London's Victoria and Albert Museum is currently running an interesting exhibition, Telling Tales. Revisiting classic nursery rhyme scenes, the exhibition uses many of the design worlds most avant garde pieces to recreate the settings of our childhood fantasies. Curating the exhibition was clearly made easier by the abundance of "furniture as art" that has been so popular with the design community recently.  The pieces featured above have been released over the past few years at the global design fairs, and now take pride of place amongst the new exhibition.

Definitely a must see if you are in London over the next few months. To learn more go here.

Zecc Architects have converted a dissued water tower into chic tribute to minimalist living. The outcome is a surprisingly roomy abode that hasn't been compromised by its limited space availability.

For more information about the architects go here.

The 3 panel Natura Morta screen forms part of the new Diesel collection for Moroso. Its photographic image pays homage to the archetype of a 17th century still life scene.

As part of his ongoing Design Virus project Pieke Bergman presented a series of Light Bulbs at the Milan Fair earlier this year. Bergman uses the idea of an infection or virus mutating the lightbulb. Like with an infection, the older the product the more susceptible it is: old and tired lamps surrendering their bulbs to gravity. A desk lamp giving up on life, its last gasp forming the bulb.

For more information on the designer go here.

Sheetseat is a folding chair cut from a single sheet of plywood with a thickness of 3/4 inch when collapsed flat. This simple innovation allows for storage and transportation in even the tightest of spaces.

For more information go here.

The WISA Wooden Design Hotel is a temporary building that will remain in place in the Valkosaari area of Helsinki, Finland until the end of September 2009. The building provides overnight accommodation for a small group of people. 

The long curved pine boards half-covering the patio form a trellis that protects against the wind and filters the long rays of the Nordic sun into the courtyard. The interplay of light and shade can be observed throughout the day, as the bright morning light gradually turns into the red glow of the Northern midnight sun.

The work was designed by interior architect Pieta-Linda Auttila with the intention of sparking interest in wood and highlighting its role in building and design.

For more information go here.

Boat designer E. Kevin Schöpfer's "Oculus" yacht is the stuff of dreams. At 250 feet long and featuring 12-foot ceilings, it's one roomy way to travel over the high seas at upwards of 25 knots. The exterior styling is representative of the jaw and eye socket bone structure of large oceanic fish and mammals. Designed to accomodate 12 guests the boat features a "low rider profile". This slightly lowered surface allows for new side recreational areas, alternate dockage access and light cruising openness. Lateral retractable side panels close this area when heavier wave action is indicated.

For more information go here.

Paris based Arik Levy considers himself to be more of a "feeling" designer. His signature rock peices are designed for mulitple uses in practically any environment. The Cosmic Nature collection above includes some stunning examples of his signature style.

To learn more about Arik Levy go here.

Matsys is a design studio that explores the emergent relationships between architecture, engineering, biology, and computation. Their latest project for San Franciso's MoMA covers a 45 foot long and 12 feet high wall. Made of cast plaster and elastic fabric, its sagging surface takes in an almost flabby appearance. 

For more information go here.

Hand woven from recycled electrical wire that has been salvaged from scrap electrical goods  such as tv sets and slot machines UK based artist John Binet Fauvel's Octopus sculptures are colourful and impressive.

You can order them directly from him here.