Final Wooden House

by Karen Day

Blurring the lines between what is a floor and what is a ceiling, the Jenga-like structure of Final Wooden House allows its occupiers to decide how to use the space according to their position. Comprised completely of wood, Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto wanted to express the versatility of lumber by creating one structure that embodies all of the typical functions normally carried out by wood in traditional architecture. The end result is a "bungalow" that redefines form and function of architectural space.

More images after the jump.

via Today and Tomorrow

FujiFilm SeeHere

by Doug Black

Launched earlier this week, SeeHere is the latest entry in the pool of photo sites. Like Flickr, Photobucket and Picasa, SeeHere allows users to upload their photo libraries and share them free of charge. Unlike its competitors, there is no limit on the amount of images you can upload without incurring any fees.

The site itself is pared-down and very straightforward (it was designed by Razorfish). You can intuitively upload images and manipulate them with basic editing tools (zoom, crop, rotate, etc.). If you're running a PC, there is desktop software available, although Mac users will have to rely on the web interface. Integration with other applications like Facebook isn't available but we hope it's just a matter of time.

While other sites charge a premium to upgrade and avoid storage limits, SeeHere's free photo philosophy isn't an act of charity—the user is confronted with plenty of opportunities to pay for prints. But to the casual user with a hefty photo library and simple demands, SeeHere is a welcome new option.

Middle Colors Humidifier

by Karen Day

With winter just around the corner, it's time to pack away your air conditioner and bust out the humidifier. Luckily, the Japanese seem to have a small obsession with moisture and have produced several devices we wouldn't mind keeping out all year. The latest to join this lineup is the Middle Colors humidifier, which is not only attractive and available in a range of colors but will help save your pennies in this economic crunch with its hybrid design of steam and ultrasonic capabilities. Designed by Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi, the tear-drop shaped humidifier can produce moisture for up to ten consecutive hours and boasts a relatively small footprint.

We haven't seen it offered in the States yet, but if you speak Japanese you're in luck.

It's available from Cheers or Amazon Japan for about ¥7,000.

350.org: Global Warming Animation

by Jacob Resneck

Author Bill McKibben, whose 1989 book "The End of Nature" was one of the first to warn us of the threats of climate change, has helped launch a 90-second animation that's put the spotlight of where we need to be if human civilization is going to survive.

Once upon a time, before industrialization, before coal-fired power plants spewed carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that's precipitated climate change, there was a number. That number, 275, was the parts per million of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Flash forward more than 150 years later, that number has risen. The earth is hotter and we're in trouble. We're up to about 387 parts per million and that's not good. At least not in the sense that a seven-foot rise in sea levels would make Manhattan and Hong Kong into a SeaWorld might be problematic for some.

Based on the most up-to-date science, our goal to avoid that kind of global catastrophe is to get our carbon dioxide number down to 350 parts per million.

“We now in the last year have that number,” McKibben says, “and it's probably the most important number in the world.”

To McKibben and Company's credit, the video sends the message without words. That's useful as this global problem transcends language, culture and country. So watch it and spread the word.

Maija Louekari Illustrations

by Lost At E Minor

We loved Maija Louekari's hand-drawn illustrations even before discovering that she has worked as a freelance textile designer for Marimekko. Her HO-HOI! fabric topped the Textile Design category at the Elle International Design Awards in 2006. The Finnish illustrators work is made by hand, her favorite tools being fine felt tip pens, pencils, scissors and colored paper.

Scandinavian Grace

by Brian Fichtner

When I heard that Fredrik Larsson, owner of the Williamsburg boutique Scandinavian Grace, was opening an outpost in upstate New York, I had half a mind to take a day trip just to check it out. I still plan to but readers won't need to wait for my trip to view the interior (see more images after the jump).

Located on Route 28 in the heart of the Catskills, the new shop covers 4500 sq ft and features all of the classic manufacturers found in the Williamsburg space (Iittala, Orrefors, Marimekko, Tonfisk, Asplund, and Stelton) plus new additions from All In Wood, G.A.D. and Carl Hansen & Son as well as Vintage Mid Century imported by Copenhagen Vintage. Larsson also added a cafe to the Catskills space. It will offer coffees, teas, pastries, candy, and dried goods from around Scandinavia. A design shop and cafe in the midst of some of New York's greatest scenery? Sounds downright idyllic.

Scandinavian Grace
2866 Route 28
Shokan, NY 12481 map

tel +1 845 657 2759