Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Dornob | Design Ideas Daily

Staircase + Bookcase = Warm Functional Storage Area

Posted: 15 Apr 2014 08:00 AM PDT

wall-length bookcase extending stairs

Aesthetically and functionally, bookcases and staircases are really in the same family. This bookcase in a Tuscany, Italy home renovated by Sundaymorning and Massimo Fiorido Associati puts them even closer together by making the staircase an actual physical extension of the bookcase.

bookcase staircase

Each stair is simply an elongated shelf that extends far into the room’s open space. This allows for access to the skylight at the top of the staircase and also provides a spectacularly clever form of storage. Books, keepsakes, decorative items, and household items can easily be stored on the bookshelf part of the built-in.

italian house in the pines staircase bookcase

Larger items can be stored in the elongated stair segments. Seen as one large piece of furniture, the bookcase/staircase is an impressive specimen. It takes up an entire wall of the home but is more whimsical than imposing.

stairs extending from bookcase

The stairs don’t actually provide much of a functional service other than helping you to reach a large window in the ceiling of the home. The designers don’t say whether there is roof access through this window. Even if not, the natural light that beams down onto the rich wood makes this staircase look like a wonderful place to sit and while away an afternoon reading.

Lounge Chair is a Little Bit Country, a Little Bit (Rock +) Roll

Posted: 14 Apr 2014 06:00 PM PDT

loungebarrow portable transforming chair

Portable furniture and transforming furniture both have their places in the design world – but put them together and it’s entirely possible that you’ll see something magical. The Lougebarrow from designers Sascha Urban and Dorothea Wirwall is a nearly perfect marriage of portability and transformability.

transforming wheelbarrow chair

The Loungebarrow starts out looking like a regular wheelbarrow, other than the fact that its top is covered with a segmented piece of wood. Lift up the wood pieces and you’ll discover an upholstered headrest, a soft seat and laptop desk. Tilt the wheelbarrow down so that it rests on its handles and you can see a chair begin to take shape.

loungebarrow transforming chair

The padded backrest, seat, and headrest all make this garden tool look strangely elegant and stylish. And quite unlike taking a ride around the garden in a real wheelbarrow, sitting in this one is infinitely more comfortable.

(via: designboom)

Table Uses Natural + Artificial Light to Charge Your Gadgets

Posted: 14 Apr 2014 02:00 PM PDT

lucio solar charging table

Harnessing solar energy in the home doesn't have to involve bulky solar panels on your roof. Enter Lucio, the light-harvesting table that uses not only sunlight, but artificial indoor light as well to charge your gadgets.

solar panels charging table

The small table from Italian company Studio Natural requires no external energy, so its placement isn't hindered by the need to place it near an outlet. Light-harvesting panels make up the table's surface, collecting sunlight and ambient light from its environment.

solar charging table lucio

Lucio stores the power that it harvests and acts as a mobile charging station for phones, tablets, and other gadgets. Built-in outlets provide convenient spots for plugging in all of your rechargeable whatnots. We have a feeling, however, that using the Lucio as an actual table – to set your drinks on, for example – would hinder its effectiveness as a charging station.

charging table solar power

A wide channel down the middle of the table lets your gadgets sit comfortably and securely as they charge. Find a nice sunny spot next to the window to plant the Lucio and your iPad can charge without the guilt that comes with using excessive fossil fuels.

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