The Crates by Naihanli and co

Saw this at Designs of the year at The Design Museum. Apparently the inspiration for the series came to Naihan while unpacking shipping crates full of artwork for the Milan furniture fair. 

There is a whole range of pieces including: Desk, Dressing tables, wardrobe, sofa, chest of drawers, workstation, T.V. cabinet, bed, book case... the list goes on. It's basically an entire mobile lifestyle system.

I  think the concept is great. The idea of being able to just close everything up, wheel it on to a van, into your new warehouse/ loft space open it up and everything be where you left it is genius. (However, it becomes somewhat less seamless should you be moving to a top floor flat in a Georgian house conversion!)

And should the mood take you, you can literally pack the kitchen sink!

ModMansion of the week: The Lime works- Faversham, Kent

Just found this incredible property. It's a conversion of 2 1930's grade 2 listed water towers. I love how they have glazed floor to ceiling the concrete supports for the 2 water towers to create this incredible bright, open plan living space. The triple height dining area in the central tower of the building is stunning and the house also boasts a library, gym and rooftop pool which would look more at home in Beverly Hills than the Kent countryside! Oh for a spare 3.75 million!

Teacher's Pett

Finding the perfect seaside retirement cottage wasn't exactly at the top of my to-do list but having discovered Pett Level I can put it on there and officially cross it off!
Nestled on the south coast of the UK between Hastings and Rye is Pett level road; home to a cluster of modern homes scattered between rundown 1960′s bungalows.
I first discovered Pett level road a few years ago when driving past I noticed the big white house that I recognised from channel 4′s Grand Designs. (The home of music manager Tom Watkins and his partner Darron) 
I was in the area again recently, so naturally I had to stop the car and have a nose around. I found that a few more bungalows had been gobbled and in their place this little modernist haven.

(Pictures from top to bottom: The Big White House, Link Cottage, Grace Dieu, Ocean View, Stilt House, Sea House)

These are a few of my favourite (concrete) things...

This year Phaidon will be publishing a book called Concrete looking at some of the world famous buildings of the built from the stuff. I’m a  big concrete fan and it got me thinking about my favourite concrete buildings. Here are my top 3:

Number three- Oscar Niemeyer’s 1991 Museum of contemporary art in Niteroi, Brazil:

Number two- (a very close call!) Chamberlin, Powell and Bon’s 1960′s Barbican estate in London, England

Number one- Saarinen’s 1962 TWA terminal at JFK airport New York, U.S.A:

Clerkenwell Design Week: Steelcase and Frank Lloyd Wright

 

Clerkenwell Design Week: Knoll studio- new collection

A few pieces from the new Knoll Studio Architecture& Associés Lounge collection Designed By Pierre Beucler and Jean Christophe. There is also an ottoman and bench not pictured. Love the collection. The retro styling is really playful, the contrasting colour combos are fun and as always with Knoll it's fantastic quality. 

I can't help but think the designers had this image (an Alexander Girard sofa, part of a whole range that he designed for the Braniff Airlines Lounges in the 1960's) pinned to the mood board on their studio wall though!

Clerkenwell Design Week: Minuscule chair

Fritz Hansen have launched a new chair by Cecilie Manz.  I'm a fan of Cecilie's Caravaggio lights and Essay table. I have to say though, this one for me; exactly what is says on the tin springs to mind- minus cool. The lines of the tub seat are actually quite nice but why the zimmer frame legs? Personally I think it would have looked great on wooden legs or at a push even a wire sled base. I don't doubt it will do well for them in the contract market though. It's a sturdy one and I think it would work well in a restaurant or bar.

It's not all bad though, the press shot for the chair is cute! and...

Fritz Hansen had put on a mini exhibition amongst which I found this image of from an old catalogue which looks as if it's from the 60's. Aerial images of different tables and chairs with colour coordinated place settings. WOWZERS! 

Clerkenwell Design Week: Nub chairs

Spotted this on The Andreu World stand. It's called The Nub chair and it's by Patricia Urquiola. 

It's got a real Windsor-y vibe to it which is 'so hot right now'. I like the use of the turned spindles for the back rest and the contrast between smooth front and bobbly back. 

It comes in several variations and a whole host of finishes. It's also available with a metal peddestal or sled base (which really don't do it for me, but whatever floats your boat!)

  

Also available is this small 2 seater bench which is adorable. The Walnut/turquoise combo is gorgeous.