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I love this so much it hurts my feelings. It’s still currently in prototype, but frankly I’ve been bored with all the available options for shelving so I wanted to post something a little more exciting. From a Tokyo based design firm called MicroWorks–the designers discovered that books tilted at a 4 degree angle don’t accumulate dust as quickly as books which are stored flat. Whatever the reason for the tilt, I love it.

[via yatzer]

I’m loving these black and white interiors of Mexico City hotel Distrito Capital.

GRUPO HABITA, celebrated worldwide for exceeding expectations in hotel design, unveils its 8th property, DISTRITO CAPITAL, in Mexico City’s international business neighborhood of Santa Fe, and most resolutely the world’s 21st-Century metropolis. So close to the US, Mexico will focus on travel with easy access, year round warm climate and increasing business. With DISTRITO CAPITAL Grupo HABITA once again carries its signature chic and outstanding service to previously unthought-of environments and transforms them into instant classics.

I love the slim arms on the Bottoni line by Marcel Wanders. It really adds an edge of sophistication.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Bottoni collection, the concept is that you can change the look of a piece by switching out “plaids” by attaching them to the buttons. Plaids can be attached to each model using Buttons and are available in 5 unique patterned fabrics.

The Bottoni collection is available in three different models: standard, slim and shelf. You can order each model in four different sizes.

24.4″ h | 35.8″ w | 33.8″ d

The Wonder Wall Cabinet is perfectly modern storage which would be best suited under a wall mounted tv or in an office space, but could just as easily be used in a bedroom for clothing storage. Available with a drop-down door cabinet or two-shelf option.

38″ L | 16.5″ h | 21″ d

Finding the flush mount electrical outlets made me want to see in what other places one could create a seamless look. I can picture this being installed flush with the floor with a similar flooring material throughout to create a unified look. The price isn’t too cost prohibitive and it doesn’t look overly complicated to install– your plumber, or you, if you’re the DIY type, could probably do it in a few hours.

Made of a poly-resin blend.
Shower tray has matte finish that is easy to maintain.
Overall dimensions: 47″ W x 27-1/2″ D x 2-3/4″ H.
Drain cover dimensions: 19-1/2″ W x 19-1/2″ D.

Oooh, here’s another flush mount electrical wiring systems similar to the Bocci outlets.

I can’t wait until I can make use of these in a project. They make everything look as if every detail was planned out and that electricity was not just an afterthought. This kind of attention to detail pleases me.

TRUFIG presents the ability to take technology supplied by various manufacturers and provide a uniform industrial design, consistent color, and a mounting process to achieve a perfectly seamless installation into a wall or ceiling.

[via Remodelista]

Available in a bevy of sizes and finishes in either solid walnut or solid oak. The doble table is graceful, modern and simple.

Gijs Papavoine
Finished with either a clear stain, carbon (black) stain or brushed.

Tables with lengths of 114.2″, 126″ & 137.8″ the legs can be attached at the very end of the table or 17.7″ inside. With a length of 153.5″, the legs can only be attached 17.7″ inside from the ends.

I just came across the brilliantly simple work of Guga Architecture. The architect removed the dropped ceilings in the public rooms of the house, sandblasting the exposed rafters and raising the height to an expansive 16 feet.

Giant floor lamp! This lamp stands over six feet tall and over two feet wide and would really have a great impact in the right space.

The lamp has a wooden base with a layered paper finish.
Dimensions: 27.6″ D x 76.8″ H
Design by: Studio Job

David Baker + Partners is just the type of architecture firm you like to hear about. They are active in urban development and they turned this sad building into a great live/work space for Baker.

The home also has an impressive list of environmental features:

2.0K solar electric system generating over half of electrical power on site.
Solar domestic hot water collection system providing over half of water heating needs.
Digital dimming lighting controls on all lights to reduce consumption and extend bulb life.
Small-scale appliances: under-counter refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher.
Passive solar design: high thermal mass, polished concrete floors, and south-facing clerestory warm the living areas.
Casework and wood doors made from rapidly renewable material: bamboo plywood.
Walls insulated with ground recycled denim batting.
Rain garden system diverts roof water runoff from city sewage system and into local aquifers.
Permeable infiltration garden and pavers in city public sidewalk intercept storm water runoff in public right of way.

After 5 years and 5000 posts we’re launching a new look for Better Living Through Design! We’re still doing a little cleanup so if things don’t quite work right we’ll get it all sorted out in the next few days.

We hope you like it!

Katie and Kris

Recently at my home I’ve been having a design dilemma and related to finding a cost effective way to deal with my current hedge/fence situation. A little background: The house I live in was a foreclosure and at one time it had a lush hedge surrounding the property, but after being empty for 9 months the hedge is mostly dead and terribly unattractive. My plan has been to replace the current hedge with a more drought tolerant plant, and after thorough research on hedges in my neighborhood, I’ve finally decided on the podocarpus plant. It makes for a very tall, thick and lush hedge, and my neighbors who have a particularly nice one have had it about 4 years and only water it 15 minutes a week. Perfect.

But my next problem was deciding what to do while the hedge filled out. I didn’t want to just have empty spaces between each plant as I waited for it to grow–but any money spent on building a wood or other high dollar fence would essentially be wasted because it would need to be removed when the hedge properly filled out. So I needed a fence that provided security at a low linear foot price so I could invest more in older, more mature plants. Also, I wanted to be able to leave the fence there so when the hedge filled out entirely it would still provide security and keep my dog in the yard.

Then it occurred to me: ranchers use hi-tensile fences to enclose thousands of acres. And I remember seeing it used a long time ago in the Ocean 1.7 Better Shelter homes built in Orange County, CA a few years ago. They’re perfectly modern and not going to break the bank.

[via Ocean 1.7 Photos]

This bench is fantastic. It’s made of interlocking loops of hot-rolled steel coated in glossy black rubber.

Here’s a little love seat that pulls out to make a twin bed. (Shown on the left in Linen and on the right in Graphite).

“Roomy enough to loveseat two, its slim angled arms and comfy back would never lead you to believe there’s a full-length twin bed hiding inside. Comfy bi-fold coil mattress with foam cushion. Tailored slubby linen look in graphite; optional total seal protection. A great extra piece in bedroom or office. Also in natural linen.”

eco-friendly construction:
Certified sustainable, kiln-dried hardwood frame
Seat cushion is multilayer soy- or plant-based polyfoam

features:
Poly fabric: graphite
Twin bi-fold 5.25″ mattress
Mortise and tenon joinery
Benchmade in USA

[posted by kris]

I love love love these modern free standing shelves. I think the key to these is that you really need the space in a room to have them set away from the wall with enough room walk around all sides comfortably

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Fixed or swivel bookcase, with square base. Matt lacquered wooden structure available in black, white or cappuccino, in 4 different heights. Max load: 7 kgs (15 lbs) per shelf.

[posted by kris]