This bench, which looks something like a Jackson Pollock painting, is actually made up of shredded, unused textiles, leftover from the industrial production of carpets. Called the Plof, the bench, featured on the Outdoorz Gallery, is the work of Atelier Belge. Designed by Oskar Vermeylen, Vincent Wellemtn, Yves Verhaegen and Pim van Eijck, the Plof is upholstered with transparent polyethylene plastic. Because a new batch of colorful textiles is shredded for each bench, every version of the Plof is unique.

It’s a great way to put perfectly good materials to use rather than let them go into the trash. It’s a surefire conversation starter as well. Best of all, it looks a lot more comfortable than your average bench- and less politically charged than the libertarian design we featured a while back.

Source: TreeHugger

The Nest Collection was born from the designers love of bird watching; the graceful creatures meticulously craft their nests, selecting different materials to weave a delicate yet sturdy home. Perfectly suited for in or outdoor use, the pieces evoke their namesake, nesting around you to comfortably support your form. Soft recycled polypropylene is hand-woven on traditional looms and double-bagged with polystyrene beads making Nest furniture both progressive and stunningly simple. Enjoy the summer breeze poolside, snuggled in the Nest Chair with the matching pouf and ottoman. Vacation in your home or under a dappled tree, enveloped in the resort-style daybed.

Come by Hold It Contemporary Home today and enjoy 20% off your entire purchase of outdoor furniture!

On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest ship of its time, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives and shaking the world’s confidence in the infallibility of modern technology. One hundred years later, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which showcases 200 artifacts retrieved from the wreck site ofTitanic, arrives at theNAT.

The story of the sinking is legendary; now experience the wonder and tragedy of the ill-fated “ship of dreams” on a journey through Titanic history.

Experience Titanic’s fateful 1912 maiden voyage and take on the identity of a real passenger onboardTitanic as you explore magnificent re-creations of the Ship’s interior. Discover how the ‘unsinkable’ Ship met its tragic end and connect with the passengers and crew, as you view haunting artifacts recovered from the wreck during the eight research and recovery expeditions conducted by RMS Titanic, Inc. since the Ship’s discovery in 1985.

RMS Titanic, Inc. has a singular purpose: to faithfully and respectfully preserve the memory of Titanic and of all who sailed with her. In all activities and events related to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, the San Diego Natural History Museum wishes to remember and honor those whose lives were lost due to the Titanic’s tragic sinking 100 years ago.

For More Information Visit: SDNHM.org

The Dutch are both bike-mad and safety-conscious, so there’s no need to worry about anyone crashing down the short flight of stairs that leads to the lower level cafe and bike rental facility. A fence lines the interior curve of the oval-shaped urban structure that looks suspiciously like a pagoda!

But for those who merely want to chill in the shade of this sleek curvilinear roof, a breezy cafe down below is just the place, while visitors with an even greater sense of adventure can hire a bicycle and go for a longer ride as well. Unlike many awesome concepts that never leave the drawing board, this fun project, which also encourages greater physical activity, is soon to become a hip and sweaty reality.

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From Debra Folz, seating with traditional hand pleated fabrics applied to contemporary furniture forms. Says Folz, Pleat was “Inspired by the pairing of structured geometries with the softer materiality, of textiles, these furniture forms were designed specifically to support each textile pattern and celebrate their unique compositions. The process of hand pleating has traditionally been applied to the fashion industry. Paper is hand scored and folding to create two complimentary parts to a hold. Sandwiching fabric between these two layers and applying pressure gives the fabric shape, which is then permanently set with the introduction of steam.”

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LEDs can last almost forever, but they often burn out early because they generate a lot of heat in a very small area. British designer Jake Dyson has built a heat pipe into the structure of the CSYS lamp to carry the heat away from the LEDs and then use the arm of the lamp as a heat sink to carry the heat away from the lamp. The result is an elegant desk lamp that is cool to the touch, with a look inspired by a construction crane. It moves up and down, in and out, and around with the touch of a finger.

Dyson writes: ”Heat pipe technology was developed for use in satellites and is now most commonly used to help cool microprocessors. The primary role of a heat pipe is to conduct heat away from its source. The heat pipe within the CSYS LED task light conducts heat away from the LEDs and distributes it evenly over the length of the heat sink. It uses no external pumps or extra energy to cool the LEDs and is instrumental in keeping the CSYS task light running brightly and efficiently for 37+ years.”

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We are pleased to introduce our new collection of Outdoor Living 2012. Our criteria in selecting this year’s collection was style, comfort and value.

Come see for yourself! As an introductory offer, take 20% off your entire purchase of outdoor furniture between now and June 10, 2012.

Designer Uhuru, built a one-of-a-kind table of flitch-cut hardwood slab stitched with recycled plastic. Split nearly in two by a dramatic and naturally occurring check, the slab is held together and reinforced by four X-shaped ‘stitches. The seafoam stitches (made from recycled plastic) and matching frame create a stark contrast with the chocolate tones of the walnut, highlighting both the natural beauty of the wood and the functionality of the manmade elements.

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Hold It Contemporary Home is pleased to announce that Eyebob eyewear is now available in our showroom!  You’re stylish, smart and a little bit sarcastic – your eyewear should be too.  We’ve got styles and colors to suit every mood, from dignified classics to big, bold and bright.  Be the envy of younger eyes everywhere with your funky glasses!

Eyebobs eyewear was born of the ultimate fashion conundrum.  Founder and President, Julie Allinson, found herself in need of reading glasses.  Her unique personal style left her with a strong aversion to readers of the cheap, drugstore variety.  This left her with one option, frames with a price tag that seemed more appropriate for a small automobile than reading glasses.  The business maven immediately recognized a niche and set to work designing distinctive, high quality eyewear for the style conscious reader needer (that won’t break the bank).

Founded in 2001, eyebobs are reading glasses for the irreverent and slightly jaded.  Creativity, wit and a dash of sarcasm reign at the Minneapolis headquarters. Styles range from the avant garde to buttoned-up conservative, all with a slightly tongue-in-cheek attitude.  Your style should be sharp, even if your vision isn’t!

Gaslamp Music & Art Festival officially kicks off at 1 pm on Saturday May 26th

Meet up at Gaslamp’s newest location barleymash at 600 5th Ave at Market St to pick up your event program! This event will be held entirely within the fine venues of the Gaslamp on real stages. The bands will be performing live at varied times throughout the day. All 22 stages will offer Free Cover Charge* until at least 9pm.  Many Participating Locations will have additional performances throughout the night. See our Band Line-up. We have some Art and Fashion shows mixed in for fun. Our World class dining locations will all be open and ready to help you make the day a celebration! See our Dining Guide with choice selections and “Perfect Pairings” from our Gaslamp Insider.  We invite you to spend Memorial Day Weekend in the Gaslamp Quarter.  We’re San Diego’s Premier Entertainment District . . .  Come see why!

More Information: Gaslamp.org