Before history, the raising and setting of the sun dictated our sleep pattern. Fire changed all that, and with the first leg of mammoth a l’orange and all the other useful stuff it did, came the trouble of waking up in the morning after our ever lengthening night. While alarm clocks with their ticking hands work, trying to fall asleep with the constant reminder of how late it is can be tough. Add to that being woken up by a jarring bell isn’t the best way to start the day. Austrian designer Vera Wiedermann has taken a less aggressive approach to waking up with her somewhat paradoxically named Dreamtime alarm clock.
Instead of the traditional cogs and bells or LCD displays, Dreamtime takes a much more analogue approach. Dreamtime is essentially a hourglass-scale hybrid, with the sand has been replaced with water. A funneled bowl is attached on a pivot to a bell. The bowl is filled with water to the marked level of time one wants to sleep. This water slowly drips into another bowl as time goes on. When the first bowl is empty, it pivots up and the bell is struck. Not only is dreamtime conceptually a great new take on getting up in the morning, but the ritual of preparing the clock helps prepare one for going to sleep. Added with the beautifully finished glass and copper pieces, Dreamtime alarm clock is a pleasure on the eyes as well as biological rhythms.
Thanks to this return to an ancient way of measuring time, Wiedermann not only makes waking up a little less of a chore, but gives us a beautiful piece of design to brighten our lives.
It is wonderful to be able to benefit from well-positioned roof windows. They flood your room with plenty of sunlight, thus lighting up your space and bringing it to life. However, you must be able to manage the light for your comfort. This is where Velux awning blinds come in. They help you to keep your rooms cool by limiting the amount of light and heat that come into contact with the glass and that ultimately heat up your room. In addition, you can use them with your windows open for great ventilation. As a bonus, they remain discreetly out of sight when you are not using them. If your windows are within easy reach, you can opt for the manually operated version of awning blinds. If, on the other hand, your windows are difficult to access, then the remote controlled version of awning blinds was made for you. You can choose further between the electronically powered ones or the solar powered ones.
These awning blinds will keep the heat in your room down by 90%, and allow you to get clear, unobstructed views of the outside. Furthermore, you can install them with facility while inside your room. If you get them installed soon, you will no longer have to worry about the elevated bills associated with keeping your rooms nice and cool during the summer. You will also be able to set aside your worries about frost build up and hail damage during the winter months.
Velux has the solutions for your roof window needs. You will be glad to hear that they are designed to work will with all types of Velux roof windows. Hence, you will get the most efficient and practical results in a tidy, attractive package. Keep in mind the fact that Velux Blinds are designed for ease of use and ease of maintenance. So you will find it easy to install Velux Blinds, and other Velux products and accessories such as insect screens alongside them. You will also find them easy to keep clean and stay fresh looking.
Inject some colour into your room: designs washed with lucid colours and stunning patterns. Step forward Karim Rashid who has managed to infuse his passion for design into the new Velux blind range, that are freighted with modern and inspiring and sumptuous, original coloured patterns. Brighten up your living space and incorporate these designs into your room. View VeluxBlindsDirect’s blinds interior design ideas and patterns here…
With all the talk of climate change and cutting carbon footprints, and governments of the world seeming to drag their feet in the effort, designers and artists are taking the issue into their own hands. Studio Formafantasma has joined in this effort with their installation, Autarchy.
Autarchy, is a political philosophy which forms part of anarchism and values the principle of individual liberty while rejecting compulsory government. This installation captures this spirit by creating an alternative way of producing goods. Autarchy consists of a series of functional vessels and lights made of 70% flour, 10% limestone and 20% of agricultural waste from the production of cereal. Vegetables, spices and roots provide pigmentation. Cinnamon, beet, paprika and spinach imbue the vessels with delicate shades of russet, saffron and mint. The objects are coated with beeswax and colophonia (pine tar) to make them water resistant. Since they are made completely of natural materials, the jars, bowls and lights in this series are all biodegradable. They look like earthenware pots from prehistoric times. Their only embellishments, besides the colors, are belts cinched around their waists, creating a charming detail. Studio Formafantasma is joined in this installation with French bakery Poilane and Italian broom maker Giuseppe Brunello. The different partners work together to create the image of a beatific world that has gone back to the basics of life.
While Autarchy was created as a result of the day and age we find ourselves in, it harks back to a time when things were much simpler and we weren’t caught up in the spell of marketers and an obsession for economic growth.
There are a number of essential objects that we need to have in close proximity in order to function properly in this hectic and fast paced world. We all rely on mobile phones, wallets and purses that support our plastic card-based lifestyle. ID cards, credit cards, debit cards, transportation cards, cash, membership cards, driving licenses are all indispensable things when it comes to everyday life. Some of us just can’t imagine the day without these indispensable objects.
There are, however, special moments when we would like to leave all these cards and papers behind and feel light. For instance, when you are on a night out and want to relax you might need as less bulky carriers as possible. This is a good moment when the SwitchEasy iPhone CARD Case can become your cool party buddy and make you feel light. Your favorite iPhone and bank card can easily be carried in this smart cell phone case.
The case has got a very special feature: the creators have incorporated a card holding mechanism into the design of this product. By using the slide button, your credit or debit card can be easily and conveniently inserted or ejected. CARD can hold and protect all kinds of credit card size items (54mm x 85mm x 0.8mm) as the cardholder is well designed and keeps your card hidden. It comes in three colours, all of them with scratch-resistant polycarbonate coating and sandblast finish design. The sandblast finish design promises a good grip sensation. Important factor is that, the case is compatible with iPhone 4S and all other iPhone 4 models as well. It is relatively affordable, for $29.99 you can get this smart iPhone case. Two anti-static screen guards, one micro fibre wipe, two power jack and two headphone jack protectors are included in the package too.
All in all, the idea and concept are great but you have to keep in mind that there is only one built-in card slot. This means that you have to choose your plastic card well. Carrying the right bank card with you, be it a credit card low interest or cash back credit cards can save you a lot of money and time. Another cool solution could be using the cardholder for your office badge or transportation card as well.
