Starting Monday it's London Design Week at MoCo Loco. ML correspondent Luis Alicandú is there to take it all in and share the highlights with all of us. He starts out at Earls Court (above) where 100% Design got underway earlier this week. 100% Design is actually four shows in one, the umbrella for a high percentage of new design: 100% Light, 100% Materials, 100% Futures and100% Detail. Tune in on Monday.

+ 100percentdesign.co.uk

The SETI Collection of expanded polystyrene (95% air) by Scott Wilson and Michiel Knoppert for the EPS Packaging group is currently on display at 100% Futures. The collection's pendant lamp bears the recycle symbol and casts a soft glow, the crowning touch of an elegant collection. After the jump, monolithic forms make up the chairs and ottoman, which are hard shells inspired by bicycle helmets. The ottoman can be used as a table or even as a cooler once the lid is removed.

+ studiomod.com

Huib Muilwijk is the designer behind Made By Midas furniture based in Breda, the Netherlands. Made By Midas creates bold pieces that are both funky and functional, like the combination chair and bookshelf and the crib that can be set up at two different heights. Muilwijk's latest release is a couch with an air of the surreal. We wondered if the couch called Ceci n'est pas une croix, c'est un banc was inspired in name by Magritte's series of paintings Ceci n'est pas une pipe or whether there was more of a religious element to it.

What is the meaning behind "Ceci n'est pas une croix, c'est un banc"?
Many shapes have many meanings. Through time they've been burdened by meaning and symbolism, by people and by function. For many - but not to me - my design may make a reference to Christianity. But if you ask me, I designed a couch, not a crucifix. This happens to be the ideal shape for a couch; the sitter may sit on it in many ways. I have taken the shape out of context, freed it from burden and made it an ordinary household object.

The couch is covered in soft felt and consists of four separate elements which may be configured differently. Myriad compositions are possible and new elements will be added over time.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that there are lots of new designs in LOTS' new collection. There is a real focus on green design and this Imprint coffee cup is a great example. This thermo cup is made of double wall china and sports a gold rim for an added touch of class. A rubber lid comes with it, and the Imprint is available in Coffee size, as well as Latte. After the jump, we have the Siren Fire Detector that is integrated into the ceiling cup, making good use out of the one location and object. The Urban Garden is a small greenhouse that allows city folk to produce some of their own greens in order to cut down on the transportation of produce from farther away.

+ lotsdesign.se