Design

Pink Windows originally uploaded by Red Wolf

Dutch design firm Studio Bas van der Veer has created Raindrop, a rain barrel designed to mount to an exterior wall and make collecting rainwater easy.

The design, which is handmade in The Netherlands and produced by pottery label Elho, includes a removable watering can that automatically fills up with rain water first, before the excess rain water collects in the main body of Raindrop. There’s also a tap at the bottom to allow for easy refilling of the watering can or if needed, a hose can be attached — via CONTEMPORIST

Green Island, off the coast of Brooklin, Maine, is on the market for $650,000. The island includes the sweet historic Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse, built in 1856 to help guide ship traffic related to the booming lumber business of the nearby town of Ellsworth. Adjoining the lighthouse is a 1,750-square-foot keeper’s cottage with four bedrooms and a half-bath. The house has a charming New England feel to it and will come fully furnished. There are also a couple of extra buildings on the island including what looks like a large boathouse/garage and a wee little windowless stone structure — via Curbed

Wutopia Lab designed Metal Rainbow-Zhongshu Bookstore in Suzhou, China — via ArchDaily

Parramatta Square Construction originally uploaded by Red Wolf

Dappled Morning Sun on Brick originally uploaded by Red Wolf

estudinoon designed Londres in London

Post modern architecture — it’s not for everyone. But sometimes it strikes the right balance of whimsy, risk, and stateliness, like this storm water pumping station in the East End of London, which was recently awarded a heritage listing.

Designed by architect John Outram and completed in 1988, the edifice-like structure — known as the Isle of Dogs Storm Water Pumping Station — is the first post modern building to be designated under Historic England’s effort to protect the country’s best examples of the divisive architectural style, according to The Spaces.

Among Outram’s best-known buildings, the pumping station features a striated brick façade, thick, rounded columns with brightly coloured and geometrically patterned capitals, and a corrugated pediment accented with a circular object resembling a jet engine — via Curbed

So many bold designs in this new retro flooring range by Atrafloor, with influences from the 1950s to the 1970s (and even a bit of ’80s), all of which are perfect for adding some wow to a room in need of brightening up. All the vinyl flooring in the range is designed in-house, described as highly durable & easy to install and is made to order. The price depends on the space you need to fill, but generally you are looking at around £59 per sq. metre — via Retro to Go

Architectural designer Wallace Cunningham has created another dramatic home — 10 years in the making — with swooping rooflines and curving glass expanses, this time in Carmel, California. Completed this year, the three-bedroom is super fresh: Perched by a secluded cove, the 250 square metre oasis frames jaw-dropping vistas of the Pacific Ocean by way of full-height glazing on both the front and rear of the structure. Located at 243 Highway, the special property is offered at $11.9 million — via Curbed

You can get the Gorenje special edition VW Camper Van fridge in two colour options (vintage baby blue or bordeaux red) based on the timeless and much-loved van and it looks amazing. A retro-style fridge based on the frontage of the van and complete with the logo is always going to be popular.

It’s also a practical item too. The fridge has an A+++ energy efficiency rating, 254 litres of net capacity, three adjustable glass shelves, a salad crisper drawer with humidity control, Freshzone drawer, bottle rack, LED interior lighting and of course, a freezer section.

So functionality matching the looks. Not too many stockists out there, but you can get it online for £1,149 in both colour options via Electrical Discount UK — via Retro to Go

Zoo Brno is home to five incredibly adorable Arctic Wolf pups. A male pup and four females were born just three months ago. The siblings can now be seen on exhibit with their parents — via ZooBorns

Just landed at Made is this rather cool Vaserely large circular wool rug. The name hints at the op art inspiration behind this particular design, with the finished product a perfect addition to any retro living room. We particularly love the mustard version, although the grey would work if you are looking for something a little more subdued. Each rug is hand carved by artisans in India using high quality New Zealand wool, as well as a a looped pile and high tufted pile for a 3D effect. £349 is the price in either colour — via Retro to Go

The Wespe training bike for kids by Legler is a balance bike inspired by a classic design of the past. In this case a vintage Vespa scooter. Made in Germany, the balance bike is handmade and designed both to look good and to get your little one confident on two wheels. The Wespe has a height adjustable seat, can cope with a weight up to 35kg and is made of a mix of plywood, MDF and rubber — via Junior Hipster

Architectural designer Artur Dabrowsk produces rings, cuffs, necklaces and bracelets that revolve around the concept of depth in terms of formal language (shadow lines, composition, depth of field) as well as in meaning (details, storytelling).

Whether he is crafting mysterious staircases to nowhere or endlessly looped brick arches, each piece involves careful attention architectural detail (including theoretical structural load calculations) and is available in brass, bronze or silver — via Urbanist

Casting pixellated patterns into day-lit rooms, these shades swap boring views (or overly bright days) for iconic scenes of metropolises at night. This particular set by HoleRole features famous structures from cities like Manhattan (the Chrysler Building) and London (the Gherken) — via Urbanist