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.
Ronen Kadushin is an interior design expert. He studied industrial design at three separate institutions in Jerusalem and London, and went on to work with design firms in London and Tel Aviv. He now creates his own designs, while holding a position as a guest professor teaching Open Design at Burg Giebichenstein, University of Art and Design Halle. The above pictured Square Dance table is a stainless steel work of art. it features bent steel folded into itself in four intricate corners, and exudes a modern minimalist appeal. Its sharp edges and shiny surface come together to to create a cutting-edge look for any loft or living room.
Italian design group Recession Design has hit a niche market that is no doubt booming as people turn to more cost-effective ways to furnish their homes with modern decor. The do-it-yourself approach that Recession Design takes is cute, chic and contemporary. They offer unique home solutions that use only a little wood, nails, and some elbow grease. The above picture is part of their “Not at Home” collection of pieces meant for places outside the home. This ladder/planter is bare, minimalist and can be used as a divider in a large space like a loft or an office.
Andreas Saxer is a designer with an eye for what’s hot in modern furniture. His pieces are inspired by everyday items, but they come together in startlingly unique ways. The above pictured Tofu Stackable Sideboard reminds one of stackable tofu boxes in Japan. Each shelf comes with functional elements so that it can be positioned alongside the other boxes in a variety of configurations to suit its surroundings. The below pictured Chop Stick wardrobe is inspired by the Japanese chopstick and the ancient art of wood carving. It features five wood poles that loosely fit together, stabilizing as more clothes are added.
Belenko is a fresh and funky design firm whose products are all over the map. They do restaurant interiors, cafes, clubs, shops, private residences and much more in addition to offering an abundance of cute and quirky products for individual purchase. They are interested in exploring the relationship between people and the items around them. The above image illustrates just how Belenko has its finger on the pulse of what is hot in modern design. Combining slick black wood with tan and cream shows a sensitivity to modern color palates, and the mixture of silky texture with wood grain is as chic as it gets.
D’Esposito & Gaillard are two designers working in close contact with one another to produce innovative modern design. They have an eclectic combined background in design: D’Esposito attended fine arts school and obtained a masters in product design, while Gaillard studied precision mechanics. Together they have created work that has been shown at exhibits around Switzerland and the world – even some on display at the MoMA. The above pictured LoveMe table is a quirky, lighthearted piece that reflects the desire to love and be loved in all of us. The half heart attached to the center of the table can be used as a handle, but it also shows that two halves make a whole.
Passonia provides modern sensibilities for a niche product. Focusing mainly on carpets and carpet design, Passonia uses its other services such as paintings to fuel this endeavor. Using their instinctual pull towards modern design with a twist, Passonia crafts carpets that are surprising in their use of geometry and symmetrical design while maintaining a sense of mystery. Every piece is unique. The above pictured Tappeto Ambientato carpet is a refreshing snowy white and features both raised and cut out flowers and leaves. Its delicate design appears almost like a snowflake on the ground, and would enhance the complexities and intricacies of its surroundings.
Design change future. This is the motto of design firm Ideapendent. They have one eye towards upcoming trends and modern interiors, and another on using design to change how people interact with their environments. Ideapendent was formed when several freelance designers decided to pool their talents. This has fostered a sense of collaboration for any and all of the projects that Ideapendent undertakes, as they believe that “a good job doesn’t come from only bright idea”. The above pictured DIY Clock is a fun and bright piece that will lighten up any room. Its multi-colored prongs, face and hands feed off each other to produce an exciting, stylish hum.
Paolo Cappello is a graduate from the Industrial Design program at Politecnico di Milano. He has collaborated with many Italian designers and architects in the past, and now owns and operates his own design firm. His awards and industry accolades are many, including being the 2009 Progetto Deco Design Competition winner and winning the 2009 Ossigeno Italiano Prize by Abitare Magazine. He also works with Rolling Stone to produce their online design column. The above pictured Aleifo table is a masterpiece of wooden proportions. It features Y-legs bent at three odd angles to give the table depth and dimension. These four legs hold up a soft grey wood tabletop that is both sturdy and stylish.
Aliantedizioni is a group who produce mainly table and other home accessories. Their pieces are designed to respond to a small untapped desire or unknown need. They strive to achieve a balance between creating pieces that meet these precise functional needs and those that express strong character and independent personality. The above pictured MegaFunghi floor vases are crafted from borosilicate glass. Each series includes three exquisitely crafted vases of different sizes: one featuring a phial for long-stem flowers, another with a closed funnel, and a third featuring a tumbler with a disc shaped plane.
