All Constituent District Designs

Omni multi-functional furniture

Vanilla Design Store — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:41:58 -0500

The omni is a multifunctional piece of furniture that works as a coffee table, seating, bookcase or bed base. It breaks down easily to a portable size and is made from sustainably farmed 18mm NZ Pine plywood. The inspiration for this prototype came from watching university students shifting out of their flats each November, only to return in February. Handling sofas, beds and other large furniture seemed a difficult task (especially if stairs were involved). Most shifts required a few people to help and a trailor to transport the furniture - very cumbersome!

A single omni works as a bookcase, coffee table or seat. Connecting two units together makes either a sofa or a regulation single bed base. A set of 4 or 5 units would represent all the furniture an individual needs - just the thing for mobile people living in smaller spaces!

It is envisaged this prototype will be put into production and added to my online store - www.vanilladesignstore.com. It is expected to retail for around $USD600 including shelving and the squab.

Design Entry

Display/Conceal Mirror

lapinski_15 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:02:14 -0500

This mirror matches a bathroom vanity that I designed. I didn't want to have a beautiful bathroom vanity and then an ugly medicine cabinet above it, so I designed a mirror with some storage and display space. The design is essentially two squares that overlap to create the mirror space and then the additional space on the top, bottom and sides. The entire piece was constructed by an amateur craftsman using standard shop tools and basic solid red oak lumber. It was stained with multiple coats of an espresso finish stain and then sprayed with a top coat to seal it up. Doors with hinges were added to the right and bottom openings to provide some concealed storage for bathroom essentials while the left and top spaces were left open to hold some decor pieces. A standard piece of mirror was cut to fit the inside space and is recessed into the frame so that the entire piece fits flush against the wall. Holes were drilled in the doors and standard cabinet handles were added. It turned out to be a perfect compliment to the matching vanity and a functional modern piece with a lot of style.

Design Entry

Modern Vanity - Functional Storage

lapinski_15 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:40:26 -0500

The design for this vanity stemmed from my frustrations in searching for a modern vanity that had any storage space. The entire piece was constructed of basic red oak lumber and red oak veneer plywood with a 2x infrastructure using standard shop tools. It was stained with multiple coats of an espresso finish stain and then sprayed with a top coat to seal it up. The top is suspended from the sides by short steel rods and holes are cut in it for the sink and faucet. The bottom of the vanity contains what I call "storage coves" that each hold a roll or rolls of toilet paper in the back and then a towel or wash cloths rolled up in the front. This turned out to be the perfect storage solution to make up for not having a linen closet and the towels are able to act as a design element rather than looking like something that has to be there. The design can be modified with an enclosed front if desired and just about any type of storage configuration can be built into this vanity by making only minor modifications to the design plans. The top is versatile enough to fit a wide variety of sinks and faucets that someone might want to use. It was the first piece of furniture attempted by the amateur craftsman and I don't think I've ever seen anything so perfect. All in all this design ended up turning into a practical piece of modern furniture that has character and is unique.

Design Entry

Epoc Magazine Rack

Vanilla Design Store — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:47:18 -0500

The Epoc magazine rack combines functionality and simplicity. Made from sustainably farmed NZ Pine plywood it ships flat and the two sides slot together to form the "x" configuration. Magazines can be placed in the slots across the rack or length ways depending on your preference. The Epoc magazine rack was designed by a group of Otago Polytechnic students as part of a class project. One of these students is about to start a business selling them, including via www.vanilladesignstore.com. The price is expected to be around $USD60.

Design Entry

The Hugga: end table, coffee table, kids chair and kids desk/table

Vanilla Design Store — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:32:19 -0500

The Hugga evolved from a chair I made for my son. I found he liked to use it as a table when drawing or eating. We also found ourselves using it as an end table for drinks as our living room doesn't lend itself to a coffee table in the middle of the room, especially with two small children running around.

The original Hugga had the spacing rods exposed and cushions were placed on top for seating but it didn't look great as a table with the rods showing, so the version in the photos has fabric laminated to foam which is stretched around the frame and secured out of sight with velcro.

Two huggas can be nested together as a coffee table (ying/yang configuration fits perfectly) and then a child can turn one over to use it as a desk and chair. Sort of reminds me of some of those old school chairs with the built-in desktop.

The Hugga is designed for high sheet utilisation (4 chairs out of a full sheet). Its made from sustainably farmed NZ Pine plywood and rods. It ships flat and the rods are glued in place by the owner. The fabric foam wrap can be easily removed for washing or replaced if damaged (or for a new pattern colour).

I've made this as a production prototype (the dxf files have been made) but I would like to eventually sell it through my online design store (www.vanilladesignstore.com). Rough estimates put it at $USD150 retail. Thanks for checking it out!

Design Entry

CentralCurve chair

extraordinarymetal — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:29:43 -0600

I used nine pieces of steel to make this chair. Its quit heavy. It was the first large blueing job that I attempted - and it turned out ok - not great, but ok. I think though that it could be made out of wood - solid and/or ply. If it was made of wood: the finish could be a lot nicer, seat and back cushions would be easy to attatch, and it would be a lot lighter. The center balance of the chair is good. I think that if it was wood, it would still need a thick and heavy steel (stainless perhaps) base.

Design Entry

prairie tealight holders

extraordinarymetal — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:37:22 -0600

These tealight holders are made of solid mahogany, however I think that they could also be made of thick furniture grade plywood. They could be finished natural/clear, or they could be finished with colored stains. I also think that there are good combinations between various woods and metals; for example: oak and brass are a combination, maple and aluminum are a combination, and the mahogany and copper that I made these holders out of. If colored wood finishes are used, a whole palate of combinations are possible with anodized aluminum inserts. And, of course, various sizes can be made as well - lots of color, material, and size combinations are possible.
There are only nine cuts to be made once the square block blank is made. I made the square blanks out of a large piece of mahogany , then I just put the beveled edges on via an angle bit mounted in the router in the router table, and used a forsner bit in my drill press to make the recess hole for the copper cup - which is simply press fit into the hole. The finish is simply tung oil.

Design Entry

prairie coffee table

extraordinarymetal — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:18:17 -0600

This table is relatively small for a coffee table, but I think it could fit and function in lots of spaces. The one-off table that I have made is primarily solid wood, cut and fit together intricately. However, it could be modified and constructed of plywood; five pieces could be fit together to make the table - instead of the twenty-one that I glued and screwed together (plus the copper feet). But, I think that the beauty of the table is in its shape, size, and combination of materials - the colors of the woods and metals complement each other very well and it is attractive. So, perhaps various plywood's could be used together to get a similar effect and accommodate a quick manufacture.

Design Entry

prarie sconce

extraordinarymetal — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:55:49 -0600

This sconce is made from one piece of walnut (the verticle) and one piece of mahogany (the horizontal), and the two pieces are simply glued together. The woods that are used to make this sconce are not primarily important. I have made another, smaller one in all mahogany. The sconce could be made of thick furniture grade plywood as well. What is imporatant is the shape of it which shapes the light it casts. The cuts and fit are thus also important. The horizontal piece, where the actual light bulb is is cut out ovaly (I used a hole saw in my drill press and slightly overlapped the cuts). The edges have a stepped square detail (stacked dato blades in the table saw worked well for me to make those cuts).
I think this sconce could be made much larger. It could be hardwired into a building's electric service too. I think it could fit well in large religious institutions, or into a home - just as well. The sconce can be made different ways, for different places it would go - made large or small, for hardwiring or plug-in use, of plywood or solid wood.
Its light shape is really great though. I made two of these, and at the time I didn't have the light shape in mind, just the object shape, but whenever I have turned on the light, I am warmed with the feeling of having created something with seridipity, and I am proud, and inspired.

Design Entry

Objectify Porthole

Vanilla Design Store — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:42:24 -0600

This multi-functional piece works vertically or horizontally as storage, a coffee table or seating. It can also be stacked on either axis with easy access from 3 of the 4 sides.

It is made from 17mm New Zealand Pine plywood. New Zealand Pine is sustainably farmed in plantations and has a wonderful lustre and finish. The clean lines and organic feel of this piece complement any contemporary setting. The Porthole comes ready to assemble and breaks down again easily when shifting.

Dimensions: 78cm x 40cm x 40cm (30.7 inches x 15.7 inches x 15.7 inches)

The Porthole was designed by Otago Polytechnic graduate Jonas Hjertquist and licensed to Vanilla Design Store. It can be purchased from www.vanilladesignstore.com for around USD$240.

Design Entry

Flux Trivet

Vanilla Design Store — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:46:09 -0600

Trivets are placemats for hot pots, kettles or dishes that protect the surfaces they are placed on. This trivet is based on the silhouette of the New Zealand pohutukawa tree. The trivets are made from powder-coated, laser cut steel. They currently come in Red and Black and are available from the Vanilla Design Store (www.vanilladesignstore.com) for around$USD120.

Dimensions
20cm x 58 cm (7.9 inches x 22.8 inches)

Designers
The Trivet was designed by Adam Moody, Griff Humphries and Nicola Linwood. All three are recent graduates of the Otago Polytechnic Design School (www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz).

Design Entry

Objectify Fruit Bowl

Vanilla Design Store — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:08:09 -0600

These laser cut fruit bowls are made from sustainably managed hoop pine. The bowls are quickly and easily assembled from 4 pieces. They are also surprisingly robust and comfortably hold 6 medium pieces of fruit.

They were designed by Adam Moody who has licenced the design to Vanilla Design Store (www.vanilladesignstore.com). They can be purchased from this site for around $USD70. Adam is a graduate of the Otago Polytechnic Design School (www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz).

Design Entry

Downtown Table

Peter Chen — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:00:45 -0600

Square Top Table with pinched legs. Legs are of layered plywood on edge. The Top is of plywood sheet with beveled knife edges

Design Entry

Embrace Bench

Peter Chen — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:49:01 -0600

I like benches, especially the mid-century classic Nelson Bench. I love plywood, especially the edge quality of high grade multiply plywood. The Embrace is my tribute to the embodiment of form and material.
Designed to emphasize the inherent aesthetic of multi-layered plywood, the EMBRACE is the essence of structural purity. Each u-shaped leg is connected to the top via the two aluminium rods. The rods are captured in the holes of the leg and the c-shaped grooves on the bottom of the seat. The c-grooves “embrace” the rods, creating the structural system to lock all components together.
There are no other fasteners. Friction holds everything.
59.75”w x 19.75”d x 16.5”h
(please contact me for the drawing file, thanks)

Design Entry

Rockn N Rolln Good Nights

boyracer1975 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:16:33 -0600

Features
Lighting
Behind Headboard
Underneath Down Both Sides
Mobility
9" Locking Swivel and Locking Roll Industrial Casters
Construction
Galvanized Steel Headboard
Birch Plywood Bed Surface
Pine Trim and Surround