Archives for Furniture

Maybe you can take it with you…

I’m a big fan of furniture that multitasks. That’s why I’ve been (unsuccessfully) lobbying my wife to let me order this beautiful custom-made solid-wood entertainment center that will become my coffin once I no longer need an earthly place to kick back and watch Six Feet Under on DVD.

If my casket is going to cost a fortune, I might as well enjoy it while I’m still alive, right?

Note from Erin: No. No. No.

Posted by PJ on Mar 3, 2010 | 27 Comments | Tweet This

Closet offices

Reader Shalin tipped us off to a fun photo set on CNN.com featuring “Amazingly tiny home offices from closets.” Image six is my favorite:

From the CNN.com description of this office:

Mark Halliday of Franklin, Massachusetts, says he finished this office in one day at a cost of around $45. “We needed an office, but it didn’t make sense to use an entire room for it,” he said. He and his wife used hanging shelves and leftover paint from another project to create the work area.

I’m a big fan of the closet office, especially when living in a small space. For additional inspiration, check out the five closet offices we’ve featured in the past as Workspace of the Week features:

(Image via CNN.com via Mark Halliday.)

Posted by Erin on Mar 1, 2010 | 14 Comments | Tweet This

Wall beds that have function and style

The company Bonbon Trading has some wonderful wall beds that are perfect for small spaces or guest rooms. I’m a fan of the Ulisse wall bed unit with desk:

And, I am quite fond of the Poppi Ponte single bed that unfolds to reveal storage in addition to the bed.

When space is limited, wall beds are a great way to to get multiple uses out of the same room. These designs also remind me of the lofted bedrooms by Tumidei.

Posted by Erin on Feb 23, 2010 | 20 Comments | Tweet This

Moveable mudroom

Small spaces often lack utilitarian areas where people can hang hats and gloves, process mail, and store purses, backpacks, briefcases, and keys near their main entrances. It’s easy for mail and travel items to clutter up the inside of your home when there isn’t somewhere convenient to place these things when you immediately come indoors.

I don’t have a mudroom or even a simple coat closet in my home, so I’m always on the lookout for storage solutions to replace these conveniences. Late last week, my husband forwarded me a link to a beautiful storage solution from Hansen Family Furniture in Paris and told me to click on the “Collection” link at the top of the page, and then select “Trunk” from the items:

The Trunk was designed to be used as a wardrobe, but I think would be perfect in a foyer. The Trunk is the brain child of Scandinavian-born but now-living-in-Paris designer Gesa Hansen, and is made of solid oak. It is 27.5″ x 55.1″ x 27.5″ (700 mm x 1400 mm x 700 mm) and includes a hat tree, flip-up mirror, cubby holes for shoes or papers, two drawers, and two large shelves for additional storage (a shredder and trash can could easily fit on the lower one of these). The item has hinges and does close completely.

We’re not the only ones to take interest in this beautiful piece of craftsmanship, as it will appear at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this May in New York. Also in May, the company will release a Trunk for Bar Items.

Learn more about contact information and see additional images on the Hansen Family Furniture website.

Posted by Erin on Feb 8, 2010 | 6 Comments | Tweet This

Uncluttered and inexpensive storage designs from CB2

If you’re looking for attractive and reasonably-priced modern home decor, your first instinct is probably to get in your car and schlep all the way to IKEA. (Isn’t in funny how IKEA is always a least an hour away, no matter where you live?)

Shopping for home furnishings exclusively at IKEA is an easy enough trap to fall into. The danger, however, is that your living-space may slowly come to resemble Ed Norton’s apartment in Fight Club. It’s a good idea to mix it up a little and occasionally do your shopping somewhere else.

We think that CB2 is a great alternative for those times when you’re just not interested in dealing with the headaches that often accompany flat-pack boxes emblazoned with diacritical marks. CB2s products also tend to feel a little “homier” than their IKEA counterparts. Here are a few particularly nice designs from CB2s most recent catalog:

Set of Four Birch Storage Boxes ($29.95)

Clip 9-Hook Coat Rack ($29.95)

Madra Magazine Rack ($59.95)

Metal Trunks ($49.95–$69.95)

Posted by PJ on Jan 16, 2010 | 27 Comments | Tweet This

Build your own recyclable furniture with Grid Beam

Over the years, I’ve moved at least a dozen times. Assembling, disassembling and reassembling desks, bed frames, and bookshelves–most of which was never meant to be disassembled. Frequent relocation like this isn’t uncommon, especially for younger people moving out on their own for the first time.

Entire businesses have been built around selling furniture that people assemble themselves, and only expect to use for a few years. Sure, you may take it with you to your next apartment. It might even survive two moves. But eventually, you’ll replace it with either another inexpensive piece, or something more permanent. The dumpsters in the alley behind my apartment usually have a couple discarded tables or bookshelves.

But there may be a more economical way.

The idea has been around since the 70’s, but seems to be gaining more popularity now. The concept is that you use a few standard modular components that can be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured in numerous ways to create whatever structure you need at the moment. When you’re finished with the item, you take it apart and easily store, give away, or construct something else with the pieces. An erector set on a human scale.

There are numerous possibilities. Everything from temporary furniture to animatronic holiday decorations, and just about any other temporary structure you can think of.

If you have younger kids, you can help them build a fort in the back yard. A teenager going off to college or getting a first apartment can easily construct a portable bed, desk, or shelving unit. A young couple buying a first house can quickly and inexpensively furnish several rooms with pieces to be replaced with nicer furniture over time.

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re interested in learning more, check out the Gridbeamers website, or the book, How to Build with Grid Beam.

Posted by Brian on Jan 7, 2010 | 18 Comments | Tweet This

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