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October 16, 2015

Freyja Sewell’s Felt Cocoon Helps People Reconnect With Their Senses

In a world that focuses so much on the convenience of online interactions, it's important to bring attention to our bodies and physical sensations. Tackling this issue, British designer Freyja Sewell created the "Sensory Concentration Space," a cocoon-like habitat for enjoying different stimuli and escaping away from it all. Hand-sewn from biodegradable grey felt, it isolates people from the hustle and bustle of modern urban life, something most New Yorkers could benefit from.
Learn more about this warm comfy space
October 15, 2015

Grid System: Ying Chang’s Customizable Mesh Desk Adapts to Your Busy Life

With limited space, New Yorkers need to be smart about the way they live and work. So if you often find yourself multi-tasking at home, this design may be right up your alley. Royal College of Art graduate Ying Chang has come up with the modular "Grid System," a piece of furniture that allows users to plug and unplug different storage boxes and trays according to their needs.
Learn more about this clever design
October 14, 2015

These Bike Helmets Are Designed to Resemble the Human Head

Bike culture in NYC is a vibrant part of the city, so we love any quirky bike swag that might make heads turn. These crazy bike helmets called Project:Human Helmet from Dubai-based designer Jyo John Mulloor are a great example. The conceptual gear doesn't look like a regular helmet, but rather it was designed to resemble the surface of a human scalp. Weird, right?
Find out more about these helmets
October 13, 2015

10 Imaginative and Inexpensive Ways to Frame Your Favorite Art

If you're familiar with 6sqft's post 10 Great Places to Buy Affordable Art in New York City, then you're probably now considering framing your new acquired artwork. Whether you are trying to get something framed, or you have a collection of frames just lying around, knowing how to approach the framing process will help make sure that your home decor and your efforts are on point. From where to find great frames on the cheap to creating your very own DIY editions from materials bought at your local hardware store, 6sqft has rounded up some inventive and inexpensive options to help you decorate your walls.
Start framing here
October 13, 2015

The Enveloppe Sofa by Inga Sempe Is as Great as Spooning

Sometimes after a long day at work you can almost hear your couch calling your name. But by introducing the Enveloppe Sofa by Inga Sempe into your living room, your most beloved piece of furniture will actually welcome you home with a well-deserved hug. The curved design of the couch can be enjoyed solo, with a friend or a loved one.
find out more here
October 12, 2015

This Seesaw Table Was Designed to Keep You Alert During Meal Times

It may not be ideal for that already-awkward Tinder date, but this cool seesaw table, also known as De Tafelwip, is perfect when vying for a loved one's full attention. The table's design was inspired by Dutch designer Marleen Jansen's thesis project called "being forced voluntarily" that examined the subject of table manners. Her intention was to create a product that would inherently prevent people from walking away from the table while eating dinner, and as far as we can tell, she was certainly successful in this pursuit.
More ahead
October 9, 2015

The Fuck You Umbrella Gives You Peace of Mind and the Rain a Piece of Your Mind

Any seasoned New Yorker knows that unfavorable weather conditions can rear their ugly head in a New York minute. However, if we let a little rain or snow muck up our productivity we'd get nothing done come fall and winter (and who wants to work in the summer?). But that doesn't mean we're happy about it. This "Fuck You Rain Umbrella" helps us to move on with our day despite the rain or snow, and maybe make us feel a bit better in the process—we're just venting here.
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October 8, 2015

Stylish Cat Bed for Your Modern Home Also Provides Jobs to People With Disabilities

Cats are self-sufficient animals and make excellent city pets. While their smelly litter boxes aren't our favorite household item, The Cube, a cat bed designed by Aude Sanchez and Guillaume Gadenne of Meyou, will fit in beautifully with your modern home decor. But the fact that the bed is nice to look at isn't even the best part. Sanchez, who has a background in marketing and communication, and Gadenne, who's an industrial designer, have teamed up with an organization dedicated to rehabilitating the disabled through work for the bed's manufacturing and stock management. The cotton beds will retail for $200 and will start shipping by March of 2016.
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October 7, 2015

Tips From a Professional: Interior Designer Michael Herold on How to Personalize a Rental

As a designer, I pride myself on my ability to bring a bold, modern approach to classic design, but working in the tri-state area (my office is based in Lambertville, NJ), I've encountered many rental properties where I don't have the option to make some of the permanent changes I normally would. Since this issue is more common in New York City than perhaps anywhere else, I've put together here some personal tips on how to dress up a rental.
All of the tips here
October 7, 2015

Real Money Gets Recycled Into New Fabric for Designer Furniture

Did you know that most money only has a lifespan of 18 months before it is decommissioned and sent to the incinerator? In reality, your cold hard cash is nothing more than a fancy blend of cotton and linen, and as we move deeper into the digital age, our tactile dollars are being used less and less. So what will happen to our coins and bills when they become obsolete? Well, London-based designer Angela Mathis is thinking ahead with her new project VALUE, which recycles shredded notes to form a new textile that can be applied to a variety of upholstery needs.
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October 5, 2015

Everyday Office Furniture From Designer Emanuele Magini Doubles as Sports Equipment

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy—at least that's what we've heard. Either way, why not welcome a little extra play time into your office or living space? With products like Lazy Basketball and Lazy Football from Milan-based designer Emanuele Magini, your furniture can easily double as your favorite sports equipment—and keep the fun going every day of the week.
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October 2, 2015

Emanuele Magini’s Sosia Sofa Transforms From Daybed to Couch in Just Seconds

With limited space, New Yorkers need to be smart about how they furnish their homes. This is no easy task, so when a piece of furniture as versatile as Sosia comes along, you bet we're paying attention. At first glance this green-colored floppy foam looks like a standard room divider, but in reality it is a lot more than meets the eye. Designed by Milan-based Emanuele Magini, the bendable foam can be easily be reshaped for a variety of different purposes including a dressing room, two-seat sofa, bed and more.
Learn more about Sosia
September 30, 2015

Giant Pencil Doubles as a Lamp to Liven Up Your Living Space

With all of the serious design out there, sometimes it's nice to have a little quirk to liven up our living space. And whether you're a designer, writer or just have your nose in the books, you'll probably appreciate the HB Lamp, a giant pencil that also doubles as a lighting fixture, from design team Michael and Georgie Gettings.
More on the fun lamp
September 29, 2015

10 Great Places to Buy Affordable Art in New York City

In New York, we spend the bulk of our finances on our apartments, leaving little left in the budget for designer decor. But it can get quite dreary looking at those blank eggshell colored walls for months and months, especially during the colder seasons when we're stuck inside. So with fall officially in gear, it's time to kick off the lower temperatures with some great art. With the cash-strapped New Yorker in mind, 6sqft has put together a list of ten great places–local shops, online resources, and markets–that'll allow you to give your walls an added boost without breaking the bank.
See our recommendations here
September 25, 2015

Wallpockets: Cool Cardboard Wall Decor That Doubles as Storage

No home feels complete without a little wall decor, and what better way to decorate your city digs than with art that doubles as storage! These colorful pentagon-shaped pockets for your wall were brought to you by industrial design students Tim Karoleff and Shea Springer, known collectively to the world as Ampersand.
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September 24, 2015

Clever Skyline Wrapping Paper Turns Gifts Into City Buildings From Around the World

We're suckers for almost anything boasting a city skyline, and this cleverly illustrated skyline gift wrap from Suck UK is no exception. The super-sized gift wrap is printed with building facades from around the world. And since most gift boxes are already shaped like buildings, it will be easy to turn any birthday party or holiday celebration into an urban landscape.
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September 23, 2015

These Lamps Are Made From Old Espresso Machine Boilers

6sqft has featured lamps made from natural elements like mushrooms and seaweed, but it's always nice to see design that upcycles materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Though you wouldn't know it by looking at these beautiful pendant and standing lights, they were created from discarded espresso machine boilers. According to Design Milk, Finnish designer Willem Heeffer embarked on a project called "The City as a Mine," which explores ways to turn trash from local factories in Helsinki into stylish home decor products; these copper Boiler Lamps served their first incarnation for ten years at the Paulig coffee factory.
More on the lamps
September 22, 2015

10 ways to make a studio apartment feel bigger

Our new series Apartment Living 101 is aimed at helping New Yorkers navigate the challenges of creating a happy home in the big city. This week we look at the space and storage struggles that come with studio living. Every New Yorker knows far too well the challenges associated with small living spaces. However, for the folks living in studio apartments, they need to be experts. While we love the beautiful vintage furniture and lush apartment plants that spruce up our digs, when thinking about decorating a studio, one should first start with the basics of good planning and smart design. For our many space-challenged readers, we've put together some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your limited square footage.
10 tips to try out here
September 22, 2015

Nendo’s Carbon Fiber Nest Shelf Can Expand to Fit Any Size Room

Built-in book cases can take any space from drab to fab. Unfortunately, these custom-built units are often expensive—and if you don't own your home, not worth the investment. Now thanks to the Japanese design firm Nendo, and their new shelving unit called Nest, you can have a set of book cases adjusted exactly for your living space. This ingenious shelf stretches to accommodate any size. Each unit is made from carbon fiber materials, so it will hold up under extremely large amounts of weight. Plus, unlike built-ins, when it's time to move, you can take these customizable pieces with you to adorn your new home.
learn more about the design here
September 21, 2015

Üllo Purifies Wine to Remove Sulfites and Hangovers One Glass at a Time

It's probably safe to say that many New Yorkers enjoy a good glass of wine (we certainly do), and who doesn't want to appreciate it just as the winemaker intended? James Kornacki, the mastermind behind Üllo, wants to make sure this is possible with every opened bottle, and according to him it's all about purity. That's why Kornacki teamed up with the award-winning product development and brand incubation firm MINIMAL to create a product than can remove the sulfites used to preserve wine when sold commercially.
More on the product
September 18, 2015

Egloo’s Terracotta Dome Will Heat a 215-Square-Foot Room for Just 10 Cents a Day

Egloo was created to offer people a more efficient alternative to the traditional methods of heating one's home. The candle-powered terracotta dome takes advantage of the material's natural ability to store heat, then gradually releases it by radiation even after the candle is no longer burning. The structure consist of four elements: the base, grill and two domes.
More here
September 17, 2015

Luna Globe Lights Will Illuminate Your Living Space Just Like the Moon

At night, the New York City skyline is illuminated with the artificial glow of its towering skyscrapers and bridges. While this sight is breathtaking and often reminds us of why we love the city so, we can't help but long for an occasional glimpse of the stars and moon. This was Acorn Studio's sentiment and inspiration for the design of Luna, an artificial globe light that looks just like the moon!
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September 16, 2015

Where I Work: Inside Made in Americana’s Bed-Stuy workshop and collaborative

6sqft’s series “Where I Work” takes us into the studios, offices, and off-beat workspaces of New Yorkers across the city. In this installment, we meet the founders of Brooklyn's Made in Americana. Want to see your business featured here? Get in touch! Many of us come to New York with certain goals in mind, but more often than not we're at the whim of the city which has plans of its own. But this is not always a bad thing. Case in point: When college friends Jordan Johnson and Joey Grimm moved to NYC a few years ago, they wanted to be performance artists; now they're running a burgeoning furniture business called Made in Americana. Today, the pair work out of a massive industrial studio at the border of Hasidic Bed-Stuy and Bed-Stuy Bedford, designing custom interiors and building modern pieces meant to last for generations. But that's not all, they've opened their very large and very well-equipped space to other newbie BK designers to create a collaborative environment that gives others the opportunity to not just get their works made, but refine them with top-of-the-line sustainable materials to get them showroom-ready—with their help, of course. Jump ahead to learn more about what Jordan and Joey are doing, exactly how they got to where they're at, and of course to tour of their quirky, and quite cool, DIY studio space.
Go inside their awesome studio here
September 15, 2015

The Best Places to Buy Cheap Vintage and Antique Furniture in NYC

Finding the time and money to properly adorn your living space is challenging in any capacity, and living in a city as expensive as New York makes it that much more difficult. However, this bustling metropolis is not only filled with people, it's also home to all of their furniture! As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and New York is the perfect town to hunt for good deals on vintage pieces that are often better in quality and better looking than what you'd buy new from IKEA (minus the ferry ride). To save you time, we've put together this list of some of our favorite NYC spots to hunt for cheap vintage furniture and accessories. We also included a few new and not so new websites that also offer excellent deals.
The best shops to find great deals here