Snapping Takes A Modern, Kitchen-y Twist
My favorite childhood toy, hands down, was Legos. Truth be told, if you put me in front of a box of Legos right now, I’d have a field day. The ability to mix and match any and all pieces to create something of beauty or function is a key part of modern design – I bet it all started with Legos for a lot of those folks as well. [wink]
Plenty Magazine’s latest issue (October/November 2007) has a great piece about Sarah Cihat’s “rehabilitated” dishware. While I adore Sarah’s work and appreciate each chance I get to know more about her stylish green efforts, it was another brand mentioned on page 76 that caught my attention. Colorado-based INV/ALT design creates unique wineglasses from newly-made cups and recycled wine glass stems that snap together; this same style is also used to create cupcake plates with old saucers.
The name “INV/ALT” is a shortened take one the concept behind the brand: “Angela Schwab focuses on INVention of new forms and ALTeration of existing objects in order to enhance the way people can use and interact with everyday functional objects,” according to the company’s website. Each small cup will hold about the same amount as an espresso shot – three ounces. The entire INV/ALT line is created from beginning to end in Denver, Colorado by Angela herself – a process which she has photographically cataloged on her flickr account.
With handles that snap on, as well as other cups, the options for functional usage are endless. On top of that, arranging these one-of-a-kind minis together can take on an artistic display that you may not want to take apart (see below). Angela’s inherently swank choice of color combinations make these little ceramics all the more irresistible. Whether used as art or, well, for drinking, INV/ALT designs’ snap cups are a beautiful example of modern (useful + stylish) design.
For brand and store updates, check out the INV/ALT design blog on Blogger. Looking to buy? INV/ALT has their own Etsy.com store, stocked to the gills. Curious what else Angela’s mind can think up? Click over to her collection of “other projects” on her flickr account – you won’t be sorry.
[All images courtesy of INV/ALT design]
[...] on the mecca of all green blogs – until today! In a valiant return to the Most Huggable feature, my piece on INV/ALT design was mentioned along with Al Gore’s Emmy. This is the first time that one of my posts has been [...]
Seriously cute!
[...] Pure genius, INV/ALT is a line of cups with button-snap slots that allow you to swap handles and stems to build your own custom cups; you can even attach them to other cups! Via Victoria E. [...]
OMG. These are my find-of-the-day, well yours, but i’ll borrow. hehe. Snappable cups and saucers, designers gotta love them. These are really very nice.
[...] and Environmentalist, Victoria E, not to be confused with that other famous Victoria, (as in Beckham) has found the eco [...]
These are just great. Thanks too for reminding me about the FLOR tiles.
[...] Snapping Takes A Modern, Kitchen-y Twist: “My favorite childhood toy, hands down, was Legos. Truth be told, if you put me in front of [...]
[...] (images via: Victoria E) [...]
Fantastic. care to share your sources
?
What sources, exactly?