Denim-covered furniture and gym equipment are a striking nod to the iconic material

It may now be a common sight on jeans, jackets, and even some bags, but there was a point in history when denim was considered revolutionary and cool. It has been and still is plastered on billboards and advertisements for casual wear, but denim was once a symbol of the American dream. From miners to cowboys to blue-collar workers, denim jeans have been worn by people from all walks of life, striving to make a living and establish a home for their families. The way we live today is drastically different from those times, yet denim remains a staple of clothing, and this almost eccentric collection of homeware and other projects pay tribute to the material in a way that reflects how much has changed over the decades.

Designer: Harry Nuriev

As a material, denim is known for its rugged looks and properties that have made it favorable in certain rough conditions. Of course, denim clothing today has more or less become a staple of casual wear all over the world, but for a very long time, it has been a classic American symbol that was associated with workers and the middle class. Times have changed, and so have the way we live and work, and these denim-clad products convey that fact in an interesting new way.

The pieces are already unique and distinctive on their own. After all, who would have dreamed up gym equipment covered in this blue fabric? A relatively soft DJ booth is also a bit ironic when you think about it, and a denim wall paneling almost makes you want to run into it for fun. Other objects are a bit more understandable, like tables and chairs that give off a sense of comfort even just by looking at them.

The collection, however, seems to also make a statement about the modern lifestyle, especially where “home” has become as much a place of activity as it is of rest. The denim pool bed set, for example, seems to embrace anything and everything that you do at home, whether it’s sleeping, eating, working, or connecting with family and friends. It is the extreme manifestation of our hybrid work life after the COVID-19 pandemic, where borders and divisions are torn down, for better or for worse.

Denim today has become a part of both everyday wear as well as the haute-couture world, but it also once symbolized the American dream. It has left an indelible mark on human culture, and this odd yet beautiful selection of furniture and products for the home honors that history while also emphasizing how much denim is part of everyday life, at home, at work, and work-from-home.

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This collection of 3D printed homeware is designed to be tiny architecture that fits in your hand

Vienna-based designer Nicolas Gold trained with Zaha Hadid, before building ‘Sheyn’ with his partner Markus Schaffer. Sheyn focuses on creating “Tiny Furniture” – which is basically homeware designed by architects. The homeware has been infused with an architect’s tendency to fuss and mull over “the tiniest details of furniture and fixtures”.

Designer: Sheyn

Tiny Furniture is a collection of beautifully detailed and intricately patterned homeware that is created using 3D printing technology. The stunning products are designed using an architect’s eye for detail, and a tendency to hyperfocus on even the tiniest detail. The entire collection consists of vases, bowls, planters, and lighting. All the products are created using a light and sturdy recyclable bioplastic made from corn.

“This obsession with designing for the smallest spaces has now collided with the democratization of modern technologies like open-source 3D modeling and 3D printing to produce a new kind of architecture that can fit in the palm of your hand or the corner of your table,” said Sheyn.

With Tiny Architecture, the brand is attempting to create a type of architecture that you can quite literally hold and feel, or place in any part of your home. It’s building an intriguing world where product design, architecture, and 3D printing collide to create a range of homeware designs that are nuanced, and yet loud.

The Tiny Architecture collection comes in a variety of fourteen different colors, with each variant made using a partly recycled material, that adds an element of uniqueness and individuality to them. There are several intricate and detailed patterns in this collection – ranging from an asymmetrical Bloz to a fabric-like Fald, which is marked by delicate folds of varying depths.

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These beautiful homeware products are made from coffee’s biggest waste

Some people joke that the world is fueled by coffee, but there is actually some truth to that. Health experts might be divided on the effects of the cup of liquid energy, especially in the long term, but there’s no denying that plenty of people depend on even just a single cup to get through their day. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for coffee and coffee-based drinks is negatively affecting the planet more than our bodies, thanks to various forms of waste related to the coffee economy. Thankfully, there are a few creative people who are finding ways to curb coffee’s negative impact on the environment, like turning used coffee grounds into home accessories that are not only beautiful but also functional as reminders to live a greener existence.

Designer: Sarah Christensen

It’s easy enough to downplay the effect of coffee grounds on the planet. After all, they sound less harmful compared to the plastics and other materials used in delivering coffee in a cup. This organic material, however, does emit methane in landfills, contributing to one of the most potent greenhouse gasses that, in turn, further global warming. Given how much people use coffee today, that situation is probably going to get worse.

What makes this even more tragic is that coffee grounds actually still hold a lot of value even after they’re used. Not only do they still contain various aromas and flavors, but they can also be used as raw materials for creating other objects. They don’t have to go to waste, for all meanings of the word, and it takes only some motivation, creativity, and access to equally sustainable materials to turn waste into art.

Sarah Christensen has started creating everyday homeware out of these spent coffee grounds, but that material alone doesn’t exactly work well for solid objects. The designer also had to use Jesmonite, a popular eco-friendly, VOC-free, and non-toxic alternative to resin-based products. Coffee grounds are cast into sheets to be stored for later use and then later broken into chips. These serve as composite material for the objects ala terrazzo, where each product is 40% coffee grounds and 60% Jesmonite.

Christensen doesn’t simply make any everyday homeware either. She has focused primarily on plant pots in order to encourage indoor gardening hobbies and lifestyles. She also has some candle holders and soap dishes, too, both intended to tell the owner to take a slow down, step back, relax, and reflect on life and our impact on the world. Even if you don’t get those subtle hints and messages, it’s hard to ignore how beautiful these products are, with specs of brown that add character and points of interest to the smooth surfaces of the objects.

The story doesn’t end there, however, as the designer is trying to introduce these homewares into the circular economy. Broken pieces, for example, can be used for other things, like crocks in plant pots or material for buildings. This way, one can really say that coffee makes the world go round, even after the drink has long served its purpose of energizing you, perhaps to help make the world a better place.

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LEGO’s first-ever wooden homeware collection is the fun + functional element you need in your living space!

I love LEGO! There’s something so fun, cheerful, and quirky about LEGO. I wouldn’t mind living in a LEGO home if I could. Though that may not be possible, I can still add a touch of LEGO with LEGO GROUP’s first-ever collection of wooden home accessories! LEGo recently teamed up with the Danish design brand Room Copenhagen to create a warm and minimal homeware collection that includes wall hangers, picture frames, desk drawers, and book racks.

Room Copenhagen and LEGO have worked together earlier to create LEGO Originals Wooden Minifigure. And, this new venture seems right up their ally as well. Jacob Eberhard, CEO at Room Copenhagen, comments: “Room Copenhagen is well versed in creating and producing upscaled LEGO bricks for children’s storage and organization in the home and this launch takes our collaboration with the LEGO Group to the next level, in terms of expanding the product line to target adults. We trialed it with the launch of the LEGO Originals Wooden Minifigure and the success of that product inspired us to bring out an entire range in the same material.”

The entire collection is crafted from FSC-certified red oak, and each product is available in two variants – a soaped oak and a dark stained oak finish. Every product is almost a recreation of the original LEGO brick design. They’re like super-sized LEGO with light and dark alter egos! They are designed to scale and follow the original brick dimensions, hence they can even be stacked! The products mimick quite a few of the iconic LEGO elements – from the single stud to other easily recognizable pieces. And of course, all the items have been embellished with the iconic LEGO lettering! The full collection consists of a Wall Hanger Set (set of three), a picture frame, a book rack, two Desk Drawer options – 2×2 and 2×4.

LEGO’s latest homeware collection is an absolute delight for all LEGO lovers. You can now incorporate LEGO elements into your living space in the most ”adulting’ manner possible! These products are the definition of fun yet functional!

Designer: LEGO x Room Copenhagen

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Japanese Zen Gardens + Art Deco are the inspiration behind this furniture and tableware collection!

Architect André Fu’s new Art Deco Collection features handcrafted homeware and furnishings inspired by ornate Art Deco silhouettes and the serenity of traditional Japanese Zen Gardens.

Inspired by the opulent style of Art Deco and the Zen gardens of Kyoto, modern architect André Fu designed a new collection of homeware he calls the Art Deco Garden Collection. Comprised of cabinets, armchairs, dining chairs, tables, room dividers, porcelain tableware, and wallcoverings, the Art Deco Garden Collection was designed following an involved research period that looked at many historical Japanese gardens, with an acute focus on the Tofukuji Temple Garden.

In close collaboration with De Gournay, a hand-painted wallpaper and fabric brand, each item that makes up the collection features a variety of formal Art Deco pattern work stylized to evoke the symmetrical and meditative qualities of raked sand found in Japanese Zen Gardens. The porcelain tableware gleam in white and are adorned with gilded gold line patterns hand-painted on each piece–the paintwork is so delicate, each brushstroke is visible and unique to the tableware. The room dividers and wallcoverings made from silk paper also feature silver and gold, hand-painted line patterns whose glittering finishes and laborious tracing pay homage to the gilded age of Art Deco and the sensuous fluidity of Japanese gardens.

Fu felt compelled to curate this collection of porcelain tableware, room dividers, and furniture in part as a means to incorporate the visual composition of nature into handcrafted homeware and furnishings. Reflecting on the collection’s original inspiration, Fu says, “My personal design approach is not just about combining styles together. Rather, it rests on an ability to navigate different cultures and reflect contemporary culture based on the inherent qualities of beauty itself, as opposed to just based on any one style.”

Designer: André Fu Living

The delicate handpainted patterns hearken the serene, laborious quality of raked Zen Gardens and the gleaming-in-gold personality of Art Deco.

Room dividers and wall coverings made from silk paper feature painted patterns from De Gournay.

Each piece of the Art Deco Garden Collection is inspired by Japanese Zen Gardens and the age of Art Deco. 

The porcelain tableware shimmers in white and is lined with hand-painted golden patterns reminiscent of the Art Deco movement.

Brass accents enhance each piece’s ode to Art Deco.

Pantone Lifestyle Gallery opens in Hong Kong, using color to invigorate, motivate and keep you going this 2021!

Pantone’s authority on colors is acclaimed around the globe, and now the New Jersey-based trend research expert has set foot in Hong Kong. Yes, Pantone has opened their first lifestyle concept store inside the Cityplaza’s Eslite Spectrum bookstore in the Tai Koo district. They call it the Pantone Lifestyle Gallery – and in the true sense – it’s a gallery of hues opened in collaboration with Issho, a lifestyle retailer. Although it’s worth pondering over the timing of Pantone’s decision to open a physical retail store in the current turbulent times of the pandemic-affected the world. Still, Pantone wants to go spread a dash of color in people’s lives who for the most part of the week are stuck in the secure confines of their homes, to truly explore colours and their impact on the human psyche. Maybe a blushing pink would give you faith or illuminating, the Pantone color for 2021 would cheer you up on dark days!

The store is spread across 600 square feet of space – draped in a dash of colors – sexy pink, cool blue, calming green, and refreshing orange – you name it and the store has it. The different displays and islands of the store are marked in blocked patterns – for example, the entrance has a sky blue hue to lure in customers. Inside, the customers will find sections to explore the homeware, loungewear, and home accessories islands. The loungewear section of the lifestyle store has trendy colorful clothes for the young generation – like sweatshirts, fabric slippers, jersey t-shorts, and more. They call it the Funmix collection which, according to Pantone explores the varying emotions and stories with bi-color combos having harmonious or boldly contrasting characters. In the homeware section, the buyers will get to explore the limited edition tableware in striking pinstripes color (four options) which comprises a coffee cup set, bowls, dishes, and more.

Along with the eye-popping retail store that brings a poop of color to the monotony of daily routine, Pantone has plans to stage events in the city this whole year to spread colors in people’s life which has gotten a bit dull lately. Also, they have a strategy in place to open an online store in June with all the updates coming to Issho 46’s social feed.

Designer: Pantone

Turn this flat metal disc into a bowl with your bending powers!

Ever wanted to feel like you were a bender from Avatar or had some crazy powers like the Avengers? Well, you can pretend to have that but it will only be limited to the bending of this brass disk called Push! Fundamental Berlin runs on the philosophy of creating homeware inspired by the mathematics of nature and we are here for it.

Push is a flat brass plate that can be molded into a bowl, a shallow dish, or simply even used as a coaster. What makes it unique is that you can bend it to suit your needs. Apply the slightest bit of pressure and turn it into a tray for your accessories or an alternative for your fruit basket! The flexible disk can turn into a vessel and is actually delivered to you in a letter envelope. It is space-saving for your shelves or tables as you can easily reverse its shape and put it back, or, you could use it as an accent piece when you have guests (I would say swap that plastic toothbrush holder for Push or maybe use it as a candle stand!).

True to the company’s philosophy, Push is a combination of mathematical geometries and the quality craftsmanship that is available in three different metal finishes – brass, steel, and blue. It also comes in different sizes and sets – a large 24 cm diameter (Push) a medium size 15 cm diameter (Push Solo), a bubble shape (Push Trio), and a set of three small round bowls, one in each color (Push Mini). Level up your home decor game as well as your bending skills with this minimal, elegant metal disk!

Designer: Fundamental Berlin

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This no-screws Dougong Table assembles like Lego and looks like art

Alright, who is ready for a table that looks like art and does not come with a frustrating IKEA assembly guide? Because Boston-based designer Mian Wei has created this beautiful piece of furniture that marries minimal aesthetic with cultural heritage. The Dougong blocks from ancient Chinese architecture play a central role in the build and concept of the grid table – think of it as an advanced Lego challenge! Mian Wei won the Silver A’Design Award for this grid table in the homeware and furniture category, showcasing his exceptional skills as a multimedia artist who brings to life ideas that blend industrial design and emotions seamlessly.

This is a no screws assembly – yes – there is no need to keep a track of the different screw sizes and the tiny anvil! The grid table relies on the ages-old Dougong method of interlocking blocks so effectively that it not only distributes weight evenly but also lays a strong foundation while experiencing history. The supporting structure (Dougong) is made of modular parts that can be easily disassembled and reassembled in need of storage and moving. The bracket connectors (Gong) slide easily into the beams (Dou) to form the weight-bearing structure and retain structural integrity when the table is being lifted. It is made of ash, maple, and plywood which brings tone and texture ‘to the table’ (I just had to take that opportunity!).

“This project, on the one hand, tries to go back to the root to reinvestigate the practicality and scalability and bring new life to the ancient tradition. On the other hand, the project seeks to explore new aesthetic possibilities of the structure with modern forms and production techniques” says Mian Wei. The grid table gives form to the visual of wisdom and can be a stand-alone accent piece in the room (while also holding your tea and books!) without being too bold. The table is minimal yet so intricate in what can only be described as ‘engineered art’. As the owner builds the table, the complexity fades away, and the sensible nature reveals itself – the complete opposite of what I have ever felt while assembling the simplest chest of drawers in my home.

Designer: Mian Wei