The Best of Dwell on Design 2011, Reporting Straight from LA!

Summer is upon us and <a href="http://dod.dwell.com/">Dwell on Design</a> is back and bigger than ever. With more than 20,000 visitors expected to hit the convention room floor, Inhabitat was one of the thousands onsite covering all the of must-see vendors and highlights from opening day! For our amazing LA readers and the lucky visitors who just happen to be in the area (including our incredible volunteer Diana who helped us out after jumping off a plane from Japan), we highly recommend popping over to the West Hall of the LA Convention Center to take in all the sights that the west coast’s largest design show has to offer. Best of all, Inhabitat’s very own founder and Editor-in-Chief, Jill Fehrenbacher, flew-in all the way from <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/nyc">New York</a> to help show-off some local favorites from Inhabitots in Dwell’s Modern Family Zone. So come on down, or take the jump and see all the hottest designs now on show at <a href="http://dod.dwell.com/">Dwell on Design</a>!

For this year’s <a href="http://www.ecofabulous.com/blog/ecofabulous-house-at-dwell/">EcoFabulous Modern Living Show House</a>, Zem Joaquin and company partnered with local architect Jonathan Davis of <a href="http://www.davisstudioad.com/">Davis Studio</a> and <a href="http://piecehomes.com/">pieceHomes</a>. Like last year, the house is filled to the brim with some of the most sustainable furnishings and fixtures available on the market and is up for auction on eBay. Proceeds from the sale of the house will benefit <a href="http://www.globalgreen.org/">Global Green USA</a>.

The first day of Dwell on Design closed with keynote speaker, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-interview-green-architect-cradle-to-cradle-founder-william-mcdonough/">William McDonough</a>. An Inhabitat favorite, Bill recanted stories of his youth (having been born in Tokyo) and shared projects of today and tomorrow helping build a more sustainable future.

Featured by Inhabitat at this year’s ICFF, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/david-trubridges-flat-pack-lamps-unfold-into-illuminating-masterpieces/">David Trubridge</a> showcases his flat-packed lamps at this year’s Dwell on Design. Come see for yourself how easily these fixtures come to life, literally snapping together.

<a href="http:www.konceptech.com">Koncept</a> is unveiling their third generation contemporary led lights at the show. Each lamp comes with a sensor touch on-off dimmer switch completely integrated into its sleek linear design.

<a href="http://www.fleetobjects.com">Fleet’s</a> designer, Zoe Garred, came all the way down from Canada to be a part of this year’s show and is showcasing a little something for everyone. From ceramic lamps to jewelry and a delightful fold flat bowl, each of her pieces are carefully crafted.

After making a debut two years ago at ICFF, Mark Kinsley of <a href="http://www.rivelishelving.com">Riveli</a> is bringing his shelves to the mainstream. Part work of art, part multi-functional shelving system, the aluminum shelves are an amazing dually functional piece that can extend the useful space of the smallest Manhattan apartment or provide a unique talking piece to the largest rooms in a Hollywood Hills mansion.

Cork takes center stage at <a href="http://www.eugenestoltzfus.com">Eugene Stoltzfus Architects’</a> booth. All natural down to the FDA approved sealant holding it all together, these basic modern shapes are safe enough to eat or use as tables, chairs, and decorative pedestals.

Be sure to check out all the designers in <a href="http://www.designboom.com">Designboom’s</a> Yakitate! showroom. <a href="http://www.wakakokita.com">Wacco</a> bags utilize the principals of origami to maintain its shape and fold flat.

<a href="http://www.woollypocket.com/">Woolly Pockets</a> is back at Dwell and available for purchase at Dwell’s store just outside of the exhibition hall entrance.

Thankfully the live chickens in this year’s Dwell Outdoors area are not running free, but enjoying the temporary contemporary abode in the <a href="http://chickenco-op.com">Chicken Co-Op</a>. Check out the latest luxury chicken residence that will have you wishing you had a roost of your own.

<a href="http://www.inhabitots.com">Inhabitots is featuring a number of different toys in the Modern Family Zone, including Tegu’s creative magnetic blocks, a number of creative soft pillows and wooden pieces from <a href="http://www.branchhome.com/">Branch Home</a>, and several of <a href="http://www.greentoys.com">Green Toys'</a> recycled milk jug collection.

Around the corner from the Modern Family Zone is the official Inhabitots' booth. Come see if Jill is around and leave your contact information to win some incredible sustainable toys, or pick-up a onsie for your little one!

Dwell on Design offers a little fun for everyone, and the kiddos playing in Dwell’s Modern Family zone will dare you to try to prove that wrong.