Photo courtesy of ecofirstart.com
We respect when a product is made from recycled materials while also being elevated to a piece of art. This Birdseye Bed is a prime example of sustainability, functionality and wholly artistic in the finished presentation. While it is available as a center post model, we appreciate the clean lines and open space afforded by the suspended version. Made from reclaimed Birdseye maple culled from the floors of Southern Mills, the designer states, “I am more concerned with using recycled materials in different arrangements than standardizing each piece. It is those variables that make the furniture interesting.” We certainly agree that they hit the nail on the head with this piece.
Photo courtesy of Plexi-Craft
Continuing on with reclaimed wood, these cabinets mix a bit of the old with the new. Sitting atop a new-made base, old cabinets are repurposed in new light. With dimensions of 42″ H x 34″ W x 20″ D, these eye-catching pieces offer a valuable storage space that tells an engaging story. Each piece is unique with its own story, color scheme and numbering.
Photo courtesy of ecofirstart.com
Handmade in rural Pennsylvania, this table is perfect as an entry table or the “landing strip” for your household to keep keys, phones and pocket collectibles organized. And we guarantee it will also be a conversation piece with its construct of barn beam tabletop and a base made with two pieces of recycled steel hoops that are hand cut and bent into shape. Sanded smooth and covered with clear coating, durability and shine are included for free. (Dimensions: 36″h x 33″w x 11.5″d)
As space-starved New Yorkers, we love Lucite. When it comes to making a big splash in a small space Lucite is one of our go-to candidates for furniture. Since it is a clear product, it brings a light and airy quality to pieces that may otherwise be dense and heavy. By allowing the eye to “see through” the furniture, you can open up a small space with a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece.
Photo courtesy of Plexi-Craft
One of our favorites is this Magazine Table ($344) from Plexi-Craft. Talk about dual functionality. Displaying beautiful lines that are easy on the eye, this piece is both end table and magazine rack. Made from a single piece of ½” thick acrylic, the curves and angles provide storage and style. (Dimensions: 24″L x 16″D x 16½”H)
Photo courtesy of Plexi-Craft
Also from Plexi-Craft is this beautiful Grecian inspired Greek Key Scroll Table ($3,080). Greek keys are interlocking geometric designs arranged in repeating patterns. We love it for what it symbolizes – bonds of love, friendship and devotion. And who doesn’t want a little of that in their home? Made with 1 ¼” clear acrylic, you are getting a solid cocktail table that will inspire conversation (not to mention devotion) at your next party. (Dimensions: 48″L x 20″D x 16″H)
Photo courtesy of CB2.com
These clear tables piqued our interest not only because of the Lucite construct but because they incorporate one of our space saving principles – nesting. Easily disappearing into the background when not in use, this functional three piece set offers a host of possibilities for use. Employ them during a party for snack stations or place them next to bed as a convenient side stand. Extremely versatile, you are only limited by your imagination. (Dimensions: Set of three clear nesting tables: 13.75″Wx11.5″Dx15.75″H small, 15.5″Wx11.5″Dx17.5″H medium and 17.5″Wx11.5″Dx18″H large)
With Occupy Wall Street marching peacefully in the streets of our fair city, we turned to one of our favorite websites for inspiration – Seletti: (R)evolution is the only solution. Revolution…meet Revolution.
photo courtesy of Seletti
And truly, the Italian company Seletti offers some revolutionary ways to stack and store – and to do it with style. One of our favorites is the Assemblage designed by Selab. Not only do the storage units nestle nicely into each other when not in use, once you decide what you’re going to store in them, there’s no limit to how to stack and design them. The 10 modules are made of wood with a whimsical silkscreen print and come with 12 metal clips to help you defy gravity while building. The end result is the look and feel of a piece of art.
photo courtesy of Seletti
We also thought the Assemblage Tricot held a different appeal though the basic design and ability to build however you want is the same as the Assemblage. What is different is the material from which it is constructed. Starched tricot creates the patterned back pieces while the four sides of the module are made of white laquered MDF (medium-density fiber board). A laquered MDF construct is a bit superior over wood in that there is no grain, reducing splitting or splintering. It also resists warping when exposed to moisture. And since it can be made entirely from recycled wood, it’s a popular choice for the environmentally conscious.
photo courtesy of Seletti
Next up is the Stack. Wowza! Now here’s a fun way to spend the afternoon. The Stack system is completely customizable to fit your needs. And the Seletti website has a built in program called the “Stack Configurator” that allows you to play and create what you want your Stack to look like before you purchase. This is exactly the type of game we love to play here at DwellWell. You can build in color or in white. Oh yes, we love options. The system has five sizes as a support base to choose from and eight smaller pieces each with a different function: safe with combination lock, file cabinet, drawers, day closet, small wardrobe, and three different storage pieces; all for coordinated or singular use. We really enjoy the industrial feel of these metal pieces. Here’s a link to their entire catalogue. We have to say just thumbing through the pages is like a walk through an art museum but with some really great space saving ideas. ¡Viva la Revolución!
We love entertaining but our NYC apartments are a bit shy on storage space, much less storage for extra chairs. We’ve been on the hunt for space-saving versatile seating and this is what we’ve found.
Photo courtesy of fluxchairs.com
last May. It’s called the
Flux Chair. The creators of Flux were thinking ‘ever-changing’, ‘flexible’ and ‘luxury’ when naming their products and that’s what these design-driven chairs promise. When folded, 25 of these chairs stack up to about a foot. That’s a lotta chair in a little space!
Photo courtesy of dripta.com
(above) is designer
Dripta Roy’s nesting, rocking, eye-candy. We’re major suckers for convertible furniture and Roy’s merges functional practicality with beauty and elegance. We’re fans.
Photo courtesy of studiodror.com
, (above) by
Dror Benshetrit. The Pick Chair is part art, part chair. In this case, form does follow function as Dror designs products to solve problems of our modern lifestyle – how apropos for space-crunched New Yorkers! With one-hand, wall art transforms to become a sturdy chair or side table. Looks good on the wall
and on the floor.
