Woohoo!

2008 is here! I’d like to wish you all a great new year, prosperity, fun, success, happiness and all that other good stuff.

While I can’t speak for anyone else, 2007 was a nice year for Modern Flat and not too bad for myself either. A lot of interesting happenings, increased readership, a redesign and a clearer vision of what needs to be done in 2008… that’s what came out of 2007.

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and I look forward to seeing you return to Modern Flat in 2008 for more great reading.

Cheers, Petar.

Merry Christmas everyone!

All the best to you and yours this holiday season… and a happy new year.

REX is a name that most people would associate with our four legged, furry friends… but there’s another REX you need to know about.

The REX folding chair, designed in 1952 by Slovenian designer Niko Kralj as a way to bring good design to the masses, the REX chair turned out to be a great success and is still being produced and enjoyed around the world.

At about $120 new this chair certainly won’t break the bank and because of it’s high quality construction it’s sure to last for many years.

In fact, my wife’s cousin lent us a pair for a small gathering we had last weekend and I’m still trying to come up with a way to convince the missus that we need our own!

This is one of the few pieces I can whole heartedly recommend to just about anyone because for the price of a cheap Ikea knock-off you can get an original, world class design and quality that will not only look good but also last for decades. It’s without a doubt my pick of the year and a perfect gift for yourself or that design lover in your life. I just wish I featured it in November.

Not long ago we moved into a new apartment (well old but new to us) and my wife and I haven’t had much time to decorate or even come up with a plan or solid idea for our décor.

At the moment our whole apartment is stark white and void of any personality or color… kinda sucks. So I’ve been keeping my eyes open for art, anything that can bring in a shot of color and liven up our space a little.

A good piece of art, photo or other wall hanging can bring just enough color, texture, design and focus to a room to make up for its (the room) starkness… at least enough to make it livable. I like to hang art on the walls that are visible as you are entering that room and also as you are sitting in it. Hanging a piece of art or photo in a place no-one looks is kind of pointless don’t you think?

A quick tip, browse through eBay on occasion and you might even find something nice for cheap.

Here is a piece of furniture that should already be on your Christmas wish list, it’s the Lapdawg X4 and it can do almost anything.

Well It can’t do your laundry but the Lapdawg X4 is a bed tray that can make life a lot more comfortable. For just $130 you get strong (and modern) aluminum construction that can hold your Laptop, Breakfast in bed, books, toys, TV dinner and pretty much anything you care to put on it.

The best part (besides the price) is how versatile it is. One second it’s a Laptop table, the next it’s a book holder and it can shift and change forms to suit a sitting position, laying down, chair, couch, bed, whatever you need… this is not your ordinary side table.

I think the coolness factor of the Lapdawg X4 is right up there with the Gorillapod. If anyone has one, or buys one, feel free to leave a comment.

Yesterday at work it occurred to me that my chair was an old piece of crap… Granted, this wasn’t my regular workstation which is only somewhat more ergonomic, but since I was working there I’ll call it mine. Now armed with this knowledge my mind began to wonder… If I could choose any chair, which one would I choose? Continue reading…

The other day (after finding the hex tiles) I was surfing the net, looking for interesting tiles, sheets and other interesting items and surfaces that could work well in a modern home… then I came across Robin Reigi and their lacquered panels.

Simply put, these are amazing. I can honestly say that I was (and still am) thoroughly impressed with the look of these panels. They are, believe it or not, lacquered eggshell panels… they’re also expensive (about $50-$90/sq ft) but I think worth the expense to have something so unique and original.

Now I’m not saying that I’d want an entire room clad in this stuff, but I certainly wouldn’t object to using it as a detail, a focal point if you will. What do you think?