Now you can have all of Wallpaper* magazine’s favorite design pieces in one place, at the W* House that was recently launched on the magazine’s website. Navigate through the house by the eight rooms or eight product types and simply browse for your own favorites or get ideas for a space of your own. This collection of products will be updated regularly, so come back often to see the W*’s latest picks.

As for me, here are some of my own favorites in the collection:

Set of 3 soup bowls by Daniel Pirsc of Pirsc Studios in the Czech Republic. It’s just very appealing.

W+W by Roca, where the washbasin and washcloset comes together. This design re-uses the water from the washbasin as flush water for the toilet, along with an automatic cleaning system.

Hay Sofa by Petter Skogstad. Need I say more?

The July issue of Wallpaper* takes a look at Art & Sex, which is a first for the magazine. One of the features that I found interesting is the art of “Tart Cards,” which are cards that are placed in phone booths (particularly in London) advertising services of call girls. I have seen these cards in phone booths in London before, but never thought that these cards could have artistic value. In doing a little more research, there’s even a tart card book that is sold on Amazon.com. So perhaps it’s really true that this “accidental art” has some sort of cult following. Art is really everywhere you look.

Do check out the Wallpaper* site for a complete set of images of tart cards designed by students and designers.

If you are in London, there is an exhibition of over 400 cards from June 22-29 in conjunction with Type LLP and St Bride Library titled “Typographical Tart Cards” here:

KKOutlet
42 Hoxton Square
London N1 6PB

It’s been a while since my last update. Life has just been quite busy that I have not had much time to write. So my New Year’s resolution for 2009 is to write more often – and here’s my first post…

Wallpaper* recently announced the winners of its fifth Design Awards in a variety of categories, including:

My personal favorites is probably the winner of the Most Life-enhancing Product – Bloomframe. The product itself is an “interactive façade” that transforms a window frame into a balcony via an electrical drive. It is made of aluminum, glass and steel and offers a variety of variations and flexibility to match the needs of new contructions or renovation projects. photos by Matthijs van Roon

For a complete list and description of winners and runner-ups, go to Wallpaper.com by clicking on the link below.

This year, the judging panel included hip hop star Kanye West, French architect Jean Nouvel, Australian industrial designer Marc Newsom, British production designer Sir Ken Adam, Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati, and fashion icon Inès de la Fressange.

On January 26, you will also find video interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of the Design Awards on Wallpaper.com. So bookmark the site!