Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Magical Modular Kit Lets Kids Build Their Own Furniture

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 06:00 PM PDT

olla modular furniture

It’s no secret that kids (and adults) love playing with LEGO blocks. They can build absolutely anything they dream up and then play with the toys they’ve built with their own hands. This was the principle behind designer Jens Otterstedt’s project: Olla.

olla set completed furniture

Olla is a modular furniture set that kids can put together on their own. With differently sized pieces and four different types of connectors, the Olla system lets kids use their imaginations to create their very own furniture.

Desks, beds, shelves, chairs, and benches can all be built with the pieces. The pieces come in different colors, allowing kids to mix and match to invent the furniture they really want rather than the cookie-cutter furniture available in stores.

olla pieces as pencil holders

The Olla is seeking funding on Indiegogo, but to get enough pieces to make a single piece of furniture you have to pledge at least $228. Still, the designer points out that the individual Olla pieces you can receive for smaller contributions make excellent pencil holders or storage for other small items.

Keep Going - Check Out These Great Related Dornob Articles:

Patch Project: Joint Kit Lets You Build Your Own Furniture

Caravan Bed Lets Kids Camp Out in Their Own Bedrooms

Interactive Interiors: Convertible Kids Bedroom Furniture

Modern Modular DIY: Design & Build Your Own Bookcase

Clever Kitchen Cabinet Hides Full-Size Washing Machine

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 02:00 PM PDT

kitchen washing machine hidden in counter

Washing machines and tumble dryers aren’t typically appliances that we want to have on display. We hide them away in closets and basements, sometimes giving them an entire room. In tiny apartments with no space to spare, however, there may not be a special place just for the laundry appliances. This little 375 square foot Parisian apartment had no space to spare, so the architects at Studio D’Archi came up with a unique solution.

concealed washing machine

The top-loading washing machine is hidden inside a bespoke kitchen counter. When the washing needs to be done, you only have to flip up a segment of the counter top to reveal the machine. The cabinet in front of the machine comes off to allow access to the machine for maintenance.

parisian apartment hidden washing machine

At the side of the counter closest to the wall, a storage space with three large drawers keeps all of the necessary laundry accessories close at hand. Pass-throughs were made in the enclosure to allow room for the hoses, vent, and electrical hookups. The ingenious solution gives the residents a little more counter space in the tiny kitchen while concealing one of the home’s ugliest appliances.