Connor Renwick: March 2020

Alley Cat: A Modern Backyard DADU in Seattle for a Busy Couple

Detached Auxiliary Dwelling Units (DADU) have become more common over the years as housing prices have risen and inventory has declined. Most of the people adding a smaller living structure to their backyard are those wanting to rent them out for added income. In this situation, the homeowners wanted to rent out their main house and build a DADU for themselves to live in when they’re not traveling. The couple enlisted SHED Architecture & Design who designed a unique, low-maintenance structure that opened up to their existing garden and to sunlight. Named Alley Cat, the building features an asymmetrical roofline that gives nod to a cat ready to pounce with its back flattened to the ground.

Four skylights above the loft allow natural light in during the daytime, and come night, they’re perfect for gazing at the stars. A small window at the end of the kitchen counter offers a view outside while allowing additional light to enter.

A massive sliding glass door opens out to the patio thereby extending the living room to the outside.

The open living room and kitchen feel much larger than the are thanks to the high white ceilings and natural light.

Materials were kept simple for the interior with plywood covering the lower portion of the walls and heated concrete floors to ground the space.

Alley Cat is clad in standing seam metal panels that provide a maintenance-free exterior designed to hold up to the elements.

Photos by Mark Woods.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/alley-cat-a-modern-backyard-dadu-in-seattle-for-a-busy-couple/

The Rope Chair by the Bouroullec Brothers Is Inspired by Line Drawings

In continuation of its goal to bring industrial production techniques to artistic furniture pieces, Finnish design brand Artek has teamed up with Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec to create the Rope Chair. The Rope Chair translates a 2D line drawing into a 3D chair with a frame made with steel tubing and rope.

Due to its linear form, one would expect the Rope Chair to be rigid. However, the three pieces of rope add an unexpected element of flexibility to the chair. The contrast between the stiff metal tubes and pliable rope make the piece more welcoming upon closer inspection and actually increases the comfort level.

The rope was added in three of the most weight-bearing parts of the chair. This placement allows the chair to adapt to each individual user, as the rope forms to fit the shape of what presses down on it. Instead of allowing just one comfortable position, the Rope Chair encourages different postures through its adaptable form. The user leaves behind an imprint of their posture upon standing.

The Rope Chair is available in black or light grey. The chair continues upon Artek’s ongoing collaboration with the Bouroullec Brothers. Prior to the Rope Chair, the brothers designed Artek’s Kaari collection.

Lifestyle photos by Mikko Ryhanen.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/the-rope-chair-by-the-bouroullec-brothers-is-inspired-by-line-drawings/

Stash Your Jewelry in the Bellis Jewel Bed by Uniqka

If you’re the type that comes home and takes off your jewelry and just sets it on the dresser or counter, chances are you’ve probably lost a piece of jewelry or two. To help keep your favorite jewels safe, Bilge Nur Saltık designed a chic storage device for Uniqka that keeps each piece separate and secure. Inspired by ruffled collars from the late 16th century, Bellis features looped leather set within a circular steel form that results in an simple jewel bed. Available in four colorways, Bellis makes for an elegant yet functional object perfect for the bedroom, bathroom, or dressing room.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/stash-your-jewelry-in-the-bellis-jewel-bed-by-uniqka/

Adjust the Pivot Table Lamp as You Would a Hat on Your Head

The Pivot table lamp by Lukas Peet for ANDlight puts the ability to cast light into your own hands. It has a round cap-like shade balancing on a pearly opalescent globe with a large spherical dimming knob for a scale of brightness options, meaning you can finally shape the light you want.

No more “this one is too glaring” or “this one is too dim” – make it both a study light and an intimate movie light, a nook light and one for dinner tables. With Pivot, you’ll always be able to balance the amount of directional downlight and constant uplight as you wish.

The starting point for the Pivot was exploring an alternative to the pivoting mechanism of a lamp shade. With the articulating shade allowing directional down light and constant uplight, the shade ‘pivots’ on the glass light source, reducing the number of components within the fixture. The large spherical dimming knob mirrors the glass globe while also being a point of contact and adjustability.

— Lukas Peet, Designer

What’s more, the user is most likely to approach Pivot in an empirical way. Having never seen a lamp of this structure, the scale and materiality of the components encourage tactility and exploration of use.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/adjust-the-pivot-table-lamp-as-you-would-a-hat-on-your-head/

Natural Wool Felt Room Dividers From WoOL Amsterdam

Meet WoOL Amsterdam, a Dutch independent label making high-end, sophisticated room dividers that absorb sound and feel so good to the touch. These room dividers are works of art and made from wool felt, a renewable material that fascinated Dutch designer Ingrid Heijne, the founder and art director at WoOL.