Nanni Holen and Denver Meet-up

Great new bookshelves by Swedish designer Nanni Holen. Not only does the laser-cut edge keep all your knick knacks in place; it adds a nice decorative element as well, making even your most kitsch collectibles look fancy.

Also, I almost forgot about the Denver Design Meet-up tonight with all the Red Sox mania that been happening for the past few days. I was lucky enough to be at the final game last night - got a game ball, lost my voice and saw my hometown heroes win it all - totally awesome. Anyway, I think I can handle one more evening out before I completely collapse. Any Denver area design enthusiasts are welcome to join us tonight to talk design, baseball and anything else.

• Tonight from 6-8 Pm at the Skylark Lounge on S. Broadway, Denver
  

Sparks: Sarah van Gameren

Sarah van Gameren's work is just as much about performance and process as it is about the final product. With 'Big Dipper' Sarah designed a machine that can create 24 chandeliers in a 24-hour period through the process of traditional candle making. The machine periodically dips the forms into vats of molten wax, building up 12 layers over time. Read about Sarah's other cool project 'Burn, Burn, Burn' here.

Voon-Benson Setcast

Voon Wong and Benson Saw recently exhibited 'Setcast', a new series of tableware, at 100% Design in London. The collection, which is made from bone china, includes: 'Crease', a dish made to resemble folded paper, 'Molecule' a linked set of condiment dishes along with their 'Range' candlesticks and 'Dune' hors d'oeuvre dishes.

Not Your Average Cup O' Tea

Two new ways to enjoy tea time - 'Chismosa' by Juanico and 'Sexy Legs' by Undergrowth.

p.s. go sox!

Design is Spooky: Denver Design Meet-up

OK, so after a long hiatus I think it's time for Denver's design meet-ups to start happening again. With all the new designers/design sites popping up in town, it seems like it's high time for Denver's creatives to come together and maybe form a super-hero team. Or just have some drinks...

Whether you are in the field of industrial, product, graphic or any other type of design come on down for an informal gathering of Denver design enthusiasts. We'll share exploits from the recent AIGA conference, steal each other's Halloween costume ideas and generally have a good time.

Join us on Monday, October 29th from 6-8 PM at the Skylark Lounge, located at 140 S. Broadway. Happy Hour goes until 7 and it's a big enough place that we'll be able to hear each other talk.

p.s. spread the word...

Tom Inglehart

OK, the more I read about Tom Inglehart, the more interested I become. Tom's amazing glass chandeliers are made from reclaimed bottles, steel crown caps and rolled aluminum cans. Now maybe it's because I grew up in house full of antiques, but I find these lights so alluring - they definitely have a steam-punk charm.

But what's even more intriguing is that Tom Inglehart apparently works out of a treehouse! On his site he describes his studio as "based in the lower branches of three spruce trees on a hill top overlooking the Urr Valley." Tom Inglehart=new hero.

'Sparks' will come tomorrow - I have to venture out into the city to get photos for this one...

Isolated Building Studies

Here's an amazing collection of photographs by David Schalliol. His 'Isolated Building Studies' document neighborhoods throughout Chicago. The nighttime photos are particularly stunning -view the full flickr set here. (via today and tomorrow and archinect)

Science Series by DFC

You know you're a science nerd when you use test tubes and beakers as bud vases (like me). Too bad none of my collection looks as nice as the 'Science Series' by DFC. The Mexico City-based designers hand-etch floral and dot motifs into scientific glassware of all shapes and sizes.

Brickshelf

You may be past the days of dorms, but if cement blocks still make your supply list for 'custom' home furnishings, then the Brickshelf may be just for you. Designed by Paul Kogelnig and Gabriel Heusser, these bricks are made to resemble real books - offering a stylish upgrade to makeshift shelving everywhere.

Celine Wright

Celine Wright is a French designer whose amazing sculptures of light have been compared to design legends such as Noguchi. Wright's creations, which are all handmade, often incorporate elements of nature lending a delicate balance to her work. My favorite piece is her 'Cloud' lamp (bottom), a gently floating lantern hand-crafted from rice paper and weighted with a smooth rock.

Binder Light by Sonic

Here's a simple concept from Sonic - the 'Binder Light' allows users to create their own lamp shades by printing out imagery/text and securing it into the built-in binder clips.

Karen Ryan Lampshades

Hmm...don't get me wrong, I love Karen Ryan's wild chairs, but her latest creations - 'Untitled' lampshades leave a little something to be desired. Using scallop-shaped shades as her canvas Karen painted the interior surface to, "light colour rather than colour light." Well if the colors look like an amateur 1980's revival, maybe it's best just to leave the lights off... (photo and quote via dezeen)

Sparks: Brian Dettmer

With nothing but an exact-o, some surgical tools and a whole lot of patience, artist Brian Dettmer creates these amazing book sculptures. I can't even imagine how long these take to create, but they're beautiful.

News Knitter

News Knitter was created by Turkish students Mahir M. Yavuz and Ebru Kurbak who were looking for a way to visualize the massive amounts of data thrown at us everyday. The two used flat knitting machines to create clothing from live feeds of political news. Some garments were made with direct text (a snippet of the day's headlines), while others were the result of translating the feeds into visual patterns. Given the immediate link between the feeds and the knitting machine, each sweater serves as evidence of a particular moment in time.

Victor Vetterlein

Interesting table from Victor Vetterlein. Ceramic with a gold leaf interior - while I'm not a big fan of the gold leaf or anything gold for that matter, a robotic inspired table works for me.

Rock by Brusatto

'Rock' - a lighting and seating series by Brusatto. Very little info on their site, but I like the faceted look.

Sparks: Magnetosphere Quilt

The intersection of science and design has always been fascinating to me, and I'm not talking leaf motifs on pillows - I mean true mega-nerd, ultra-geek combinations. Like this fellow from San Fransisco who creates amazingly beautiful images and video through processing. He gave an image he created of the magnetosphere (top) to his very talented mom who translated into quilt form (bottom).

Not only are the colors and design great, but the craftsmanship is amazing too. Not being able to find a wide enough fabric for the backing she used one inch squares for the entire project. She should team up with Denyse Schmidt!

If you like nerdy science imagery like me (after all I named my kickball team Science for the People), you should check out the rest of Robert's site, especially the butterfly project.

Malin Lundmark

'Wall cupboard' and 'Coffee cup' light by the Swedish designer Malin Lundmark.

Sticklebook

How can a little plastic comb be so strong? I think I'll just appreciate the 'Sticklebook' rather question it's Harry Houdini-like abilities. Created by Mode Studio, this piece utilizes a polypropylene strip to grip the pages and covers of your books, suspending them on along a hidden aluminum bracket. (via designboom)

Any Takers?

Still waiting for someone to take me up on my offer of free design services for any commercial interior space. Denver has a lack of dazzling design so if you are opening or renovating a restaurant, shop, hotel or other retail space and you want it to stand out, send me an email. I'll even help create whatever it is we dream up - sounds like a pretty good offer to me...

Tischmich

Tischmish is the Moormann studio's stylish answer to the folding table. Made from plywood with a linoleum top, the legs come built in to the underside of the tabletop and fit simply into it's V-shaped slots.

My Town in My Home

'My Town in My Home' is a collaborative knitwear project between by Japanese fashion designer Yoshikazu Yamagata and knitting master, Mafuyu. Their amazing collection of homes turned clothes was on display at the Arnehem Mode Biennale 2007 (Holland) this past June.

Sparks: Ferry Staverman

Oh, how I would love a forest of Ferry Staverman's pieces in my house (the ones on the bottom remind me of underwater plants). The Dutch artist utilizes beeboard and thread to create her elaborate cut-out designs. (via yatzer)

Braille Graffiti

Wonderful and clever, although I have no idea what is says - The Blind is a collective of artists who create Braille graffiti in Paris. (via Wooster Collective)

Live Book

Add a little life to your bookshelf with designer Soo-Yeon Yang's 'Live Book'. The piece comes with a removable vase for drainage and cleaning. This seems like something that can easily be made at home as well, any DIY takers? (via Yanko)

New from Concrete Blond

Looks like Concrete Blond has some new patterns available, which is a very, very good thing. Adding imagery to concrete walls or floors is a great idea, but the all those bespoke patterns were a little too much for me. (Photo via Core 77)

Yoon-Zee Kim

Multi-functional shelf/seat/table from designer Yoon-Zee Kim. (via Yanko)

Stack Stool

I actually saw this during Design Week in NY in May, but it slipped through my posting radar until now. These things happen. The 'Stack Stool' by hivemindesign is made from seven pieces of reclaimed wood which are interchangeable. The mix of bright colors with the wood texture is great; the whole piece reminds me of those ring stack toys we used as kids...I never put mine together in the proper order either. (photo via treehugger)

Office Pets

When Vitra recently approached a handful of designers to create a new limited edition collection, the only caveat was that the objects could not easily be translated to the mass market. Nice conditions...

Hella Jongerius produced 'Office Pets', a series of leather creatures mounted on the bases of swivel chairs. The pets are more for personal pleasure than functional service, although mine would certainly end up becoming an unintentional coat rack.

Burn Burn Burn

Sarah van Gameren was still a student at the Royal College of Art when she developed 'Burn Burn Burn', a flammable paint that can be applied to a variety of surfaces as a decorative feature. The paint, which can be dyed any color, can also be lit on fire - leaving the slow trace of burn marks behind. Meant more as a performance piece than an everyday decorating tool, I still would like to use this on a dining room wall...

Create a Room: The Denver Design Project

Having recently finished a city guide for MoCo Loco, I've come to realize how design-starved Denver really is. There's a lot of great talent in the form of individual artists, furniture makers etc. but very few places where all of these elements come together. The interior design you'll find here is generally in the form of log cabin plaid or generically blue-lit nightclubs (DC10 you know I'm talking to you).

I would be interested in working with a local shop, restaurant/bar, hotel or business owner who would like to shake things up a little bit. I will provide design services at no charge and will work with you to conceptualize, design and build a truly creative, memorable place. You provide the space, enthusiasm and of course, funds to make it happen.

If you like the aesthetic of designklub, then we are probably a good match. Let's team up with our local talent here and create some amazing interiors. Email me with ideas or interest. All projects will be documented here on designklub and will include input from our dedicated readers. (Images above from: Loom Cafe in Como, Digital Origami installation by University of Technology students in Sydney and the Sleep Seasons Room in Hotel Fox, Copenhagen)

Back and Off Track?

It's amazing how many people write to make sure you're OK if you stop writing a blog for a few weeks. Maybe it's the cold snap that brought me back, but I'll be here with regular posting again...with a few changes. There are a whole slew of design blogs out there, but on designklub I try to weed out the cute and only share the most unusual, wonderful and extraordinary pieces. That being said, it's not easy finding these amazing things everyday, so expect regular - but not daily posting. I'd rather post a handful of worthwhile items every week, than fill these pages with needless talk about sales at Anthropologie or another embroidered pillow.

Whew...had to get that out. Also, I would like to to start translating all this talk into action, not just for myself, but in conjunction with the readers who enjoy designklub. We're a small, but passionate group. There's no point in me writing about all these interesting finds if they don't inspire something greater, right? I half-heartedly attempted this with the Journal Show (which you can still contribute to...) but let's think of some more creative ways for us to start producing our own amazing projects together. I have some ideas, but I would love yours as well.

First project will be explained in the next post. Thanks for your continued support - Jaime
(image by Tauba Auerbach via HI+LOW)