UNUSUAL ENOUGH TO GO ANYWHERE, Instant is a system of three cubbyhole-like drawers with instant wall appeal. The design is best described as “futuristic for the 60s” with rounded corners and a pod-like mentality; finished in white with an orange interior, they look like a 2001: A Space Odyssey set piece. One thing that is decidedly not retro is its composition; instead of space-age plastic, Instant is made from traditional stained oak (available in white, wenge or grey); the interior can be finished in orange, white or mocha.
bellato.com
Via: StylePark

THOUGHTFUL AND MINIMALIST, Maude’s modular features betray its humble, ground-hugging design. Chief amongst these is a pair of panels on either end; included primarily for proportionality reasons, they can be rotated sideways to serve as a recessed cabinet and upwards to hold backrests. The bed is also doubly efficient; in addition to requiring only one person to build it, the entire piece–frame, supports, shelves and slats–is constructed from a single sheet of resin coated plywood.
maude.info
Via: MoCoLoCo

THE SEAT MAY SEEM TOO LITTLE for its frame, but it’s intentional: from a distance, little big chair’s shell appears to hover above the ground. A polished and cantilevered aluminum structure makes this possible, although the eyes are most decidedly focused on the curvaceous plywood monocoque seat. We prefer it in bleached oak veneer, but an open-pore asphalt black model is also available for those who crave a little more sophistication.
$1,260, unicahome.com

AIRPLANES AND ORIGAMI is the furthest most of us have taken paper, but Molo has managed to mold kraft paper into a vast array of furniture, from loungers and stools to tables and pedestals. Called softseating, the honeycomb structure not only fans open and closed but ensures structural integrity and an amazing amount of flexibility. The paper even develops a patina over time; although 100% recyclable and flame retardant, softseating is not meant to be disposable; just don’t leave it outside in the rain (textile softseating is good for that).
molodesign.com

IF YOU LIVE FOR CURVES, chances are you’ll love Susan Wood’s Ribbon Float lounge chair. Poplar plywood is rippled like water into a swanky low-rise lounge chair; the hard, unupholstered surface is surprisingly comfortable as it matches the shape of your body. Other variants include: Working Wave (a couch-sized version minus the portability) and Rave Wave (less curvature but more height).
aswoon.com

THE CHOICE OF BEDDING in these photos wouldn’t have been our first, but if you can forgive the atrocious patterns you’ll see a fairly remarkable bed in terms of functionality. In its most efficient form the Duetto serves as a daybed or settee with a single bed hidden underneath. The single rolls out predictably to serve as a secondary guest bed; however a piston-driven mechanism allows the bed to be raised flush with the main frame, in effect creating a double bed.
flou.it

OUR EYES SIMPLY CANNOT RESIST following every curve of Fabio Novembre’s ultra-modern Air Lounge System, and we suspect our hands would similarly offer no resistance. Each piece is an exploration of positive and negative space, with a ring-shaped body that both delights and confounds. Electro-welded steel plate comprises the underlying structure; the seats are tightly wrapped in polyurethane foam with leather or fabric, while the coffee tables are veneered with Zebrano or Macassar Ebony.
meritalia.it

EVEN BIRDS CRAVE A LITTLE MODERNITY from time to time, and J Schatz’s Egg Bird Feeders meet this task with aplomb. We love the mixture of homely (yet glossy) earthenware and high-tech aluminum; both are weather proof for year-round hanging. The sleek ceramic surface isn’t just for looks; pesky squirrels can’t get a grip on it or the smallish base; meanwhile, holes at the base reduce water build-up.
$125, jschatz.com
Via: mod*mom

FOR MINIMALISTS WHO LIKE SURPRISES, the Nemea Sideboard by Alfredo Haberli is a nearly sinful delight. A three piece ensemble, the flanking elements have sliding surfaces that increase the length of the sideboard in fixed increments; this also has the added effect of visually lightening Nemea by breaking up its monolithic shape. Other minimalist-tempting features worth mentioning: no handles, no knobs, touch-latch drawers and chromium-plated steel legs.
$8,950, nova68.com

FAMILY RESEMBLANCES are never a problem when the family members are so beautiful: the stylish Scando Table is basically a scaled-up version of the laptop-friendly Overlap Tray. The coffee table is relatively low at only 11″ in height, making it ideal for compact spaces, children or anyone who tends to spend more time on the floor then on the couch (I used to in my college days, watching TV while eating dinner). Made from birch, white lacquer, oak, or walnut veneer.
$349-$399, designpublic.com
Via: Apartment Therapy

OWNERS OF SMALL SPACES will find Thout Design’s line of wall-mounted storage panels to be a breath of fresh air, but in terms of opening up additional space and from a design perspective. UtiliTILE is a modular system made up of several types of 16″x16″ tiles; Keyed is a bi-level key valet, while Hooked features five pop-out coat hangers that fold away when not in use. While Utensil, Tray and Fruity are kitchen-friendly tiles, Forked Up is decidedly unfriendly yet fun at the same time; magnets hold the utensils in place.
$150-$300, generaldesignassociates.com

EATING IN FRONT OF THE TV ON A COFFEE TABLE becomes a much easier task with this multidirectional piece, available at the European Connection. The tempered glass top is divided in two; each piece can swivel out in three different directions thanks to a unique folding mechanism. Extra storage space is available underneath the glass top which is sufficient for magazines and remotes, giving this table even additional utility at an affordable price.
$299, europeanconnection.net