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TWIST & SHOUT (about forgetting the code!)

Yet another “twist” on something we twist everyday. Designer Jess Han has re-imagined the simple door handle with a DaVinci Code style lock that denies entry for all but the chosen few (cue: dramatic music). This intuitive door handle dubbed the “NUMLOCK HANDLE” features a numbered dial-lock that re-shuffles and locks itself after every successful entry. Get the code incorrect and Tom Hanks gets punched in the gut by an albino assassin.  The numbers can be replaced or supplemented with braille for that extra level of mystery.

Designer: Jaeseok Han

Best of May 2009

Every month we take a look around and select some of the most interesting designs that was showcased here. Below you’ll find the most popular designs we’ve tracked over the last 30 days – an overview of designs you shouldn’t have missed in May 2009.

Richard Serra Sculpture Redux

You know the giant metal sculptures of the world-renound sculptor artist Richard Serra? Well get on that! Read and roll! Then come back and see this direct homage (NOT DIRECTLY AFFILIATED) to Serra through room dividing walls. Hangers and all kinds of stuff too! Don’t put these on carpeting or clay. That would just plain spell disaster. Also be wary of hanging any long artwork or photographs.

Designer: 2-B-2 Architecture

Mesmerizing Flower Lamp

Tulips are a special bunch of flowers for me; when I see any reference to them, it takes me back to that once-a-decade Floriade Show of Amsterdam. Acres and acres of beautiful blossoms in the scenic heart of Europe! Likewise, this cute Onyx and metallic amalgamation christened “Tulip”, captivates you. The USP of this floor lamp is that you get to decide what shape it should take. The four symbolic petals peel away to reveal the LED lamps, which represent the stigma and anther of the flower. Create the perfect lighting ambiance for your home.

Designer: Cem Tutuncuoglu

Quality Control On Air

Unless you work at Google or a similar office, ventilating your glass-chambered chubby-hole room can be a slightly tricky situation. This also could be the reason why I see a surge in designs that feature air quality indicators. LULA here is one such device that collects data and indicates the quality of air around your space. When hooked to the net, it deciphers the collected data to pinpoint the potential health side effects and suggests how to rectify the situation with behavioral modifications.

Designer: Justin Gargasz

No Switch’n This Lamp!

Besides their whacky sense of poetry, designer duo Qian and Yiying’s perceptions in ID tickle me no end! For example this JOININ’ Lamp; now it does what lamps are supposed to do…Light Up; but the duo jazz up the design by doing away with the ever-essential switch. They have included eight pairs of electrical contacts instead. So toss in some coins (or fancy metal pins) and see which of those 8 LEDs light up! Quirky ID fun!

Designers: Qian Jiang & Yiying Wu

Water by Numbers

So you need a glass of water to drink. Yes? Would you like to know how much H2O you’re WASTING when you take that cold refreshment from the vein of the earth itself? Well now you can! You can know basically exactly how much water goes through your pipe before your bill-person does! The “Bware-Water” is cute, has a little number display, and is so easy to instal, a child could do it.

Designers: Ariel Drach & Alex Sudak of Studio A2

Ferrari Joins London

Perhaps you’ve been? London is a home to many, many fine shops, quite a few of them dedicated to one single brand. Lots of them are the kind of brand that has a couple shops and that’s it! Ferrari. What do you think of when you think of this brand? Exclusivity? The patented red + yellow? Crazy conceptual works? Better wear sunglasses in here.

Designer: Massimo Iosa Ghini

Rattle And Hum: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Lady to hotel receptionist, “Hello, I’d like a wake up at 6:00 a.m.” Receptionist, “But Ma’am there’s an JOININ’ Alarm Clock by your bedside, you could use that!” Lady, “I already tried that hon; that darn thing doesn’t work!” Receptionist, “Ma’am did you place some coins or a pencil in the steel cup above the clock?” Lady, “Now why would I do that miss?” Receptionist, “to work the alarm ma’am! You can place whatever you like; marbles, pins, your wedding ring and when the alarm goes off, it rattles the contents in the cup to wake you!”

Designers: Qian Jiang & Yiying Wu

Artistic Robots Have A Future

The year is 2058 and you’re bored of the drab walls of your home. Your change in mood is sensed and from a discreet corner a strange spider-like creature whirs into life and scampers across the wall. You’re about to shriek and then you realize there’s nothing to worry about; it’s just your handy, Artificial Intelligent artistic robot, stamping out a Mona Lisa on the wall for you. Folks, let me present to you the Da Vinci of the future: xirrou.

Designer: Christian Gumpold

Best of April 2009

Every month we take a look around and select some of the most interesting designs that was showcased here. Below you’ll find the most popular designs we’ve tracked over the last 30 days – an overview of designs you shouldn’t have missed in April 2009.

Imagine an Illuminated Forest

Scared of the dark? You could carry a flashlight but why not something a little cuter? The Light Tree is a small night-light. Sure it takes up one whole plug but look at it! Awww, so CUTE. Truth be told the designer had some “green” intentions. It’s supposed to inform you about the importance of energy conservation by using the international symbol for eco-friendliness; a tree. The logic is a bit convoluted but OMG it’s ADORABLE and look! The 110v adapter is a pot!

Designers: Yoonsang Kim & Junse Kim

How Clean Is Your Bedroom Air

Respiratory disorders are on a rise and air pollution just doesn’t seem to be getting contained. Be it a metropolitan city or a comfy suburb, the quality of air is on the downslide. If you’re a worried parent like me and can’t seem to get over that persistent cough that is hounding your child, it’s best to be sure and eliminate poor air quality in the house from the list of allergens. Something like the Breathing Bud is a surefire way of analyzing how good the air quality at home is.

Designers: Xinxin Wang & Zhi Chai