Milan Design Week: Spotlight on Nendo

Sarah O — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:44:38 -0700

Tokyo-based designer Nendo has been all the buzz in the design world as of late, stepping up to the plate in a big way for the likes of giants Lexus and Issey Miyake. What follows is three of his latest creations.

Enhance Your Flower Power With the Antibodi Chair

Sarah O — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:52:21 -0700

The Italian-made Antibodi Chair created by Patricia Urquiola is a blossoming interior design statement. If you're digging springtime but its still a little too cold to fully enjoy the outdoors, this chair will give you a taste of what's to come with its very organic, budding design.

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Rob Zinn's Heliocentric Lighting Expands Into the Future

Sarah O — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:47:10 -0700

Alien invasion or futuristic lighting? Perhaps a bit of both. Designer Rob Zinn moves lighting into the future with his Concentric and Expansion XL series.

Art and Design Home Innovation Lifestyle Miscellaneous Shopping modern lighting Heliocentric Rob Zinn concentric expansion XL contemporary interiors

Seating for Squares: The Box Bench

Sarah O — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:05:33 -0700

Not necessarily inviting unless you like testing your balance, the Box bench nonetheless offers some cutting-edge design and uncomplicated style.

Art and Design Home International Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky seating chairs Box Chair Cread Estudi Spanish interiors

Ji Lee's Mini Parallel World Turns Yours Upside Down

Sarah O — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:54:22 -0700

We interrupt this program to bring you something a little more random. Introducing Parallel World, the latest project from guerilla artist and madcap designer Ji Lee, whose initial claim to fame was his NYC Bubble Project a few years back.

Architecture Art and Design Fun Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous upside down Ji Lee parallel world dioramas miniatures bizzare

Welcome to the Dollhouse: Mini-TV Really Works

Sarah O — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:31:51 -0700

Brett Foster, who is soon to be the hero of little girls everywhere, made a tiny working television set at a scale of 1:12 and is selling them online for the tune of about $200. This is the real deal, kids.

Art and Design Children Entertainment Funny Home Invention Lifestyle Miscellaneous Parenting Toys Weird or Wacky dollhouse tv Brett Foster bizarre array

Milan Design Week: Spotlight on Vahakn Matossian

Sarah O — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:17:24 -0700

Twenty-two year-old Vahakn Matossian is exhibiting with designersblock during Milan Design Week taking place this month. He is showing three of his latest works: Microscopy, Boomboy and Crucifix.

Art and Design Funny Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous designersblock Milan Design Week Vahakn Matossian furniture bizarre array

Expand Your World With Molo Design

Sarah O — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:04:42 -0700

The increase in environmentally-friendly consumerism has fostered the rise of green interiors and award-winning, Vancouver-based Molo Design is leading the pack with their striking line of expandable furniture.

Architecture Art and Design Home International Lifestyle Products expandable furniture contemporary green eco-friendly recycle Molo design Canada

Sip of Light: Portable LED To-Go Cup

Sarah O — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:57:24 -0700

Fool your friends and impress your colleagues with this portable light disguised as a to-go beverage, designed by Sung-Kyu Nam.

Art and Design Food and Drink Funny Gadgets Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky sip of light portable lighting LED Sung-Kyu Nam bizarre array

Top 10 Holiday Gift Picks for Tea and Coffee Lovers

Sarah O — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

As an avid coffee and tea drinker, I am well acquainted with the joy of small things. Nothing quite satisfies like that first mug of morning joe, or cozying up with a hot cup of tea on a cold night. Given the enormous growth in the beverage industry, I know I am not alone in my fondness for these infusions. So, here are some of my top picks (in no particular order) for this year's wish list. Perhaps your favorite coffee or tea drinker would enjoy these in their daily imbibing as well. read more »

Art and Design Food and Drink Home International Miscellaneous Shopping

Studio Nommo Rocks the House with Their Ultra-Funky Wallpaper

Sarah O — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:59:37 -0700

I am totally impressed by these unique and ballsy wallpapers that are very boldly and unapologetically just what they are. Whoever can seamlessly work these into their décor is definitely a master of interiors, in my book.

Architecture Art and Design Fun Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Shopping wallpaper funky Istanbul bizarre interiors Studio Nommo array

Mini-House Addition Won't Upset Your Landlord

Sarah O — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:32:36 -0700

Designed by the German team at Convertible City, Rucksack House is a quick and easy way to expand your apartment size without the hassle of moving. This walk-in cube functions as an additional room, hanging from the façade of your current residence via steel cables anchored to the roof.

Architecture Art and Design Fun Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky home additions Rucksack House German Convertible City bizarre array

Knit One, Pearl Two - The Lampshade that Knits Itself

Sarah O — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:55:01 -0700

Nadine Sterk, the designer of this Sleeping Beauty lampshade, is a graduate of Design Academy Eindhoven, currently displaying this piece as part of an alumni exhibit at the Design Huis. According to Stark, this is "a lamp that develops like a living organism," slowly growing its lampshade at the rate of three rotations per hour.

Art and Design Funny Home International Invention Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky knit lampshade Nadine Stark Netherlands Sleeping Beauty bizarre array

Say Yes to no!no! Hair Removal

Sarah O — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 05:01:53 -0700

Our Guest Blogger, Sarah Olson, originally from Chicago, is back in the States after a two-year stint in Japan and Asia. She is constantly seeking out ways to make the world more beautiful, and has a vested interested in discovering methods to enhance the feminine mystique.She wanted to share her finds with the readers of InventorSpot.com.

Here's her article:

* * * * *

If you’re like many women, bringing sexy back in terms of getting ones’ pins sleek and smooth can literally be an endless pain.

Boomers Fitness Health Innovation Invention Lifestyle Science Sports

Sleep Peacefully With These Intruder Deterrents

Sarah O — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:24:02 -0700

With this handy dandy nightstand-come-shield-and-baton set nearby, a peaceful night's sleep is most definitely assured. The "Safe Bedside Table" has a leg that acts as a club, and a top that can act as a shield in the unlikely event of a midnight intrusion.

Art and Design Fun Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky safety locks safe bedside table James McAdam Oleg Morev intruder

Bring the Noise - and Art - With Artcoustic Speakers

Sarah O — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:32:38 -0700

One of the must-haves in any home is some kind of sound system - that's a given. And technology has made it so you can definitely get more bang for your buck in terms of superior sound from smaller speakers, but how about eliminating the traditional speaker all together and instead transforming it into sleek and modern art? Now that's what I'm talking about.

Architecture Art and Design Entertainment Home Innovation Lifestyle Miscellaneous Shopping speakers Artcoustic designer sound system woofer tweeter fader bling

Catch Some ZZZs With the Convertible Computer Bed

Sarah O — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:08:04 -0700

Yet another great space-saving idea: "The Tale" Computer Bed, for those days when you just can't bear to be upright any longer. This probably won't be high on your boss' list of priority purchases, but for a dorm room or someplace tight on space, this sure could come in handy.

Architecture Art and Design Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Work desk convertible office space savers computer bed

Meltdown with Tom Price's Bizarre Chairs

Sarah O — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:08:17 -0700

London-born Tom Price knows a good DIY project when he sees one. I wouldn't go so far as to advise you try this at home, but the results of some seemingly simple techniques and basic utilitarian materials are pretty stunning.

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Connected at the Hip: PVC-Wrapped Furniture

Sarah O — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:52:17 -0800

The work of Dutch designer Jurgen Bey in his Kokon line might not be anything you'd want to have gracing the inside of your home, but to be a casual observer of his unusual art is another thing. Working with layers of PVC wrapping, Bey uses techniques utilized by the aviation industry to create his somewhat disturbing hybrids of classic furniture. read more »

Architecture Art and Design Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky contemporary design Dutch Jurgen Bey Kokon furniture bizarre

Footlume Carpet Lights the Way With Every Step You Take

Sarah O — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:22:17 -0700

Footlume is a new electroluminescent carpet that emits a soft glow as you step across it. Perhaps the next big thing in the world of floor fashions, this pressure-sensitive rug could also prove to be a valuable tool in the realm of "nocturnal home safety".

Art and Design Home Invention Lifestyle Miscellaneous Technology lighting carpet electroluminescence footlume glow

Full Moon Sideboard Glows in the Dark

Sarah O — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:43:50 -0700

This Full Moon sideboard, designed by Sotirios Papadopoulos, is a limited edition of a mere twenty-four pieces, produced by Italian design company Ennezero.

Art and Design Home Innovation International Lifestyle Miscellaneous furniure Italian sideboard glow Ennezero

Solas Lights Bring "Global" Enlightenment

Sarah O — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:31:50 -0700

Manchester-based designer Cj O'Neill melds the simplicity of a circle with organic elements to make richly atmospheric statements in ambient lighting.

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Maintain the Balance with One Smart Bookshelf

Sarah O — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:19:51 -0700

I love books. I love balance. I might love balancing books. I've tried the book-on-the-head model walk before, and can make it quite some distance before the inevitable toppling, but what of maintaining the balance of my knowledge? Insert pensive nod and eyebrow lift here.

Art and Design Entertainment Fun Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky bookshelves Denis Oh balance bizarre array

Zip Your Lights Down Low With the Zipper Light

Sarah O — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:56:37 -0700

Has Freddy Krueger made a comeback? David Ngo's Zipper Light might suggest that, but thankfully it's only his clever design that's razor sharp.

Art and Design Fun Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky lighting contemporary zippers David Ngo bizarre array

Drunken Butterfly Master: Paul Villinski's Beer Can Art

Sarah O — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:58:24 -0700

As the classic adage states, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." New York artist Paul Villinski takes this sentiment and runs with it - or flies, I should say - into the beautiful realm of winged sculptural installations made from found beer cans.

Art and Design Home Lifestyle Miscellaneous Nature Weird or Wacky recycled art Paul Villinksi butterflies beer bizarre array

Lighting Gets Ill: Lichtinfusion by Christian Maas

Sarah O — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:23:18 -0700

It seems there is a trend arising in hospital-based design in interior furnishings. Lichtinfusion, Cologne-born Christian Maas' latest creation, is modeled after a traditional saline drip.

Art and Design Funny Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Weird or Wacky lighting interiors contemporary German Christian Maas bizarre array

Design Collaborative NEL Invites Us to Play (and Think)

Sarah O — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:42:18 -0700

Playful by nature and focused more on the conceptual side of design, Mexican design collaborative NEL's projects include both experimental endeavors as well as large scale projects. Running the gamut in terms of subject matter, I've chosen a few of my favorites for you to peruse below.

Art and Design Fun Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous furniture Mexico interiors contemporary wacky

ASCII Code Curtain Branches Into Home Decor

Sarah O — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:33:59 -0700

Inspired by the incredible volume of information transmitted via the ASCII coding system, Dutch designer Nienke Sybrandy has captured its cryptic flow in the good and wholesome form of a tree.

Art and Design Home International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Nature

BedUp Touches Down in Space-Saving Style

Sarah O — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:46:30 -0700

On the eternal quest for space-saving innovations, the BedUp by French designers Décadrages takes the idea of a Murphy bed to new heights. Not your standard fold-down version which requires the daily moving of furniture, the BedUp gracefully descends from the ceiling in the manner of an elevator.

Architecture Art and Design Home Innovation International Lifestyle Miscellaneous Shopping beds sleeping Decadrages French space-savers urban living contemporary design

The Love Mattress: Modern Sleeping Solutions for Couples

Sarah O — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:00:00 -0800

Sleeping entwined with another is a novel concept, but there's always the problem of that extra arm. Where does one put it? Mehdi Mojtabvi's Love Mattress offers a simple solution for the chronic limp arm that often results from sleeping while wrapped in a prolonged embrace. read more »

Art and Design Fun Home Innovation Lifestyle Miscellaneous Sex Weird or Wacky