Habitat Valencia 2011, Part Two
From space-saving storage to upcycled plastic buckets, fresh design spotted at Spain’s biggest design fair
A slightly more sober follow-up to last week’s report on anthropomorphic design spied at Habitat Valencia, here we’ve surveyed the best in clever furniture solutions from Spain. The following spans ideas for minimalists who don’t even want to own candleholders to those who never want to buy another bedframe, all tied together by their inventive take on common household needs.
Mentira Cadira’s Doce, simple nesting cubes, incorporates elastic bands that make stashing magazines and remotes easy. By skipping the complications of a drawer or pocket, the concept saves space too.
The modular design of “Veinte” allows for expansive storage in an unconventional shape. The round cylinders group together or stand alone as needed, providing bright pops of yellow, green and blue.
The all-in-one design of design collective Un4verde’s Candelara turns a simple taper “into a decorative, singular object” in and of itself. The built-in base catches drips and eliminates the melting and whittling that it sometimes takes to fit a candle into a holder. It’s available now from Un4Verde for €20.
Vandidoo’s elegant v-shaped rack is a shelf that’s anything but boring. Available in several colors, it holds objects at an angle, incorporating a simple dowel for even more usefulness.
Sometimes a simple hook is all that’s needed to transform an unused space into a clutter-organizing center. Adding contemporary looks to the age-old concept, Nachacht’s oak Pauli rack comes in two different asymmetrical versions.
Luis Eslava’s Cap light for Almerich features a symmetrical design, using the same A-line shape for the light shade as well as for a cup at the base. The added storage—for plants, pens or any other clutter—adds to the visual harmony.
The aptly-named Infinite bed by
Bm not only expands for growing families, but doubles as a built-in bedside table if you so desire.
Seen among Mexico’s standout student work from the Tecnológico de Moterrey, Cristina Diaz’ prototypes play on the adapted use of a common plastic bucket as a stool. Reimagining them as thrones and gilded stools, she calls the collection simply Sátira.
