Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

SANDMARC’s $335 Probe Lens takes ‘Shot on iPhone’ to a completely new level

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The probe lens, which became the talk of the photography town in 2018, is now going to become a staple of smartphone photography too. After seeing Shiftcam debut their probe lens for the smartphone (although it hasn’t officially been launched yet), SANDMARC has joined the ranks with its own probe lens for the iPhone. Priced at $349.99 along with the mounting case for your phone, SANDMARC’s Probe Lens promises to deliver a new perspective that gives you a tiny critter’s POV, making the world around you seem much larger than life!

Designer: SANDMARC

The lens measures an impressive 12 inches long, and comes with that signature probe-shaped design that lets you poke your camera into tiny spaces and capture things from a small PoV. Essentially, it builds itself on the aesthetic set by Laowa and Shiftcam after, and sports a wide DoF, a focus wheel, and LEDs on the front to let the lens gather as much light as possible (tiny lenses do require higher light capture because of their small design).

More importantly, this release from SANDMARC promises to change iPhones and smartphone photography as we know it. Humans are used to the human perspective, which is why we’re so enamored by drone footage. The Probe Lens brings yet another perspective to how we capture the world, and it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal to see what creators do with it.

At its $335 price tag (for just the lens), this isn’t something everyone can or even should buy. The Probe Lens is designed mainly for creatives, filmmakers, and nature documentary folks. The lens has a focal length of 16mm, a magnification of 2.1x, and the ability to focus on objects with stunning bokeh and also a wide FoV. You truly feel like you’ve been shrunk 100x and you’re now exploring the world in a new, tinier body. SANDMARC hasn’t specified whether this probe lens is waterproof (Shiftcam’s upcoming lens is), which means you may not be able to prod your lens into a glass of water, or a pond to observe wildlife inside. There is, however, a set of shadowless lights on the rim, for low-light photography, and a USB-C port that lets you charge your Probe Lens. The lens ships with a pouch, front and back lens caps, a charging cable, and even a mounting case for your iPhone (compatible with iPhone 14 and above).

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This Tiny Electric Grater lets you rain heaps of Parmesan Cheese over your Pasta and Salads

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Meet Grater Rain, the first and only handheld, one-touch cheese grater. Simply push the button and rain heaps of Parmesan cheese over your Pasta and Salads. No more workouts every time you want to enjoy your favorite cheese or chocolate on your food. The one-press electric grater lets you simply remove the lower housing from the refrigerator, attach the upper drive housing, and push the button for instant grated cheese. Grater Rain is the only grater designed to store your cheese and or chocolate in the refrigerator, completely sealed in the housing. Three grater discs let you choose between fine, coarse, and shaved grating, and all you really need to do is hold the Grater Rain over your pasta, salad, pizza, sandwich, or frankly even your mouth as the grater delivers perfect Parmesan goodness at the press of a button. Swap out the hard cheese for a block of chocolate and you can use it over coffees, desserts, or a nice hot chocolate too. The entire process takes 10 seconds from refrigerator to grated goodness on your plate.

Designer: Jimmy Olmes

Click Here to Buy Now: $139 $199 ($60 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $136,000.

The Grater Rain automates a process that has traditionally required a fair amount of elbow grease. There was a time when whipping cream, mixing dough, or juicing fruit was done manually by hand… until the electric whisk, KitchenAid, and the blender made life easier. Grater Rain does the same for hard cheeses and chocolates, automating the process of grating or shaving just by pressing a button. The Grater Rain’s design splits into two parts – the container, which holds the food, and the motor, which gives you one-button grated food. When detached, the container should be stored in a fridge, helping prolong your food’s shelf life while giving you a convenient container to hold your cheese or chocolate. The motor, on the other hand, stays outside, lasting months between charges. Attach both modules and the Grater Rain is ready to douse your food in copious amounts of Parmesan. Press a button and it gets to work, automatically grating till you get it to stop.

Shaved Cheese!

Coarse Cheese

Fine Cheese

The lower container element comes with a nifty refrigerator-friendly design. A hollow interior lets you load the cheese or chocolate of your choice. Hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino, Grana-Padano, or Manchego work best, and any solid block of chocolate will work too, as long as it’s right out of the fridge. One end of the container has a piston, which interfaces with the motor, and the other has the grating plate, which can be swapped out depending on whether you want fine/coarse grating, or shavings.

Various Blades

The upper element features a rechargeable battery-powered motor that works for 3 months on a full charge (that’s a LOT of cheese). A single button powers the entire device, and to get started, all you do is take the lower container out of the fridge, lock it into the upper motor, and hit the power button. The Grater Rain instantly (and consistently) grates over your food, with an enclosed blade design that lets even kids safely use the electric grater. Once you’re done, detach the lower container and put it back in the fridge – you don’t need to clean the Grater Rain between uses, like you would most traditional graters… and when you run out of cheese/chocolate, all of the lower housing components are dishwasher safe so they can all go into the dishwasher for periodic cleaning.

Chocolate Shavings!

The entire contraption stands at 8.4 inches tall or splits into a 4.1-inch container that goes in the fridge, and a 4.3-inch motor that charges using USB-C. The Grater Rain comes with a 3-year warranty, and the company even makes electric salt and pepper grinders that let you season your food like you’re living in the year 2040!

Click Here to Buy Now: $139 $199 ($60 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $136,000.

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The Pearl Chandelier puts pearl-shaped bulbs within metal sconce ‘oysters’ for a grand lighting aesthetic

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Although pearls aren’t the first thing that come to your mind when you look at this chandelier, Waxy Design Studio’s Pearl Chandelier manages to weave a unique aesthetic out of its original starting point. The chandelier comes with multiple lighting elements mounted around it in a ring, creating an almost jewel-like experience. Each individual metal cone or sconce has a pearl-shaped lightbulb inside it, turning the chandelier into a necklace for your ceiling, and making the metal sconces have the concealing appeal of an oyster that just lets you peek in to see the pearl.

Designer: Waxy Design Studio

The chandelier comes in two styles – white or black, with an interplay against the golden metal color on the inside and the golden frame itself. Each chandelier has precisely 20 sconces or lighting elements, made of curved metal sheets. The light sits within the sheet, shining through the opening in the folds. It’s perhaps a very liberally abstract way to represent an oyster, but then again, the chandelier does focus the light both downwards as well as upwards, helping scatter the light in a meaningful and functional way. It does have a stunning appeal too, with the 20 sconces coming together almost like a necklace.

“Each Pearl Light unit encapsulates a delicate balance between the luminosity of the pearl and the protective embrace of metal, mirroring the relationship between an oyster and its precious gem,” says Waxy Design Studio. “This juxtaposition creates a visually striking and emotionally resonant lighting fixture that enhances any space with its unique charm.”

Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the seamless integration of the ‘pearls’ and metal components. Advanced production techniques ensure both the structural integrity of the piece and the delicate diffusion of light through the pearl. The result is a captivating play of light and shadow, inviting viewers to appreciate the fixture from various perspectives.

The post The Pearl Chandelier puts pearl-shaped bulbs within metal sconce ‘oysters’ for a grand lighting aesthetic first appeared on Yanko Design.

Downsizing 101: How to Declutter Your Life Before Moving Into a Tiny Home

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Moving into a tiny home represents more than just a change in living space; it’s a lifestyle transformation. The idea of downsizing can be both thrilling and daunting. For design enthusiasts and those committed to creative living, this process provides a unique opportunity to curate a space that’s both functional and beautiful. Drawing from experience and expertise, this guide delves into practical, design-forward strategies to help you declutter effectively and thoughtfully.

01. Start with Intention

Downsizing requires a mindful approach, especially when transitioning to a tiny home. Begin by envisioning how you want your new space to function and feel. Prioritize elements that serve dual purposes and contribute to your desired ambiance. This step sets a clear direction and makes the decluttering process more manageable.

For instance, consider the role of each item in your home. Does it serve a functional purpose? Does it add aesthetic value? Items that meet both criteria should be prioritized. This intentionality helps in creating a space that’s not just smaller but more curated and harmonious. An intentional design mindset ensures that every piece in your tiny home adds to the overall quality of life, making your new living environment both efficient and inspiring.

02. Embrace Multi-Functional Furniture

In a tiny home, every piece of furniture must work hard. Multi-functional furniture is key to maximizing limited space without sacrificing comfort or style. Look for pieces that offer multiple uses, such as a sofa bed, a fold-out desk, or a dining table with built-in storage.

A great example is the use of a Murphy bed, which folds up against the wall when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. Similarly, ottomans with hidden storage compartments can serve as seating, storage, and even a coffee table. These smart solutions allow you to maintain a clean, uncluttered space while still having all the functionality you need.

The beauty of multi-functional furniture lies in its ability to adapt to your needs. By investing in these versatile pieces, you create a dynamic living environment where each item plays a crucial role in enhancing your space’s usability and aesthetic appeal.

03. Incorporate Built-In Storage

Built-in storage solutions are a tiny home’s best friend. They help keep the space organized and clutter-free, ensuring that everything has its place. Custom built-ins can be integrated into walls, stairs, and even furniture, providing seamless storage options that don’t intrude on your living area.

Consider installing built-in shelves in nooks and crannies that would otherwise go unused. Staircases can double as drawers, and benches can hide compartments underneath their seats. These built-in solutions not only save space but also add a touch of custom craftsmanship to your home.

The key to effective built-in storage is customization. Tailor these solutions to fit your specific needs and the unique dimensions of your tiny home. This personalized approach ensures maximum efficiency and adds a bespoke element to your living space, making it uniquely yours.

04. Maximize Vertical Space

When floor space is limited, think vertically. Maximizing vertical space is essential in a tiny home, and it can be achieved through creative shelving, hanging storage, and lofted areas. This approach helps keep your belongings accessible while maintaining an open and airy feel.

Vertical storage can take many forms. Floating shelves, pegboards, and hanging baskets are excellent for storing kitchen utensils, tools, and even plants. Lofted areas can serve as additional sleeping quarters or cozy reading nooks. By utilizing the full height of your space, you expand your storage capacity without crowding your living area.

An often-overlooked aspect of vertical storage is the aesthetic element. Vertical arrangements draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of a taller, more spacious room. This visual trick can make your tiny home feel much larger than it is, enhancing both functionality and design.

05. Adopt a Minimalist Aesthetic

A minimalist aesthetic is perfectly suited for tiny homes. It focuses on simplicity, clean lines, and a restrained color palette, creating a serene and uncluttered environment. This design approach not only makes your space feel larger but also promotes a sense of calm and order.

Start by decluttering ruthlessly. Keep only the essentials and items that bring you joy. Choose furniture with sleek designs and avoid ornate details that can overwhelm a small space. Neutral colors and natural materials, such as wood and stone, enhance the minimalist look and add warmth to your home.

Minimalism doesn’t mean your space has to be devoid of personality. Instead, it encourages you to be selective about what you include. Each piece should have a purpose and contribute to the overall aesthetic. This thoughtful curation creates a cohesive and inviting environment, making your tiny home a stylish sanctuary. Remember, minimalism isn’t for everyone. If you can find ways to creatively (and aesthetically) store your belongings, then maximalism may just be your style!

The Transformer Table seats anywhere from 2 to 12 people thanks to a clever expanding design

06. Select Timeless and Versatile Pieces

In a tiny home, every piece of furniture and decor must earn its place. Opt for timeless and versatile items that can adapt to various functions and styles. This approach ensures that your space remains relevant and functional as your needs and tastes evolve.

Consider investing in classic furniture designs that never go out of style. Pieces like a well-crafted wooden dining table or a sleek mid-century modern chair can anchor your space and provide long-term value. Versatile items, such as nesting tables or stackable chairs, offer flexibility and can be easily reconfigured to suit different occasions.

Choosing timeless and versatile pieces also reduces the need for frequent replacements, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. This focus on quality over quantity aligns with the principles of minimalism and enhances the longevity of your space.

07. Implement Creative Storage Hacks

Innovative storage solutions are essential in a tiny home. Creative hacks can help you organize your belongings efficiently and keep your space clutter-free. These solutions often involve repurposing everyday items or thinking outside the box to find new uses for existing spaces.

Magnetic strips, for example, can be used to store metal kitchen utensils or tools, freeing up drawer space. Pegboards offer customizable storage options for everything from craft supplies to office equipment. Hidden compartments in furniture or behind walls provide discreet storage for valuables.

Another effective hack is the use of hooks and racks. Install them on doors, walls, or even the ceiling to hang items like bikes, bags, and coats. These small changes can significantly increase your storage capacity without compromising on style or space.

08. Use Natural Light to Your Advantage

Natural light is a powerful tool in making a small space feel larger and more inviting. Designing your tiny home to maximize natural light can transform your living environment, making it brighter and more cheerful.

Large windows, skylights, and glass doors are excellent ways to bring in more light. Reflective surfaces, such as mirrors and glossy finishes, can help bounce light around the room, enhancing its brightness. Light-colored walls and furnishings also contribute to a more open and airy feel.

To make the most of natural light, keep window treatments minimal. Sheer curtains or blinds that can be easily pulled back allow maximum light to enter while providing privacy when needed. This approach not only brightens your space but also connects the indoors with the outdoors, creating a sense of expansiveness.

09. Personalize with Art and Textiles

Even in a minimalist tiny home, there’s room for personal touches. Art and textiles are excellent ways to add warmth, color, and personality to your space without overwhelming it. Carefully selected pieces can reflect your unique style and make your home feel truly yours.

Opt for artwork that resonates with you and complements your overall design. A few well-chosen pieces can make a significant impact. Similarly, textiles like rugs, cushions, and throws add texture and comfort. Choose natural materials and patterns that enhance your minimalist aesthetic.

When selecting art and textiles, think about their placement and scale. In a small space, it’s crucial to strike a balance between adding interest and maintaining an open feel. Grouping smaller pieces together or opting for one large statement piece can create a cohesive look.

10. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choices

Downsizing offers an excellent opportunity to adopt more eco-friendly and sustainable living practices. By choosing sustainable materials and products, you contribute to a healthier environment and create a more responsible living space.

Opt for furniture made from reclaimed wood or other sustainable materials. Incorporate energy-efficient appliances and fixtures to reduce your carbon footprint, rely on solar energy to help save costs while utilizing renewable energy. Efficient LED lighting, low-flow faucets, and energy-saving kitchen appliances are all excellent choices. Additionally, consider incorporating green elements like plants, which improve air quality and add a touch of nature to your home.

Moving into a tiny home requires thoughtful planning and intentional design choices. As you downsize, focus on quality over quantity that will enrich your life while allowing you to turn your home into an extension of your personality.

In the end, downsizing to a tiny home isn’t just about reducing your physical footprint—it’s about simplifying your life and creating a space that reflects your values and supports your lifestyle. With these tips and a little creativity, you can make your tiny home a haven of comfort, style, and efficiency.

Also Read: Ten Things They Don’t Tell You About Tiny Homes

The post Downsizing 101: How to Declutter Your Life Before Moving Into a Tiny Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

If Peloton met Spatial Video – The HoloBike is an exercise bicycle with a 4K holographic, immersive screen

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Wouldn’t you enjoy your exercises much more if they were immersive? It’s why apps like Beat Saber and Supernatural have become such hits in the VR community, offering a true exercise experience while transporting you from your home to somewhere different and more enjoyable. Your regular home gym, Rower Machine, or Peloton won’t do that, but the HoloBike will. With a design one can only describe as future-minimalist, the HoloBike is a cutting-edge spin cycle or exercise bike that comes with a massive 27-inch 4K holographic display on front. Think gaming monitor, but powered by exercise, letting you move around in a virtual space as you cycle. You can drive on virtual highways across the outback, cruise off-road on forest trails, or even on mountain terrains like the Alps. The faster you cycle, the faster you move in VR… except without needing to wear 3D glasses or a clunky nausea-inducing VR headset.

Designers: LAYER Design & Saga Holographic

Click Here to Buy Now: $2599 $2999 ($400 off) Hurry! Discount on first 200 HoloBikes.

If you stop thinking of the HoloBike as a bike and start thinking of it as a massive gaming controller, it all makes sense. Instead of pressing a forward button or left and right to turn, you cycle and steer to progress in the virtual space. It’s an innovative bridge between the rigor of exercise and the fun of gaming and exploration, but in the comfort of your house. Most exercise equipment leaves you staring at walls or at small displays with stats – the HoloBike immerses you in an environment that you can cycle around, letting you choose your trail.

“When I’m riding outdoors, I can go for 3 hours just absorbed in that captivating rhythm of moving through space. But even 10 minutes training on a stationary bike feels painfully monotonous. That phenomenon of time dilation is fascinating. If we could tap into that sense of flow, we could create a more meditative training experience that enhances focus and endurance,” says Samuel Matson, Saga CEO and Founder.

The hyper-minimalist design of the HoloBike is thanks to LAYER Design, which helped bring a clean aesthetic to the exercise equipment, making it look like something from the future. The spin bike comes with a floor-standing design but a black and white color-way and clean surfaces. A metal disc at the back encases the gear system while pedals on the front let you move. Orange details found around the bike’s frame let you adjust its shape to suit your ergonomics, and a large 4K display gives you glasses-free 3D so you can immerse yourself in your new world as you cycle.

The technology used by the HoloBike is similar to the glasses-free 3D screens seen in some niche smartphones across the last decade (remember the RED Phone?). The bike comes equipped with a sizeable 27-inch LCD screen outputting 4K resolution – but look closer and the screen has a lenticular film on it, comprising thousands of micro-lenses that create a left and right channel for your eyes, sort of like those holographic posters or sports cards. This effectively allows your eyes to sense depth by seeing two separate images, creating an immersive world that doesn’t require glasses or strapping a headset to your face. A soundbar right beneath it further enhances the immersive experience, transporting you to a new place.

The result is far superior to some crummy game you’d play on a laptop. As much as Saga Holographics (the company behind the bike) is an exercise company, it’s a spatial reality company too – every single environment offered by the HoloBike is designed from scratch using actual photogrammetric scans of trees, logs, leaves, bushes, roads, signs, etc. The virtual world is a reconstruction of the real world, using a combination of procedural rendering and AI advancements to help render out the entire experience in a way that feels hyperrealistic.

The stationary bike comes with adjustable wheels that let you move it around your house before locking it in place.

The bicycle itself is also fine-tuned to be a state-of-the-art exercise device. You can control the dashboard using buttons on the handlebars, setting your scene and pre-programming your routine. The bicycle’s proportions can be adjusted, letting you shift the handlebars up or down, move the seat forward or backward, or even adjust the seat’s height. Electromagnetic resistance lets you mimic real-life cycling experiences like gear shifts, or going uphill/downhill. A polymer drivetrain helps enable silent pedaling so all you can hear is the sound coming from the display in front of you, and your own breath as you work out.

The HoloBike has an impressive amount of tech inside it, with an AI-ready chipset that powers the 3D VR experience, a holographic display, and all the features of a cutting-edge spin bike or exercise bike without any of the monotony of regular home gym equipment, or the sneaky monthly fees of a Peloton. At $2599, it prices itself in the same Peloton category too, albeit with a minimalist design that grabs eyes, and a holographic display that grabs minds. Your exercises will never feel this immersive and fun!

Click Here to Buy Now: $2599 $2999 ($400 off) Hurry! Discount on first 200 HoloBikes.

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The DeLorean gets a Cyberpunk Makeover that brings it back to the ‘real’ future

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The beauty of the term future is that it’s a constantly evolving concept. The future was very different for people living in the 80s versus now… and that goalpost keeps shifting, so if we want to ensure something looks ‘futuristic’, by its own definition, it has to constantly evolve with the times. Designer Loïc Chauvin decided that the DMC DeLorean needed this revival too, given that its aesthetic may have looked futuristic in the mid-80s, but not right now. Chauvin’s redesign brings neo-cyberpunk styling to the retropunk car, modernizing it without necessarily diluting its iconic aesthetic.

Designer: Loïc Chauvin

The design starts with the instantly recognizable silhouette of the classic DeLorean. The sleek stainless-steel body and gull-wing doors remain, instantly transporting us back to the 1980s. However, the car’s body is refined in keeping with modern times. The headlight and taillight are updated with what feels like Hyundai-inspired grid-matrix lighting, and the spoilers on the back add a nifty edgy touch. The paint job is made more premium thanks to a matte coat, and the use of matte black on the doors and parts of the roof.

Designer, Loïc Chauvin, meticulously crafted the DeLorean Cyberpunk Edition using Gravity Sketch, a state-of-the-art virtual reality design tool. This allowed for the creation of a car that perfectly merges the timeless DeLorean design with cyberpunk elements, finally being rendered in Unreal Engine. The result? A Restomod aesthetic that features extended bumpers, fenders, large diffusers, and unique louvers, all complementing the original DeLorean’s charm. Inspiration is also drawn from the Hyundai N Vision 74 concept, with elements that seamlessly integrate with the DeLorean’s sleek form.

Chauvin’s design is an exercise in futuristic reiteration. We’ve all seen the DMC issue the new Alpha5 EV back in 2022, but there’s really no synergy between the original car seen in the BTTF film franchise and the redesigned EV slated for a release this year. Instead, Chauvin brings gradual, meaningful upgrades to the existing DeLorean without taking away its core essence of being one of the coolest cars to dominate pop culture in the 80s. Someone who sees Chauvin’s redesign will still appreciate what it stood for 40 years ago, while also being able to recognize it for what it is – a gorgeously modern piece of automotive art.

Via Automotive Design Planet

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These Origami Cabins were designed to be rapidly constructed in a short span of time

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Imagine a house that can adapt to any environment, from bustling cityscapes to serene mountain ranges. This is the vision behind the Infinity Mobile Architecture, an award-winning design by A.L.P.S. that’s redefining the concept of living spaces. Cities are getting saturated and as a result, people are leaving their urban lives behind, looking for a livable habitat in lesser-occupied areas. Designed to help you build a home with minimal effort, time, and destruction to the surroundings, the Infinity Mobile Architecture system by A.L.P.S. gives you a flexible home that can be rapidly constructed on any kind of terrain and in any climate. Relying on clever origami, the Infinity homes are stable and offer dynamic and aesthetic livable spaces that let you get away from the city without necessarily leaving the comforts of an urban home.

Designer: A.L.P.S.

The key to this flexibility lies in the ingenious skeletal structure. Crafted from high-grade, lightweight aluminum, it’s both robust and easy to transport. This innovative design allows the unit to adapt to various terrains, from mountain slopes to serene meadows. Nestled amidst rolling hills or perched on a rocky cliffside, the Infinity Mobile Architecture minimizes its footprint while maximizing your connection with the surrounding beauty.

The focus on lightweight materials reduces environmental impact during transportation and construction. A.L.P.S. has even explored eco-friendly facade options like soft fabric, ensuring the unit blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. It’s a home that respects the environment, leaving minimal disruption in its wake. But the Infinity Mobile Architecture isn’t just about aesthetics. A.L.P.S. has incorporated clever technical advancements to ensure a comfortable and functional living experience. The retractable skeleton is not just lightweight, it’s designed for ease of use. During transport, it conveniently folds in, making the unit compact and manageable. Once you’ve reached your new haven, the skeleton expands to create a spacious living area.

This leaves you with roomy interiors that have a dynamic ceiling, enhancing the living space to break its cuboidal monotony. The ceiling evokes the dynamism of a kaleidoscope, further enhanced by the cabin’s full-length mirrors that let ample amounts of natural light in during the day.

The exterior, on the other hand, is clad with aircraft-grade aluminum panels, making the unit resistant to a wide range of temperatures, from scorching deserts to snow-capped mountains. Secondary lightweight structures and decking components can be assembled without heavy machinery, minimizing disruption to the environment. Additionally, the innovative single-point suspended ceiling system boasts a weight capacity of 80kg and can be hoisted into place in one go. This translates to a quicker turnaround time, allowing you to enjoy your new mobile haven sooner.

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Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design

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Good things take time. Whether it’s waiting minutes while your coffee brews, waiting weeks for new episodes of your favorite series, waiting years for tech to improve, or in the case of Wacaco, waiting 10 long years for their award-winning Minipresso to get its much-needed upgrade. Since its launch in 2014, the Minipresso has been perhaps the gold standard in outdoor portable espresso brewing. Wacaco designed the entire gizmo from the ground up, with a patented pressure-building system that worked without batteries. The Minipresso ran entirely on kinetic energy, using a hand-powered pump to generate up to 8 bars of pressure for the perfect brew. 10 years later, the Minipresso GR2 makes its debut, with a smaller, lighter design that accepts more coffee grounds than before, giving you more brew for your buck. It still runs on its classic hand-pumped design, but now also uses eco-friendly biomaterials in its design that reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Designer: Wacaco

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The challenge with the Minipresso GR2 was to pretty much create a version 2.0 of a product that was already pretty perfect. The first-edition Minipresso GR still is impressive for its size and capabilities, so going back to the drawing board wasn’t about problem-solving, it was about design-refinement and feature-addition. The Minipresso GR2 is now a whopping 5cm or 2 inches shorter than its predecessor, making it shorter than the average smartphone at just 4.9 inches in height. Designed originally for travel and outdoor use, this tinier design makes it much more space-efficient, allowing it to fit into handbags, backpacks, travel cases, duffels, or even in a jacket pocket for you to carry around. The smaller design is lighter too, weighing 285 grams or 0.63 lbs, but the small size doesn’t necessarily mean less coffee… in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The Minipresso GR2 embodies user-friendliness, sturdy materials, and an elegant design, ensuring a flawless espresso brewing experience with every use.

While the previous Minipresso GR accepted only 8 grams of coffee in its basket, the GR2 gives you the option of loading 12 grams of coffee grounds in for a stronger shot of espresso. The basket comes with a modular, height-adjustable design, letting you load either 8 or 12 grams of coffee into its basket. Depending on whether you like your coffee regular or strong (also depending on the roast you load into the Minipresso GR2), you have the option of brewing a lighter or bolder cup of coffee. The user experience is further enhanced with the integration of a water tank that also includes a dosing funnel and a drip tray.

This cutting-edge portable espresso maker incorporates our most advanced pumping system, which results from years of experience and innovation, ensuring optimal extraction efficiency.

Brewing with the Minipresso GR2 hasn’t changed at all, helping users adjust to the newer design with no learning curve. The Minipresso GR2 disassembles to reveal its multiple parts. The upper double-walled flask holds up to 80ml of hot water, while the basket below it carries the coffee grounds. To brew your coffee, set up the pump by twisting it to have it pop out. Pump the Minipresso a few times to build the pressure needed for the espresso to brew perfectly, and use the included lid as an espresso cup to extract your coffee into. The process takes under a minute, and can be done without batteries or electricity, letting you brew fresh coffee on a beach, a campsite, a mountaintop, or heck, even inside an airplane so you don’t pay for the overpriced coffee they serve on flights.

Measure your coffee.

Get your coffee fix ready.

Enjoy your drink.

The tinier Minipresso GR2 comes with a new design too, boasting cleaner surfaces, minimal details, and an easy-to-clean format that makes maintenance a breeze. The double-wall design helps keep the hot water inside the Minipresso GR2 hot, while keeping the outer surface cool so you can brew your coffee without having to deal with a hot or warm device. The outer shell is also made from a new wheat-composite polymer as opposed to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. This bioplastic, along with the 30% smaller size helps the Minipresso GR2 have a much smaller climate impact than its predecessor… all while letting you brew more, better, stronger coffee. I guess that’s something worth waiting a few years for, right?

Handy cover.

Photo credit: Garance Rx

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

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LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle

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Just in time to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary next year, LEGO builder BRO3 decided to pay homage to historical drama series Downton Abbey with a dedicated LEGO set. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set comes with an incredibly detailed build of the old Highclere Castle, along with all its occupants from the vast Crawley family to the butlers and castle caretakers who make up the cast of the show. The detailed model comes with multiple rooms, up to 15 minifigures (16 if you include the dog Pharoah), and even Lady Mary’s bench – an iconic part of the series!

Designer: BRO3

Although LEGO builder BRO3 doesn’t mention how many bricks make up the Highclere castle, it’s an impressively detailed piece of work, capturing the Jacobean architectural style that made its appearance during the Victorian periods. The castle exists even today, although the series depicts a fictional setup featuring the influential Crawley family. The front facade is remarkably intricate, with the grand entrance that opens to let the characters in.

Flip the castle over and you’re treated to 5 main rooms and 6 mini rooms that your characters can sit in. The main rooms include the Dining room, Kitchen, Lady Mary’s room, Guest room, and the Servants’ quarters. The smaller rooms located in the towers include Carson’s office, along with 5 other empty rooms that you can use to store minifigures that aren’t in use.

The 15 minifigures include the usual suspects of the series, from the 7 members of the Crawley family and Tom Branson (Lady Sybil’s husband), to the 7 staff members of the castle, including butlers, cooks, housekeepers, and the valet.

Lady Mary’s bench also gets its own mini build, paying tribute to the bench that has been a staple to many conversations, sage pieces of advice, and even brewing relationships! “I wanted to breathe the spirit of the place into the model, so I chose a heart-shaped plate and decorative bench handles,” says BRO3.

The LEGO Downton Abbey set is currently a fan-made submission on the LEGO Ideas website – a forum for LEGO builders to create their own unique builds and vote for their favorites. With 2,000 supporters, this MOC (My Own Creation) is slowly picking up traction, and if it hits the coveted 10,000 vote mark, LEGO’s internal team will review it with the possibility of also turning it into a box set! If you want to own your own replica of Highclere Castle and its residents, vote for the submission on the LEGO Ideas website here!

The post LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle

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Just in time to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary next year, LEGO builder BRO3 decided to pay homage to historical drama series Downton Abbey with a dedicated LEGO set. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set comes with an incredibly detailed build of the old Highclere Castle, along with all its occupants from the vast Crawley family to the butlers and castle caretakers who make up the cast of the show. The detailed model comes with multiple rooms, up to 15 minifigures (16 if you include the dog Pharoah), and even Lady Mary’s bench – an iconic part of the series!

Designer: BRO3

Although LEGO builder BRO3 doesn’t mention how many bricks make up the Highclere castle, it’s an impressively detailed piece of work, capturing the Jacobean architectural style that made its appearance during the Victorian periods. The castle exists even today, although the series depicts a fictional setup featuring the influential Crawley family. The front facade is remarkably intricate, with the grand entrance that opens to let the characters in.

Flip the castle over and you’re treated to 5 main rooms and 6 mini rooms that your characters can sit in. The main rooms include the Dining room, Kitchen, Lady Mary’s room, Guest room, and the Servants’ quarters. The smaller rooms located in the towers include Carson’s office, along with 5 other empty rooms that you can use to store minifigures that aren’t in use.

The 15 minifigures include the usual suspects of the series, from the 7 members of the Crawley family and Tom Branson (Lady Sybil’s husband), to the 7 staff members of the castle, including butlers, cooks, housekeepers, and the valet.

Lady Mary’s bench also gets its own mini build, paying tribute to the bench that has been a staple to many conversations, sage pieces of advice, and even brewing relationships! “I wanted to breathe the spirit of the place into the model, so I chose a heart-shaped plate and decorative bench handles,” says BRO3.

The LEGO Downton Abbey set is currently a fan-made submission on the LEGO Ideas website – a forum for LEGO builders to create their own unique builds and vote for their favorites. With 2,000 supporters, this MOC (My Own Creation) is slowly picking up traction, and if it hits the coveted 10,000 vote mark, LEGO’s internal team will review it with the possibility of also turning it into a box set! If you want to own your own replica of Highclere Castle and its residents, vote for the submission on the LEGO Ideas website here!

The post LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle first appeared on Yanko Design.