from nasty to hip: the new Motel 6

Motel 6 has been the butt of jokes of lodging, but the cheap no-frills chain of motels is revamping their image of dorm room/roadside love inn cheapness to affordable modern hip crash pad (think Target and IKEA). Before pictured left and after pictured right.
This new image comes from British design firm, Priestman Goode, who also designed the cabins of Virgin Atlantic and cruise ship rooms for Norwegian Cruise Lines.
To date 60% of their chain has been revamped this year.

Bösendorfer grand piano by Audi Design

Audi Design has teamed up with legendary piano maker, Bösendorfer, to produce a concert grand piano interpreted by Audi's modern design philosophy.

The characteristic Bösendorfer sound and acoustics has not been affected with this sleek design.

The Audi Design grand piano will make its world debut on July 16 in Ingolstadt, to celebrate Audi's centenary.

http://www.boesendorfer.com/en/audi.html

The new information age

a fascinating look at the staggering global explosion of information and knowledge: