Something that designers have been focusing on when it comes to the arena of lighting is sustainability in their use of materials and different techniques. Pretty lighting designs that illuminate well can be found generously, but ones with a splash of sustainability aren’t always easy to come by. And even if you do find an eco-friendly one, they aren’t always the most visually pleasing ones on the market and can mess up your interior decor style. But this is where Spanish designer Ceci Ferrero has come to the rescue with his Couro collection, created for the handmade decor brand Let’s Pause.
Now what makes Ferroro’s Couro collection special? Well, these distinctive pendant lamps are made using a leather alternative derived from plants! The lighting range for Let’s Pause is crafted from couro – a leather-like material made from the dry waste leaves of American palm trees. The material has a unique translucent appearance which softly diffuses light, creating a wonderful and ethereal-looking effect.
The collection includes the Couro 8 Leafs lamp shade, where the leaves’ shapes are preserved, and artfully draped into a mesmerizing artichoke-esque arrangement, or in the words of Let’s Pause in an “elegant skirt of spikes”. According to the decor brand, the pendants will look stunning over a dining table or even at the entrance to a hotel, making it a perfect fit for personal and commercial spaces. The lighting designs can be hung in groups of varying heights or individually.
“The texture of the leaves, with their compact fibers, evokes aged leather and provides a unique tactile element,” said Let’s Pause. The shades are offered supported by a brown frame crafted from aluminum and paired with a black plug, and a 2.5 meter-long matte black cotton electric cord. The Couro collection has a natural look to it with a touch of wilderness that adds some personality to the pieces. They perfectly complement various interior decor styles, adding a spark of style and whimsical elegance to different spaces, whether it is your own living room or the reception area of your office.
No matter what you are looking to buy, you’re almost always bound to end up on Amazon. Amazon is lovingly called the Everything Store: Anything, and quite rightly so because you get everything on there, and now even a foldable tiny home! Yes, you can now go house shopping on Amazon. So next time you’re out shopping for pillow covers or a book or two, you can add a tiny home to your shopping cart. Meet Officer Owl’s Modern Foldable Home – a 20-foot by 20-foot kit that helps you build the cozy little tiny house of your micro-living dreams!
The oversized kit includes a steel frame, amped with a hydraulic ceiling, floor, and four walls. The Foldable Home is quite user-friendly, you don’t need to be a construction wizard to set the little house up. Follow the directions, put in a bit of effort, and you can easily lift the hydraulic ceiling, set up the walls, and lay down the floor in around 15 minutes! Pretty quick, right?
It’s the kind of DIY project you could easily take up in your free time, if you’re looking to build a guest unit in your backyard, or even your own private office. Since the prefab home kit is so easy to set up, you may feel that it’s not designed to last, but that is not true in the least! The home has strategically placed windows to offer plenty of sunlight and air circulation. The frame is flame-retardent, waterproof, and thermally insulated as well. It can also withstand grade-eight earthquakes and grade-ten winds. Officer Owl claims that the home can last 25 years!
The home features a built-in electrical system complete with LED. It is also equipped with a fully plumbed kitchen and bathroom, allowing it to function as almost anything – from an office to even a gym. You don’t need to limit the space to a garage or a tool shed! I mean, you could even use it as your full-time home. Although you may need to consider the price. The tiny home is priced at $13,450, so it isn’t a cheap housing solution. But when you consider having to build a guest unit from scratch, the Modern Foldable house does seem so much more convenient, and worth the price!
Dubbed The Lang House, which is Chinese for pretty, this lovely home in suburban Melbourne is designed by Australia’s Austin Maynard Architects. When you first look at it, you may find the home quite simple and unassuming. It features a plain boxy exterior which is certainly no eye-grabber, but as you venture deeper into the home, you are welcomed by an ingenious space-saving layout that includes multiple gardens, filling up the space with warm natural light.
The exterior of the home is clad in equitone cement fiber panels, which can be quite hard-wearing and is intended to be resistant to scratching and graffiti. The interior occupies 2,700 square feet and has loads of clever features that maximize the space available, accommodating concealed guest quarters at the entrance. This space includes a Murphy bed and heavy curtains.
The kitchen is located in the center of the home, and it is connected to two separate gardens, which provide loads of natural lighting and ventilation throughout the home. The cabinetry in the kitchen cleverly hides the appliances, as well as a little study area and a pantry. The upstairs section also accommodates a dedicated laundry and outdoor area, along with three bedrooms, and a bathroom with a neat sunken bathtub inside. The home also includes a multipurpose room which occupies the area located between the bedroom. This space functions as a playroom for the owner’s two young children. The home also contains a garage which can be utilized as a party area as well.
“The owners provided a thorough and well-researched brief; specific in their goals, aware of the site limitations, and encouraging creative solutions and architectural flair,” explained Austin Maynard Architects. “They were determined to live in a home without hallways and corridors, to avoid feeling boxed or compartmentalized, and to circumvent poor ventilation and heat retention in summer. They asked for their home to be highly pragmatic and efficient – in energy, cost, and use of space, but also to show uniqueness and creativity. To make something different.”
The Lang House features a roof-based 7-kW solar power system which is connected to a Huawei battery. and an electric car charging hookup. The home is oriented in such a manner that it makes good use of the winter sun, which warms the home in the cold months with the help of underfloor heating.
LEGO has spread its wings in almost every genre and arena. And if you’re a movie lover, then this list is for you! Some of your favorite movies have been immortalized in LEGO form! And, we’ve curated a collection of immaculate and precise LEGO builds inspired by and based on your favorite movies. From a Godzilla in LEGO form to a LEGO build of Kung Fu Panda – LEGO has managed to incorporate your favorite movies in LEGO format. Which LEGO build would you want to try at home?!
1. LEGO Godzilla
LEGO builder Matthew Esposito decided to make a LEGO version of Godzilla since we almost have ten or more movies, but not a single LEGO Godzilla! It is a small-scale version of the city-smashing reptile, and it is modeled after the ‘King of Monsters’ Godzilla’ (from the 2019 movie). It stands only a few inches tall, but it is amped with a hefty body and, a super long tail, and can blow blue flames in any direction, burning down entire cities in minutes!
2. The Sorting Hat
If we’re talking about LEGO builds from our favorite movies, then we obviously need to include something from Harry Potter! The LEGO Group finally launched the Sorting Hat! It is a dedicated LEGO version with a concealed sound box that will let out loud and randomized phrases in English, which we’ve all heard before. It stands at 9.5 inches tall and is 7.5 diameters in length, and can be displayed proudly on a stand that features Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw house symbols.
3. LEGO Kung Fu Panda
This submission to the LEGO Ideas Forum features a LEGO Kung Fu Panda from the first movie in the franchise! The adorable Po is armed with a dragon scroll, and a bowl of noodles, and he can even perform the epic Wixu Finger Hold. The brick character has a completely positionable body with movable hands, legs, head, fingers, and even eyebrows. In fact, Po even has a jiggling belly that bounces if you touch it!
4. Seven Dwarf’s Cottage
LEGO has brought the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney animation The Snow White movie to life! The lavish and intricate build is made using 2228 pieces and features 10 mini figurines. The cottage has been detailed with a lot of care and precision, creating an intriguing little structure that reminds us of all the interesting and memorable bits of the tale. The LEGO house is also equipped with Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, the Prince, and of course the Seven Dwarfs.
5. LEGO Captain America Shield
This life-size LEGO Captain America shield is built using 3000 pieces and measures almost 18.5 inches in diameter. The shield is also accompanied by a tiny Captain America Minifigure! The shield isn’t made from vibranium, of course, but it really does look and feel like the real deal, and if you’ve ever accidentally stepped on a LEGO brick, you know it is as tough as vibranium when you take the shooting pain that courses through your body in consideration.
6. LEGO Dobby
LEGO immortalized another beloved character from the Harry Potter world! Dobby the House Elf got his own little LEGO kit. It is built using only 403 bricks, making it one of the easier LEGO builds. It features a few heartwarming and distinct design details, such as moving limbs, a rotating head, adjustable ears, and repositionable fingers that let Dobby snap fingers, point at things, look around, or even grip little items like the sock that freed Dobby.
7. The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull
The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull (76964) is a fantastic LEGO set intended for museum-like display. In fact, it is one of the first Jurassic World sets designed for such a style of display. It includes 577 pieces and contains a T. Rex skull with an opening jaw and a stand to present and display it. It includes an info plaque, an amber piece at the back, as well as an intriguing fossilized footprint.
8. The LEGO Avengers Set
The LEGO Avengers set is 35.5 inches tall and was designed as a part of the 60th anniversary of the Avengers. It is meant to be one of the tallest sets when it is put together. If you look closer, you will notice the Quinjet, Leviathan, and two Chitauri flyers from the 2012 Avengers Assemble. The interior showcases scenes from the Infinity Saga, Age of Ultron party, and Endgame.
9. LEGO Quidditch Trunk
The LEGO Quidditch Trunk may not be the most complex or difficult Harry Potter build, but it is quite interactive and entertaining! It involves 599 bricks and features a comprehensive Quidditch setup that includes various brooms, players, hoops, and a launcher that allows you to shoot disc-shaped qauffles through the hoops.
10. LEGO Miller’s Planet Scene
Designed by LEGO builder Minibrick Productions, the iconic Miller’s Planet scene from the Interstellar movie has been immortalized in this little LEGO-based build and showcases the ranger aircraft, astronauts Cooper and Brad, and the shapeshifting robots TARS and CASE. The two robots feature repositionable arms that let them walk like humans, while Hathaway and McConaughey wear their space suits.
As you may have noticed nowadays tiny homes don’t really tend to be very tiny. They feature generous interiors packed in not-so-compact homes, that somehow manage to fall just a little short of full-sized houses. In a world where the tiny home movement is honestly losing the meaning of its name, Dragon Tiny Homes bring to us a home that is actually tiny, and is accompanied by a corresponding low cost. It is by no means a full-sized apartment, and thankfully isn’t priced like one either, allowing users to truly enjoy a ‘true tiny home’.
Named the 16’THOW With Loft, the tiny home quite honestly has its measurement stored in its name, however in meters, it is 4.8 meters long. It isn’t the smallest tiny home on wheels we’ve seen, but it is smaller than the typical US models which tend to measure 30 feet usually. Based on a double-axle trailer, the 16’THOW With lift is a towable dwelling amped with a steel frame, cement board siding, and a shiplap interior. It occupies 136 sq ft, and much of the floor space is occupied by the living area. The home isn’t large enough to accommodate a big family quite evidently, but it can house a couple or a single person for a weekend or so.
The interior of the tiny home is light-filled and free-flowing. It includes a combined living and kitchen area, with some comfy seating, cabinetry, quartz countertops, a two-burner induction cooktop, and a stainless steel sink. A sliding door leads you to the bathroom, which houses a shower and a flushing toilet.
The 16’THOW With Loft includes only one bedroom, and it can be accessed via a ladder. The bedroom is a typical loft-based tiny home space, accompanied by a low ceiling and a double bed. The rooms are cozy and well-equipped, although they aren’t luxurious in the least. But they’re great for a cozy getaway with your partner, or if you’re in the mood for some alone time away from the hustle and bustle of your life. The tiny home starts at a price of US$44,950.
Spring is here, and it really is the perfect time for camping! And, I truly love camping trips. Relaxing amid nature, in a sweet bubble of my own, away from the hectic city life – sounds like heaven to me! However, one thing that always worries me before any camping getaway is the meals! I’m a food lover through and through, and having warm and freshly prepared (and tasty) meals at all times is a must for me. A good meal isn’t always guaranteed though when you’re getting down and dirty in the outdoors, but we can always try our best! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of portable and functional kitchen appliances that will help you prepare delicious meals even when you’re surrounded by nothing but the wilderness
1. All-in-One Grill
Dubbed the All-in-One Grill, this is the perfect grill for your outdoor camping adventures! It is designed to facilitate all kinds of cooking – from frying to smoking, stewing, grilling, or simply keeping some wine warm. It doesn’t occupy too much space and does an excellent job in a tiny amount of space, and different environments.
This innovative grill is designed by a small family-owned factory, and it smartly maximizes the limited amount of space available. It features a wooden base, which protects the table or surface from the grill’s hot bottom, while also doubling up as a lid when the griller needs to be kept away.
What we like
Facilitates seven different ways of cooking
Simplifies the cumbersome task of outdoor cooking
What we dislike
The simple portable design may not be preferred by hardcore grillers
2. 8-in-1 EDC Scissors
This 8-in-1 EDC Scissor is the ultimate sidekick for your indoor and outdoor culinary adventures! You can simply pull the scissors apart to form a set of knives. The scissors also feature a nutcracker, can opener, built-in bottle opener, and fire starter, forming a handy and nifty package.
The scissor is an innovative design amped with two knives, as well as a large variety of multitools for whenever you need them. Once you put the scissors back together, they can cut through cured meats, and the serrated mid-section can be utilized to crack walnuts as well!
What we like
Excellent for both the kitchen and outdoor cooking sessions
Smart practical tool equipped with loads of cool features
What we dislike
It isn’t the kind of scissor you can simply carry in your pocket
3. Ember
Dubbed Ember, this conceptual portable oven has a monolithic design with a sleek build that can be utilized on the stove’s flame without any electricity. It is a space-saving kitchen appliance that isn’t only a great fit for your kitchen but for your camping adventures as well.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is a clever solution designed to facilitate baking in smaller kitchens or outdoor spaces. It can bake healthy food in small spaces faster as compared to conventional methods. It is quite easy to use as well, simply place it on the stove, fill the container, and close the glass lid!
What we like
Well-suited for outdoor spaces and small kitchens
What we dislike
It is a conceptual design, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
4. Compact Modular Grill Plate
Meet the Compact Modular Grill Plate! It is designed to prepare perfectly cooked steak or food for you with the help of heat conduction, place thickness, and heat uniformity. The looks of the product can be deceiving, but once you literally get inside the plate you can understand how the real magic of it works.
It uses a three-layer architecture with two steel layers covering aluminum. The lower Stainless Steel SUS439 allows the grill to be used on an induction stove, while the upper Stainless Steel SUS304 has some excellent corrosion resistance, forming a portable appliance that is durable and handy.
What we like
Lightweight and compact design to save up on space and efforts
Crafted by experts from Tsubamesanjo in Japan
What we dislike
Can’t accommodate large portions
5. Sustainable Cutlery Set
Dubbed the Sustainable Cutlery Set, this guilt-free and sustainable cutlery set is made using Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymers or GFRP. The cutlery is light and durable and presented in recyclable and reusable packaging. It can last a long time, so you don’t need to worry about the longevity of the set.
The cutlery set has plenty of mechanical strength, so the fork and knife won’t break if you’re slicing through a well-done steak. The different elements of the set can be split in half, which makes them portable and easy to carry around. The various parents can be screwed and unscrewed.
What we like
Sustainable but also designed to last
Portable design that you can carry around with you for ease
What we dislike
The handles are delicate and may be too thin for large hands, making them difficult to use
6. Playful Palm Grater
This charming little product is called the Playful Palm Grater, and it can add some functional fun to your kitchen space, or even when you’re out camping! The tiny product will grate fresh garnishes directly onto your food on the dining table, adding a refined touch to your meals even when you’re not home.
The playful product curls up like a piece of paper and is made from a single piece of aluminum alloy plate. It is available in a bunch of fun colors, so you can pick the one that perfectly complements your taste.
What we like
Unique and clean form with a firm grip
Transforms grating into a smooth and fun activity
What we dislike
Although the grater’s size is fun and small, it limits it from grating larger amounts of food
7. Portable Fire Pit Stand
Meet the Portable Fire Pit Stand – a unique fire pit stand with a puzzle-like assembly, that makes it truly stand apart from traditional fire pits. This portable fire pit doesn’t only provide warmth, but it also functions as a cooking station on your camping trips or winter gatherings in your backyard.
The Portable Fire Pit Stand is made from special sheet metal technology, and it prevents any kind of warping or distortion from heat, which offers safety and ensures longevity. The stand’s compact size and easy assembly style make it great for outdoor settings, including camping trips.
What we like
Features a unique puzzle-like design that facilitates quick setup
Industrial look with sleek aesthetics
What we dislike
Not the best for cooking up meals for large groups as it has a compact size
8. Shelf
Named Shelf, this grill features the design language of DHL and was created by PDF Haus. It features a simple box silhouette with a freewheeling attitude, and perfectly captures the color scheme, finishes, and materials as seen in DHL’s brand aesthetic and vehicles. It even features DHL decals and tags!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Shelf is shaped like a slim briefcase, and you can easily carry it with you. It features two metal clasps that can be opened and slid out to showcase the Shelf’s grill and supplementary table space. It includes two retractable shelves which create more space to place spices, utensils, and tools.
What we like
Features a unique briefcase form
Innovative DHL-inspired aesthetics
What we dislike
Propane gas containers are inserted into the grill’s underside giving it more weight
9. Campo
Named Campo, this outdoor kitchen appliance is inspired by the curves of an Apple Watch and a portable EV battery. The appliance is made using nature-friendly colors. It features a helmet-like design, with a visor that can be rolled up with a handle. It has a magnetically fastened plate, on which you can keep the item you want to cook, and set a timer.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Campo microwave oven is equipped with a rechargeable battery that facilitates heating and cooking without requiring continuous juice from your car. You can carry the microwave like a helmet, and place it on any flat surface to begin easy prep of your meal.
What we like
Portable and easy-to-carry design
Amped by a rechargeable battery
What we dislike
It’s still a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
10. Fire Safe
Called the Fire Safe, this envelop-sized, portable fire and cooking companion is designed by Wolf & Grizzly. It lets you start up your own warm and cozy fire wherever it is safe to do so. The Fire Safe is great for fostering communal fires and facilitating cooking experiences with family and friends.
Why is it noteworthy?
It builds campfire and cooking experiences which reduce the environmental footprints created by most typical campfires. It features a hinged collapsible design that has a large fuel capacity.
What we like
Lightweight and slim design
Portable design that is easy to carry around
What we dislike
Made from stainless steel, which enables a patina to form over time, which may not be liked by all users
In all honesty, tiny homes don’t seem to be oh-so-tiny lately. They’re getting to be bigger and bigger, as people want to downsize, but without having to cramp themselves up in completely uncomfortable homes. Modern Tiny Living is one of the tiny home builders on the market who manage to create homes that are a good mix of portability and comfort, and one such tiny home by them is Sangja. Measuring 28 feet, Sangja is a cozy home with a master bedroom with sufficient standing space, a well-designed living room, and a bathtub!
Based on a triple-axle trailer, the Sangja’s exterior is finished in engineered wood with a smooth cedar accenting. The Sangja also features massive windows and a skylight which maximize daylight within the home, creating a well-lit and free-flowing living space. Although Sangja has a modest length, it is not the smallest tiny home on the market, but it is tinier than the North American towable homes we usually see.
As visitors enter the home, they are welcomed by a living room equipped with a large sofa and some functional integrated storage, as well as a custom maple vertical slat wall. Besides the maple slat wall, the rest of the interior is finished in some soothing plywood. Next to the living room is a kitchen, which features a breakfast bar with stool seating, a fridge/freezer, a propane-powered stove, and an oven, as well as some shelving and butcher block countertops. As you walk further into the home, there is a bathroom opposite the living room. You can access this space via a sliding door, and it includes a washer/dryer, composting toilet, bathtub, and a built-in shower.
The Sangja includes two bedrooms – a master bedroom downstairs, and a second bedroom placed directly above the master bedroom. The master bedroom is placed on the side of the home that is opposite the bathroom. It includes a double bed with built-in storage and has plenty of headroom allowing visitors to stand upright. This space also contains shelving and a bedside cabinet. The second bedroom above the master bedroom can be accessed via a ladder.
A lethal and menacing electric bike can set any automotive lover’s heart thumping! Bikes are pretty thrilling themselves, but when you make them electric, they become a match made in heaven. They’re super-fast, powerful, and a boon to the environment. And, we’ve curated a collection of innovative electric bikes that are designed to get your blood racing, and your minds blown. These bikes incorporate a mix of killer speed, dashing good looks, and impenetrable safety standards. Each bike in this collection has something impeccable to offer – from a shape-shifting electric bike to a teardrop-shaped electric bike concept.
1. Ayra
Called Ayra, this invigorating electric bike merges the DNA of a city bike with a performance racer on steroids to operate as mean lethal legal machine. It is equipped with an aerodynamically tuned build with a robust mono-shock swingarm setup at the back, while the front section upholds the structural integrity of the electric bike, featuring a lowered stance for a more sturdy, reliable, and durable ride setup.
2. Joyce’90
Meet the Joyce’90 – an electric bike for the younger generation who don’t like anything mainstream. Designed by Tozz, a sub-culture brand in Istanbul, the bike features peculiar pop-up headlights and an integrated Bluetooth boombox. It brings to mind the image of 90s cross bikes and grand tourers. The body of the bike is as tough as a bull, and it features trending color decals, with a 150W 2.1 boombox hidden in the body of the bike to get the party smoothly started.
3. Karver Cycle Concept K1
Dubbed the Karver Cycle Concept K1, this electric bike features a secure cabin with panoramic glass panels that offer the ride 180-degree freedom of viewing. Once you step inside, you are welcomed by an ergonomic and sporty seating configuration that has been specifically tailored for speed. It features an F1 steering wheel-like configuration with a simplified interface that displays all the vital telemetry. There is also a stylish dashboard that presents the current speed, electric motor heat levels, and other important driving data.
4. The Diode
Named the Diode, this electric bike concept by Tien Hung features a neo-minimalistic design that celebrates the bright future of the electric power train. The electric bike is almost invisible, except for one singular horizontal pillar that runs through the body of the bike – from the dashboard to the taillight. A large battery modular is located underneath the pillar, while the body also features a powerful rear-wheel drivetrain and cushy seating.
5. MOQBA
Coined MOQBA, this unique and innovative conceptual design is a thrilling mix of an e-scooter and a bike, and it can even climb stairs! The MOQBA is designed to be the next-gen mobility ride, specially created for those who face difficulty in mobility. The MOQBA is not designed to be a two-wheel automotive it rides on four independent legs with wheel extensions. The extraordinary and innovative automotive is a mini mecha for the future!
6. Robert’s Electric Superbike Concept
Robert Turner’s electric superbike concept is inspired by the glitz of the ’60s café racers and the stunning grandeur of European plate armors. This superbike looks like a wild cat that is ready to catch its prey in the grasslands. It is a no-emission two-wheeler with artistic elegance and charm. It features an extended wheelbase which provides stability at high speeds, while also providing enough space for the electric battery within a respectable range.
7. eZpin
Named eZpin, this conceptual electric bike concept is created to be a retrofuturistic reinterpretation of this custom bike from Bandit9. The eZpin is similar to the teardrop-shaped 125cc rider, but it also features a few cool new traits – including an electric powertrain, an ultramodern and contemporary set of hubless wheels, as well as a retro-inspired bird equipped with riveted sheet-metal panels that instantly take up the bike’s appearance by a notch.
8. MOTOROiD2
Yamaha upgraded their MOTOROid experimental bike to a newer and improved version amped with cool features. It is a smart electric bike equipped with artificial intelligence and a bunch of modern automotive technology which allows it to be a far cry from its competitors. It is a self-operating bike that can park itself and also recognize its approaching owner, allowing it to prepare for the next ride. These cool features are because of the bike’s Active Mass Center Control System (AMCES) and facial recognition tech.
9. TRISO Electric Motorcycle
Named the TRISO Electric Motorcycle, this adaptable commuter is designed for the younger crowd – specifically those between the ages of 20-30. The electric bike is designed to give them an opportunity to showcase their love and passion for driving, while also showing consideration for the planet Earth. TRISO features three riding modes – Eco, Road, and Explore – each mode has a different shape and riding style.
10. ATHENA
This shape-shifting electric bike is named ATHENA, and it features an alluring translucent material that captures and conveys the strength of the outer contour even when looked at from a distance. It has a unique shape-shifting ability which is its star point, and it lets users raise or lower the entire saddle section. The whole module can be exchanged with another one too!
Dubbed the Heatherhill Beach House, this wooden holiday home is topped with a sedum roof designed to “change colors with the seasons”. The home is nestled away in the hills on the Danish coast and is designed by local studio Norm Architects. It occupies 232 square meters, and is intended to be used by its owners as “a getaway from everyday life in Copenhagen”.
Designer: Norm Architects
The beautiful holiday home is tucked away on the hills on the Danish coast and features a covered walkway. The Beach House is made up of two volumes, and it references traditional Danish barns but with an innovative twist. “We started from the traditional barn typology,” said architect Sophie Bak. “This traditional structure we then ‘pulled’ apart and moved around to create a space in-between serving as a nod to the traditional courtyard.”
The interior of the home is equipped with wooden pillars. The stunning beach house has a linear silhouette with the aforementioned covered walkway circled with wooden pillars that lead up to its entrance. This pillared design is also engraved on the inside, which adds a classical touch to the entire home. The home is completely clad in cedar, and it hosts four bedrooms, and two bathrooms, which are designed to harmoniously merge with its coastal surroundings.
“The color and qualities of the cedar wood complement the raw nature in which the house is located,” Bak said. “Moreover, it’s going to take on a silvery color as it patinates – that is not only beautiful but also corresponding to the colors of the nearby ocean,” she added. “Together with the sedum roof, the house will change its colors as the seasons pass, being one with its surroundings.”
The house’s beautiful green sedum roof adds a really natural and green aesthetic to the whole space, and it matches the heather-covered hills. The sedum was added to the home since the owner had a personal affinity for such kinds of designs. “Regarding maintenance, the sedum roof has great advantages,” Bak said. “Being located this close to the salty sea, some materials were ruled out from the beginning. Moreover, the owner grew up in a home with a sedum roof and wanted to recreate this sense of home – in this way, it’s a nod to personal history as well as ancient building traditions – with a twist.”
I love a well-designed and functional lighting design with some aesthetic value. But besides these three holy grails, it also helps if the light is compact and doesn’t occupy too much precious real estate on your desk, bedside table, or wherever we place it. Besides that, a well-designed lighting fixture should not only have the ability to illuminate any living space but also add that extra oomph factor! I mean, of course, we need them to see in the dark, but as highly functional as they should be, a lighting fixture also needs to be aesthetically pleasing, adding an attractive and visually soothing element to your home or office space. And, we’ve curated a bunch of compact and exceptional lighting designs that will make excellent additions to your home.
1. Japanese Lantern Candle
This compact little lighting design is inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, and it has a unique billowy pillar shape and an almost ambient and ethereal-looking aura to it. It is the kind of lighting design that can add some calm and peace to your cumbersome workday and can be easily moved around.
The Japanese lantern candle is a contemporary and modern take on an iconic Japanese design. It has a minimalist and compact ethos, which occupies minimum space on your bedside table or desk. It emits a relaxing glow and is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan.
What we like
The wax is non-melting, which ensures a lovely clarity on the candle
What we dislike
The lantern candle needs to be kept away from pets and children, as it is a fire hazard
2. Tars Desk Lamp
This conceptual desk lamp is a space-saving and ingenious design that replaces those bulky lamps that take up precious desk space. It not only provides proper lighting to those who spend hours working on their desk but also brings a bit of sustainability to the table. It is called the Tars desk lamp, and it has a minimalist ethos.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is designed to be clipped to the edge of your table, giving you loads of space for the important things and tasks you need to finish on your desk. It is flexible and is equipped with a wide range of movements, letting you easily place the light where you may need it.
What we like
Controls are minimalist and easy to use
Easy to assemble and disassemble
What we dislike
It is a conceptual product so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
3. Amber Crystal Light
Named Amber Crystal Light, this little lighting design by Gingko looks like a fortune-telling orb that is placed on a wooden base. Intricate and pretty little designs have been etched onto the center of the glass orb, and once the light is switched on, the art scatters light in various directions, creating a glowing display that looks like visual magic.
Why is it noteworthy?
The light features five different artworks within the orb itself – galaxy, dandelion, solar system, Saturn, and a motif of Earth as a globe. The various motifs represent different emotions like hope, curiosity, serenity, and a genuine love for space, science, and nature.
What we like
The light provides up to 16 hours of illumination with pretty designs
What we dislike
Should be kept away from kids and pets, as it seems to be fragile and easily breakable
4. Lari Mini Lamp
Designed by Danish design brand Karakter, the Lari Mini Lamp is a miniature and renewed version of a lamp that was originally created by the late Italian architect and sculptor Angelo Mangiarotti in 1978. This adorable mini lamp features a rounded-square silhouette, with a ribbed central section made from hand-blown glass.
Why is it noteworthy?
The beautiful lamp is crafted from hand-blown glass, and it has quite a unique and distinctive shape that instantly grabs attention. It is made up of a glass volume of two bulbs that emit a warm white glow. The bulbs are placed against a black oval-shaped base, which creates an interesting piece.
What we like
More practical and accessible than the original full-sized lamp
Provides 12 hours of illumination when fully charged
What we dislike
Looks incredibly fragile, and since it is made from hand-blown glass, it must be handled with care
5. Anywhere-Use Lamp
Dubbed the Anywhere-Use Lamp, this minimalist and compact table lamp is a subtle and functional lighting solution in a world overflowing to the brim with glaring screens and harsh lights. It features a mushroom-inspired head which gives out a soft and relaxing ambient glow.
The Anywhere-Use Lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it has a unique modular design that provides atmospheric enhancement wherever you place it. It features six high-color rendering LEDs, which offer a soothing luminescence, transforming your home into an oasis of calmness.
What we like
Equipped with 4 brightness levels
It is easy to disassemble and carry with you
What we dislike
Doesn’t have a water-resistant design
Uses four AA batteries
6. Harmony Flame Fireplace
Named the Harmony Flame Fireplace, this beautiful brass lamp lets you build and enjoy a safe little fire indoors. The fireplace utilizes bioethanol to spread some illumination and warmth in your home. The technique which is typically used to create musical instruments was used to craft this fireplace.
The fireplace was designed to elevate and uplift the mood and ambiance of indoor space. It features reflective surfaces that work with the vivid flames to create a play of shadows and lights, forming a decorative piece that is quite aesthetically appealing as well.
What we like
The fireplace allows you to enjoy a warm, safe, and pretty fire within the comforts of your own home
What we dislike
It is powered by bioethanol, which needs to be purchased repeatedly for refilling, building a fuel dependency
7. Stair Table Lamp
Called the Stair Table Lamp, this playful little lamp offers a whimsical approach to gravity and geometry. It looks like a sphere delicately perched on the edge of a staircase. It has a solid stepped base with a spherical light fixed on top, which builds curiosity within the users.
Why is it noteworthy?
Doubles up as a bookend when placed on a bedside table, desk, or in a children’s playroom. It can also be slipped into the various nooks and crannies of your home, lighting up your house, while also organizing your books and keeping them in place.
What we like
Multifunctional light design that also functions as a bookend
What we dislike
8. Skyview
Named Skyview, these little lamps can be used for light therapy, which also manages to look quite pleasing. The lamps are designed by Bio by “documented scientific research”, which means the lamps can simulate exposure to sunlight in the comfort of your home.
Why is it noteworthy?
The lamps can simulate sunshine in your home, even if the sun is not out. They’re well-designed lamp designs that naturally merge with your home, also ensuring that they don’t look out of place in your living room, bedroom, or home office.
What we like
The lamps can be programmed to adjust to the time and the natural light outside the home
What we dislike
Hefty price tag, which may not be economical for everyone
9. Half-Folded Lamp
This half-folded table lamp is an innovative little design that is bound to bring up images of playful memories from your child, as it has a rather unusual shape that reminds you of the folded paper toys we used to make in our childhood. It not only illuminates your home but also takes you on a trip down memory lane!
Why is it noteworthy?
The lamp is made of a folded piece of aluminum, and it looks nothing like a lamp at first glance. It looks more like a sheet of metal that was folded diagonally to build an incomplete pyramid that could topple over any minute. However, the shape and fold of the design do provide a stable form.
What we like
Adds a special nighttime atmosphere to your room
What we dislike
Doesn’t look like a lamp, so may be mistaken as a toy by children
10. Stella
Dubbed Stella, this brilliant-looking lighting design is built through a range of different techniques – transforming and repetition, and by using various geometric shapes. The lighting design was created as a part of the 2023 New Collection lighting products by COG Design Studio x Bonaki.
Why is it noteworthy?
Stella has an intriguing triangular intaglio shape and is made using acrylic material. The design beautifully and gently observes the sensibility of light when it is transmitted to a precise and detailed intaglio pattern.
What we like
Emits an ambient and seductive glow
Portable and easy-to-carry design that can be placed wherever you like
