Hasta La Ideas

Six housewares brands delightfully confusing indoors and out

At the biannual housewares tradeshow Maison & Objet we found many of the winds of innovation blowing from the outdoor arena this year. The contemporary, nomad-like movement reverses the use of indoor and outdoor spaces. When indoor moves outdoor, along with bathroom and kitchen, the whole living room and dining room seem to follow as well—sometimes even surrounded by walls and a ceiling. Designing for dual living, this shift brings with it the quest for new materials to face outside elements, while keeping the elegance typically reserved for interiors.

Since outdoor furniture requires sophisticated technical materials, working with them often becomes a source of inspiration for designers, like Patricia Urquiola. A Spanish native now working in Milan, she recently created a collection for leading Spanish design firm Kettal. In our interview with Urquiola, a trained architect, she explained that the collaboration with Kettal was all about researching a new material called “Nido d’Ape” (honeycomb) consisting of a PVC fabric knotted in a three-dimensions reminiscent of the “macramé” technique. The team pulled materials from other fields, creating a new manufacturing process to achieve the desired effect.

Urquiola’s idea came from observing a common organic fabric, a coffee filter, under a microscope. The result, surprisingly thick, smooth and rug-like, provides a pleasant cozy feeling with the visual treat of seeing all the filaments formed into mini pyramidal grids. Stretched taut between aluminum frames, the chairs combine the elegance of indoor fabric-based furniture in a range of colors for outdoor—with all the resilience needed for sitting and resistance to any kind of weather. The “Vieques” collection comes out in January 2012.

Also riding the nomadic wave and the constant problem of limited urban space, the newly-formed Dutch company Flux came up with a cutting-edge folding chair. The end-of-studies project of two Dutch designers was launched in March 2011 and already 40,000 units have been sold all over the world.

The durable chair consists of a flat rectangular sheet of polypropylene weighing less than five kilograms that can support up to 160 kg. You can refold over and over (testers gave up after 800 tries) and hang six chairs all at once on the wall thanks to a special belt and wall mount system. UV-resistant and waterproof, it combines stiffness and flexibility in a contemporary design, offered in a wide range of colors.
There is even a kids model also available. Prices run from $200 for the regular model to $110 for the kid’s version, selling purchased online.

While indoor furnishings continue to move outside, urban citizens aim to bring some outdoor favorites inside by gardening in any corner of space. Be it on the balcony, in a courtyard or even inside the apartment, the young French company Bacsac meets this need with their simple accessories. The work of a designer and two landscape architects, their ultra-light bags are easily transportable and can be used both indoor and out. Made from double-walled geotextile fabric (100% recyclable), the containers maintain the necessary balance between air, earth and water and are frost resistant. U.S. shoppers can find them at Sprouthouse.com.

Living al fresco also inspired hybrid leisure objects, like the gracious suspended wooden cradle, half garden hammock and half swing chair, designed by two the Frenchmen of Concept Suspendu. The company, created eight months ago and located in the Alps, specializes in woodwork (one of the pair is a former carpenter) and makes their signed, limited-run furniture from ash—wood known for its solidity and usually used for tool handles.

The Green attitude, an enduring key point of contemporary interior design, was present throughout the show in a number of the projects based on recycling and reuse. Parisian eco-design agency Art Terre pursues a double purpose. Along with recycling materials and reusing objects, their concern is to reconsider the production process and to facilitate social integration of disabled people or former prisoners.

The resulting collection consists of well-designed and well-manufactured original and beautiful items, like ginko-shaped placemats and inflatable flowerpots (as well as a full collection of other flower pots). They all share an innovative process using recycled PVC fabrics made from car industry remnants; the inventive cushions are made of air-bags and customized with a seatbelt to remind the user of the origin of the product. Coatracks and dustbins are made of salvaged bed slats. But the most beautiful achievement is the handmade series of paper lamps, resulting from a paper folding technique similar to Japanese origami.

From iPad mounts to grown-up captain’s beds, six new items to improve dorm life and beyond

Changing seasons are always a good time to refresh your space. With the coming school year in mind, we found the latest and best gear to make a small or any-size room more livable. From campus boxes to studio pads, we found six items to help maximize your home no matter the square footage.

To minimize desk clutter and optimize your iPad, we’re backing Modulr’s hardshell case and slim wall mount. Aptly named, the modular system comes in both iPad 1 and 2 sizes, and in black, white and clear (preferred for its subtle aperance). The mount holds iPads snugly against any surface in either landscape or portrait orientations for an alternate monitor, bedside computer or even an interactive grocery list. The iPad 2 case and wall mount sell for $40 and $20, respectively. Other Modulr add-ons, including a strap and car seat hanger, make the accessory all the more functional.

Gus Design Group’s magazine rack will do away with unkempt literary piles. The clever design of the stainless steel rack allows for easy organization. Head over to Gus to find a dealer or pick it up online from Bobby Berk Home for $295.

The classic small-space solution, the Captain’s Bed, gets an update with the Matera created exclusively for Design Within Reach. Keeping the storage drawers off the ground prevents the bed from dominating tight quarters, while also saving knuckles from rugburns. It’s available through DWR for $4,724.

Designed by Riki Watanabe in 1966, the Japanese cardboard folding stool still comes in handy for entertaining when room is tight, packing flat out of the way when you don’t need it. Sold in a variety of mod colorways, the DIY crowd will enjoy the white version, a blank canvas for making it uniquely yours. Spanning $30-60, grab it online from Tortoise General Store or Nova68.

A compact speaker system with robust room-filling sound, Hercules’ XPS 101 gets its power from 101 watts through two six-inch speakers and one subwoofer. The metal alloy speakers and wood-encased sub look great and fit neatly into modest-sized rooms without demanding attention. Look to Hercules for where to buy a set for yourself for $250.

A great part of small spaces is how much easier they are to clean, but keeping tidy is also imperative when you’re so intimately involved with every area of your home. One of our favorite cleaning product brands, Method recently released a new scent for their powerful all-purpose cleaners. The zesty clementine cleaner and dish soap swipe away grime without a greasy residue by harnessing the strength of its naturally-derived biodegradable agents. Check Method’s online shop where they both sell for just $4—affordable even for those on a college-size budget.

Contributions by Karen Day, Graham Hiemstra, Josh Rubin and Greg Stefano

Five more-than-meets-the-eye designs for the patio

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With summer in full swing, poolside patio chic just got that much more appealing with Spain’s top designers on deck to transcend pedestrian lounge sets into sleek and functional furnishings. Turning outdoor furniture into an inward meditation on minimalism and ingenuity, Spanish artisans craft dual-function designs that are as much at home overlooking the Mediterranean coast as they are eying the cityscape from a rooftop terrace.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, furniture design firm Expormim opened a new showroom featuring outdoor furniture that captures the “Mediterranean way of life.” Both playful and utilitarian, a standout piece is the Ulah, created by Mut Design. The unique seesaw chair is crafted out of woven polyester that serves as a comfortable rocker and as a conveniently collapsible, stackable unit.

Valencia’s Vondom evolves modern furniture design into multi-purpose function with its flowerpot-cum-table series. Created for Vondom’s Moma collection, designer Javier Mariscal customized three table models that accommodate both vegetation and varying degrees of comfort for situational seating (lounging, lunching or standing).

Heating up the innovation of outdoor furniture is Spanish label, Kettal, with its Zig Zag Fire Pit created by Emiliana Design. Doubling as a coffee table or barbecue, this aluminum and mesh-woven design makes for a versatile veranda centerpiece.

Also on Cool Hunting:

Spanish lifestyle brand Point creates modular reinventions of the wicker standard for outdoor décor. With its mobile table-slash-tray, Point seamlessly merges the craftsmanship of contemporary ingenuity with nostalgic charm.

Inspired by his background in textiles, renowned designer José Gandía experimented with materials and shapes to interpret open-space recreation. Taking outdoor furnishings indoors, Gandia encapsulated the patio experience with his glass-enclosed pavilion titled The Cristal Box that combines a porch and pergola for an all-in-one outdoor living room. Constructed of thermolacquered aluminum and wood, The Cristal Box invites backyard basking all year round.

Interiors From Spain details the latest in Spanish design from upcoming products to project highlights.

Spanish artist-designer pushes the boundaries in striking form

Finding inspiration through observation, award-winning Spanish creative Jaime Hayon survives on a steady stream of design collaborations and consultancy gigs, all the while pushing the boundaries between art and design.

Native to Madrid, Hayon spent his University years studying industrial design in both his hometown and Paris. Although Hayon excelled in his studies, he never felt too connected to the traditional and logical design curriculum. Rather than subscribing to a specific category, Hayon felt compelled to lend his designs a unique touch and take risks.

Hayon explains, “At a certain moment I was absolutely not interested in [traditional design], so I went through a different road. I was more interested in underground art, it opened my mind to see things differently.” This urge to create holds deep roots in his adolescence spent in Madrid where he immersed himself in skateboard and graffiti cultures, expanding the already whimsical imagination that is ever-present in his work today.

In 1997, after finishing his studies Hayon took his bold creativity to Fabrica, a communication research centre/talent incubator/studio. Here he quickly established himself and after just one year he found himself head of the design department, overseeing projects varying from retail and restaurant design and exhibition conception to product and graphic design. Eight years later Hayon felt the urge once again find a new outlet for his creativity, this time branching out and developing his own collection of designer toys, ceramics, furniture, and eventually interior design and installation along with founding Hayon Studio. His quirky creations were then exhibited in galleries throughout London, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris and Kuala Lumpur, establishing himself as a major player in the new wave of creators transcending the line between art and design.

Gaining further exposure through solo exhibitions at London’s Aram Gallery and Milan’s Salone de Mobile, Hayon emerged as a mind to be sought after, eventually leading to positions in consultancy and design for a diverse list of clients designing furniture, lighting, textiles, vases, and ceramic objects. Included in this list is Spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladró, where for five years Hayon has held an ongoing position as Artistic Advisor. Thanks to his influence and encouragement Lladró has taken their company in a whole new direction, encouraging fellow designers to create new objects inspired by the Lladró’s traditional pieces.

Impressed with his clean design and adventurous mind Hayon was brought on as premiere designer for Bisazza Bagno‘s debut collection of bathroom fixtures. “We first studied the weak points of existing bathroom collections. I’ve always thought they lacked beauty and identity. They often are too clinical and technical,” Hayon explained to Cool Hunting. By utilizing a combination of high quality materials such as lacquered wood, beveled mirrors, marble, and glass he achieved an elegant and distinctive look within an innovative modular system.

The design process was not easy, as Hayon describes, “It was all about dreaming about options…during almost 3 years of work, I made infinite sketches and went through a very dynamic prototyping process. We worked intensely to achieve a collection that, I believe, is expressive of style, quality and personality.” Hayon has also collaborated with Bisazza on numerous of other projects showcasing his unique use of mixed mosaics and materials, including their interior decoration home collection and the Jet Set plane.

From one project to the next, Hayon avoids stagnancy is every aspect of life and design. Most recently, premium Danish furniture brand Republic of Fritz Hansen brought Hayon on to design a new sofa. Named for the Danish word for embrace, FAVN is the result of a creative dialogue between designer and company. Launched during ICFF in NYC last month, FAVN sports a contemporary design that blends textiles and aesthetic perfectly to fit in alongside decade old designs that Fritz Hansen is known for. Hayon describes his sofa as being “based on a shell. A shell being hard on the outside, soft and welcoming on the inside…a form that embraces you, something really organic.”

The shell-like design of FAVN is a nod to such influential designs as the Egg and Swan by Arne Jacobsen. However, Hayon’s pension for bright colors and fresh extroverted design is obvious as well in FAVN. The experimental dialogue which brought about FAVN presents a delicate balance of flamboyant Spanish taste and clean Danish design. FAVN will be available through Republic of Fritz Hansen stores and dealers in early September 2011.

Hayon has collaborated with other such reputable names as Bennetton, Metalarte, Artquitect Edition, Coca-Cola, Adidas, and Camper. He continues to keep busy pushing limits of design well into his career as has from the start. With the definition of design in a constant flux Hayon excels in the void. “Today I don’t know my definition of design, but I do know it’s a very interesting moment for design, because there is more acceptance, it’s more hybrid.”

The Audi Icons series, inspired by the all-new Audi A7, showcases 16 leading figures united by their dedication to innovation and design.

Knoll introduces an online hub for Generation chair fans to express their personal work-style

In today’s digital workspace, a good chair has become essential for those without in-office masseurs to soothe the cricks and cramps that come from prolonged periods at a desk. To really understand how people use their chairs at work, Knoll launched myGeneration, an online hub where people can share their individual work styles and experiences using Knoll’s ergonomic Generation chair.

Users begin by creating a Knoll profile, giving basic info, then explaining their workstyle and inspiration, and finally creating a personal tagline. They can also upload up to five action shots of how they use their chair, showing whether they’re a fan of swiveling, feet on the desk or a hardcore, hunched-over typist.

An entertaining and informative way to see people in their working environments, check out myGeneration online, where you can also click to purchase a customized Generation chair for $776.