The hype building up for the impending release of the Tesla Cybertruck is palpable amongst a specific demographic drawn to its literal multi-faceted design and EV performance. But consider ourselves more curious about this Cybertruck cat accessory inspired by electric truck’s angled bed first spotted by X/Tesla enthusiast, Sawyer Merritt.

Realized in corrugated cardboard and advertised to shoulder the vital task of offering cats a comfortable spot to “meet the cat’s nature and daily needs,” the Tesla Life pet bed is as an unexpected design as its source inspiration.

For comparison, here’s the full-sized inspiration for the corrugated cardboard rendition of the Cybertruck for felines.

Beyond the angled design mimicking Tesla’s reductive angled design, the Cybertruck for cats is a typical corrugated cardboard box with thick folded sides and several layers of thickened moisture-proof corrugated paper. But as a longtime cat owner, questions do arise about the design’s purpose: is that middle “bed” really designed to allow cats to relieve themselves upon? Or is it a pad to lounge on and scratch to their heart’s content? We guess like the real truck, the Cybertruck corrugated cat litter box is multifunctional.

At 15lbs, it’s as hefty and over-engineered as the cold-rolled stainless steel truck counterpart. The product is currently available in China for 89 yuan, or just a little over $12 USD.

As any cat parent discovers in quick time, felines have an amusing affection to park themselves inside cardboard boxes and packaging. So it’s unsurprising one Cat Cybertruck customer has already extolled the design’s ability to attract their feline into the safe confines of their own Tesla.

My cat likes it pic.twitter.com/WwxUInxsrq

— 高清无码 (@belloyr) August 4, 2023

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Two must-visit sculptures have just debuted in New York City in equally incredible outdoor locations. Whether you’re visiting the city or a resident looking for a new reason to love where you live, plan your weekend around these epic free experiences.

Nicholas Galanin at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Nicholas Galanin’s 30-foot steel sculpture In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra is an engaging site-specific work at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, framed by two famous bridges and set against the full Manhattan skyline. Presented by Public Art Fund, four giant letters spell out “LAND” in an arrangement and font that references Robert Indiana’s famous “LOVE” design. Using the same material and height as the US-Mexico border wall, it’s an intense mix of emotions that ultimately finds openness and connection.

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight

Opening Event for Nicholas Galanin: In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra Photo: Asya Gorovits

This metal is not a “copy” of the border wall – it’s the actual material that would otherwise be in route to the wall’s construction right now. Given that provocative fact, the biggest surprise on my visit was that it felt significantly more joyous than dividing, more hopeful than polarizing. It’s about borders in general, and the demonstration of an optimistic alternative to how we view the land.

Nicholas Galanin, born in 1979, is a Lingít and Unangax̂ contemporary artist and member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. His work often speaks unapologetically to indigenous issues, but always with a certain whimsy and wonder that draws visitors to the work. Whether in a museum or within a park, art that aims to challenge our current beliefs must first draw you closer and tempt you to stay longer. Galanin is a master at using fun, beauty, joy, play, and curiosity in concert with heavier ideas.

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023

There’s a rush of exhilaration in first seeing this work against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge (a pairing that somehow makes both landmarks feel even larger), and is a great conceptual pairing of “wall” and “bridge.”  Walking closer, it tempts you to walk around it and invites you to walk inside. Do it. The letters explode into a network of abstraction and shadow. On my recent visit, a young child gleefully discovered that they could walk through the middle of the “D” (after they left, I did it too). In other words, this material has been transformed to achieve the polar opposite of its original intention. Galanin isn’t asking you to pick a side, he’s inviting you to reconsider how we all divide ourselves through borders.

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight

The title In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra is in two languages – neither of which are native to North America. The idea reminds us that these lines we’ve drawn aren’t natural or original or permanent as they cut across rivers, migratory routes of animals, and indigenous lands.

Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight

Packed with complexity, emotion, and intelligence, the work is ultimately about connection.

I highly recommend this 2-minute video produced by Public Art Fund featuring a literal walk-through with Nicholas Galanin.

What: Nicholas Galanin’s In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn, presented by Public Art Fund
When: May 16,2023 – March 10, 2024

Pamela Rosenkranz on the High Line

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

Meanwhile in Manhattan, a strange pink aura will catch your attention from 15 blocks away. Created by Swiss artist Pamela Rosenkranz, the sculpture Old Tree is the 3^rd High Line Plinth commission, located directly over 10^th Avenue at 30^th Street.

The 25-foot-tall sculpture is composed of foam and resin over a steel armature, painted in bright pink and red that achieves an unbelievable level of florescence.

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

Though its form resembles a tree from a distance, closer inspection reveals branches that have more in common with blood vessels in the human circulatory system. Even the “roots” grasp the pedestal like an animal more than a plant.

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

This bizarre hybrid between human, plant, and object speaks to that same strange combination within the High Line itself – a crumbling elevated railroad track that has been transformed into a popular park, landscaped with native plants to Manhattan. It’s unnatural and natural, built and grown.  Like Nicholas Galanin’s work, the enduring resonance of the work comes from its challenge to reconsider our own viewpoints, combined with the creation of a joyous social spot and exciting visual appeal.

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission

The video below, produced by High Line Art, includes some great clips of the sculpture’s fabrication at NatureMaker.

What: Pamela Rosenkranz’s “Old Tree”
Where: The High Line – at 10^th Avenue & 30^th Street
When: May 2023 – Fall 2024

I’ve been a fan of both artists for years, and to see both of their work at this massive scale in a single weekend is a moment that cannot be missed. Both works are as beautiful as they are emotionally complex. They ignite conversation and re-consideration of the relationship of humans and nature that only lead to a greater appreciation of our environment – whether built or grown.

Best of all, both artworks are on view for several months and across multiple seasons. So when I revisit in the winter, will Nicholas Galanin’s In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra feel more brutal without the green of summer and laughter of nearby picnickers, or will the work feel even more open and transparent in the quiet? Will the bright pink of Pamela Rosenkranz’s Old Tree buzz EVEN louder against a fresh blanket of white snow?

The bottom line is – if you’re visiting New York, add these to your priority list. If you live in New York, see them this weekend and schedule a re-visit in winter. Though they’re both on view for a while, the time is too limited to delay, and too incredible to miss.

All images for Nicholas Galanin’s “In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra” are courtesy of the artist and Public Art Fund, NY. Photographed by Nicholas Knight or Asya Gorovits (noted in captions).

All images for Pamela Rosenkranz’s “Old Tree” 2023 were photographed by Timothy Scheneck. Courtesy of the High Line.

David Behringer visits over 200 galleries every month to uncover and share the most exciting contemporary art in New York today. Subscribe to his exclusive weekly newsletter at www.thetwopercent.com and learn about his private gallery tours. And be sure to check out his YouTube.

Imagine a collection of ceramic vases that aren’t just vessels for flowers, but rather, masterpieces that celebrate the art of painting in three dimensions. Pani Jurek’s collection of BARVA VASES combine vibrant color spots, wavy lines, and textures that echo strokes of a painter’s brush. The four flat shapes of these vases can be arranged in countless configurations, giving you the power to play with abstract geometric forms. These BARVA VASES are all about combining the structured world of shapes with the organic beauty of plants.

The name “BARVA” holds the idea behind the collection. It’s a celebration of colors as both objective physical properties and as a journey of subjective emotions. Just like how each stroke of a brush can evoke feelings, these vases take color to a whole new dimension. The limited color series is a visual treat for the eyes, a burst of joy in any environment.

With or without flowers the BARVA VASES are art. When nestled together, they create captivating abstract compositions that will gather notice. With designated hangers, you can mount the multidimensional vases on your wall and craft your own decorative relief.

Magda Jurek of Pani Jurek

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photo: Macie J Miloch

Photography by Ernest Winczyk, except where noted.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Survey the parade of upstart home energy storage solution brands and it’s common to see “former” and “Tesla” underlined in a company’s “About Us” page. Simpson & Partners founders, Mandy and David Simpson are a little different. Mandy Andersen’s 18-year career in fashion prior to spearheading the EV revolution may explain why the UK brand’s EV chargers actually look the part of an addition, rather than a subtractive element, for the home.

All three versions of Simpson & Partners Home Series EV chargers – Home 7, Home 7 Plus, and Home 22 Plus – share a common modern industrial design that hews closer to a Bang & Olufsen audio component rather than the sci-fi austerity adopted by the likes of Tesla or Enphase.

Available in 107 different color combinations and a fluted detailed front, the EV charger’s understated case complements an architectural aesthetic instead of intruding onto a residential exterior as a conspicuous eyesore. Customers have the option to top the small charging unit from a selection of four genuine Accoya wood tops or from a range of four metal tops.

The charger’s design also stands out for the fairly small footprint required to install the unit onto a vertical surface; the Home Series chargers are smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, and an optional complementary Cable Hook completes the handsomely integrated finish for EV drivers who must (or prefer) to park and charge in front of their home.

One specification we particularly appreciate is the company’s decision to make all three Home Series 7kW and 22kW cloud-free operable, meaning scheduling, load balancing, solar charging, locking, and other convenience/info features don’t need to be connected online to work. Instead, the Simpsons decided to keep these features local, residing in the charger’s firmware without the dependency upon an internet connection that too many “smart” devices rely upon.

The basic Home 7 lacks the option to charge via solar like the Home 7 Plus and Home 22 Plus, nor does it include the integrated courtesy lights that help illuminate the other two upgrade units. Also, only the two upper tier models include an energy regulation and management system allowing the Home 7 Plus and 22 Plus to automatically load balance power between the charger and the home so maximum charging rates are maintained without stressing a home’s main fuse.

Each of three models include a 6.8m cable when purchased as a tethered unit.

And as its name implies, the Home 22 Plus is equipped with 22kW specs, meaning it delivers much faster recharge rates than the lower rated single phase 7kW chargers, making the top tier model the best investment in the long term, in our opinion.

Simpson & Partners’s cofounder identifies as obsessive about good design as an extension of thoughtful function. An example is the amount of research and effort for the system’s cable route:

We have spent many months developing one of our new products, and we are now fine-tuning the cable routing. Why does this matter? Well, cable routing is important for several reasons. First, it influences the performance and reliability of the charger. Cables are like the arteries that connect all the electronic organs of the charger. A minor rubbing of a cable, or an unprotected cable exposed to a slip of an installer’s screwdriver, or a cable termination exposed to moisture can be disastrous and result in a customer who cannot charge their car. We want to prevent these possible failures by paying attention to the cable routing. Second, it shows our pride in our work. We strive to design and build charging products that look good on the outside. So, it’s only fair that we mirror the same attention to presentation and looks on the inside of our chargers.

For more information about Simpson & Partners EV Home Series chargers, check out their website, simpson-partners.com.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Textile art has often been relegated to the corner of the art world, seen only as utilitarian, everyday decor. But views on the practice have been slowly changing since the Feminist Movement of the 60s and the postmodern theory in the 80s, when textile artists began experimenting with more conceptual, sculptural projects. We can point to the weavings of Sheila Hicks and Tanya Aguiñiga’s immersive installations as a shift from craft to fine art.

Threadwork: Women Redefining Fiber Arts includes 17 female-identifying textile artists, co-curated by India Balyejusa, Associate Curator, and Siting Wang, Assistant Curator at Saatchi Art. Their collective body of work – mixed media tapestries, handwoven art objects, and tactile wall hangings – continues to push the evolution of textile art forward by re-contextualizing traditional techniques and using lots of unexpected materials. What was once considered “women’s work” – needlework, knitting, quilting, and crocheting – is now at the forefront of contemporary art.

Included artist Andie Grande highlights our changing environmental landscape through the use of plastic, synthetic fibers. “Recycling junk for the mere sake of recycling is not enough,” she said. “I strongly feel that praising matter for its own sake is more fulfilling, and art is the best way of looking at discarded materials as a resource for creation.”

Topography by Vanessa Valero, Colombia (Mixed Media, 25.6 W x 53.1 H x 1.6 D in)

Colombian-based textile artist Vanessa Valero has a heavy focus on the process she employs to capture the ephemerality of the human-nature connection in one-of-kind hand-tufted pieces. She shared, “My work captures the passing moments in the natural world, snapshots taken through careful observations and sketches and then preserved in each of my textile designs.”

Holding On 1 by Aby Mackie, Spain (Mixed Media 40 W x 52 H x 0.1 D in)

Elsewhere in the exhibit you can find the textile wall sculptures of Aby Mackie, made using discarded and found objects and materials in the street of Barcelona. She uses these bits and pieces to tell the story of the city’s residents and ongoing cultural concern, such as materialism, consumerism, value, and memory.

Threeasone by thera hillenaar, Netherlands (Mixed Media, 5.9 W x 13.8 H x 3.1 D in)

Netherlands-based Thera Hillenaar has trained experience as a fashion and costume designer and scenographer. Her skills are transferred into the creation of 3D sculptures that use leather strips from clothes and furniture, and wooden toy blocks.

These are just a few of the incredible textile artists featured in “Threadwork: Women Redefining Fiber Art,” keep scrolling to see more or visit the exhibit virtually here.

Sylvaine Nude No. 3 (The last tree) by Andreea Talpeanu, France (Sculpture, 39.4 W x 65.7 H x 15.7 D in)

Diamonds & Rust by Amadi Greenstein, United States (Mixed Media, 27 W x 42 H x 0.2 D in)

Imaginary Topographies by Carmen Mardonez, United States (Sculpture, 28 W x 46 H x 38 D in)

Sewn Study No. 20 by Demi Overton, United Kingdom (Mixed Media, 11 W x 14.6 H x 1.2 D in)

Hot Landscape by Femke van Gemert, Netherlands (Mixed Media, 83.9 W x 63 H x 4.7 D in)

Empiler n°9 by Gourdon Frédérique, France (Sculpture, 11.8 W x 15.7 H x 1.6 D in)

blue note by Jeeyon ‘G’ Roslie, United States (Collage, 17 W x 21 H x 0.2 D in)

Gypsy tapestry by mariadela araujo, Spain (Mixed Media, 35.4 W x 47.2 H x 7.9 D in)

Silent are The Ghosts of Stones by Leili Khabiri (Mixed Media, 23.6 W x 31.5 H x 0.1 D in)

FRAGMENTED PB/FM-01 by Puja Bhakoo, India (Paintings, 16 W x 23 H x 1 D in)

Harbinger by Susan Smereka, United States (Printmaking, 16 W x 21.8 H x 0.3 D in)

Everything Will Be All Right by T U S S A H, Japan (Mixed Media, 14 W x 18 H x 4.3 D in)

Phantom Distinction 10 by Yvette Kaiser Smith, United States (Mixed Media, 28.5 W x 24 H x 0.5 D in)

To learn more about Threadwork: Women Redefining Fiber Arts, visit saatchiart.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

Artificial intelligence is one dicey topic right now. Concerns about how to nudge the evolving technology toward a beneficial and benevolent next chapter for humankind, rather than our epilogue, keeps technologists, politicians, and ethicists awake at night. But while anxieties attached to the great unknowns related to a self-aware AI may be justified, a multitude of singularly tasked artificial intelligence solutions are already here making the world safer. Nobi Smart Lamps is such an example, smart lighting paired with pleasing design and adaptive technology designed to aid in elderly care.

There seems little doubt AI-based solutions will play an important role in the future of elderly care. With an increasing senior population and a scarcity of trained caretakers (not to mention skyrocketing costs), AI-driven technologies are set to fill in the gap. While capable robot caretakers may one day become the norm, in the interim technologies such as Belgian startup Nobi’s smart lamps propose a readily pragmatic solution, tasking an AI system to keep a vigilant eye for moments when an older person may be in danger of falling.

When someone falls, the light first asks whether the person has fallen; once a fall has been verified, Nobi then notifies a caregiver or family member via app for assistance, with the ability for two-way communication to assure the person that help is on its way. The light can also aid in emergency access, granting remote door unlocking for the person contacted to deliver aid.

Noting it is preferable to prevent falls in the first place, Nobi’s lights are also equipped to turn on automatically at night when an older person sits up in bed – for example, to use the bathroom, take their medication, or simply to get a glass of water. With 62% of falls happening at night, the light delivers a proactive and preventative measure.

Nobi prioritizes privacy by giving users the option to record images as “not at all”, “partially”, or “fully visible”, with a stick figure as the default positional setting captured and displayed by the system. Only those assigned permission are offered access to footage, with Nobi analyzing all images locally.

To determine whether Nobi’s AI-controlled lamp could successfully monitor seniors in a real world environment, the company installed 20 of their lamps as part of a six-month pilot test trial at Gerstjens Nursing Home in Belgium in 2022. In the rooms equipped with Nobi lights, 62 falls were detected, an 80% increase in fall detection.

Light adjusts according to time of day, helping seniors with a home or care space to maintain a natural daily rhythm attuned to sunlight.

If we want new technologies to make a difference in the lives of people, we need to start creating solutions people want, not need…empathic product design.

– Roeland Pelgrims, CEO of Nobi

Nobi was recently awarded a 2023 iF DESIGN AWARD and the Health Tech Digital Awards for Best UK Elderly Care Tech Solution. Its laudable design delivers vital healthcare technology with an aesthetically pleasing form that steers clear of the intrusive and stigmatizing fall detection systems often assigned to seniors.

More information about Nobi, the smart lamp for senior care here.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

The Paimio Sanatorium, Aino and Alvar Aaltos’ groundbreaking functionalist building, was completed 90 years ago as of 2023. Artek is commemorating the moment with the release of the Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection to raise awareness for the extraordinary building and support for the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation.

Paimio Sanatorium first opened it’s doors in June 1933, set among pine forests near the town of Paimio in southwest Finland. It was designed as a “medical instrument” to care for tuberculosis patients, with every detail geared toward the needs of their recovery. The Aaltos created what would go on to be some of their most iconic furniture designs for the hospital, then added a select palette of colors throughout to tie it together into an all encompassing healing experience.

Tuberculosis patients continued to be treated in the Paimio Sanatorium until the 1960s, at which time the facilities switched over to acting as a general hospital until the 2010s. Since 2020, the building has been run by the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation to protect the structure and furniture while simultaneously developing new uses for the facilities. Artek is one of the Foundation’s founding members, and makes it a priority to provide for this new endeavor through communication and financial support.

Armchair 41

Designed in 1932 for the sanatorium, the original Armchair 41 – also known as Paimio Armchair – is one of Alvar Aalto’s furniture masterpieces. Using materials and forms that would promote wellbeing and recovery, the light, organic structure was designed to make it easier for patients to breathe. Aalto used bent birch wood and lamella rather than tubular steel, both for its warm, tactile qualities and because it was easy to clean.

Armchair 41

The Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Edition of Armchair 41 is available with a seat and frame in oiled natural birch, in a limited and numbered edition of 90 pieces. For every Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Armchair 41 sold, Artek will donate €500 to the the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation.

Armchair 41

Armchair 41

Stool 60

The iconic Stool 60 is one of the most recognized pieces in design history, which Alvar Aalto created in 1933 for the sanatorium. Recently the Alvar Aalto Foundation conducted a research project that uncovered the bottom most layers of wall paint in the sanatorium, revealing green, blue, and yellow. As part of the Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection, Stool 60 is now available in three colors that match the building’s original color scheme designed by Alvar Aalto and artist Eino Kauria.

Stool 60

The trio of hues were initially pulled from the patients’ everyday lives and treatment plans: forest walks (green), fresh air (blue), and sun bathing (yellow). For every Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Stool 60 sold, Artek will support the Paimio Sanatorium Foundation with a donation of €30.

Stool 60

Stool 60

Stool 60

Stool 60

Eino Kauria

Every anniversary piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, featuring Eino Kauria’s painting of the sanatorium’s color palette.

The Paimio Sanatorium Anniversary Collection is available at Artek stores in Helsinki and Toyko, as well as select distribution partners in Finland, Japan, Korea, and Australia. Anniversary editions are available for purchase as long as stock lasts or for one year, until June 2024. To learn more about the collection, visit artek.fi.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

Oftentimes we think of air quality solely in terms of the oxygen we breathe while outside. Yet, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends more than 90% of their life indoors. This means the air breathed at home, in the office, or anywhere indoors is most vital to our health. Birdie is an adorably conceived wall-mounted CO2 monitoring device equipped to help determine whether it’s time to crack open a window or turn on an air purifier.

Instead of reporting complex data points, graphics, or charts, Birdie simplifies air quality reporting with a “canary in a coal mine” visual interface.

When air quality dips, so does Birdie, incrementally drooping from a vertical position on its perch. The winged reporter continues until a window is opened to invite fresh air to reset the CO2 back toward safer figures. It’s not only a simple and intuitive means of communicating sometimes difficult to understand environmental information, but is also a playfully realized object with a decorative design that people ages from 3 to 100 can glean vital information with just a quick glance.

If levels of CO2 reach over 1,000 ppm for over ten minutes, Birdie looks like this until the air quality returns to 800 ppm or better.

Because there’s no screen to power, Birdie’s battery life is measured in months. The rechargeable battery is rated to keep the yellow bird in operation up to 6 months with a 4-hour recharge. If you’d rather not worry about the battery at all, there is the option to install the Birdie with a plug-in charger.

Birdie creators Andreas Kofoed Sørensen and Hans Høite Augustenborg also just released an amusing limited edition Barbie-inspired variant if you’re more partial to Barbie pink than canary yellow. You can even nab a discount if you DM a picture of your Barbie movie ticket.

If you’re motivated to avoid using plastic items, note Birdie is made from 100% recycled plastic.

Birdie is available for $189 in either standard canary yellow or hot pink edition (with an option to just switch out the bird to pink for $29).

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Jen Samson is the founder and principal designer of Laguna, California-based design firm Jen Samson Design. Her creative style often results in unexpected design elements that highlight intrigue and self-expression through combined styles. JSD’s spaces are sophisticated but relaxed, playful, and always unique. A lot of inspiration for her “curated creative abandon” comes from world travel, culture, fashion, and interiors both new and old.

The interior designer keeps filing away ideas as she travels with her family. “Traveling is basically the only thing that forces me to truly disconnect from day to day work,” Jen admits. “My husband and I have definitely passed along the travel bug to our two adventurous teenage daughters. We love to take a deep dive into other cultures, traditions, and experiences. We’ve taken our girls to Thailand, (visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket), explored Peru (Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and climbed Machu Picchu), and spent time in Costa Rica and Panama in recent years and we’re headed to Spain as a family this summer. We love to explore art and architecture, and the whole family loves vintage/thrift and antique shopping, so that is always a must as well. These vacations allow me to check out from the day to day of the studio, shift my focus solely to my family, and fill up on inspiration for when I return!”

Before starting JSD, Jen began her career in the fashion and lifestyle industries of Los Angeles. While her passion for all things visually inspiring and her eye for style grew, she helped to create lifestyle driven programming for E! and the Style Network. Jen’s next step was working for renowned luxury fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo as the Director of West Coast public relations. One last project before she jumped into interior design was a successful artisan-crafted, hand-crocheted shoe brand – Painted Bird. The footwear was designed by Jen and handmade in a small village outside of Pondicherry, India.

You get an even greater sense of Jen’s passion and love of all things design after hearing about a collection of rings that belonged to her grandmother. “They are definitely my most treasured possession. We had a very intimate and special bond – I was the oldest of six granddaughters, and we shared a deep connection throughout her life. I was the only granddaughter that had a true affinity for “old” things, so over the years she gifted me a variety of things, from china and coats to handbags and jewelry. When she got much older, she gave me a few rings that I had always admired and borrowed. Whenever I wear the rings, I see her hands so clearly. It is an extraordinary gift.”

This week, Jen Samson is joining us for Friday Five!

My favorite coats EVER! The craftsmanship of each of their pieces is bar-none. The fit and the the details of these Italian-made garments coupled with the ability to add to, switch out, and reverse pieces to change the look and feel makes Marfa Stance truly original. As an interior designer who prides myself on being unique and rarely, if ever, repeating aspects of my design, I truly admire and respect the originality and the quality of their pieces.

2. Korean Spa

It’s like the ultimate car wash for your body and all of the relaxing and re-invigorating one could possibly want. My favorite one is ISPA in Irvine, California. I usually start in the salt room and make my way through a few other favorites, including the forest and ice rooms, before heading to the wet side of the spa. Cold plunge, sauna, steam, and jacuzzi… and that is all before your number is called for the deepest body scrub down and massage. I’m talking total heaven, and when I leave it’s as if my skin has returned to the most incredible baby soft state, and all is good in the world.

Just because I love a bold lip! I also love all natural, beautiful makeup (and the packaging!!). All of Gucci Westman’s products are amazing. The Lip Suede is as bright or sultry as you want it to be – and I love that I can mix the colors to create my own perfect shade for whatever mood i’m in.

Rhea Luna Lava Vessel

4. Pottery

I am always collecting pottery for future projects and installations. I can’t seem to get enough of classic mid century studio pottery and Japanese ikebana vessels from the 60’s. I am also a huge fan of a handful of incredibly talented Los Angeles artisans creating moderns works. Two of my faves that I love to source from for clients are Bari Zipperstein (Zippy) BZippy and Heather Rosenmann. Both take a very nontraditional approach to their work, creating pieces that always bring a sense of modernism and an immense amount of creativity to what they make. Plus, both of these women are just plain cool.

Neeru Kumar’s textiles are beautiful, textural weaves using all-natural fibers. Her fabrics are relaxed and incredibly elegant at the same time, all hand loomed weaves that work beautifully as window coverings, pillows, and blankets. All of her patterns have a very organic feel to them and the natural vegetable dyes are to die for. Kumar’s handwoven textiles have been called “Antiques of the Future,” a design sensibility that is very much up my ally. We are currently using her fabrics in custom pillows, soft roman shades, and as bed blankets – a personal fave!

Work by Jen Samson:

As featured on the May/June 2023 cover of Luxe Los Angeles, this LA stunner boasts 14-foot ceilings and bold palette of color throughout. Every corner of this architecturally stunning home is filled with art and objects that spark curiosity and conversation.

A truly modern bedroom retreat. The primary bedroom was designed to create a relaxed and warm space while allowing for the texture of the walls, bench, bedding, and rug to truly sing.

Drawing inspiration from famed mid-century society photographer Slim Aarons, this kitchen in Indian Wells is a modern take on true mid-century style. It combines pops of color, playful patterns, and an undeniably chic aesthetic that was found in 1960’s design in both Palm Springs and Palm Beach.

The Lake Tahoe home sits almost on top of the blue waters in Crystal Bay. The home has four levels, all of which have spectacular views of the mountains and the lake below. Tasked with creating a light a bright lake home for the clients, this entry to the home serves as a beautiful and natural welcome to a home designed for enjoying all summer long.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

Nestled within the rugged landscape of the Appalachian foothills in North Carolina, you’ll find a modern house designed by Fuller/Overby Architecture that seamlessly marries impeccable design with nature. The Nebo House, perched along an elongated lakeside lot with a dramatic slope that’s situated opposite Big Island, stands as the perfect example of thoughtful integration with the environment. At first glance, the house appears as a cluster of small pavilions that embrace the natural contours of the hillside. These pavilions frame panoramic views of the surrounding landscape while embracing the ever-changing light of the sun.

The design uses retaining walls that traverse the site diagonally, making way for two earthwork courts that carve out space from the steep incline. Within these courts, a series of eight volumes emerges, each housing its own purpose. This arrangement not only frames views of the lake and mountains beyond but also establishes a connection between the house and its surrounding scenery.

The exterior is clad in dark, charred cypress, offering a sense of cohesion with the surrounding trees and further enhancing the unity with nature.

Designed as the permanent residence for a retired couple with an extended family, the Nebo House artfully balances private spaces with the public ones with the capacity for larger gatherings. Daily activities are concentrated on the lower floor, divided by a central courtyard that splits the level into two wings. This division, cleverly named “Day and Night,” marks the social areas to the east and the private sleeping spaces to the west. A hallway, which doubles as a mechanical and structure spine by the rear retaining wall, connects the private and public spaces.

The main floor is thoughtfully embedded into the hillside, with views directed to the lake, and clerestory windows above filtering in southern light. The surrounding earth serves as natural insulation, significantly reducing the need for heating and cooling. The house utilizes operable windows for natural airflow, a heat pump mechanical system, and cutting-edge glazing, insulation, appliances, and LED lighting to slash energy consumption in half, showcasing a commitment to sustainable living.

A cantilevered staircase lives next to the double height living room, rising up to the entrance and guest rooms above.

Photography by Paul Warchol
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Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.