The Bow Wow Stool is the result of a competition to furnish a new exhibition space by Japanese architects Atelier Bow Wow. The building at Krabbesholm Hojskole in Skive, Denmark now boasts these beautifully simple seating pieces by Morten Emil Engel. Carved out of a single piece of solid oak, the stools capture the natural wonder of the material.

Projects like this are always very exciting. Bringing in contemporary design to furnish an exhibition space certainly helps to fulfill the needs of the visitor, as well as establishing connections between institution and up and coming artists and designers. (via Dezeen).

Keith Haring’s art is being translated to all sorts of objects. We’ve shown Vilac’s Haring inspired domino set, and these chairs serve as follow-up. Again produced by Vilac, the playful seating furniture is sized for children and built with the same exacting attention to detail as the company puts into all their wooden toys. Available now from UnicaHome. (via Retro to Go).

Well Considered is a new line of housewares from Terrence Conran. The intent is to create a line of essential and intelligently designed items for all around the home. A quick survey finds the result hit or miss. Some of the designs, like the cheese grater light (after the jump) are a touch quirky. Others, like the Bent Wood Chairs (above) take a little too much from Thonet and don’t have the contemporary feel of the recent Muji collaboration. That all being said, for Conran to move into the more affordable, well that is something.

Israeli designer Yoav Avinoam’s “Shavings” Stool makes economic use of of shop sawdust. Avinoam creates the stools by pressing the sawdust, resin, and the three legs into a mold. One of the nicest effects of this construction method is that the legs come through the top of the seat – like a through tenon – giving the whole a more cohesive aesthetic. (via DB).

More images of the “Shavings” Stool after the jump.

Lace in Translation is the first exhibition produced by the Philadelphia University’s Design Center new interpretive initiative The Fabric of Philadelphia. For Lace in Translation three contemporary design firms mined the collections at Philadelphia University and reinterpreted their finds in objects not typically tied to lace. For example, the above decorative shovels. The exhibition is a solid kick-off to the initiative, and it will be intriguing to see how Philadelphia’s textile history spurs further artistic endeavor.

Lace in Translation runs from September 2009 to April 2010. More info.

More images follow.

For the Gaudi Stool designer Bram Geenen uses the same method of structural design Antonio Gaudi used for his churches. Modeling the object in chain, Geenen allowed gravity to find the most logical form and points of strength. The result is a sleek stool with a beautiful taper to the legs. (via Daily Icon).

More views of the Gaudi Stool after the jump.

On September 11, 2009, London’s Spring Projects will open a collaborative exhibition of works by Jamie Hayon and Nienke Klunder. American Chateau/Room 1 is comprised of a series of functional and non-functional objects. The two designers have worked together before, but this will be the first collaborative exhibition.

Spring Projects is located at 10 Spring Place, Spring House, London, NW5. (via Gestalten).

Open from yesterday, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston has a new exhibition highlighting recent accessions in design. Exemplary work from the 20th and 21st-century are included, part of the museum’s desire to collect and preserve items of aesthetic and technical significance in all media. Mathias Bengtsson’s “Slice” armchair (above) is one of the objects privileged in the exhibition

After the jump check out Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata’s “Glass Chair” and the “Flying Carpet Chair” by Ettore Sottsass.

Sold through Redwood Bay, Starbay’s Indochine Writing Desk has a campaign feel about it. Easy to move, simple in function, the desk is of the type that might have traveled the world and seen a far few more adventures than its latest user. In any event, it’s got some clear and obvious style. (via Retro to Go).

The desk is constructed out of a handsome rosewood, and embellished with marquetry.

Simon Hasan’s new collection of furniture for Vauxhall Collective was inspired by his trips to UK industrial and craft centers. The material takes from tradition – the splitting of wood timber, brass and stoneware production, leather craft, tweed upholstery. In this, Hasan creates new forms and objects with a clear link to the past but without overt quotation of historic style. The collection includes two stools, a cabinet, and a set of vases. (via Dezeen).

More images of Hasan’s collection after the jump.