object collection is a great new online collection of, well, objects. objects for the home, that is. they have a great selection of ceramic servingware that is a perfect last minute gift idea. stop on by objectcollection.com to check it out for yourself, of see the design*sponge favorites below…

COOL SERVINGWARE [nodo fruit bowl*object collection]

STACK IT [stack spice unit*object collection]

M.O. [modus salt and pepper shakers*object collection]

POLY BOWL [polyedre*object collection]

it’s rare that i come across a designer that makes me step back and say “wow. that shit is cool.” in the current design climate it’s not often that you find a designer doing something different, something creative, and above all, something original. so, you can imagine my delight when i was contacted by chicago-based artist scott rench, a pioneer in the world of digital ceramics. before you say, digital ceramics? whatchu talkin bout! let me explain…

scott’s work consists of computer generated images that are printed with a ceramic glaze onto a large canvas of clay. after he creates and collects images, scott scans them into the computer and manipulates them to fit the concept. the new image is output onto transparent film that acts as a stencil for transferring the image to a silk-screen. glaze is then used (instead of ink) to print the image on to a slab of clay. once completely dry the slabs are fired. that’s a mouthful, but the result is ridiculously cool. you can see a great step by step demonstration of the techinical stuff here.

a ceramist for ten years, scott also teaches seminars, workshops and was most recently in hungary creating work for the international ceramics museum. his work is amazingly creative and innovative- the digital transfer process allows for some really cool patterns to be placed on some really interesting places- like sinks. but enough of me talkin, check out the work for yourself below, or visit scott’s site here. enjoy!

CLICK HERE [every1 wants it*scott rench]

SING IT [i sing cup*scott rench]

COMPU-BIRDIES [i sing platter*scott rench]

MOUSEY [arrow cup*scott rench]

DOWN THE DRAIN [every1 wants sink*scott rench] the coolest shit ever. ever.

today’s posts will be a bit late, or perhaps delayed until tomorrow morning. sorry. i’m a bit under the weather so, i should rest up and prepare for the last week of pre-holiday blogging madness. coming up this week: a profile on an amazing chicago based artist making waves in the field of ceramic and print, a feature on a great new online design company bringing you the best in ultra-mod home goodies and last, but certainly not least- my favorite post i’ve done so far- a design*sponge holiday spectacular…you’ll just have to wait until wednesday to see it. be sure you don’t miss it- the entire design community will be there- trust me. wink wink. see you guys soon…

cough cough,

design*sponge

va beach native (let’s here it for d*s’s hometown!) chris ferebee may or may not be the older brother of one of my friends from pre-school. this is totally freaking me out as i write. here’s the thing: becca’s brothers (i think she had two…) were so cute and when you’re little they seem even cuter. i remember occasionally seeing them at field hockey games we played and well, judging by chris’ picture on his website, the ferebee boys have grown up well. very well. but anyway, back to furniture, that is what this site is about, no?

apparently while i was busy growing up, chris ferebee was busy becoming “the next charles eames“. not bad work for a vb boy. his furniture really does speak for itself. ferebee’s designs combine the elegant simplicity of an eames piece with the industrial feel of contemporary brooklyn design. and you know me, can’t go wrong with a brooklyn aesthetic. chris uses a wide range of materials, from bent ply to recycled wood paste (shout out, treehugger) and seems to show no limit when it comes to creativity. currently part of 521 design studio (a formerly nyc-based duo now located in texas), chris is self-educated and i love him all the more for that. i’ve always bought into the idea that if you’ve got it, you’ve got it. you don’t need a big time degree to make amazing stuff. chris makes that pretty clear with his endlessly impressive line of furniture. check him out here and, if you’re in new york, wander over to the future perfect and check out his 32/30 seating unit.

EDITOR’S NOTE: JUST HEARD FROM CHRIS. HE’S NOT THE FEREBEE BROTHER I WAS THINKING OF. SO, FORGET ALL THAT STUFF AT THE TOP. BUT, SEEING AS I THINK HIS DESIGNS ARE AMAZING- AN INTERVIEW IS IN THE WORKS…TUNE IN POST-HOLIDAY FOR THE FULL STORY

BUZZ [hive storage unit*chris ferebee]

EMPTY ON THE INSIDE [hollow table*chris ferebee]

ECO TEK [low tek table*chris ferebee]

UNO [one cabinet*chris ferebee]

CRATE STUFF [32/30 seating unit*chris ferebee] sold at the future perfect in wburg

LOOK WHO’S 10! [tree trunk bench*jurgen bey] droog celebrates the big 1-0 today! congratulations you guys on producing the most phenomenally creative collection of design anywhere. keep up the good work!

for more details on the history of droog, check out treehugger’s piece today.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS [wall light*yosuke watanabe] more from the realm of cool brit designers- yosuke watanabe’s wall light blends into the wall when in the off position, but pull the cord and a beautiful sconce pattern appears. love it.

well folks, i’ve met my match. i’ve found my design soulmate and he’s only a few thousand miles way. his name is thorsten van elten and i’m smitten. thorsten set up tve in 2002 in order to quote, “work with people i like on products i love”. man, this guy has my dream job. when i set out to start this blog, my only goal was to share the things i loved with people who i thought might like them too. i think people who work hard and make interesting, creative things deserve attention and if i’m in a position to help in any way, then gosh darn it, i will. i love that thorsten is doing exactly what i set out to do, and helping scores of talented designers along the way. d*s salutes you thorsten- keep up the wonderful work!

i love thorsten because he does what i wish i could do- he represents great people who make great products. his all-star line up includes: electricwig (love them!), details, czechmania, trico and interior tools. but really, you can’t go wrong, the man has impeccable taste. i’ve chosen a sampling below of my favorite things. but if you must know, the pidgeon light by ed carpenter (see above) is my favorite.

(for apartment therapy’s bit on thorsten click here).

MESSY MESSY [stamp cups*caleria miglioli and barnaby barford] i love the name barnaby. and the fact that they turned a mistake into art.

OUCH OUCH [hot mug*electricwig] great way to ease the pain of a hot mug. you can switch back and forth!

KNIT WIT [crochet lampshade*electricwig]

TUBEY [tube candleholder*olgoj chorchoj] czechmania!

FILIGREE ME [filigrane vase*daniel pirsc]

TICK TOCK [koekoek clock*chris koens]