HBL Analysis: Buffet Relevo by Fernanda Brunoro

Brazilian design retailer Novo Ambiente's latest collection of furniture includes this laminated cabinet by Fernanda Brunoro. The lacquered detail taps into the current trend for patchwork effect furniture: mixing materials and surface effects to create an interesting and unusual pattern. Subscribers can read the full report on the trend here.

MADE of NEW YORK

WGSN-Homebuildlife loves the new MADE of NEW YORK furniture collection, a collaboration between John-Michael Ekeblad, former creative director at IKEA, Jonathan Locke and Brian Kane.

HBL Analysis: Laundry room bathroom

As seen on My Ideal Home

In recent years, we have been seeing and experiencing interesting merges and design influences between spaces: a few examples being indoors and outdoors, home and office, kitchen and dining room. During the last few interiors trade shows, WGSN spotted another interesting transitional trend: the laundry-room-bathroom.

HBL Inspiration: The Deep

WGSN-homebuildlife loves this stop-motion animation which turns a collection of old metal tools into a shoal of beautiful sea creatures. Created by stop-motion artist PES, it's one of a series of shorts commissioned by US broadcaster Showtime for their online offering.

HBL Analysis: Packaging as product

Freemood by TAÇ

As consumers look for simpler, greener products, designers are keen to find clever solutions for what was previously destined to be disposed of. With one third of our rubbish coming from packaging, more and more designers are not only using recyclable or biodegradable materials, but are also looking for ways to transform the packaging into a functional product in its own right. WGSN-homebuildlife's latest packaging report highlights the most successful approaches.

Design studio Orhan Irmak Tasarım won the Design Turkey award for their solution: by creating patterned metal boxes for Turkish textile brand TAÇ's latest bedding range to be sold in, they have given the packaging an afterlife. TAÇ encourage customers to reuse the boxes in a variety of ways.

HBL Analysis: King-Size Beds Outsell Standard Doubles for the First Time

Headboard by Alexander, Engan bed by Ikea, pillowcases by Ralph Lauren Home. Source: Living Etc, November 2010

Figures from John Lewis and Tesco reveal that king-size beds are outselling double beds for the first time, with consumers favouring a 60-inch width over the standard 54 inches. In the UK, space is becoming increasingly precious, bedrooms are becoming smaller and single living is on the rise. So it is particularly interesting that customers are choosing to sacrifice floor space for bed space.

The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan, speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning, spoke of the bedroom’s shifting functionality: ‘The boundaries are breaking down and [people] are taking their laptops in there to do some work, they’re watching telly... You need a big bed because it’s become another living room.’

Interior designer Alan Hughes, also speaking on the BBC, said: ‘The balance between function and aesthetics is what actually matters in terms of interior design.’ The bedroom is ‘a space for yourself...a sanctuary.’

HBL Colour: Hella Jongerius - Misfit

300 Coloured Vases by Hella Jongerius; photo by Gerrit Schreurs Fotografie

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam are hosting the first retrospective of the work of Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, which takes an interesting approach to curation: pieces are mainly shown attached to the walls, and are grouped by colour rather than chronologically or thematically.

WGSN-homebuildlife subscribers can also view our tailormade colour directions: for spring/summer 2012 click here, and for autumn/winter 2012/13 click here.

HBL Inspiration: Bridget Riley: Paintings and Related Work at The National Gallery

London's National Gallery is currently showing a small but inspirational exhibition of the work of British artist Bridget Riley. Described by the gallery as one of the most significant and original painters of our time, the exhibition focuses upon Bridget Riley’s most recent paintings and investigates how Riley’s work relates to the National Gallery Collection.

HBL Events: Patrick Jouin: Design & Gesture

The Museum of Arts and Design in New York City is hosting Patrick Jouin: Design & Gesture until February 6, 2011 as the latest edition of MAD Projects. Design & Gesture is the first solo exhibition in of the work of the 42-year-old French designer Jouin.

The exhibition incorporates Jouin’s landmark objects in a multimedia installation, with videos conceived and produced by him, which explore the relationship between object and gesture.

Read HBL's full exhibit review here.

HBL Analysis: Restrained Luxury Package Design

Gourmet food has traditionally been presented in decadent or excessive packaging in order to convey its quality. However such extravagance is not always necessary, and we've highlighted minimalist style graphics and packaging that serve as a counter point to the decadence that many associate with luxury.

Inhouse design studio describes this method as "letting the packaging 'speak' to the customer". They used this technique on a series of containers for London roastery, bar and restaurant Caravan, which placed emphasis on type by using words from the Romany language.

For HBL subscribers, see the full report here.

HBL Student and Graduate: Rukmale by Maham Anjum

Earlier this month WGSN-homebuildlife spotted the work of glass and ceramics student Maham Anjum at the Royal College of Art's work in progress show in London. Maham's work aims to investigate and understand the present attitudes towards the artisan craft potteries in the Indian subcontinent, some of which are in decline. By developing existing ceramic processes, improving the materials and decorating processes, Maham’s work aims to sensitively redesign the products to create new market opportunities. Maham has researched traditional craft techniques in Ethiopia and Southeast Asia, as well as Sri Lanka where she has produced the Rukmale range of serveware for the Jamie Oliver Collection. The collection, shown above, is made by a group of women potters, providing them with the opportunity to evolve their ancient potting skills while helping sustain the local community.

Subscribers can see WGSN-homebuildlife's full report on the RCA Student Work in Progress Show online here.

HBL Contract: Haguruma Envelope Co Ltd, Japan

The office and showroom of Japanese stationery company Haguruma Envelope Co Ltd is featured this month on WGSN-homebuildlife's report on inspirational office interiors. Haguruma are specialist manufacturers of premium stationery made from materials such as cotton paper, washi paper and rice paper. The interior designers, Design Room 702, worked with the concept of creating a 'paper museum' to reflect the company's strong product value. In the entrance lobby, shown above, a striking focus wall is clad from floor to ceiling with envelopes in a selection of the company’s original colour palette.

WGSN-homebuidlife subscribers can see the full report here.