Minimalist Design

Fine Art Packaging for Lumas.

I’ve always been a fan of the German photography gallery Lumas. Since the days when I used to receive their direct mail catalogs, to the present day website. Lumas’ attention to detail in the curation of their collection is carried over into the packaging they use to deliver prints world-wide.

Designed by Christian Doering and Katharina Ullrich, the minimalist packaging has great attention to detail. The look mimics a traditional flat file used in galleries to protect prints. A textured outer shell houses the protective box that is faced with a distinctive pull tab for easy access. Each box features an archival label for quick information about the work inside, and the Lumas brand is prominently featured on both the outer shell and inner box container. So as not to detract from the precious cargo inside, the boxes are a neutral gray, which helps to highlight the art inside.

NW3 Speakers. Clean, Simple, Functional. What More Do You Need?

Clean, Simple, Elegant design is one way to describe these speakers from NW3. Hand crafted, high quality, and choice materials is another.”

NW3 is a Germany based interdisciplinary collective where products are designed, manufactured and distributed in close collaboration with local craftsmen and businesses. In addition NW3 tries to explore alternative forms of production and graphic shapes. The NW3 speakers create a natural looking and sounding stereo system that can be used in every area of your house.

The drivers are manufactured by the Danish company Pearless. The simple box housing, is made from local wood, solvent-free stain and protected with natural wax finish. All work is done by a small carpenters workshop in Germany. The front speaker grills are made of powder-coated steel that compliments the simple shape and lines of the speakers.

“Our products are simple and reticent. It is not our intention to make just beautiful forms. We are concentrated on function, comprehensibility, ecology and durability.”

Spending my Money on Good Design.

A couple of days ago we got the final bids on the bath remodel, and this time it looks like we will really begin the bath overhaul. Seriously, all the parts and pieces are in and our contractor is ready to go as soon as we sign off.

One item that I want to replace but hadn’t found something I like yet was towel holders. This morning though, that changed. Actually I found a whole bunch of stuff that I want to buy, but is going to have to wait until we remodel bath number two. Anyway, what I found is the TP-H1 toilet paper + towel holder + shelf from DNA +. I’m not so much interested in using this as a toilet paper holder, but simply as a towel holder with a hook for something like a robe.

I love the minimalist look, the simple angular shape, and how the main structure of the shelf/holder is made from a white composite material in a single fluid piece. The design function is equal to the overall form, and materials. Such an overall simple shape, but so interesting at the same time.

At $480.00 it isn’t cheap, but what I’ve found out is nothing for a bathroom remodel ever is.

Flatmate by Magazin

I’m always on the lookout for space-saving well designed furniture that would look good in my house. For the most part AV furniture and computer/office furniture blows. Most of it is ugly, bulky, lacks decent cable management, and looks cheap.

Flatmate on the other hand meets all of my requirements. It is compact minimal, provides cable storage, provides a work surface when opened, and has secondary storage in the side of the unit. Conceived by Michael Hilgers for Magazin, Flatmate is only 5 inches deep when closed. When the top is opened it has a 28 by 16 inch work surface. Flatmate also features glare-free lighting and power socket that are powered by a hidden 6 foot cable that is wrapped in anthracite fabric.The side storage is 8 inches tall by 17 inches deep which is perfect for laptop accessories.

the cost is listed as 990.00 Euro or about $1350.00 US