Practical DIY Designs From ’70s Book Nomadic Furniture

Long before build-it-yourself furniture behemoths like IKEA came along, thrifty homeowners turned to DIY projects to furnish their spaces. Many of these people looked to the pages of Nomadic Furniture—a book published in 1973 by designers Victor Papanek and James Hennessey—for advice on “How to build and where to buy lightweight furniture that folds, inflates, knocks down, stacks, or is disposable and can be recycled.” …

New from Umbra Shift for Fall 2015

Different designers offer their playful, creative takes on home goods and furniture

Umbra Shift, the semi-experimental branch of Toronto’s Umbra studio, works with a wide range of designers to breathe contemporary influences into the home. The latest functional products to be released (just in time for holiday) in the Umbra Shift collection range from trivets to tables and the results incite curiosity and carry a jolt of personality. For example, the Switch Tray by Lambert Rainville, can …

Platner Coffee Table

Knoll has reintroduced Warren Platner’s acclaimed Platner Collection as he initially envisioned it: dressed up in 18-karat gold. His striking 42-inch glass coffee table rests upon a shimmering base of steel rods—each precisely bent and welded together to form a harmonious support. First introduced in 1966, Platner’s timeless design adds grace—and a bit of history—to any living room.