Marble-look surfaces top 3D-printed plastic bases in Elli’s furniture collection

Architecture firm BIG has designed a new furniture collection called Lily for the Danish brand Skagerak. The collection, which includes a table, bench, and chair, is characterized by its lack of sharp corners, drawing inspiration from the gently sloping, oval shape of lily pads. This design choice is a recurring motif for BIG, which has previously incorporated similar organic, super-elliptical forms into other projects to encourage movement within spaces. The Lily collection is constructed from golden teak wood and supported by stainless steel X-frames. These materials were specifically chosen for their durability and suitability for both indoor and outdoor use. Erik Berg Kreider, a senior industrial designer at BIG, noted that the materials are expected to age gracefully over time, with the teak developing a lighter patina. The design prioritizes the natural beauty of the wood and steel by eschewing any additional paints or finishes. BIG's affinity for lily pad forms extends beyond this furniture collection. The firm previously designed oversized, lily pad-shaped floor cushions for children at WeWork's New York primary school. Berg Kreider highlighted that this soft, organic shape is a frequent design element for BIG because it promotes a natural flow of movement in various environments, suggesting that the furniture pieces are intended to be integral elements that guide interaction within a space. Functionality and versatility are key aspects of the Lily collection. The pieces are designed to be multifunctional, allowing them to transition seamlessly between indoor and outdoor settings. For instance, the bench can serve as both seating and a low coffee table, enabling flexible arrangements for dining or lounging. This adaptability aligns with a contemporary approach to living spaces, where furniture often needs to serve multiple purposes. The campaign images for the Lily collection were captured in BIG's Urban Rigger, a floating student housing project in Copenhagen made from shipping containers. This location was chosen due to its inherent combination of indoor and outdoor living elements, including balconies and a swimming platform, which resonated with the collection's design philosophy. The Urban Rigger itself is inspired by the maritime environment of Denmark, further connecting the furniture's water-themed inspiration with its promotional setting. Scheduled for release through Danish furniture brand Skagerak in March 2020, the Lily collection represents BIG's continued exploration of natural forms and multifunctional design. This project follows other notable home designs by BIG, such as the VIA57 lounge chair, inspired by their New York apartment tower, and the blown-glass Gople lamp, which is designed to aid indoor plant growth. These designs collectively showcase BIG's commitment to creating innovative and contextually relevant products for various living and working environments. #FurnitureDesign #BIGArchitecture #Skagerak #IndoorOutdoorFurniture #TeakWood #SustainableMaterials #OrganicDesign #DanishDesign #MultifunctionalFurniture

This article from T Magazine highlights a range of cultural and lifestyle recommendations, featuring a former N.F.L. player turned furniture designer, a new art gallery in TriBeCa, a botanical-inspired wallpaper collection, an Athens restaurant showcasing contemporary Greek art, a homey Seattle hotel, and a hand-painted apparel line. Each section provides details about the featured subject, including their background, inspiration, notable works, and practical information for visitors or consumers. Michael Bennett, a former N.F.L. player, founded Studio Kër after retiring from football in 2020. His furniture designs are deeply inspired by his activism work for racial justice, his upbringing in Louisiana and Texas, and his ancestral roots in Senegal. Bennett’s inaugural exhibition, “We Gotta Get Back to the Crib,” features an 11-piece collection of sculptural furniture that reinterprets objects found in communal Black spaces. Key pieces include the Gumbo lounge chair, a sophisticated take on the monobloc chair, and the Pew couch, inspired by church benches, crafted from leather and ekki wood. The exhibition debuted at Theaster Gates’s Rebuild Foundation in Chicago and is scheduled to travel to Houston. In TriBeCa, New York, gallerist Jack Shainman opened a new 20,000-square-foot gallery called The Hall in the historic Clock Tower Building. This Beaux-Arts space, built around 1898 and formerly home to the New York Life Insurance Company, has been renovated and restored. The gallery serves as a new cultural center offering free exhibits, allowing visitors to appreciate both contemporary art and the historic Manhattan architecture, including its preserved bank vault and 29-foot-high coffered wood ceilings. The Hall plans to officially open in September with a 16-foot-tall bronze sculpture by artist Nick Cave. Currently, it features Richard Mosse’s immersive 74-minute multi-spectral video installation, “Broken Spectre,” which addresses the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Mosse emphasizes the historical connection between the building’s past, built on wealth from enslaved people, and ongoing global issues like environmental destruction. Marian McEvoy, a former fashion and design editor, launched a new wallpaper and fabric collection with Schumacher, inspired by her botanical collages and illustrations. After nearly 30 years in Paris and Manhattan, McEvoy moved to a cottage on the Hudson River, where she creates her art. Her collaboration with Schumacher features six wallcoverings and four fabrics, including prints like Thistle Vine, Polka-Dot Jungle, and Bow-Wow-Wow, all reflecting her signature use of strong colors and lines. McEvoy has incorporated these designs into her own home, showcasing her personal approval of the collection. In Athens, entrepreneur and art collector Philippos Tsangrides opened Gallina, a restaurant designed by Objects of Common Interest. The interiors blend diverse materials such as red marble, pink leather, terrazzo, and wood, creating an unexpected aesthetic. Gallina also displays pieces from Tsangrides’s private art collection, including a silk tapestry by Jannis Varelas and a neon sign by Olga Migliaressi-Phoca. A notable design element is a sinuous white light tube by the architects. The menu, curated by chef Pavlos Kiriakis, features dishes with no specific provenance, such as chicken with miso beurre blanc and truffle, and wild mushrooms with white chocolate béarnaise. Tsangrides intends to open a wine bar nearby. Julian Hagood and Jake Santelli opened Harry’s Guest House, a two-room hotel in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, inspired by their neighbor Winnie. The Dutch Colonial home was purchased from Winnie, whose drawings and wooden writing desk are now integrated into the hotel’s design. One suite is named after Winnie, and the other after the couple’s dog, Lucy. The interiors combine vintage and contemporary furniture and textiles, featuring a 1940s hand-carved wardrobe and Zak+Fox fabrics. Guests can also enjoy in-room dining from Harry’s Fine Foods, Hagood’s adjacent restaurant. Artists Julia Dault and Hannah Whitaker launched Signs Point to Yes, a line of hand-painted apparel. Their sweatshirts and pants feature designs like metallic tulips, sherbet-hued confetti, and smiley (and sad) faces, often painted using ketchup bottles to achieve a gestural, imperfect style. The brand name, inspired by a Magic 8 Ball, conveys a sense of optimistic humor. The artists selected comfortable cotton garments as their canvases, recognizing their popularity during the pandemic and their continued appeal beyond loungewear. #SculpturalFurniture #ArtExhibition #Design #ArtGallery #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Restaurants #Hotels #Fashion

This article, part of a weekly series spotlighting the latest product debuts in the marketplace, presents a curated selection of new launches in home furnishings and materials. The featured introductions span various categories, from furniture and wallcoverings to surfaces, lighting, and textiles, offering a comprehensive overview of recent innovations in interior design. RH's fall 2025 “RH Interiors” sourcebook is highlighted for its reinterpretation of classic designs with a modern sensibility. Key pieces include the 1970s brutalist Adilon tables, the Modena sofa featuring a sleek slipcover, the Calamette chandelier by Jonathan Browning with onyx paneling, and the Toulouse canopy bed, a Julie Lawrence creation crafted from sand-cast solid iron. These pieces collectively showcase a blend of historical inspiration and contemporary execution, emphasizing sophisticated aesthetics and materiality. Fromental's "Phantasm" wallcovering, designed by Amy Lau, is another notable debut. This wet-dyed silk mural, originally a custom piece for Lau's home, draws inspiration from iridescent Loetz glass. It features a painterly polychromatic pattern and metallic accents reminiscent of Gustav Klimt's work. A portion of the proceeds from its sale supports causes selected by Lau’s family, adding a philanthropic dimension to the product. Cambria introduces four new quartz surfaces, expanding its collection of American-made materials. These include "Traymore Bay," a misty neutral; "Claremont," characterized by chocolate and taupe veining; "Kenwood," a marbled ivory design; and "St. Isley," a bold blue-gray with dark wavy lines and white crackles. These surfaces provide diverse options for countertops and other applications, catering to various aesthetic preferences. To commemorate a decade of collaboration, Brooklyn-based Remains Lighting and Los Angeles design studio Commune launched an anniversary collection. The collection features eight new lighting designs, such as blown-glass Cylinder lanterns and brass-mesh Linear sconces. Additionally, it includes the curvaceous Halo mirrors and a range of storage accessories with faceted edges and perforated detailing, blending functionality with distinct design elements. Nurture by Nature, a collectible design gallery in Burlington, Vermont, is set to launch with its inaugural exhibition, “Unknown Friends.” This exhibit will feature 34 handcrafted works by 15 makers, available for public viewing and purchase. Featured pieces include Yuxuan Huang’s Lamp I, made from bamboo and hand-painted mashi paper; Luke Malaney’s reclaimed-wood Gambler cabinet; and Anna Gukov’s ceramic Tassel Il sculpture, showcasing a commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and unique design. Chaddock unveiled its first collaboration with Palm Beach County designer Allison Paladino. This made-to-order, 14-piece collection, produced in North Carolina, includes the French deco-inspired Kuester ottoman, the architectural Randee chair, and the Sir Martin mitered sectional. The sectional is distinguished by its clean lines, canted front, and column-like ends, reflecting a focus on tailored design and quality. OuterClé, a division of Clé Tile, introduced the "Lido Splash" collection of graphic pool tile mosaics. Designed to evoke a Mediterranean aesthetic, the collection features 18 distinct mosaics in various multitonal hues, such as "Pavone" (cool blue) and "Meraviglia" (warm neutral). These tiles can be combined to create customized focal points in outdoor spaces. Pindler’s "Mini Prints" collection showcases small-scale patterns printed on a cotton-linen ground. Available in seven colors, the collection includes designs such as the striped "Tilly," the floral "Fearne," the ikat-esque "Imogen," the dotted "Evienne," and the quatrefoil "Gemma." These textiles offer versatile options for adding subtle pattern and color to interiors. Studio Abrash, an India-based rug manufacturer, launched a new line inspired by William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement. This collection features 10 hand-knotted rugs made from pure wool and silk, incorporating art nouveau botanical designs. Examples include the acanthus-clad "Eden," the marigold-covered "Mary," and the iris-filled "Luna," reflecting a revival of historical textile motifs. Finally, WallPops collaborated with Bangladeshi American designer Nabela Noor on a line of peel-and-stick wallpapers. The collection features four South Asian block print–style patterns: the sari-inspired "Aliviya," the banded "Zareen," the paisley-accented "Faiza," and "Safia," which features a traditional buta motif. This collaboration brings culturally inspired designs to accessible home decor solutions. #ProductPreview #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #NewArrivals #LuxuryDecor #TextileDesign #SurfaceMaterials #LightingDesign #FurnitureDesign

Dezeen Showroom highlights eight new product designs, including furniture, lighting, and textiles, focusing on versatility, sustainability, and contemporary aesthetics. Fredericia's Plan Chair, designed in collaboration with Barber Osgerby, leads the selection with its minimalist form and extensive customization options, making it suitable for a variety of interior settings, from dining areas to offices. Its design allows for personalization of the back, seat, and base, ensuring adaptability to diverse preferences and environments. Karakter reissues Gijs Bakker's 1972 GB Lounge chair, a modular seating system known for its flexibility. Individual segments can function as armchairs or be combined with other modules and poufs using connectors, enabling users to create custom seating arrangements. This revival emphasizes the enduring appeal of adaptable furniture solutions. Dizz Concept introduces the Dizzone workstation, a versatile pod designed for home working, learning, or gaming. This unit integrates a desk with ample space for monitors, shelving, and storage, and when closed, it compacts into a large cabinet, optimizing space in multi-functional rooms. The design addresses the increasing demand for integrated home office solutions. Miniforms, in collaboration with E-ggs, presents the Bice chair, distinguished by its curved backrest. The chair's unique shape allows it to serve as a standalone piece in residential interiors or as part of larger arrangements in commercial settings, where its stackable feature facilitates efficient storage. NOOE's Config01 Desk Set aims to enhance productivity by minimizing workspace clutter. This collection of desk accessories includes a laptop stand, mobile phone stand, desk rug, desk tray, and cable organizer. Crafted from materials like suede, aluminum, and natural American walnut, these accessories combine functionality with a refined aesthetic. Konstantin Grcic's Myto chair for Plank is re-released in a lighter, more flexible, and recyclable plastic. Originally launched in 2007, the updated version maintains its stackable design and is available in multiple colors, including black, white, traffic red, pure orange, yellow green, and light blue, offering both durability and environmental consciousness. Arcana's Doinyo tile collection replicates the appearance of high-quality marble. These tiles feature digitally printed grey, blue, and beige shades, along with inclusions and veining characteristic of natural marble, providing an elegant and durable surface solution without the maintenance associated with natural stone. Finally, Camira's Main Line Twist upholstery fabric blends wool and flax to create a contemporary take on tweed. Available in 15 colorways, this textile offers a durable and aesthetically pleasing option for upholstery, contributing to both the comfort and visual appeal of furniture pieces. #ProductDesign #Furniture #Chairs #HomeOffice #InteriorDesign #ModularDesign #SustainableMaterials #Textiles #Tiles

The Cersaie 2022 trade fair showcases significant advancements in ceramic flooring, highlighting technological innovation, sustainability, and aesthetic research. The event features a diverse array of materials inspired by natural elements such as stone, marble, and wood, reflecting a growing trend towards versatile and high-performance ceramic solutions for contemporary interior design. Architects and designers are presented with a comprehensive toolkit of options, demonstrating how ceramics can replicate the visual and tactile qualities of natural materials with remarkable accuracy and creative flexibility. Key exhibitors at Cersaie 2022 introduce collections that redefine ceramic applications. Oversized porcelain stoneware slabs are central to many installations, offering impactful visual and sensory details. These large formats, often nearly jointless, enhance spatial continuity and allow for a greater expression of the intricate colors, textures, and patterns found in natural stone and wood. This approach signifies a new era in conceiving spatial boundaries within modern living environments. Marble-effect ceramic floors are prominently featured, with collections like Keope’s Element Lux, which meticulously reproduces the veining and shading of prized marbles such as Calacatta Statuarietto and Calacatta Verde in maxi-formats. Atlas Concorde commemorates the tenth anniversary of its Marvel World project with the Marvel Gala capsule collection, presenting five new ceramic marble varieties inspired by exotic natural settings. These include Crystal White, Desert Soul, Exotic Green, Amazzonite, and Calcutta Black, translating intense natural colors onto large slabs. Atlas Concorde also introduces the Marvel X collection, blending classic and modern aesthetics with five iconic marbles reinterpreted in elegant whites and refined greys, featuring a unique hammered finish that mimics split stone. Iris Ceramica Group highlights its 4D Ceramics, an avant-garde material developed through a revolutionary re-engineering process. This ceramic slab boasts the durability of stone, with textures, veining, and colors consistent throughout its interior thickness, blurring the distinction between interior and exterior. This production method is deeply rooted in sustainability, aligning with the company's H2 Factory, the world's first ceramic factory powered by green hydrogen. Cotto d’Este presents StarLight, a collection of Kerlite 3plus laminated porcelain stoneware that achieves high graphic definition and chromatic intensity. Utilizing sophisticated digital technology, StarLight reproduces eight rare marbles, including Apuano, White Carrara, and Calacatta, in ultra-thin slabs with a glossy finish. Nexion’s Marble Gallery offers an original aesthetic approach, reinterpreting nature rather than merely imitating it. Its marble-effect surfaces fuse natural preciousness with the high-tech properties of sintered stone, providing exceptional brilliance and figurative fidelity in variants like Black Onyx and Aqua Green Quartz. Ceramica Sant’Agostino introduces the Paradiso collection, inspired by Azzurrite, featuring five varieties in brilliant and soft green and celeste hues. This porcelain stoneware collection conveys an airy and calm ambiance, complete with decorative elements that combine marble and wood effects. The stone-effect ceramic category also sees a strong focus on travertine. Ceramiche Keope's Omnia collection introduces Tivoli Ivory and Romano Sand, inspired by Lazio's travertine quarries, available in various sizes for both walls and floors. Atlas Concorde’s Marvel Travertine collection, a collaboration with Hirsch Bedner Associates HBA, offers a ceramic version of travertine for luxury interior design projects. This partnership combines Italian style and manufacturing expertise with HBA's creative vision, resulting in porcelain stoneware surfaces with geometric patterns and precious material inclusions. Coem's Touch Stone series reinterprets travertine through innovative Matter on Top technology, enhancing tactile effects and natural chromatic intensity in White, Gold, and Grey, available in both Vein and Touch graphic variants. Ceramiche Keope’s Percorsi Frame collection offers a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, reproducing rare stone varieties like Onsernone, Plima del Val Martello, and Cosmic Black Brazilian granite in porcelain stoneware. Cotto d’Este’s Advance Skin, a stone-effect collection, features a balanced graphic mix of slate and limestone shades, presented in ultra-thin Kerlite 3plus slabs suitable for various architectural applications in four color variants. Nexion's Stone Gallery extends beyond natural imitation, offering sintered stones with elevated performance in shades like Roccia Portoghese, Vicenza Beige, Basalto Grigio, and Gabbro Sfumato. Atlas Concorde’s Boost Mix revisits Milanese architecture’s Ceppo di Gré, modernizing its pebbled look through three color tones (Ivory, Pearl, and Smoke) that complement concrete-effect surfaces. Panaria’s Frame collection of stone-effect ceramic tiles provides versatile solutions for dynamic spaces, translating sedimentary rock aesthetics into porcelain stoneware with tonal gradations and decorative elements for both indoor and outdoor use. Florim’s Plimatech collection, inspired by South Tyrolean Plima granite, reproduces its natural appearance with brilliant crystals and speckles across three colorations (Plimagrey, Plimawhite, and Plimabeige) and three graphic variants. Mutina’s Kosei, designed by Vincent Van Duysen, is a new ceramic flooring collection inspired by volcanic rock and obsidian, offering a timeless and tactile material for both indoor and outdoor applications in five exclusive colors. Wood-effect ceramics continue to gain popularity due to technological advancements that allow porcelain stoneware to mimic the aesthetic performance of natural wood while offering enhanced resistance and durability. Panaria’s Kairos collection captures the aged look of old oak plank flooring, featuring realistic textures with knots and scratches in various formats and six colors. Atlas Concorde’s Entice collection pays homage to Italian oak, meticulously reproducing its surface details in two graphic versions: Natural (untreated raw wood) and Elegant (oiled and polished wood), available in a palette of honey, amber, and grey-sand tones. Flaviker’s Four Seasons project expands on wood-effect tiles with three chromatic variants (Chocolate, Honey, and Biscuit) that evoke oak surfaces, suitable for diverse contexts from domestic to hospitality. Florim’s Woodslate Life is a multi-material collection that blends oak and slate effects, creating a versatile and decorative interior design backdrop through herringbone patterns and a palette of grey and hazelnut. These collections collectively highlight ceramics as a material that perfectly balances aesthetic appeal with technical performance, reflecting a strong connection to nature in contemporary design. #Cersaie2022 #CeramicFlooring #MarbleEffect #StoneEffect #WoodEffect #InteriorDesign #SustainableMaterials #ArchitecturalDesign #SurfaceFinishes

The 'Infinito' table, a limited-edition piece designed by Roberto Lazzeroni for Italian brand Poltrona Frau, showcases a unique green-tinged Rosso Lepanto marble. This rare material was discovered unexpectedly in 2018 within a Turkish cave previously mined for its reddish-purple variant. Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau, acquired the entire slab after being captivated by its distinct color and origin story. He then enlisted long-term collaborator Roberto Lazzeroni to transform this exceptional marble into a furniture piece. Lazzeroni's design process was significantly influenced by the limited dimensions of the marble slab, which measured 240cm, despite his vision for a 340cm table. His innovative solution involved combining two ellipses, then cutting and diagonally splicing them to form a single, expansive geometrical figure, reminiscent of the yin and yang symbol or infinity, hence the name 'Infinito'. This approach allowed him to overcome the material constraint while creating a visually striking and harmonious design. The table has been produced in a limited run of 72 pieces, highlighting its exclusivity and unique character. The 'Infinito' collection includes two sizes. Eight larger tables feature a double oval shape supported by two white marble bases, each weighing a substantial 491kg. The remaining 64 smaller designs, weighing 286kg each, present a simple oval tabletop with a single base. The inherent variations in the marble's natural patterning ensure that every table is distinct and one-of-a-kind. This emphasis on individuality underscores the collectible nature of the furniture, where each piece tells its own story through its unique material composition. The crafting of these tables took place in Tuscany, with expert marble workers meticulously carving the green Rosso Lepanto tops. The contrasting white bases are sculpted from Carrara marble using advanced high-tech milling processes, which involve a robotic arm with five rotary axes. This combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology was crucial for shaping the intricate designs, as highlighted by Lazzeroni. He emphasized that working with such a material requires a deep understanding of both the marble itself and the technological capabilities to manipulate it. Roberto Lazzeroni, born in Pisa and educated in art and architecture in Florence, has a diverse career spanning art, architecture, and design. His collaboration with Poltrona Frau is extensive, with Coropulis describing him as a partner for innovative ideas. Lazzeroni acknowledges the interconnections between art, architecture, and design, noting how these disciplines often influence each other. This interdisciplinary approach is particularly relevant in collectible design, a market that has seen significant growth, offering a new dimension of luxury. Coropulis further explains that the concept of luxury has shifted from ostentation to exclusivity, where limited editions play a vital role in elevating an object's value. The 'Infinito' table, with its foundation in a naturally occurring, unrepeatable material mutation, embodies this contemporary understanding of luxury. Lazzeroni concludes that the table is "exceptional, unique and unrepeatable," underscoring its inherent value and the rare circumstances of its creation. #MarbleTable #FurnitureDesign #RobertoLazzeroni #PoltronaFrau #LimitedEdition #ItalianDesign #CollectibleDesign #RossoLepantoMarble #Craftsmanship

West Haddon Hall, a Los Angeles-based furniture company, is introducing its new Collection II, which focuses on creating future heirlooms through well-considered and thoughtfully designed furniture. Founder and interior designer Kate Driver emphasizes that good design ages better, underscoring the brand's commitment to longevity and timelessness. The collection, comprising seven distinct pieces, draws inspiration from classicism and organic forms, integrating centuries-old artisanal techniques such as straw marquetry and caning, alongside sensitive upholstery detailing. Key pieces include the Brooks armchair, featuring a geometric wooden frame with caning and a gently curved upholstered top rail, and the Mulberry armchair, as well as the Wyngate Marquetry cocktail table. The philosophy behind West Haddon Hall's new collection is rooted in creating pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and enduring. Driver believes that decorators, given their understanding of client needs and daily living, are uniquely positioned to design furniture that integrates seamlessly into homes and is cherished for generations. This approach contrasts with the trend of fast furniture, offering an edited and usable collection where functionality and the end-user's experience are paramount. Driver often references her own treasured family heirloom, an old Welsh dresser, as an inspiration for preserving the memory and value of old objects in new designs. To showcase Collection II, Kate Driver meticulously staged each piece within an architecturally significant 1921 home designed by Francis Pierpoint Davis. This backdrop, chosen for its historical significance and recent renovation that preserved original details, allowed the new furniture to be presented alongside vintage pieces and antiques. This contextualization highlights how West Haddon Hall's designs can integrate into diverse environments, illustrating the potential for new items like the Elliston daybed and Ivy side table (from Collection I, now available in a new Champagne color) to coexist harmoniously with cherished older items, fostering a personal and unique living space. True craftsmanship is a cornerstone of West Haddon Hall's collection. Driver actively seeks collaborations with artisans and craftspeople to ensure the revival and continuation of traditional techniques. She expresses a particular interest in marquetry and caning, emphasizing the importance of preserving these rare arts from fading into obscurity. The new floating credenza, for instance, prominently features natural caning and honeyed oak, showcasing the brand's dedication to these intricate skills. The company also offers customization options, allowing clients and trade professionals to specify different sizes or materials, thereby providing original, bespoke, and timeless quality furniture. #FurnitureDesign #HeirloomFurniture #InteriorDesign #ArtisanalCrafts #SustainableDesign #TimelessDesign #WestHaddonHall #KateDriver #LuxuryFurniture

Industrial designer Robin Grasby has launched a new furniture collection crafted from Altrock, a unique material he developed. Altrock is composed of marble offcuts, sourced from luxury marble workshops, suspended in resin. This innovative material, first unveiled at the end of last year, is 87 percent recycled stone, making it a sustainable alternative in the design industry. The inaugural furniture line, showcased at this year's London Design Fair, features three primary pieces: a coffee table, a console, and a dining table. Grasby's intention behind designing these fundamental items was to demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of Altrock. The base designs can be extensively customized to create a wide array of furniture, catering to diverse functional and spatial requirements. Altrock's fabrication method allows for a broad spectrum of colors, achieved by combining different resins with various types of reclaimed stone. The material's unique aesthetic highlights the raw beauty of marble, with its broken edges and chaotic shapes bringing out the natural textures and materiality often lost when marble is used in large, polished slabs. Grasby emphasizes that the material aims to showcase the inherent beauty of marble, which results from millions of years of natural geological processes. A key aspect of Altrock's design flexibility is its mitring technique. This method involves creating angled cuts in the Altrock slabs, which are then rejoined. This allows for the creation of various geometric shapes and gives the appearance of both a solid mass and a folded, sheet-like surface. The process is designed to be highly efficient, with minimal waste generated during cutting and 'folding.' The seamless appearance of the rejoined slabs is further enhanced by a meticulous color-matching technique. This process ensures that the resin used to bond the slabs perfectly complements the base color of the Altrock material and the colors of the embedded marble pieces. Altrock has already found practical applications, such as in Hølte's East London design studio. Here, the material is used to create made-to-order fronts and worktops for IKEA kitchens, showcasing its potential for integration into existing design systems. The launch of the Altrock furniture collection at the London Design Fair aligns with a broader trend towards sustainable design, a significant focus of this year's London Design Festival. The festival featured numerous projects emphasizing recycling and the reuse of materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. Examples include tableware made from industrial clay waste and an exhibition composed entirely of wooden dowels leftover from a previous installation. Grasby's Altrock collection stands out as a notable contribution to this movement, demonstrating how waste materials can be transformed into high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and customizable furniture pieces, thereby promoting a more circular economy in design. #Altrock #FurnitureDesign #ReclaimedMarble #SustainableMaterials #LondonDesignFair #Terrazzo #IndustrialDesign #MaterialInnovation #BespokeFurniture

Dunya Home Design, based in Huntingdon Valley, is revolutionizing the surface material industry with its focus on unique luxury products. The company's name, 'Dunya,' which means 'world' in Arabic, reflects its broad vision for innovative design solutions. Chief operating officer Mike Sobolewski highlights that Dunya's product offerings significantly distinguish them from competitors, aiming to establish the brand as the leading U.S.-based company for distinctive surface solutions, driven by an essence of exclusivity. A key product in Dunya's portfolio is FLEXMARBLE, a groundbreaking surface technology crafted from 100% real crushed marble. This material maintains the authentic texture and visual richness of natural stone but introduces an unprecedented level of flexibility. This characteristic allows architects and designers to apply marble to curved walls, columns, and other unconventional architectural elements, thereby expanding the creative possibilities for incorporating marble's classic aesthetic into modern design. Sobolewski emphasizes that FLEXMARBLE is currently exclusive to Dunya in the U.S., making it a unique, customizable, and flexible stone technology. Once installed and sealed, it is designed to offer lasting beauty coupled with easy installation and adaptability. Beyond FLEXMARBLE, Dunya Home Design continues its commitment to innovation across its product range. The company has recently launched Stone Polymer panels, which are waterproof, UV-resistant, and highly durable. These panels are suitable for diverse applications, from high-humidity environments like spa bathrooms to exterior facades. Dunya is also in the process of introducing a real brick veneer alternative and is actively developing new lines, including stairs, railings, contemporary doors, and aluminum siding. Sobolewski states that every product from Dunya is developed with the intention of disrupting the design world, addressing a perceived stagnation in surface material innovation. The company's showroom is designed to be an immersive experience, functioning more as a creative studio than a retail space. It features full-scale wall installations and carefully arranged vignettes, inviting clients to interact directly with the materials. This setup allows customers to physically touch, view, and envision how these surfaces can transform their spaces, moving beyond simple samples to a more comprehensive understanding of the products. This experiential approach fosters a deeper connection with the design possibilities Dunya offers. Client support is a core component of Dunya's service model, extending well beyond the showroom. The company provides extensive support, including design consultations, digital mockups, installation guidance, and training programs. This ensures that architects, interior designers, and homeowners receive comprehensive assistance throughout their projects, fostering a sense of partnership and commitment. Sobolewski notes that Dunya considers its clients and supporters as an extended family, aiming for this sentiment to be evident in every interaction. The company's future objectives are ambitious, with a stated goal to not merely meet industry standards but to completely redefine them. Through products like FLEXMARBLE and its expanding range, Dunya is actively shaping new ways of experiencing surface materials in interior and exterior design. #DunyaHomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SurfaceMaterials #FLEXMARBLE #StonePolymerPanels #ArchitecturalInnovation #LuxuryDesign #HomeRenovation #DesignTrends

This article explores the evolution and significance of console tables in interior design, offering a curated selection of ten distinguished pieces. Historically originating in 17th-century France as wall-mounted half-moon tables, console tables have evolved into versatile, freestanding furniture elements. Their role extends beyond mere utility, serving as functional accents that enhance the aesthetic and flow of a space. The article emphasizes the importance of proportion, materiality, and placement when selecting a console table. A well-chosen console table is neither too deep nor too narrow, providing optimal functionality without overwhelming the space. Materiality plays a crucial role in defining the table's character; solid wood imparts warmth, marble introduces gravitas, and metal adds an industrial touch. Strategic placement is equally vital, whether as a landing zone in a hallway for everyday items, a support for lamps behind a sofa, or an anchoring element within a seating arrangement. The article highlights that the best console tables combine hardworking functionality with an effortless appearance. The featured console tables represent a blend of originality, exquisite form, and skilled craftsmanship. Each piece is described in detail, showcasing its unique design philosophy and material innovation. The 'Primal Mysteries Scarp' console table by Ralph Pucci is presented as a sculptural piece crafted from plasterglass, drawing inspiration from renowned sculptors and embodying a raw, artistic elegance. Tipstudio's 'Light Tension' console for Movimento Gallery is noted for its unconventional use of travertine and wood, where travertine forms a soft curve and wood provides a stable base, challenging traditional material roles. Studio Œ's 'MC23 OTO' medium console table for Mattiazzi demonstrates technical precision through its distinctive rounded joint detail and use of sustainably grown African okoumé wood. Nao Tamura's 'Origata' console for Porro, inspired by kimono-making, is crafted from aluminium sheet with a focus on minimalist geometry and waste reduction. A Space's 'The Source' console table no. 2, hand-carved from black tuff, reflects Armenian antiquity and craftsmanship, with natural variations in stone adding unique character. Johan Wilen's 'Contourage Quartz Sand' console table for Studio Tooj features a 3D-printed quartz sand surface, blending organic form with modern manufacturing techniques. Tatjana von Stein's 'Mise En Scène' console, part of a dance-inspired collection, balances softness and strength through its angular legs and sycamore wood. Matteo Leorato's 'Loggia' console table for Portego, crafted from terrazzo, draws inspiration from Greco-Roman archways, merging historical grandeur with contemporary design. Yabu Pushelberg's 'Blink' console table for Stellar Works is characterized by its lightness, playful sculptural form, and refined steel frame with an elliptical top. Finally, Roberto Lazzeroni's 'Fidelio' console table for Poltrona Frau embodies 'sentimental design' with rich materiality and considered craftsmanship, balancing historical references with modern precision. These examples illustrate the diverse approaches to console table design, ranging from sculptural artistry to material innovation and cultural inspiration. The article underscores that while the function of a console table remains practical, its design can significantly elevate an interior space, making it a focal point rather than a mere utility. #ConsoleTables #InteriorDesign #FurnitureDesign #LuxuryFurniture #ModernDesign #Craftsmanship #MaterialInnovation #HomeDecor #SculpturalFurniture

The Dezeen Showroom highlights a diverse range of new products for interiors and design, featuring collaborations between designers and brands, and showcasing innovative materials and functionalities. The collection includes a padded, upholstered chair, a door pull made from colorful timber, vibrant bathroom lighting, a sturdy meeting table, versatile storage units, and eco-friendly wall tiles. The Amia chair, a collaboration between Italian brand Miniforms and design studio E-ggs, is presented as a key feature. This chair is described as being conceived like a sofa, with padding and upholstery covering all its surfaces. It features flat, thick legs and a round-cornered backrest, offering customization options with various bold fabrics and optional wooden armrests. The design blends comfort with contemporary aesthetics, making it suitable for modern living spaces. Another notable product is the Sensible Streaker door pull by Australian interior design studio YSG for Bankston Architectural. This slender door pull is crafted from alternating bands of naturally colorful timber, part of a wider collection. It comes in three unique colorways, each utilizing unusually-hued solid wood forms, emphasizing natural beauty and craftsmanship. The Pastello bathroom lighting collection by British brand Curiousa introduces a colorful assortment of wall-mounted lights. This collection includes posable, dish-shaped, or suspended lighting fixtures, all unified by a cohesive pastel color palette. The designs aim to bring a soft, artistic touch to bathroom interiors. For communal or office spaces, the Planar table by Rodolfo Dordoni for Spanish furniture brand Andreu World is featured. This broad and sturdy meeting table is characterized by A-shaped legs at each end and a top that combines a chunky lower section with a slim, contrasting tabletop, providing both stability and a sophisticated appearance. British workplace brand Bisley expands its MultiDrawer storage units, originally launched in 1958. The updated collection includes new colors and functionalities, offering various hues, including limited edition options, and different size formats. Some versions are designed to serve as bases for desks, enhancing their versatility in modern workspaces or home offices. Cicil, a US brand, presents its Tartan Shuttle Weave rugs, made from pure wool and featuring an exaggerated check print. These rugs are available in three color combinations: warm neutral Daylight, blue-and-burgundy Dusk, and cool neutral Twilight, offering timeless appeal with a contemporary twist. Elora Hardy for Bamboo Pure introduces the New Moon chair, a lounge chair with a sweeping backrest made from bamboo. This piece combines the design aesthetic of European steam-bent seats with bamboo, a sustainable and native material in Southeast Asia, highlighting eco-conscious design principles. Designtex's Borealis wall covering features multicolored, painterly strokes designed to create a calming effect in interiors. This product is intended for wellbeing, hospitality, and healthcare settings, emphasizing aesthetics that promote tranquility and comfort. Finally, Impact Acoustic's Archisonic Mycelium wall tiles showcase an innovative approach to materials. These wall tiles are grown from mycelium, the root network of fungi, rather than manufactured. They are available in a single natural color and possess innate sound-absorbing properties, offering a sustainable and functional solution for interior acoustics. Ted Todd expands its Project collection flooring, adding new shades, plank sizes, and thicknesses. The oak floor planks are available in a spectrum of shades, from pale Almond to rich, chocolate-hued Tattenhall, providing a wide range of options for flooring projects. This comprehensive overview demonstrates the breadth of new products available on Dezeen Showroom, catering to various design needs and preferences. #ProductDesign #Furniture #InteriorDesign #SustainableMaterials #Lighting #StorageSolutions #Rugs #WallCoverings #AcousticPanels #Flooring

The "Ideas for Business" initiative, launched by DesignWanted in May, aimed to reimagine the side table, a typically overlooked domestic object. The call challenged designers to explore new functionalities, materials, and meanings for this common furniture piece, in response to evolving domestic life and contemporary living. This platform connects designers with industry stakeholders to foster the development of innovative, relevant, and thoughtful projects through open calls and competitions. Over 150 proposals were submitted, each demonstrating creativity and effort. A jury comprising Juan Torres, DesignWanted’s Creative Director; Mario Alessiani, product designer; and Denis Aktay, designer and founder of DEZIN, selected three winning projects. The criteria for selection emphasized not only design quality but also the projects' ability to reflect and adapt to a changing understanding of domestic spaces. The modern home's side table is no longer merely a surface for books and lamps; it must accommodate diverse activities, serving as an office, lounge, or personal retreat. The winning designs stood out for their unique interpretations of care, intimacy, and daily life, illustrating how a simple object can become emotionally resonant, sculptural, or intelligently designed. The call revealed that the side table can act as a micro-stage, capable of shifting the narrative of domestic life and reflecting broader themes such as sustainability, technological integration, emotional well-being, and the increasing fluidity of home spaces. The selected projects underscore that effective contemporary design can be subtle, attentive, and purposeful without being overtly radical. Each of the three winning entries embodies distinct aspects of DesignWanted's research focus. "Bable" by industrial designer Abin Rajendran, a side table that subtly integrates ambient lighting, gentle notifications, and a ring light, reimagines the home robot without resorting to typical tech aesthetics. Its strength lies in its poetic restraint and emotional tuning, aiming to blend seamlessly into the domestic environment and provide quiet care. "Ardea" by product designer Giuseppe Campanale, is a sculptural and architectural piece that serves as both a shelf and a light. Its elongated vertical form impressed the jury with its formal coherence and its delicate balance between functionality and artistic expression, offering a calm presence in an interior space. "Bale" from Copenhagen-based Bundle Studio, is a highly functional side table crafted from a bio-composite of flax fiber and PLA. Designed for the living room, it functions as both storage and seating, featuring four thermo-pressed panels joined by visible snap rivets. This design was recognized for its material honesty, emotional clarity, and inherent adaptability, making it approachable, repairable, and ready for practical application. The diversity of the winning projects, which included speculative technologies, handcrafted aesthetics, modular systems, and social rituals, highlights the richness of the submissions received. All entries utilized the side table as a means to observe and re-envision contemporary living. This first edition of the call demonstrated that such initiatives can foster a dynamic dialogue between designers and their innovative approaches, reaffirming that even minor domestic details warrant reconsideration in a design landscape that often prioritizes revolutionary concepts. The three winning designers will receive dedicated editorial features, social media promotion, and newsletter inclusion to amplify their work within the DesignWanted community. DesignWanted encourages designers to participate in future "Ideas for Business" calls to share their visions. #Design #FurnitureDesign #SideTable #ProductDesign #InnovativeMaterials #SustainableDesign #HomeDecor #DesignCompetition #DomesticLife

The article showcases the work of Jared Abner, a 2021 Furniture Design graduate from RIT, focusing on his distinctive approach to creating furniture and sculptures. Abner's artistic philosophy is characterized by a unique combination of subtraction and addition, a process he describes as "creation through destruction." He begins by engaging in subtractive methods, such as turning, carving, and cutting raw materials, and then reassembles these modified pieces to form new creations. This methodology highlights a dynamic interplay between deconstruction and reconstruction in his design process. One prominent piece featured is a walnut and fiber rush bench from 2020. This work exemplifies his ability to blend traditional woodworking materials with contemporary design principles, resulting in a functional yet artistic piece of furniture. Another significant creation is an abstractly shaped chair crafted from stack-laminated cherry wood, also from 2020. This chair demonstrates his innovative use of lamination techniques to achieve complex forms and textures, transforming solid wood into a visually fluid structure. The intricate layering of cherry wood not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also speaks to the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its construction. The article also presents a series of "Suspension Study" sculptures, which further illustrate Abner’s exploration of form, balance, and material interaction. "Suspension Study One" features a wood sculpture connected to a large blue ball, utilizing walnut, poplar, and milk paint from 2020. This piece suggests an investigation into equilibrium and the tension between different elements. "Suspension Study Two," from the same year, continues this theme with a wood sculpture incorporating a rope to hold a blue ball, again using walnut, poplar, and milk paint, alongside the addition of rope. The inclusion of rope introduces an element of flexibility and dynamic force, contrasting with the rigidity of wood. Finally, "Suspension Study Three," created in 2020, consists of a black sculpture where two large wood pieces sandwich a blue ball, made from ash, poplar, and milk paint. This piece explores containment and compression, with the blue ball acting as a focal point that is simultaneously supported and constrained by the wooden components. Collectively, these works underscore Abner’s versatility in transforming raw materials into pieces that challenge conventional notions of furniture and sculpture, emphasizing both aesthetic innovation and a thoughtful engagement with the physical properties of his chosen media. His portfolio reflects a deep understanding of material manipulation and an artistic vision that merges functionality with sculptural expression. #FurnitureDesign #Sculpture #JaredAbner #RITAlumni #Woodworking #MaterialManipulation #ArtisticProcess

Texture is an essential yet often overlooked element in interior design, crucial for adding depth, weight, and interest to a space. It contributes to making a room feel warm and inviting, going beyond mere colors and tones. Achieving effective texture involves strategic layering, starting with a dominant element that defines the mood, then accenting it with contrasting flashes. This approach creates character and visual depth. In bedrooms, comfort is paramount. A tailored bedhead, such as upholstered options from Heatherley Design or Mexsii, serves as an excellent starting point. This can be complemented by a rug that echoes the bedhead's pattern or palette, along with beautiful linen. Incorporating decorative pillows, like those from Kip & Co, adds a statement, while timber tones or a fabric pendant light can introduce softness. To prevent an overwhelming sense of coziness, it is important to contrast soft elements with hard surfaces, such as cabinetry, timber bulkheads, or industrial bedside lamps. For living areas, a fabric or velvet lounge provides a good foundation for texture. Leather lounges can be enhanced with tactile blankets from brands like Sage And Clare, and soft throws work well with any type of lounge. A sheepskin can beautifully complement a fabric couch. A variety of cushions and throws are beneficial for layering, but the application of texture should extend further. Layered rugs on hard floors offer both visual interest and textural contrast. Additionally, incorporating different tones of timber, ensuring consistent finishes and tonal bases, can further enrich the space. Textured wallpaper, ranging from seagrass to paintable varieties, can subtly elevate a room, even with minimal changes. Greenery acts as a bridge between hard and soft finishes, completing the layered look. In bathrooms, where floor-to-ceiling tiles are common, selecting natural stone options like honed Carrara marble or limestone can introduce a soft finish, contributing to a cozy atmosphere. Greenery, timber elements, and fluffy towels are essential additions to enhance the textural experience in bathrooms. For kitchens, the principle of balance and layering remains key. In an all-white kitchen, varying shades of white create depth. For dark and glossy kitchens, matte finishes can soften harshness and reduce excessive reflection. A mirrored splashback that reflects an outdoor view introduces an additional dynamic element. Even everyday items like cookbooks can contribute to the kitchen's texture, making the space feel more personal and inviting. Ultimately, successful texture layering relies on variety, balance, and contrast. Contrasting surfaces work together to build character. The intended use of each space should guide material choices; hard surfaces are practical for high-cleaning areas like kitchens and bathrooms, while soft, cozy textures are ideal for bedrooms and living spaces. Examples of items that can introduce texture include French Flax Linen Throws for warmth and breathability, Luxury Velvet Round Cushions for opulence, Rattan Pots for a coastal touch, Laclies Floor Rugs for comfort and pattern, and Faux Fur Cushions for a luxurious and soft feel. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #LayeringMaterials #TexturalDesign #BedroomDecor #LivingRoomDesign #BathroomDecor #KitchenDesign #SoftFurnishings

The article highlights Heather Chontos's collaboration with Layered, focusing on a new rug collection that translates her abstract paintings into hand-tufted rugs. The collection aims to capture the depth, color, and shape of Chontos's artwork, making her vibrant and expressive pieces accessible as functional home decor. These rugs are presented as a unique way to bring art into interior spaces, offering both visual appeal and tactile quality through their hand-tufted construction. Following this, the article introduces Clé's refreshed Architect's Palette tile collection. Clé has updated this classic collection by introducing a silkier matte glaze and expanding the available color palette. This refresh aims to provide designers and homeowners with more sophisticated and versatile options for tiling projects, emphasizing an earthy touch that enhances the collection's aesthetic and functional appeal for various architectural and interior applications. The ORA Lamp Series by Dana Harel, from White Dirt Studio, is also featured, showcasing sculptural lighting crafted from gypsum cement, muslin, and brass. These lamps are noted for their unique forms and the way they play with light and shadow, adding an artistic element to any room. The design combines diverse materials to create visually compelling and structurally interesting lighting fixtures. Fireclay Tile's new customizable bath fittings collection marks the company's expansion beyond surface materials. This new venture allows for personalized bath designs, giving customers more control over the aesthetics of their bathrooms. The collection emphasizes customization, enabling a cohesive and unique look when paired with Fireclay's extensive tile offerings. Molteni&C's Milan showroom and its top products are explored, conceived as the home of an astute collector. The showroom acts as a curated space displaying a range of high-end furniture and decor that reflects a sophisticated and eclectic taste. This segment offers a glimpse into the brand's design philosophy and product highlights. Visionnaire's new Italian-luxe showroom in London's Design District is also presented, inviting readers to explore its opulent offerings. The showroom is designed to exhibit Visionnaire's luxurious furniture and home accessories, providing a destination for high-end interior design inspiration and purchases. Lawson-Fenning's NoHo shop in New York, designed by Josh Grene, is highlighted for its glowing terra-cotta hues. The shop's design creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, showcasing the brand's furniture and decor in a distinctive setting that emphasizes natural tones and materials. Ege and Snøhetta's collaboration on a carpet collection, Matter, is introduced, which reimagines flooring with generative flatweaves. This partnership combines innovative design with functional materiality, offering floor coverings that are both aesthetically engaging and practical for various commercial and residential applications. Finally, the article mentions several other product highlights, including an array of seating designs for a fall refresh, Carole Baijing’s understated furniture collection for Geiger, Slalom’s sustainable acoustic panels made with FSC-certified wood and recycled materials, Rop van Mierlo’s bold and shaggy rug series for CC-Tapis, Hem and Kusheda Mensah’s playful ottoman collaboration, Jiang Qiong Er’s poetic bamboo collection for Roche Bobois, Kevin Walz’s colorful collaboration with Ralph Pucci, Kriskadecor and Rafa Ortega’s nature-inspired Khronos collection with acoustic properties, and Jill Malek’s pastel glass mural panels inspired by natural phenomena. #InteriorDesign #ProductLaunch #HomeDecor #TileDesign #LightingDesign #FurnitureCollection #Showroom #TextileArt #AcousticPanels