Tag Archives: decoration

The ‘Gentle Geometry’ Of Wood Reflecting Cultures Through Sculptures By Aleph Geddis

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If you are inclined to woodworking, sculpture, or an appreciation for abstract geometric forms, the creations of sculptor Aleph Geddis are sure to captivate your imagination. Geddis’ work is a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship, modernist aesthetics, and a deep-rooted fascination with the fundamental structures of our world.

Designer: Aleph Geddis

Aleph Geddis’ artistic roots can be traced back to his upbringing on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. Immersed in a creative environment shaped by his stepfather’s expertise in sculpture, carving, and boat building, Geddis found inspiration in the stylized naturalism of Northwest Coast Native carvings. His early works reflected this influence, evolving over time to incorporate diverse cultural experiences, such as a transformative family trip to Japan.

His sculptures beautifully straddle the intersection of different cultures and artistic traditions. Drawing upon the rich traditions of wood carving and totems from the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the intricate woodwork of Bali, Geddis merges these influences with the familial impact of his stepfather’s similar craft. The result is a collection of hand-carved pieces that resonate with a global and timeless aesthetic.

As Geddis’ artistic journey unfolds, a consistent theme emerges—exploring the simple elegance inherent in natural forms. His recent works delve into the integral shapes of Platonic solids, conveying a sense of truth beyond human subjectivity. For the sculptor, these forms possess a magical existence that predates and will outlast humanity, offering viewers the pleasure of interacting with something timeless and profound. His Orcas Island studio serves as the birthplace of each meticulously handcrafted piece, connecting the artist’s work to the landscapes that have shaped him.

The sculptor acknowledges the profound impact of a trip to Japan on his artistic exploration. Exposed to the country’s rich woodworking tradition, he integrates Japanese craftsmanship elements into his sculptural endeavors. This influence adds depth and diversity to his work, contributing to a body of art that seamlessly weaves together figurative, abstract, and even architectural elements.

Geddis’ sculptures cross the rational realm of mathematics and Platonic solids while embracing a spiritually inspired curiosity about sacred geometry. Some of his vertical pieces evoke a softer interpretation of Brutalist forms, while others conjure visions of wondrous alien audio speakers reminiscent of Arcosanti. Each creation invites viewers to contemplate the intersection of the tangible and the transcendent, encouraging a deeper exploration of the mystical dimensions embedded in his wooden sculptures. Each of his pieces is an artwork that makes you think, learn, and build conversations. And trust me, the longer you look at them, the more there is to keep.

Aleph Geddis’ sculptures are more than mere artistic expressions; they are gateways to a world where tradition, culture, and the inherent beauty of natural forms converge. Each piece from the Pacific Northwest to Japan reflects the artist’s journey, inviting viewers to join him on a visual and conceptual exploration of warm geometries sculpted from wood—a testament to the enduring magic found within the simplicity of shapes and the richness of cultural intersections.

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These hexagon tiles create a mesmerizing wall art that you can arrange in any way you want

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Putting up decorations on a wall is always a big commitment, primarily because most fixtures are designed to be permanent. Circumstances, however, change far too often than one would imagine, and there will be times when you wish you could have designed a wall differently. Maybe you need to reclaim some wall space, or maybe you grew out of an old fad, or maybe you’re actually moving to a new place with a different wall setup. Whatever the case may be, most people will probably want to have the flexibility in designing their walls, even if it simply means being able to change the setup as needed or desired, even if it just means expanding or shrinking the design. That’s the kind of “open” design that this unique wall installation is trying to present using creative and sustainable design as well as a pinch of math.

Designer: Duffy London

When people think of shapes, a hexagon is probably not going to be at the top of their lists, yet it turns out to be a rather versatile polygon with some hidden benefits when it comes to composition. Like a triangle, it has a rather interesting shape made of tilted lines, but like a square, it can be easily grouped together in different combinations to create a tiled pattern. When used with a mathematical tiling system called “Truchet Tiling,” you can even rotate the hexagons in different directions and you’d still end up with a pleasing whole that looks as if it were designed that way from the start.

The Abyss Wall Tile was created using that principle to bring Duffy London’s famed Abyss design to a vertical plane. Just like the Abyss Table, each hexagon displays a layered design reminiscent of contour maps, particularly those of the ocean floors that lead your eyes toward abyssal depths. In this particular incarnation, however, there are three distinct patterns available and you can combine these hexagonal tiles to create a larger map-like composition on your wall. The clincher is that, no matter which direction you rotate the hexagons, you’ll still be able to combine them in a way that makes them look like a unified pattern.

What this means is that you have complete freedom in how you arrange the tiles and how many or how few you want to put up on your wall. You can even change the arrangement as you want, adding or removing pieces as needed. Of course, you still have to consider how these tiles will be mounted without being absolutely permanent, but with many options available today, that shouldn’t be much of a problem.

The Abyss Wall Tiles also has a sustainable angle to it, almost like a nod to the oceans that they portray. They use plexiglass, recycled plastic, and brushed stainless steel and are handcrafted to help reduce their impact on the environment. It’s a simple yet ingenious design that gives peace of mind as well as enjoyment as you immerse yourself within the abyss of your self-made ocean floor.

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This luxurious metal cylinder is actually a pencil sharpener disguised as a desk ornament

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There are many tools whose existence we take for granted until the time comes that we urgently and desperately need them. It’s easy to overlook them, especially because of their mundane or cold, mechanical appearances that don’t help endear themselves to us, especially when they’re not in use. A pencil sharpener, for example, is just a simple block of plastic or metal that often gets lost in the mess of our drawers and shelves. This particular incarnation of the stationery tool, however, is something you will probably never be able to ignore, precisely because it calls attention to itself by becoming an object of beauty that you’ll want to always keep on your desk and always in sight.

Designer: Beyond Object

What can be more mundane and infrequently used than a pencil sharpener? It is a critical tool for designers, artists, and engineers, but it is also being made irrelevant by mechanical pencils and digital tools. And even for those that do use pencil sharpeners regularly, these are often cast aside after use and shoved somewhere, sometimes never to be seen again.

Just one look at Funno, however, and you know this isn’t your typical pencil sharpener, not by a long shot. In fact, you might not even realize that it’s a pencil sharpener unless somebody actually points it out. It takes the form of a small cylinder, which is already uncommon for this kind of tool. But what really sets it apart is the lustrous sheen that makes it look more like a priceless desk decoration than something that cuts through wood and gets dirtied by black graphite.

Machined from a solid block of zinc alloy metal, the pencil sharpener is hand-polished to a mirror finish and given four different colors. Three of them look exquisite in polished gold, silver, and copper. The fourth and newest variant comes in a matte black finish that sets itself apart from the others by giving the object the appearance of cast iron. It might not look expensive, but it definitely still has an artisan quality to it.

Funno, fortunately, isn’t just all looks, bearing a German-made Möebius+Ruppert inside to make short work of dull pencils. And, when you’re done with it, the tool continues to be useful beyond its intended purpose, serving as a paperweight or just as a piece of decoration that brings something interesting and motivating for your eyes to see, giving your mind something to dwell on and hopefully draw inspiration from. The Funno pencil sharpener is definitely a beautiful example of how something mundane can be transformed into something glorious with a simple design and a touch of class.

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Odd planter concept lets you enjoy observing your plants grow in a fun way

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Different people tried to cope with the pandemic quarantine in different and sometimes creative ways. While some were content to catch up with their TV shows and games, others took up new hobbies to while away the time. One of the more popular ones seems to have been growing plants indoors, which is not totally new but also not something adopted by the masses. Even here, there’s a variety of goals and purposes to indoor gardening, though a majority seems to have been focused on the more aesthetic benefits of having lush, green living things inside the home. Ironically, these people seldom go out of their way to grow those plants in equally aesthetic pots, something that this design concept tries to solve right from the start.

Designer: Adrian Min

You can’t just use any container to serve as a plant pot, of course, regardless of how pretty that container might be. There are a few factors to consider to allow a plant to thrive and survive, which is often what informs the design of a planter. These more functional planters, however, aren’t what you’d always call presentable, definitely nothing you’d proudly display on your table or shelf. That doesn’t have to be that way, though, and this “Odd Pot” concept marries form and function in a way that looks not only appealing but also playful.

It’s definitely an odd one for a pot, though mostly because of its unconventional shape. It comes as a tall bowl that stands on three short tapered legs. Instead of a typical brown clay, the pot seems to be made from some terrazzo material, probably ceramic. A removable disc knob juts out from the pot’s back and is the primary mechanism for its highlight feature.

This feature comes in the form of a half capsule that adds something interesting to the presentation while also giving the viewer a different way to look at the plant in the pot. This “cover” is made from glass but has different textures as well as transparencies. One is completely smooth and transparent, while another is smooth yet frosted. Perhaps the curious one is the ribbed clear glass that adds an interesting play of light with its reflections and refraction.

While the Odd Pot retains pretty much the exact same function of a regular planter, its form takes the presentation to the next level. With its stumps for legs and an “arm” that extends from its body, it almost looks like an anthropomorphic version of a planter. It might even remind some of the “sus” characters from a popular game from the past year or two. Granted, the pot’s design isn’t going to be conducive to all kinds of plants, particularly the ones that grow tall or wide. But for most succulents, it will do just fine and will even add a bit of character to your plant decoration.

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Non-electric humidifier also serves as charming desk or shelf decoration

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The quality of air that we have around us doesn’t simply depend on the lack of pollutants or harmful substances. The amount of humidity can also be a determining factor in the comfort and health of the people living inside the space. Fortunately, we can also control this aspect of our environment, at least when we need to increase the humidity in a room. There are plenty of humidifiers in the market today, but almost all of them have one thing in common. They rely on electricity to work, which isn’t a sustainable way of living. Fortunately, there are a growing number of such tools that are adopting more natural methods, and this mini humidifier, in particular, accomplishes that while also acting as an eye-catching piece of decoration for your home.

Designer: Barbora Adamonyte-Kei

Low humidity has been a problem since the beginning of human civilization, and our ancient ancestors had ways of dealing with that, even when there was no electricity or machines to do it for them. The most common method that is becoming popular again is saturating clay structures with water in order to give the evaporation process a helpful nudge. Of course, not everyone might want to put large clay pots or barrels in the middle of their house, but sometimes just a little can already get the job done.

KUMO is a beautiful humidifier that works using that same principle but in an almost bite-sized chunk that actually serves three purposes in a single design. It is composed of two parts, both made from natural, sustainable materials. One is a miniature stone bath with a narrow basin where you put the stoneware disc in. That unglazed stoneware disc is the “clay” part of the humidifier, and it’s shaped like a wavy cucumber slice that makes the whole composition look like you’re dipping a healthy cucumber snack.

All you really need to do is to add some water to the bath and then put the disc in, which will stand still thanks to its close fit. It will absorb the water, which then evaporates more easily into the surrounding air to increase the humidity. Refill the water once it’s all used up, and that’s pretty much all there is to it. You can also opt to add a few drops of essential oil to increase the fragrance in the room, making the humidifier also act as a natural diffuser.

And, of course, it also looks great while doing its job. The pleasant combination of shapes and the contrast of colors make it an interesting visual piece, whether it’s on your desk or on a shelf. It’s definitely something you’d want to show off, unlike run-of-the-mill electric humidifiers that are just plastic containers puffing out vapor. Sustainable, multifunctional, and beautiful, KUMO puts a unique twist on the concept of a humidifier, showing that the ancients might have had the right idea all along.

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This self-sufficient plant pot is also a beautiful desk light and decoration

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People have different reasons for raising different kinds of plants in different locations. Some grow vegetables outdoors both as a hobby as well as a source of fresh food. Others have indoor herbs they could pluck out and add to their food in a flash. There are also plenty that raise green things to add some literal life into rooms and houses, giving them both something to do and something to look at when stuck at home like in the past two years or so. Despite being less involved than growing things you can eat, raising houseplants isn’t trivial, especially with all the different factors involved. Fortunately, there is a growing number of appliances designed to make that activity almost dead simple, and this smart, self-watering pot is made to look just as beautiful as the plant that it puts on display.

Designer: Ivan Zhurba

While there are definitely plants that require very little maintenance, like succulents that have become a bit trendy recently, most small plants you’d want to grow indoors need more than just watering each day. In fact, it might be bad for the plant if you shower it with water that often. The plant will also need sunlight, which might not be available all the time or in all places in your house. Fortunately, the Vivo Pot takes care of both for you.

At its core, Vivo (no relation to the smartphone brand) is a self-sufficient and self-watering pot, allowing you to almost have no involvement in the day-to-day maintenance of the plant. It also has COB (chip-on-board) LEDs that deliver the light that the plant needs to grow. Admittedly, there are now a few devices or designs that offer the same capabilities, but what makes the Vivo Pot different is that it is a sight to behold on its own, whether it has a growing plant to show off or not.

When completely closed and unused, the pot resembles an egg, which is a fitting metaphor for the start of life. Curved grooves swirl around its body, giving it a distinct dynamic look that turns it into a decorative piece that sits on your desk or shelf. Of course, the pot is meant to be opened, and the height-adjustable lid rises to make room for what would be the plant of your choosing.

This lid contains those bright LEDs, turning the Vivo Pot into a desk lamp as well. Of course, it wouldn’t be wise to rely on it as your only desk lamp since it simply augments rather than replaces your light source. To give off an even better atmosphere, there is a ring of light surrounding the plant, showing it off and giving you a unique night lamp should you need illumination in the dark. All in all, these are quite simple ideas, but the beautiful way they are combined together is what makes this concept design just as refreshing as the verdant life that’s growing inside it.

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This magical wreath carries the stars to bring some sparkle to your room

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It’s that time of year again when many people start decorating their homes with sparkly stuff and an abundance of lights that are sure to make your electricity bill spike for a month or so. Of course, you don’t really need any excuse or occasion to spruce up your interiors, but there are admittedly some pieces of decor that are more appropriate for certain seasons than others. Conversely, some designs are also timeless, whether we associate them with certain holidays or not, and they add a certain flavor to your home no matter the time of year. This wreath, for example, might easily be associated with the Christmas season, but the almost magical experience of seeing heavenly bodies in your living room is something that will never grow old.

Designer: SPARKLE

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It might be puzzling for some people how starry lights are quickly associated with December holidays. After all, the stars shine all year round, and their timeless beauty captivates and inspires anyone who looks up at a clear night sky. Of course, not all night skies show the stars in their mystical majesty, so having them available in your home at any time could be a great idea to add not only light but also joy to the space.

Granted, just having small lights that resemble stars would probably be a bit boring, so the Sparkle Wreath adds a bit of artistic flair to the composition. On the one hand, you have large polystyrene balls that seemingly capture starlight inside their forms. On the other hand, you also have a lush fir tree branch that holds these magical spheres in place, as if suspending them in the air like luminous sprites resting on the branches of a tree.

These two elements provide an almost perfect harmony of complements, one earthbound, the other heavenward. The verdant branch, carefully arranged by a florist, provides an ideal backdrop that makes the yellowish stars really stand out. The starry globes, on the other hand, cast a gentle yet sublime glow on the greens, giving it an otherworldly appearance that will enchant you and your visitors at every glance.

As if that weren’t enough, the small LEDs that give each sphere its light creates a special hologram that changes the light inside. After all, stars flicker and glow in different ways, making them more mysterious and alluring. Likewise, this starry wreath offers a delightful display of light and foliage that will complement any motif you might have going, bringing enjoyment and perhaps even a little piece of happiness, no matter the time or season.

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Cosmobile brings the beauty of the galaxy to your ceiling

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I used to date someone who was obsessed with stars, planets, and the galaxy in general. So I had no choice but to listen to him talk about these things, bring me to observatories, and show me constellations whenever we’re outdoors. While I probably don’t remember most of what he taught me back then, there’s still a certain comfort to look up at the sky at night and see all those stars, the moon, and maybe even distant planets.

Designers: Jimin Lee (YUPD), Woojin Shin (YUPD), Nakyeong Lee (Hongik U), Sea Song (Hongik U)

Those who are into astronomy (or even astrology) probably have various decorations of stars and planets in their house or their rooms. What if you could have a mobile hanging from your ceiling? Yes, mobiles aren’t just for baby cribs. You can also have something you love hanging over your bed to help you sleep better or just so you can look up at it. The CosMobile is designed to bring some part of the cosmos in your room so you can have something nice to look at instead of just the ceiling.

It’s not really a dreamcatcher but the designer say it might also give you good dreams. But maybe that’s connected to how it should help you calm down or go to sleep by looking at the planets and other heavenly creatures. You can choose your own design and they will customize it for you. You don’t have to follow the exact solar system if you don’t want to, but you also could if that’s something you want for your kid in school or just for you.

The Cosmobile, according to the product description, will “stimulate sound, vision, and aroma”. We’re assuming that the mobile will come with sounds or music to match the galactic design. The vision is of course the visual aspect of it. The aroma is something that’s a bit mysterious and we can’t tell from the photos if there’s an air freshening component to it or something. I don’t know how planets are supposed to smell but hopefully, it’s something calming as well.

Astronomy fans or even casual galaxy lovers will probably like to have something like this. Well, if their ceiling can accommodate something like it. The material would have to be light enough since it would be a health hazard if ever the Cosmobile falls on your bed or room if it’s made from heavy materials.

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Blooming Product is a speaker vase and a flower subscription service to beautify your home

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Most of the time, I would like my speakers to look like actual speakers. But there are also times when I want them to be part of my living room decorations and not stand out so much. I’d want the smart speaker to still do what it needs to do like play music and answer my questions but also be either decorative or hidden in plain sight. This product concept can do both and maybe a bit more as it’s a speaker, a vase, and also gives you a flower subscription.

Designer: Yeongseok Go

The Blooming Product line is supposed to make ordinary things more important to us instead of being just forgotten or neglected even if they’re just there in front of us. The first in the concept product line is a vase that doubles as a speaker or a speaker that doubles as a vase, depending on how you look at it. It looks like a vase with a charging base and from the product renders, you can actually put water in it to keep flowers fresh. I don’t know how that will work in terms of water and electricity though.

What makes the concept of Blooming Product even more special is that it comes with a flower subscription service. This means that you’ll get fresh flowers every month or season so you’ll be able to replace the flowers in the speaker vase every once in a while. Just like with other subscription services, you won’t know what kind of flowers you’ll be receiving so every box that comes in will be a surprise which is good news for those that love surprises.

Since you’re getting fresh flowers every so often, this also means that you’ll be continuously “caring” for your speaker. Although if you use it often for listening to music or as a smart assistant, then you probably are not “neglecting” it anyway. But at least you get to empty the water out and then arrange the flowers that you receive to your liking and in the process, check on your speaker as well.

Design-wise, the vase speaker isn’t something extraordinary but it’s most likely the flowers that will give it the extra factor. I’m not that great when it comes to taking care of living things, including flowers, so I’m not sure if this is something I’d actually want. But for those with green thumbs or those that want to regularly have flowers in their home, then the Blooming Product may be something to appeal to you.

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These Minimal Pets can liven up your living room and you don’t even have to feed them

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There are people who keep a menagerie of pets in their homes or at least one or two fur babies. There are those that would like to have a pet or two but are unable to do so, whether because they are not allowed to do so in their homes or they’re afraid to have one. I am of the latter persuasion, but more like having an actual, living, breathing pet would be a bit too much. So I’ll have to be satisfied with either virtual pets or things like these cute, minimal pet accessories.

Designer: Geonwoo Kim

Simply called Minimal Pets, these are table accessories that will add a bit of cuteness to your desk or your living room shelves. The first time I saw these designs, I was all “That’s sooo cute!” and that is probably the reaction you’ll get every time someone sees them for the first time. They are primarily decorative but you can also use them as a paperweight or other stationery accessory or a substitute for all the pets that you can never have.

The first design shows three different dogs: a black one, a white one, and a white one with brown highlights. I can’t seem to pinpoint what kind of dogs they are, except these minimal pets don’t have eyes. At least you’re warned if that kind of thing freaks you out. But all in all, they do seem pretty cute so they’ll be a good addition to your living room or office, especially if you are #TeamDog. If you have an actual dog, make sure it’s out of reach lest they think it’s a chew toy or something.

If you’re a rabbit kind of person, there’s also a design for a bunny minimal pet. It’s black and white and even has a piece of green stalk in its mouth so no need to “feed” it. It’s also a chubby kind of bunny so once again, expect “so cute” reactions.

There’s also a squirrel design, or what I assume is a squirrel since there’s no front view of the rendered photos. There’s a brown version and a gray one and it’s eating nuts so it will forever be not hungry.

Lastly, there’s also a sparrow minimal pet. This time it is described as made from ABS plastic and aluminum (which we assume is the same materials used for the other pets). The bird is perched on a stand, just like you would see an actual sparrow perched on a piece of wood.

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