Dieter Rams has forever been one of my major design icons, a person who revolutionized the way we thought about products and their function. Born of German simplicity and esthetic, his designs are a balance of tool and usability, and eliminating fuss and what we might not need to actually do with something. Using a Rams product is almost like learning how you should actually use a product properly, for the first time. Rams was hired by Braun in 1955, and went on to head their design department, releasing some of the most legendary product designs we’ve known, and inspired the likes of Jonathan Ives in his product creation for Apple.

I must say though, while I love his products, and his studio furniture… His home (brought to us by Yatzer), while interesting and a testament to his thinking, certainly does not look like a comfy place to relax, his studio and workshop though, look ideal for their purpose. Also, if you haven’t yet, and you appreciate his design, you’d be smart to pick up As Little Design as Possible.

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Designed in 1955 by Eero Saarinen, the tulip chair has become an icon of furniture design for its elegant simplicity. Created for Florence Knoll, the chair is created from molded fiberglass with an aluminum base. Many will recognize the chair from the bridge of Star Trek, and while it still retains that 60′s flair, it still looks great today.

Available here but you might be wise to look around for a nice vintage piece.

“Brimming with images and insightful text, this unique book is the benchmark reference on what is arguably the most influential and important furniture brand of our time. It reveals in unparalleled detail how Charles and Ray Eames as well as a talented team of designers worked to create pieces that still top bestseller lists. The book describes the key role played by the Eames Office’s own development and perfection of production processes for its designs as well as the significance of its relationship with manufacturers. By documenting the creation and spread of these landmark furniture designs, this book also tells the story of how modernism became established in homes and offices throughout the world.”

- Gestalten

Bill Amberg is mostly known for his handmade leather bags since has 1984 and recently made some headways with his Selvage Collection for this season. Some may be surprised to discover Amberg’s architectural projects division which offers bespoke service for interior design using leather, whether it be a private residence, commercial property, aeroplane or yacht. Surprising, but fitting. Each design is tailor-made to suit the client’s requirements and each piece is fully fitted by in-house craftsmen. Past notable projects include a vegetable tanned buffalo hide for the world’s biggest sailing yacht; a lightweight, fireproof leather for Lufthansa Technic’s specialist planes and as small as a residential telephone. Or you may have already unknowingly come across Amberg’s interior work already if you’ve ever stopped by Asprey and Claridges in London, the Kakimoto Arms salon in Tokyo or the Burberry in Milan. More information available here.

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We’re pretty big fans of Spanish designer Jaime Hayon.  He imbues everything he creates with joy and flair, whether it be shoes for Camper or bright green rooster rocking chairs.  One of his latest creations is the Lounger, just unveiled at Salone del Mobile 2010 in Milan.  It is the finishing piece of his Showtime collection for BD Barcelona.  The wing chair, with a definite nod to Eames, has Hayon’s style through and through with his signature monochrome look and a perfect balance between style and comfort.  It will be available with an optional footrest and both leather and fabric options.

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Since 2000, Light+Building has been one of the world’s largest tradeshows featuring the most innovative products in architecture & technology, often acting as a forum for leading manufacturers to launch the latest and greatest trends to conquer the world. Typically at these type of events, when technologies start surfacing at more than one booth, you know it is becoming an important trend to look out for. This year, LED lighting in home applications has exploded onto the scene with some fabulously designed lighting solutions. Often utilized for its low-energy consumption, the increasing demand from consumers for eco-design has pushed both the technological and design elements LED technology has to offer. Here are the best of the best from Light+Building 2010.

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Several years ago, designer Dean Heckler decided to leave behind a successful business as a software UX/UI designer for the decidedly more risky prospect of furniture design.  In our opinion, he has been instantly vindicated with his minimal and perfectly functional OneLessDesk design.  Heckler created it out of a distaste for the more common heavy wood desk designs that didn’t seem to jive with our modern flat screen monitors and sleek titanium notebooks.  The powder-coated steel design incorporates two “decks”, one slightly larger than the other which tucks underneath it.  All told, the desk only occupies 12 inches of room space when tucked together.  They are crafted in Phoenix, Arizona, and come finished in red, yellow, white, silver, and black, as well as custom color options at an extra cost.  You can also add the OneLessStand or OneLessFile.  They are all available direct here.

More pics after the jump.

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Dutch designer Sander Mulder is well-known for his dramatic, meticulously crafted, and often subversive design aesthetic.  We previously showed you his “About Time” desk clock which literally rolls around to show you the time inside a continuous sentence replacing standard numerals.  Another of our favorite Mulder designs are the “Woofers”, which are headless dog speakers that sound as brash as they look.  But the design that has really caught our eye of late, is the acrylic (more specifically PMMA) lamp series.  The lamps are made up of many large, contoured, clear acrylic sheets, cut using highly-accurate CNC milling, and realized in three distinct models: “Therese” (chandelier), “Josephine” (floor lamp), and “Marie-Louise” (table lamp).  The design is such that the light from a special flourescent bulb filters and radiates out through the sheets, making them glow in a quite stunning fashion.  In addition, eight different color filters are available, for an even more dramatic look.  Available here.

More pics after the jump.

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Premier curators of British-style, Hackett Mayfair make an interesting array of products outside of their usual traditional British garb including this rug, that also doubles as a throw, scarf and blanket. As with their scarf we featured earlier this year with their wonderful logo, this is woven in Scotland from extra fine Merino wool. Available here.

Who doesn’t love lounging around in a comfortable t-shirt every once in a while, and while we’re not usually ones to notice, American Apparel has introduced bedding ($20-$56) that will help you nod off in that comfiness. Made from ultra soft jersey, these sheets not only feel great on the skin but get softer with every sleep, ensuring your rest time is the best time.

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Berlin designer Frank Buchwald’s Machine Lights series is comprised of 12 steampunk lamp designs that are handmade in extremely limited quantities and look like they could have come straight from the set of Dark City or Blade Runner.  The main structures are made of raw brass and steel, which are hand burnished to create a unique antique black and brown hue.  The industrial design aesthetic, complete with visible coils, filaments, cables, and flexible brass tubes, really lends these lights their edge.  Production time is at least four weeks depending on the model and prices are not for the meek (from $3,800 to $5,900, with Type 09 jumping all the way up to $15,500).  Buchwald will also entertain custom requests.

We haven’t used wallpaper in forever, but it’s pretty tough to resist these designs from one of our favorite designers and heritage (18th Century to be exact) hand printed wallpaper company, Cole & Son.  The Vivienne Westwood for Cole & Son wallpapers are all based on signature designs from her fashion collections such as the iconic Squiggle print from the Autumn-Winter 81/82 Pirate collection and the more recent Cut-Out Lace from the Spring-Summer 07 I am Expensiv collection. Explains Westwood, “It is good when my ideas get carried over into other artistic media. This collection is a perfect opportunity to be able to work with a heritage company like Cole & Son and to see my ideas from fashion translated into the world of interiors and wallpaper”. There are several designs available, but our favorites are shown above. Available here.