You know that gorgeous A-Frame plant hanger you’ve seen on Poketo? A little bit about that piece… the straps are vintage military, the hardware is quality brass, and the wood is a beautiful, Brazilian hardwood. It could be hung on a hook or wrapped around a beam, both indoors and outdoors… And the designer, meet Danny Simon.

Do you yourself more as a designer, builder, furniture maker?

I am a designer and a builder. My ability to build is a result of wanting to accomplish a particular design to meet my own standards. I love to conceptualize but I also really love working with my hands.

When did you start ?

I’ve been an artist my whole life. I used to design space ships when I was a kid. I’ve shifted slightly to more practical things that I can actually build myself.

What types of pieces do you usually create?

Well, I love space and how we interact with it. I like homes the most, so the majority of stuff I’ve made is for the home, inside and out. I’ve built decks and pergolas, coffee tables, benches, planters; both standing and hanging, amongst other things. I usually create pieces that are rustic in material but modern in design.

If there was one thing that you think makes your work a different from others, what would it be?

I embrace “flaws” in materials and sometimes even showcase them in a piece to add character.

You were born and raised in Southern California. How does California influence your work?

California has everything as far as nature is concerned. I try and make stuff that speaks of some golden-era that has been or could have been. Something that makes people think about that nature.

What inspired you to design the A-frame plant hanger?

A-frame in Architecture and the fact that I’ve really never seen a plant hanger that I’ve liked.

Eric Trine is one of the two California designers we worked with to launch our first ever urban gardening collection on Poketo. The pieces he created for our collection are modern, clean, playful, and simply so cool that they’ve already turned the heads of our friends at Design Sponge, Poppytalk, and even Martha Stewart. We first met Eric during last year’s “LA, I’m Yours” art market. He was a key player in making the vision for the show a reality. Eric is a designer, a maker, one of those people that can do just about anything, and pretty much does. Lets get right to it folks, meet Eric Trine.

We know you love designing and building things, but how did you first discover it?
I’ve been building my whole life. When I was in Jr. High, I ran a small business making skate ramps for all the kids in the neighborhood. Then, I majored in Sculpture in college, and since then the direction of my work has taken a more applied design direction.

You’re a born and raised here, how do you think Southern California influences your work?
I think that the year-round outdoor living culture has greatly influenced the way I think about entertaining, hospitality, and home-making. So, making objects that work well indoor and outdoors is a natural part of my design/thought process.

Being a designer/builder, you must get a lot of work done at your studio. Could you tell us what your favorite part of your space is?
The whole thing! The giant roll up door makes for great light. And because I’m in an industrial area, I can make as much noise as I want, as late as I want.

Tell us about the three-ring mountable planters and plant stands you made for us. Share with us some of your inspirations.

Inspiration is something that I like to keep at the sub-conscious level. I’m not consciously aware of what pushes my work in one direction or another. I really like to look at raw materials. The lumber yard, metal shop, and salvage yard, are probably the biggest sources of inspiration for me. I came upon these rings and I thought to myself, what else could I use these for?

Lastly, what personal project are you proudest of?
I love the Canvas Cabin I made earlier this year for our annual camping trip.

Check out Eric’s creations at poketo.com
Find more of Eric Trine at etrine.com

We’ve gotten a lot of love online for our Balancing Blocks and we couldn’t agree more.

Balancing is a delicate artform, just ask the guys who captured these makeshift monuments.

The balancing act requires sensitivity and calm. “It seems impossible,” says the rock balancer in this video, “but once you get that impossibility. It seems like magic.” Indeed.

You may not have massive rocks to play with, but you can still add a little Zen to your life with our Balancing Blocks. Recreate the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower using these colorful blocks repurposed hardwood scraps collected from Brooklyn furniture shops. Here’s Ted breaking out some blocks for fun.

Have you experimented with your blocks? What do your attempts look like? Send us a link in the comments or Tweet with a #poketobalance tag! We’d love to see it!

The Underfull Tablecloth is a prototype from Norwegian designer Kristine Bjaadal, who has crafted a way to turn hapless accidents into beautiful patterns.

Below, subtle butterflies emerge in vibrant color under spilled wine. A stain is no longer a blemish, but a blessing.

(via) Mocoloco conducts an interview with Kristine, in which she discusses her process, more ingenious pieces, and future plans for the “Under” line.