Recently I did a post  about young designers whose products blew me away at the January shows. Well, they are making waves again.
I have a soft spot for needlecraft, so I was amazed by Pavlinder Nangla’s embroidered take on the global financial crisis when I first saw it at imm Cologne. Luckily loads of U.S. designers got to also view his inspiration wall hangings at ICFF.He assembles each piece from bits of scrap fabric, found objects, small toys, jewelry, and pretty much anything else interesting he sees. Palvinder uses the unique pieces as personal design inspiration for his fashion and textile design work- his mood boards that become pieces of art.

I first saw Irish designer Rachel O’Neill’s (she studied at the University of Iowa) work 2 years ago at imm Cologne as part of the British Design Students booth. Rachel creates large scale wall hangings and lighting from custom dyed velcro. Who knew?! Some combinations include feathers and metallic finishes.  I loved the idea of taking a common material, in this case- velcro- and turning it into something else. The results are as you will see are completely unique and original. This year she surfaced again at ICFF with some stunning lighting concepts. Love the play on light and shadow.  What designer/workroom/installer hasn’t become frustrated by a jumbled mess of velcro? Now we know what to do with it.

I have finally spent some time learning the awesomeness of my iphone. I have to say, it can be addicting, plus it’s a designer’s dream.  Here are my new favs when it comes to the apps that are designed for designers and architects.

 1.Units by TheMacBox allow users to convert area, length and width among other units. According to Examiner.com, designers and architects can simply plug in numbers to quickly convert a drawing that is in meters to feet, for example. By eliminating the need for formulas, Units by TheMacBox will save time and ensure accuracy.FREE

2.Architect’s Formulator by Multieducator Inc. contains over 200 formulas in the areas of Electrical, Carpentry and Plumbing, as well as Concrete and Excavations. Unlike other applications, this one costs about $10.00, but some would agree that the app is worth the price since it practically eliminates the need for having to reference bulky manuals.

3. iHandy Level iPhone App – very handy for leveling pictures on the wall, checking that a table is level, etc. FREE

4.Mark on Call by M.O.C. Interior Design, LLC helps with space planning, includes a pre-loaded material palette and allows users to save a library of finishes to “skin” onto surfaces in a virtual room. Version 2.0 is now available. $ 2.99 That lets you:

Take pictures of actual finishes, fabrics, rugs, and flooring from your favorite manufacturers and “skin” them onto ANY item or surface in your room using your iPhone camera or images from your photo library and publish and share them with other users.

 Access Presets Palette offering pre-loaded color, pattern, wood, and stone options; apply our user-friendly color wheel; or import custom colors and patterns

 Utilize new Rooms Gallery to backup & publish your room designs, move rooms to another floor plan, create room templates, & collaborate with other designers, clients, friends, family, or other app users.

Talk about design mobility-you can actually consult and share room plans with your clients!

5. My MOST favorite is reQall. reQall is a voice-enabled memory aid that seamlessly integrates your mobile phone, email, text messaging and IM into a powerful organizer, reminder system and productivity assistant.  God knows I can use a little more memory! reQall lets you capture your ideas, tasks and commitments before you forget, and it proactively keeps you well-prepared.  A colleague turned me on to it and I tested it on a trip home from Indy last week. When I get behind the wheel my head clears and my to- dos come into focus. I LOVED this- I speak into the phone; it turns my recording into text; creates a list organized by categories like need to buy, Notes, To Dos, Call, etc. that I can access and then sends me a reminder! Busy designers will love this- no texting yourself a note. FREE

If  you have an iPad… here’s a fabulous new app. I have been coveting this design series after seeing it for several years ago at a show. Phaidon hasn’t wasted any time in transforming its encyclopedic Design Classics collection into an app for Apple’s new tablet device. Originally published as a three-volume set (and tucked inside its own carrying case), Phaidon Design Classics features 999 of the most innovative, beautiful, and influential products created in the last 200 years, from early-1800s Chinese bonsai scissors to the sleek line of brunch equipment (kettle, coffee maker, and toaster) designed by Jasper Morrison for Rowenta. $19.99 ( orginal three book set- $175.00)

Last but not least, if personal design shopping is part of your design service package try Red Laser. Just used it pricing a TV for a client. Not only did it price it, but listed the cheapest prices within 5 miles and online.  $.99

It seems the DIY world exists even in the couture world of Paris.  Sweat Shop is a ‘sewing café’ that provides up to 10 sewing stations with a large communal table anchored at the center for pattern cutting and textile preparations.  Situated by the St Martin canal, Sweat Shop aims to create a fashion version of a wifi café; SINGER sponsored the sewing machines which are available by the hour for anyone interested to make their own pillow case or merely patch up a torn dress. 

In a city like Paris renowned to house ateliers for some of the world’s most prolific fashion designers, more of the right kinds of ‘sweat shops’ such as these need to start mushrooming.  The brainchild of Martena Duss, a make up artists for brands such as Celine, Yves Saint Laurent and Margiela shows, Sweat Shop adopts an antique look for the interior design of the retail space and an apt modern mantra; ‘Less buying – more trying’.

Design Confidential says: STEAL THIS IDEA

WOW! I love everything about this idea- from the name; to the concept; to the look of the cafe. Workrooms-this is a great way to use fabric odds and ends, keep your machines busy and create a new revenue stream. Think Starbucks for sewers or those DIYers who want to learn. This could be a whole new business for you …. 

I have just added this to my list of must sees for our September Trip to Paris.

[via Man Make Home, PSFK]

I just finished a story for Plinth and Chintz about the wildly creative young designers that I are setting the design world on fire. I wanted to share some of their stories with you.

Eine Wand - We came across this team while walking the Passagen showrooms and my first thought was IKEA where are you? The ID Modus team takes its inspiration fromwhat they call folding architecture. Imagine this wall system in your first studio walk up or in your tween’s room with some of the pieces opening up to storage. Paint in in Mondarian style, wall paper it, turn it into a dry erase board . It’s genius!