Tag Archives: korean

The Obongdo Painting Inspired Set of Jars Brings The Korean Culture Into Your Kitchens

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In a world where traditions serve as the foundation for contemporary innovations, the Obongdo-inspired seasoning jars stand out as a captivating example of how ancient artistry can influence modern functionality. Drawing inspiration from the illustrious Korean painting ‘Ilwol-Obongdo,’ these jars seamlessly weave together tradition, art, and practicality to create a unique and visually stunning kitchen accessory.

Designer: YoonJeong Lee

Ilwol-Obongdo, a landscape masterpiece from ancient Korea, portrays five majestic mountain peaks, the sun, the moon, and pine trees. Originally crafted as a decorative piece behind the king’s seat during the Joseon Dynasty, the painting symbolizes the ruler’s centrality in the universe and signifies the enduring legacy of the dynasty. The Obongdo seasoning jars pay homage to this rich heritage by incorporating the essence of the ancient painting into contemporary kitchenware.

The Obongdo seasoning jars consist of a set of containers designed to hold various cooking spices and a pair of cooking timers, inspired by the ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ elements in the painting. The jars, resembling mountain peaks, come in three different sizes, catering to the varied requirements of different ingredients. This not only adds a touch of artistry to the kitchen but also ensures practicality by accommodating the diverse needs of culinary enthusiasts.

The ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ cooking timers, adorned in two distinct colors, serve both a functional and symbolic purpose. Beyond their time-keeping utility, they bring forth the significance of the celestial elements in the original painting, connecting the user to the cultural roots of the inspiration. These timers facilitate precision in cooking, allowing users to keep track of their recipes effortlessly.

One of the standout features of these seasoning jars is the magnetic board incorporated into the design. The entire back of the set serves as a magnetic surface, providing a convenient platform to attach the timers. This not only enhances the usability of the timers but also introduces a multi-purpose aspect to the product.

The magnetic board opens up new possibilities for kitchen organization. Users can attach sticky notes or use magnets to display their everyday to-do lists or grocery lists, transforming the seasoning jars’ set into a versatile and space-efficient tool. This thoughtful addition reflects a commitment to maximizing functionality in the modern kitchen.

The Obongdo-inspired seasoning jars successfully bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary living, bringing a piece of Korean heritage into the heart of the kitchen. With a design inspired by the timeless Ilwol-Obongdo painting and practical features like varied jar sizes, cooking timers, and a magnetic board, these jars not only celebrate the beauty of the past but also elevate the user’s culinary experience. As we continue to navigate the intricate balance between tradition and innovation, these seasoning jars stand as a testament to the enduring appeal of art and culture in our everyday lives.

The post The Obongdo Painting Inspired Set of Jars Brings The Korean Culture Into Your Kitchens first appeared on Yanko Design.

How A Decorative Tray And Incense Holder Brings A Piece Of Korean History To Your Home

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Don’t we all want to be surrounded by tools that allow us to relax and revitalize mentally?

Aromatherapy is a concept widely adopted by the contemporary world which is why the Asian culture of incense sticks is gaining popularity in the West. It is highly valued by a broad cross-section of the traditional community. However, the younger section is still understanding and exploring its benefits. The tray and holder’s deliberately designed modern form and versatile nature make it a fantastic entry point for the younger generation as well.

Designer: Deric Jeon, Sohee Park of above.studio

This was built by the Songpa-gu in collaboration with the Seoul Design Foundation to portray the beauty of the Hanseong period of the Baekje Dynasty’s cultural legacy and the aroma of tradition. This beautiful tray and holder complements any sort of interior decor by preserving and exhibiting its roots through themes of coins, flowers, and tree branches that showcase Baekjeasty’s remarkable art and cultural features.

Incense sticks are associated with a serene and zen environment that promotes focus, concentration, and rejuvenation. The characteristics of minimalistic design contribute to this frame of mind. It motivates people to think, perceive, and behave positively. When these themes are combined with overlapping traits, the outcome is a full platter to attract younger consumers.

The rightly picked white finishes justify the zen and minimal aesthetic. Zen themes usually have neutral colors which are associated with nature and are pleasing to the eye. Not only does the minimal zen palette affect one’s mood, but it also affects one’s attention span allowing them to focus and work better if placed in workspaces. It gives a feeling of a clean, pure, and a fresh environment

Traditional Korean buildings have the most gorgeous roofs, with everything from bright beautiful paintings on the ceilings to graceful tiles, arching eaves, and intricate tile finishes. The traditional clay tiles used to construct these roofs are known as ‘giwa’. These roofs served as inspiration for the shape of this holder and tray. The tile ends are always embellished with a finely detailed motif, such as an animal, flower, or Chinese character just like the ones at the end of the tray.

These trays are excellent choices for creating a cozy and soothing ambiance at home after a long day at work or even in the office during breaks. This complements every type of interior design and can be used without fear of clashing. Because it mixes daily objects into one, such as a cardholder, pen holder, and, of course, our new favorite incense stick tray, it encourages minimalism in every location it is used! The modular design also allows room for creating a larger tray and use it to its maximum capacity, these can also be stacked for compact storing.

It was fantastic how the designs at the tile ends kept the authenticity. In contrast to a structure with a flat surface, the wavy design may restrict the types of objects it can hold while decreasing usability.

The post How A Decorative Tray And Incense Holder Brings A Piece Of Korean History To Your Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

These playful desk accessories might have you craving for eggs

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Many of us sit in front of desks the majority of our lives, whether we work at home or in the office or spend most of the day in school. Something that we see every day for hours on end is bound to have an impact on our minds in the long run. That’s why we put pieces of decoration, beautiful accessories, and delightful toys on our desks to inspire us or even to distract us once in a while. Sometimes, however, we also opt for products with cleaner and more minimal designs that evoke feelings of peace or mental clarity. Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t have something that is both minimal yet playful, like this set of desk accessories and trinkets that take inspiration from traditional Korean games that children play.

Designer: Jiung Yun, Siwook Lee, Jihyun Hong, Junsu Lee

Inspiration can come from many things and take many forms. Some are more direct, like flower-shaped wall clocks or UFO-shaped lamps, while others require some imagination to make the connections. These hidden details only make these items more interesting and more valuable, especially if their themes speak to the owner’s interests and tastes. Madang, for example, is a collection of desk accessories that take inspiration from Korea’s forgotten traditional games, bringing an element of fun to some serious productivity tools.

Some of the associations are almost direct, like Juldaligi, a wrist-stretching tool that is like a miniature form of a traditional Korean tug of war. A multipurpose tray’s dividers and containers make it look like a Sabang chigi playground that children would use in yards. A magnetic clip holder that looks both like a UFO and a hat is a nod to the Jeonlip hats used in a whimsical game of Sangmodoligi. And what better way to embody a see-saw-like game than with a clip that mimics that movement.

There are also some items that take some license in the reinterpretation of those games. A pen holder, for example, tries to call to mind arrows that are put inside a barrel, while the Gang Gang Sulae desk timer is supposed to represent a game where people hold hands in a circle. One of the oddest ones is the incense holder that adds a swinging ball just to make an association with another traditional game that revolves around swings.

Whether intentional or unintentional, the white and orange motif of the Madang set brings another tie to Korean culture. Almost like different forms of soft-boiled eggs, these desk accessories bring to mind some popular Korean dishes, especially those that use egg as a core ingredient. Whether it’s through their shapes or through their colors, the Madang collection tries to give a bit of life to your desk without being overbearing or extravagant. Its homage to almost forgotten games also tries to remind us to have some fun in our lives before it becomes too late to enjoy it.

The post These playful desk accessories might have you craving for eggs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Korean BBQ Coffee Table: For Proper TV Dinners

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Because nothing says ‘Honey, I’m home!’ like the delicious smell of sizzling bulgogi wafting from the living room, this is the Korean BBQ coffee table sold by woojuCorporation on Etsy. The table costs $650, has a removable grill and collapsable legs for slimline storage, and is quickly going to become my new favorite piece of home furniture.

The tables measure approximately 47″ x 30″ x 13″ and come in nine different finishes to match any home decor. The grill itself is powered by an easily replaceable bottle of butane. Of course, with no overhead exhaust hood, you can expect your living room to smell like cooked meat for several days after dinner.

I lived just a few blocks from Los Angeles’s Koreatown neighborhood for almost a decade, so I’m no stranger to all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. I miss it. Will this coffee table help satisfy my longing? I hope so. I also hope I don’t accidentally melt a TV remote or unwittingly cook my heels in the process.

[via DudeIWantThat]

The wireless shark hair dryer is a fin-tastic conceptual design!

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This conceptual wireless shark fin hair dryer was designed for children but I will happily admit that I would love to have one too! Usually, children are not allowed to use hair dryers by themselves because the wires can be dangerous, so a wireless hair dryer with a playful form can solve that issue for us. Wires can also endanger adults so I am declaring this to be a universal design, bring on the shark fins…I meant fans.

The dryer’s ergonomic build is based on the form of an actual shark fin. The shark fin is the dryer and the wireless charging pad has been shaped to form waves – despite not being based on a more joyful fish like the clownfish, the shark fin and waves evoke a sense of childhood nostalgia. The front of the handle has a switch that allows the user to adjust the heat between two levels and also a function that enables a cool blast of air to set your style. There are three glowing lights on the rear side of the handle which indicate when the dryer is on and what battery level it is at. A simple lightning motif on the base marks where the charging cord should go when the wireless device battery is running low. The minimal design and muted colors appeal to users of all age groups.

The ridges of the ‘waves’ base seamlessly blend with the dryer when at rest giving it the look we all recognize from movies, books, and aquariums – the peeking fin! This wireless shark fin hair dryer is a classic innovative product that everyone is bound to love. Anyone else’s brain singing baby shark?

Designer: Sangheum Park

 

One zip is all it takes to clean this pet house!

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I think the only argument you can have over a pet (I have it with my sister all the time!) is who’s going to clean up the hair they shed? It gets everywhere from your clothes to your furniture, and probably even your food. Your furry friend can’t help it, they will shed and it is impossible to get every last hair. But to make it easier, a Korean designer has created this pet house called Zipup which reduces the time and effort you spend cleaning. Also, how sleek does it look? It’s the kind of house a dog called James Bond would have!

The pet house is designed with comfortable fabric and features a lined pattern on the resting pad. It also has a very modern-looking shade inspired by strollers. Zipup has a very simple yet efficient concept to solve this pet-hair-everywhere problem, one zip motion will swipe the hair off the resting pad your pet sits on. Truly, it is that easy and the most amount of hair will be in the pet house so once you get that, 80% of your job is done. The zipper has a round easy grip and you slide it across the line for the hair to collect at the bottom which lets you empty it more conveniently than running around the house with a vacuum (let’s be honest, a broom is no match for a non-hypoallergenic pet). Don’t you just want to get it in all three colors right hair, right now?

Designer: Hyoyeong Kim

zipup