Branch, from Danchong

Branch offered a nicely designed collection from Korean design firm, Danchong.

The Branch tray comes in a few sizes, the largest was about a foot long. Made of white acrylic resin, The concept was to create a tray with the idea of branches in a forest. Whatever the idea, it was lovely.

Similarly, Branch lighting is made of the same resin. I liked the light (no pun intended) feeling.

The Early Bird Vase was designed to create the illusion of a bird flying with a flower in its mouth.

Finally, the Branch chair and stool have a definite Asian feel to them. The principal designer, Eunsook Kwon, told me he wanted to give the feeling of sitting among trees in the forest.

I think it’s important to give these designers exhibiting (sometimes a long way from home) our support. So much hard work and talent goes into what they do. By the way, I know I’m writing today about things that are not yet available for sale.

Perhaps with some publicity from the blogging community we can help get their work supported. Don’t you agree?

Cube 6 by Naho Matsuno

This was an imaginative design from Japanese designer, Naho Matsuno.

Cube 6 is a puzzle of stools that fit together to form a cube. An aptly named product.

Matsuno said her inspiration came from the need to design furniture for schools where space is limited.

Here she is demonstrating her design for us.  She showed her work at the Satellite pavilion.

The cube is made of maple. the craftsmanship was perfect. Very nicely done.

House on the Table

Here’s an idea that my friend, Mandy would love. And everyone else who spend their working lives in a cubicle. (Mandy has a window, so hers is a viewbicle).

Korean designer, Soojin Hyun, has created a prototype office cubicle that resembles houses. The roofs and walls are different, so you get your own, customized look.

The result is an office floor that looks like a little village. And there’s a nice, cozy sense of privacy inside. You can spend all day playing Peggle and your boss will never know.

This was one of my two favorites at the Satellite pavilion. It‚Äôs a design with an actual problem-solving idea associated with it. How can you create a cubicle where the occupant doesn‚Äôt feel like a lab rat? If I had to work in a cubicle, I‚Äôd love it to be this one.Yes, it has some issues. Maybe men wouldn‚Äôt like it so much. And it‚Äôs more expensive than the average cubicle. But I like it a lot. Good luck to Soojin. I’m keeping my eye on her.

Would you like to work here? How would you decorate it? And what sign would you put on the door?

ch.air by Laisr

The young design team of Torgny Fjeldskaar and Javier Alberich, displayed their prototype chair at the Satellite building of the Salone last week. Their firm, Laisr, is located in Basel, Switzerland.

Ch.air, so named because it’s “light as air”, is made of carbon fiber. It comes in several versions. The one shown here is called Stormtrooper. Can you guess why? Ten points if you get it right (I’m giving those away). misterarthur adds that the ch part of the name is a pun on Switzerland (CH РConfederation Helvetique).

Do you like this chair? Do you think it has a residential use?

Chair of the Day: Cielo Armchair

Arthur and I toured the Satellite pavilion this afternoon. It’s an area dedicated to young designers and students. The term Satellite comes from its former home, a round building, which looked a lot like Sputnik. Anyway, it was here that I found one of my most favorite chairs of the entire show.

The Cielo Armchair was designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, who graduated from Musashino Art University in 2005. It’s made of rattan and painted steel, and is wonderfully delicate and comfortable. It has a smaller scale, which I found to be lovely and absolutely refreshing. I loved the use of color, too.

Kobayashi is looking for a company to produce his design. I wish him the very best of luck. He’s a young designer to keep an eye on.