VerdeMalaquita doesn’t want to be called a “design studio”. Instead, they want to offer a more holistic approach to design than is traditionally found in a design studio, doing everything from the graphic sketches to the finished production. They are all about the message that a piece conveys, and they maintain this throughout the design process. They also have a green approach to furniture creation, publishing an eco-magazine for their clients. The above pictured Conducta represents VerdeMalaquita’s attempt to tame light and make it flow through tubing as if it were air. This stunning piece is organic and creative, and represents VerdeMaliquita’s approach to artistic creation.
Aleman/Moore is a compilation between two men, specializing in beautiful, modern woven carpets. Their work takes its inspiration from big-brimmed straw hats, evolving to lose the hat and keep the brim. Described as “works of art for the floor”, their straw carpets are ultra unique and ultra chic. In addition to straw carpets for the modern home, Aleman/Moore creates custom-made straw baskets, totems and wall hangings. The above two images show the side tables that Aleman/Moore has created, inspired by their original straw carpets. They feature an ethnic vibe, liberal use of color, and the embrace of the natural straw textures that defines this team’s work.
Rene Siebum works to combine the way we experience the world around us with form, space and design. He attempts to bring out the emotion that design can evoke, and infuse it into refined materials. Siebum has an eye for maintaining function while exploring the edges of form, which helps him come up with unique designs like the Second Skin closet pictured above. It is both a closet and a living space, as well as an eye-catching piece of design. He bases this closest space on ancient Japanese architecture which is open and flexible, transforming a space based on its use and the mood of the participant.
Nucleo is the brainchild of its chief designer, Piergiorgio Robino. He began working with open source software to create his design projects, eventually connecting to other designers who spoke his language. All of them work on unique projects, but collaborate when they need creative inspiration. The team has entered a number of award shows, exhibitions, and several members have traveled to educational institutions as guest lectures. The above pictured Resin Fossil Table is a new project from Nucleo. It features an internally glowing core that glows through the Tetris-like, blocky structure. Its random, rigid form speaks to the modern minimalism popular in contemporary design.
SpaCushion brings comfort, style, and life together in an elegant and functional product. It offers customers a variety of plush cushions and chairs for an at-home spa experience. Their patented design allows the neck, back and limbs to rest in their natural position, avoiding any strain on the body whatsoever. These cushions are reversible, and offer the same comfort for your back as they do when you’re lying on your stomach. Just simply reclining in one of these elegant chairs is relaxing on its own, but if you can get a friend or significant other to give you a massage, you’ll be utterly transported to the most relaxing spas in the world.
Elli Popp is all about design – shapes, patterns, textures. She creates wallpaper and accessories for the modern home, but only for the daring. Each pattern follows a unifying theme while drawing on neo-romantic influences and vibrant colors. Her nearly retro designs are cute, funky and individually tailored to meet the needs of each client. She is always open to exploring new forms of beauty in her work. Her above pictured Foxy Flowers Tea Set is a delicate ceramic set that is a throwback to retro design. It combines old Victorian china design with retro 70s patterns to bring out a truly modern tea set.
Boca Do Lobo strives to create each piece of furniture in such a way that it elicits emotion, a sense of belonging and a state of mind. They create high end, exclusive items, and bring the passion they have in production to the piece itself. Each object is a work of art in itself, hand crafted using decades of artisan wisdom. The above pictured diamond sideboard is part of Boca Do Lobo’s limited edition collection. Its many facets are meant to reflect the high quality that Boca Do Lobo’s furniture exudes, tying it to a diamond’s brilliance.
Dror Bren is a young designer, and isn’t afraid to use his personal history as a child growing up in the ’80s and ’90s to influence his design. He studied industrial design in Israel, spending one semester abroad in the U.S. to gain an international perspective. He uses unique materials to bring out what is unique to his design. The above pictured Blamp is made from a single piece of Bamboo, complimenting the Beasel he had completed earlier. Its slim form and elongated lines are enhanced because of the natural shape of the bamboo, which Dror has successfully integrated with his own design vision.
Design duo No-Zero believes that design affects all aspects of a person’s life, and good design can enhance their experiences. Their pieces are meant to redefine the relationship between people, space, and furniture. The founder of No-Zero, Ron Poon, sees simplicity as a tool to bring out the inner beauty of an object, but not necessarily the only tool for the job. The above pictured Serving Table features a combination of simple design and functionality. It offers half of its surface up as a modular serving tray for food and drink. The solid oak construction and dark and light contrast is a refreshing modern statement.
Ellen Berger Design‘s philosophy is that human needs exist at the center of all design. She sees the designer as responsible for mediating between humans and their environment, for creating the world for humans to enjoy. Her work is concentrated in the elemental originality of nature, and this approach has imbued her work with simplicity and power. The above pictured children’s desk is modular and sleek. It uses simple construction to create an elegant yet fun aura. The below pictured bed features a creatively bent headboard, angular form and a thin, flat silhouette.
Tommaso Colia is an art director and product designer living and working in Milan, Italy. He has his fingers in several artistic pots, including bathroom design, short video and communications. He has several lamps, showers, washbasins, chairs and radiators in his interior design collection, all of which are minimalist in spirit with modern details. The above pictured ISIDE lamp features a coiled plastic tube of mini led lights bundled in a plastic bubble. This piece is a collaboration between Colia and two other designers, and was on display at the Milan Design Week in 2010. His other work has been shown around Europe as well at shows, exhibits and workshops.
Matt Pugh Design focuses on producing contemporary pieces with a timeless appeal. His eye is on form that will last years while remaining modern. Pugh has a playful, lighthearted approach to design which shows through the simple interior furnishings that he makes custom to order. The above pictured chair is soft and subtle, featuring curved lines and plush upholstery. The bentwood legs gently curve upwards and splay out at the backrest, and the simple pink cushion is the cherry on top. This piece is perfect for a fun, fresh interior that is looking for something special yet simply timeless.
