Tag Archives: metal

This tiny Japanese Sakura puzzle provides a difficult challenge with its 0.004mm precision design

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There are different kinds of puzzles for different purposes. Some exercise the mind by challenging our mental faculties, while others are meant to help while away the time in a relaxing manner. There are also puzzles that reward their players with interesting art pieces that they can exhibit with pride on walls or on shelves. Of course, a puzzle can be all of those, providing good exercise for the brain while promising a beautiful display in the end. This hit puzzle from Japan does that and more because not only is the final result a stunning piece of art, each puzzle piece itself is a beautiful testament to creative design and quality craftsmanship.

Designer: Iwai Press

Click Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 ($30 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 27th.

There are many things that people will immediately associate with Japan and its culture, a long list that includes sushi, manga and anime, giant robots, samurai, and ninjas. There are, however, also things in nature that call to mind the Japanese spirit, like the smooth slopes of Mt. Fuji or the gentle curves of flowers like cherry and plum blossoms. The latter, especially sakura or cherry blossoms, have become almost representative of Japan, and now you can keep such a beautiful flower on your desk without worrying about it ever wilting away.

ZIREL is a new kind of puzzle hailing from Japan that will really test your patience but reward your tenacity. Unlike a typical puzzle where each piece is visually unique and has clear marks on what it’s connected to, many pieces of this puzzle look almost so identical that you might presume you can simply interchange them. You might be shocked or even frustrated to learn that each part actually has minute differences and has its own specific place, and the discovery of its position might almost feel like reaching enlightenment.

Some people say good things come to those who wait, and that’s definitely the case for this puzzle. Presuming, of course, you’re actually solving it rather than expecting it to magically solve itself after staring at it for hours. Once all the metal pieces slide into place, you are left with a beautiful Sakura (cherry blossom) or Ume (plum blossom) cast in stainless steel with a mirror finish. Thanks to extremely small gaps of 0.004mm, you won’t even see lines that will mar the beauty of these floral art pieces. Feel free to place them on your desk as a gorgeous paperweight or make them stand proudly atop a table or shelf. After hours of hard work, you definitely deserve the gloat.

Beyond the charm of the finished puzzle, each piece is designed with Japanese ingenuity and craftsmanship. Despite their hard metal surfaces, the pieces effortlessly slide into each other when you have discovered their correct place. Acute attention to detail and disciplined quality control ensures that each piece has the highest quality, resulting in a whole that is just as great as the sum of its parts. Challenging, satisfying, and rewarding, this all-metal puzzle can help keep your mind sharp while also providing a feast for the eyes on your desk or shelf.

Click Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 ($30 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Oct 27th.

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V-MAG modular combination card holder is a multi-tool marvel for EDC lovers

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Card holders have become quite the fascination for Everyday Carry or EDC fans. These slim accessories promise easy access to your most important plastic cards, and some even have space to keep your money from literally flying away. Their minimalist designs and small sizes, however, can also work against them, especially when it comes to accessing what’s inside or offering more value for your money. Cramming even just three cards in the same small space can make it even more difficult to pick the right one when you need it in a hurry. Keeping this compact card-sized accessory with you all the time can also be a bit of a hassle, especially when they tend to jiggle loosely in your pocket or even get lost. If you’ve been dreaming of a card holder that can do it all, then this metal card holder system is perfect for you, offering a wallet-sized dream come true for EDC fans.

Designer: PICHI DESIGN

Click Here to Buy Now: $66 $115 (43% off). Hurry, for a limited time only!

Alpha Module

V-MAG is actually made up of three distinct pieces that can function on their own or be combined in pairs. At the very top of that list is the V-MAG Alpha, with its innovative card holder system that gives you instant access to your cards. Rather than relying on a flimsy ejection mechanism, the V-MAG Alpha puts cards in different positions so you can simply push or pull the right card in no time flat. The Alpha’s strong, custom MagSafe magnet lets it latch on iPhones as well some (but not all) phone cases for iPhones and Android, creating a secure hold that won’t fall off no matter how much you shake the phone. It also comes with a built-in kickstand that will make watching on your phone more comfortable while the card holder is sticking to it.

Beta Module

Despite the name, the V-MAG Beta is no slouch, designed to be a wallet and multi-tool in one. The card holder offers convenient access to your credit or membership cards, while the money clip can hold your money or secure the Beta to your pocket or bag. You can also replace that clip with an AirTag clip add-on, ensuring you’ll never lose your wallet ever again. The most interesting parts, however, are the hidden tools around the card holder’s edges. There’s a bottle opener and a screwdriver, for starters, but there’s also a refillable pen and a replaceable No. 11 high carbon steel knife as well. With the V-MAG Beta, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that everything you need is in your pocket.

V-cover Module

Last but not least is the V-Cover module. Unlike the other two, it has one purpose and one purpose only. It can hold your most used bank card or most important ID so that it’s always accessible no matter what. It can attach to the back of the V-MAG Beta, or it can stick to the back of an iPhone on its own. The V-MAG Alpha and V-MAG Beta themselves can join together to form an all-in-one metal wallet that can store all your cards, money, and EDC tools in a single, organized place.

In addition to being versatile, the V-MAG is also quite the looker. Available in stonewashed titanium or different colors of aluminum alloy, the card holder’s uneven edges and cutouts give it a stylish cyberpunk vibe. Starting at only $72 (or $66 for the V-MAG Beta Super Early Bird), the V-MAG combination card holder system offers an innovative way to keep your cards and all your essential tools within reach while still giving you the freedom to choose where you want to put them, whether behind your phone or in your pocket. Compact, multi-functional, and modular, it’s every EDC lover’s dream, all wrapped in a spiffy metal package.

Click Here to Buy Now: $66 $115 (43% off). Hurry, for a limited time only!

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These Apple AirTag metal carabiners offer some peace of mind when you lose things

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All of us have lost something at one point in time or another, whether it’s something as trivial as an umbrella or a critical possession like a briefcase. Some might have even been unlucky enough to get their stuff stolen during unguarded moments. These moments always cause stress and feelings of despair, especially if it involves important or expensive items. Thankfully, technology has come to the rescue with trackers and tags that can help you locate those lost items, such as Apple’s simple yet powerful AirTags. The AirTags themselves can be pretty plain, perhaps even too plain, so these precision metal work carabiners try to give it a little more personality while also keeping your property safe and always within reach, even when they’re lost.

Designer: Saegusa Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $90 $120 (25% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Sept 9th.

In Stainless Steel

Item trackers have been around long before Apple launched its AirTag, but, as usual, the Cupertino-based company added a few twists that made it special. In addition to a new disc shape that contrasted with the predominant square design, Apple utilized a new kind of network that doesn’t rely only on short-range Bluetooth to find items. Unfortunately, the AirTag’s very design didn’t make it ideal for attaching to many things, which gave birth to a market of loops and holders for the tracker.

In Brass

Apple’s official AirTag accessories opted to use leather to give the coin-shaped accessory a classier appearance, but that isn’t the only material you can use to upgrade the tracker’s design. A carabiner, for example, can offer better protection for the tracker and a more secure attachment to any object. It can also be made to look attractive despite its often rugged appearance, as clearly demonstrated by these metal carabiners especially crafted for the Apple AirTag.

Unlike typical metal carabiners, these AirTag carabiners aren’t made from melted metal poured into casting. Instead, each part is precision made from solid metal, carefully crafted by hand to produce a more solid and more durable product. Given those conditions, each item might have slight variations, resulting in something that is like a unique edition per piece.

In Duralumin

The carabiners are made from high-quality materials and are available in three variants. The most interesting is the Duralumin version which uses a widely-used material that might be unfamiliar to many ears. This composite alloy that contains other metals like aluminum, copper, magnesium, and others is often used on aircraft, spaceships, and boats because of its durable and lightweight properties. It also means that this carabiner will easily survive a dip in the water or a flight on a plane.

There’s also a Brass carabiner that develops a more personal relationship with the owner. The untreated surface will develop a unique patina over time, aging gracefully and beautifully. The Stainless Steel version is simple and understated, offering an accessory that can keep up with your active lifestyle outdoors. Whether it’s Duralumin, Brass, or Stainless Steel, these carabiners will give you some reassurance that you’ll be able to locate your lost property again while also looking good hanging off your bag or key chain.

Click Here to Buy Now: $90 $120 (25% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends Sept 9th.

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This odd metal shelf tries to preserve your work-life balance

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The boundaries between work and personal life have been blurring in the past few years, and recent work-from-home arrangements have only muddled the lines even further. As many people learned the hard way, it takes a good amount of mental discipline to separate the two when they’re working at home, but it’s not exactly impossible. Having a separate home office is ideal but isn’t always an option for those with limited space. In such cases, furniture can come to the rescue, creating a physical and visual boundary between different parts of your life. That’s exactly the kind of effect that this shelf is aiming for, creating a figurative and literal separation between work and rest, especially for those that tend to have their desks beside their bed.

Designer: Jeong Hyuk Kim

If you look at it head-on, this shelf looks almost stereotypical, with box-like spaces for items like books and a top surface for putting decorative items like plants and vases. Once you start viewing it from a different angle, though, you’ll immediately see how it’s not your conventional shelf, especially in the way its body seems to snake upward, creating another space on its back.

The Criteria shelf concept is actually a blending of two different types of shelves for different parts of the day. As mentioned, one is a typical shelf to store books, stationery, desk accessories, decor, and other items you might need for work. The opposite side of this shelf, however, also has a shelf but with more limited space. It also has lighting that would be more useful at night.

This is the “rest” part of Criteria’s functionality. While one side is designed for productivity, the other is designed as a temporary landing area for transit items like phones, books, watches, or glasses. In other words, it functions as a bedside night shelf, though its height might not be ideal for reaching out at night. The idea is to have a single piece of furniture serve two functions, depending on which side you’re facing. That only works, however, if both “faces” of the shelf are within arm’s reach in the first place.

The skeleton of the shelf is made from a single sheet of metal bent to achieve this crooked shape. The central column and the shelves themselves are attached through gaps in the body. To prevent the metal edges from injuring people, they are bent to curve downward, creating a bit of safety. The shelf has a built-in power socket and USB ports for charging devices and powering the night lamp, and the gap between the spine and the shelf’s frame creates a path for the power cable to pass through.

The Criteria shelf concept presents a rather interesting solution to the problem of keeping a work-life balance at home. Rather than having a single shelf where work and personal items mix indiscriminately, it has two distinct areas for work and for rest. It’s also most metaphorical in how it shows two sides of the same shelf as if reminding people that, at the end of the day, these separate sides are still part of the same person.

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Stilform AEON is an immortal pencil you will never need to sharpen

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Despite the prevalence of digital devices and tools, people still have a special place for pens and pencils in their hearts. Pencils, most especially, have been a favorite for centuries when it comes to putting thoughts and ideas on paper, especially because they easily allow you to correct mistakes. The basic pencil, however, has remained the same during that period as well, and even the more recent mechanical pencil hasn’t changed much since its incarnation. Pencils still need to be sharpened or have their leads replaced, and there will always come a time when they can no longer be used. That doesn’t have to be where the story ends, though, and this pencil uses innovative technology to make it last more than your lifetime.

Designer: Stilform

Click Here to Buy Now: $50 $71 (30% off). Hurry, less than 24 hours left! Raised over $550,000.

Traditional wooden pencils are cheap, easy to buy, and easy to use. That’s why very few people give a second thought to how wasteful they can be in the long run. Millions of trees have to be cut down to supply the world’s pencil needs, but billions of these wooden pencils are also thrown out even before every last bit of graphite has been used up. Common mechanical pencils are no better because most of them use harmful plastics.

Stilform AEON is an attempt to finally evolve the pencil beyond its graphite and wooden roots, creating a writing tool that works almost like magic. Instead of a tip or refill with graphite and a wooden body, you get a metal tip that writes on paper, almost like the real deal. In reality, that metal tip oxidizes the surface of the paper it touches, leaving marks similar to graphite. It’s significantly better than graphite, though, because it won’t smudge and is waterproof, but it can still be easily erased. It won’t even write on fabric, so you can keep the pencil in your pocket without worrying about stray marks.

An All-in-One Pencil with Switchable Magnetic Tips – In need of a pencil for note-taking or just a quick sketch? Made possible by Aeon’s neodymium magnet, you can switch freely between an “Eternal” metal tip and a graphite tip for different pencil uses.

That metal “Eternal Tip” is obviously something you don’t need to sharpen, and it will hardly wear down over time. If you do want or need to replace one, however, it’s easy to buy a spare and switch it out thanks to strong neodymium magnets connecting the tip and the barrel. There’s also a graphite tip available in case you really need a more conventional mark. The marks it leaves are darker than the metal tip but can still be erased just as easily.

The Eternal Tip – The natural and non-toxic Tin and Bismuth elements join together to create pencil-like marks. This tip hardly wears itself down over time.

Textile Safe. Smudge-free and Water-proof – When your work is finished, your hands or sleeves remain clean. Liquid won’t make the marks fade. As neat as its strokes are, they are still erasable like a 2H-pencil.

Graphite Tip. Sketcher’s Choice – For a more conventional pencil experience, just switch to the graphite tip. Its strokes are darker but easily erased too.

A Design with Pending US Patent – Tired of fractured pencil tips? You never have to worry about a fragile construction with AEON’s powerful metal body and Eternal tip combination.

Anti-roll Chamfers – The distinctive flat sides along the pencil, decorated with tasteful veneers, stop pen-rolling effectively.

While the Stilform AEON’s metal tip is magical, its barrel is magnificent in its metallic beauty. Its chamfered design ensures that the pen will stop rolling after a few turns, preventing it from falling or getting lost. Both the materials and production processes are guaranteed to be lead-free, making it safe and environment-friendly as well.

The Stilform AEON is available in four different metal bodies, including aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and brass. The latter will develop a unique patina over time, turning the pencil into a potential heirloom to pass on to family or friends. Each pencil also comes with a choice of veneers such as walnut, ebony, or maple, giving the barrel a classic look while also improving its ergonomics. With a price tag that starts at just $51, the Stilform AEON easily pays for itself in a short period of time, letting you simply create without having to worry about running out of lead forever.

Click Here to Buy Now: $50 $71 (30% off). Hurry, less than 24 hours left! Raised over $550,000.

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Building a Massive 2-Ton, $100,000 Thor’s Hammer

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Because dream it, and, with enough funding, you can achieve it, the gang at the Hacksmith channel on YouTube went and constructed a massive 2-ton version of Thor’s Hammer, Mjolnir. Admittedly, that is probably the largest Thor’s hammer I have ever seen. The whole project cost around $100,000, which, I think we can all agree, was money well spent.

Because the individual metal pieces needed were so large, Hacksmith had to outsource their production to a steel company instead of cutting the pieces themselves since they were limited by the size of their machinery. The whole hammer was galvanized to prevent rusting, and the team plans to release a video of it being lifted via crane and dropped on various objects in the near future, although there’s a preview video (the second clip below) of it crushing a homemade robot. This looks promising!

Could I lift it? Of course, I could lift it, but I’m also the king of severely overestimating my abilities. Take, for instance, when I thought I could cut it as a blogger. ‘How hard could it really be?’ I asked myself before you had to read this.

[via TechEBlog]

Lazlo is a handsome ballpoint pen that celebrates the joys of writing

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You don’t need complex mechanisms to elevate the ballpoint, as this innovative pen beautifully demonstrates.

It has almost been 85 years since the first ballpoint pen was revealed to the public and patented by inventor Lazlo Biro. Since then, the writing tool has become a staple of everyday life, making writing more accessible and more common. Unfortunately, the proliferation of cheap ballpoint pens has also made both the act and the tool more mundane, taking for granted one of the key accomplishments of human civilization. Every now and then, a new pen appears that reminds us of the unique experience of writing, and the Lazlo is one such instrument that brings back those feelings with a pen whose simplicity and beauty belie the ingenuity inside and the quality writing experience it delivers.

Designers: Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier of Makers Cabinet

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $105 (35% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

Many ballpoint pens today employ complex mechanisms and components in an attempt to make the writing experience more pleasurable. Unfortunately, it has the opposite effect of making the pen more prone to malfunctions and less likely to last a long time. Most of the time, making things simpler is actually the solution, and this pen named after the Father of Ballpoint applies that philosophy but with a special twist, literally and figuratively.

The Patent Pending Mechanism – Diametrically opposed neodymium magnets rotate bi-directionally to engage and disengage the cartridge to create an unparalleled crisp click.

The Lazlo pen utilizes a patent-pending dipole magnetic mechanism that extends or retracts the ballpoint with a simple twist of the knurled top of the pen. There are no springs involved, reducing the chances of the pen breaking due to wear and tear or broken parts. You still get a satisfying snap when you twist the cap, though, and some might even be tempted to use the pen as a makeshift fidget toy while letting ideas percolate in your head. The pen’s minimalist aesthetic makes it a good fit for any stationery or desk theme, but you still have a choice of materials and their corresponding weight. The anodized space-grade aluminum blends well with many laptops of the same hue and is the lighter option at only 40g. The precision-machined solid brass, on the other hand, has a bit of heft at 65g but ages gracefully with a patina over time. Whichever variant you choose, you are guaranteed a well-balanced tool that will feel comfortable and stable in your hand.

A Satisfying, Balanced Weight – The profile is marginally tapered, forming an elegant shape which is both comfortable in your hand and balanced in weight.

Longevity Tested to 80+ Years of Use.

Featuring Schmidt – The Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refill is a highly sophisticated writing module based on a gas-pressurized system. This enables you to not only write upside down but also in the most extreme environmental conditions.

The Drop Stand.

Unlike most ballpoint pens, Lazlo is designed not just with durability and longevity in mind but also with sustainability. Its all-metal construction means that every part of the pen is recyclable. The steel clip that lets you conveniently carry the Lazlo pen in your front pocket is easily removable, and so is the front cap that gives easy access to the refill inside. It uses widely-available Schmidt MegaLine ballpoint refills, which utilize an innovative gas-pressurized system that lets you write even upside-down. The pen is also now compatible with Euro-Style cartridges, expanding your choices of refills. This means you won’t have to keep on buying new pens just because the ink has run out. Everything about the pen is designed to make it easy to repair, maintain, and preserve, ensuring that it will be around for years.

Even the packaging is made from sustainable and recyclable materials, including the cork drop stand that comes with every pen. You could, of course, also opt for a metal drop stand that matches the pen’s brass or aluminum body. There is also a Lazlo Sheath designed specifically for the pen, made from premium Badalassi Carlo leather that ages well with the pen itself. Whether you prop it up on a stand, keep it in your pocket, or display it in its leather bed, the all-metal Lazlo ballpoint pen will look striking in its simplicity, serving as a visual reminder of the simple joys of writing with a good pen.

Click Here to Buy Now: $68 $105 (35% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

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nuka is a tree-free and unbreakable notebook you can use over and over again

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It feels like paper and works like paper, so you won’t believe it’s not really paper.

Paper notebooks haven’t really gone out of fashion despite the prevalence of smartphones, tablets, and computers. In fact, one could even notice that they have become even more popular these days, especially with the popularity of paper-based productivity systems like the Bullet Journal. Paper is ubiquitous, doesn’t require learning to use, and is biodegradable, but it doesn’t mean it has no impact on the environment, especially when there’s too much of them wasted or even unused. There is clearly a need and the market for a more sustainable option, and this innovative twist on the paper notebook, one that you can reuse infinitely and is almost as eternal as the ideas and experiences you will write on it.

Designers: Nikolay Lozinskiy (3D animation & Product Design), O0 design (Branding, 3D animation & Product Design), Evgenija Medvedeva (Product Design), vennndii (Product Shootings)

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 ($30 off for YD readers). Hurry, sale ends June 25th!

There have been a few attempts at a reusable notebook, but they have all had their critical flaws. One requires a microwave to literally nuke the notebook and can only be reused up to five times or so. Another requires a special kind of ink, putting users at the mercy of manufacturers’ whims and bottom lines. nuka resolves all those problems with a very simple design that belies the creativity, imagination, and technology that make this notebook a true marvel.

There are three parts to what makes the nuka notebook tick, and the most important is arguably the notebook itself. Using a special material made of polypropylene, the notebook removes the need to cut down trees to fill up the pages. Thanks to its matte finish and smooth surface, the pages feel just like high-quality paper. Unlike paper, though, it is virtually indestructible. It is tear-resistant and waterproof, which means you can use it in almost any situation where you need to write something down, including in the rain. Those dreams of being able to jot ideas inside the shower can now become a reality.

Completely Rewritable

Cofee-proof

Water-proof

Tear-resistant

Of course, a blank sheet of paper, no matter how beautiful, remains blank until you write something on it. With nuka, you don’t have to use any special ink to leave a mark, and you can even use other kinds of ordinary pens and pencils (with some exceptions). The magic, however, really happens with the Eternal Pencil, a fitting name for a writing tool that doesn’t run out of ink and doesn’t need to be sharpened. Almost like an all-metal version of the Apple Pencil, the Eternal Pencil is a solid and ergonomic rod with a unique metal alloy tip that oxidizes the surface of the Eternal Notebook, creating marks that look like they were made by a regular pencil. You can even press harder to create darker marks, just like a regular pencil.

Last but not least, the Magic Eraser is true to its name and wipes off all traces on the page like magic. It can even erase marks made by other pencils and pens, with gel pens and permanent markers being the lone exceptions. Of course, you’ll want to save your pages first before wiping them down, and the nuka mobile app is the perfect way to capture and store your scribbles and sketches for reference and posterity. The app automatically straightens and cleans up the image to put your content front and center. It can even recognize tasks and schedules on specially-marked pages and add them to the app’s built-in to-do list and calendar app.

Reusable, sustainable, and eternal, the nuka notebook promises stationery that might even outlive you. Best of all, the $59 price tag on an Eternal Notebook, Eternal Pencil, and a bottle of Magic Eraser bundle quickly pays for itself with all the savings from new notebooks, refills, and pencils. Better be quick on those fingers, though, as this $30 discount for Yanko Design readers won’t last long, definitely not as long as the nuka notebook.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 ($30 off for YD readers). Hurry, sale ends June 25th!

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These hanging lights suspend reminders of Nature’s raw power over your head

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Indoor lighting fixtures are often designed in a way that induces feelings of calm or serenity. They’re also often made with luxurious materials and often have very stylish forms. Some even look like designer or art pieces that serve as the visual center of a room. In contrast, this series of light “sculptures” are anything but luxurious but are definitely stylish and beautiful, providing an almost thought-provoking setup hanging above your heads. And it does so utilizing a material that you’d rarely consider as fine material or associate with images of peace, as volcanic rocks are the remnants and reminders of how powerful, destructive, and unpredictable Mother Nature can sometimes be.

Designer: David Pompa

Even among the different kinds of rock, volcanic rock is considered raw and rough, its surface is broken by pores of random sizes and shapes. At the same time, however, it is also one of the most unique byproducts of Nature’s fury, with each of those pores formed by random environmental factors, making each piece and each part of volcanic rock unique and one of a kind. If there was anything that symbolized Nature’s beauty and terror, it would be this kind of rock.

There is also nothing that sparks thinking and interest than contrasting elements arranged in a balanced and beautiful manner, which is exactly what the Meta Parallel Black collection embodies. The completely black fixture contrasts and, in a way, softens the yellow light that comes off the tubes. The volcanic rocks’ rough surface also contrasts and complements the matte aluminum bars that hold the tubes together. Thin black cables suspend the stone and metal assembly, another pair of contrasting and balancing elements.

There are several arrangements of the Meta Parallel black, each with a pair of pillars of volcanic rock light always positioned in parallel to each other. The metal bars that hold the two together, however, bend and fold at right angles, creating an almost abstract arrangement, especially when several Meta Parallel pieces are joined together, all while keeping a sense of symmetry and balance in their formation.

Light and shadow, rough and smooth, rock and metal, parallel and symmetrical, the Meta Parallel brings the balance of contrast to any room. Decorative yet also practical, this beautiful assembly showcases the best of Nature and man, of natural and industrial processes working together to provide not just a lighting fixture but also a very visible representation of the kind of beauty that you can find and make from almost anything, including a rock born out of one of Nature’s most destructive forces.

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This wood and metal coffee table tries to gather people around in an odd way

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For today’s younger generation, the term “coffee table” might make them think of tables at coffee shops and cafes, but the real coffee tables aren’t exactly the kind you might see in these busy places. Sure, you can drink coffee off of it, perhaps in an even more relaxed and leisurely atmosphere than at Starbucks, but the coffee table’s low and wide form is commonly found as the centerpiece of a living area, often in front of a sofa. This concept, however, turns those conventions on their head and imagines a coffee table that gathers people around not just for conversations but perhaps also for work, just like they would at a cafe.

Designer: Ricardo Sá

The origins of the coffee table are steeped in mystery and hearsay, with different versions hailing from different decades, most of them from the late 1800s of the Victorian era. The one common element among all the stories is that the tables were closer to the ground, almost similar to Japanese-style tables. Over the decades, this has become the DNA of coffee tables, along with the association with books (hence the term “coffee table books”) and magazines. All in all, these specialized tables try to evoke feelings of relaxed reading, idle chatter, and leisurely drinking, definitely activities you’d associate with work.

This “Circus” coffee table concept, in contrast, is true to its name. It’s designed to bring people together in a more active and almost chaotic way. It’s taller than most coffee tables, tall enough to be a regular desk. In fact, it can even be used as one and has features designed to accommodate working on it.

The table’s jumble of shapes and materials is almost chaotic, just like a circus. You have a predominantly wooden table with metal components that add functionality to the table. The large circular hole in the middle turns the disc into a donut and reveals two triangular shapes that form the legs of the table. Instead of a solid cylindrical base, the table has metal bars and doors on opposite sides, creating further contrasts in terms of design.

Those aren’t just for show, though, with the bars serving as slots for books that you’d typically find on a coffee table. The solid panels, on the other hand, are doors for storage, as well as a way for charging cables to go through without dangling from the edges of the table. It creates a natural cable management system that doesn’t make it difficult to just unplug and go at a moment’s notice.

This coffee table is definitely not your regular coffee table, designed to be the center of attraction, both visually as well as practically. Although probably impractical in setups where a wide cough is involved, it can become the centerpiece of smaller living spaces that need both a coffee table as well as a working table. It can definitely bring people together, whether it’s for collaborating at work or for a friendly drink of coffee.

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