Ideal House

These last couple years have been good ones for Joris Laarman, the Dutch designer behind the widely-covered Droog Design and 2006 is already looking promising for the young designer. At Cologne's International Furniture Fair, Laarman was one of those chosen to design the 4th annual "Ideal House," an exhibit that asks internationally-recognized designers to present their ideas about living environments. Laarman's contributions include ornamental climbing …

Malfis and More

Miami-based makers of quirky toys Friends With You have been busy as usual. They were recently featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami during Art Basel where they debuted The Boy—a new pleather figure that they call "a magical spirit." Currently, they have a solo show at Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles that runs through 4 March 2006, and just last month …

Imagine the Home in 2020 Design Competition

We're catching up on our Designboom mail. They recently announced the winners of their Imagine the Home in 2020 design competition they sponsored with Electrolux. 12 winners were selected from more than 3,000 entries, which included a portable/collapsible refrigerator, vacuum slippers and a water-free, waterfall-shaped washing machine. Dozens of entries from designers around the world are posted and are certain to entertain and inspire you.