10. The 3D-Printed Haibu Lamps Get an Assist From Gravity
From architectural construction to simple ceramics, the use of 3D printing has revolutionized the way artisans and craftsmen bring their designs to life with precision and efficiency previously unattainable by hand. Among these innovative byproducts are the Haibu suspension lamps, designed by Vittorio Paradiso for Paolo Castelli, one of Italy’s leading furniture manufacturers. The indoor/outdoor clay pendants showcase a biophilic form inspired by the organic structure of a beehive.
9. 8-Year-Old Alf Bärbel Wit Proves Creative Talent Is Not Limited by Age
Imagination abounds in the LinesLinesLines collection of graphic rugs for Moooi Carpets, which showcase concepts having come forth from the mind of 8-year-old, Amsterdam-based artist Alf Bärbel Wit. The blossoming creative’s designs are characterized by intricate details, lines, shapes, and a playful use of color reminiscent of iconic works from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Wassily Kandinsky. The intuitive nature of his process makes every piece a unique sensorial experience.
8. Harriet Allure Home Fragrance Candles Beckon You to Stay
While some home fragrance companies cater to audiences looking for a little armchair travel, the makers behind lifestyle brand Harriet Allure – two long-time friends, Freddy and Alex, who were raised in Germany with roots in Ghana, West Africa – craft olfactory narratives intent on grounding those within their throw. Now spending time in Sweden, the duo manufacture candles redolent of home, with aromatic notes rooted in tangible, earthen materials for a warmth that beckons you to stay.
7. The Colle Sofa Has Repeating Curves That Define Its Shape
Sumptuous forms, warm colors, and monumental massing. The Colle Sofa, designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group for Natuzzi Italia, brings the Mediterranean spirit and region’s design sensibility to luxury home furnishings. The seating references some of Natuzzi’s first globally recognized designs that moved the needle on what it means to embrace hospitality. The product is also integral to the brand’s “Circle of Harmony,” an ongoing stylistic exploration by Natuzzi Italia to collaborate with renowned artists, architects, and designers.
6. What DWR’s Champagne Chair Contest Reminds Me About Design
Equal parts fun and fulfilling, Design Within Reach’s (DWR) 20th anniversary Champagne Chair Contest was an opportunity for me to exercise my model making skills while designing for a cause. DWR, in partnership with Champagne Pommery, challenged participants to create miniature iconic chairs from champagne bottle materials for a chance to place in one of three unique categories and earn a cash prize. What’s more, the annual event provides disparate creatives a voice within the larger design conversation while raising funds for the arts.
5. From Space Age to Metaverse: Vitra’s New Sci-Fi Design Exhibition
Life imitates art – or in this case science fiction – as evidenced by Swiss furniture company Vitra’s year-long exhibition entitled Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse. The historical showcase explores the genre’s influence on design and the way in which designers have been inspired to push boundaries in an effort to move civilization forward. Staged by Argentine visual artist Andrés Reisinger, visitors had the opportunity to view over 100 objects documenting this rich creative dialogue.
4. Choo Choo: A Modern Console Designed With Your Cat in Mind
In the context of specifying modern home furnishings, aesthetes and pragmatists alike can agree that when it comes to space planning – waste not, want not. One category of furniture finally on this philosophical come-up, without sacrificing on style, is pet products. An example of this consideration is the uber-chic Choo Choo console by Portuguese designer Ricardo Sá who wanted to create a feline-friendly piece that all parties could live alongside happily ever after.
3. Vipp V3: Elevating Kitchen Design With a Modern Aluminum Masterpiece
Steeped in tradition, and famous for their iconic trash bins, Danish brand Vipp introduces their latest kitchen design in a potent distillation of the company’s 85-year legacy working with metal. Crafted from aluminum, the V3 kitchen is a modular masterpiece that seamlessly merges utility with minimalist aesthetics, marking a new chapter in the brand’s storied journey. The freestanding modules are wrapped in naturally anodized aluminum comprising vertically extruded profiles that gracefully curve into a metallic landscape.
2. IKEA and Raw Color Invite You to Embrace Vibrant Colors + Patterns
The benefits of a world saturated with color have long been documented as hues are harnessed for personal expression, to influence well-being, and elevate our environments. Recognizing this transformative power for interiors, the iconic Swedish brand IKEA joined forces with Dutch design duo Raw Color, comprising Daniera ter Haar and Christoph Brach, to introduce the ESAMMANS collection. This limited-edition collaboration invites you to infuse joy and vibrancy into your living space with 18 affordable pieces, spanning furniture, textiles, and decor.
And the most popular home furnishings post of 2024 is…
1. IKEA Reimagines Iconic Pieces From the 60s + 70s in Nytillverkad Collection
Swedish design juggernaut IKEA turned back time, so to speak, with the third release of its iconic Nytillverkad collection. Groovy patterns, bold color combinations, and totally tubular forms proved, once again, to be classic elements we just can’t quit. The latest edition served as an homage to the carefree and creative spirit ushered in by the 1960s and early 1970s. Reviving timeless designs by influential IKEA designers Karin Mobring and Gillis Lundgren, the Nytillverkad collection offers a modern reinterpretation of the era’s relaxed and playful aesthetic.
Check out the rest of Design Milk’s end of the year coverage here!