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Furniture

Greycork flat-packed furniture throws an Allen wrench in IKEA’s machine

The digital world is an endlessly fascinating place to spend time, but our physical forms must contend with places to sit and store stuff using conveyances known as furniture. And acquiring these items can often result in navigating items that are heavy, expensive or offer low-quality.

Seeking to put a cork in that frustrating process is Greycork, a Rhode Island-based company whose CEO learned his assembly chops working in a factory. The company extols the virtues of its sofa in its campaign video, noting its ash MDF construction, foam cushions, and tool-free (dis-)assembly that can be done within four minutes.

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Home

Sole Stacks keeps shoes in an artsy looking rack

For those who believe that one can never have too many pairs of shoes, here is a storage idea that will get them off of the closet floor and someplace where they can be more easily organized and found – hanging right on the wall.

Sole Stacks is a modular, art deco looking wall mount for storing shoes. The product comes in three sizes: the five rack for five pairs of shoes, nine rack for nine pairs, and 13 rack 13 pairs. Racks can also be stacked. The unique slope saves space so more shoes can be stored, and is intended to be complimentary with the furniture around it. Some assembly with tools is required. Which tools are needed is not clearly specified, but it doesn’t appear to be particularly complex.

This seems like a very convenient way for shoe fanatics to keep all of their shoes organized and accessible. Shoe-loving backers may also want to check out Zem shoes and Bast shoes. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000. Backers get one five-stack Sole Stacks for $60 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Furniture

The BU Desk lets you create your own desk space

It’s reminiscent of those old typing tables from the days before computers. Except that The BU Desk offers more versatility and has a more esthetically appealing design. BU Desk allows users to customize their desk for their specific needs. Besides functioning as a standard desk, it can also work as an elevated drawing board, easel, offer a duel computer monitor space, function as a social space for games, or a place to gather for small group meetings. In addition, it folds up to be stored away easily.

The dimensions of the desk are not clearly indicated, and it looks as though it may need to be secured to a wall rather than being self-standing, making it much less convenient. Backers may also want to check out the Zestdesk portable desk, Lappito, and iTray campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise €35,000 (~$43,600) by December 24, 2014. Backers can get the basic kit for €165 (~$210). Larger contributions get more options. Expected delivery is May 2015.

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Kids/Babies

Interlocking Fidget chair is for kids who rock

There are some who say that the energy children have should have been reserved for older tired people. But since things didn’t work out that way, Fidget helps kids to find a way to manage all that energy when they are in an environment where they must sit. The chair is suitable for ages 3-6, though there are plans to make one for ages 5-9. Basically, it moves with the child as they squirm around, helping to facilitate their focus for activities that require mental energy rather than physical energy. They are also modular, and when flipped around, can be used as chair and desk combo. Some backers may have an issue with the fact that the chairs are made of high density polyethylene (petroleum based) but this makes them easy to clean. Seems like such a chair may actually have an appeal to some adults, especially those locked into doing desk work all day long. In the meantime, this campaign seeks to raise $50,000 by November 30. 2014.  For $70, early bird backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Furniture

Frey Desk joins the fray for versatile, adjustable work surfaces

Frey DeskFor those who like a desk that’s as versatile as it is functional, Frey Desk is about as multifaceted and modular  as it gets. It can be just a desk that holds a computer and printer for journalistic types, an easel for artist types, drafting table for engineer and architect types, or standing table when just tired of sitting. The unit includes an adjustable shelf and is touted as being mobile, but at seven feet tall, one might need a truck if transporting it to a work site. The $471 early bird special has an expected delivery of August 2014.

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Lighting

Modular Lamp lights up room with your creativity

ModularLightFor those who like to flaunt their own unique style wherever they go, Modular Lamp offers the opportunity to light up your space in your own way. The company is working to move from birch plywood to furniture grade walnut, and the Modular Lamp will be the first of many pieces. A coat of blue paint away from resembling a TARDIS, the idea is to make the furniture hollow so that it requires fewer trees, which means it will also be lightweight and environmentally friendly, but it’s still supposed to be strong. If you like to rearrange the furniture a lot or you are the transient type who moves frequently, this might be an ideal product. For $55, a backer gets one lamp, but the walnut version requires $75. Expected delivery of May 2014.

 

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Furniture

ModRoomz offers a cubist approach to modular shelving

The Premise. The “build it yourself” stacker modification concept has been around for quite a while, and it’s certainly no stranger to the crowdfunding landscape. Still, products like these absolutely serve a purpose, especially for those who have  little space to work with in their homes.

The Product. ModRoomz basically works on the same principles as Legos and the pieces don’t look too dissimilar from the classic toy either. The difference here, however, is that these building blocks can be used to create practically any type of modular furniture, ranging from coffee tables to bunk beds. The cubes can be modified to create extra storage, allowing you to build drawers and cubbies to store away for your belongings, and the company offers add-ons such as shelves, drawers and cover doors. Curiously, the exact dimensions of the ModCubes is nowhere to be found.

The Pitch. Judging by the campaign video for its “magic in a cube,” ModRoomz appears to be exceptionally easy to use. Moving the cubes around and create your own custom type of furniture looks fun, and the narration-free video itself has a nice production value to it. ModRoomz doesn’t seem to be too concerned about not meeting its lofty $200,000 funding goal as the company already has a fairly complete Web site of its own to market its system.

The Perks. One challenge that the campaign may face is its rewards pricing. Early bird pricing packages offer five or 1o cubes at $50 per piece. After that, you’re in for a $2,500 configuration that takes the form of a crib or bed ModRoomz entrepreneurs Brad and Dani will hand-assemble the furniture, but you must live within 100 miles of their Boston location.

The Potential. Those who lack space and like the idea of adding their own touch to the furniture in their homes will likely enjoy this product. There are similar systems on the market such as the shelving systems from Foremost, Way Basics and The Living Cube; some of these offer more choices in the sizes of their components. Still, the snap-on construction and quality materials stand to be a differentiator and the price will surely drop once production ramps up.