old shampoo bottles and clothes pegs are revived as artfully designed toys by floris hovers

floris hovers creates playable design objects for ikonic

Since prehistoric times, the urge to play has been a fundamental aspect of human nature. Playing with games and toys, often devoid of a specific purpose, provides pure fun and entertainment, offering an escape from the mundane confines of daily life. Floris Hovers has tapped into this intrinsic need with a series of toys designed for the Dutch brand IKONIC, merging functionality with whimsy to make this routine action one that is more joyful and conscious. These ‘playable design objects’ are distinguished from other toys on the market by the designer’s unique artistic vision, which harmonizes form, composition, and color.

Hovers’ creations range from a DIY kit that transforms an old shampoo bottle into a delightful toy boat, to a set of architectural blocks that invite endless creativity. The collection also features a modern take on the nativity scene, complete with a wooden baby Jesus, and a limited edition mechanical crane fitted with a clothes peg. Each piece embodies a playful spirit while reflecting Hovers’ practical design philosophy, creating not just toys, but artful objects that elevate everyday moments.

Archiblocks | all images courtesy of IKONIC

elevating everyday moments with playful design

Toys are of all times. As early as the early 20th century, professional designers were involved in their design, from the Bauhaus block set and chess game (1923), to the elephants by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. Of more recent date is the Puppy by Eero Aarnio for Magis, whose goal was to make a dog in the way children illustrate their beloved pets.

The playable world remains attractive, not only to Eames and Aarnio, but also to the designers collaborating with IKONIC. Floris Hovers notes that the demand for traditional toys is increasing, especially those objects made from recycled, or recyclable or otherwise sustainable materials. Design toys are gaining stature, and people are increasingly becoming receptive to the durability of good design, which make high-quality objects literally immortal, and therefore sustainable. ‘What you don’t throw away doesn’t need to be recycled, and, as with many design objects, the likelihood that the object’s value will increase over time makes it even more attractive,’ notes the designer.

Wooden Animals

Wooden Modern Nativity Scene

Bottle Boats

Bottle Boat

Duotone Car No.8, Car and Caravan

Big Logging Truck

Tractor Set

handmade Yellow Crane

handmade Big Trucks

Duotone Cars

project info:

name: Playful Design
designer: Floris Hovers

brand: IKONIC

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom