What, feeling all left out and loser-ish because you missed the hottest design show of the season–the Salone de Mobile–last week? Well, I’ll let you in on a dirty secret. While the Milan Furniture Fair is a truly amazing phenomenon to witness first hand and, indeed, any design lover should make a pilgrimage at least once, the best way to see everything–the latest releases from big-name European manufacturers, crazy innovative prototypes by the most cutting-edge designers–is to…not go at all. Seriously. Better to sit on your couch, macchiato in hand, and voraciously read the blog and magazine coverage after the the dust settles. I swear, I felt more plugged-in about new products last year, when I made an effort to “see” everything in cyberspace, than I did the previous year when I actually attended and almost collapsed from exhaustion.

Thought I’d share my fave design blogs—and some of their top picks–so you, too, can experience this year’s show virtually:

1. New York Times’s The Moment

There is probably no design journalist who’s opinion I take more seriously than Pilar Viladas, the New York Times’s resident expert. Read her posts from Milan–sprinkled in with other bloggers’ savvy style sound bites.

* Top pick: Rainbow mirror by Ettore Sottsass for GlasItalia

2. Core 77

The self-proclaimed “industrial design supersite” is, well, exactly that. Wanna know what the other designers thought was the coolest of the cool? Check this site out.

* Top pick: Konstantin Grcic’s super-light, cantilevered MYTO chair [pix courtesy of core77]

3. Wallpaper magazine guide

Comprehensive coverage from my fave design mag, including a slideshow of 108 great finds.

* Top pick: Naoto Fukasawa’s curvy-swoopy chairs for Vitra

4. Inhabitat

For cutting-edge design with a green twist, we love Inhabitat’s in-depth coverage of eco-friendly, environmentally responsible innovations. What better way to kick off earth week?

* Top pick: Alain Bertreau’s poufs

5. Italian Design 360

Interior Design magazine’s great website pointed me to this blog, which covers all things Italian design related, 24/7. They even published videos from the show–check it out.

* Top pick: Lime Studio booth at Salone Satellite

6. Dwell blog

I’m always curious to see what Dwell’s online editor, the esteemed Mike Cannell, has to say about the show. He proved a prolific poster in Milan! I love a design editor who gets around (so I don’t have to leave my couch).

* Top pick: Everything from Established & Sons [pix courtesy of Dwell's blog]

7. Dezeen

Great, great coverage and lots of juicy images.

*Top picks: Front Design’s Shade project

8. Design Crack

Spot-on trendspotting–and cheeky meta-coverage.

*Top pick: The Beautiful Game table soccer! [pix courtesy of Design Crack]

9. Design Boom

1,383 images! Enough said. But I’ll say more: great comprehensive survey of the show, helpfully organized by manufacturer.

*Top pick: Sustainable design at Droog: Creatures by Tobias Rockenfeld

Trust me, people, this is the only way you can do Milan in stilettos. –Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Milan Furniture Fair blogs, top Salone de Mobile coverage, contemporary design news,coolest Italian furnishings

Planter Wall Tiles Breathe Life into a Room—Literally

maruja fuentes, green design, living wall, indoor greenery, sustainable wall tiles, green pockets

Made from recycled materials, Maruja Fuentes’ green pockets give new meaning to the term “houseplant.” Spotted at the 2009 Milan Furniture Fair, the super-cool ceramic tiles attach to any wall to create the illusion that whatever’s inside—herbs, plants, a flower or two—is growing directly out of a room’s surface. It’s the ultimate marriage of form and function: The pockets bring a soul-soothing dose of greenery and nature to an interior space, improving a room’s aesthetic and air quality.

Because of their unique fish-scale shape, the planters interlock, allowing users to create different patterns depending on the type of vegetation. Think of green pockets as an at-home, DIY living wallkit. In addition to pockets, there are also flat tiles, which further increases the design possibilities. The only rule of (green) thumb to note is that the impact of the arrangement is directly proportionate to its size—the bigger, the better in both cases.

Though the bowl of the pocket is a little small (which might restrict floral options), the brilliance of this idea alone is worth praising. But that should come as no surprise considering the source. Fuentes began her career studying environmental design in her native Puerto Rico before transferring to Catholic University in DC to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in architecture. After finishing a Master’s on top of that, she studied furniture and textile design at Savannah College of Art and Design. Currently, she is working on developing and exploring new ways to bring her designs to life—which, if green pockets are any indication, means this won’t be the last time we cover her work.

Be sure to check out the rest of our 2009 Milan Furniture Fair Coverage and Photo Galleries!

Air Design Group at Singapore Furniture Fair 2009

modern concepts

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 01Lamps

This is a modern furniture from sweden. This is a high quality modern chairs that are good-looking lamp in it. Created by Swedish designer Johan Lindstén. This is a complete collection of Oak Concept, as part of the show during performances Designersblock Salone del Mobile in Milan. With the addition of these accessories interior of your house will look luxury. Furniture can be an idea to build a modern house.

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 02

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 03

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 04

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 05

Modern Furniture, Lamps in Wood Oak Concept by Johan Lindstén 06

Johan says:
The Oak Concept took off from a series question I asked myself. Like, why does it not exist any good-looking lamps in wood (according to me)? Is it possible to produce lamps in wood? What is my interpretation of an honest modern high quality chair in wood?

The answers led to:. A cocky modern wooden chair with the stroking blessing of a craftsman. The poor floor lamp in oak who continuously fighting against the gravity of the moon, and the thinnest led lamp in oak ever made.

Ideas For Pink Girls Bedrooms

Ideas For Pink Girls Bedrooms Design

Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary Kitchen Auckland, New Zealand by Mal Corboy 01

One design that I find the contemporary kitchen design. Whether you are looking for ideas to design a kitchen? Design This could be a guideline for you. In the design by Mal Corboy, a designer who comes from Auckland, New Zealand

Contemporary Kitchen Auckland, New Zealand by Mal Corboy 02

Contemporary Kitchen Auckland, New Zealand by Mal Corboy 03

Contemporary Kitchen Auckland, New Zealand by Mal Corboy 04

bedrooms for teens.....time to change

Italian Furniture, Teen Room Bedroom and furniture Inspiration from Zalf 01

This is one of the categories of furniture. furniture for living room, bedroom, home office and kids & teen spaces. produced by Zalf. an Italian company. Which immediatley teen’s rooms capture the viewer’s attention with bold lines, vibrant colors on their so many people like. Many interior design house that uses the concept of this furniture. Some of These concepts are ideal to be Used for shared rooms allow That twin bedding.