Modern Miniature Chair Contest

If you've cruised for modern chairs on the web, you've probably come across some of the Vitra miniatures of classic modern designs. But modern miniature chairs don't need to cost a fortune. Miniature Miller Marshmallow sofas and globe chairs are offered on eBay for under $50. Or you could craft them yourself. Design within Reach is sponsoring another edition of the champagne cork chair crafting contest. Entrants must use the cork, foil, cage and labels from only two champagne bottles to fashion their design. The prizes include gift certificates to DWR. Click here for a full list of last year's winner and the honorable mention entries. Submissions are due to DWR's headquarters by 1/15/2007.

People's Design Award

"What is design? You tell us!"




The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is sponsoring its first-ever National Design Week, beginning October 14th. In the run-up to the week's National Design Awards gala on October 18th, the site is taking nominations and hosting voting for the best design. Browse all the nominations online. There are the expected design impresarios--the Eames lounge chair, the Knoll Diamond chair, but also the everyday items we take for granted--the paperclip, the zipper, the Helvetica font, the contact lens--and the unexpected--Google Earth, the I heart NY logo, the US Constitution. Voting ends on October 16th.