This might be the first time we’ve had an actual person in a flickr fave. No wait, I think there was a child on a hammock once, but that’s it! I love everything about this shot that Stacy Anne Longenecker added to our Fresh New Spaces Group. It’s a darling shot of the two of them, and I am loving the art arrangement and shelves behind them!

So while I was perusing her Apartment Set, I came across this clever idea:

This Fresh New Space comes from flickr member jinkazamah. I especially love that oversized Queen Anne’s Lace on the long horizontal built in against the stripes.

This fun living room comes from our Fresh New Spaces Pool from flickr member tiffanycsteinke. It’s another bright, sunny and fun space:

This new addition to our Fresh New Spaces Pool on flickr comes from member h4ndz:

I love the YELLOW SOFA, the Danish modern pieces, the beam/lantern combo, the art arrangement on the wall and all the wonderful light from that window.

I have a transistor radio in my apartment. Yes, an AM only transistor radio. Beyond my computer speakers and my coveted transistor radio, I don’t have any quality sound device to play my my favorite tunes which more often than not tend to be of the German “oompah” sort (no joke). Coincidentally enough, the following interview is with Marcell Faller of sonoro audio, a German based audio designer who creates amazing sound systems out of wood casings the size of a toaster. I think I am convinced it is time to upgrade… Enjoy the Q&A!

First comes first, we want to know about your background! Where are from? What sort of passions did you have prior to starting sonoro audio?

I’m was born and raised in Neuss, Germany. sonoro audio was first started in my hometown but shortly after the introduction of cubo, our first product, we moved the company to the near-by vibrant city of Cologne. I’m a gadget guy and products with flare have always caught my eye and my wallet. I have an interest in all things global. I have traveled around the world for adventure, education and work. I especially love the USA and lived there off and on for over 10 years.

How did you get into the electronic/audio/design world? What sparked the need to begin sonoro and create such quality audio pieces that also have such a refined and thoughtful design element?

Prior to starting sonoro audio, I was the international product and purchasing manager for Medion, Germany. The company has been very successful at developing consumer electronic products under their own brand and distributing them through a number of middle to low-cost distribution chains such as grocery stores. Medion is a well-established player in this market area, yet there is a lot of competition as well.

While working with manufactures in China, I saw a niche that was going unmet. There are plenty of low cost products in the market on one end of the spectrum and a number of well known, high-end manufacturers of top quality stereo systems and components on the other end. Yet that middle market – high quality compact audio solutions, while being addressed by some key players, still had a lot of room for growth. I saw a chance to develop a line of tabletop audio products that are of exceptional quality, and equally important, unique design.

How has the German market impacted your designs? Additionally, how has opening the line up to the rest of Europe, the US and the world impacted your designs?

I’d like to think our designs are universal. They’re modern and streamline. Our cubo line is colorful and fun, while our elements family is high tech and sleek. The beauty of all our products is that they look great in any interior: from a classic setting to a minimalist environment. The German aspect of sonoro products comes through in Read the rest of this entry »