In 2005 sculptors Dan Havel and Dean Ruck transformed two Houston area homes into a spiraling vortex of awesome. Utilizing the structures' existing siding, the artists created a funnel-shaped hole that led users in walking upright...only to leave them crawling out the other side. The installation was made possible because the buildings were slated for demolition, which also sadly means this project has come and gone. (via designboom)
It may be simple, but I think putting a mustache on just about anything makes it look better. Above are Jonathan Adler's 'Salvador' vase and Katrin Greiling's 'Je m'appelle moustache' lights.
The 'Play Collection' from the BCXSY is the perfect example of fun meets function. The series includes furniture and accessories which aim to increase playfulness in the home. Whether you're balancing books on the 'See-Saw' bookshelf or sliding puzzle pieces on the Play! Coffee Table, this collection of clever designs will do just that.
Tea time meets happy hour with Bryony Gawthorpe's gilded mar-tea-ni glass. Why choose between high tea and the high life when you can have both? Bryony's work makes either a special occasion. Contact: Bryony Gawthorpe.
During the Milan Furniture Fair Dutch designers Kiki van Eijk & Joost van Bleiswijk took a new approach in presenting their 'Quality Time' collection. The pair actually lived in their exhibition space for 10 days, inviting passersby to join them in experiencing 'the good things in life', which included furniture in the categories of Food, Play, Living and Sleeping. The collection included several quilted pieces, giving the furniture a much more personal touch. Above are their 'Quilted Stool' and 'Cubic Lathe Stools'.
Keetra Dean Dixon is moving right up the ranks on my list of designers to watch. I wrote about her 'Everything will be OK' bedspread earlier this week, but wanted to share more of her fascinating work.
'Caba' is a Korean word meaning to cover or decorate a particular surface. Designer Kwangho Lee used that word as inspiration in creating his modular laser-cut felt system. The individual pieces are small snowflake motifs, which can be linked together to create new decorative textile surfaces.
Jaime Hayon recently completed the design of two new Camper stores in Barcelona and London. In signature Hayon style, the project - entitled 'Together with Camper', includes tables from his 'Showtime' collection, the creation of several new terra cotta lamps and a poppin' red resin floor.
Sleep in comfort under the safety of Keetra Dixon's reassuring reminder. (More to come on Keetra in this Friday's 'Sparks').
The contrast between textures and materials in Marcel Wanders latest design, 'Skygarden', is close to perfect. The light is smooth and dome-shaped on the outside, while the inside reveals a richly decorated relief. Too bad the dark metallic exterior makes it feel like a lamp you would see in a hotel lobby - a simple color switch would do a world of good.
It's Sunday afternoon and I sure could use this 'Rocking Bench' by James Design. Made from American black walnut.
'River Glow' is an intriguing concept put forth by designers Soo-in Yang and David Benjamin. A runner-up in Metropolis's Next Generation Design Competition, this project aims to monitor water quality while providing some pretty visuals. 
Ugh...these photos look like they were taken from a 1980's German fine dining magazine. Sadly, they are the only pictures I could find of Japanese designer Keiko Okamoto's very cool glassware. Conceived as two cups in one, the inner piece can be used along with the stem or taken out as hand held tumbler - creating a cup for you and a cup for a friend.
Here's another interesting outdoor light, this one by the Spanish company Marset. The 'Duna' lamp has a built-in ball and socket joint, which allows it to swing in any direction. The sand-filled flower pot style base is a nice touch.
I have a love/hate relationship with coat racks. Most are way too big and take up way too much space, only to sit unused a majority of the time. The problem is, they are useful...and so the search continues for a coat rack that won't make me cringe.
ICFF is such a whirlwind - sometimes you take photos of things without writing any notes and sometimes you jot down phrases like, "awesome design," without taking any pics to remember what that amazing product was. 
I like these chairs because they make you do a double take. We are so used to seeing complete patterns that when one gets stretched out, it's quite a surprise to the eyes. Eindhoven graduate Sebastian Brajkovic created this visual whirlwind, called 'Lathe Chairs', through the use of computer generated design. (top image by Eric Anthierens)
Guillaume Deligne has taken graphic design geekdom to a new level with his dpi light series. Made from porcelain by Industreal, you can select from the rough and tumble low res 72, middle of the road 144, or silky smooth 300. Pixelisation perfected.
The customization craze continues with Patricia Urquiola's latest for Moroso. Her 'Volant' range consists of a sofa, armchair, chair and stool whose upholstery length can be adjusted to suit the occasion. If that sounds a lot like getting ready for a night on the town, well, that's exactly what the designer envisioned.
I am so glad that I got the chance to meet Anna and Sean from Sub-Studio while I was in NY. In addition to their wonderful blog, Anna and Sean have created an Esty shop filled with beautiful screen prints, cards and much more. I just picked up their 'Abyssal' print in hot, hot magenta, but it was a seriously tough choice between that and their Visible (Invisible) series.
Recently there was quite a bit of internet buzz surrounding Gerda Steiner and Jorg Lenzlinger's 'Falling Garden' installation in Venice. The Swiss artists, who have been working together since 1997, create some of the most magical and inspiring installations I have ever seen.
