Furniture Fashion

Once Upon a Shelf: 10 Stunning Bookcase Designs

Reading is fundamental — any educator will tell you so.  And while the bookworms among us would stack hundreds of books on the floor if we had to in order to keep them around, it’s obviously a bit more civilized to keep them organized in a bookcase.  Today’s roundup of stunning bookcase designs ranges from the uber-organized filing system of the USA Bookcase by Ron Arad to the hippie-chic hanging net comprising the Bookwave by Ilio.  There’s something for everyone in this particular series — quirky iconographic pieces from Estudio Breder and Lau Design, a readable reminder case for the forgetful reader, and even a movable dolly case for the literati on the go.  And so the story goes: once upon a time, we fell in love with ten amazing bookcase designs and lived happily ever after.

Readable Bookcase by Saporiti

Equations Bookcase by Estudio Breder

MyDNA Bookshelves by Joel Escalona

Maze Bookcase by Woodloops

USA Bookcase by Ron Arad

Annotation Bookshelf by Lau Design

Movable Dolly Bookcase by StudioDZ (Etsy)

Gravity Bookcase by Leo Kempf

The Bookwave by Ilio

Twins Bookshelf by Zeynep Cinisli

Readable bookcase found at Saporiti.

Sliding Into Home: Four Modern Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are no less elegant now than they were in the long-ago Asian cultures in which they originated, but new materials have given them a sturdier, more pronounced presence than their predecessors of centuries past.  Today’s roundup of modern sliding doors, also called “fusama,” range from glass room dividers to metal sliding wardrobe doors, as well as a heavy slab of wood from Bartels acting as a privacy partition for a master bedroom in an urban loft.  They may not provide as much satisfaction as a slammed door during moments of frustration, but then again, it might be a moot point since they lend a sense of Zenlike calm to their surrounding spaces.  You could say it’s in their genes.

Sliding Glass Doors by Fusama

Modern Sliding Door from Bartels

Room Dividers from The Sliding Door Company

Sliding Wardrobe Doors from Momento Italia

Modern wood sliding door found at Bartels.

8 Gleaming Modern Mirrors

“Mirror, mirror on the wall… who’s the fairest one of all?”  Reflective surfaces have been around as long as pools of water have existed, but today’s roundup of modern mirrors takes things to the next level.  While most of us have a wall mirror behind the bathroom vanity and perhaps a floor-length mirror in the bedroom or closet, we have to admit they’re last on the list when it comes to furnishing or re-furnishing a space.  The eight designers whose works are featured below obviously consider mirrors to be much more than an afterthought; behold the puzzle created by independent designer Emiliani Brinci, the eyepopping fractal mirror by Zuo and the mesmerizing wall of mirrors that snagged a coveted spot in Elle Decor.  Not to promote narcissism or anything, but in a home filled with mirrors like these, you might never leave the house.

Fractal Mirror by Zuo Modern

Abstract Wall Mirror from Furniture in Fashion

Mirror Puzzle by Emiliano Brinci

L'Oreille Qui Voit Mirror

Carbonation Mirror from Chiasso

Coin Mirror by Bouf

Modern Uma Mirror from Opulent Designs

Mirrored Wall featured in Elle Decor

Fractal mirror found at Zuo Modern.

Three Phenomenal Outdoor Kitchens

It’s one thing to have a full-scale chef’s kitchen in your home, but it’s quite another to have a second one out in the backyard.  Today’s roundup features three comprehensive outdoor kitchens, from the Medieval simplicity of the custom Outdoor Creations bar to the whole-kit-and-caboodle awesomeness of the culinary extravaganza offered by Viking Range (as well as the perfectly respectable, middle-of-the-road Lynx outdoor kitchen from GrillShoppe to keep the balance in between).  Whether it’s an impromptu family dinner al fresco or a 50-guest backyard barbecue with all the bells and whistles, you’ll be more than prepared with a patio spread like one of these.

The Viking Outdoor Kitchen Collection

The Lynx Outdoor Kitchen from Grillshoppe

Custom Outdoor Kitchen from Outdoor Transformations Inc

Viking outdoor kitchen components found at Viking Range.

Four New Large Appliances that Might Change Your Life

Remember watching The Jetsons and wondering when all that state-of-the-art technology would be available in real life?  Well, that time is now; behold today’s roundup of four new large appliances that just might change your life.  First up is the LCD Touch Screen Refrigerator from Samsung; its interactive screen mimics that of a smartphone or laptop, with downloadable apps connecting you to social media channels, weather reports, news headlines, and — of course — recipes on demand.  For those who love to cook but barely have the time, there’s the GE Advantium speedcooking oven, which prepares meals up to eight times faster than its conventional counterparts; it even claims the ability to cook a five-pound chicken in about 30 minutes without sacrificing taste or texture.  Even the most luxurious of discretionary incomes may have to stretch a bit to accommodate the Polara refrigerator range combo from Whirlpool, in which you can place your dinner first thing in the morning before you leave for work; it keeps the food cool during the day and switches to oven mode at a predetermined time, cooking your meal for you on demand.  The Polara may not be the most environmentally conscious appliance ever made, given the fact that it’s a bit duplicative in the name of convenience, but for households that conduct themselves a bit more on the green side, LG proudly steps in with its THINQ series.  Its “Smart Grid” system syncs the fridge, oven, washer, dryer and even vacuum cleaner with your smartphone, helping you use your appliances in the most cost-effective and energy-efficient ways  possible.  We’re sure George and Judy would be quite comfortable in any home where these little luxuries reside.

LCD Touch Screen Refrigerator from Samsung

The GE Advantium Speedcooking Collection

Whirlpool Polara Refrigerator Range

LG Washer & Dryer with THINQ Technology

LG THINQ appliances found at LG.

These 6 Modern Massage Recliners Take the Stress Away

Ask any expert to list the benefits of massage therapy, and you’ve got quite a lengthy conversation on your hands.  For those of us who don’t have the time to schedule appointments at the spa, there’s a singular solution much closer to home.  Today’s roundup of modern massage recliners presents a half-dozen self-contained relaxation stations where you can work, read, watch television and/or hold full-fledged conversations, all the while enjoying the sensation of having your stress kneaded away.  While each has the appearance of soft, supple leather upholstery, a few offer animal-friendly coverings for those who prefer alternative upholstery options.  Either way, the massage capabilities (and, in one case, heat therapy) offered in this collection are enough to lower blood pressure, ease joint pain and put us all in a better frame of mind altogether… bathrobe and cucumber water optional.

The ZG570 Zero Gravity Massage Chair from Inner Balance

The Skyline Zero Gravity Massage Chair with Heat Therapy from Omega

The Massage Chair from Homietec Enterprise Company

The Shiatsu Massage Recliner from Cozzia

The EC-368 Shiatsu Massage Recliner from Berkline

The Massage Recliner from Hensen

Inner Balance chair found at Wayfair.

Four Cool Entertainment Wall Units

If variety is the spice of life, then we must be living large with hundreds of cable channels, countless digital radio options and an infinite amount of things to see and do on the internet.  So, it stands to reason that entertainment wall units are in a way what bookshelves were to the average home 50 years ago.  With all due respect to the printed page (the author of this post is an admitted bibliophile and proud of it), today’s roundup offers a host of orderly yet sleek ways to keeep one’s digital media devices and random gadgetry in one place, easily accessible and brilliantly displayed.  Alivar offers a chic freestanding wall that acts as a sort of tech island in the middle of your living room, while Acerbis International and Ewerbeck present two vastly different modern approaches to the standard entertainment wall.  Bringing up the rear is the Wenge entertainment wall unit, which raises the bar up a notch for run-of-the-mill television stands with its rounded glass cabinetry and asymmetrical design.  So, what shall we watch, and who wants popcorn?

Freestanding Wall Unit from Alivar

Modern Entertainment Wall Unit by Acerbis international

The Matrix Entertainment Wall System by Cord Möller-Ewerbeck

The Wenge Entertainment Wall Unit from ESF Furniture

Freestanding wall unit found at Alivar.

6 Updated Fireplace Accessories

When we think “fireplace,” a few key words come to mind: cozy. warm. rustic. Lately, though, a renewed interest in minimalist design has brought forth a few new variations on the theme; today’s roundup of updated fireplace accessories includes a host of screens, matchstick holders, hearth gloves and pokers that seem more at home in a city loft than a country cabin.  Wrought iron?  Yes.  Overwrought details?  Not here, friends.  From a simple screen with a botanical pattern to an upcycled straw holder for keeping matchsticks together, here’s a fresh take on the aesthetics of cozying up to a roaring fire.  Hot chocolate, anyone?

Fireplace Poker Set from Rais

Fatwood Caddy from Fireplace Screens Center

Cowhide Fireplace Gloves from Harbor Freight

Fireplace Match Holder Upcycled from Strawholder by b3 Home Designs

Modern Fireplace Screen from Dagan Industries

Rustic Botanical Fireplace Screen from Crate & Barrel

Modern botanical screen found at Crate & Barrel.

A Whiter Shade of Pale: 6 Chic Hanging Lights

Gone are the days of harsh overhead lighting (remember the kitchen in your childhood home?) that made everyone underneath it look gaunt, sick and haunted.  As more and more homes and offices alike are retrofitted with modern light fixtures, a wildly inventive naturalist streak is becoming more widely available across the — forgive us — spectrum of hanging lights on the market.  While the  Comet lamp, pictured here, gives us an unbridled burst of illumination in every possible direction, the wide hanging pendant lamp from Abbey Dakari keeps things simple with its basic rectangular shape and straightforward stream of light.  Whichever one you favor, though, is sure to add a little extra sparkle to your space; from the understated to the in-your-face, these six lamps have style to spare.

Comet Pendant Light from The Foundary

Giant Hanging Moon Pendant from Lyring

Lotus Flower Hanging Lamps from Neiman Marcus

The Cara Lamp by Andreas Ostwald

Thunderball Pendant Lights from Richard Hutten

Wide Hanging Lamp from Abbey Dakari

Abbey Dakari lamp found at Lumens.

7 Home Gadgets Perfect for Holiday Gifting

Everyone has something on their holiday wish list that they’d never in a million years buy for themselves, and often it’s an utterly superfluous or so-useful-it’s-almost-silly sort of home gadget with all kinds of buttons and lights.  Today’s roundup features seven equally functional and fashionable electronic gizmos to make our lives just a smidge easier.  There’s something to keep us warm, something to make very fancy espresso drinks, something to help us pop open a bottle of soda or beer, a simple and chic sound machine…  and for the serious gadget geek, a circadian rhythm regulator that uses sound and light therapy to help us get better sleep, a super-slick black iPod speaker system shaped like a Zeppelin, and a miniature vacuum cleaner that doesn’t require us to lift a finger (now, that’s a gift that keeps on giving).  If St. Nick’s paying any attention at all, he just might keep a few of these for himself.

Zeppelin iPod Speakers from Native

The Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Therapy System from Brookstone

The Fridge Magnet Bottle Opener from ThinkGeek

The "Hot" Heater from Dyson

The Breville BES860XL Espresso Machine

The Circadian Sleep System from Hammacher Schlemmer

The Roomba 510 Self-Propelled Vacuum from iRobot

Roomba vacuum found at irobot.

Intelligent Small Space Furniture Solutions

It’s been said that the best things come in small packages, and as budgets shrink and living spaces decrease in size to accommodate necessity, small space furniture is in higher demand than ever.  A little creativity can go a long way, as evidenced by this inventive array of solutions for a reduction in square footage (or the simple need to clear away clutter and make more effective use of existing space). These work-life combinations are more cozy than crowded and, quite frankly, just as smart as they are small.

Tetris-Inspired Storage Desk by Pedro Machado

Folding Bed Workspace by Bonbon

Small Space Solution Furniture by Sergi Mengot

The Ulisse Desk Space Saving System

Versatile Modern Sofa by Frederik Roije

Sofa found at http://roije.com.

7 Bold-Patterned Fabric Sofas

One thing holds true true in culture, conversation, music and cuisine, and certainly of design too: contrast keeps things interesting.  Although it’s always a safe bet to invest in a single-hued couch and infuse contrasting colors into pillows and wall coverings, today’s roundup of bold-patterned fabric sofas throws caution to the wind and does all the work on its own.  From simple, classic tone-on-tone damask to wildly varied black-and-pastel abstract shapes, these sofas pull together visual tension in a way that requires more than a single glance.  Although a few of the patterns are more subdued than the others, there’s no shrinking violet among them.

The Soho 3-Seat Sofa from The Furnitive Collection

The Jayne Sofa from Anthropologie

The Pop Missoni Sofa by Kartell

Bold Patterned Sofa by Wisteria

The Essex Sofa from West Elm

The Metropolitan Fabric Sectional Sofa & Ottoman

The Yil 989 Sofa from Black Design Co

Yil 989 Sofa found at Boho Furniture Gallery.

5 Inspired Modern Bookshelf Concepts

Albert Einstein has been attributed the quote, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales; if you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Today’s roundup of inspired modern bookshelf concepts definitely sparks the imagination in a way that would make Einstein smile, if we do say so ourselves.  Some dance around themselves in a dreamy, snakelike fashion while others are unabashedly angular and aggressive; all of them, though, were cleverly designed to hold millions of words to foster our intelligence and set our imaginations free.

The Neverending Bookshelf by Luca Nichetto

The Malus Communis Shelf

Modern Bookshelf by Maria Yasko

The REK Extending Bookcase

Custom Under-Stair Bookshelves from Levitate Architects

Found at toxel.com.

Then Meets Now: 8 Striking White Leather Bar Stools

There’s nothing like leaning back into a plush — or stark — white leather barstool as the first sip of an ice cold martini glides over the tongue, instantly marrying the moment to a counterpart from its past some 50 years ago, when skinny ties were all the rage and the Rat Pack swilled its way around Vegas and into living rooms across the land via tiny television sets, calling everyone “baby.”  This roundup of minimalist yet comfortable bar stools harkens back to the swinging ’60s while maintaining utterly modern lines and an undying air of cool.

The Oxygen Bar Stool

Marshmallow White Leather Stool from Zuniga Interiors

Mod White Leather Bar Stool

White Leather Keyhole Barstool from Mendoza

The Serafina Leather Barstool

The Paxton Leather Barstool by Sunpan Modern Home

The Freddy White Adjustable Bar Stool

The Genoa White Leather Bar Stool

The Genoa can be found at All Modern.

7 Cool, Contemporary Washbasins

From crisp, classic white porcelain to gleaming lacquered wood, this roundup of cool, contemporary washbasins ranges from the uber-practical (such as the triangular Ice Corner sink from Bastonne, which snugly fits into the corner of your bathroom) to the outlandish (like the Abisko and Kalla, each a sculptural work of art on its own).  Of course, we found a few that fall somewhere in between the two extremes, like the Brillante glass vanity from Lyring, which encases a display shelf unit in a perfect glass box that just so happens to curve into a bowl in the center, beautifully integrating a washbasin into the overall design.  There’s also the stunning blue Murano sink from Hastings, crafted boldly but tastefully from handblown glass; the sublime woodwork of the Belle Wood basin from Mark Horner; and the jarring mineral-inspired selection we found from Mastertecno.  All in all: a stunning array of washroom options that can transform an everyday task like brushing your teeth into quite the experience.

The Abisko Washbasin

The Kalla Washbasin

The Murano Glass Sink by Hastings

The Ice Corner Sink from Bissonnet

from the Mastertecno Porcelain Sink collection

The Belle Wood Sink by Mark Horner

Brillante Glass Vanity from Lyring

The Brillante is available from Lyring.com.