Take a HUSH Break

I’m sure we’ve all had days when we aren’t inspired to do much and just want to curl up somewhere with a good book.  Or to hide and take a nap.  The womb-like HUSHis the perfect escape pod.

HUSH in its most open form, ready and welcoming.

Designed by Freyja Sewell, HUSH is constructed from a single piece of industrial felt.  The felt is water jet cut and then stitched with wool yarn.  The cushions are filled with recycled wool fibres.

There are multiple ways to enjoy the comfort of HUSH.

As evidenced in the photos, HUSH provides a plethora of privacy and seating options – enjoy the high-backed comfort and the view or button it up for some alone time.

A Definite Improvement for Waiting Room Seating

How many times have you gone into a waiting area at the doctor’s office or the airport or some other space and looked at the chairs with dismay?  Many people clearly do not care about the impression they make on guests who visit their inner lairs.

Plot, both solo and grouped to create a unique seating arrangement. (Photos by Michael Tewes.)

If you happen to care about the impression you make on those visiting you and want them to feel comfortable, perhaps you’ll be inspired by Berlin-based duo osko+deichmann.

The options for Plot are limited only by your imagination. And your space constraints. (Photo by Michael Tewes.)

Produced by Brunner, Plot is a modular seating system that stems from the many organic, cascading forms seen in nature.  Each module consists or a bottom seat cushion, an armrest, and a backrest.  Each individual module is identical, with the exception of colour / material customization; joined together, the modules create unlimited seating options.

Another option from osko+deichmann is the wire-framed Pebble, produced by Blå Station.  Pebble was designed with thoughts of a stone’s strength and ability to “relax the mind and provide energy.”

Pebble seating options.

Shiner’s Versatile Float

We move from the warmth of indoors to sunny skies and the first upcoming long weekend of the summer in Toronto!  “May 2-4,” as it is affectionately called, is Canada’s official entrance into summer.  For those who have not yet opened up their cottages, they will this coming weekend.

Shiner’s Float series is suitable both on the deck and in the pool!

Whether in the city or at the cottage, Shiner‘s Float series of outdoor furniture could be just the thing to maximize your weekend relaxation.  Made from a lightweight, durable plasticized foam, the material does not break down or become penetrated by water.  Rather, the Float series does just that…it floats in water!

Flip the Float chair and it transforms into a rocking chair for extra lounging comfort.

As another added bonus, when the chair is flipped over, it becomes a rocker!  Happy long weekend!!

 

Stools Designers Love

Made from re-purposed skateboards with semigloss finish by Deckstool Circuit.

From the pages of Interior Design‘sFall Market Tabloid issue come the following designer-loved stools, including one made from re-purposed skateboards (shown at left).

Some of the featured stool designs from the Fall Market Tabloid issue of Interior Design, include the Rasta Stool by Project Flywheel (top left) and UM 02 by UM Project Lappulii (centre bottom)

Do you agree with the highlighted choices?  Which is your favourite?  Would you suggest another?

All images courtesy of Interior Design.  Photos shot by Paul Godwin.  Read the full story from the issue here.

Old Clothing + Resin = New Chairs

Looking for something to do with those old jeans that don’t fit but, for some reason, stay in your closet?  Tobias Juretzek has a solution: the Rememberme Chair.

“The wear and use of clothes gives them a vibrant story.  But does [the story] lose its significance if [the clothing] isn’t worn anymore?  The personal [memory] lives on, but the supposed function is no longer in demand. 

The design takes advantage of this condition and gives a new expression to material, to the already done work, to original shape, and to its life story.  Randomnesses are purposely utilized and, including an eye on recycling matters, result in a further part of this concept.”

Produced and distributed by Italy-based Casamania as part of the 2011 collection,  each chair is unique and tells its own story.  Embracing the concept of “Reuse. Reduce. Recycle.” the chairs are made using old jeans.  Resin is used to bind the material together and add strength and durability.

Stylish and Stackable Outdoor Furniture

If you’re short on outdoor space, or simply don’t like to leave your patio furniture set up all day, every day, there are several great options for compact, stackable furniture.  Your space remains neat and tidy looking, no matter its size, and you add in a sculptural element to your backyard (or balcony) mix.

Ego Paris: Puzzle Set

The Puzzle Set, presented by Ego Paris, contains four (4) lounge chairs, two (2) chaises, and two (2) low tables, all of which tuck neatly together for storage or display (shown at left).  The outdoor fabric is offered in six (6) colour options and there is an aluminum side table that can be lacquered in one of twenty-eight (28) colours.

Stackable "Golf Ball"

If you prefer round to square, how about the “golf ball sculpture?”  This set includes four (4) generously sized lounge chairs and a great table that can be used in any number of ways.

Dedon: Obelisk

The Obelisk by Dedon was introduced a few years ago — long enough for others to produce similar items.  The original, available in both Stone and Platinum, offers a vast range of fabric options for the cushions.  There are more than fifty (50) base fabric options which can be mixed and matched with the decorative toss cushion fabric(s).

The Obelisk-inspired models (which include the “golf ball”) are made from rattan instead of a woven polyethylene and the end quality is definitely not the same.  However, given that the Obelisk can cost upwards of $9,000 and the others for $4,000 or less, a difference in quality is to be expected.

Obelisk-inspired Sets

A Taste of Paris: Bistro Style

Ultramarine Blue set from http://www.gardeners.com

Black & White Toile design

The first sign of warm weather and Canadians immediately don lighter clothing and neighbourhoods come alive… patio season has sprung!  And with patio season comes thoughts of decorating our own outdoor spaces; it’s time to enjoy as much time en plein air as possible.

Enter the quintessential bistro style reference — Parisian.  Thoughts of small, round bistro tables (no more than 30″ in diameter), which fit on even the smallest of balconies.  Red and white gingham checks.  Both simple and intricate patterns and designs are equally fabulous.  Easy to move about, clean and store while still looking chic, open, airy, and welcoming…

International Caravan: Montego Wrought Iron Folding Bistro set

Though you can spend a small fortune on even the most basic of sets (table and two chairs), there are several stylish options available for less than $250.  Take a trip to your local Canadian Tire to view several options.

Canadian Tire options (left to right): Satori, Bradford, & Cast

The Sugarchair

The Sugarchair, along with a couple quotes.

The name says it all.  This Sugarchair is, indeed, made entirely of sugar.  Almost 30 kg worth (or 65-plus pounds, if you prefer), making it one very large, albeit oddly shaped, lollipop.

Designer Pieter Brenner believes he has placed “choice of material, individualization and recycling on a new level” through the creation of a chair which will slowly disappear as it is used, whether because it is being eaten or slowly melting and altering shape.  As such, the design will always be dynamic and may change daily, if not more frequently, as the end-user interacts with the form and composition of the chair.

One Giant, Functional Lollipop

It may not be the most practical choice of seating, nor the most long-term, but it will certainly come in handy when you need a sugar high.  And who could resist the bright pop of colour?

Solar Powered SOFT Rocker

MIT-designed SOFT Rocker

Hmmm… useful urban furniture with multiple purposes that make a great design statement to boot?  Hard to find, perhaps, but it does exist.  Case in point: MIT’s SOFT Rocker doubles as a smart, clean energy charging station.

Designed as an alternative to conventional urban design pieces by professor Sheila Kennedy and a team of students for the Festival of Art+Science+Technology (FAST), the dynamic rocker leverages human power to create an interactive 1.5 axis 35 watt solar tracking system.

SOFT Rocker illuminated

The teardrop-shaped, solar-panel-covered seats also act as charging stations.  They rotate on an axis to optimally align with the sun and generate additional energy from the gentle rocking motion created when a person lounges inside.  The harvested energy powers three (3) USB ports and illuminates an interior light strip, making it perfect for recharging electronic devices, reading, or simply relaxing and listening to your iPod.

The Ultimate Spring Chair

Bloom Chair in Poppy

Kenneth Cobonpue has designed the ultimate spring-like chair: the aptly named Bloom Chair.

Available in bright bursts of colour — Poppy, Yellow, Moss Green or Light Green — Bloom comes in both club and easy chair styles.  The easy chair is substantially larger, measuring approximately 41″w x 37.5″d versus the club chair, which is 31.5″w x 27.5″d.

Covered in deep folds of microfiber stitched into a steel base, it quite literally blossoms and enfolds the occupant.

Bloom Chair: from all angles