WE CAN’T HELP IT: it looks like a cute alien spacecraft and we love it. Elucidesign’s Aileron Coffee Table has a forward angled shape and wrapping contours that give it an organic, otherworldy appearance. Viewed from any angle it looks halfway ready to fly or run; we can’t decide which and this ever present tension is what gives Aileron something most coffee tables only dream of having: a personality. One last thing: the top is actually two panels that slide apart; the images don’t suggest it, but we’d surmise there’s an extra leaf included.
elucidesign.com

THE NAME SUGGESTS THAT YOU RELAX, which is slightly contrary to the hard work that went into Manfred Wakolbinger’s futuristic “furniture sculpture” lounge chair, Chill Out. Each roll is painstakingly worked into the frame for an appearance that is amazingly clean and appears like a digital rendering. The rolls are not at all subtle, which gives the chair a playfulness; however, the obvious craftsmanship coupled with the sleekly curved design makes Chill Out inarguably modern.
wittman.at

77 OF ANYTHING seems to be a lot; in the case of Pryor & William’s STRATUM Nest, this represents the number of laminations involved. We especially appreciate the fact that the tables are composed of individual pieces of hand-blackened aluminum alloy, which are in turn beautifully tied together with an ultrasuede inlay. The overall appearance is one that resembles wood grain at first glance but upon closer inspection reveals a lustrous iridescent shine. This makes these nesting tables a veritable work of art; as such, they are limited to 30 signed pieces and are as collectible as they are functional.
pryor-williams.com

WITH SKITTISH FEET we almost expect George Nelson’s iconic Swag Leg Chairs to hop up and scurry off; the name actually comes from the term “swaging”, in which pressure is used to taper and curve the 16-gauge steel legs. We particularly like the flexible polypropylene shell, which is so well designed that it seems to be a natural extension of the legs–in the eyes of one observer, like four tree roots united into one strong, upward thrust. Both an early environmentalist and aware of the causal relationship between design and society, Nelson’s chairs are both easy to assemble and use recyclable polypropylene.
$379, hivemodern.com

SUBTLE AND MOD DON’T USUALLY GO TOGETHER, but Lights Up’s columnar table lamps manage to bring both words without rending the space-time continuum. Patterns such as faux bois (wood), kimono and snowflakes are printed onto silk shades; unlike most lamps the shades are all-or-nothing affairs and dominate the entire lamp. A brushed nickel base rounds out each lamp; strict minimalists can also purchase all white or natural linen shades.
Approx. $80-$300, velocityartanddesign.com and designpublic.com

IT’S NO ACCIDENT that Gisele sounds a bit like “gazelle”; this handcrafted Brazilian armchair has graceful, swept back lines that resemble both the form and movement of its antelope counterpart. We particularly like the natural cotton rope back, which is both elastic yet retains its shape and allows for ventilation. Made from a small factory in Brazil, Gisele is made from sustainably harvested hardwood with an eco-friendly water-based finish.
$950, dwr.com

ALTHOUGH CHAOS AND ORGANIZATION seem at loggerheads with each other, Sean Yoo’s Opus Incertum manages to corral both of these seemingly contradictory traits together. The rectangular polypropylene design is functional an versatile, as it can be stacked and is outdoor friendly. The inside shelving entertains our more entropic tendencies, with the appearance of an irregular beehive; unlike most shelves, Opus seems more at peace empty than full.
$420, unicahome.com

BUTTON TUFTING moves from accent to center stage with Philippe Starck’s Prive collection, which includes armchairs, islands and sofas. Taut and tightly wrapped, these clean-cut pieces feature a quilted cover (made from leather or fabric). CFC-free polyurethane padding makes for supple seating, all of it support by polished aluminum or stainless steel legs.
cassinausa.com

CLOTHED IN BLACK AND LINED WITH JEWELS the Lola Chandelier looks like a questionable lady of the night, but we can’t deny its obvious sex appeal. The jewels are actually Swarovski crystals; seductively glimmering within a quartet of powder-coated carapaces, they are only visible from certain angles. The shell itself can also be clad in stainless steel; this option is a little less sensual but attractive nevertheless.
hudsonfurnitureinc.com

AN ASTUTE READER raises a good point about the drainage on Michael Hilgers’ On The Edge Pots: you probably don’t want to be the poor sap on the floor below come watering time. That obvious issue aside, these polyethylene pots bring a little green to sparse urban balconies while making efficient use of oft-limited space. Each is separated into two compartments; sensible, the innermost one could be used for actual plants while the outer weighted with colorful rocks for balance.
$85, dwr.com
Via: the style files

“EVEN STORAGE DESERVES A PLATFORM!” reads the theoretical political slogan for West Elm’s aptly named Low Platform series. These sleek dressers and side tables are designed to coordinate with West Elm’s own wood-block platform bed, although we can see these nicely complementing any type of wood-themed contemporary bedroom. Available in blonde or chocolate (we prefer the former).
$229-$599, westelm.com

OPEN FLOOR PLANS are as valuable as gold; far from acting as Qi-disrupting barriers, Italy-based Rimadesio’s sleek sliding doors are designed specifically to preserve and enhance open, integrated spaces. Rimadesio has recently found its way into the US via a standalone showroom in Boston, bringing with it luxury features such as overhead rails, acoustic-insulating magnetic systems, aluminum construction and acid-etched glass. Extra brownie points: both residential and commercial clients are welcome.
rimadesioboston.com