Custom Modern Furniture

Customization continues to rule interior design, but is it always such an attractive quality?

Check out Customobili, a new line of upholstered seating with a customizable "medallion." Consumers can create their own look on each side of the large oval and turn it whenever the mood strikes. Or, they can have a slew of these "semi artesianal" pieces made. 

What do you think? Love it or leave it?

 

Sphera Sleep System

Another colorful creation from Karim Rashid.

Made for Hollandia International, the Sphera features a 32" TV, covered LED florescent canopy-top lights, outside back vanity mirror, and champagne holder (because who doesn't like a nice glass of bubbly while catching up on Project Runway reruns?).

--allie

Tags: Karim Rashid, modern bed, modern sleep system, Hollandia International

New trends in Modern Design

Micro-trends (think antlers, silhouettes of chandeliers, "x" is the new black) are, as always, everywhere, and we'll show you a few of our favorites. But the real, overarching trend of not just the season but perhaps the decade is the big news: trend watchers say, brace yourself, that there is no trend.

Find out how to cope here.

Camping the modern way

I never thought I'd see the day! It's the ultra-mod alternative to the RV. Sounds like an oxymoron, I know.

The compact and lightweight Capsule Caravan, although still a concept, hooks to your vehicle and you're good to go. And unlike bulky RVs, it eases perfectly into a standard parking space.

The funky interior is split into two pods: The Comfort Pod provides seating and sleeping areas for two, a 12v power supply, and an audio system. The Service Pod houses a water system, power supply and storage space. The large central window provides natural light and contains an electrochromatic film, which changes from transparent to opaque.

I love to camp, but I'm more of a cabin kind of gal. A tent is too much hassle for me, and I've just never found trailers too enticing. However, I could gleefully see myself setting up shop in this super cool, super mod traveling pod. I just don't know how well I'd fit in at the RV parks...

Thanks for the great find Born Rich!

--allie

Tags: modern RV, modern camping, contemporary RV, outdoor living

Serving spoons with a twist

Carved from cherry wood and finished with mineral oil and bees wax, these funky spoons are food-friendly.

--allie

Tags: modern serving utensils, modern dining, David Hurwitz, contemporary dinnerware

Bamboo bentwood

Bamboo bentwood can go a long way...

The Bamboestoel chair from Tejo Remy.

--allie

Tags: bamboo furniture, bentwood, modern chair, contemporary furniture

National Search Launched for the Ugliest Couch

Expose your Ugly Couch!

NEW YORK, NY, August 21, 2008 – Sure Fit Inc, the leading provider and marketer of ready-made furniture covers, announced today the launch of its 2008 Ugly Couch Contest, the search for the ugliest couch in America.  Photo entries for the contest will be accepted until September 30^th at www.SureFit.com and by mail for a chance to win a $5,000 living room makeover by designer and host of HGTV’s Myles of Style Kim Myles, courtesy of Sure Fit Inc.

The panel will select 20 semi-finalists from around the nation before opening up voting to America on www.SureFit.com on October 13^th.  Each semi-finalist will receive a Sure Fit slipcover of their choice, ensuring that no ugly couch goes uncovered.  The grand-prize winner of the $5,000 living room makeover will be announced on November 15^th.

The criteria for choosing the ugliest couch includes the ugliness of overall design and fabric pattern, offensiveness of color, inappropriateness of fabric and inappropriateness of the combination of fabric, color and design as it relates to any period in the recent history of furniture.  The uniqueness of the couch as it relates to the above-mentioned criteria will also be taken into account.

Enter online at www.surefit.com.  Simply click on the “Ugly Couch Contest” button located on the homepage, and follow the instructions to attach photo.

Official rules and privacy policy can be viewed online at www.surefit.com.

iGrill

Direct Designs's
Notebook Portable Grill

Yes, this is one grill that is pretty amazing. A super-slim, portable charcoal grill that lives up to its boast as a “notebook.” And a superstylish one at that! It’s lightweight, too, weighing in at slightly over 8 lbs, with cut-out handles that make it a cinch to carry.

There’s a 192-square-inch cooking surface on a stainless steel grate, and the stainless steel black surface has a waterproof finish.

Did we mention how affordable this amazing little item is? $48.

view this product at A+R

Modern Design for Characters

I love the design constructs for Met Home's show house this year.

Officially called the Metropolitan Home Showtime House, the place is divided up into rooms each inspired by a Series on Showtime.

There's a room for Weeds, Dexter, Californication, and a handful of others, and each was done by an of the moment design star like Vicente Wolf, Jaimie Drake, and Amy Lau.

While this may sound like your basic marketing ploy, created to sell magazines, increase viewers and convince the last hangers on that good design can change your life and, no, you are not qualified to decorate your own home, something much more artistic and worthwhile developed there.

The idea that rooms truly reflect a person is explored so fully that I can't stop thinking about what that vase in my dining room might be saying about me. Dexter's house reflects a secret life as does the living room on Weeds. A room inspired by The Tudors mixes period pieces with modern to give a sense of authenticity and place. An antique fireplace in the Californication room reminds us that everyone has a history.

The whole house is an in-depth study of character, personality and outward expression. It's an engrossing subject, and though couched in a realm of TV and luxury design, actually quite literary.

We recommend it highly, get more info and see more pictures here.

RELATED:
Mid-Modern on Fox's "24"

Modern Staircase

I think I may have found the all time best staircase. It's in the penthouse of The Gray in Milan. Every part of this boutique hotel (the first in Milan) screams modern, happy design, but the staircase takes it to a new level (sorry). Anyway, just look for yourselves.

Or book it yourselves, $648 per night.