In 1973, Spanish Architect Ricardo Bofill stumbled upon a derelict cement factory located just outside of Barcelona that dated back to the first period of the industrialization of Catalonia. The building stood as a dilapidated reminder of the devastation that WWI brought to Europe, as it sunk into it’s crumbling structure, consumed by a harrowing emptiness and forsaken now to the aging effects of nature. Amid all the destruction and ruin, Bofill came alive with the notion of opportunity.

The Architecture

The building was erected in several stages; a series of additional structures were clearly added to the original. Incredulous in its size, Bofill and his team studied the aesthetics of the structure, noting the post war interior trends that were abundant in its architecture. Surrealism was consistent in the buildings paradoxical stairs that lead to nowhere, and abstract spaces that appeared unnecessarily vast and weirdly proportioned—though these are the same intense features that seemed to bring about a sense of phantasmagorical disproportion, a notion that Bofill found instantly endearing.

Seduced by the ambiguity of the raw and broken structure, Bofill decided to retain and modify it into his finest masterpiece yet. Featuring four kilometers of underground tunnels, machine rooms, giant silos, and a tall smoke stack, this was going to be no simple task.

From Ideation to Production

Under a kaleidoscope of avant-garde ideas, La fábrica was born. Bofill fell in love with the curious atmosphere that exuded the building and became determined to transform the hollow shell into a space worthy of continually elating his creativity, whilst also housing him and his family comfortably.

Lasting over a year and a half, the partial destruction began with using dynamite and jack hammers which consequently unveiled new spaces and hidden forms that would later become iconic features in the final product. The cement filled silos were saturated with dust, which made starting off unsurprisingly difficult—though with the help of a team of a Catalan craftsmen, the old cement factory was soon reinvented and transformed into a wealthy looking estate of functional and artistic beauty.

In the upper section of the factory, a large volume of brute cement was churned, as if by magic, into the main living area—a perfectly cubed room laced with arc windows. The “pink” room is a smaller, more intimate living area located on the middle floor, polished with a traditional Moroccan aesthetic and large fireplace dominating the space.

The ground floor hosts the kitchen and dining space, which is the pinnacle room for the family to gather. Majestically sat in the center is a rectangular marble table, balanced upon ironwork legs and encircled by Thonet chairs.

A Modern Palace

45 years later, what was once a titan of apocalyptic ruins, is now a sheer spectacle of architectural awe. La fábrica’s exterior has been woven into an illustrious garden full of vegetation and foliage, while it’s interior boasts an otherworldly modernity in it’s minimalistic styling and embellished living spaces.

“Presently I live and work here better than anywhere else. It is for me the only place where I can concentrate and associate ideas in the most abstract manner. I have the impression of living in a precinct, in a closed universe which protects me from the outside and everyday life. The Cement Factory is a place of work par excellence. Life goes on here in a continuous sequence, with very little difference between work and leisure,” says Bofill.

Though he has declared that his new home is under continuous change and improvement, the result of the masterful transformation proves that, “Function did not create the form; instead, it has been shown that any space can be allocated whatever use the architect chooses.”

The post Architect Transforms Abandoned Cement Factory into a Surreal Home first appeared on Dornob.

Why Minimalism?

Most people who describe themselves as minimalists live with only the basic essentials; however, you don’t have to chuck out your futons and footstools in order to feel like you are living in a space of reasonable justification. It’s more about ensuring that whatever you place in your home has a significant meaning and role to play, thus avoiding clutter. Sure, we’re all fully aware that your fridge is quite an important appliance, and you definitely need that sink with all it’s taps and trimmings. But the point to focus on here is the idea that if an inanimate object brings you pleasure or happiness (such as a photograph or an ornament) then they serve just as much purpose as the hob you’re cooking your meals on.
Minimalism is about happiness. It is about de-stressing your home by only having objects that serve functionally or appeal emotionally to you. It’s the notion that every thing you use should have a personal meaning, or story, to create atonement in your humble abode. It may sound far fetched, but this movement is sweeping the world and has helped to motivate hoarders to cast their collections aside and begin again with a healthy, blank canvas.

FUGA

In an era where sustainable living and edgy aesthetics are over taking the need to showcase wealth, brands like FUGA are providing those with a conscience for the environment as well as style with products that are made raw and uniquely beautiful. Founded in 2015 by designer Yana Osmanova, FUGA’s objective is to allow you the freedom of filling your living space with household items that represent not only your morals, but the rich Russian culture that is so very often disregarded in the media.

The Products

Producing custom projects, FUGA design and create home decor and tableware from oak wood. Carved bowls, place mats, chopping boards, serving plateaus, and plates adorn their website and boast an array of shades available for each design. Every individual piece from their collections has its own distinctive features due to wood’s natural forms, cracks, textures, and tones, which are carefully left intact by using traditional technology during the manufacturing.

FUGA’s stunning handcrafted wooden tableware can only be handwashed, however, but the inconvenience is only minor. After washing it is recommended that you wipe it down using a non-abrasive towel in order to reduce prolong exposure to liquids which could eventually damage the pieces. You can also refresh the surface by rubbing over it with a cloth dampened in linseed oil. This also protects it against mold and makes it water-repellent.

Collaborations

FUGA have successfully collaborated with big name hotels and restaurants all across Russia, including Beer & Brut, the Moscow Four Seasons Hotel, NB Studio and restaurant, LavkaLavka, Dreamers, and more. Notably, FUGA created a series of dishes for each of Vladimir Perelman’s restaurants, which included a specifically designed two-sided square serving board and round boards for serving pizza, all emblazoned with the customer logo.

If you’re on the hunt for household objects that encompass naturalism, beauty, AND function—especially for your minimalist living space—then look no further than FUGA, inspired by the history of Russia and with the passionate intent to bring art into our every day lives. Their products bring elements of nature into your home whilst providing necessary hygiene and function for one of the most important parts of your day—your meal time!

The post Handcrafted Wooden Tableware from FUGA first appeared on Dornob.

Now, Instanbul-based jewelry company Tasarim Takarim is helping families take these treasured artworks everywhere they go by turning them into bracelets, necklaces, and other elegant metal pieces.

The company was founded by two mothers: Yasemin Erdin Tavukçu, a painter and kids’ art instructor, and Özgür Karavit, a sculptor & goldsmith. The pair believes that every drawing done by a child is a “primal building stone” to their development and should be praised and treated with importance. After all, supporting the things your child creates is a great way to positively reinforce the idea that art is a powerful and life-enhancing tool — even if it is in its first stages of development and perhaps isn’t that impressive yet. But what is impressive, in the words of renowned parenting writer Marjorie Ingall, is that a child’s artwork “symbolizes a wad of cells becoming a sentient artist,” allowing you to watch them blossom and make sense of the world on a canvas right in front of your eyes.

The duo got their start after Karavit transformed her son’s drawing of a bull into a very unique silver brooch: a timeless keepsake she will easily be able to treasure forever. Today, she and Tavukçu combine their skills to replicate the work of other people’s children so everyone else can do the same! Featured often by the likes of The Huffington Post, Bored Panda, The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, and Professional Jeweler, the brand has had no problem capturing the attention of the media, which has helped them inspire other jewelry and art lovers all over the world.

They say: “If we want our children to continue to believe in themselves, and their own creativity, then we should continue to support their self-expression. Celebrating their artwork is an easy and effective way to do this.”

Your kid’s drawings can be turned into cufflinks, earrings, charms, tabletop sculptures, necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and even silver bookmarks to slide into your current reads. Simply send Tasarim Takarim a clear photograph or copy of your desired design, and they’ll make the magic happen in your choice of sterling silver or gold plated silver.

The post This Jewelry Company Turns Kids’ Drawings Into Wearable Metal Art first appeared on Dornob.

Before 3D printing technology came around, New Story spent eight months building 100 homes at an average cost of $48,200 per unit. While this price still might seem more than reasonable for a house, the company was determined to make things even more affordable in hopes of alleviating the growing housing crisis in the US.

Today, the company relies on the Vulcan 3D Printer to build its homes, and while it runs at just 25 percent of its full capacity, it’s still capable of producing builds between 55 and 75 square meters in just 24 hours, all for less than $5,500. It’s also surprisingly portable for weighing 900 kilograms, and efficient enough to finish a house in one go without requiring manual labor or the piecing together of individual modules.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the Vulcan is also weather resilient and has even been designed to run without sufficient power, such as during a power outage. The printer creates using locally-sourced materials and produces zero waste, making it one of the most eco-friendly ways to produce a genuine house using a proprietary concrete mixture that’s three times stronger than the industry standard.

Despite all their American ambitions, both ICON and New Story plan to launch their first line of 3D printed houses in a country that’s much more in need of them at the moment: El Salvador. Though beautiful and rich in culture, the country’s frequent flooding and inconsistent terrain make efficient and safe housing relatively difficult to establish there. And even with their new ultra-affordable construction method, the company still needs around $1 million USD in order to fund this first two-year project.

New Story is determined to combat the crisis that is global homelessness with their new invention, envisioning a future where everyone has a right to shelter that is sturdy, safe, and comforting. But there’s a long way to go before their work is done. After all, there are already over one billion people on Earth without homes, and that number just keeps climbing.

Solving this almost insurmountable problem with something as novel as 3D printing might seem like a big stretch, but with a little optimism and a promising product line, we’re positive that New Story can at least keep inching closer to meeting their goal over the next few years.

The post These 3D-Printed Houses Can Be Built in 24 Hours — And They’re Fighting Global Homelessness first appeared on Dornob.

Opting for a two-wheeled navigation tool over a gas-guzzling machine also means saving money and time you might otherwise spend waiting at traffic lights and driving around town trying to find a parking spot where you won’t get ticketed. Pair all that with increased community interaction, and it almost seems like biking can’t help but make for happier citizens. That’s why in Poland, TPA Instytut Badań Technicznych Sp. z o.o. has created a solar-powered bike path that illuminates under the night sky to encourage riders to keep indulging their good habits even after night has fallen.

Inspired by Studio Roosegaarde and their own 2014 glow-in-the-dark lane in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the Starry Night bike path is made from a similarly luminescent synthetic material called phosphor, which lights up in the evening after it’s been energized by the sunlight. The material stores this energy over a long period of time, allowing the path to shine for over 10 hours before it needs to naturally recharge again.

The self-sufficient, cost-effective bike path is located near Lidzbark Warminski, and while it was originally devised to ensure the safety of cyclists at night time, it’s gone on to attract a lot of attention from tourists keen just to ride on a futuristic looking track, becoming a bit of a novelty in its own right. The whole thing cost $31,000 to install, and although it was completed back in September 2016, it’s still under supervision due to the uncertainty of its longevity under the wave of visitors who are currently using it. The 330-foot-long luminescent lane is split into two six-foot-wide sections, allowing both cyclists and pedestrians to use it side-by-side throughout the park.

Although the phosphors can radiate different colours, the town mutually decided that they wanted this particular path to radiate blue in order to match the nearby lakes — and of course give a nod to one of Van Gogh’s most famous works of art, The Starry Night.

The post Take a Starry Night’s Ride on This Glow-In-The-Dark Bike Path in Poland first appeared on Dornob.

As wondrous as the New Zealand set may be, it’s important to remember that Mexican architect Javier Senosiain brought a piece of Hobbiton to the real world long before Peter Jackson did. Set on a grassy knoll in Mexico City, the visionary devised a home reminiscent of a “hobbit cave,” at first likening it to the shape of a very large peanut. The semi-submerged 1,873-square-foot structure was originally completed in 1984 — a time when designs like this would have been seen as particularly unusual. But this design was quite good at going unnoticed, mostly because Senosiain made it a point to seamlessly blend it into the surrounding natural landscape.

At first glance, “Organic House” seems like it has always been a part of the plant life around it, twisting in ways that mimic the shapes of the neighboring hills and coated with foliage and flowers. If you’re walking in the garden, you might just end up obliviously tramping across what is in fact the roof! Inside, two sleek ovoid spaces connected by a narrow passage house a dining room, living area, kitchen, bedroom, and even a couple smaller social areas.

The hobbit house is not the only building that the freeform architect has designed with an inanimate likeness to a worldly object or animal. Senosiain has also built houses resembling a mushroom, a snake, a shell, a shark, and a flower in the past. All of his designs reflect two concepts that he believes fundamental to a person’s well-being: a place to call home and a place to demonstrate fellowship with others. Recognizing the importance of these conditions, he often lets them influence his design decisions. For example, the Organic House’s greenery builds natural barriers around it in order to filter out harsh sunlight and keep the interiors at a cool, comfortable temperature. The surrounding foliage also helps to expel noise pollution and protect the house from the elements.

The home’s open plan design facilitates free air circulation, just as you would expect to find in a large cave. The sleeping “nooks” are located at the end of a narrow tunnel that leads on from the first oval shaped chamber, where the living and dining areas are situated. And although you’d probably also expect this hobbit-like-hole to be shrouded in a half-buried darkness, the dwelling lets in a lot more light than most conventional homes due to its large, oddly placed windows and domed ceilings.

At the end of the day,  Javier Senosiain is just another architect living in our modern civilization — but his imagination and talent are unquestionably from another realm.

The post The Organic Hobbit House Nestled in the Hills of Mexico City first appeared on Dornob.

This cruelty-free leather alternative is made from the fibers of leaves that are generally discarded after their fruit is harvested, which means that all the resources involved in the creation of Vegan Pineapple sneakers are raw, natural, and free of any negative environmental impact. There’s also low production waste and water use involved in the tanning of the leather, thereby totally bypassing the need for harmful chemicals. And by purchasing the produce from local farmers in the Philippines, Mercer is even doing their part to grow the economy of a developing country by enhancing its exports. Talk about a win-win for both the people and the planet!

Company founder Pim Dresen states: “We have been trying and testing for a long time to get it done with mango and strawberry leather, but we could not get it right. Then we discovered Piñatex, which offered an amazing material ready to use, tested and all. Plus, we love pineapple.”

Mercer Amsterdam wants to make it absolutely clear that these new sneakers do not forfeit any of the comfort or luxury of real leather. As a matter of fact, each W3RD Vegan Pineapple sneaker has been lined with OnSteam: an ultra-durable microfiber textile that is 100-percent breathable, helps reduce sweating, and maintains a cool, dry internal temperature at all times.

This isn’t the first time that Mercer’s signature W3RD shoe has gotten a facelift, either. Last year, the company released W3RD 2.0 Night Mission, a space-themed shoe designed in collaboration with NASA to celebrate the anniversary of the challenging Apollo 17 mission. That sneaker’s dark colorway, featuring a cobalt blue strip across the heel and the official NASA logo patch on the side, mimicked the dark abyss that the original mission’s astronauts would have experienced back in 1972.

From a design perspective, the Vegan Pineapple is pretty much the exact opposite of the Night Mission. The clean, minimalist aesthetic of the former, complete with a beige outer and crisp white midsole, really appeals to the luxurious vibe of the Mercer brand whilst still harnessing that authentic, organic feel. Plus, there’s no better combination for apparel than something that looks great and does the planet a world of good. The company has already expressed interest in experimenting with even more alternative materials in the near future to continue pushing for a sustainable future.

The €250 handmade-in-Europe vegan sneakers were available for pre-order all throughout March 2019, with initial deliveries expected to begin shipping at the end of April.

The post The Vegan Sneaker That Will Change the Face of Luxury Fashion first appeared on Dornob.

Biofase has been working with biodegradable plastics ever since 2012, when Munguia was still a student. And since Mexico is so well known for its culinary dishes featuring the ever-popular guacamole, it only seems natural that he would choose to work with such a locally abundant resource. On top of that, avocado pits usually just end up being thrown away and burned along with other household waste at landfill sites.

Firmly believing that there was more to be done with those pits, Mungía spent 18 months researching and devising an efficient way to extract a biopolymer from each pit. This biopolymer could then be molded into any shape, thus facilitating the creation of the company’s signature eating utensils.

The post This Company Makes Biodegradable Plastics from Discarded Avocado Pits first appeared on Dornob.

The sports apparel giant’s new “Adapt BB” sneakers have been fitted with “power laces,” which themselves can be tightened or loosened with either the press of a button located on the shoes or an accompanying mobile app. Specifically designed for basketball players, each player’s favorite settings can be logged and saved for future use so they can freely alternate the fit and feel of their shoes based on what they’re doing. For example, a player may wish to have their shoes tightly fastened during a game but favor a looser fit when relaxing on the bench.

The futuristic shoes are strong yet flexible, providing a consistent fit with a lock-in feel in order to minimize discomfort and distraction during those moments when your head should be in the game. Developed and designed using feedback from top NBA athletes, each feature has been meticulously worked in to enhance every player’s performance, from the concentric circles on the outsole to the molded heel, Cushlon midsole, and easy-entry pull tab. Other key design features include a padded tongue and flexible collar for even easier entry, an external heel counter to keep your feet firm and steadily locked in, soft and responsive cushioning, a Flyknit shroud for added breathability and flexibility, and of course, the laces themselves.

Each pair of Adapt BB sneakers comes with a charging mat that powers it up before being used, with lights along the sides of the shoes indicating their battery level. If your sneakers run out of battery while you’re wearing them, there’s no need to panic — they will still unlace just as easily as any standard pair. The company has plans to release updates for the app as the shoes start to gain popularity, but there’s already enough functionality in this first iteration to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy their own custom footwear.

Adapt BB is far from Nike’s first piece of technological apparel. Back in 2016, the world-famous retailer released a limited edition pair of MAGs that mimicked the ones Marty McFly sported in the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II, and those also self-laced and lit up. Upon the announcement of their release, it seemed like every movie buff’s biggest fantasy had just come true.

Nike’s newest self-lacing shoes are available for $350, though the company has made it clear that they already have plans to launch multiple collections of technology-infused sports apparel in the future, each one of which will ideally go a long way towards improving players’ performances, as well as their health, comfort, and overall stamina.

The post Are Nike’s Self-Lacing Shoes the Future of Sports Apparel? first appeared on Dornob.

Each tire is uniquely hand-painted with a different design and has holes cut into its sides for handles. The dog’s name then gets painted on the outside of the bed for a lovable personalized touch. Of course, the beds are not just for dogs, as some of the local cats have also been using them to take naps in. Silva has also been experimenting with other ways to utilize these tires, thus far crafting a series of quirky flower beds, succulent planters, and even a tire Christmas tree! Even more recently, he created four recycling bins out of them and a set of bright cushioned futons for human use.

After acquiring the tires, Silva washes, cuts, and paints them, using spray paint and stencils to create the quirky patterns and pet names that adorn the outsides. He then uses a sewing machine to stitch together the fabrics he uses for the bedding and pillows, ensuring his furry patrons quality comfort. Unfortunately, many of the strays that Silva and his friends find are not in great health and require immediate medical attention, but the team does their best to bathe the animals and nurse them back their energetic, adorable selves.

Silva’s designs have stormed the internet in recent months, his Instagram feed filling with motivational messages and praises from the 20,000-plus people who admire his heart and imagination. He’s also taken a public stance on his desire to eradicate unnecessary violence in Brazil, captioning one of his posts: “The Brazil that I want is a Brazil with less violence and more work. I’m not making an apology for crime, quite the contrary. Do as I do. Instead of a weapon, put a tool in your hand and go fix your life. Who knows, it might even change the reality of our Brazil.”

The craftsman says that he always enjoyed DIY projects and was looking for a way to reduce waste in the streets of Brazil while simultaneously funding his own lifestyle. To this day, Silva continues to run his upcycling business from his own backyard, bringing joy to the streets of Campina Grande as much as he can. Silva hopes that his upcycled dog beds will have a fruitful future in inspiring other positive impact products that contribute to a more sustainable way of living.

What an inspiring and incredible journey!

The post Brazilian Craftsman Upcycles Old Tires into Dog Beds for Local Strays first appeared on Dornob.

Etsy is a creative hub for artists and crafters who design and sell their often idiosyncratic goods via individualized virtual stores. It’s the mecca for finding one-off cut stones, personalized charms, and quirky gifts. While it’s always great to support the world’s artists, navigating the vast site can be overwhelming, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight three unique and slightly unusual jewelry makers that will leave you questioning why the big guys in their field aren’t already copying them.

Danielle Rose Bean

Mother and crafter Danielle Rose Bean opened her Etsy store a little over a decade ago, and ever since, she’s been growing and developing her jewelry to reflect the unique style that her followers have come to adore her for. Utilizing stones like quartz and hand-hammering copper and gold into distressed-looking metal earrings, chains, charms, and bangles, Danielle has built quite the reputation for her quality designs inspired by celestial imagery.

Something that all visitors to Danielle’s store should check out is her uniquely-colored hammered metal hoop earrings. Danielle created these “fierce” rainbow accessories using 10 grams of solid copper, which, after being molded into circular shapes, was flame-painted with a torch and sealed with clear coat. Available in 11 different measurements, all her products are made to order out of recycled materials. These earrings are also available in a multitude of different styles, including ombre black and silver and sterling silver crystal encrusted.

Therese Kumpel

Handmade using metals and stones, Chicago-based metalsmith and sculptor Therese Kuempel’s lighter cases are so ethereal that you’ll want to stick them on a chain and wear them around your neck — which, as it turns out, is pretty much exactly what you can do with them. Her cases are all made using onyx, opal, turquoise, quartz, and druzy. A big fan of the lost-wax casting method, Kuempel also designs and creates fashionable jewelry from quality metals and adorning stones, such as these brass-painted gold stud earrings and onyx and opal rings and charm pendants.

Sivan Sova

Israel-based goldsmith Sivan Sova has been designing and creating jewelry for over 10 years now, ever since she she graduated from the Shenkar College of Design and Engineering. She began by integrating miniatures into quality metal pendants, creating tiny magical realms within the casing of her handcrafted charms. Utilizing imagery that she believes to be universal in understanding (human experiences, journeys through nature, etc.), Sivan gives her all to imbue positive messages into her work. Her main objective is to churn out unique jewelry that will be worn and adored for a lifetime.

All of the pieces in Sivan’s “Little Boxes” collection bear a hefty price tag, but seeing as she only uses completely original designs and real gold and silver, it’s safe to say that they’re all pretty worth it. One of Sivan’s most iconic pieces is a 14k gold-and-blue topaz pendant, which depicts a female character rowing a wooden boat through a tropical paradise with palm trees and coconuts all around.

The post 3 Unique Jewelry Makers to Watch on Etsy first appeared on Dornob.

Grow Your Own Garden

Using a bunch of old wood pallets, you can create a flower bed that’s large enough to sit on your porch or small enough to slot into your garden between your existing succulents, flowers, and vegetables — anything your heart desires, really. This is ideal for those people who live in apartments with balconies, as it allows them to create planters that still leave space for other outdoor activities. Grow your own basil to spruce up your evening meals, or cultivate a mini strawberry garden to grow your own dessert. It’ll help you save money on groceries and give you a healthy hobby to enjoy during the warmer months!

Headboard

Been endlessly scrolling through Pinterest looking at bedroom inspo all day? We know we certainly have, and we love that “old world” rustic aesthetic that’s currently dominating the millennial interior industry. Use the pallets as they are or give them a lick of paint to match your décor, place them behind your bed, and voila! An authentic, upcycled headboard that’ll help bring that earthy, bohemian vibe you’ve been going for to life. Just make sure to thoroughly wash them before bringing the outdoors in. After all, you don’t want any uninvited guests crawling around your mattress late at night.

Wood Pallet Radiator Cover

This one’s an especially lovely idea for those who want to keep their humble abodes cozy but don’t want unsightly heaters or radiators spoiling the aesthetic. Large wood pallets can be used to cover these heating appliances simply by being turned on their sides. When oriented as such, they also double as shelving units, allowing you to kill two birds with one stone.

Bookshelf

If you’ve already managed to bag yourself a couple wood pallets, why not get crafty with a saw and hammer and use them to design your own bookcase? Cut, carve, and slot together beams to create a statement piece for your library, living room, or office. Not only will it spark conversation among your guests, but it’ll also make for a proud and beautiful display of your hard work and ingenuity.

Sofas, Beds, and Sofa Beds

Most home DIYers who take on wood pallet projects tend to use them as foundations for homemade beds and other pieces of cushioned furniture. Because they’re so tough, using them to hold up mattresses and soft furnishings is actually a great way to save money on décor. Plus, you can always use the gaps in the slats for extra storage.

Compost Bin

If you couldn’t already tell, these multifunctional pieces of hardware can also be used for outdoor projects. It’ll take a while for them to weather, and since they’re formed from a natural material, they tend to look a lot more at home in the garden than large brightly-colored plastic containers. Simply nail five pallets together (or use zip ties) to form a compost bin that will efficiently ventilate the organic matter it holds.

Workbench

If you’re an artist, inventor, mechanic, painter, model maker, gardener, or anyone else who needs a place where they can comfortably get messy, you should definitely consider using wood pallets to make yourself the perfect workbench. Use three fair-sized pallets to form the table and add shelves wherever necessary — it’s entirely yours to customize.

All images sourced from Pinterest.com

The post 7 Fun Wood Pallet Projects to Up Your Décor first appeared on Dornob.

Soap Nut Shells

A natural, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic replacement for your usual supermarket washing detergent, soap nut shells offer the only 100-percent organic way to do your laundry without inputting any harmful chemicals. Derived from the Sapindus Mukorossi, which itself is part of the lychee family, soap nuts are actually berries that can be harvested between September and February, and their trees grow them for as long as 90 years before slowing down production.

Of course, these trees also contribute to converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, which means that even the act of planting and growing soap nuts aids our environment as much as using their shells to wash our clothes does. Add a shell to your compost pile after washing with it to get even more green use from it!

To incorporate soap nut shells into your laundry routine, just pop them into a small fabric bag and throw them into the machine alongside your dirty clothes. Though the soap nuts don’t actually contain any soap, they do contain a surfactant called saponin that is excreted in hot water. Better for your skin, better for the environment, and better for your delicates, these shells are the clear way forward for an eco-warrior like you.

Shampoo Bars

In a bid to eradicate plastic waste, eco-conscious brands are looking to alternative packaging (if any at all) to cut down their carbon footprints. Just think about going to the pharmacy or supermarket to purchase your favorite hair care products: how many of them come in nothing but wasteful plastic bottles and containers? After perhaps a month of using a bottle of shampoo, we throw it away and replace it with another, meaning that in one year alone, a single user throws away 12 more bottles than they need to — and that’s just for one product. Collectively, over 80 billion plastic hair care containers are thrown out across the globe every year.

Shampoo bars are a great way to keep from contributing to that daunting figure. Use organic ingredients to make yourself one of these sustainable replacements to conventional shampoo, and your baths will be that much better with you knowing you’re using something that comes totally plastic and cruelty-free (and that lasts two to three times longer than the average hair care product).

Bamboo Toothbrush

It’s no big secret you have to thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day in order to sustain healthy oral care. Unfortunately, a standard plastic toothbrush only lasts an average of three months, which adds up to four toothbrushes a year. That number doesn’t seem too high for a single user, but multiply it by the number of gnasher-cleaning humans on the planet, and that figure climbs to a gobsmacking 3.5 billion toothbrushes thrown away annually. Next time your bristles are looking a little worse for wear, opt for a sustainable replacement.

Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable, vegan, organic, cruelty-free, and recyclable. Their wooden handles can be disposed of naturally, and their bristles (made by brands like The Humble Co.) can be made using nylon-6, which has a carbon footprint similar to that of wool while being highly durable and hygienic so that you never have to sacrifice your health for your conscience.

The post 3 Sustainable Replacements for Everyday Household Products first appeared on Dornob.

Inspired by some of the natural phenomena caused by climate change — melting ice caps, evaporating lakes, wild weather forecasts, and seismic shifts in our ever-changing world — Brooklyn-born artist Fernando Mastrangelo has created a collection of luxury rugs called “Reverence,” which reflects the patterns of our beautiful planet, for well-known carpet retailers Edward Fields.

What’s the Concept Behind the Designs?

Featuring individual designs with names like “Melt,” “Crash,” and “Fracture,” Reverence is a “record of our times,” one inspired by worldly landscapes that crack, break, rupture, and swell. Mimicking physical changes that take place outside the realm of humanity, the collection of modern rugs showcases abstract and geometric patterns that mirror the natural world, embedding our geography into the very threads each rug.

Fusing natural imagery from landscapes like glacial plains and salt flats with textural compositions, these rugs are far more than simple decor pieces — they’re also art. They evoke a sense of realism through their watercolor palette, and the neutralization of their hand-crafted fibers blends seamlessly into an array of ombre hues.

The Designs

“Break 1” is made up of dominant lines that cut through marbled grey shapes, which are meant to represent the chunks of floating ice in the ocean that have begun to drift further away from the poles. Mostly blending together cool shades of blue and gray, the collection sticks to a subtle color scheme, though as you can see below in “Fracture 1,” soft pink is sometimes used to accentuate the otherwise grayscale designs. Several of these patterns have also been derived from real locations (for example, Yellowstone National Park‘s iconic travertine terraces and the salt flats in Utah).

For some added texture, the rugs have all been woven out of silk and wool yarns, and high shag has been interspersed amongst their low-pile sections in order to create a rigidity that mirrors that of earthy crevices. In “Arena 1,” (pictured below) the material is used to highlight the indentations left behind when water recedes from a particular terrain — marks and imprints that are sure to last several lifetimes.

Who Designed Them?

From blended silk and wool yarns to shag and edging, each fiber in the collection is meticulously crafted by the artisans at Edward Fields, though the concepts themselves were conceived of by Fernando Mastrangelo. As the great mind behind the project, Mastrangelo brings to these pieces the same considerate spirit that is usually found in his sculptural works.

The Reverence series also resembles some of Mastrangelo’s earlier work, particularly a collection of nature-inspired furniture he designed, in which colorful gradients were utilized to reflect (once again) the patterns found in natural environments. With that collection, Mastrangelo made it onto Dezeen’s “Ones to Watch” list. “Fade” was also showcased at New York Design Week in 2016.

“From the beginning, I wanted Reverence to articulate the visual language of nature and to convey a sense of wonder and respect for our physical world — all while celebrating the endurance of form and color.” — Fernando Mastrangelo.

Where Can I Get One?

Head on over to the Edward Fields website and filter through their many made-to-order floor coverings. Visit the “Editions” page and click on Reverence for photos of the full collection of beautiful climate change designs.

The post Rug Designs Inspired By Climate Change first appeared on Dornob.

At CES, Dornob’s Editor-in-Chief got the chance to go head-to-head with the mighty FORPHEUS in front of an initially skeptical audience. It wasn’t long before everyone’s face began to show looks of astonishment, as the machine managed to match her each and every move! Utilizing its high-speed multi-axis arm, FORPHEUS mimics the movements that a human wrist and elbow perform during a typical ping-pong match, allowing it to put things like topspin and backspin on all of it shots.

The newest incarnation of the ping-pong robot runs on a four-camera system, a quarter of which is made up of a high-speed image processing camera that helps its sense its opponent’s skill level, form, position, and racket speed, as well as the trajectory of the ball in play. The bot can then analyze this data and compare their opponent’s moves to those of professional players, further enhancing its personalized coaching feature.

FORPHEUS stands for “Future OMRON Robotics Technology for Exploring Possibility of Harmonized Automation with Sinic Theoretics,” so it’s pretty easy to see why the acronym was needed. According to the company website, the ultra-intelligent bot has the ability to detect a ping-pong ball’s location up to 80 times per second during a match. It might be hard to imagine this giant piece of machinery ever sitting in someone’s garage or game room, but we can see how the advanced technology behind it could soon be used to improve other areas of everyday life in the future.

When all was said and done, FORPHEUS was definitely one of the most impressive products Dornob got to interact with at CES 2019. The 10-foot-ball ping-pong robot vied for attention with customer service robots, motorcycle helmets with built-in tracking technology, gesture controlled drones, an 8,000-pound bionic exoskeleton that can allegedly reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, and a ton of other mind-blowing technology we didn’t even realize existed yet (or knew we needed).

The OMRON team explains that they aim “to improve lives and contribute to a better society,” upholding a key belief that businesses should give value to their communities, not detract from them. They strive to bring sustainability to their industry while using their innovation-driven technologies and concepts to solve large-scale social issues.

Who ever thought a ping-pong robot could have such a big impact?

The post Getting Served by FORPHEUS, the Ping-Pong Robot that Dominated CES 2019 first appeared on Dornob.

Scheduled for release sometime in early 2019, the multi-cooker is capable of baking, slow cooking, roasting, braising, steaming, stewing, sautéing, sous viding, warming, and making rice, with built-in adjustable presets giving the cook as much control over the cooking experience as possible.

The 11-in-1 also boasts a heat-resistant glass lid (so you can check on your food without having to release any warm air), stainless steel sous vide rack, LCD display, nonstick interior pot (which means rice won’t get stuck to the inside), and fun recipe book to fuel your new culinary hobby! All of Gourmia’s products are ETL Listed, so we can assure you that they’re completely safe even when they’re performing the most intensive of tasks.

The mobile app is free to download on any iOS or Android device and allows the user to automate their countertop kitchen appliances from almost anywhere in the world. Mia is Gourmia’s equivalent to Alexa, and when they’re working alongside each other, you start to feel like you’re in the virtual assistant version of Three’s Company. You’ll find yourself saying things like: “Hey Alexa, ask Mia to turn the temperature up on the slow-cooker.”

The multi-cooker’s sleek and simple stainless steel design means it seamlessly works with most kitchen decors without drawing too much attention to itself, making it ideal for those who are aesthetically conscious. Boasting a carrying capacity of six liters (six-and-a-half quarts) and an additional 120-volt heating plate, the 11-in-1 is also the perfect solution for on-the-go chefs, Even if you don’t have the time or patience to continuously meal prep, it’s no worries: you can always tell Mia to craft a delicious dinner for you while you’re in the office or out running errands!

The post Gourmia Debuts State-of-the-Art Multi-Cooker at CES 2019 first appeared on Dornob.