THEY CALL IT PINCH because that’s exactly what will happen if you happen to slip into the space between the seat and backrest. Funky design notwithstanding, Established and Sons’ Pinch chairs are actually quite practical. Made from durable powder-coated aluminum, up to four can be stacked: great for parties in (forgive the pun) a pinch.
$595-$765, mattermatters.com
Popularity: 12% [?]
SIMPLE AND SUSTAINABLE, West Elm’s White Bamboo serving bowls also make for eye-pleasing entertaining. A whitewash finish gives this set a light and airy ambience, while the organic and concentric texture adds a touch of nature to the dining room. The bowls come in three sizes; a round serving tray with integrated handles is also available.
$14-$34, westelm.com
Popularity: 7% [?]
FANS OF SUPERMAN’S ICE FORTRESS (you know you’re out there) will love Haziza’s line of dining, coffee and console tables. The rest of us can at least appreciate the way light interacts with the multifaceted acrylic shards, each of which seems to grow organically from the base. Available in over a dozen colors, we definitely prefer our tables without any tint; the other colors come across a bit too flashy–flashy for folks sans superpowers, that is.
haziza.com
Popularity: 7% [?]
APPROPRIATELY NAMED, Kazuyo Sejima’s sleek and stylish Sanaa Fruit Basket is actually a tea service set. Made from highly reflective stainless steel, every piece–down to the serving tray and spoons–bears a rounded, organic form. The Fruit Basket’s form factor is arguably cute–a stark contrast to Blomus’ utilitarian tea set.
$30-$245, unicahome.com
Popularity: 6% [?]
LIKE A TINY PAGODA, the elegant Becca Stool features a cantilevered top with slightly bowed-in sides which join at the bottom to form a single, flowing piece. Made from bamboo, the stool can also be used for storage and as a side table; stack a few and you have instant, portable shelving. Available in cherry, ebony and natural.
$600, designpublic.com
Popularity: 11% [?]
GERMAN EFFICIENCY comes to dinner with Blomus, and boy does it look good. All three pieces–a teapot, a creamer, and a sugar bowl–are made from brushed stainless steel and share a sleek half-dome design. Other than a central cylindrical lid and pouring spout or mouth, nothing else breaks up the smooth steel; they make wonderful gifts, but we won’t tell if you self-indulge.
$27.99-$54.99, sleekspaces.com
Popularity: 6% [?]
CONTROL FREAKS WILL REJOICE with Viesso, a custom furniture store based in Southern California. Although not pioneers of the design-it-yourself concept, Viesso’s online execution is definitely one of the best we’ve seen. Starting with a basic model of chair, bed or table, you can select everything down to the fabrics, legs and cushions; you can even filter your results for eco-friendly materials. The result is modern, tasteful furniture that is uniquely you.
viesso.com
Popularity: 11% [?]
ORANGE IS what initially got our attention, but the Jam Stool and Chair’s simple, modern design is what keeps us captivated. The seats are curved without being ostentatious, although the perforated seatbacks and orange-on-white color scheme are anything but subtle. Still, the seats are predominantly white and clean, with thin, chromed legs designed to minimize visual weight: these are fundamentally minimalist chairs, perfect for those who still crave the occasional flash and pizzazz.
$169-$199, eurway.com
Popularity: 5% [?]
IT LOOKS MORE LIKE SATURN, but Zuo Modern’s Mars Chair is unabashedly modern. Essentially a stool, the Mars Chair features a ring-like rim that serves as a backrest and armrest and sits atop a stylish chrome base. Available in leatherette, we prefer Mars in black, although orange is much closer to its planetary namesake.
$292, zfurniture.com
Popularity: 6% [?]
THOMAS WOLD’S Block Party Credenza is all about eliminating visual clutter, although the seemingly random array of panels introduces another level of clutter altogether. Some doors swing outwards, while others slide, which is perhaps why the color coding is not only trendy but helpful. Also useful: pre-drilled holes for cable management and a power strip channel along the bottom shelf.
$3,990, designpublic.com
Popularity: 4% [?]
EXTENDING a rectangular table is simple; extending a round table–not so much. Skovby’s Petal Dining Table cleverly accomplishes this feat with a patented mechanism that unfolds three leaves hidden within the base. In the process, the table’s seating capacity doubles while the tabletop is reshaped into a petal–all the while maintaining a sleek profile suitable for any modern residence.
$2,138-$2,940, vikinghome.com
Popularity: 5% [?]
A HUSBAND & WIFE TEAM, Bryce and Kerry Moore have created a stylish collection honoring another remarkable duo: that of joint 17th century British sovereigns William & Mary. Each chair features front legs that are influenced by the design of that period, although a number of other details are simultaneously at work: note the layered Baltic birch plywood construction, the single stripe of hardwood, and the quaint blend of traditional elements and minimalist design.
$585-$1,078, designpublic.com
Popularity: 6% [?]
