A few months ago our local baker started offering a new bread roll variety called KNAX

You can imagine our disappointment when instead of a streamlined, almost invisible product with cleverly integrated features we received a somewhat cumbersome bakery product with the various grains apparently inserted at random.

What would Charles and Ray Eames have to say?

Knax by Harrit and Sørensen for loca

Although it is a bit harsh to blame the baker, for not everyone can have the talent of Harrit and Sørensen, the design studio behind Knax by loca.

For those of you unsure what we are on about, Knax by loca is an ingenious coat hanger from Denmark.

The beauty of Knax lies in it unobtrusiveness. Not only is it slim and compact, but being available in over 10 finishes Knax fits perfectly in any space, without apparently taking up any itself.

The retractable hooks sit neatly in the wooden frame when not in use and simply pull out for use. Simplicity of function itself.

Available with 2, 4, 6 or 8 hooks Knax is perfect for any room and any ambiance.

...detail

In addition to winning the Formland prize in 1995 for Knax, Harrit and Sørensen have also won prizes for products as wide ranging as picnic utensils, traffic lights and a crop sprayer.
Which just goes to show that danish designers are not only masters of their craft but are also highly flexible.

Knax by Harrit and Sørensen for loca also proves that Danish designer furniture is stylistically much better than Leipziger designer bread.
Although the latter does taste much better.

Knax from loca. When not in use the hooks sit in the frame, and can be folded out as and when required.

Sometimes we really do ask why we invest so much time and effort travelling to design shows, when all we need to do is sit in front of our computer with a good Brooklyn Lager and bag of crisps.

Saves money, saves the environment and potentially saves us from drowning.

Gangsta Lean by Matt Braun

Such questions mainly arise when we find products such as Gangsta Lean by Matt Braun.

As we will never tire of saying, for us an important element of good design is does the phrase:

Took a problem, analysed it, solved it

apply.

And in the case of Gangsta Lean it certainly does.

With an ingenious simplicity Matt Braun has solved the problem of the safe, secure and artgerecht storage of records and magazines. Great

Gangsta Lean - no space is wasted. Wonderful

We also love the fact  that you can use the space between the units to store things  - we’re assuming that is one of those wonderful unplanned yet beautifully functional features; but it perfectly complements the main function of the units.

If we did have a request it would be smaller units for CDs and novels … but we’re sure Matt’s working on that as we type.

For us Gangsta Lean is the perfect storage solution for all who appreciate good design but don’t want to live in an art gallery. And who have, apparently, insurmountable storage problems.

Gangsta Lean - limitlessly extendable, It's like System USM Haller for the street.