At this year's IMM Cologne, Italian furniture design company Lema collaborated with Raw Edges designers Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay who founded their studio in 2007 with the aim of creating soulful and yet, ironic, objects (such as this unusual commissioned piece, to create a unique piece.
Lema, who has long created shelving systems and bookcases for the home has been closely following the evolution of market and consumer needs, especially given the evolution of the library in a modern world that is increasingly oriented towards paperbacks and e-books. Yael and Shay have worked on the concept of the book as an object and as material, which transforms its function and reinvents itself. From these two companies comes a new collaborative effort: The Booken, which is simultaneously a table, shelf and library.
"We were inspired by the fact that people do not re-read the novels that are so often on the shelves," says Raw Edges. "Most books are usually read once and not re-read, and then we thought, why not use the volumes as if they have a plan? Of course you can always remove the book and read it, but at the same time the books take on a new role. "
And that is why the designers chose the name Booken. In English, the suffix 'en' applies in furnishing the material names to identify those with which objects are made. Following this concept, the book becomes the constituent material.
The essence of Booken is captured in two parallel tracks supported by legs on which rest several wooden slats that echo the classic form of the bookmark. The books are literally "hanging" transforming the library from a vertical element to a horizontal element.
"For us it was definitely a challenge from the conceptual point of view," says Angelo Meroni, chairman of Lema. "But at the same time a fun and cool project that brings us closer to a different audience giving us, after collaborating with young designers like Nendo and Giopato & Coombes, a way to look at the future of design and creativity in the field of furniture."
Raw Edges Design Studio
Lema
source: Archiportale
The Booken Is A Table, A Shelf and a Library In One.
Pantone Chopstix and Hangers? The Mood Food Collection and More New Products by Room Copenhagen for Pantone Universe.
As the Pantone Universe product lines continue to grow, more options for color lovers permeate the marketplace. In partnership with Pantone, Room Copenhagen has developed a new collection of colorful products under the Pantone Universe name that include items for food prep, food service and home organization. 
Keeping in line with the Pantone color scheme, the design and product development are nurtured in close collaboration involving the ROOM COPENHAGEN design team, Pantone and the world-renowned Knud Holscher Design studio.
'Good Mood Food' is the name of their line of new products suited for serving everything from breakfast to sushi and more with various sized food trays, dipping bowls, and even chopstix!
Other Pantone Universe food prep and tableware from Room Copenhagen includes three sizes of bowls, two kinds of cups, a butter board, cutting boards, a serving tray and serving utensils.
TABLEWARE
Pantone Bowls:
Pantone Cups:
Pantone Egg Cups:
Stackable trays for food or household items can be purchased as a set of 11 or individually:
Pantone Chopstix:
Pantone Placemats:
FOOD PREP
Pantone Serving Utensils:
Pantone Butter Board:
Pantone Cutting Boards:
ORGANIZATION
Also available in the Pantone Universe collection from Room Copenhagen are the following organizational products.
Pantone Key and Mobile phone trays:
Pantone Credit Card Holders:
Pantone Hangers:
Buy Pantone Products By Room Copenhagen here
It's Star Wars Time... For Real. SEIKO Launches Six Official Star Wars Wristwatches.
A collaboration between Lucas Films and Seiko brings us six Star Wars Watches, each modeled after a character from the George Lucas saga. The watches are fashioned in the men's Seiko Brightz style and vary in terms of functionality. Each has faces and bezels with emblems and icons reminiscent of the characters and their likenesses are on the back of each watch.
The Seiko Darth Vader Radio Solar Control World Time Watch:
The Seiko Darth Maul Chronograph Solar Watch:
The Seiko Yoda Mechanical Watch:
The Seiko C-3PO Mechanical Watch:
The Seiko R2-D2 Active Matrix EPD Watch:
The Seiko Stormtrooper Mechanical Watch:
For more information, visit this site (prices and info in Japanese only):
Available at the following stores:
加藤時計店
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/tokeiten/
ゼノン
http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/zenon/
チックタックオンラインストア
http://www.neuve-a.net/TiCTAC/shop/c/c10/
マルイウェブチャネル
http://voi.0101.co.jp/voi/index.jsp
New Converse Holiday Collection For Men and Women Steps It Up With Twill, Waxed Leather, Suede, Shearling, Wool and Sequins.
CONVERSE has debuted its new Holiday 2012 All Star Footwear Collections. New Jack Purcells and Chuck Taylors for both men and women (and kids) will be gracing the shelves this month with materials and designs that are a bit more sophisticated, preppy and modern. And they are offering free ground shipping through the holidays!
Embracing the upcoming season with winterized elements, Converse highlights its heritage with new materials such as speckled wool, sequined wool, herringbone, waxed suede, twill, soft suede boots lined with shearling, tough leather with stitching and more. They also have several new selections for children. I've chosen a few of my personal favorites to share with you. Please note that all of the styles below are available in multiple colors.
Jack Purcell Wool:
The Converse Jack Purcell Wool collection’s sophisticated, seasonal, and contemporary style is made specifically for the holidays. The collection features a premium washed wool outer and low-profile silhouette. In a reference to the sportswear lifestyle heritage, the Jack Purcell Wool collection perfectly combines a modern touch with classic appeal that can be worn with or without laces. Suggested Retail Price: $75
Chuck Taylor All Star Twill:
The iconic Chuck Taylor All Star is dressed in its very best for the holiday season. The women’s only Chuck Taylor All Star Twill features a speckled twill material and satin lining. Suggested Retail Price $55
Chuck Taylor All Star Herringbone:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Herringbone offers a preppy, uptown spin on the classic style. Available for both me and women, the updated style consists of wool blend herringbone and twill perfect for the complete winterized look. Suggested Retail Price $55-$60
Chuck Taylor All Star Speckled:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Speckled brings a younger outdoor rugged look to the classic silhouette featuring a twotone speckled wool material, Converse heel patch, and pop of color rubber lining. Suggest Retail Price $55-$60
Chuck Taylor All Star Beverly Lace Up: 
Updated for Holiday 2012, the new Chuck Taylor All Star Beverly Lace Up boot brings a fun, youthful spin on the classic winter boot. Details such as the shearling lining, thick laces and larger eyelets exudes Converse’s winterized theme. Suggested Retail Price $70-$75
Chuck Taylor All Star Elsie:
This women’s Holiday 2012 Chuck Taylor All Star Elsie features an updated sawtooth rubber outsole and tweed upper suede overlay, adding a feminine aesthetic to the classic workwear boot that is perfect for the winter season. Suggested Retail Price $70-$75
Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot returns with a unique sawtooth outsole, rubber heel patch and boot laces providing a pop of color. Updated for Holiday 2012, the Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Boot will be a go-to shoe with a modern-day twist perfect for the holiday season. Suggested Retail Price $80
Chuck Taylor All Star Glitz:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Glitz collection arrives just in time for the Holiday season, providing understated glamour with just the right amount of flash. Featuring a sequined wool upper, leather binding on the toe cap and a satin finish lining, these sequin-covered sneaker deliver a muted shine with the perfect touch of sparkle. Suggested Retail Price: $100
Chuck Taylor All Star Post:
The Chuck Taylor All Star Post recondition the classic 1970’s trainer with sleek, premium silhouettes and updated heather wool uppers, waxed suede and natural leather; perfect for rugged weather this Holiday season. Suggested Retail Price: $125
The new Holiday 2012 Chuck Taylor All Star Collection and Jack Purcell Premium styles will be available online at Converse and in select department stores and retailers beginning November 2012.
Free ground shipping through the holidays at Converse.com
