Foam Block Turns Into A Chair When You Sit On It

Yu-Ying Wu, a graduate student in industrial design at a Taiwanese university, created a foam block that turns into a chair when compressed. The holes in the block aren’t random — they’re carefully shaped and selected to fold into a specific pattern when the user sits on the chair: Wu added that her other inspiration for a chair with holes came from plant cells. The appearance of the holes makes people believe that the chair can breathe. Moreover, for the movement of either sitting down, be

Inspiration: Orderly Art Supplies

As someone naturally prone to creative chaos, I truly believe that order is an art form. Well, to take that thought a step further, I thought we'd hit two birds with one stone during arts, crafts, and collections month and feature a few spaces where craft supplies are organized so beautifully that they could stand as artistic displays on their own... Read Full Post

Q A with Coralie Bickford-Smith, Penguin Press

Coralie Bickford-Smith was one of the first book designers I mentioned on The Casual Optimist and her distinctive cover designs have featured regularly ever since. While Coralie’s work for Penguin clearly draws inspiration from the Arts Crafts Movement and British inter-war illustration and design, it never seems trite or conventional. There is always an asymmetry, angle, pattern, or colour combination that gives it an unexpected twist that lifts it out of the ordinary. Her covers

Green Inspiration from Painter Milton Avery ColorTherapy

I happened across a gallery exhibition of paintings by Milton Avery over the weekend — a favorite of mine in my halcyon days of art school — and I thought a quick discussion of his work would dovetail nicely with Arts, Crafts and Collections month here at Apartment Therapy. Read Full Post

Mad Props: June.

June was a stellar month for blogging and one of Design Crush's biggest Mad Props ever! Thanks for all the creativity and inspiration, everyone. wallpaper by the yard • stache bash • cupcake case garland our wedding • cute 'brellas • $28 backyard fire pit i just need to get this out of my brain • the crane chandelier • old-fashioned soda bar from the candy shoppe • delicious favor packages • Father's Day gift guide DIY pearl ne