furniture

If there's one thing everyone agrees on, it's that we all need a better way to charge the multiplying electronic devices that run our lives. One of the more anticipated technologies in this department, for example, has been the "WildCharger" wireless recharging pad. Herman Miller, the office furnishing designer extraordinaire that gave us the "Aeron" chair, has apparently a concept similar to the WildCharger's and plans to use it in future desks.

The company has licensed a system called "eCoupled," which uses a magnetic field that can theoretically charge cell phones, … Read more

With the home becoming ever-more digital, we've seen a steady increase of instances where technologies converge with traditional furnishings. The early stages of this domestic evolution have often involved chairs and cabinets, but we may be on the cusp of a new phase with lamps. Yes, lamps.

At CES this week Soundolier showed off its "Duo," a combination speaker-lamp that can be purchased as a single fixture or as a pair for full stereo (and better lighting) for $280 each. Another $80 will get you the "Maestro," a wireless transmitter that pipes in music from … Read more

Anyone who's been to a mall in the last decade or so knows that massage chairs are a dime a dozen (well, maybe a few grand a dozen). But what about a massage bed? Now we're talking.

The "Heated Shiatsu MassageBed" from Relax The Back isn't just one of those vibrating quarter-operated motel beds, as its $1,995 price tag indicates. Not only does it have all the features of a fully loaded massage chair, but it also has 14 rollers made of jade. That's right, as in the jewelry.

"Since jade is … Read more

This little dining table, which I read about at Treehugger, might either be the grossest or the coolest eco-tech idea I've heard in a while. Or maybe both. The cone-shaped thing under the table is a fabric bag that's home to a functioning ecosystem full of creepy crawlies like worms and sowbugs, which break down your leftover food and turn it into compost that your house plants or garden will find very yummy. The compost then sprinkles out the bottom of the bag when it's ready. Plus, there's an LCD screen that's hooked up to … Read more

You may have seen something like this at a hotel or airport, but now it could be coming to your home (if you have an understanding spousal unit or significant other).

The Ronda Media Chair has a built-in computer with a router integrated into the frame and a power cord in the back. As Coolest Gadgets points out, no prices are available without asking the company directly.

The Ronda also includes optional creature comforts such as a matching two-seater bench or end table. If they can figure out a way to build in a coffee maker and a fridge, we'… Read more

Those of you who don't live in earthquake country may scoff at these, but Californians will understand their need all too well.

These devices, which Akihabara News says are common in Japan, are meant to secure your desk and computer equipment in the event of some major shaking. The pads and brackets supposedly work "without glue or nails," but we're not sure what kind of mechanism is used to keep them in place. (Velcro won't help much in a 7+ magnitude quake, as we saw in San Francisco.)

They might not be the most attractive … Read more

Imagine a winter weekend morning. You wake up, let the dog out, and fetch the Sunday paper, two unwrapped Playstation 3 games, some newly arrived Netflix and a cup of coffee (made per the timer you actually remembered to set).

Where are you going next? No, not to the couch with a blanket and pillow, or to the kitchen to argue over whether the new Ferrari Dino will be a front-engine or mid-engine car.

You climb back under the warm blankets of your bedroom, settle in and...up pops your flattie from the foot of your bed. A remote control … Read more

Get your act together, chair.

Raffaello D'Andrea, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University, has created a chair in conjunction with Canadian artist Max Dean that can crumple itself into a disjointed pile of wood and then reassemble itself. Dean came up with the vision and D'Andrea, who advises the university's robot teams, designed it. Another Canadian artist and a former student of D'Andrea's then helped them build it.

"It has no utilitarian value," D'Andrea said in a prepared statement. "It is an art piece."

No, … Read more

For some reason, we're always drawn to items that involve reclining. Yesterday, for example, we posted an item on an "action" lounge mat (an oxymoron?) that allows you to play games and such while lying down.

Today, we're happy to follow up with the RelaX-I rocker, which Gizmag points out is an extension of Ace Bayou's line of musical rocking chairs released earlier this year. This new model is the Cadillac of entertainment laziness--a leather recliner that comes with "an optional built-in massage feature and a built-in, high-quality sound system which connects to a … Read more