable.

Ceramic
3″d