The Comm Sheet

5 Portable LED Lamps That Take Mood Lighting Mobile

Nothing can ruin the ambience at a dimly lit, romantic restaurant faster than someone shining their harsh iPhone light. Talk about an etiquette faux pas! Granted, we all can use a little extra illumination at times—whether it’s when reading the fine print in a dark restaurant or working in the office late-night. But there must be a better way, no? It turns out these five stylish, rechargeable, and portable LED lamps from Ambientec, QU Lighting, Buster + Punch, Established + Sons, and Vibia fit the bill. Take them on the move to provide just the right amount of light exactly when and where you need it.

Meet SUPERWOOD—Reengineered Timber That Can Outperform Steel

It may sound too good to be true, but it’s very real! It’s SUPERWOOD, a reengineered material that’s four to 20 times stronger than natural timber—and potentially four times lighter in structural applications. Developed by material scientist Liangbing Hu and introduced by InventWood in October, the product compresses and restructures cellulose at the molecular level to deliver durability, dent resistance, and even Class A fire performance. Full building-code approval is still ahead, but designers can already reserve SUPERWOOD for 2026 in categories like siding, decking, and fencing.

Fab 5: E.B. Min

E.B. Min’s path to architecture was anything but linear. A former pre-med student, she nearly left the field altogether after a series of discouraging early jobs—until a pivotal role at San Francisco–based Delaney and Cochran reframed what practice could be. Since then, the Korean American architect has built an influential career rooted in mentorship, equity, and interdisciplinary design. Founder of Min Design and a key force behind the Missing 32% (now Equity by Design), E.B. has helped reshape the conversation around gender and inclusion in architecture. Here, she reflects on her journey, inspirations, and hard-earned insights.

Flexible Classroom Design Gives Every Student a Voice, Says Speech Pathologist

Supporting students with moderate-to-severe disabilities across Fresno County, California, Crystal Martinez focuses on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools that help nonverbal learners express themselves. Her approach proves that inclusive design isn’t just about furniture or lighting; it’s about making communication physically accessible. From low-mounted “community buttons” to flexible storage for devices and adaptive tables, Martinez works with teachers to create environments where every student can participate. Her vision: classrooms where communication tools are standard, modeled by everyone, and every learner’s voice is genuinely welcomed.

How Taniya Nayak Gave Tuscan Kitchen Its New England Soul

Walking into Salem, New Hampshire’s Tuscan Kitchen—designed by the ever-magical HGTV personality Taniya Nayak—feels like a warm bowl of tagliatelle for the soul. Taniya delivers a space that’s both sexy and grounded, with a wine cellar that doubles as sculptural theater, an open kitchen radiating wood-fired warmth, and rustic textures softened by glittering chandeliers. She tells us the restaurant is “transportive, not themed,” and she’s right—every corner feels intentional, atmospheric, and just waiting for you to twirl some pasta. Tuscany meets New England? Delizioso.

FAB 5: Lori Weitzner

To textile designer Lori Weitzner, there's nothing quite like handmade. From her Manhattan studio, which she dubbed “White Box Sanctuary,” she creates everything from wallcoverings and rugs to jewelry and stonework—often inspired by global craft traditions she's discovered firsthand. Through Weitzner Handmade, she partners with artisans worldwide to keep time-honored techniques alive (like her Up to Date wallcovering made from hand-cut, woven magazine strips). With collaborations with brands like Perennials and West Elm and work housed in major museums, Lori continues to champion tactile, color-rich design that engages all the senses.

Rustic Barn Turned Mod Tasting Room by Hawkins Interiors

Sip, stroll, and soak it all in at Pelio Estate’s newly reinvented tasting room in Carmel Valley, California. It's a rustic-modern dream brought to life by Hawkins Interiors in collaboration with Backen & Backen Architecture. What was once a humble barn and gravel lot is now an indoor-outdoor haven of warm wood, soft textures, vintage touches, and those jaw-dropping valley views framed by massive fold-away glass doors. Cozy by the fireplace, wander beneath olive trees, or settle into shaded outdoor nooks—every detail is designed to feel effortless, elevated, and endlessly inviting.

The Urban Conga Brings Communities to Life with the Power of Play

We’re all in need of a little more face-to-face connection these days. We’re talking live and in person—we know, GASP! The Urban Conga is reviving that essential human desire with neighborhood installations that turn heads and bring people together through open-ended play. Read how a handful of bright honeycomb structures—called The Hive—completely rejuvenated an alley in an Albany, New York, neighborhood that decided to be known for its resilience rather than its trauma.

Stars Align at Sol Sanctuary at Aarunya Nature Resort in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Aarunya Nature Resort celebrates its 10th villa with Sol Sanctuary, a celestial-minded two-bedroom retreat aligned to the sun and moon. Designed by architect and resort founder Nath Rankothge, the villa blends sacred geometry, natural materials, and indoor-outdoor flow to inspire deep restoration. From skylights that track celestial cycles to moon-shaped plunge pools and forest-facing verandas, every detail strengthens the bond between people, land, and spirit. Rooted in sustainability and Sri Lankan heritage, Sol Sanctuary offers an immersive wellness experience that reconnects guests to nature—and themselves.

Architecture Comes to Life in an Immersive German Installation

Forget cucumber water! This spa serves up a full-on sensory trip. At Thermen & Badewelt in Sinsheim, "Immersive Horizon: Breathing Planet" transforms the spa space into an airy, shimmering environment that seems to inhale and exhale around you. Created by White Mirror, Marshmallow Laser Feast, and atelier 522, and powered by smart sensory research, real NASA wind data, and trippy mirrored surfaces, the installation guides visitors through slow, grounding breathwork without ever feeling clinical. The result? A calming, planet-powered escape that leaves you feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and a lot more connected.

5 Unbelievably Appealing Upholsteries You Need to Know

Boring beige blah interiors, begone! As Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering predicts warmer, softer, more biophilic design directions for 2026, five standout upholstery introductions show how durability and style now go hand in hand. Nassimi’s Hyphyn offers a truly biodegradable, low-VOC vinyl alternative; HBF Textiles’ Feel & Form celebrates moody tactility; Luum Textiles’ Earthbound elevates recycled chenille; Concertex’s Kaleido Collection reimagines childhood wonder in performance textiles; and Designtex rounds out the mix with Italian-made patterns bursting with color and character.

Flexible Classroom Design Matters, Says Occupational Therapist

A flexible classroom isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer, says occupational therapist Rana Alcocer in part two of Artcobell’s design series. After 25 years working with kids with sensory processing disorder, Rana breaks down why one-size-fits-all furniture simply doesn’t cut it. Students experiencing visual fatigue, poor posture, and constant fidgeting—sound familiar? All signs the environment needs to work harder. Her advice: Think adjustable everything, room for micro-movements, better lighting and acoustics, and spaces that feel more human than institutional. The takeaway? Smart, flexible design helps every learner thrive, not just those with SPD.

SouthLoft's Parametric Bench Blends Form, Function, and Durability

Furniture maker Colby Murphy of SouthLoft didn’t just create a bench—he reverse-engineered an algorithmic fever dream into a sculptural showstopper built for real-world use. When an interior designer floated the idea of a parametric bench, Colby dove into parametric design with zero prior knowledge. After intense research, creative freedom, and plenty of experimentation, he delivered a functional art piece that commands attention in any space. Crafted from European polar core plywood and finished with sleek Italian acrylic polyurethane, the bench is now part of SouthLoft’s growing product line.

Lincoln, a Chic New Sit-Stand Desk/Console Brings Serious Charm

Room & Board for Business knows how to do resi-mercial right. Just look at Lincoln, the height-adjustable worksurface/console dreamed up with Gensler. Think warm woods, clean geometry, and tech that stays politely out of sight. This piece fits in just about anywhere, whether it’s heading to a C-suite, hotel lobby, or home office. It’s thoughtful, flexible, and clearly designed by people who understand how we actually work and live—shifting, multitasking, and craving a space that supports it all. Lincoln proves that function doesn’t have to sacrifice personality, and that a well-made piece can elevate an entire space.

Q&A: Colby Murphy Discusses His Design Ethos and Creative Process

Artisan furniture-maker Colby Murphy has an eye for form and craft that enabled him to transform a one-man garage workspace into SouthLoft Crafted Concepts, a bona fide design and production studio founded in 2014 in Dallas. With tenacity, grit, and a client-centric approach, Colby and his team create American-made, solid-wood, custom furniture—for both commercial and residential clients—that’s meant to stand the test of time. We tapped Colby to learn more about his process, inspiration, and the story behind an artistic bench so striking that people aren’t sure they can actually sit on it.

Building a Nest for Eco-Conscious Parents: A Chat with Gabi Fiorentino

Mothers juggle an extraordinary amount, and architect-turned-entrepreneur Gabriela Fiorentino knows this firsthand. After years in sustainable design, she realized that healthy living wasn’t just about buildings—it was about what touched her baby’s daily life. Craving reliable, judgment-free guidance, she founded Nest Earth, a vetted community where eco-conscious parents can access expert advice, share tips, and find solidarity in the “messy middle” of modern parenting. Built during the chaos of new motherhood, Nest Earth blends Gabi’s design expertise with a mission to make sustainable parenting approachable, supportive, and genuinely doable.

Say Hi to Hyphyn Biodegradable Vinyl

Somewhere along the quest to make performance textiles indestructible, the industry veered off course—but Nassimi is pulling it back with Hyphyn, the first biodegradable vinyl for commercial interiors. It performs exactly like traditional vinyl (hello, hospitals, schools, and airport lounges) but breaks down after disposal thanks to a clever enzyme system. No microplastics, no toxins, no problem. Safe during use and superstar-sustainable after, Hyphyn has already made waves at NeoCon, HCD Expo, and BDNY. With distributor collaborations underway and more designs coming, Nassimi’s just getting started.

Check Out the Curves on Disco-rectangle by Infinity Drain

Not your typical circular or linear drain, Disco-rectangle is turning heads with its unique pill-box shape that Infinity Drain designed based on a client request. Now introduced as a new collection in 10 finish options, this sleek little tile insert drain is available to you too.

Collaborative Seating Rolls Into the Modern Workplace

Rethink your workspace with playful, flexible, and collaborative seating that make mingling, meeting, and moving around the office a breeze.