The LEGO Vintage Billiards Table, designed by LEGO builder Golden Eye, is a delightful miniature recreation of a classic pool table, complete with all the necessary accessories—from cue sticks to powder cubes. This build, though tiny, manages to capture the grandeur and intricacy of a full-sized billiards table, complete with realistic touches such as nets to catch the balls, a scoring system, and even a tray underneath for storing additional balls. Golden Eye’s creation isn’t just a display piece; it offers a level of interactivity that allows users to engage with it on a fidget level, potentially settling friendly wagers with colleagues or friends, even though it’s not suited for a proper game. Its charming design includes 8-ball and 9-ball racks, along with striped and solid balls, further enhancing its appeal to billiards fans and LEGO enthusiasts alike.

Currently featured on the LEGO Ideas Forum, this vintage billiards table is steadily gaining attention, nearing 2,000 votes on its way to the 10,000-vote milestone required for official review. If it reaches the threshold, LEGO’s internal team will consider turning it into an official box set for people to purchase. The table’s attention to detail—from the chalk and felt brushes to the hand-powder stone—demonstrates the creator’s dedication to making it as realistic as possible in a compact, LEGO form. It taps into nostalgia while providing an innovative challenge for builders, making it a potential fan favorite if brought to market.

Belgian eco-designer Mathilde Wittock is tackling the massive waste problem posed by discarded tennis balls by transforming them into bespoke furniture pieces. With around 300 million tennis balls manufactured annually, most of which end up in landfills and take 400 years to decompose, Wittock’s innovative approach offers a circular solution. Her team can hand-carve up to 1,800 balls a day, using them as micro-cushioning elements for stylish and comfortable furniture, such as chaise lounges and benches. These pieces, with tennis ball fuzz dyed to match interior design schemes, take about 2-3 weeks to complete, adding a touch of eco-friendly sophistication to any space.

Wittock’s venture highlights the importance of circularity in eco-design, as she seeks to give discarded tennis balls a second life. By receiving large donations of used tennis balls from sports organizations, such as the Federation of Wallonia, Wittock can sustainably source her materials and produce furniture for months. Once the lifespan of her furniture ends, Wittock ensures the pieces remain eco-friendly by repurposing the rubber shells into bouncy play mats for children. This approach ensures that even the waste from her products can be reused, making her designs sustainable and minimizing their environmental impact.

The Bcompact Bamboo Folding Staircase adds a touch of functional art to any space, transforming a typically mundane element into a statement piece. For those who are vertically challenged and clumsy, traditional ladders and steppers can be hazardous. This innovative staircase is designed with safety and style in mind, using sustainably sourced natural blonde bamboo for its structure, which can be color-stained to match any interior. It is engineered to blend seamlessly into any environment when not in use, thanks to its retractable flat-folding mechanism, which is both space-saving and visually appealing. Customizable to fit various angles and heights, this staircase offers a practical solution for spaces without permanent staircases, whether in a home or office setting.

The Bcompact Bamboo Folding Staircase is not just a utility but also an engineering marvel, featuring high-quality brass, stainless steel, and aluminum hardware. Its patented design ensures stability and durability, making it a safer option than traditional folding stairs. The staircase can be equipped with manual or automatic gates for added safety, suitable for use in attics, mezzanines, lofts, basements, or any area requiring access with minimal structural changes. Beyond its functional benefits, the staircase elevates the space’s aesthetic, demonstrating that practical items can also serve as elegant art pieces. This blend of function and design makes the Bcompact Bamboo Folding Staircase a standout choice for modern interiors.

Gustav Düsing’s Flat-Pack Barcelona Chair version with sustainable plywood and no binding materials emerges as a beacon of innovation in the bustling landscape of furniture design. Düsing’s Space-Frame series, initially conceived as an architectural experiment, effortlessly melds modern production techniques with enduring design principles. Crafted from Baltic Birch plywood, the series evokes nostalgic memories of childhood puzzles, now manifested in full-scale furniture pieces. The collection’s defining feature lies in its utilization of space-efficient structural elements, aptly named space-frames, forming the foundation of its intricate yet functional designs. Chair23D, a standout from the series, draws inspiration from timeless lobby chairs like the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe. Its intricate three-dimensional structure, resembling the human skeleton, is a testament to Düsing’s craftsmanship, ingeniously assembled without the need for adhesives or screws. This self-contained system not only ensures stability but also defies conventional assembly methods, showcasing Düsing’s mastery of form and function.

Beyond its aesthetic allure, the Space-Frame series embodies a profound commitment to sustainability. Crafted from renewable Baltic Birch plywood, these pieces offer environmentally-conscious consumers a guilt-free indulgence. Moreover, their flat-pack design not only minimizes shipping costs and space but also reduces fuel consumption, furthering their eco-friendly appeal. Düsing’s design philosophy shines through every aspect of the series, from its honest construction to its meticulous attention to detail. Unlike traditional CNC-cut furniture, which often exposes unsightly joints, Düsing’s designs cleverly conceal imperfections, transforming them into visual elements in their own right. It is this seamless fusion of form and function that elevates the Space-Frame series beyond mere furniture, transcending into the realm of functional art.

IKEA’s unveiling of the BRÄNNBOLL collection marks a significant departure from the stereotypical dark and immersive gaming setups that have long dominated gamer living spaces. With a keen understanding of the evolving needs of gamers and their households, IKEA aims to create a harmonious blend of functionality, style, and comfort. By infusing the collection with a palette inspired by athleisure and street sports, IKEA ensures that these gaming-focused pieces seamlessly integrate into modern interiors, whether or not gaming is the primary activity. Philip Dilé, an IKEA product design developer, emphasizes the collection’s versatility, envisioning spaces that effortlessly transition between gaming and everyday living.

Central to the BRÄNNBOLL collection’s appeal is its focus on ergonomic seating solutions tailored to various gaming preferences. From fold-out armchairs for intense gaming sessions to rocking-style chairs for leisurely play, each piece prioritizes comfort without compromising on style. However, perhaps the most ingenious addition is the gaming station disguised as a contemporary cupboard, offering a discreet yet functional storage solution for gaming enthusiasts. With features like foldable tabletops, integrated cable management systems, and ample storage space, this multifunctional unit epitomizes IKEA’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience. Scheduled for release in September, the BRÄNNBOLL collection promises to revolutionize gaming furniture, offering a refreshing alternative to conventional setups while catering to the diverse needs of gamers and their households.

The Folk and Flora Lighting Collection, envisioned by the talented artist and vintage curator Carmen Nash, presents an exquisite blend of earthy sophistication and timeless illumination. Nash’s creative journey, influenced by her exposure to luxury design and rooted in her spirituality and Black Southern heritage, has resulted in a collection that seamlessly weaves together elements of folk art stories and personal storytelling. The eight lamps within the collection are crafted from a harmonious mix of natural materials, including abaca and terracotta, creating a visual tapestry that reflects Nash’s unique design perspective. Each lamp, a visual narrative in itself, evokes emotions and thoughts, bridging the gap between art and function.

Among the standout pieces in the Folk and Flora Collection are four distinct lamps that showcase the range and depth of Nash’s design prowess. Morri, paying tribute to novelist Toni Morrison, features a charred wood lamp base with a twisting neck and a woven natural abaca string shade, creating an unexpectedly inviting ambiance. Seyla embraces the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, with its hand-sculpted Ancient Terracotta body and a woven abaca shade that balances material and aesthetics. Pecola, inspired by folk art, boasts graphic etchings, curves, and a large ash ceramic base, resembling a cherished treasure. Soloma, named after Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon,” captivates with its sculptural form crafted entirely from Artisan White ceramic, and the irregular edge of the dome-shaped shade adds a regal touch when illuminated. The Folk and Flora Collection transcends conventional lighting, becoming an artful expression that resonates with beauty and meaning.

Heartwood Saunas introduces the Arbor V outdoor sauna, a harmonious blend of traditional design and contemporary aesthetics, providing a tranquil sanctuary for relaxation. With its classic cedar shingle twin-pitched roof and modern glass front, the Arbor saunas offer a private yet expansive cabin-style haven. The emphasis on creating a connection with nature is evident through the full-height glass wall, central frameless hinged door, and post-box style windows along the side walls. This design choice allows for a panoramic view, enabling occupants to immerse themselves in the serenity of their surroundings, whether it’s the tranquility of a garden or a broader scenic landscape. The small porch not only frames the view but also offers cover and privacy.

Designed with versatility in mind, the Arbor V sauna is a peaceful retreat during the day, flooded with natural light through the glass wall and extended windows. The interior features clean lines and warm tones of vertical internal cladding, complemented by rounded benches with elegant fanned corners, creating a visually striking and inviting space. The sauna comfortably accommodates up to five people or offers the option for two people to lie down, ensuring a flexible and inclusive experience. Equipped with a HUUM sauna stove, the Arbor V combines modern convenience with traditional warmth. With features like subtle warm white LED down-lighting, overhanging porch area with towel hooks, and a thermally modified poplar internal cladding, this outdoor sauna provides a luxurious and inviting escape. Priced at £35,000 + VAT, the Arbor V from Heartwood Saunas represents a premium option for those seeking a high-quality and beautifully crafted outdoor sauna experience.  

Out of the Valley, an innovative architecture studio, has unveiled its first prefabricated sauna named Forest Sauna in Devon, England. The sauna is designed to promote the Scandinavian tradition of sauna bathing and offers a retreat in the heart of nature. Elevated on metal supports and clad in charred black larch using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique, the six-square-meter Forest Sauna integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. The prefabricated structure features a large square window framing views of the adjacent forest, emphasizing a connection with nature.

Founder Rupert McKelvie and his team at Out of the Valley crafted the Forest Sauna with a simple timber structure, clad in planks of charred larch. Inside, the sauna is lined with thermo alder wood, a popular choice for saunas, creating a calming atmosphere. The glass door provides easy access, and the interior includes two wooden benches flanking a central heater, which customers can choose to be either wood-fired or electric. The sauna’s portability is a key feature, allowing owners to relocate it easily, aligning with the studio’s commitment to adaptability and a harmonious integration with the landscape.

Out of the Valley’s Forest Sauna joins a collection of handmade cabins and shelters from the studio, each contributing to the ethos of embracing nature and escaping the demands of contemporary living. With Forest Sauna, Out of the Valley not only brings the Scandinavian tradition to the UK but also introduces a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, offering a tranquil space for relaxation immersed in the beauty of the natural environment.

If you’re looking to bring some small improvements to your living room, adding eye-catching accessories can be a good start. The easiest way to change the outlook of your living room is to add some carefully curated pillows to your sofa. You can always go freestyle and match them according to your mood, but design hacks might also come in handy. For instance, start the makeover by choosing a color palette that is already present in your space. This way, you can establish a base color and add a pillow that comes in one or two complementary colors. This base color can be your sofa or another centerpiece from your room.

Then, you can play around with textures by mixing them to create depth and showcase your unique personality. You can always mix and match different sizes of pillows to create a cozy and welcoming space for your family and guests. And if you’re feeling bold enough, you can introduce a few unusual patterns and mix plain pillows with colorful and eccentric fabrics. The most important thing to keep in mind is that redesigning your home should be a fun activity, and you can always ask for help from family and friends.