Croatian designers

From July the 1st Croatia will be the 28th member of EU. So this was my inspiration to present you the best (only my opinion!) of Croatian contemporary design.  Here we go:

- Revolve, couch for Kvadra: OK, this is actually cooperation of Austrian -Croatian collective Numen/For Use and Ivana Borovnjak and Roberta Bratović (Bratović&Borovnjak).This bed is RED DOT award winner for category product design 2012.

You can find it in Kvadra shops

- Table lamp from Filip Gordon Frank: simple and clean, fits in almost every space. Designed 2006.

Like a cartoon character, from www.inanutshell.hr

- Table and sofas from Grupa - product design studio (Ivana Pavić, Tihana Taraba, Filip Despot) designed this 2007. for Bosnia and Herzegovina furniture company Artisan. Story tells that Kevin Spacey got this after visiting Sarajevo Film Festival. Was this only good marketing story or true success that was recognized by this famous actor, I don't know, but I do know that Artisan's cooperation with Croatian designers make a really good stuff.

Designed by Grupa, made by Artisan

Hanger also designed by Grupa and made by Artisan

- Next example for this cooperation is chair and working desk, designers Marija Ružić and Ruđer Novak Mikulić for Artisan. I just love these ones, and plus for them is that those two are 23 and 24 years old! Bravo for them!

Neva chairs from Artisan

Working table Picard, Artisan 

Picard, working table, great for clean lines, Artisan

Puzzle toy Oblo, author is Marko Pavlović. A great three dimension toy for developing motorical skills for children in pre-school age.

A great toy, from www.intoanutshell.hr

- Carpets from SagaSaga are Croatian products that are usually designed by Croatian artists, in this case an academic artist Saša Šekoranja.

Carpets from Saga Saga, where you can design you own carpet

And finally, they say that a blogger's best friend is a dog ('cause you'll notice that on a lots of photos a best "accessory" is a dog). I don't consider myself as a (real) blogger but to give you a full info, I'll give you a Croatian dog breed in case you so in love with our design. :)

Canis dalmaticus, picture from Index.hr

A French - Croatian connection: French bulldog, Chili (you red what I wrote about bloggers :) ), chilin' with Ritka, a Croatian shepherd (on the right)

I'm looking forward for all new Croatian designs and designers that'll will come up. If you know one good that I don't know about, let me know.

Love,
Iva
  

A few DIY tips!

Long time didn't heard from me! Guessing why? My everyday job + family obligations = no time for blogging. But the good thing is,I got some new inspirations that'll share with you within next few days (p.s. I'll have some days off!)

I'm in a creative mood right now, so I prepared few DIY tips I found on line.
First, didn't know this: you can make a lamp from plastic straws. And it looks great! Care2, says that this would fit into a modern design scheme.

Care2 - fits great to a modern house design

Second, you want a nice painting but you're not a painting talent... Use plastic bottle, dip it into paint and there you go!

Sensaklub has a great ideas and inspirations! Visit the site on www.sensaklub.hr

Third, chalkboard! Follow these instructions and make your own paint. The rest will be up to yours imagination!

Instructions form Martha Steward:
Start with flat-finish latex paint in any shade. For small areas, such as a door panel, mix 1 cup at a time.
1. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer, carefully breaking up clumps.
2. Apply paint with a roller or a sponge paintbrush to a primed or painted surface. Work in small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure full, even coverage. Let dry.
3. Smooth area with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust.
4. To condition: Rub the side of a piece of chalk over entire surface. Wipe away residue with a barely damp sponge.

From Scrap Hacker

From Design Sponge