Cool Hunting
Although they look fit for a kid's room, these novelty animal benches, made by the careful hand of São Paulo artisan Ted Benvenuti of Camaleonte, are gorgeous enough to grace the world of adults. Each one, weighing 77-88 pounds, takes him anywhere from 10-15 days to build, from fitting the wood pieces together to sanding and sealing the overall work. Benvenuti uses Brazilian bentwood that's been certifiably reforested, but he also hunts for leftovers from carpentry shops specializing in furniture creation.
Because of the handcrafted nature of the benches, each animal—like in real life—possesses its own personality. Benvenuti's real-life best friends are a Lab and Golden Retriever, but he's quick to point out that his wood dogs are ultimate companions because they don't require a veterinarian nor cleaning up after. You can find his four-legged creations in São Paulo exclusively at Conceito Firma Casa.

The animal benches are just one example of Benvenuti's inventive woodwork. We also recommend checking out his bicycles and (wonderfully politically incorrect) Favelas, which would make a great doll house for a modern kid.
|
previous entry Death/Traitors: Spring 08 |
next entry Etch-A-Sketch Clock |
by Laurice ParkinAfter several visits by our small army of NY-based contributors, today we bring you a few of the best we found at the new Sunday morning ritual of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Flea. Be sure to check back throughout the day to see more of what the new church has to offer. Bowling Alleys, icons of both Americana and funny shoes, have not...
At one time or another you've likely experienced some type of pareidolia, the mind's trick of seeing a face where there isn't one. Brazilian designer A Figurinista embraces the concept with her Cute Monsters jewelry. The collection repurposes vintage pieces to make brooches that resemble eyes, ears and a mouth for a result that's as adorable as it is eclectic. Is it just me...
Feel like saddling up? Brazilian furniture designer Fernando Akasaka just dropped word about his new Cowboy Junkie concept stool, an unusual merging of two seating options. Anyone sitting on the stool will inevitably feel like they've just rode in by horse and are saddling up right up next to the kitchen bar. It's great for a thirst-quenching drink before riding off into the sunset,...
Shattering the divide between street and home, Brazilian creative agency Fogo Design playfully reinterprets household objects in forms that some would call trash. The company, made up of longtime friends Miguel Sanches and Ramses Marcal, promote good humor through each of their products, all of which ride the conceptual line. Their past work includes objects like a lamp that resembles a huge box of...
After studying advertising and presentation techniques at St. Lucas College and the Design Academy Eindhoven , Frank Willems worked briefly with rising design luminary Joris Laarman. Now participating in various group exhibitions and creating unique studio work, Willems has joined the ranks of many young Dutch designers for whom personal expression is paramount. The Madam Rubens collection, his most fully realized furniture design, saw...
Almost all of the 14 artists and studios invited to be part of the Touch Design recycled-materials exhibit of products happening this weekend in NYC are Latin American, most notably Brazilian—something that could indicate where the pioneering trends in this area are coming from in the near future. Besides Estúdio Manus and Domingos Tótora (two names that have been getting more press recently) other...
