NEXT by muller Combines Seating and Storage in a Mobile Unit

After operating his architecture practice from a home office for several years, architect Randy Bens sought to expand his workspace in New Westminster, British Columbia. Rather than opting for a traditional commercial rental, Bens decided to utilize his backyard, creating a new office that maintained close proximity to his residence. This innovative solution involved converting a modified shipping container into a self-sufficient architectural studio. The shipping container, a substantial corten steel unit measuring 40 feet in length, 11.5 feet in width, and 9.5 feet in height, was designed and constructed offsite. It arrived at its final location approximately 95% complete, requiring minimal onsite installation. This prefabrication approach streamlined the construction process and allowed for precise control over the design and build quality. The robust construction of the container ensures its durability and also provides the flexibility for relocation, should the firm decide to move in the future. To accommodate the new structure, a smaller foundation was strategically built, allowing the 350-square-foot shipping container to cantilever. This design choice creates the visual impression that the studio is floating, adding an element of architectural interest and lightness to the otherwise heavy structure. The original 1930s house on the property serves as the primary utility hub, supplying the office with essential services including water, sanitary lines, power, and data connectivity. These connections were carefully run underground, maintaining a clean aesthetic and integrating the new studio seamlessly with the existing property. Externally, the shipping container is clad in yellow cedar paneling, a design decision prompted by local city regulations that mandate coverage for shipping containers used as permanent structures. These vertical cedar panels, along with the integrated window and door frames, are expected to naturally weather over time, developing a soft grey patina that will blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment. The steel stairs leading to the entrance have already begun to rust after one winter season, indicating a natural aging process that contributes to the building's character. Inside the studio, the design emphasizes a clean yet warm aesthetic, achieved through the extensive use of birch plywood for interior surfaces. This material choice provides a bright and inviting atmosphere, complementing the natural light entering the space. A prominent feature of the interior is a 19-foot-long desk, meticulously crafted from Douglas Fir. This expansive desk offers ample workspace for employees and provides a focal point for the open studio layout. The overall design aims to create a productive and inspiring environment, facilitating client meetings and collaborative work while maintaining the architect's connection to his home. This project exemplifies a creative and practical approach to expanding a professional practice within a residential setting, utilizing unconventional materials to achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing result. #ArchitectureStudio #ShippingContainer #HomeOffice #ModularDesign #SustainableArchitecture #NewWestminster #ArchitecturalInnovation #SmallSpaceDesign

British brand ON&ON has expanded its modular shelving system, originally launched in 2013, with a series of new made-to-measure components. The core shelving system offers an adjustable and modular storage solution designed for wall mounting in both domestic and commercial environments. The latest additions include desk units, cabinet units, and clothes hangers, all crafted from powder-coated aluminium. These new modules are specifically designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing system, maintaining the same snap-in-place functionality as the original range. The brand emphasizes a combination of modular design with made-to-measure parts, resulting in a streamlined architectural system that allows for long, uninterrupted shelves, desks, and cabinets. The newly introduced components are intended to broaden the system's utility and complement its established design aesthetic. Customization is a key feature, particularly for the cabinet units, which can be configured with either drawers for enclosed storage or fold-down doors for easy access. The desk units are deliberately minimalist, aiming to offer a clean, uncluttered workspace that functions much like a simple, elegant shelf. For clothing storage, the new modules include clothes hangers available in chrome, black, or white powder-coated finishes. These hangers are designed to be adaptable, offering various length and depth options to suit different storage needs. A significant aspect of ON&ON's design philosophy is its commitment to sustainability and longevity. The entire shelving system, including its new components, is conceived as a circular product and service. This approach is underpinned by a lifetime guarantee on all structural elements, indicating the brand's confidence in the durability and enduring relevance of its design. ON&ON positions its shelving system as more than just a product; it represents a long-term service and a particular way of thinking about furniture. The brand assures customers that the system components will remain consistent over time, ensuring compatibility and expandability even after several decades. This commitment to enduring design and customer service highlights ON&ON's focus on creating high-quality, adaptable, and sustainable storage solutions for a variety of spaces. #ModularDesign #ShelvingSystem #HomeStorage #FurnitureDesign #ProductLaunch #InteriorDesign #CustomizableFurniture #SustainableDesign

Swedish brand String Furniture has partnered with design studio Form Us With Love to introduce Center Center, a modular storage system crafted from perforated steel. This system is designed to be highly adaptable for various environments, including workplaces and public spaces, and addresses the evolving needs of modern interiors. The initial prototypes of Center Center, characterized by their minimalist aesthetic, were first showcased at the 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen. Its official European launch is scheduled for DesignPost during the Orgatec event in Köln. Center Center was conceived as a direct response to the dynamic demands of post-Covid workplaces, where flexibility and adaptability have become paramount. Jonas Petterson, co-founder of Form Us With Love, highlighted the necessity for contemporary office environments to accommodate diverse and changing requirements. Bo Hellberg, CMO of String Furniture, emphasized that the system was developed for the modern and future office, where flexibility is a core principle. Form Us With Love developed Center Center with the goal of empowering interior designers. The studio extensively tested and refined various configurations of the system within its own workplace, ensuring its functionality across a range of demands. Pettersson stated that the aim was to create a system that allows for imaginative design, providing interior designers and creative specifiers with endless possibilities for storage solutions. The designers underscored its versatility, noting its suitability for organizing offices, homes, or public spaces by offering the necessary flexibility and adaptability for contemporary life. Constructed from thin sheet metal plates, Center Center features a distinctive perforated pattern with a 50x50x50 millimeter grid. This perforation not only contributes to its minimalist, industrial appearance but also allows users to directly integrate hooks and other storage accessories, further enhancing its adaptability. The modules are available in eight colors and six sizes, enabling users to create customized storage arrangements. These various sizes and colors can be combined both horizontally and vertically, and String Furniture offers bespoke color options upon request. In addition to the core modules, Form Us With Love designed a suite of accessories for Center Center, including doors, shelves, legs, castors, trays, handles, and hooks. These accessories provide even greater flexibility, allowing for features like mobile storage units that can be easily moved between rooms. Bo Hellberg expressed enthusiasm for Center Center, viewing its launch as a significant new chapter for String Furniture. He believes the system sets a new benchmark with its modern approach to modularity and bold design. Manufactured in Sweden using industrial welding and bending techniques, Center Center aims to challenge conventional office interior design. String Furniture's product portfolio also includes the compact shelving system The Pocket and the interconnecting drawer system Relief. The company, established in 2004 by Peter Erlandsson and Pär Josefsson, built upon the legacy of the iconic String shelf, originally designed in 1949 by Kajsa and Nisse Strinning. #ModularFurniture #StorageSystem #OfficeDesign #WorkplaceInnovation #FormUsWithLove #StringFurniture #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign #FlexibleSolutions

Design studio Neri & Hu has collaborated with Molteni & C to create the "Twelve AM" collection, which centers around a multifunctional bed. This collection addresses the contemporary need for furniture that integrates seamlessly into various aspects of daily life, extending beyond its traditional function as a mere sleeping space. The designers, Rossana Hu and Lyndon Neri, aimed to create a resting place that also serves as a hub for other activities, reflecting a broader trend towards maximizing the utility of living spaces, particularly within the bedroom. The core of the collection is a bed featuring a smooth eucalyptus frame supported by slim steel legs. The design incorporates a neutral color palette, complemented by subtle leather accents. A distinctive curving headboard offers both an aesthetic element and a practical function, enhancing privacy and providing support for a long cushion upholstered in either fabric or leather. This design choice highlights an emphasis on comfort and versatility, enabling the bed to adapt to different user needs throughout the day. To facilitate its multitasking capabilities, the Twelve AM bed is equipped with various accessories and add-ons. These include side tables and a desk or shelf attachment, designed to cater to activities such as reading, working, or simply having essentials within reach. For instance, the desk attachment, positioned at the back of the headboard, offers a designated space for tasks like sketching or writing, while two circular side tables can be hooked over the bed to hold items like a glass of water. These integrated features transform the bed into a comprehensive personal station, blurring the lines between rest and productivity. Beyond the bed itself, the collection extends to complementary furniture pieces. A bench can be placed at the foot of the bed, providing additional seating or a surface. Furthermore, a separate, tall-backed valet bench is part of the range, offering a dedicated spot for clothing or personal items. These additional elements contribute to the collection's overall vision of a fully integrated bedroom environment that supports diverse activities. In developing the Twelve AM collection, Neri & Hu conducted extensive research, including a visit to Molteni & C’s headquarters in Milan. This allowed them to study the brand's rich archive, which includes iconic designs by figures such as Aldo Rossi and Gio Ponti, as well as more recent contributions from designers like Vincent Van Duysen, Michele De Lucchi, and Jasper Morrison. The collaboration aimed to honor Molteni & C's heritage while incorporating forward-thinking design principles, ensuring the new collection would resonate with both established traditions and contemporary demands. The designers emphasized their goal to create furniture that, while appearing one-dimensional at first glance, could ultimately be utilized both day and night. This approach reflects a conscious effort to address the evolving lifestyles of individuals who often require their living spaces to serve multiple purposes. The Twelve AM collection debuted at Salone del Mobile, marking the first partnership between Molteni & C and the Shanghai-based design duo, Neri & Hu, who founded their practice in 2004. This launch was one of several concurrent projects for Neri & Hu, who also presented collections for other notable brands during the Milan fair. #NeriHu #MolteniC #TwelveAMCollection #SaloneDelMobile #MultifunctionalFurniture #BedroomDesign #ContemporaryDesign #FurnitureInnovation #MilanDesignWeek

Campaign, a new furniture company, is launching with a focus on providing high-quality, portable couches that are easy to assemble and disassemble without tools, aiming to address common challenges faced by individuals with transitional lifestyles. The founder, Brad Sewell, identified a gap in the furniture market between low-cost, low-quality options like IKEA and expensive, high-end pieces. He observed that existing furniture often struggled with transportation costs, difficult reassembly after moving, and long delivery times for custom orders. Sewell's background as a manufacturing design engineer at Honda and Apple heavily influenced Campaign's design philosophy. He applied principles of precision engineering and attention to detail, previously used in vehicle and consumer electronics design, to furniture. He noted the contrast between the rigorous quality standards in tech and the comparatively less intense focus on detail in the furniture industry. This led him to conceptualize furniture that could be easily shipped, assembled, and moved multiple times without compromising its structural integrity or longevity. Campaign's furniture features an internal frame made from laser-cut steel, designed for durability and repeated assembly. The assembly process is tool-free, described as simple as inserting a square peg into a square hole. A key innovation is the removable cover system, which utilizes Velcro strips. This design allows for easy spot cleaning and, more significantly, enables the replacement of the cover and its attached foam. Since foam naturally degrades over time with use, the ability to purchase a new cover with fresh foam effectively rejuvenates the entire couch, extending its lifespan and maintaining its comfort. This approach also enhances the resale value of the furniture, as a new owner can easily update its appearance or refresh its components. Sewell contrasts Campaign's robust steel frame construction with cheaper self-assembly furniture that relies on dowels pushed into MDF, which are typically only suitable for a single assembly due to material deformation. Campaign's steel frames, manufactured in Emeryville, CA, are designed to last a lifetime, also contributing to faster shipping times. The initial product line includes a chair, a love seat, and a three-seater couch, available in five colorways and with a choice of black walnut or maple legs. The company plans to expand its offerings to include more customization options and other essential home furnishings such as dining room tables and chairs, coffee tables, and bed frames. Pre-orders are set to ship in November 2015, with free delivery. #CampaignFurniture #PortableFurniture #SelfAssembly #ModularDesign #HomeFurnishings #MadeInUSA #UrbanLiving #FurnitureInnovation #DirectToConsumer

Henrybuilt, a company known for its high-end kitchen system designs, has introduced a new line of standalone storage furniture called Primary Objects Studio Group. This collection is intended to be a more accessible offering for customers who may not typically invest in Henrybuilt's custom-built solutions. While positioned as more affordable, these pieces still fall within a luxury price range, costing between $4,000 and $8,000 each, aiming to provide a blend of luxury and practicality. The initial launch of the Primary Objects Studio Group features four distinct pieces, collectively named "The Towers," each designed with specific functionalities and aesthetic considerations. These pieces are not built-in, offering flexibility in placement and use within various home environments. One of the pieces, "Split," is characterized by its two doors which, when opened, reveal a versatile interior. This interior features warm yellow tones and can be configured with Henrybuilt's Opencase system. This adaptability allows Split to serve multiple purposes, such as a wardrobe in a bedroom, a concealed coffee or wine bar in a dining area, or an additional pantry in a kitchen, catering to diverse storage needs. Another piece, "Shift," stands out with its brightly colored back and offset partial doors, presenting an aesthetically dynamic storage solution. Shift is designed to be visually intriguing while offering functional storage. It can function as an entryway feature, combining display space with hidden storage for items like coats or bags. Alternatively, in a kitchen setting, it can conceal pantry items while showcasing wine glasses or cookbooks, providing a flexible solution for both practicality and display. "Peak" is a narrower unit featuring an open bottom, making it suitable as a standalone armoire, particularly for smaller spaces like city apartments, guestrooms, or studies. Its interior is fully equipped with adjustable shelves, allowing for seamless integration with Henrybuilt's adjustable shelf system, hangrod shelf, or shoe shelves. These adjustable shelves can also be replaced with Opencase components, transforming Peak into a sport, utility, or mudroom locker, highlighting its versatility. Finally, "Prime" is optimized as a utility cabinet. It combines the Opencase system with adjustable shelves to maximize flexibility. Prime is designed to serve as a dedicated storage unit for cleaning tools and supplies, as well as overflow bulk items. Its purpose is to help keep kitchen, pantry, or entryway spaces organized, thereby freeing up critical space elsewhere in the home. The adaptability of the Opencase system further allows Prime to be reconfigured from a utility function to various other storage or closet functions, emphasizing its long-term utility. These new "Towers" are currently available directly from Henrybuilt's website. The introduction of this standalone furniture line represents Henrybuilt's strategy to expand its market reach beyond its traditional built-in clientele, offering luxury storage solutions with increased flexibility and adaptability for a broader range of residential needs. #Henrybuilt #StorageFurniture #LuxuryDesign #FurnitureDesign #HomeOrganization #InteriorDesign #ModularStorage

This article details the second part of Ron Paulk's Mobile Super Workshop project, focusing on the acquisition of a 1,000-cubic-foot box truck and the preliminary design plans for its conversion into a highly functional mobile workshop. Paulk, known for his innovative storage solutions, aims to create a workspace that not only transports tools and materials but also facilitates actual work inside the vehicle, expanding upon his previous 500-cubic-foot Mobile Tool Trailer. The core of this new design revolves around a modular and adjustable storage system, a significant departure from the store-bought tool drawers used in his earlier project. Instead of expensive drawer glides, Paulk plans to utilize simpler, more cost-effective dadoes for the drawer mechanisms. The article highlights Paulk's design process, showcasing a video presentation that captures his CAD screen and voiceover. This video offers insights into his thought process, including the evolution of a clever solution for locking drawers securely within the frame. This initial design for the drawer locking mechanism is noted to undergo further modifications as the project progresses, indicating an iterative design approach. A second video featured in the article presents the newly acquired box truck after its initial cleaning. In this video, Paulk articulates his objectives for the mobile workshop and provides a guided tour of the truck's interior, explaining his intended execution of the design. The project is presented as an invaluable resource for individuals aspiring to undertake similar mobile workshop conversions, offering practical considerations and design insights. The article positions Paulk as an artist in the realm of storage solutions, emphasizing his creative and practical approach to maximizing space and functionality. The progression of the project, including the subsequent stages of building the modular cabinets and installing them in the truck, is referenced, indicating this article is part of a larger series documenting the entire build process. This installment serves as a foundational overview of the new mobile workshop's concept and initial design considerations, setting the stage for the construction phases. #RonPaulk #MobileWorkshop #BoxTruckConversion #ModularStorage #ToolStorage #CADDesign #Woodworking #DIYProject #IndustrialDesign

Grace Guck, clubhouse manager at the Edgartown Yacht Club, and her fiancé, Josh Cotterill, transformed an old Kingston horse trailer into a mobile upscale bar named "The Rolling Bar" for special events. This innovative solution addresses the common issue of makeshift bar setups at outdoor weddings and other events, particularly in scenic locations like the Vineyard where traditional facilities may be lacking. Guck, with her extensive experience in wedding and event planning, recognized a need for a more organized and aesthetically pleasing beverage service option, akin to the growing popularity of food trucks. The conversion process involved significant work. Josh Cotterill, an electrician, handled the wiring to establish a low-voltage lighting system powered by a battery, making the bar operational even in areas without electricity. He also incorporated low-voltage bistro lights to enhance its festive appearance. His cousin, Eric Toole, contributed carpentry skills, crafting a back bar from live-edge oak sourced from a Vermont mill, which was then beautifully finished. This custom back bar includes backlit shelving for bottle displays and a countertop for mixing drinks. The interior of the trailer retains some of its original charm, with crackle paint on the walls, which was preserved and sealed. The original wide plank wood floors were also kept; after pulling up the mats, they discovered children's handwriting of horse names, which they chose to refinish but leave visible, adding a unique personal touch. The overall aesthetic of the converted trailer, with its burnished wood and indirect lighting, is described as charming and elegant, reminiscent of a luxurious 'tiny house'. Construction of The Rolling Bar was completed in February 2020. Despite the initial launch plans being disrupted by the pandemic, the team adapted. They managed to rent the bar for two small weddings and it was utilized by the Barn Bowl and Bistro as an outdoor service station. These initial uses helped them to refine operations and address any logistical challenges, ensuring it was fully prepared for a relaunch in 2021. Grace remains optimistic about the venture, with bookings already scheduled for late summer and fall, including her own wedding. In addition to The Rolling Bar, Grace Guck also operates another entrepreneurial project called MV Ponies, where she and her pony, Popcorn (dressed as a unicorn), attend children's birthday parties with Grace dressed as a princess. This venture highlights her creative and versatile approach to event services. The Rolling Bar is available for rental, with renters responsible for supplying liquor and bartenders, though Grace offers guidance on local suppliers. The project stands as a testament to creative problem-solving and repurposing, transforming a functional but outdated item into a stylish and practical asset for the event industry. #MobileBar #HorseTrailerConversion #EventPlanning #Martha'sVineyard #SmallBusiness #WeddingServices #DIYProject #CreativeDesign #Entrepreneurship

Mizetto, a Swedish design brand, has introduced Cargo, a new modular seating system designed for public spaces. The creation of Cargo fulfills a long-held ambition for Mizetto's co-founder, Richard Muskala, who acknowledged the challenging process of bringing a sofa concept to fruition. The design, executed by the Kalmar-based studio ADDI, also responsible for Mizetto's Lumber bench, draws inspiration from cargo packages, influencing both its name and aesthetic. This inspiration highlights principles of compactness, flexibility, and intelligent construction, crucial for adaptable furniture in diverse public environments. The Cargo system comprises three primary elements: the Pouf, a basic ottoman; the Level, a seat with a backrest; and the Corner, an ottoman featuring two backrests. Each component is constructed from molded polyurethane foam, upholstered in either fabric or leather, and mounted on a base made of plywood and chipboard. A discreet connector beneath each piece facilitates seamless assembly, enabling numerous configurations. The design's geometric foundation, rooted in the cube, is elevated by the incorporation of visible tension straps, available in matching fabric or jacquard nylon, which add a distinctive graphic detail. For enhanced functionality, a small tray table can be integrated between cushions, securing into place to provide a stable surface. This modularity allows Cargo to seamlessly fit into various public settings, including open-plan offices, lobbies, libraries, and cultural centers. Karl-Magnus Lillqvist Sjöberg, a product designer at ADDI, describes Cargo as more than just furniture, viewing it as a tool for spatial organization. Mizetto maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, sourcing materials locally from suppliers situated near its Kalmar factory. The upholstery is attached with Velcro, simplifying removal for repairs, refreshing, or replacement, which significantly extends the product's lifespan and reduces waste. Malin Muskala, co-founder of Mizetto, emphasizes that this feature allows fabric swaps to be conducted on-site, a major advantage for sustainability, particularly for internationally exported products. Furthermore, the molded padding is designed for durability and detaches cleanly from the frame without glue, reinforcing Cargo's robust and long-lasting design philosophy. Cargo's innovative design challenges conventional notions of sofa functionality and form. Lillqvist Sjöberg explains that the project was driven by a curiosity to explore the potential evolution of a simple volume into something more profound—a piece that both defines and opens up space. The system is engineered to accommodate dynamic environments, serving not only as seating but also as an instrument for shaping human interaction, movement, and congregation within offices, libraries, lobbies, and other communal areas. The flexible and sculptural nature of Cargo allows it to adapt effortlessly to varying demands, accommodating both large groups and individual users without compromising on space efficiency or aesthetic appeal. #Mizetto #ModularSeating #PublicSpaceDesign #ADDIStudio #SustainableFurniture #InteriorDesign #OfficeFurniture #FlexibleSeating #FurnitureDesign

The blog post highlights how custom furnishings, specifically from Martini Furniture, provide a competitive edge in design competitions like The Block and for homeowners seeking unique interior solutions. It features the experience of contestant Can from The Block Heartland, who collaborated with Martini Furniture to create bespoke pieces for her rooms. Can emphasizes that custom elements, such as bedheads, bench seats, and wall panels, add an unparalleled layer of originality and refinement, helping her stand out to judges and appeal to potential buyers. One key example cited is the custom duck egg blue velvet upholstered bedhead designed for Han and Can's kids' bedroom. This piece, inspired by an AI render, was brought to life by Martini Furniture, seamlessly fitting into a niche and becoming a focal point of the room. The owner and creative director of Martini Furniture, Erin Smart, explains their straightforward process: customers provide an image and measurements, and the company handles the rest, ensuring the vision is realized efficiently. Encouraged by their initial success, Han and Can enlisted Martini Furniture again for their main bedroom, aiming for a luxurious, high-end look with earthy tones. Martini Furniture crafted a custom panelled bedhead and a matching panelled bench seat cushion from the same velvet, creating a cohesive and sophisticated space. Erin Smart details the precise process for custom joinery, including generating a price per meter based on customer dimensions and sending a true-to-size paper template with fabric samples for approval. This meticulous approach guarantees perfect fitment, even for complex designs like curved seating or bay windows. Beyond aesthetics, Martini Furniture also provides practical solutions. For the couple's rumpus room, full-height padded velvet wall panels were installed. These panels offered sound insulation, crucial given the room's proximity to the kids' bedrooms, transforming it into a cozy home theatre perfect for movie marathons while containing noise. Can expresses satisfaction with the simplicity of the process, noting that Martini Furniture translated their imaginations into finished products with ease. The article further elaborates on Martini Furniture's customer-centric approach, including their vast selection of over a thousand fabrics and their recommendation for customers to view physical fabric samples to ensure their choice aligns with the room's natural light. The installation process is also streamlined, with bedheads couriered directly to the site, ready for placement. Erin Smart highlights their ability to accommodate unique size requirements, such as bedheads designed to fit specific window sills, offering solutions not available in standard retail. The free Australia-wide shipping and remote consultation services further enhance accessibility, ensuring that customers across the country can benefit from their custom offerings. The collaboration with Martini Furniture allowed Han and Can to achieve a bespoke, high-end look without exceeding their budget, demonstrating that custom furniture can be both attainable and impactful in home design. #TheBlock #FurnitureTrends #MartiniFurniture #CustomFurniture #TheBlock2025 #Bedheads #InteriorDesign #HomeInspiration #Renovation

Architect Wakako Tokunaga adapted her professional workspace in 2020 by designing and building a 350-square-foot studio addition at the back of her Tacoma Park, Maryland property, near Washington, D.C. This decision allowed her to avoid a costly commercial lease and provided a flexible environment for her firm, WAK TOK architects, founded in 2007. The studio’s design was meticulously planned to prevent obstruction of sunlight for neighbors and to maintain the view, while also considering its proportion to her native plant garden. The primary objective was to balance collaborative work areas with ample green space and seclusion. The studio’s design centers on functionality, simplicity, and a strong connection to nature. Two of its four walls feature sliding doors that open completely to the garden, effectively transforming the space into an “extended outdoor room.” This indoor/outdoor living concept was particularly beneficial during the pandemic, allowing Wakako to remain close to her children while working. The other two walls are fixed: one is the original exterior brick wall of her home, painted dark gray with milk paint to visually extend the outdoors inward, and the other is a solid plywood-clad wall adjacent to the neighbor's property. The interior materials are kept simple and functional, including polished concrete floors, plywood-clad walls and ceilings, and non-toxic milk paint on the existing home wall. A key element is the custom, floor-to-ceiling modular shelving system integrated into the plywood wall. This system was designed around a four-foot module, which also governed the studio's overall construction to optimize stock plywood panels and multi-slide door dimensions, thereby maximizing efficiency and minimizing material waste. The shelving features a track system with moveable brackets, allowing Wakako to easily adjust and rearrange shelves to accommodate books, material samples, and art. A deeper, hip-height shelf functions as a versatile workspace, suitable for her team or her children. Sustainability was a guiding principle, with the use of natural and non-toxic materials. Sustainably sourced pine siding, plywood, concrete, and finishes like natural pine tar, hemp oil, and milk paint were employed. The exterior features locally sourced, fast-growing black locust decking, known for its natural resistance to rot and insects. The outer shell of the studio is insulated beyond code requirements to enhance thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption. The design also emphasizes minimalism, with elements like light switches, outlets, and mechanical grills concealed to maintain a clean aesthetic, requiring precise planning and construction. Today, the studio serves multiple purposes, functioning as an architectural office for meetings and team collaboration, and occasionally hosting community and social gatherings, with potential future use as an art space. Wakako particularly values the studio's ability to create a sense of being outdoors, in close proximity to the garden, especially when the multi-slide doors are fully open. This addition exemplifies thoughtful architectural adaptation to changing needs, demonstrating a successful blend of professional utility, family integration, and environmental consciousness. #StudioExtension #ModularShelving #PlywoodDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #FlexibleWorkspace #NativeGarden #SmallSpaceDesign

Design Within Reach (DWR) has introduced its spring collection, signaling a shift in design trends from curves and squiggles to grids, stripes, and right angles. This collection highlights a return to more structured, geometric forms in home furnishings. Notably, the collection features a new storage bed, which is touted as a dream item for its functionality and aesthetic. Coinciding with this launch, DWR is hosting its semiannual sale, offering 20 percent off most items, making the new collection and other popular products more accessible. Among the key pieces in the new collection is the Wiley Quilt, designed by textile artist Meg Callahan. This cotton-linen blend quilt features gray and tan stripes arranged in a square pattern, suitable for various seasons. It is also available in a blue version for those preferring cooler tones. Complementing the quilt are the Kate Shams, which showcase an elongated diamond, grid-like pattern, adding a touch of elegance to bedding and available in a pale blue shade. The Line Bed, designed by Nathan Yong, exemplifies the geometric trend with its headboard composed of wood slats, creating a clean and crisp aesthetic ideal for pairing with linen sheets. Floor coverings in the collection also embrace the geometric theme. The Walker Flat-Weave Cotton Rug, another design by Meg Callahan, features a crisscross grid of colors, making a bold statement on its own or when layered over other textures like jute. The Casey Hand-Tufted Wool Rug offers a delightfully askew grid, providing visual interest even in a neutral-toned room and is suggested for dynamic spaces like a kid's playroom or a dining area. For office spaces, the Morrison Desk combines a simple perpendicular wood shape with luxurious details such as a green marble top and brass knobs, with rounded corners softening its rectangular form. The highlight of the collection is the USM Bed, currently available for local delivery at DWR’s San Francisco store. This innovative piece boasts built-in under-the-bed storage and a headboard that doubles as a desk on its opposite side. Despite its premium price of $10,045, the USM Bed offers a dual-purpose design, functioning as both a sleeping solution and a workspace, with the cost including assembly by a USM technician. This piece is celebrated as an elegant room divider, completely devoid of curved elements, emphasizing the collection's embrace of straight lines and functional design. #DesignWithinReach #StorageBed #HomeDecor #GeometricDesign #InteriorDesign #FurnitureSale #SpringCollection #ModernFurniture #BedroomDesign

The Carlsbad ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Garage Conversion, a project by Modern Granny Flat, exemplifies an innovative solution to urban housing shortages and escalating costs, aligning with sustainable practices. Instead of demolishing the existing garage, the project transformed it into a versatile living space, significantly reducing resource consumption, minimizing carbon emissions, and combating urban sprawl. This initiative directly addresses the growing demand for flexible and eco-friendly housing options, particularly in areas facing significant housing challenges. The project leverages recent legislative changes in California that permit the construction of up to two ADU units on a single-family lot, encouraging homeowners to creatively utilize existing structures. This policy provides a framework for adaptive reuse, transforming underutilized spaces into functional and desirable living areas. The Carlsbad ADU stands out due to its remarkable adaptability, designed to evolve with the changing needs of its occupants. The space features a multifunctional cabinet wall, incorporating a Murphy bed and a folding table/workstation, enabling it to seamlessly transition between roles such as a bedroom, office, dining area, or yoga studio within a single day. Key design elements contribute to the ADU's flexibility and expanded living area. A garage door can be opened to extend the living space, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. The interior boasts a pitched ceiling that enhances the sense of spaciousness and accommodates a mezzanine level. This upper level can serve various purposes, including additional sleeping quarters, a private retreat, or extra storage, further contributing to the unit's versatility. The thoughtful integration of storage solutions and convertible furniture maximizes the utility of the compact footprint. Before its transformation, the garage was a dirty, underutilized space with a checkered floor and a cramped attic. The renovation successfully converted this derelict area into a modern, light-filled, and highly functional dwelling. The design incorporates a modern kitchen with wood cabinets and white countertops, and a minimalist black and white bathroom with contemporary fixtures, including a round mirror. The use of wood throughout, particularly in the vaulted ceilings and mezzanine, adds warmth and a natural aesthetic to the modern design. This project underscores the principle that contemporary housing does not necessarily require larger homes but rather smarter ones that can adapt smoothly to the evolving lifestyles of their inhabitants. The Carlsbad ADU offers a blueprint for how existing structures can be reimagined and repurposed to create sustainable, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing living spaces that address critical housing needs while promoting environmental responsibility. #ADU #GarageConversion #FlexibleLiving #SustainableHousing #ModernGrannyFlat #AccessoryDwellingUnits #AdaptiveReuse #SmallSpaceDesign #HomeRenovation

Saltwolf, an e-commerce furniture company based in Boulder, launched its mobile showroom in June 2021, one year after its initial founding. The company, established by husband-and-wife team Lindy and Jordan Williams in May 2020, aimed to address common challenges faced by interior designers, such as the difficulty of sampling and ordering high-quality furnishings with quick turnaround times. Saltwolf distinguishes itself by offering direct-to-designer services, providing heirloom-quality pieces through an online platform. The decision to create a mobile showroom, affectionately known as "Ms. Saltwolf," stemmed from the founders' desire to provide designers with a tactile experience of their products, without committing to a traditional brick-and-mortar presence. Lindy Williams noted that while many trade brands rely on third-party showrooms, Saltwolf wanted to explore alternative methods to showcase their furniture. The 18-foot-long box truck, designed with a theater background by Jordan Williams, functions as a fully immersive living room environment. This setup allows designers to visualize how Saltwolf's furniture would integrate into their projects. The mobile showroom was particularly timely given the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It enabled Saltwolf to safely introduce its products to design firms through masked, outdoor meetings, adhering to health and comfort guidelines. The interior of Ms. Saltwolf is meticulously designed, featuring painted wainscoting and patterned wallpaper, creating an inviting atmosphere. It showcases upholstered furniture from each of Saltwolf’s four lines: a 7-foot Linden sofa in Belgian linen, a Hawthorne chair in Italian leather, a Mapleton chair in performance velvet, and a Norwood bench in Belgian linen. Additionally, the showroom features examples of the brand’s three wood finishes and large fabric swatches. These larger swatches allow designers to gauge the material and color at scale, offering a more comprehensive understanding than small samples. After initial test drives in various Western cities like Boulder, Denver, Aspen, Salt Lake City, Park City, and Austin, the mobile showroom commenced its official tour in Southern California in June 2021. The tour itinerary included further stops in Portland, Seattle, Bozeman, Jackson, and Sun Valley. Team members, including Lindy and Jordan, travel to each destination to meet with individual designers and host events within the showroom. The summer tour was scheduled to conclude on the Front Range with an event at Roth Living in Denver on August 26. Future plans for the fall involved visits to Colorado mountain resort towns, Utah, and Lake Tahoe. While Ms. Saltwolf has played a crucial role in introducing the brand, the company plans to transition to a permanent display at its Boulder design studio by the end of the year. Remote tours via video conferencing will also be offered, and discussions are underway to place Saltwolf pieces in designers’ showrooms in various mountain resort towns. Lindy Williams observed a significant shift in consumer and designer purchasing behavior due to the pandemic, with an increased comfort level in buying luxury goods online. Saltwolf aims to continue innovating to make the online purchasing experience as effortless as possible for its clients. The article provides practical information for interested designers, stating that Saltwolf's upcoming mobile showroom stops are listed on their website, where designers can RSVP to events or request a visit. Updates on new stops are also available online, ensuring designers can stay informed about the showroom's schedule and plan their engagement accordingly. #mobileShowroom #furnitureDesign #directToDesigner #homeFurnishings #interiorDesign #BoulderBusiness #eCommerceFurniture #luxuryGoods #designInnovation

The Tetra-Shed by Innovation Imperative is introduced as a versatile and aesthetically minimalist solution for individuals working from home, addressing the increasing demand for dedicated workspaces within residential settings. This portable wooden home office is distinguished by its unique design, resembling a giant black rock, featuring a faceted, geometric, and understated appearance. It is designed to be fully closable, providing a clear separation between work and personal life, and serves as a distinctive conversation piece. Suitable for both open-plan interior spaces and as a modern garden office, the Tetra-Shed offers a contemporary workspace alternative for freelancers and remote workers. Its modular design allows for flexible configurations, capable of functioning as a standalone unit or combined with multiple sheds to create larger, collaborative spaces or accommodate additional storage requirements. This adaptability caters to diverse needs for space and privacy. The construction of the Tetra-Shed utilizes sustainable Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), which contribute to its structural integrity and insulation properties. The exterior is clad in a matte black rubber skin, providing durability and a distinct visual appeal. In contrast to its dark exterior, the interior is finished with smooth birch plywood, creating a warm and bright environment conducive to work. Customization is a key feature of the Tetra-Shed, allowing customers to tailor various aspects to their specific preferences and functional needs. Options include selecting the interior and exterior materials and colors, choosing the fit-out, and designing the windows. Additionally, optional extras can be integrated to enhance functionality and comfort. The Tetra-Shed is designed for convenience as a flat-packed and prefabricated unit, weighing 22 pounds. It comes equipped with modern amenities such as LED lighting for energy-efficient illumination, electric underfloor heating for comfort in various climates, and built-in speakers for audio entertainment. These features, along with the ability to control them via a dedicated app, underscore its commitment to a modern and integrated user experience. The design reflects a growing trend in innovative home office solutions that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic appeal for contemporary living. #HomeOffice #ModularDesign #SustainableMaterials #RemoteWork #PortableStructure #FacetedDesign #Customizable #InnovationImperative #TetraShed

The start of a new year often brings a desire for organization, and The Container Store is making this more accessible with a significant sale on its popular Elfa line. Known for its Swedish-inspired custom closet and drawer systems, Elfa products are available at a 30 percent discount until February 25. This sale encompasses a wide range of Elfa items, from straightforward grab-and-go storage solutions to comprehensive custom closet systems like Elfa Classic and Elfa Décor. The core of the Elfa system is its modular wall-hanging design, which allows for easy reconfiguration and the addition of shelves as storage needs evolve. The versatility of the Elfa system extends beyond traditional closets, proving effective for various organizational challenges within a household, including toy storage and craft cubbies. Even for those not looking to overhaul an entire closet, the Elfa system offers cost-effective solutions for optimizing smaller or challenging spaces, with many options available for under $100. Several examples highlight the practical applications and value of these products. One such item is the Elfa Utility White Wire Kitchen Door & Wall Rack, priced at $89. This modular system is ideal for small pantries, efficiently holding spices, pantry staples, and cans, with repositionable baskets for customized organization. Another useful product is the Platinum Elfa Utility Board Mudroom Solution, available for $53. This board helps declutter mudrooms by providing organized storage for keys, sunglasses, and pet leashes, and includes hooks, boxes, and a tray. For optimizing limited areas, the Driftwood & Platinum Elfa Wall-Mounted Desk, at $255, transforms small nooks into functional workspaces. It features a single wall-mounted track and includes shelves, offering an efficient solution for bill paying or other desk-related tasks. The White Elfa 7-Runner Mesh Kitchen Prep Cart, priced at $149, addresses the need for additional kitchen space. This mobile cart, with a butcher block top and four drawers, provides versatile storage and a portable work surface, suitable for small kitchens where a permanent island is not feasible. Lastly, the White Elfa Kids’ Mesh Coloring Table with Rounded Corners, retailing for $284, offers a smart, long-term solution for children's spaces. This desk uses two drawer units as supports, providing accessible storage and a comfortable coloring or activity surface. Its design allows for reconfiguration to a standard desk height with additional Elfa components as a child grows, making it a flexible and sustainable investment for families. #ContainerStore #ElfaSystem #HomeOrganization #ClosetSystems #StorageSolutions #ModularDesign #HomeImprovement #Sale