Play Chairs

Two creative furniture concepts for children from Feria Habitat Valencia 2012

At its heart Spanish design is characterized by its playful nature, from bright and lighthearted to gleefully bizarre. Naturally, the pieces we encountered at the Nude platform at Feria Habitat Valencia 2012 geared specifically toward children showcased what the country’s designers do best. The following are two standout designs built for the younger set and the young at heart. Made by Maria Baldo Benac for …

Santorini Lamps by Estudio Sputnik

Sustainably minded hanging lamps with adjustable wooden shades at Feria Habitat Valencia

Founded by four former classmates, Valencia-based Estudio Sputnik is a young, multidisciplinary design collective with a focus on innovation in everyday objects. Exhibiting as part of Nude, Feria Habitat Valencia‘s showcase of emerging Spanish designers, Sputnik caught our attention with its series of sustainably-crafted modular hanging lamps. Dubbed “Santorini Lamps,” each features a wood base and a series of removable shades that create different lighting …

Fontal Family Rattan

A contemporary take on the traditional seat of Spain by celebrated designer Oscar Tusquets Blanca for Expormim

Common in traditional Spanish furniture design, rattan is often overlooked by contemporary designers. Going against the stigma, famed designer Oscar Tusquets Blanca worked with Spanish furniture maker Expormim to create the rattan-based Fontal Family. After releasing a beautiful side chair earlier this year, the pair launched the Rattan 2012 collection this week at Feria Habitat Valencia 2012. To bring the age-old style up to speed, …