If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for the spirit and laid-back elegance of Palm Springs, take a look at Tonal Bliss – a unique and relaxed family home nestled in the picturesque bay-side suburb of Hampton, Melbourne. This residence captures the essence of Palm Springs with meticulous design selections and a playful touch, creating constant summery vibes all year long.

Built in the 90s/2000s, the original home served as a blank canvas for interior designer David Puckering from The Stylesmiths to work his magic. Recognizing the home’s excellent bones and thoughtful design from its time of construction, Puckering saw the potential to update and reimagine the house to match the vision of the clients – a young family of four.

The heart of design begins with its meticulous use of tones, textures, and natural elements. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by fluted walls that stand as the focal point of the entry and staircase. The rhythmic and impactful fluted design sets the tone for the entire residence, evoking a sense of style and sophistication. Although the fluted walls required some compromises with the builder, the end result was undoubtedly worth the effort, making this house truly one-of-a-kind.

In the main living area, sunlight filters through sheer linen curtains, illuminating the sun-bleached American oak wood floors. With handcrafted terracotta tile surrounding the fireplace, the cozy space becomes the perfect place to unwind. A Jardan sofa, upholstered in rust-toned boucle textured wool, invites casual lounging and complements the overall play of tone and texture in this tranquil living space.

Moving further into the home, the kitchen, living area, and dining space blend seamlessly together, providing a harmonious flow for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen, with its fluted base and natural stone top, is complemented by an azure blue kit-kat tile backsplash and American oak cabinetry.

The dining room features a joinery bar and dining table made from American oak, tying the Palm Spring’s aesthetic throughout the home.

The main bedroom exudes a moody allure, transporting one to a tranquil retreat after a long day. With its dark walls, the bedroom stands in contrast to the rest of the house. A fluted floor-to-ceiling headboard and Memphis-inspired tiles contribute to the atmosphere, allowing soft light to cast patterns throughout the space.

Photography by Gus MacDonald.

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.

Togo, the iconic sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, is celebrating its 50th anniversary! The occasion is being marked by the release of two limited-edition versions of the seating: Atom and La Toile du Peintre. One a minimalist’s monotone-speckled dream, the other for lovers of color and pattern.

In the 1970s, new materials – foams, quilting, thermoformed plastics, and more – hit the market, opening up the possibilities for new seating concepts. Ligne Roset developed innovative production techniques to match, and with them came the first all-foam range of modular seating. The spirit of innovation was high, and designer Ducaroy was riding that wave when he thought up the Togo “seat-cushion.”

First presented at the Salon des Arts Ménagers in Paris in 1973, viewers of Togo were doubtful, but the fair’s organizers were not. The seating won Ducaroy the René-Gabriel prize, which recognized “innovative and democratic furniture” for pieces which offered the right price/value relationship.

Ducaroy often described Togo’s form as “a tube of toothpaste folded back on itself like a stovepipe and closed at both ends.” The design was a hit with the hippie generation then, and has turned up in the most stylish of hotels and celebrity homes since. The sofa’s soft wrinkles continue to attract attention to this day, becoming Ligne Roset’s star product and bestseller.

The first limited-edition upholstery celebrating Togo’s momentous milestone is Atom. Brought to life by Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons for Kvadrat, it’s an experimental bouclé fabric with no visible repetition, inspired by fragments of pointillist landscapes in expressionist paintings. Birch, labradorite, and confetti colors make up Atom, with the textile featuring speckles of bold and contrasting random color across its surface. Only 878 pieces in the Atom fabric are available worldwide, and only in stores that have pre-ordered.

While the wrinkled nature of Togo’s design is a pattern in its own right, La Toile du Peintre by Pierre Frey acts as a contemporary enhancement. The large graphic pattern that’s bursting with color is a reinterpretation of a piece by painter Heather Chontos, an ode to artistic expression. The Togo Toile du Peintre will be available in Ligne Roset showrooms until the end of December 2023.

To learn more about the limited-edition Togo 50th Anniversary editions, visit ligne-roset.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.

The Megalodon Sword Macro Pad squarely falls into the category of “really don’t need it, but definitely want it” of productivity peripherals. Aimed at designers, gamers, programmers, and musicians who depend upon shortcut commands on the daily – but are also short on desk space – the single row device adds back a row of functional and programmable mechanical keys accompanied with a knob-button to offer a programmable panacea for the compact keyboard blues.

There’s really not much to the Sword Macro Pad. Just imagine someone carefully slicing off the top row of function keys from a mechanical keyboard. Almost like breaking off a Kit Kat bar, except this bar is machined in 6063 aluminum (popularly used in architectural applications such as window frames, door frames, and roofs), features USB-C connectivity, and delivers six layers of functionality with a clickable knob to control features like volume or brightness.

The twelve blank XDA keycaps included are paired with Gateron Yellow Switches and will sound linear and clicky, so perhaps best used in settings where your audible keystrokes won’t become an issue. Fortunately the entire setup is hot-swappable and VIA configurable, so users can customize their Sword Macro Pad to look and sound however desired.

The Megalodon Sword Macro Pad is a fairly good sized macro pad from the perspective of number of customizable keys alongside a push button knob, especially when compared to the brand’s other 3-key configuration. But its slim single row design might appeal to users who have some available space above their keyboard, but not so much to the sides.

The Megalodon Sword Macro Pad is available for $59 in Black, Yellow, Red, White, and amusingly a slightly off-white labeled, Soy.

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.

It’s time once again for the A’ Design Award & Competition! The 2023-2024 edition brings back one of the world’s leading juried design shows, organized in a wide range of creative fields to highlight the best designers from all countries in all disciplines. The primary aim of the A’ Design Award & Competition is to create a global awareness and understanding for good design practices and principles by highlighting the best designs, with the ultimate goal of pushing designers, companies, and brands to create great products and projects that benefit society while rewarding creativity.

Projects that focus on innovation, technology, design, and creativity are accepted as entries until February 28, 2024. Entries are then peer-reviewed and anonymously judged by a jury of academics, press members, and professionals. You’re invited to take part by entering your best works, projects, and products designed within the last 10 years. Winners will be announced on April 15, 2024. The competition is now open for entries – click here to register and click here to submit an entry for a chance at winning the prize!

Check out some of our favorite past winners below!

Stoniture Sofa by Abbas Sufinejad is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Furniture Design Award Category

Nikolatesla Unplugged Extractor Induction Hob With Knobs by Fabrizio Crisà is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Home Appliances Design Award Category

Galaxy Light Concept Car by Geely Auto Group Holding Co., Ltd is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Car and Land Based Motor Vehicles Design Award Category

Lattice Chair Weaving Armchair by Chen Kuan-Cheng is Platinum Design Award winner in 2020-2021 Furniture Design Award Category

Oriental Movie Metropolis Show Theater Exhibition Hall by Gao Shanxing is Platinum Design Award winner in 2021-2022 Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award Category

Rizhao Bailuwan Cherry Blossom Town Art and Cultural Space by Hu Sun is Golden Design Award winner in 2021-2022 Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award Category

Tenki Spliced Magnetic Attraction Toy by Linglin Liang is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award Category

Shenzhen Zhongshuge Bookstore by Li Xiang is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Interior Space and Exhibition Design Award Category

Moccle Wooden Bicycle by Masateru Yasuda is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Bicycle Design Award Category

109 Pro Headphone by Meze Audio is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Audio and Sound Equipment Design Award Category

Deji Cultural Complex Museum by Masato Kure is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Interior Space and Exhibition Design Award Category

Serel Passion Smart Washbasin by SEREL Ceramic Factory is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Bathroom Furniture and Sanitary Ware Design Award Category

Jizai Arms Supernumerary Robotic Limb System by JST INAMI JIZAI-BODY PROJECT and Prototyping & Design Laboratory, The University of Tokyo is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Cybernetics, Prosthesis and Implant Design Award Category

First Shiguangli Marketing Center by Shanhejinyuan is Platinum Design Award winner in 2021-2022 Interior Space and Exhibition Design Award Category

Dc 3 Stool by Sergio Fahrer is Platinum Design Award winner in 2021-2022 Furniture Design Award Category

Traces Of Zero Calendar by Shilushi Inc. is Golden Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Art and Stationery Supplies Design Award Category

Fushan Ecology Greenway Design by Tengyuan Design is Platinum Design Award winner in 2022-2023 Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award Category

CanguRo Mobility Robot by Shunji Yamanaka & fuRo is Platinum Design Award winner in 2020-2021 Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award Category

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.

If there have ever been two companies that needed to hook up, few feel like such a natural pairing as Airstream with REI. The two brands synonymous with adventuring outdoors are introducing a 20-foot REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X, and we’re all for this rugged new travel trailer appointed with eco-friendly features designed to take off the rough edges while adventuring by (off)road.

The REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X is nowhere as technologically appointed as the Lightship L1, but like that solar powered recreational adventure trailer, the REI badged Airstream edition can be paired with an optional 360W solar charging system with a lithium battery bank for off-grid power. The small footprint and 3,500 pound base weight means you won’t need a beastly Ford F-250 or RAM 2500 to haul one of these trailers to your favorite campground site – a mid-size SUV or light-duty truck should suffice.

Airstream’s standard X-Package adds a 3” lift kit, off-road tires, and front window solar protection. Only the small green embellishments and REI badge designate this trailer as special from the exterior.

The REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X rear hatch door makes for easy entry and egress in tight quarters.

Compared to Airstream’s stock Basecamp, there is seemingly little difference at first glance between the standard model and this new REI edition. Airstream seems to have eked out an additional 3.5-inches in exterior height, but beyond the REI badge and green-hued detailing, you’d be pressed to notice a difference.

That is until you enter into the interior, where the trailer reveals what makes this worthy of its “special edition” designation, most specifically its larger accommodations credit to the larger 20-foot chassis. A convertible front dinette transforms from dining area into a sleeping or entertaining section with only a few adjustments, offering a camping group of up to four numerous configurable options, as illustrated below:

The 20-foot model’s organic-hued palette applied across many of the trailer’s interior surfaces, fabric, and upholstery detailing lends a contemporary airy vibe, as does the stylish Terrazo interior bath walls hidden behind Green Matrix painted walls. Eco-sourced fabrics and laminates made from post-consumer recycled materials keep things figuratively and literally on the spectrum of green, as does the inclusion of a cutting board sink cover made from recycled paper, and cabinetry crafted from lightweight and sustainably grown wood. The sum of colors and materials makes this our favorite expression of the Airstream lifestyle aesthetic.

An onboard galley is equipped with 2-burner cooktop, a stainless steel sink featuring a graphite black faucet, and pop-up charging ports elevates meal preparation beyond campfire offerings.

REI adventurers likely land in the spectrum of “prepared and organized,” and this model delivers with a built-in floor cooler with drain that can be used for beverages or as added wet storage, a dedicated gear locker, and a 25-piece REI Co-op product kit designed to stow away neatly into custom-designed compartments. Those who like to stay connected even while on break, the trailer is pre-wired for Airstream Connected, a cellular powered Wi-Fi system.

The exclusive product kit includes essential items like dishware, flatware, and storage cubes complementing the REI-specific decor elements, like the birch cabinetry and spruce green accents. An L-track storage system is also situated for easy access and for storing the usual array of gear often brought for outdoor adventuring, including bikes, skis, and kayaks.

A water-saving composting toilet is an optional upgrade, but UV-LED water filtration and a recirculating water heater are standard.

Both the previous available 16-foot REI-Co-op Special Edition Basecamp and this new 20-foot edition are available now, with pricing for the new 20-foot model starting at $62,400. For additional details and specs, go to Airstream.com.

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.

Designed by French designer Patrick Norguet for outdoor decor brand Ethimo, the new Cross collection is sure to elevate, and harmonize with, your current outdoor space. Named after the tables’ bases, the collection is made with FSC-certified teak wood and black cork, a combination of natural materials that lend a demure, elegant aesthetic to the series. The three low tables also borrow their shape from the natural environment and, therefore, can seamlessly blend into any outdoor settings.

As the Lifestyle editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

Creative Director of Lore Group, Jacu Strauss uses exploration and experimentation to showcase the beauty, characteristics, and context of each project he brings to life. The destination where the property sits is just as important as everything else during his design process. While designing both Pulitzer Amsterdam and Riggs Washington DC hotels, Jacu actually relocated to each city to ensure that each property properly reflected the communities around them. Now that’s dedication.

“My baptism for hospitality design happened once I finished the Pulitzer in Amsterdam, only the second hotel I have ever worked on,” Jacu said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime project with many challenges, but we overcame all the complexities with clever and unique solutions, and with a great attitude all the way. It was when this hotel opened, and seeing people’s delight when they walked in, that I realized that I wanted to design more and more unique hotels in wonderful (often unloved) buildings in amazing locations.”

Jacu and his team led the complete redesign of the award-winning Dutch hotel, Pulitzer Amsterdam, and Lore Group’s U.S. properties, Riggs Washington DC and Lyle. Most recently the team has overseen the redesign, refurbishment, and launch of One Hundred Shoreditch, a well-known hotel in East London. Jacu and his team even design and create bespoke furniture, fixtures, and equipment for each project.

Though firmly entrenched in the hospitality design industry, Jacu said that if he ever made a pivot to another creative medium it would be jewelry design, or anything to do with gemstones. “I grew up in an area famous for diamonds and gold and other precious natural gems, so I was always exposed to the beauty and diversity of all these bright and colorful things coming from mother earth, and how there is beauty in its raw forms and how through craft and human hands this beauty becomes a celebration.”

Currently London-based, Jacu has lived in several countries, beginning his architectural training in New Zealand and going on to study at the Bartlett School of Architecture and Westminster University in London.

Today, we’re happy to have Jacu Strauss joining us for Friday Five!

1. My Collection of Busts + Statues

I have a certain obsession with Greek and Roman antiquities, particularly busts and statues. I love these sections at museums. I have several examples, mostly reproductions, but I do have one from 1 or 2 BC where the face is long gone but the silhouette is enough of a “Memory” to recognize it being a statue of a man. I am intrigued by these imperfections caused by time that adds to the mystery and beauty. My other favorite is a meter tall bust of Antinous, the lover of Emperor Hadrian. He is a 60’s reproduction done for some fair. I bought him in the US and had him shipped over, where sadly his head broke off! But thanks to Rebekah Dunsmuir, he has been perfectly restored.

Photo: Gareth Gardner

2. Sir John Soane’s Museum in London

Just a magical museum showcasing the lifetime collection of English Architect Sir John Soane (1753-1837) in his London house. It is like a treasure cave, and unlike museums in general there is something particularly charming about the clutter in a domestic setting – loads of “grand tour” ancient pieces from Greece, Rome, Egypt and beyond. It resonates with my passion for collecting things on my journeys. I also like how he came up with certain “tricks” to display items, like the folding panels of art in his art room and how he used skylights (big and small), often through colored glass, in various rooms.

3. Verner Panton Heart Cone Chair

This is one of my favorite chairs of all time, it was designed in the 60s. I think it goes with almost all interiors as the ideal hero piece, I have used it in several different projects and it always works. It is also surprisingly comfortable and I think anyone sitting in one feels extra special.

4. Georgia Jacob’s Athene Lamps

I adore these lamps from the 70s. The shapes and pinkish beige tones and the light source are fantastic and they look great during the day, too.

5. Travel Items

It is hard to sometimes justify expensive luggage and travel pieces, but it makes all the difference. I love great travel cases by Rimowa and Away, long-term investments that make traveling a thousand times more tolerable, I especially love them even more with some wear and tear over the years. I also love British brand Smythson, they are fun and the quality and practicality are spot on. I have their Panama wallet in orange and a navy Passport holder – a gift from a friend when I became British earlier this year – and both are just perfect. The travel wallet even holds some sachets of Tabasco that I simply cannot travel without.

Work by Jacu Strauss:

Pulitzer Photo courtesy of Lore Group

One Hundred Shoreditch Lobby Bar Photo courtesy of Lore Group

One Hundred Shoreditch Photo courtesy of Lore Group

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.

Casa Figueira is a stunning family home nestled in the tranquil suburb of Rose Bay in Sydney, Australia. Named after a century-old, heritage-protected fig tree, Casa Figueira was brought to life through a collaborative effort between buck&simple: doers of stuff (lead architect), Luigi Rosselli Architects (original architect), Atelier Alwill (interior design), and Dangar Barin Smith (landscape architect).

Casa Figueira strikes the perfect balance between a contemporary style and a mid-century Brazilian aesthetic. Inspired by the desire to create an open-air living space, the architects sought to bring together form and function. Off-form board concrete ceilings are juxtaposed with American Walnut joinery, helping to draws the eye towards the surrounding landscape. Generous open-plan living spaces merge seamlessly with a central courtyard, inviting nature right into the home.

The main living space, flanked by two long sides with sliding glass doors, becomes an open air pavilion complete with a kitchen that has a solid stainless steel island on one side and a sunken living room on the other.

One of the main concerns during the design process was to ensure that Casa Figueira withstood the test of time. The architects approached this challenge with meticulous thought, selecting materials and detailing that would weather well. Extensive research and collaboration with suppliers led to the use of non-ferrous metals, resilient protective coatings, and wood finishes. The result creates a cohesive style throughout the home, where aged brass is paired with raw concrete and warm wood details.

The entrance door, etched in bronze, welcomes guests, while a gracefully curved foyer with open stairs guides visitors inside. A round skylight filters natural light down creating an ever-changing play of light and shadow as the day progresses.

Photography by Prue Ruscoe, courtesy of BowerBird.

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.

You can’t help but smile once you lay your eyes on Neinkamper’s Beam collection of seating and tables! The seating’s compact, curvaceous silhouette is playful and casual, yet also innovative with a low carbon footprint. Available as a single lounge chair, two-, or three-seater, the idea is to combine pieces to create dynamic arrangements that are custom to your work environment.

You may find yourself wondering where a collection with few angles in sight got the name Beam. Well, the soft, upholstered seating elements rest on an exposed wood beam that’s only visible from the side of each piece of furniture. The addition adds a nice touch of warmth and more play between materials and textures.

Beam’s trio of tables are casual and contemporary. Made using wood veneer that features a low-sheen finish, the coffee tables offer the aesthetic of solid wood furniture that’s organic and sculptural. Their geometric forms include a statement-making 3-inch thick tabletop that’s unexpected but balancing. The tables look great nested together or standing alone, and offer the option of integrated power forums for even more functionality. Beam tables are available in standard Nienkämper veneers or P-Lam finishes.

To learn more about the Beam Lounge Collection, visit nienkamper.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.

These are weird and occasionally wonderful times when it comes to footwear, especially if you’re partial to expressing yourself through your shoes. Conspicuous creations like MSCHF’s big red Astro Boy boots, Dad sneakers and clunky Crocs, and exploratory sneakers constructed from recycled materials all continue to catch the public’s eye and court the mainstream. Now if you’re someone who pines for the low-resolution nostalgia of pixel art, the Pixel Rider might be for you.

Designed by Andrew Kostman, these Minecrafted kicks are imagined as a means to “rediscover the purity of childhood,” appealing to retro-gamers, fashionistas, and anyone who wants the attention.

The Pixel Rider is available in three color options: Vulcan (black), Bubble Gum (pink), and Milky Way (white).

Despite their large size, Kostman Pixel Riders are lighter than a typical sneaker of comparable size. Made with XL EXTRALIGHT technology, the whimsical foam slip-ons are supposedly three times lighter than classic EVA Foam, yet retain a level of durability and comfort expected for a shoe designed to be actually worn (though one must wonder whether the small side ports are enough to prevent swamp feet if worn out on a hot summer day).

Available in three colors, Vulcan, Bubble Gum, and Milky Way, Kostman Pixel Riders kicks will set you back about $264, and you’ll have to wait till Christmas for your order to ship after pre-ordering.

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.