While this may be an unpopular and perhaps brazen assertion, there is merit to working in-office. Communal work areas enhance social interaction and productivity, especially when theres a shared sense of purpose among members. For some, working from home presents a new set of challenges or may even lead to resentments toward their formerly personal territory. But as the pendulum swings back and forth from pre- to post-pandemic professional habits, it appears to be finding equilibrium where workers have flexibility to shift their schedule and their sense of place. The New Design Project, a Brooklyn-based interior design firm, has its finger on the pulse with their expansion of The New Work Project as it welcomes fresh spaces ELEVENTH and The Annex into the fold in Williamsburg.Situated alongside the existing establishment TENTH, their original co-working space circa 2017, ELEVENTH builds upon what the previous concept started while adding contrast for a dramatic shift in ambiance. Guests move through a day lit corridor from black, stark whites, and cool grays into that which is awash in creamy colors for a kaleidoscope of beige that is far from banal.Complementing the warm, neutral palette is an earthy signature scent and plenty of opportunities to commune with nature. There is a heightened focus on health and wellness in the workplace, say Fanny Abbes and James Davison, the creative director and co-managing partner of the New Project Group, respectively. To support this, we incorporated plants and other greenery, and installed large oversized skylights to complement other sources of natural light and provide a strong connection to the outside world. This central volume provides the through line hosts the most public spaces with varying degrees of private rooms distributed around the perimeter.The Gallery is adjacent, comprising eight dedicated, open-air stations situated under a pair of vertical chandeliers in polished nickel. Bronze glass privacy screens provide a bit of intimacy for each desk where members have additional accoutrement like an adorable table lamp, comfortable chair, and mobile cabinet.Light floods The Lounge where a cluster of chic, semi-circular breakout booths upholstered in a luscious, dark-chocolate brown velvet bask in its glow. Accompanying them are custom tables, rugs with corresponding playful poufs, and decorative lighting in polished nickel. Something of a forum, the venerable central space is framed by an arched accent wall with wallpaper by Eskayel. Additionally, custom artwork by Abbes adds subtle pops of color to the room as they rest against decorative wall moldings.Twelve private studios for teams of up to ten are furnished with custom floating desks, ergonomic task chairs, keyless locking pedestals, designer desk lamps, open shelves, and built-in closets just behind doors outfitted with smart locks. Whats more, all company signage displayed to delineate rented rooms is typeset using the same typeface and font to eliminate visual clutter from logos that might otherwise be competing.Continuing on, visitors will happen upon three fully ventilated, sound-insulated privacy pods, which provide an ideal escape for a quick call, focused work, or moment of respite, as well as a granite-topped central drink station. Bronze glass and curved forms feature strongly elsewhere lining the paths for circulation as well as conference room walls with a striking custom wallpaper installation by Designtex. Wishbone chairs sit aside conference room tables by The New Design Project, while wall-hung circular mirrors echo local textures.Though physically separate from TENTH and ELEVENTH, The Annex adds to the cultural fabric shared by every proverbial thread running through the post-industrial building. It provides a generous events venue for nearly any occasion comfortably fitting up to 75 guests. The thoughtfully designed interior features historical elements, 14-foot ceilings, exposed brick, and oversized archways.Co-working spaces have historically been susceptible to pomp and circumstance, moreso appealing to exclusivity than actual service to the working community. But meaningful change is on the horizon. Were part of a new breed of boutique-style neighborhood work clubs. Our members appreciate working in spaces that go beyond mere functionality, serving as an extension of their professional and personal brands, Abbes and Davison add. Unlike other co-working spaces that focus on maximizing private office space, we emphasize thoughtfully designed public areas that inspire genuine creativity and collaboration.To learn more about The New Work Project and all of its spaces visit thenewworkproject.com.Photography by Will Ellis.

Theres no going back and forth about this: ZigZagZurichs new Artist Terry Beach Towel Collection is a must-have for your next summer outing. These 100% cotton towels feature graphic patterns and designs by five talented artists: Neil Keating, Marc David Spengler, Liz Collins, Marlene Dallas, and Laura Schor. Unlike art that can only be admired on walls, these artist-designed towels are durable enough for the beach yet soft for cozying up after a swim.History of House by Neil KeatingLiverpool-based graphic artist Neil Keating is inspired by pop culture and has created works in collaboration with streetwear brands, local musicians, and industry titans like Nissan, Playstation, Dr Martens, Adidas Superstar, and more. His design, History of House, is a nod to the music scene and the evolution of music genres, including Chicago House, Detroit Techno, New York disco, and the origins of Black and Latin LGBT+ music.History of House by Neil KeatingHistory of House by Neil KeatingSandbanks by Marc David SpenglerMarc David Spengler, a visual artist and illustrator who hails from Stuttgart, Germany, is known for his abstract and colorful compositions inspired by graffiti culture. For ZigZagZurichs Sandbanks, he takes us to the shores of Ile dOleron in France where the vibrant beach huts painted by their owners create an artful scene.Sandbanks by Marc David SpenglerSandbanks by Marc David SpenglerCracked by Liz CollinsBrooklyn-based artist and designer Liz Collins shows us that whats Cracked can also be beautiful and unique. Inspired by the fractures of a broken mirror, she transformed this spontaneous pattern into a drawing, embroidery, and now a textile pattern.Cracked by Liz CollinsCracked by Liz CollinsSauvage by Marlene DallasMarlene Dallas unique expression of shapes, structures, and lines is showcased in the Sauvage towel design. This exploration of lines, strokes, and pathways is full of movement and energy.Sauvage by Marlene DallasSauvage by Marlene DallasSwipe by Laura SchorSwiping left or right has become a modern day expression of choosing what you like. Laura Schor, a Swiss textile designer with a love for designing interiors, celebrates her love of color with the Swipe design.Swipe by Laura SchorSwipe by Laura SchorTo get your own terry towel from the ZigZagZurich artist-designed collection, visit zigzagzurich.com.

Nothing is taking its budget-focused Nothing Phone (2a) to the next level. The company has taken the wraps off the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, a device thats built to offer better performance and an enhanced camera in a still very affordable and very stylish smartphone. The new device is not only better under the hood, it keeps the overall design aesthetic that Nothing has become famous for in the smartphone industry. The transparent tech approach cuts through in a world of boring black slabs.Nothing Design Sure Is SomethingThe Nothing Phone (2a) Plus doesnt necessarily look all that different from the standard Nothing Phone (2a); however, thats not necessarily a bad thing. Nothing has been building interesting-looking smartphones since the original Nothing Phone (1). Core to the Nothing design aesthetic is the transparent tech look. While the device doesnt offer a look at the actual internals of the phone, it does give the appearance of being able to look into the device rather than just at it. Its a neat concept and certainly helps make the phone stand out more.On top of the transparent back look, Nothing is also running full steam ahead with its Glyph interface. The Nothing Glyph interface essentially involves a series of LED lights on the back that can illuminate for things like notifications. Notification lights are nothing new in the world of smartphones, but over the past five years or so, theyve largely gone away. Its nice to see Nothing at least somewhat reviving them. Even the placement of the camera is unique, reminiscent of two eyes peering out from the back of the phone.Nothings approach to software is unique too. The device runs Android, but it has Nothings software skin, Nothing OS, on top of it, complete with monochrome app icons and classic-looking widgets. For the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, they launched a new widget in the form of the new News Reporter widget. Its designed to leverage AI to show daily news, and you may or may not be interested in using it. But it sure does look great.For the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, there are two new colorways: Metallic Gray and a new black color. Both look great, but the Metallic Gray that Ive seen in person looks particularly good. Nothing says that the frame is built from 100% recycled aluminum. Across the five circuitboards, the device uses 100% recycled tin, and on the main circuitboard, it uses 100% recycled copper foil.The Rest of the DetailsThe phone is no slouch under the hood, though of course the design of it is the star of the show. Nothing has done away with Qualcomm for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, in favor of the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G processor. This chipset is coupled with 12GB of RAM, and should be able to handle everything you can throw at it in 2024.On the front, the phone has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, with a full HD+ resolution. It offers a brightness of 1300 nits, which isnt bad, though not as impressive as some of the more expensive phones out there.The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a 5,000mAh battery, that can take 50W fast charging. Thats pretty fast, and Nothing says youll get a days worth of charge in 20 minutes (though Im a little skeptical about the brandsdefinition of a days worth of use).Nothing is quick to tout the Phone (2a) Plus triple 50MP camera system, though to be clear, one of those cameras is the selfie cam on the front. The device still has a main camera and ultrawide camera on the back, and they have similar specifications, but that selfie camera does have an upgraded resolution that Nothing says can deliver more crisp photos.The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will first be available in London, and in the United States through Nothings US Beta Program August 7 starting at $399. For more information, head to nothing.tech.This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

It seems like August arrived in the blink of an eye. As we begin to wind down from summer and prepare for the transition to a new season, were reminded of how quickly time passes and the impact it has on our memories. This theme is beautifully captured by this months Designer Desktop artist, Alex Khabbazi. A visual artist based in the United Kingdom, Khabbazi merges physical and digital art techniques and processes to create bold, graphic works.For Designer Desktop, Khabbazi shares his piece The Effects of Time, a mixed media artwork that he designed digitally, printed onto paper, scanned, had machine-knitted from the scan, and animated. The design serves as a poignant reminder that our memories inevitably fade over time, making the present moment all the more precious.Download the wallpapers for free with the links below for all your tech devices today!DESKTOP:1024768\12801024\16801050\19001200\25601440MOBILE:iPhone XS \ iPhone XS Max \iPad ProCheck out some of Alex Khabbazis other work:Follow Alex Khabbazi on Instagram here.View and download past Designer Desktopshere.

Its not about designing alerts, but redesigning attention, resulting in 8 features capitalised by Duolingo.Continue reading on UX Collective

You can get these refurbished AirPods Pro 1st Gen on sale for $119.99 right now (reg. $249). They have active noise-canceling and transparency modesso you can either block out external noise or tune in to remain aware of your surroundingsand spatial audio where the music follows the movement of your head. The AirPods Pro have on-ear controls for switching between modes, controlling volume, and raising Siri, and theyre IPX4 sweat and water-resistant. They have 18 hours of talk or 24 hours of listening time with the MagSafe-compatible charging case. They also have a grade A refurbished ratingmeaning they're in near-mint condition with only light to zero amounts of scuffingand come with a 30-day parts and labor warranty.You can get these refurbished AirPods Pro 1st Gen on sale for $119.99 right now (reg. $249), though prices can change at any time.

Smart locks are great for many reasons, like not having to worry about giving keys to everyone to who you want to give access into your home, or just swiping your finger if your arms are full carrying groceries. The Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 can do those things and much more, and for a limited time, you can get it for $109.99 (originally $149.99) after using the on-page $40 coupon. Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock, Built-in Wi-Fi, App Remote Control, Front Door Smart Lock $109.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal Get Deal $109.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $40.00 The Eufy Security Smart Lock C220 is very easy to install. You just need to take out your existing deadbolt and the latch, then slide the latch it includes and screw in the keypad and back cover. You'll be using six AA batteries that give you about eight months of battery life, according to Eufy. The setup in the app is also very straightforward and quick.The smart lock lets you open your door with fingerprints (up to two fingers max per person), voice (you'll need a smart speaker), keypad, app, Bluetooth, and keys (it includes a set of keys). You can assign people permanent or temporary codes to access the home, which is great for family members who visit frequently or for guests if you run an Airbnb. You can also open and close the lock remotely using the app without the need to buy or subscribe to anything that isn't already included in the box. The Eufy app is smooth and has many options that you can customize in the settings. I really like that it is one of the few companies that don't require you to sign up for a subscription with a monthly fee or buy extra gadgets to unlock features. There is no need to buy a bridge to use the smart lock, as it only needs a wifi connection to work.

The movies and television shows below are the best of what's coming to Hulu this monthaccording to me. Because I'm an expert at watching things. Hulu's prestige comedy-crime program Only Murders in the Building is returning for a fourth season with a "the gang goes to Hollywood" plot. There's a rebooted version of Dance Moms premiering with all new moms and all new dances, and if you want to chill out and check out Lollapalooza, Hulu is streaming the whole concert. Only Murders in the Building, season 4 How many murders can happen near the main characters of Only Murders in the Building before someone figures out that they're serial killers? (Not really.) This series stars comedy greats Martin Short and Steve Martin and comedy good Selena Gomez as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, podcast hosts and amateur detectives. Season 4 finds the trio going to Hollywood where a movie about their podcast is in production. Starts streaming August 27.Dance Moms: A New Era, season 1 I dislike children, stage parents, and overbearing coaches, so Im not really in the target demographic for Dance Moms: A New Era, but people loved the original, so Im not going to argue. The reboot introduces hard-charging dance coach Glo Hampton who wants to take her students to the prestigious dance school Studio Bleu. To do it, shell have to manage precocious children, scheming moms, and constant drama.Sounds great(?).Starts streaming August 7.Lollapalooza Live Stream If you cant make it Chicago for Lollapalooza this year, Hulu is streaming the festival live from August 1 to August 4. This year, the annual rock extravaganza will feature performances from Chappell Roan, Hozier, Rene Rapp, SZA, Stray Kids, The Killers, Metro Boomin, Megan Thee Stallion, and about a thousand other artists and bands spanning any genre and style you could think of.Starts streaming August 1Punch-Drunk Love(2002) As a comedian, Adam Sandler is love-him-or-hate-him, but as a serious actor, hes undeniably great, especially when paired with director Paul Thomas Anderson. Punch-Drunk Love was Sandlers first heavy role, and he shocked the world by turning in a nuanced, restrained, heartbreaking performance as Barry Egan, a lonely sad-sack who just barely manages to contain the violence inside him. Starts streaming August 1.Suitable Flesh(2023) Director Joe Lynch delivers a Lovecraftian horror flick thats also sexynot a common combination. Heather Graham turns in a fearless performance as Elizabeth Derby, a psychiatrist whose devotion to reason is about to be abolished by the supernatural, specifically, a patient who complains that his father is trying to steal his body. It all hurtles toward a delightedly ooey and gooey finale that Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) fans will love.Starts streaming August 3.Eddie Pepitone: For the Masses(2020) Dont worry if youve never heard of stand-up comic Eddie Pepitone. Hes not a huge name or anything, but his abrasive, original, old-hipster style of standup comedy and his completely nihilistic outlook is a breath of fresh air. Youre not gonna hear a lot of shit about dating, and how fun everything is. Its not fun. Were in end times, Pepitone proclaims, which really sets the tone for this comedy show. Starts streaming August 9.Killer Lies: Chasing a True-Crime Con Man This National Geographic-produced series tells the twisted true tale of self-proclaimed serial killer expert, Stphane Bourgoin. Bourgoin built an international reputation and a large fanbase for his true crime books that describe his tragic life and his encounters with evil. But his fans became suspicious about some of the details in his stories, and started pulling the threads, revealing a complex web of lies. Director Ben Selkow goes beyond the story of a writer who lies all the time to examine the larger context of true crime culture.Starts streaming August 29.Last week's picksFuturama, season 12 Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's iconic sci-fi cartoon Futurama is back this month for a 12th season, with 10 new episodes coming. Fry, Bender, Leela, and everyone else will be back to discover the secret of Bender's ancestors, learn the story behind coffee, and make sardonic jokes about the present even though it takes place in the year 3,000 or so. If you've never seen Futurama, you'll have nearly all month to catch up on the previous 12 seasonsthey're also available on Hulu. Starts streaming July 29.SharkfestYou know why they don't call it "Shark Week" anymore? Because it's expanded to an entire damn month. Hulu will feature a ton of streamable specials in July concerning Mankind's underwater enemies, including Attack of the Red Sea Sharks, Baby Sharks in the City, Shark Attack 360, Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie, Shark vs. Ross Edgley, Sharks Gone Viral, Supersized Sharks, and When Will We Finally Kill all these Goddamn Sharks? (I made that last one up). Starts streaming July 1.Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order If you're a true crime fan, do not miss Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order. Reid is a psychologist with a singular obsession: catching killers. So she recruited a cadre of women that share her passion from various disciplines and backgrounds, dubbed them "The Midnight Order," and started tracking down criminals. The Midnight Order works outside the system and uses cutting-edge data skills and forensic knowledge to heat up cold caseslike Batman, but not fake. This series takes viewers inside their most intriguing investigations and introduces us to the women who have made Justice their profession.Starts streaming July 10.Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer In 1978, psychiatric nurse Ann Burgess received a call that would change her life. It was the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, and they wanted her help digging into the minds of serial killers. Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer explores this unsung woman who helped create criminal profiling as well as digging into the details of the killers who informed Burgess's work including infamous criminals like Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy, as well as lesser-known monsters like the Ski Mask Rapist.Starts streaming July 11.Hit-Monkey, season 2 The hero of Hit-Monkey is a Japanese snow monkey who teams up with the ghost of an American assassin to become the "killer of killers" and take out the most fearsome assassins in Japan. Season 2 finds the strange duo in New York trying to escape their shadowy existences, but it's not easy to give up that kind of life. Hit-Monkey is based on a Marvel comic, and the first season of the animated action show earned rave reviews from both critics and fans, so if you like heroes, action, cartoons, or just things that are awesome, check this one out. Starts streaming July 15.

Deer: elegant, beautiful, a sign of nature right outside your door, and the bane of many a gardeners existence. No tulip is safe from their chomping maws...but there are some flowering plants that are more deer-resistant than others. Lets take a tour of some of the prettiest flowers on the Rutgers list of plants that are rarely damaged by deer, along with their ideal growing conditions.

This is a website about hacks, so you know I'm not going to advocate for a cleaning product unless it really gets the job done. Lifehacker has years' worth of archives explaining how, for the most part, common things like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar get the major cleaning jobs taken care of, and all you need is a rag or a sponge to go with them. Still, there are some more specialized products that are worth having on hand. These are what I use to make cleaning easier and faster. Useful cleaning tools you might not haveFirst up, you need a little squeegee. In fact, I think you should have a few. The first one should be stored in your shower and, after you finish washing up, you should use it to get the fog, scum, and water off your shower doors and walls. Doing this every time you bathe takes just a few seconds, but drastically reduces how much and how often you need to clean the tile and glass in the shower. Get one with an adhesive holder so it dries straight up and down, then stick it to the shower wall. This one is $9.59.Second, you should keep one in the kitchen. Use it to scrape wet messes off your countertops or to gather spills on your floor. Why waste a bunch of paper towels or dirty up a rag when you could just push the wet mess off the counter and into a container, then put it in the trash? Pick up a two-pack for $9.98.Next, consider some soap-dispensing brushes. You may have seen these for dishwashing, which is great, but they're also perfect for scrubbing floors, tile, and hard-to-reach spots, all without having to fill up a whole container of soapy water and drag it around. Obviously, keep the one you use for household cleaning away from the one you use for the dishes, so get at least two. Better yet, this one for $8.44 comes with detachable heads, so you only need one handle. Soap Dispensing Dish Brush with 4 Replaceable Heads $8.44 $9.99 Save $1.55 Shop Now Shop Now $8.44 $9.99 Save $1.55 Speaking of brushes, it's time to upgrade to an electric one. Stop getting on your hands and knees, putting too much elbow grease in, or over-exerting yourself when you could outsource the strenuous part of your labor to technology. You can get an electric spin scrubber with a telescopic handle and eight different brush heads for $39.99, then use it as a handheld or long-reach solution when you just don't want to scrub.