Oftentimes the most meaningful and useful designs are not wholly new solutions, but born from revisiting the mundane tools we depend upon every day, simply seen with fresh eyes. Industrial designer Pelin Özbalcı’s one&done toothbrush is one such concept, a toothbrush reimagined for travelers seeking to pack lightly and efficiently, combining the identifiable form of dental hygiene with a functional addition normally associated with tooth decay.

With the one&done, the Istanbul-based industrial designer mashes up what could be two diametrically opposed objects: the toothbrush and a candy dispenser. Designed into a singular object using toothpaste tablets in lieu of standard tubed paste, the one&done offers a convenient space saving form ideal for travel, eliminating the chances of making a mess, while also standardizing the proper amount of dental product to an exact amount each time, something not always true while squeezing a tube.

To make brushing a little more fun, the design is realized in three vibrant colors – coral, blueberry, and lagoon.

“I designed one&done as a toothbrush with a twist,” explains Özbalcı about the PEZ dispenser inspired design. “The toothbrush securely holds up to 20 toothpaste tablets within its compact design, and also features a replaceable brush parts for a more eco-friendly approach to oral care.”

Travel toothbrushes have a habit of creating a mess. Özbalcı’s solution is a magnetic toothbrush cap to keep brushes away from germs (and vice versa).

The designer’s sustainable hygiene dispenser was recognized with a ProCarton Young Designers Award.

Özbalcı’s vision for one&done extends to its packaging, each component embossed in profile across the box.

The Junior industrial designer currently works at Silicon Valley mobility start-up ACTON Global, responsible for visualization, UI/UX, and industrial design, while also founding her own industrial design studio, Nest Studio. More of Özbalcı’s most recent work is available on her Instagram.

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.

Calling all lighting designers around the world! The 2023 L A M P International Lighting Design Competition is now accepting entries for its 9th edition, with a deadline of September 30, 2023. Design Milk is happy to once again be the media partner of the competition that devotes itself to promoting and connecting talented designers with new markets in lighting design. With each year’s competition we’re blown away by the submissions more and more!

There will once more be three main categories: Manufactured, Professional, and Student. Five sub-categories will include table, floor, chandelier/sconce, portable, and outdoor. In a twist, an additional ACOUSTIC category has been added for 2023 and is open to submissions from both students and established designers. An esteemed panel of judges will make their decisions based on a set of evaluations ranging from aesthetics to marketability and innovation.

If you need some inspiration, check out the winners from the L A M P 2022-2023 competition here. Follow @lampthecompetition on Instagram and register your designs today!

Professional Overall Winner + Professional Pendant/Sconce Winner: Maya by Luiza Guidi @luizaguidi (Balneário Camboriú, Brazil)

Student Overall Winner + Student Table Winner (tied): Skylar by Jiahao Huang @jiahao_hh (Lausanne, Switzerland)

Manufactured Overall Winner (tied) + Pendant/Sconce Winner (tied): Viro by Robert John Morrison, Emma Waters, Viro Lighting @virolighting (Salt Lake City, UT)

Manufactured Pendant/Sconce Winner (tied): Booi by Graypants @graypantsstudio (Seattle, WA)

Manufactured Floor Winner: Iron by Hassene Jeljeli / JK lighting / JK design SARL @jklighting (Tunis Tunisia)

Manufactured Table Winner (tied): Maja by Magdalena Boggiano, OBLUMO @oblumo.coleccion (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Professional Floor Winner: T-Lamp by Heajin Ko @heakostudio (New York, USA)

Professional Table Winner (tied): Bamboo by Rostyslav Sorokovyi, mudu design studio @mudu_design (Lviv, Ukraine)

Professional Table Winner (tied): Mikono by Moritz Putzier, Studio Moritz Putzier @studiomoritzputzier (Cologne, Germany)

Student Pendant/Sconce Winner: Swi-Wal by Darsh Patel, Dhruv Patel @darshpatel_id @dhruvpatel_id (Gujarat, India)

Student Floor Winner: Horizon by Didi NG Wing Yin @dd_ng (Hong Kong)

Student Table Winner (tied): Zabriske by Rachel McGovern @rachelmcgovern_dsign (Los Angeles, USA)

People’s Choice Manufactured Winner: LUPO Table Lamp by Recozy, Moritz Putzier @recozy.shop (Germany)

People’s Choice Professional Winner: Arpeggio, light and music Table Lamp by Yume Studio (Valencia, Spain + French Guiana, France)

People’s Choice Student Winner: Sol by Fabian Malmhagen @fabian.h.c.malmhagen (Ljunghusen, Sweden)

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.

Dawn Ranch is a 22-acre creative retreat featuring standalone cabins located in Guerneville, California, designed by Bridgeton Studio in collaboration with Brian Smith and Whitney Clark, who both contributed to the design of sister property, Marram Montauk. The property has a rich history of transformation, now re-emerging as a wellness destination after recovering from the floods of 2019.

With the acquisition of the neighboring resort, Fern Grove, Dawn Ranch now offers new facilities including a spa, saltwater pool, and dining concepts, showcasing the talents of famous Argentinian chef, Fernando Trocca.

“We provide guests with the ability to refresh their creative toolkits with devices they may not have accessed in some time,” said, Chief Executive Officer, Bridgeton. “Through the beauty of our grounds, world class accommodations, spa, dining and experiences that let the guests freely and organically craft their stay, we hope new talents are discovered or new hobbies found.”

Arrival at the property presents guests with a grand 1900s lodge, which has been meticulously restored. A new restaurant concept, The Lodge at Dawn Ranch, is helmed by Chef Juliana Thorpe and inspired by Trocca’s South American heritage. The menu is vegetable-centric, flaunting a global touch while sourcing locally, some of which from the ranch’s Kitchen Garden.

With 81 total keys, the renovated cottages and cabins have been modernized to blend rustic charm and contemporary elegance. Collaborations with Oxford Street Company have led to eclectic designs, employing functional textiles and luxurious custom furniture. Bathrooms offer a serene green palette, with brass fixtures and quality hair and body care amenities. The Spa at Dawn Ranch is an oasis, preserving the owner’s original dwelling and adding touches inspired by European solariums and ancient public baths.

Photography by Gentl & Hyers.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.

Bedding brand Brooklinen teams up with interdisciplinary artist Zoe Schlacter to drop their boldest bedding collection so far. This latest Artist Series collaboration aims to inject a dose of artistic style and redefine your bedroom aesthetic with eye-catching graphics. Launching in tandem with Schlacter’s new designs, Brooklinen will also be launching their bedding in complementary colors Cilantro and Lemongrass, along with bringing back two favorites, Toffee and Raindrop Blue. All four solids perfectly pair with Schlacter’s new Contour & Flow, an exclusive pattern to Brooklinen.

Inspired by movement, Schlacter has designed the Contour & Flow pattern, an “approachable maximalist” design available in shades Toffee and Raindrop Blue. The Contour & Flow pattern has a “topographic element that felt cohesive with the seasonal color story we wanted to tell, while also being its own modern entity,” says Brooklinen’s Color Designer Jennifer Ertel.

The collaboration goes beyond just sheets and pillowcases. The Brooklinen x Zoe Schlacter Artist Series collection introduces an exclusive Knitted Throw Blanket in Cielo Blue, another example of Schlacter’s striking graphics.

Above all, the Brooklinen x Zoe Schlacter Artist Series limited edition bedding collection is an embodiment of pure joy and celebration. Schlacter’s intention is to spark joy and create a sense of fun and festivity within your home. “I hope that it makes their home feel more special, more fun, more celebratory – I think we all need a little more fun and celebration in our lives,” Schlacter said.

Schlacter’s signature Dazzle Throw Blanket and Dazzle Throw Pillow, while not exclusive to Brooklinen, weave seamlessly this collection, allowing you to integrate bold artistic statements throughout your living space.

Artist Zoe Schlacter

To learn more or to purchase anything from the Brooklinen x Zoe Schlacter limited edition collaboration, visit brooklinen.com.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

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.

With a shape inspired by the fluted columns of ancient Rome and the colors of the Memphis movement, the ROMANA light collection has it all – brains and looks. Functional and visually intriguing, the family of four luminaires from Superlife include a table lamp, a medium sized lamp, a floor lamp, and a pendant lamp. Each element of the collection features powder coated aluminum and a dimmable bulb. One thing is for certain, ROMANA adds a unique spot of style to its space – whether placed in a corner or centerstage.

ROMANA Table Lamp

ROMANA Table Lamp

ROMANA Table Lamp

ROMANA Table Lamp

ROMANA Table Lamp + Medium

ROMANA Medium

ROMANA Medium

ROMANA Medium

ROMANA Medium

ROMANA Floor Lamp

ROMANA Floor Lamp

ROMANA Floor Lamp

ROMANA Floor Lamp

ROMANA Floor Lamp

ROMANA Pendant

ROMANA Pendant

ROMANA Pendant

ROMANA Pendant

To learn more about the ROMANA lighting collection, visit superlife.ch.

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.

ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, AI-enhanced smart home device, and numerous systems sometimes completely invisible to us are already altering how we work, play, and interact with the world. But few would conceive the burgeoning transformative technology taking on the form of something as humble as the Narratron, a small projector with a hand crank conceived to capture hand shadow puppetry and transform the poses into fairy tales narrated by artificial intelligence.

Designed by Aria Xiying Bao and Yubo Zhao at the MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning, the Narratron seems almost an anachronism at first glance, a camera/projector realized with toy-like simplicity. The Narratron’s minimalist industrial design is intentionally uncomplicated to invite an unobtrusively tactile experience not dissimilar to those earliest days in the company of our toys. Except this toy is capable of turning shadow poses created with your hand into wondrously detailed stories revealed one hand crank at a time.

The spinning of the knob is a nostalgic detail adding an intuitive tactile method to further the story, with each rotation of the knob revealing a new chapter of the narrative.

The Narratron is powered by ChatGPT’s language model, an AI system already known to fabricate fanciful tales on its own, or in machine learning parlance, “hallucinate.” Bao and Zhao’s contraption uses AI’s propensity to fabricate stories as a feature rather than a bug, churning out AI-generated stories complete with detailed plot lines, dialogue, and descriptive elements made up to entertain rather than steer users away from the facts. It does all this using Stable Diffusion for the imagery and the React Speech Kit to conjure a convincing AI narrator to tell the made up tale.

The process of using the Narratron is also a bit of a throwback in itself. First the user snaps poses and snaps a hand shadow pose like an old camera. Each snapshot is then analyzed by an algorithm trained to translate the hand poses into an animal keyword, an animal that then becomes the foundation of an original frame-by-frame immersive yarn embellished with voice acting, sound effects, and music revealed with every turn of the Narratron’s crank dial.

The designers included the vintage movie projector-inspired detail as an aesthetic touch and homage to classic movie film cameras, a clean and uncluttered design intended to connect user with device without distractions, and help plunge viewers into the immersive stories summoned by artificial intelligence.

It’s no Barbie or Oppenheimer, but in some ways what the Narratron does in its elementary form may prove prescient of a future where algorithms operate not merely as recommendation mediums, but become capable of actively synthesizing unique entertainment in realtime and in reaction across various modalities of the visual, auditory, tactile, and using textual I/O, essentially turning you into an active participant in the movie making process. Fascinating or horrifying, we’ve yet to determine.

Gregory Han is the Managing Editor of 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.

Interactive outdoor art installations are some of our favorites! Now, Melbourne-based art and technology studio ENESS has launched A Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly. The name of the permanent installation is exactly as it says – the whimsical benches store sunlight from custom solar panels and rotate, giving users a slow paced perspective of their surroundings. There’s absolutely zero age limit to enjoying this bench.

The artwork also interacts with the sun itself, spinning faster on bright days and slower when there are clouds. Shorter people will enjoy their feet hanging off the edge in a childlike way, while taller users will have to re-plant their feet every few meters as the bench continues spinning.

Artist and founder of ENESS, Nimrod Weis, shares that “The intention was to create a work that innovates within the area of [the] public realm by being functional, sustainable, and one that inspires a different way of interacting. By harvesting sunlight, the benches move under their own steam – without intervention. This intention makes a statement about the future of public infrastructure and what energy sources are being used for light, movement, and animation.”

The Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly is sustainably created, rotomolded using low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The design also references mid-century modern furniture details, an era when new synthetics were revolutionizing manufacturing techniques. The retro look, brought to life with today’s sustainability values and solar harvesting, gives the illusion of a garden of flowers when viewed from above.

To learn more about ENESS’s Solar-Powered Bench That Spins Ever So Slowly, visit eness.com.

Photography by Ben Wiseman.

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.

In the heart of East London’s vibrant landscape, a lively apartment has emerged, seamlessly blending futuristic design and vibrant colors. Part of luxury development Coppermaker Square, this striking one-bedroom apartment is tailor-made by 2LG Studio for an active gamer and bike enthusiast. The visionary project offers a luxurious yet playful haven for a young professional.

Large windows flood the space with natural light, allowing 2LG Studio’s design to effortlessly pull in the city’s vibrancy to create a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors.

The flat evokes a sense of futurism, shown through the black details and silver metallic accents. These elements don’t just add visual interest – they transport you to a realm where modern technology and aesthetics intersect, inviting you to embrace the potential of what’s to come.

The apartment’s quirky personality shines through in its curated design elements. From the neon lights to the donut-like pouf, the cartoonish shelving to the metallic bedding, every detail has been meticulously selected to spark joy and creativity. Collectible toys and graphic rugs add an artistic statement that’s not just visually appealing but also speaks to the interests of the gamer occupant. It’s a testament to the idea that a living space should reflect one’s individuality and passions.

From every vantage point, primary colors make the cut, from painted walls to seating to accent pieces, to create a cohesive design that’s bold and playful yet livable.

Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe of 2LG Studio

Photography by Megan Taylor.

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.

After meeting in 1950, the iconic 20th century artist and designers lit a creative fire, feeding off of one another. Currently sitting on my coffee table is this book that pulls all of the best Saul Steinberg- and Charles and Ray Eames-related artifacts and ephemera (archival photographs, artwork, and an essay from Steinberg scholar and curator Francesca Pellicciari) from the free online exhibition of the same name. The exhibit and resulting book draw from the Eames Institute’s archives – they even include a fake diploma Steinberg created for Charles since he never graduated from architecture school!

If you’re expecting saccharine sweetness, you won’t find it here. Rather divisive among candle lovers, this collaborative scent lies somewhere in between Magnolia’s classic banana pudding and a moody, smokey, and refined vibe. The sweet banana and vanilla you might automatically think of have been softened, and the undertones of guaiac and leather kicked up a notch. Cardamom and elemi resin add the final notes. Love it or not, this is a great collaboration.

I’ve mentioned before how much I prefer using indoor/outdoor rugs in my home, simply because they wear so much better. Pappelina’s high quality Swedish rugs fall into that category, so I went for it by replacing my worn kitchen runner with the Belle Reversible Rug seen here. Made of 100% certified PVC, the hand loomed piece doesn’t shed and is water and UV resistant. It has the slightest give as you walk over it, adding a nice cushion when I’m standing at the sink washing dishes or cooking on the range. Because it’s so easy to clean, this might just be the brand for those of you on the fence about having a rug in the kitchen!

A few of my indoor plants really struggled last winter, leading me down the path of plant food and fertilizers. The sustainability behind Flourish’s Organic Plant Food really called to me with it’s formulation of macro- and micronutrients derived from discarded fish and corn. (No, it doesn’t smell like fish.) The blend of essential nutrients and microbes help sustain healthy plants during leafy growth and the early stages of flowering or fruiting. It’s concentrated, so all you’ll need is an 8-ounce vessel to combine it with water. Use it every time you water or notice new growth popping up.

There’s such a sense of possibility when buying new travel gear! One piece I find a necessity is a sturdy weekender that can be grabbed at a second’s notice for an adventure or lazy retreat. But the thing is that I still want to be somewhat organized, which is what drew me to this new bag from Quince. Available in three leather options, it’s designed with three zippered compartments as well as pockets to stash toiletries, jewelry, and more. Metal feet protect its bottom from dirt, while a removable, adjustable shoulder strap provides multiple carrying options. I think it’s time to pack up!

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.

Audio manufacturer KEF and automotive brand Lotus’ association with British performance within their respective realms make for an interesting, if not natural, partnership. KEF have already lent the performance-oriented automaker their engineering team’s expertise, with the same audio experts responsible for the brand’s flagship premium loudspeakers powered by their signature Uni-Q driver array, Shadow Flare, Uni-Core, and 3D surround sound outfitting the vehicles with systems capable of an immersive aural experience. But now with the KEF LS60 Wireless Lotus Edition Speakers, one does not have to consider the partnership a one-way street.



The first installment of a collection of KEF x Lotus products for the home, the floor standing LS60 Wireless Lotus Edition brings over the same specs as the first LS60 launched back in 2022. The only changes are visual, rather than anything specifically auditory, with differences limited specifically to a golden hued Lotus logo and of course, the hue most commonly associated with British motoring culture: British Racing Green. Beyond these details, the system remains a handsome example of the work of KEF collaborator and industrial designer Michael Young, the same designer responsible for the much smaller KEF LSX wireless bookshelf speakers.

It is worth mentioning while Lotus is historically British in origin, the brand is now majority owned by Chinese multinational Geely, the same group responsible for steering the route for Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Proton, and their own stable of vehicles under its own branding such as Geely Auto, Geometry, Maple, and Zeekr. KEF on the other hand remains a staunchly British affair, with product development, research, and manufacturing of the brand’s signature products still stationed in the original Maidstone headquarters based in England.

Like most special editions, these emerald speakers come attached to a premium. While others will undoubtedly become green with envy upon spying this audio system stationed in your listening space, you’ll have to part with a chunk of green yourself, $7999.99 to be exact. For a thousand less, you can compromise for a standard blue, titanium, or white option.

Gregory Han is the Managing Editor of 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.