So in honor of the new year which will be starting in a little under 10 hours, I thought I’d share something a little different today.  For the last 18 years, this local NJ family has been dropping their own New Years Eve Ball in their yard.  Sadly this is the last year they are doing it and the first time I’ve heard about it, but I thought this was a cool story to share especially today.

Ken Grimbilas of Pompton Plains NJ made this laser-cut steel ball himself, and every year friends and neighbors gather at his house to watch it make its way down the 35 foot pole complete with strobe lights and a flashing “Happy New Year”  sign, all designed by Ken himself. Coincidently (or not) Ken is also the owner of a metal fabricating shop in the next town.  Read more here.

Maybe a little bit of a deviation from our normal discussions, but DESIGN nonetheless (and pretty amazing at that!). Happy New Years from me to all of you wonderful readers!!

(Images from The Star Ledger & NJ.com)

Inspired by driving though Holland, the Viaduct Table has a shape based on the architecture with the same name.  This gives it both character and a cool look, but also adds a convenient new feature to the table.  Its shape naturally adds a small storage space, and you know that storage space is something you can never have too much of! 

See more from talented designer Beerd van Stokkum here.

What better way to follow up a Christmas tree made of beer than with a kitchen made of Legos!  Having shopped recently for countertop options, Legos may really be the way to go.  Cool look at a relatively inexpensive price… if they can withstand my hot coffee mug I just may be sold!

This kitchen is from the home of Parisian designers Simon Pillard and Philippe Rosetti. They purchased a basic kitchen island from IKEA and then covered it with over 20,000 Lego pieces. See more here.

This year, the Christmas tree has gone green. Not just in an eco-friendly and recycled kind of way (though I guess it’s that too) but also in Heineken green. Yup, this “tree” is made from 1000 Heineken beer bottles.  Rumor on the blogosphere is that these bottles are still full…..

So where can you go to find this stunning display and rumored beer surplus?!?  You’re going to have to head to China. The giant Heineken Tree is on display in front of the Nanjing Road Mall in Shanghai!

I don’t have too much info about this piece, but the pictures themselves are so amazing I had to share them.  From Eden Design, the appropriately titled XXXL Lamp is truly captivating. Instantly taking over the space it’s in, this remarkable lamp definitely deserves (and gets) some attention.

In these images, is the XXXL Lamp shown at Artisan Du Chocolat in London. Pretty amazing.

Not your every day sideboard, but definitely an intriguing design.  The Redux Sideboard comes from Stockholm-based designer Jarl Fernaeus, who says he is largely inspired by typography.  He strives for balance is each piece, which I think can easily be seen here. This sideboard combines Corian with powder coated sheet metal detailing for a slight industrial look. The two elements perfectly contrast each other, while creating a look that’s unique enough to get noticed but still practical enough for everyday use

See more from Fernaeus here.