How India-based Jaipur Rugs is combining contemporary global aesthetics with traditional rug-making techniques

A little-known fact about India’s tryst with carpets is that the subcontinent is the largest exporter of carpets in the world, with 90% of the country’s production being for exporting overseas – makes sense when you realize that the country is known internationally for its handicrafts and weaving industry, but given its tropical and dusty climate, a bulk of the country’s households don’t need carpets. The floors are temperate as they are, and it’s easier to clean a floor than it is to constantly clean a carpet. In just March of 2022 alone, India exported $150 million worth of carpets, predominantly to European countries with their significantly cooler climates. We got in touch with one of India’s largest rug and carpet exporters, Jaipur Rugs, to talk about their approach towards design, production, and catering to an audience that appreciates traditional Indian styles, but requires something more contemporary for their modern homes.

Jaipur Rugs was originally founded in 1978 by NK Chaudhary, fondly known as the Gandhi of the Carpet Industry (Gandhi too was credited with rallying the nation to spin their own fabric as an act of defiance against British imperialism, and of accepting self-made items instead of expensive British imports). Chaudhary created his company with just 9 artisans and 2 weaving looms, and almost 45 years later, the company employs hundreds of local artisans in the region… however, its philosophy of empowering its workforce still rings true, especially through the company’s Manchaha (heart’s desire) line that gives the weavers freedom to artistically express themselves on their large canvas.

The Manchaha line is a brilliant example of art and design intersecting. With contemporary and abstract rug designs, weavers are given a ‘map’ of reference material which they use to create modern rugs that cater to a much more cosmopolitan audience. However, as these weavers create both traditional and avant-garde contemporary rugs, their artistry is informed by the two distinct worlds… and with the Manchaha collection, they’re handed the reins. What they create is their own fusion of the two styles – the ultimate form of self-expression – an experiment that turned out to be such a success, that Jaipur Rugs secured multiple awards including the German Design Award, European Product Design Award, iF Design Award, and even India’s own Kyoorius Design Award. The awards were just validation, but ultimately, they helped Jaipur Rugs’ weavers to go from artisans to artists with global appeal. The Manchaha rugs give them a chance to put their story on a large canvas. Each rug is created to be one of a kind, and artisans get to mix personal stories and elements of their own culture and surroundings into the weave, sometimes along with customer’s stories too.

USA and Germany remain two of Jaipur Rugs’ biggest customers, from back in 1978 even till today. The company offers customers the ability to ‘design their own rug’, although that just accounts for 10% of its overall sales. Even the most traditional Indian-style rugs occupy just a small share of Jaipur Rugs’ overall exports, mainly to Russia and parts of Europe. The company’s Manchaha collection remains their most popular line, given that each rug is also backed by an incredibly strong story and sense of social impact. With the rugs, customers can either buy readymade designs on the site (along with getting to know more about the weaver and their story), or the rug can be a collaborative effort, with customers choosing their favorite weaver and providing a story to them, which then gets hand-knotted into a tapestry that adorns your home.

Click here to visit the Jaipur Rugs website and view the entire Manchaha Collection.

The post How India-based Jaipur Rugs is combining contemporary global aesthetics with traditional rug-making techniques first appeared on Yanko Design.

This configurable remote control is the one remote to rule them all that your fingers might love

This ingenious remote control almost solves all the hangups people have with complicated remote and flat smartphones while giving your finger an almost familiar sensation.

Smart home products are invading our houses, be it in the living room or in our personal sanctuaries. From lights to speakers to TVs to even ovens, almost anything can be controlled with a smartphone these days. That’s not always the most convenient way to control all these devices, even when they’re located in a single place. A dedicated remote control can free your phone for other uses, and this configurable device could be the only one your fingers will ever need.

Designer: Ruwido

Traditional TV remotes are often considered to be the bane of usability and simplicity with their dozens of buttons, but few would deny the benefits that tactile and haptic feedback has on our minds, especially when it comes to developing muscle memory. Some smart TV remotes have ditched all but the most essential buttons but at the cost of flexibility.

Smartphones seem to offer the best of those two worlds since controls can change at a moment’s notice to control almost any smart device, but it sacrifices the physicality of control in the process. Additionally, using the phone as a remote means not using the phone as a phone, which cuts into the time you might otherwise spend on social media. A dedicated remote is still a better option, and the Ruwido Liza might actually have the perfect blend of all three worlds.

It doesn’t have the dizzying number of buttons as a typical remote, but the Liza easily has three or four times the “buttons” as an Apple TV remote. What’s special about these concave buttons is that they are actually tiny touch screens that provide haptic feedback when pressed. Unlike a phone’s screen, the vibration of each “button” gives better tactile feedback, even if they’re not exactly like a physical button that you can feel when it goes down at each press.

Unlike many programmable remote controls, the Liza does show the icons that you assigned for each button, including cover art for your favorite albums or playlists, for example. This takes away the guesswork when switching between different smart appliances and helps develop the muscle memory that conventional remotes are best known for. All that’s left now is for the Liza to support more smart home products and services beyond Spotify, Sonos, Philips Hue, and some TVs, and it will truly be the one remote you’ll ever need.

The post This configurable remote control is the one remote to rule them all that your fingers might love first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lexip Np93 mouse makes your thumb more useful by giving it a joystick

At long last, your thumb will finally be able to earn its keep on a mouse and give gamers a slight advantage over their rivals, at least until they find out about this mouse.

Despite being one of the most-used input devices for computers, the mouse hasn’t changed drastically in the past decades. It has kept the same basic shape, which is now regarded to be non-ergonomic by default, and it pretty much relies on one finger and one finger only. That means that most of your other fingers are left unused and underutilized, but one mouse will try to give at least your thumb an exercise, hopefully to your advantage.

Designer: Pixminds

Apple was probably onto something when it decided that its first-party mice would have only one button. Even with two buttons and a mouse wheel that also functions as a third button, only the index and middle fingers really ever get used. Of course, that does mean that even Apple’s mouse puts all the responsibility and stress on one or two fingers, leaving the rest to just lie around. There are, of course, computer mice with extra buttons at the side, but one company is taking that idea to the next level.

Pixminds designed the Lexip Np93 Alpha to add more input options for gamers and give the thumb something to do beyond pressing buttons. A thumb joystick that can move in two axes provides more actions than even the most button-laden gaming mouse can provide, especially since this one still has extra buttons to boot. The company boasts 12 programmable buttons, which is no small matter considering how complicated modern games have become these days.

That thumbstick isn’t the only advantage the Lexip Np93 Alpha has, however. The mouse is also designed to offer comfort beyond what typical gaming mice can. In particular, the mouse comes with six ceramic feet to let it glide smoothly on any surface, and weight adjusters let users tweak the mouse’s weight to their preference. The mouse is also noted to use soft coating, oil painting, and doubly-injected rubber that adds both tactile comfort as well as aesthetic appeal.

The Lexip Np93 Alpha also has the customary RGB lighting that you can configure through the mouse’s accompanying software. Considering the flexibility and comfort it offers, it’s also surprising that it isn’t asking that much as far as its $40 selling price is concerned.

The post Lexip Np93 mouse makes your thumb more useful by giving it a joystick first appeared on Yanko Design.

This hanging light fixture doubles as a planter to bring nature indoors

Jungle is a one-part light fixture and one-part planter that can be suspended from the ceiling by two lengthy fabric straps.

Ever since we started working from home, biophilic design has been our saving grace. Created from the intersection of nature and the indoors, biophilic design typically combines some aspect of nature with interior design or architecture.

Designer: KABO & PYDO

Most commonly in homes across the world, indoor gardens are a form of biophilic design. Interpreting biophilia in a similar way, Jungle, designed by Poland-based KABO & PYDO design studio, is a planter that can hang from the ceiling and also function as a semi-flush mount light fixture.

Comprised of only a few parts, the beauty of Jungle lies in the design’s simplicity. Defined by a bulbous, capsule-shaped centerpiece, Jungle is a half-planter and half-light fixture. The capsule-shaped planter emanates a warm, golden light that’s diffused with an opaque body. The opaque body softens the light and accentuates the plant life by offering an unassuming canvas for teeming greenery to drape across.

 

As the designers describe, “The simple form of a glowing vessel is a perfect background emphasizing the beauty of the main actors – plants. The lamp emits a soft, silky-smooth light that creates a relaxing atmosphere, ideal for places such as the chill-out zone. Light and nature will help you relax.”

Hanging from the ceiling, the light fixture is suspended by two lengthy fabric straps that merge with the ceiling for a seamless look. Watertight by design, the opaque, plastic lampshade keeps a simple, modern look that fits right into any living room.

The post This hanging light fixture doubles as a planter to bring nature indoors first appeared on Yanko Design.

Siemens Pendulum Seat swings out of the way when trains need more standing room

Trains are designed to sit commuters comfortably, or at least in theory. In many cases, however, it might be more efficient to have everyone just stand, and this concept makes it possible for the same train to do both.

As the world tries to return to normal, mass transportation services are once again becoming crowded. In many countries, trains of all kinds are seen as the most efficient way to move the biggest number of people, but their designs are mostly stuck in the past when it comes to seating accommodations. In trying to accommodate both sitting and standing passengers, trains actually fail at serving both at the best of their capacity. That is unless they try to implement Siemen’s idea.

Designer: Siemens

Image Courtesy of Red Dot

Despite its name, the Pendulum Seat doesn’t swing back and forth freely or loosely. It is, instead, more like the pendulum of a metronome that can be locked at fixed positions. A single seat is actually made up of two seats whose backrests can either fold up or swivel down to form an atypical sitting position.

The idea here is to have the same train change its sitting or standing capacity at any given time. If there aren’t that many passengers onboard, like during off-peak hours, the Pendulum Seat can be used as a conventional seat with ample legroom for commuters. During rush hours, however, the backrests can go completely vertical to provide more room for people to stand.

All of these can be controlled by the train driver to adjust the configuration with the push of a button. There is even a configuration where backrests can alternate their positions, creating an odd seating arrangement. In its vertically folded form, the backrests can even be used as support for standing passengers to lean against.

The idea is definitely novel and interesting, which is why Siemens bagged a few awards for its design. That said, the design itself might not look that comfortable, especially as a chair where you will be parking your bum on what is practically a padded cylinder. This design seems to be more focused on getting as many people around as possible rather than on providing comfort during the travel time. Then again, there is probably nothing more uncomfortable than having to fight for space on a crowded train made more cramped by unyielding seats.

Images Courtesy of iF Design

The post Siemens Pendulum Seat swings out of the way when trains need more standing room first appeared on Yanko Design.

This spherical fire pit comes in a striking form fit for any modern outdoor space

It might have one of the most ironic names for a fire bowl, but this flaming bubble is a good example of form and function working hand-in-hand.

Fire pits are probably one of the last things you’d consider to have a designer product. The way they get charred and burned means they could lose their charm sooner than most products, especially outdoors bowls that are exposed to the elements most of the time. That, however, only served to inspire designers to find a solution that is both practical and beautiful, leading to a fire bowl that looks more like a fire ball.

Designer: Focus

It may have been called “Bubble” for some reason, but that’s definitely not because of its fragility. This nearly spherical fire pit is made from sturdy steel, and its anti-corrosion coating toughens it even more against the elements. The fire basin inside is also designed to make it easy to be removed for ash disposal and cleaning, making it easier to maintain the Bubble’s good looks.

The fire pit’s opening isn’t completely level, as you might have expected from other fire bowls. Its top has been chopped off at an incline, with the “back” rising higher than the front and acting as a shield to protect the fire against the wind. This removes the need to have any other protective cover, making the design simpler and less susceptible to broken parts.

The Bubble’s completely flat bottom means it won’t be rolling away from you, but two rear caster wheels do mean it doesn’t have to be completely stationary. The fire pit can be easily moved across any flat surface or simply turned around to turn against the direction of the wind.

The ironically-named Bubble fire bowl definitely has an eye-catching minimalist design that would look great both outdoors as well as indoors. The current model uses wood to bring light and warmth, but the designer is promising a gas version will be coming, which won’t score points for sustainability.

The post This spherical fire pit comes in a striking form fit for any modern outdoor space first appeared on Yanko Design.

A folding digital kitchen scale that uses kinetic energy to help you go battery-free

If you don’t always measure ingredients in the kitchen, you might want to get a scale that doesn’t take up space or even needs batteries when it comes time to use it.

There are many things we take for granted until we realize we need them, and they are nowhere to be found. That goes for pens, blank sheets of paper, working batteries, or kitchen scales. Of course, these are also easy to purchase and keep, but you might not always need them all the time. One kitchen scale is designed to stay out of the way when you don’t need it and just work when you do, without having to worry whether it still has a battery inside when you need it the most.

Design: CASO

Kitchen scales come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, both the analog kind as well as more modern digital ones. In almost all cases, they take the same rectangular or circular plates that can take up precious shelf space. Digital scales, of course, also require power to function, mostly from batteries.

CASO’s Kitchen Ecostyle throws all that down the drain, so to speak. You might not even recognize it as a kitchen scale because of its unconventional design. It looks almost like a fat rectangular compass or protractor, with one leg that fans out to the side. This creates a gap where you can securely place a bowl that is too big to balance on the scale’s closed form safely.

Moving that leg also serves another purpose, though. It generates kinetic energy that is used to power the digital scale, at least for a short period. Not only will you no longer have to worry about batteries, but you also won’t have to be afraid of the batteries corroding over time when not in use. You can simply use the scale and then stow it away in a drawer or on some shelf without having to worry about a potential fire or chemical hazard in your kitchen.

The odd shape might need a bit of getting used to, but the benefits outweigh that brief learning curve. The CASO Kitchen Ecostyle’s unique form takes up less space than most other kitchen scales while also providing the power needed to use it. Along with its stainless steel construction, this makes it one of the most sustainable and environment-friendly kitchen scales you’d find in the market.

The post A folding digital kitchen scale that uses kinetic energy to help you go battery-free first appeared on Yanko Design.

This tiny pod merges a sauna with an infrared design to become the world’s first climate cabin!

Recognized by German Design Awards, Klimakabine is the world’s first climate-controlled micro-cabin built from OSB and stone pine with a loam and moss filter for cozy vibes and fresh air.

It’s hard to imagine being somewhere more calming than a log cabin in the woods–the snow falling outside while you’re warm and cozied up against the window. There’s something about the warmth of wood that brings peace. Similar to log cabins, the wooden build of saunas not only enhances their function but relaxes the mind too. Combining the coziness of a log cabin with the soothing nature of saunas, Italian carpentry company Declara designed Klimakabine, the world’s first climate-controlled micro-cabin.

Paneled in OSB, Klimakabine features a single wooden bench and is constructed from stone pine, a type of antibacterial wood. The build of Klimakabine resembles a sitting pod from the outside and keeps a sloping structure that encourages users to sit back and recline. Sloping in tandem with the glazed door opening, a loam and moss filter helps clean the air inside Klimakabine and regulates the climate to ensure a comfortable sitting period. Enhancing the soothing nature of Klimakabine, Declara glazed the front door to give it a translucent look that provides some privacy for the one sitting inside too.

Coming back to nature has always brought some peace and calm. Declara built Klimakabine so we’d always have space and time to welcome nature back into our lives. In designing Klimakabine, Declara artfully merged the coziness of a log cabin with the relaxation of a sauna to create a meditative space where users can unwind and disconnect from the busyness of the outside world.

Designer: Declara

This sleek cylindrical fireplace suspends from the ceiling, giving your interiors a modern upgrade





It’s like if Scandinavian Design met Super Mario.

Fireplaces have traditionally always been the epicenter of a room’s decor, with furniture and objects placed in relation to it (armchairs facing it, portraits and trophies hanging above and around it). However, over the past few years, they’ve been gradually replaced by ugly, utilitarian radiators that usually hide behind couches or curtains. In a bid to give fireplaces a modern makeover, French manufacturer Focus has introduced the Slimfocus, an incredibly sleek cylindrical fireplace that can either be wall or ceiling-mounted indoors. Despite its minimal design, the Slimfocus has an incredibly captivating allure, almost like a chandelier that makes its way from the ceiling to the floor. The all-black fireplace comes with a transparent glass window that opens to let you access the fire-pit, and when closed, gives you a beautiful view of the dancing flames, as the thermal energy makes its way up the cylindrical shaft and radiates into the house.

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

A winner of the German Design Award as well as the Interior Innovation Award, the Slimfocus’ black periscope-like design provides a brilliant contrast to virtually any interior. Its matte black paint helps it efficiently absorb and radiate thermal heat from the fire, supporting both wood and gas as fuel.

The fireplace can be hung from the ceiling, wall-mounted, or attached to the floor using a baseplate. The ceiling-hung variant of the Slimfocus is made-to-measure depending on the interiors and placement, and can be suspended via either a fixed or pivoting fixture. Compatible with low-energy buildings, Slimfocus draws in air for combustion through the smoke evacuation flue (balanced flue system). It can be installed in traditional homes too, drawing in air from the room (open flue system).

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

Designed to take up less space yet create a massive impact, the Slimfocus assumes a very commanding presence no matter which area of the room it’s located in. The closed fireplace immediately becomes a point of attraction, creating a pivot around which furniture can be oriented, and conversations can be had!

Designer: Focus Fireplaces

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

Slimfocus Slim Modern Fireplace for Indoors

This modular terrace system transforms your balcony into a multifunctional living space!

Modular garden systems are ideal for small city apartments. Big or small, modular designs allow us to dismantle and augment our gardens according to the size of the garden our living spaces allow. Recently, with home gardening surging in popularity due to the pandemic, we’ve seen some pretty original indoor and outdoor garden systems. Adding their modular terrace garden system to the mix, Unopiù recently debuted Urbn Balcony.

Designed to interpret city living through a new lens, Urbn Balcony enacts a modular installment system to make the most out of small outdoor spaces. While Urbn Balcony is not strictly a garden system, the terrace unit configures wooden ladders, aluminum shelves, and steel clotheslines (among other components) together that can transform drab terraces into lively outdoor gardens and housework spaces. The multifunctional appeal of Urbn Balcony was recognized by German Design Awards for its sophisticated appearance and overall optimization of outdoor terrace spaces. The wooden ladders assume a refined look through their iroko wood construction, a type of wood especially used for outdoor spaces due to its dense and durable quality.

The components of Urbn Balcony include flower boxes, pots, cupboards, shelves, worktops, clotheslines, screens, and shades, in addition to the system’s wide array of wooden ladders that come in varying widths and heights. Each accessory and wooden ladder can be configured either against walls or mounted on ceilings, from where users can fill the space with blooming gardens, attach clotheslines with laundry, or even outfit the shelves and drawers with books and other typically ‘indoor’ products to transform the terrace into a multifunctional outdoor living and reading space.

Designer: Unopiù

Iroko wood constructs the wooden ladders of Urbn Balcony for a dense and durable build designed for outdoor conditions.

Shelf and drawer accessories outfit Urbn Balcony’s iroko ladders with spaces that users can stock with potted plants and greenery.

Modular by design, Urbn Balcony’s components can be tightly configured to present a seamless display.

The accessories that come with Urbn Balcony turn terraces into multifunctional outdoor living spaces.

Gardens can bloom from Urbn Balcony’s iroko ladders to transform drab balconies into lush green alcoves.

The drawers and shelves can be outfitted with accessories that help turn users’ previous terraces into versatile living spaces.