Amazing video. Discover the secrets of 18th-century French furniture.

Who wouldn’t want a personalized stool? Kristin Hare says for her Bespoke Bar Stool, “I designed this stool for my studio partner as part of a sophomore studio project. The goal of this project was to design and build a studio stool to specifically form to another person’s body, needs, and wants. The original stool was a plain, metal three-legged stool that was uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time. My partner wanted a stool that was comfortable and supported his back.”

Makes you think… and want… and perhaps consider bar room application.

More looks after the jump. (via Industrial Design Served).

Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin is currently hosting two exhibitions – Anselm Reyle’s Little Cody and Raymond Pettibon’s Looker-upper – both artist’s showing new works. Pettibon’s signature drawings are on display, contrasting well with Reyle’s “paint by numbers” canvases and experimental furniture.

On view through June 11, 2011.

Photography: Artschoolvets

CONTEMPORARY FINE ARTS
Am Kupfergraben 10
10117 Berlin Mitte

Another great outdoor seating option (albeit at a higher price) comes from Minneapolis’ Blu Dot. “It’s rare for a nearly transparent design to have such presence. But noted architect Ralph Rapson achieved exactly that with a skillful union of mesh and steel. Winner of the 2007 Blu Dot / Dwell magazine design competition. This modern lounge chair comes in a stainless steel or satin black powder-coated steel frame.”

More angles of the Dwell/Rapson Lounge Chair after the jump.

This slate back chair from CB2 is made by Polypropylene-injected air moulding, allowing for a lovely curving seat. Easily stacked and transported, the Venezia is a colorful outdoor option for those looking to spruce up their deck or patio this Summer. Yellow is the best option. White also available.

More looks follow.

French brand LAQ has work with Darcel creator Craig Redman on a capsule furniture collection, employing Redman’s popular character as a central theme.

The meeting of the founders of LAQ, Raphaël and Pascal, with Craig Redman, gave birth to a Darcel shown in 3D, a product of the encounter of contemporary culture and ancient techniques. Made of resin, wood and painted metal, mother-of-pearl and eggshell, this high definition version of Darcel, coming from a psychedelic universe, hip and disillusioned, also offers hidden storage in its eye, like the secretive stately furniture of the seventeenth century. A radical confrontation of periods, styles and ideas!

The collection includes two stools and a sculpture, all three being exhibited at colette in Paris from May 2, 2011.

More looks after the jump.

Notice the inspiration? That’s right, cycling. As my friend Daniel Stromborg notes, the proportions are not terrific, but the idea is pretty awesome. Rui Alves‘ Tour Chair debuted at Milan Design Week 2011.

More looks after the jump.

St. Andrew’s golf course is the inspiration for the Swilken Bench… specifically the course’s 18th century Swilken Bridge. Designer Andrew Dickson finds glory in the little details, transitioning a stunning polished wood seat through to a concrete and aluminum base. The bench, like the bridge it is inspired by, forms a signature shape useful both indoors and out. (via Industrial Design Served).

Larry Parker, an American designer, produced his Deca Lounge Chair as a student project at College of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. There are traces of classic design, from the wingback chair to mid-century modern wire frame side chairs, though Parker manages some individuality – impressive given that the chair is a student project.

More looks after the jump.

One of the stranger design challenges to emerge from the recent Milan Design Week found Kartell urging celebrity designers to reinterpret cult pieces from the firm’s past collections. Dsquared² designers Dean and Dan Caten accepted the challenge, creating a “Canadian” version of Phillipe Stark’s “Master’s Chair.”

Detailed images of the Dsquared² take on the Kartell classic after the leap.