This Week's Top 5 Favorite 1stdibs Items: Good Design!

It's no secret that we're fans of good design here at the Swank Lighting blog. And, just like the one you're going to marry, good design is different for everyone, and you know it when you see it. Not conforming to any sort of uniform set of standards, good design can mean that it looks good, functions good, or a clever combination of both. For today's top picks out of the newest listings from 1stdibs, we've grabbed five items that we think exhibit good design, for a myriad of reasons. Check them out:

1) The Biggest Ape in the World by Kay Bojesen
Pretty much not serving any function, we can't help but love the look of this giant, modern, wooden monkey. I mean, it would only really ever be able to serve as a sculpture (or help out in the carpool lane) but it's hard to deny the smile it puts on ones face, meaning it's good design.
Price: $55,000
Dealer: Wyeth

2) Victor Light Roadster Highwheel Bicycle
Who would argue that the bicycle wasn't brilliantly good design? And while this isn't exactly the first bicycle ever made, it does certainly remind us that bikes looked way different back in the beginning, and that's pretty good design.
Price: $12,500
Dealer: The Splendid Peasant

3) One of a Kind Stainless Steel "Pine Tree" by Harry Bertoia
I guess this would fall under the paradigm of "experimental" good design, since, like the monkey it doesn't really have a purpose other than sculptural, but it certainly is cool-looking. And, Harry Bertoia pioneered many important design ideas, so this most likely good design as well.
Price: contact dealer
Dealer: Lost City Arts

4) Quilt Sofa by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec
Those Bouroullec brothers have done it again. Known for their uber-modern and super-cool furniture and accessories, this couch is more than just a place to plop down after a long day of work, it's an art statement.
Price: $12,200
Dealer: Twentieth Art & Design

5) Arik Levy - Wengé Rock
If you've been paying attention to this blog as all, you know we love classical items reinterpreted with geometric shapes. Well these wooden "rocks" combine a simple material, a natural theme and a modern, geometric motif. That's pretty good!
Price: contact dealer
Dealer: Hedge

Don't forget to check out the rest of this week's listings from 1stdibs, where you can find more fabulous, one-of-a-kind show-stopping pieces, as well as a number of other great pieces!