The Beams Chair by Eric and Johnny Design Studio has all the makings of a new classic.

The lightweight wooden armchair is inspired by the H-beam structure of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.  Made of three different kinds of wood, bent plywood, multiplex and aircraft plywood, the frame of the chair is constructed by bending plywood and multiplex. The flexible aircraft plywood covers the frame as the surfaces of the seat and back. The design saves on the cost of production and reduces the chair's weight while maintaining its stability.

This highly unusual concept is the brainchild of Hafsteinn Juliusson and is being produced through HAF, a company that manufactures and distributes alternative lifestyle design products.  Intended to be a redefinition of modern values, it is a melding of jewellery and gardening; couture and living organism. The collection is designed for people in metropolitan cities and is an experiment in drawing nature toward man.

Image: Joseph Joseph

The C-Pump by Joseph Joseph is an ingeniously designed soap dispenser which allows you to use the back of your hand when pumping the soap which is intended to minimise the spread of germs and  ensures that the the top of the pump stays cleaner and more hygienic. 

To operate the pump, place the hand into the C-shaped opening and press down firmly. The unit has a non-slip base, a soap-level indicator window on the reverse.  It is easy to fill and clean and is suitable for all types of liquid hand soap.

Trinidadian artist Jackie Hinkson held an exhibition at Soft Box Gallery late last year which featured five decades worth of his drawings.  Hinkson was introduced to drawing while at university in the 1960s.  He was struck by the power of that medium as a means to quickly capture a gesture, moment, idea or emotion and it became the dominant form of his work.  Some of the many thousands of drawings he produced over the course of his prolific career were featured, including his portrayals of carnival, sports, street- and family-life.  The show was steeped in nostalgia: seeing his artwork stripped down and rendered largely in black and white ink, pencil and charcoal evoked a simpler time. 

This is a novel use of space.  Het Arresthuis is a 19th-century-prison turned luxury hotel in the Netherlands. 

The recently repurposed penitentiary has been completely redesigned with chic, spacious, modern motifs all the while retaining a tongue-in-cheek references to its  history as a former jail. The ex-facility's 150 holding cells have been transformed into 36 luxurious rooms and 7 suites, including four special suites, each with its own character and style, ironically named The Director, The Jailer, The Lawyer and The Judge.

Kidscase designs versatile and fashion-forward baby and children’s clothes for boys and girls up to eleven years. They use high quality fabrics in the manufacture of their clothes which are inspired in equal parts by street- and sportswear and high fashion.  The label was founded in 2000 in Amsterdam as a small independent company by designer Jacqueline van Nieuwkerk and marketer Merel Verbrugge with the goal of appealing to the lifestyle of individualistic and modern parents and their children.

Image: Rayzor Sharp

Designed by Dutch architect Hans J. M. Ruijssenaars for his granddaughter, Chair Louise is a compact  chair with an interesting geometric design.  Made from durable oiled oak the chair is suitable for children up to the age of four. The seating is made up of foam cushions which are available in three standard colours, are water-resistant, easy to clean and pliable.  Each chair has a unique ID number engraved on it and can be personalised with a name, date of birth or a short message. 

Image: Vans

Treat your feet with these bright, animal print designs from Vans and Kenzo who continue their collaboration for Spring and Summer 2013 with jungle-inspired slip ons and sneakers. The collection is available in stores now.

Image: Zara

We are really impressed by engineered comfort of these skinny jeans from Zara.  With interesting seaming along the inner leg and darting at the knee, these skinny jeans are made from a soft, forgiving denim fabric and manage the near impossible feat of being both form-fitting and comfortable. 

Have a look at these intricately worked leather accessories from Paris-based Niels Peeraer which are made out of vegetable tanned bridle leather and brass fittings.  Peeraer creates beautiful pieces which  surpass  the usual boundaries of womens- and menswear. Peeraers’ world is not about shocking or making a statement, but about bringing an innocent happiness to the seriousness of everyday life.