It’s time for my regular round-up of new product launches and minimalist design finds, and there’s a bit of a theme to this month’s selection: the balance between form and function. All the below items encompass practical features or respond to common design problems, without losing any of their aesthetic appeal. There’s everything from customisable storage and made-to-measure rugs to portable lamps and multipurpose furniture – just read on for details.
Wardrobes & storage from Reform
First up is Danish company Reform, which collaborates with leading designers and architects to create kitchen fronts for both IKEA’s ‘METOD’ system and its own range of cabinets. In its first expansion into other areas of the home, it has now added wardrobes and other storage solutions to its portfolio – and they look fantastic. The modular systems are available in the same collections as the kitchen line, with built-in and freestanding options, and can be used to create anything from walk-in closets to storage benches to banks of hallway cupboards; they can even be configured around doorways and beds. There’s also a wide selection of internal accessories and add-ons, including shoe racks, organisers, dividers, laundry baskets and integrated lighting, allowing you to customise everything to fit your personal needs and preferences.
The wardrobes and storage systems can be ordered now via Reform’s website and international showrooms, and you can find out more here.
Made-to-measure rugs from Nordic Knots
Getting the right-sized rug can make all the difference to a room. With the exception of hall and stair runners, you generally want it to be big enough to sit beneath your furniture so that it anchors the space and doesn’t look as if it’s floating aimlessly in the middle of the floor. But most rugs only come in a limited range of standard dimensions, which can make things tricky. So, I was very excited to see that Swedish company Nordic Knots – long one of my go-to sources of timeless, high-quality designs – now offers a selection of its most popular styles in custom sizes. All you need to do is enter the length and width you want when ordering, and your rug will be handmade to measure in 10-20 weeks; there’s even an advice service, should you be unsure about exactly what size you need. Find out more and browse the collection here.
Deceptively solid-looking travertine tables from GUBI
Another interiors dilemma has been solved thanks to GUBI and its long-term design partners GamFratesi: what to do if you love solid stone furniture but don’t have floors strong enough to carry its weight or need to be able to move it around with ease. Their answer is ‘Pietra’ – a series of travertine tables which look like monolithic blocks but are actually formed from six separate sheets of stone. These are then fixed together by hand, with a void in the middle, resulting in pieces that have a solid appearance yet remain lightweight and transportable. They’re enhanced by smooth curves around the edges and corners, offsetting their cuboid form and creating a distinctly sculptural expression. What’s more, the tops feature a raised lip, resulting in a tray-like surface that’s ideal for displaying objects or placing cups and glasses. There are large and small versions, meaning they can be used as coffee tables, side tables or nightstands, or even positioned at the end of a bed or sofa. Both sizes also come in a choice of two colourways: ‘Neutral White’, which is characterised by grey veins, and ‘Lively Sepia’, whose rich medley of tones encompasses browns, tans and beiges.
The ‘Pietra’ series will be available from this month, with the smaller table priced at €1,299 / £1,199 and the larger one at €1,799 / £1,799.
Minimalist hardware from Norm Architects x Brandt Collective
Norm Architects has teamed up with fellow Danish design studio Brandt Collective to create a range of minimalist handles and knobs for doors, drawers and cupboards. The aim is to elevate utilitarian objects into functional pieces of ‘jewellery’ that enhance the spaces they sit in, and there are four separate collections. Each is based on a different architectonic or biophilic quality – ‘CARVE’, for example, takes its inspiration from the textured surfaces found in Japanese woodworking, while ‘LEAF’ features a delicate organic curvature that invites tactile interaction. ‘TERRACE’ has recessed concentric levels that reference classical architectural elements as well as Art Deco aesthetics, and ‘BUTTON’ draws influences from traditional apparel and exudes a sense of nostalgic elegance.
The four collections are all available to buy via Brandt Collective, with a choice between brass, burnished brass, gunmetal and nickel finishes. Prices start at €19.95.
A portable lamp for New Works’ ‘Lantern’ series
New Works has a raft of beautiful additions this autumn, and I shared a preview of most of them in my round-up of 3 Days of Design back in June. But one more has since been added to the line-up, and it’s perhaps my favourite: a portable table lamp for Anderssen & Voll’s ‘Lantern’ lighting series. Drawing on traditional rice-paper lanterns, it features the same ribbed opal-glass shade as the rest of the family, with a dimmable battery-powered light source and a magnetic charging cable. I particularly like the halo-like matte black steel handle, which gives the design a striking elegance and can be used to hang the lamp up. It’s perfect if you want to avoid having trailing cables on show, or if you need to illuminate corners where there’s no handy plug socket. I can imagine it would also look stunning suspended from a hook or branch in the garden.
Versatile shelving from Moebe
Finally, Moebe has added two innovative and highly versatile shelves to its range of minimalist furniture and home accessories.
The first is the ‘Half Moon’ shelf, which is constructed from a single circle of powder-coated steel and two simple folds. It’s designed to hold everyday items and is ideal for use in hallways or bathrooms, or by the side of beds, chairs and sofas. What’s more, it can be mounted either way up, with a slightly protruding side that can be positioned at the bottom or top depending on whether you want items stored on the lower shelf to have more or less visibility. It comes in two sizes and four colours: ‘Black’, ‘Sand’, ‘Terracota’ and ‘Warm Grey’.
The second combines a shelf and a mirror, both of which slide between two wall-mounted wooden rails. This means they can be swapped around as needed, providing the flexibility to have either part on the right or left and with the shelf towards the top or bottom. And, as the wooden parts are treated with a water-based lacquer, they can be used in damp environments such as bathrooms, too.
Both designs are available in stores and online now, with the smaller ‘Half Moon’ shelf priced at €100 / £85, the larger one at €160 / £135, and the mirror with shelf at €335 / £285.
All photography courtesy of the respective brands
Leave a Reply