Can you imagine living in a high-rise apartment building where the 360 degree views are of fishes and saltwater? Although just a concept now, this upside-down, underwater eco-skyscraper could be the future of building, especially if sea levels rise as predicted and we end up living in a water world. Designed by Victoria BC-based firm Zigloo, the Gyre is a floating eco-development meant to be both a research station as well as an off-shore resort with shops, restaurants, gardens and recreation. Powered completely by the sun, wind and ocean, the Gyre would offer a zero emissions stay for both tourists and researchers hoping to gain a better understanding of the ocean’s ecosystem.

Read the rest of The Gyre: A Floating Upside Down Eco Skyscraper

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I’ve talked about Danish home brand Bloomingville by TrendKompagniet before, but it’s been awhile and with Spring and gardening on my mind a lot lately I’ve been looking for some inspiring products that bring a breath of fresh air into the home. Bloomingville is a brand that you can find in Germany, and it is gaining in popularity like many other Danish and Swedish labels that are starting to find many loyal customers here.

This is the time of the year that I enjoy because Winter melts into clear, warm days and slowly you begin to find clothes and home accessories that fill you with the promise of flirty sundresses and brightly-colored wellies. Over the weekend I bought the cutest pale gray shoes and visited Noa Noa where you can find some of the loveliest Spring fashion ever. My white narcissus also bloomed on my windowsill after waiting several weeks though the transformation from bulb to bloom is always a pleasure to watch… I think it is because of being a gentle reminder of the patience we need to have in order to grow and blossom – beauty does not come overnight!

Don’t you enjoy the product shots from Bloomingville above? I do, though they are a bit too country for my taste I see many that I can mix and match into a more modern home with clean lines and that is what I live about Bloomingville, there is something for everyone. Did you notice the dresser in the top left photo? It looks like it was painted with light grey chalkboard paint. I love the idea of pale gray chalkboard paint, many tend to go with black chalkboard paint on the walls which is lovely but upon seeing this I think gray appeals to me a bit more right now I think. What about you?

I need to run off to teach a class for a few hours, so I’ll be back a little later…

(images: bloomingville)

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That's designer Gilles Belley's Energy Saver power strip, which "glows to show the wasted energy your gadgets eat up when they're plugged in but not doing anything." Belley and nine other designers are slideshow'd in William Bostwick's Fast Company piece "Are These Ten Names the Future of Industrial Design?"

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Maison & Objet's product design trade show Now! Design a Vivre, design-world godfather Philippe Starck and Intramuros editor Chantal Hamaide chose 10 rising French stars to usher in a new decade of design. Fear not, Francophobes--these guys actually epitomize all the current trends whizzing around the design world--warts and all--from environmental commentary to DIY grunge to blog-friendly wit. It's a perfect picture of product design today--but is it a pretty one? Get to know these names and decide for yourself.

Check out the slideshow here.

(more...)

Switzerland-based designer Barbara Bona just sent us "Waterfall," an LED-lighting concept that intends to "transform night into day" by bouncing the focused light of the LEDs off the reflective, translucent fabric of the curtain and into the surrounding space. The project transforms the unfriendly light of LEDs into atmosphere and suggests that a room be lit from its window instead of point sources on the ceiling, wall or floor.

We spent some time poking around her site and found a few more blog-worthy projects. Though never groundbreaking, each one exhibits a level of clarity and execution that we can get down with. A favorite is Twisted Chips, pictured above, where Bona created new ways to prepare and present potato chips, reminiscent of Kenya Hara's pasta re-design project and Guixé's Meta-territorial cookbook.

Below, see her temperature reading teacup and lightweight, collapsible stepladder for the closet.

(more...)

...by calligrapher alison carmichael...

An Eco-friendly, flat-pak, easily portable high chair is here. The Belkiz Feedaway wont be your everyday solution but it's perfect for when you're planning on dinner where a highchair wont be available. It's made of cardboard but strong enouh to hold a 20 month or 40 lb toddler.  Pretty impressive. 

Assystem UK
London, United Kingdom

As battery manufacturers race to produce more efficient lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, some scientists are looking to make the cars themselves a power source. Researchers are currently developing a new material that can store and release electrical energy like a battery. Once perfected, scientists hope the substance will replace standard car bodies, making vehicles up to 15 percent lighter and significantly extending the range of electric vehicles.

Read the rest of Car Bodies Could Store Energy Like Batteries

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I was reading a story in New York Magazine, “The Urban Woodsman,” and found myself drawn to this gorgeous tool from the Tribeca, NYC-based Best Made Company. I immediately wanted one because of its sleek curves, bright color, and elegant “courage” stamp, but the price ($250) set me back. I’d love to hang it above our fireplace, but that seems silly — especially when there’s a tree in our backyard that my wife is convinced I cannot cut down by myself.

The Best Made Co. shapes and masks off the handle, “then we prime it and spray on multiple layers of high-quality graffiti paint.” High-quality graffiti paint?! Sorry, Best Made Co., you had me at “courage” but lost me at “graffiti paint.” (I do give them credit for out-sourcing the important part — the ax head — to a 100-year-old company in Maine, where they make the fine-grained steel heads by hand.)

I now find myself Googling “wood axe,” which strikes me as one of the most un-manly things I could be doing. I could pick up a simple, cheap axe from Lowe’s (Kobalt 3-1/2 Lb. Michigan Axe with Hickory Handle, $30). But I think the best compromise would be the Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe, $120.

It’s made by a small, Swedish family-operated company formed in 1902, and is as beautiful as the trendy one from Tribeca. And besides, I could always paint my own orange handle. Timber! — Chad H.

Touchstone
Mason, OH

Well here we are again, meeting up virtually for some inspiration and decorating ideas. But before we get started, how was your weekend? Did you accomplish all you had hoped? I had a nice weekend but ended up not finishing all of my work because I started watching French films and once I start I cannot stop! I love French movies and have several favorite actors from Paris — one being Romain Duris, do you know him? He was in both “Paris” and “Molière”, both are films that I highly recommend for the atmosphere and acting, but also the ability they have to lift you from your seat, transporting you into another place and time.

Paris was a film that I think all who complain about life should watch because the story is very touching and surely will make you cry but also may help you to value your life a little more. We need films like that now and then, don’t we? It’s so easy to whine and fall into the habit of complaining, feeling as though enough is never enough. All it takes is Romain Duris in this film to realize that so many of us have it really, really well.

Romain is such a gem to watch, what a talent… and I loved his apartment, especially the scenes from his balcony shown above where he cultivates a few plants and flowers. You know what? I’m one of the few who has been glad that the weather is so gray because I’ve finally had the time to watch some of my DVDs and through them I have been gaining inspiration and encouragement – a few movies I suggest from my most recently viewed list, French and other, include: Paris, Molière, The Reader, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Coco Before Chanel (love), Miss Potter, Priceless and The Science of Sleep (so creative!).

I’ll be back soon with some Monday inspirations for you, so I’ll see you soon. xo

Oh and a BIG P.S. – It has been confirmed that I’ll be in the April 2010 issue of Myself magazine, a woman’s magazine in Germany published by Conde Nast. It will be on newsstands March 17th and the article is about “pro” bloggers in Germany, I’ll be profiled along with Nicole from Delicious Days and I believe one other though I’m unsure of whom so I’ll have to wait until March 17th.

(photo: cinemovies)

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This Valentine’s Day, say it with science. Finding “the one” is a gift to be cherished, and what better way to express that than with a heart in its truest, most anatomically correct form?

Keep it real with some heart art like Hybrid-Home’s Dora Drimalas print, $40, a My Heart Is Yours poster, $24 from Velocity Art & Design, or the strangely appealing heart vase ($450 at Supermarket) by Esque Designs.

For the snugglebug, snag a plush heart for $9 from Etsy shop Batteries Not Included or a plush friend from the source for plush organs, I Heart Guts. (Neil Young fans: consider that heart of gold found.) Or satiate your favorite sweetie with a gummy heart from Fred Flare.

If cards are your thing, create some homemade love with this heart rubber stamp, $4.99, by Etsy seller BlossomStamps, or say it outright with letterhappy’s straightforward note, $2.

All these heart-y tributes may even score you some points for attention to detail and intelligent design. Nothing says love like a spot-on ventricle. — Sarah C.

...by max tisman for tcho...

The Greetings Factory Ltd, owner of such well know brands as Hotchpotch and Dandelion, is looking for two new Junior Designers/Interns to work in its busy studio in Hampton, Middlesex.Initially for a fixed term of six months, for the right applicant this could well turn into a permanent position, working for an exciting, growing Greetings Card company. please click here to read the full job ad

Recently reupholsered in a lovely blue stripey silk, this vintage chair is the best of both worlds with its retro styling and "perfect-condition" new finish.

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For a long, long time American Design has been influenced in great amount by the English, but lately I've been happily enjoying the growing influence of French design and architecture. From a stunning historical Houston, Texas house that has been transformed into a breathtaking French Chateau look-a-like (see the article in House Beautiful "Blue as a Titian." If I hadn't read the article I would've sworn this house was a remodeled chateau in the southern France)-to more sleek interpretations of pied-à-terres in the City. This sophisticated influence distends itself from the more Provencal style with an a-la-Jacques-Grange approach. In this month's Elle Decor issue the house of Interior Designer Paula Caravelli also frames a very French continental influence. Below are a few images that evoke what we all love so much, the immaculate perfect style of everything French.A very beautiful image of the entrance of Aerin Lauder's apartment in New York, City designed by Jacques Grange. I love how the French have been hanging tapestry on the walls for centuries- a tendency that started more in an effort to preserve them than to showcase them. Here in this modern interpretation the high lacquer parson table does the trick.The paneling in this Manhattan library/dining room could be easily mistaken for a library in a Paris apartment. Designed by Miles Redd.

some photos of lisa congdon's plate wall from dwell magazine, including two of my 'travel' plates.

regular readers may remember the fantastic dandelion clocks wallpaper by fiona howard for sanderson we previously featured here. it was later nominated in the best wallpaper category by elle deco. so it was really lovely to see it featured on mugs (made by churchill) which were spotted in john lewis last week. it was on display in two colourways, and you can see one of them online here.

tina backman works as a freelance illustrator and surface pattern designer. after graduating from central saint martins in london, and konstfack university of arts & crafts in stockholm, tina created artworks for clients in sweden such as the art academy, modern museum, and the swedish film institute. she set up her studio tina backman design five years ago and has just released her first

i had an email from alison tannery telling me about her friend and business partner melody miller. melody wanted to work from home after having a baby and created a portfolio of designs to sell. she used her last few hundred dollars to visit the houston quilt market to find manufacturers, and from this landed a deal to work with awesome fabric company kokka. find out more about melody's work

After six months of living in San Diego, I finally went to the zoo with my friend Jenn who was in town visiting last weekend. The colors, the textures, the cuteness...oh my! Seriously such a fun and amazing place. See more photos from our trip right here...

{photos by oh joy}

Whether your preferences tend toward the rain shower, a stream or a mist, this cool shower panel system by Samo delivers. This all-in-one shower panel features a column characterized by its oblique lines and elongated shape, accented by high-polished chrome hardware. The column comes in a range of colors and finishes: satin brushed, dark bronze, clear bronze, black for a masculine touch or red for a fun, vibrant focus in your bathroom. At the very top, the rain-shower head drizzles down over you; just below it is a relaxing waterfall-style stream; and along the column, the drop spraying jets are a great way to wake up in the morning. Check out this three-in-one shower system, by Samo.

A modern look and practical function make these decorative fireplaces by Conmoto a true urban essential. These built-in cabinets combine a fireplace and wood storage, offering an interesting idea for small-space living without compromising on comfort or style. This pair of mirror-image vertical cabinets each measures 165 cm tall by 50 cm wide and 50 cm deep to suit any modern home – large or small. The dark cabinets feature large glass fronts and are complemented by gleaming brushed stainless steel hardware for a clean, contemporary look. With fire and fuel within easy reach, this decorative built-in fireplace is sure to heat up any home. Check out these modern must-haves by visiting Conmoto.

One home appliance that doesn't get a whole lot of press is the ceiling fan. Before finding Matthews Fan Company, I had never seen any I liked, so I wasn't exactly crying out for more information. But a day spent in the D&D building here in New York caused that all to change.

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Graham & Brown are a successful, privately owned company who have been supplying innovative wallcoverings to leading retailers around the world for over 60 years. the companies headquarters which is based here in the UK have a job vacancy for a ... Home CAD DesignerReporting to the Studio Manager the successful candidate will design and manipulate Wallart for our Home business that are

...wear this tank dress by alice + olivia, decorate with that set of drawers by shay alkalay...

This week we took a look at some of the art and installations seen during Toronto Design Week, including a felt display that invited audience participation. See the rest of the week at Art MoCo after the jump.

The London design duo's latest creation is inspired by the ubiquitous post war school chair. The chair is lightweight and stackable, with a steel frame and beech plywood seat and back. The Canteen Chair is practical and beautiful — the perfect combination.

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Every Friday! Here are all the home and garden sales across the country - painstakingly collected by our editorial team of over 70 bloggers. This is only place on the web where you can find them all in one place. Pass it on and send us your sale.

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This is a fantastic tray but even more it’s art, put it on the wall or lean it against the kitchen wall. I just adore these two images on both of the trays.

berenice by ibride

el querido father by ibride

They are designed by the French atelier ibirdie. I found them as Valentine’s Day presents at mydeco.

Don’t forget that the love day is almost here!

Less than one year old, this sofa bed from BoConcept will save you almost half the price of buying new when you consider the tax and delivery.

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Say goodbye to that sad, painted-a-million-times, flaky, peeling eyesore of a radiator.  Say hello to a new, any-color-of-the-rainbow, fancy pants radiator from Bisque.  Available in practically any color you can imagine, and nearly any shape and size, these radiators are just plain cool.  I'll take one in that pretty sea foam/turquoise color please!

www.bisque.co.uk

via

Creating a display with your everyday kitchen items is a great way to maximize storage and decoration all at once.

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...gorgeous packaging and campaign for Issey Miyake's pleats please collection. designed by Taku Satoh Design Office...

The snow-topped mountains of Vancouver and Whistler are reflected in the fluidity of the organic forms of the 23 individual and team podiums that will be used for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

How tempting is a cosy Aran knit sweater for your laptop? Wool, wood and leather are the key ingredients in designs by Irish studio Superfolk, and Gearoid Muldowney&aposs series of Aran laptop bags makes the most of two out of three.

• House Call: Steve & Rhea's Renovated Fisherman's Cottage • House Tour: Tyler & Jules Can Make Your Bed Rock • How To Turn IKEA's Tullsta Chair Into a Designer Piece • 10 Bedrooms by S.R. Gambrel • The Best of Clean House • House Tour: Stephen Improvises a Home

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above, emily burningham valentine's card spotted online at one brown cow.above, all items from the hearts range available from emma bridgewater except wrapping paper (below) from kate's paperie.above, cards by rob ryan available online at papergrain, below naomi murrell print from her valentine's gift guide. above 'queen of hearts' print by khristian a howell from her own shop and also at art

When asked what other profession I'd be in another life, one of my top responses {I swear!} is "a high school guidance counselor". For some reason, I find immense satisfaction from helping others find their path to successful careers that make them truly happy. Over the years, I've consulted my design clients on various parts of their branding and business and decided last year to offer the service separately for those who just needed feedback, direction, or a boost in creative thinking about their brand or careers. So...we've recently {and officially} added Oh Joy Rx to the Oh Joy website and wanted to share the fun news and this new branch of my business with you today.

Architect and SCI-Arc professor Roger Sherman ate a bunch of shrooms (and donuts) and then wondered what would happen if Target were to break out of the big-box. He calls it "a way for big box retailers to strategically locate themselves in urban infill areas," I call it something else, but it is pretty interesting. (via Curbed)

THIS WEEK • Knoll Sale • Baxter & Liebchen Sale • A Toast to Local Designers @ VOOS • Alessi Sale • Chester Nielsen California Houses • Charles P. Rogers Sale • YLiving Knoll Sale • Abitare Sale • DWR Knoll Classics Sale • Conran Shop Sale • Container Store's Elfa Sale • Modern Poster Exhibit & Auction • D. Porthault’s White Sale • Pink Pig Bedding Sale • Tim Burton Retrospective COMING UP • STRAIGHTFORWARD New Finnish Design more information below the jump

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The lumpy red resin wall in this apartment designed by Paul Coudamy is reminiscent of the Clay series of furnishings by Maarten Baas. Featured on Dezeen, My Caravan Studio is a small mulit-functional space that features many moving and transforming parts.

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Sebastian Herkner is German lighting and furniture designer currently based in Offenbach am Main. This young designer has a background that extends from an internship with Stella McCartney to producing work for companies such as Foundry, Nomess and Radius Design to teaching at the Academy of Art and Design Offenbach am Main Germany, Department of Industrial Design. Herkner&aposs most recent work was shown at [d3] design talents during IMM Cologne.

We posted an announcement last August for the "urbanSHED International Design Competition," and Young-Hwan Choi, a 28-year-old graduate student from the University of Pennsylvania, heeded the call* and won the $10,000 cash prize. So how about showing L+L a little love, wontcha, Young? A little sumpthin' sumpthin'... anything? No?

Mr. Choi's concept, the Urban Umbrella has been adopted by the New York City Department of Buildings as a new standard. While use of the design by contractors will not be mandatory, the Department reports that the installation costs are "in line" with the current standard and that long term maintenance and installations costs for the new structures will be lower. Also of note is that the new design will obstruct less of a building's facade which would appeal to building owners and affected businesses.

Link: urbanSHED

*WE HAVE NO IDEA IF YOUNG-HWAN CHOI HAS EVER READ L+L.

Over the years I've put together many How To's, and this month I'm getting ready to do a few more for Home Hacks 2010. To prime the pump, I want to share with you some of the most popular one's I've ever done, most of which document work done in our own home. They're not necessarily THE best, but they're my best. Enjoy!

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. So in the spirit of all things Cupid, here's a look at some arrow inspired design aiming for a place in your home.

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its our last day of looking at valentine's design, and where better to find something a bit different than on etsy. i've been looking through to see the huge variety of designs on offer and here are some of my faves. starting with printable valentine's from the super fun shop that is 'happy thought'. no print & pattern tomorrow but back on monday. below, a fabulous valentines selection from