The Home Crowd

I’d seen the earlier version of this product in its development (below) where the lower portion of the window frame that became the balcony floor was a solid piece of structure, and only allowed a high ribbon window above.

And now, in this recent mock-up of the Bloomframe window product, it seems that they’ve replaced that structural piece with structural glazing, presenting the window frame as a near full-height window system.  The video below is a great demonstration of what could be next great advance in hardtop convertible balconies.

(Turn the volume down/off if you value your sanity…)

This is a product that spurs the imagination of what could open up a small, cramped, apartment to the elements.  No way your landlord would likely allow you to install one.  But perhaps, maybe a forward-thinking builder might bring these to an entire housing project, and showcase a constantly changing facade.

The structural glazing however, might be a bit too fear-inducing to anyone above the second floor, as I liken it to the Sears Tower Skydeck.

Oh, and the neighbors below would most likely look up your wife’s skirt.

The Bloomframe® window balcony seems to still be in development, but I can’t wait to see one of these in person.

For the pet lover who doesn’t like unsightly pet beds lying around the house.  That is, unless you have an affinity for giant shedded-hair coated pillows.

If this looks like the ideal pet bed for you, it can be picked up at Midnight Pass.

Unfortunately, even thought the operation seems fairly simple, there are a few finer points you might want to keep in mind.

• Probably best not being placed between your bed and the 2 a.m. nocturnal stumble to the bathroom.
• When finding that the latch will not close entirely in the upright position, please unfold, remove dog/cat, repeat closing operation.
• If you have out of town guests that haven’t seen your Pet Murphy Bed, it’s very entertaining to present it as… “And here’s where you’ll be bunking down for the night!” and then laugh in gest if you’re about to reveal their actual accomodations…or try and hold a straight face if you’d prefer they find a local hotel.

The appropriately named “Sha-Do” lighting fixtures by designer Peter Buning create intricate and impressive patterns along your walls and ceilings with a clear/opaque or clear/solid differentiation of the Sconce-screen.. (Sconce-shade?, Lamp shade?)

Okay, I’m not sure how to define it, I just know it looks awesome.

How appropriate would the flame-themed wall sconce be for the auto afficianado in your life?

Now, I know what you’re thinking?  Can I get one to match my wife/girlfriend’s tramp stamp?  Well, check out the Sha-do site, as well as a few additional product lines.  However, they seem to have focused in on more geometric patterns, as well as a traditional labyrinth.  So you might wanna hold your breath on the dragonfly-inspired shaded sconce.

Check out these, and many more great designs at the Sha-do site – Link

Price: 299 Euros, so expect about 500$ each.  The ordering site here lists the U.S. distributors as Design Within Reach in most of the cities I looked at, but the Sha-do fixtures aren’t listed on their website, so you might want to give them a call if you’re serious about tracking these down.

Spotted at Curbly.

The Flux Chair, available only in the Netherlands right now, is hands down the coolest folding chair I’ve seen in a long time.

As the unfolding begins, you start to believe you’re about to see the largest chinese food take-out container ever assembled, but the end result is much more pleasant, and curvy.

But with the portablility that this provides, I could certainly see these chairs stored like giant record sleeves in a closet, waiting to provide needed seating at your next dinner party.

I’m not sure, however, that these chairs would fit in so well on the family camping trip or tailgating at your favorite sporting event.  That market’s been cornered by another type of folding chairs in recent years by a less expensive option.  (The Flux Chair – 129 Euros, approximately a hair above 200$ as the currency exchange is currently)

The less expensive option even comes with it’s own cup holder!

Flux Chair, spotted at Apartment Therapy

Fast Wrap, a Reno, Nevada company started up as a company protecting boats and recreational vehicles from the off-season winter elements by encasing them in shrink wrap.  Recently, they’ve been expanding their product base and taking on franchises nationwide.  Outdoor furniture receives seemingly the same weatherproofing that construction projects  and equipment that sits idle for a long time.

The new idea however, is wrapping unsold and/or foreclosed homes almost entirely in shrink wrap, protecting them from the elements without the care of a tenant, and possibly deterring vandalism.  Any vandals that want to get past the shrink wrap would likely only need a pocketknife or scissors, but nonetheless, it’s a nice deterrent from vandals out to strip a foreclosed home of the copper wiring…or worse.

Here’s a link to FastWrap’s site, in case you’re looking to ‘hole up’ for the winter, or possibly get in on the franchise action. – Link

Spotted at CNN Money – Link

I think they’re called weebles right, the self-uprighting toddler toys, right?

Most likely european, possibly strange,… definitely awesome.

I’m assuming these should be introduced to your labor day barbeque after all of your guests have had their third helping of homemade sangria, and then recorded for youtube posterity.

They kind of look like giant shuttlecocks (‘ya know, badminton), or the equivalent to a european pilates inflatable exercise ball

Here’s the page at QED’s site – Link

Also noteworthy, from QED, furniture-wise is their “Cosy” chair, a super comfy looking rocking chair which resembles the packing balloons which comfort all my Amazon purchases.  Why the model is sporting the “Hey, do the least lady-like pose you can think of” pose…. I don’t know.  Once again… European.  – Link