May 30th, 2018

Current Obsessions

With spring always comes something fresh – be it flowers or in the design world, some new products, inspiration or ideas. We have been keeping our eye out for what’s on the horizon and have decided to share some items that have caught our eye. Keep reading on for our current obsessions!

We Love Chairs

As designers, we have many statements and a statement such as “we love chairs,” is not at all outrageous or surprising. Without chairs, life would be very different and a nice chair can make all the difference. Talk to someone who sits on the same one every single day if you don’t understand what we are talking about! Comfort is always key, but we also like the ones that are very visually appealing too. There are chairs that we love and will continue to use, but there are also some fabulous new designs!

Every year in Milan there is a furniture fair called Salone del Mobile and the one this year concluded not too long ago. Maruni a Japanese brand, released a couple new wooden chairs designed by Naoto Fukasawa and Jasper Morrison. The Roundish armchair has a single piece of laminated plywood that has been bent and twisted to create an enveloping form – a beautiful fluid shape. Made using precision cutting technology, the Fugu chair is made from solid oak and has a gently curved seat and backrest that looks comfortable and classic.

Another lovely chair that made its debut at Salone del Mobile was the N01 designed by Japanese studio Nendo for Fritz Hansen. This all-wood chair with structural elements made from solid wood while other elements such as the shell are crafted using Fritz Hansen’s plywood technique and nine thin layers of veneer – and is entirely produced by hand. We love the honesty in material that comes across in it’s simple and elegant design aesthetic.

Sometimes as designers we have to work with a tight budget, but we never want to sacrifice design. Luckily, Danish brand Hay has launched a new range of minimal chairs that are as affordable (around 80 Euros) and simple as a “white T-shirt or blue jeans.” Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the Elementaire chair is polypropylene, but is robust enough to be a long-standing object and certainly is one of the most beautiful plastic chairs we’ve seen. There’s nothing “elementary” about this chair and would look great on a patio!

Accessories for Everyday

While we can talk about chairs for days, accessories are always fun and exciting. As you are planning your upcoming summer getaway and looking for a new piece of luggage, why not customize your own? With three standard sizes, ROAM  allows you to pick from their pre-designed cases or fully customize one to your liking. You will have no problem identifying your luggage next time you’re at the airport carousel! Looking for a new piece of jewelry? We’re loving the pieces from AR.M by Anna Rosa Moschouti a Greek-Dutch architect. Crafted from her studio in Antwerp, each piece is “[focused] on the importance of thoughtful design, responsible sourcing, and honesty.” The line includes earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that have a neutral palette and simple geometries.

If you are a coffee and design lover – you will love the latest model by Nespresso. The Lattisma one silky white offers the perfect espresso, cappuccino, latte, and coffee with one touch, one capsule. We are so in love with this color I think it’s time for an office upgrade.

What are your current obsessions? Let us know with the hashtag #area3currentobsessions