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  • Interactive Tables Exploring the Boundaries Between Sculpture and Furniture

    Interactive Tables Exploring the Boundaries Between Sculpture and Furniture

    Here at Designlike, we always love the idea of buying versatile furniture items with dynamic designs. Having multiple functions, a product allows you to enjoy it in different contexts, interior designs and for various needs, so besides the fact that they are great-looking, you won’t get bored of them becomes they always change their appearance. This is also the case of these lovely low tables in this post, which are both functional and sculptural depending the shape you want to give it. Designed by Michael Jantzen, the unconventional pieces, called suggestively Interactive Segmented Tables, explore the boundaries between sculpture and furniture in a way that allows the user to alter their function and/or form.

    Black-and-white-table

    They are created with a series of identical segments held together by two vertical support pieces that serve as the table’s legs. Once the user lose the  two disc-shaped knobs fitted on the either end, each one of the identical segments can be rotated around a center support rod to form numerous different shapes and sizes. The segments has one or more flat sides and two color patterns, so each time the user change the segments up, he obtains beautiful tables with a tremendous visual impact.

    Whether you like the one in white and green, in black and white, or the one in yellow and grey, Michael Jantzen‘s Interactive Segmented Tables are not simple furniture items, but definitely statement pieces, which draw anyone’s attention through these great games of function, color patterns, and form that they create. Line up the segments horizontally and you get a flat table. At this point, the tables become more functional and less sculptural. On the contrary, if you want something different, more artistic, then change their positions at different angles. In this way, you’ll get a more sculptural table, than a functional one. Awesome the concept, isn’t it? That why it’s great when furniture pieces allows you to interact with them. You can create unexpected gorgeous things for your home.

    Interactive-black-table-01

    Interactive-black-table

    Green-and-white-table

    Interactive-green-table

    Interactive-green-table-01

    Interesting-yellow-table

    Segmented-yellow-table

    Segmented-yellow-table-01

    Photos © Michael Jantzen

  • Play with the Unique Bathroom Furniture Set from ArtCeram

    Play with the Unique Bathroom Furniture Set from ArtCeram

    The design of sanitary ware has changed a lot over time also because people’s approach regarding bathroom is another. Therefore, purely utilitarian bathrooms are a thing of the past. This space, where we tend to spend far more time then before, performs nowadays more than a simple functional role, where daily cleansing would take place; it’s more of a sanctuary, where people want to feel pampered, “borrowing” a spa-like identity similar to that of those found in luxury resorts and high-end hotels.

    Bathroom-collection-by-Meneghello-Paolelli

    Creative, spacious, stylish, and comfortable are some of the keywords that defines today’s bathrooms. Remodelling your bath with sanitary ware that are more like statement piece than just functional pieces will not only enhance this space, making them more attractive, but also will instantly increase your home’s value. Think about the feeling you want your bath to evoke and it remains only to harmonize the design with the rest of the house.

    Today we thought to inspire you in this process, if you’re planning to redesign your bathroom, and found a pretty unique and really beautiful collection signed by designers Sandro Meneghello and Marco Paolelli from Meneghello Paolelli Associati. The Italian design duo have designed the “PLAY” collection for ArtCeram, the Italian company which has become internationally known through the years due to constant technological research, investment in design and a focus on forecasting new trends. Constantly experimenting with original solutions to expand the functionality of the bathroom, the collaboration between the company and the Italian design agency Meneghello Paolelli Associati proved to be successful, and this bathroom furniture set speaks for itself.

    Bathroom-furniture

    Elegant and graceful, “PLAY” collection helps you bring more creativity into your bathroom through a very interesting concept. It’s based on the principle of optical illusion, making the observer intrigued by the product as it creates a certain confusion by not revealing everything from the beginning. Unlike other bathroom furnishings which have a complete definition of a module where it ends and where another begins, where there is a door, etc.,  ArtCeram’s exclusive collection is original-looking and full of emotions letting you discover gradually its exquisite, modern design. The set of modules can be combined together to create different and dynamic compositions, in an endless of possibilities. Below you have some great and inspiring pictures with them.

    Bathroom-washbasin-with-cabinets

    Bathroom-design-by-Meneghello-Paolelli

    Bathroom-furniture-by-Meneghello-Paolelli

    Photos © Meneghello Paolelli Associati

  • Interesting Clothes Hanger with Floor Mirror for Bedroom

    Interesting Clothes Hanger with Floor Mirror for Bedroom

    How many of you have an armchair in your bedrooms, where you often throw your clothes on? We think many of you out there have an armchair or something similar to keep the clothes you want to wear 2-3 days in a row and you don’t want to put them in your closet or in the laundry just after one day. In this post we share with you a very interesting furniture piece which can successfully replace your armchair.

    The creative idea belongs to Studio Sigga Heimis and the product was designed for the Korean brand JAJU last year. It’s a clothes hanger with a floor mirror attached, that can be used, as we said before, to put your clothes on, shoes and bags, but also to arrange while you’re dressing. With a minimalist appearance, the clothes hanger is very practical and looks appealing as well, being suitable for any kind of interior design style.

    Hanger-for-clothes-and-mirror

    Floor-mirror-and-hanger

    Photos @ archello.com

     

  • Future Learning Environments for Karolinska Institute in Sweden

    Future Learning Environments for Karolinska Institute in Sweden

    Have you ever thought how does space space impact on learning? The architecture of the academic centers has traditionally been viewed as a means of satisfying utilitarian functionality, but in fact imposing architectural plans are more than just an accidental arrangement of space and building materials, they reflect distinctive educational assumptions and pedagogical objectives,  a particular approach to learning, or a certain educational philosophy.

    Institute-building

    Students in the  21st century have other learning demands than those of 100 years ago had, and space designs should be adapted according to nowadays education objectives such as creativity, collaboration and student centered learning. Grounded on research, learning and higher education,  “Future Learning Environments” is a project started in 2009 by Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, where the main objective was to improve and expand teaching environments for its students. They commissioned the interior design studio Tengbom to develop the interiors of the project and also interpret Karolinska Institute’s design manual on the Formal Learning Environments.

    Institute-interior

    Choosing the “home” as a metaphor, Tengbom proposed to create a “Home away from Home,” a second home for the informal zones at the Karolinska Institute in Solna. These facilities are located primarily next to the lecture halls and were initially “leftover” and unused areas. The “Home away from Home” concept meant a natural meeting place, a social arena, where students, teachers and researchers can meet and get together, exchange thoughts and ideas, socialize, learn from one another-peer learning.

    A meeting place with areas for meals, communal activity, open squares, space in the room and reading areas for concentrated study, but also with a central information point. The end result is a compact and cosy environment, which creates a positive, productive hustle and bustle. This variety was designed to help people from different cultures to get on well together and feel at home. Through this new interior design for Karolinska Institute at Solna , its brand is strengthened into a place accessible to everyone. Here are some images to understand better the design concept.

    Places-for-learning

    Places-for-eating

    Karolinska-Institute

    Places-for-socializing

    Spaces-to-socialize

    Karolinska- Institute-Sweden

    Kitchen-area

    Learning-areas

    Area-for-interaction

    Photos © Sten Jansin

     

    Project details:

    Client: The Karolinska Institute
    Year of Commission: 2011-2012
    Interior Design and style: Tengbom
    City: Solna
  • Aura Collection by Mikko Laakkonen – Lounge Chair and Sofa for Peaceful Interiors

    Aura Collection by Mikko Laakkonen – Lounge Chair and Sofa for Peaceful Interiors

    With a well defined personality and gorgeous look, Aura Collection designed by Helsinki-based designer Mikko Laakkonen for Finnish producer Inno was recently awarded the red dot: best of the best 2013 design award for its elaborate and innovative design. Aura Collection consists of two highly creative furniture pieces: a cozy two-seater sofa and a sympathetic lounge chair, both designed with the highest material quality.

    Aura-lounge-chairs

    They showcase Finnish modern design and their minimalist colorful appearance makes them very stylish and attractive. Both have a clean and symmetrical structure, with rounded shapes, which allows you to mix them together to form harmonious and comfortable Aura groups or you can simply use the products separately.

    Unlike the Aura chair which features a slightly lower back to give the person sitting in it the possibility to have a better view of the surroundings, the seductive Aura sofa has a higher back give a characteristic identity, and making it to work as a divider too.  It adapts to the lumbar area and clears the spinal column, offering a greater feeling of freedom. The chairs can also be used as side chairs. Available in different color combination to suit your taste and interior design.

    Aura-chair-and-sofa

    Aura-sofa

     

    Aura-sofa-yellow

    Photos © Inno

  • Gas Vs. Electric Bosch Tankless Water Heater

    Gas Vs. Electric Bosch Tankless Water Heater

    Are there any people who have recently tried to choose the best type of high efficiency water heater for their apartment? Just wanted to share some of my ideas as for this issue. I have a task for the next two weeks which is to trim my bathroom with a new water heater. So, I have made some preliminary investigations concerning this matter.

    Active-Indirect-Water-Heater-Diagram

    Principles-tankless-water-heater

    I should say at once that the best place for such investigations is Westside Wholesale. It offers a unique choice of diversified water heater models and brands. There you can find almost anything that a modern technology progress can suggest for home marketing.

    As for the brand I have almost no doubts. Bosch is my favorite one. This company has a long history and provides its customers with high quality products and good warranty and post-warranty services. If any spare part is broken, you are sure to replace it quickly and without some immense material contributions. So, returning back to Westside Wholesale website and their Bosh tankless water heaters page, here starts the main problem. What is more reasonable to choose a gas tankless water heater or an electric tankless water heater?

    Bosh-Westside

    I have made up a list of the most important characteristics that can influence your choice. If there will be any additions I will be glad to read them as it will help not only me, but other readers as well.

    The first crucial characteristic for any tankless water heater is its efficiency level. Here are two main concerns to be thought over. Both electric and gas tankless water heaters are highly efficient, but they have one big difference. Gas tankless water heaters need less time for heating the water while exploitation of electric tankless water heaters costs less in monthly energy expenses.

    The second point is the price. Bosh gas tankless water heaters usually cost more than Bosh electric tankless water heaters. The price range differs significantly, though I have found several models that are of more or less similar prices for both gas and electric supplied water heaters. Just compare Bosch Tankless Water Heater, 240V 120A Electric Single-Point Powerstream Pro Canadian Model- Indoor and Bosch Tankless Water Heater, Natural Gas 117,000 BTU Max Piezo Ignition Non-Condensing Whole House – Indoor, 5.2 GPM. Both cost about $700.00, have free shipping and feature a wide specter of useful characteristics.

    Installation challenges. Again it is a two-fold situation. Electric tankless water heater installation is more difficult and usually should be performed by a professional which makes it more expensive. While gas tankless water heater installation process is not so complicated, but operating with gas related appliances is of great risk for your safety because natural gas fuel is easily exploded.

    The environmental issue can also be of great importance especially for those who are concerned about this problem. It has been proved that gas water heaters use natural resources which negatively reflects on our planet. Besides, government testing states that electric tankless water heaters are safer.

    The last crucial point that comes to my mind is Bosch tankless water heaters durability. The minimum life span of tankless water heaters, provided that they have been installed and maintained correctly, is about 10 years. Still following all the manufacturer’s requirements these terms can be significantly prolonged. Depending on size, installation process and corrosion and mineral build-up amount, Bosh electric tankless water heaters have an average life span as long as 25 years while Bosh gas tankless water heaters are more likely to serve you for about 20 years.

    As for me I am still thinking what type of Bosch tankless water heater to buy. I will highly appreciate any advice from your side.

     

  • Chic Chair Design by Sara Åkersén for Indoor and Outdoor

    Chic Chair Design by Sara Åkersén for Indoor and Outdoor

    Yesterday, we shared with you guys a sustainable flower pot design belonging to Nola’s great outdoor furniture collection and for those of you who are looking inspiration for decorating  entrances, hallways, storage areas and public spaces, we thought to show you another product made from their brand, a chic chair design created by Swedish designer Sara Åkersén. Bill, as it was entitled, is a lovely chair small in size, but very attractive in its appearance.

    Crafted in aluminum, Bill is a beautiful combination of functionality and style, which makes it ideal for any modern exterior designs, as well as interior settings, where it can double as short-term seating or be used as a stool. Its simple, yet playful look, puts a smile on your face and invites you to rest for awhile. Several pieces can be placed side-by-side to form a long bench as illustrated below. For other details and color disponibility, check out Nola’s website from our previous post.

     

    Seat-design

    Colorful-seat-design

    Bill-seat-by-Sara-Åkersén

    Bill-seat-by-Sara-Åkersén-01

    Photos © Nola

  • Unique Sustainable Flower Pot that Glows at Night by Julie Storm for Nola

    Unique Sustainable Flower Pot that Glows at Night by Julie Storm for Nola

    For more than four decades, the principle of making comfortable, accessible outdoor designs has shaped the Swedish brand Nola. Studying the city center and the urban landscape for years allows them nowadays to deliver high quality products with award-winning designs for public projects and urban spaces. Scoop Moonlight Planter, we’re showing you in today’s post, was a great find a few days ago. It was designed by Julie Storm and belongs to Nola’s amazing outdoor furniture collection.

    Colorful-outdoor-flower-pots

    With an eye-catching appearance, this flower pot seems at first glance like any other, a simple colorful planter in which flowers and other plants are placed in and displayed. But in fact, Scoop Moonlight Planter is very special and this thing is demonstrated by the 2013 Green Good Design Award it received, being mentioned as one of the most important examples of sustainable design in the world. Planters are designed to make both urban and indoor environments a little bit more beautiful, and a whole lot easier to live in, but the Scoop Moonlight has also been created to support a healthier living.

    Unlike the standard flower pots, thanks to an integrated lighting unit, this colorful planter casts soft light over plants long after the sun has set, transforming flowers, stems and leaves into unique lighting features. This characteristic makes it equally striking during the day as it is at night, while bold colors give its simple shape big personality.

    Scoop-Moonlight-planter

    Made from recycled plastic that is fade-resistant and weatherproof, the planter can be cleaned with soap and mild detergents created especially for plastic, or by a pressurised water hose if used on a low pressure setting. Weightning 18 kg without plants inside and 100-120 kg with plants and compost inside, Scoop Moonlight itself is fully assembled and comes in various bright colors such as yellow, orange, red, lilac, light yellow, lime green, grey, black, granite and sand. Nothing like a planter that works just as well inside as it does outside!

    Planter-from-sustainable-material

    Scoop-Moonlight-planter-black

    Scoop-Moonlight-planter-orange

    Photos © Nola