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Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

Abacus Totem Key Holder

It this some sort of facial jewelry? Or perhaps a tiny dumbbell for a muscly mouse? I suppose it could be either, but, alas, it’s a key holder. The Abacus Totem Key Holder is from Postalco, the maker of many wonderful things. Handcrafted in Japan from solid brass, it keeps your keys tidy with a simple screw end that makes it easy to add or subtract individual keys.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $96.00
Available from: Cooper Hewitt Shop

Starry Light by Anagraphic

If you’re fond of constellations, then you’ll like this Starry Light by Anagraphic. The hemispheric shade lends itself to a pattern of the Northern Hemisphere’s two equinoxes and solstices and a LED light fixture projects most of its light downwards, with just enough residual light to bring out the stars on your walls. Also, as the lamp is manufactured by hand, you may customize the light to a specific date, time and geographical location.

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Purchase Information:

Price: €1,152.00
Available from: Anagraphic

Hot Kettle

Not that you need the warning, but this kettle gets HOT. The stainless steel body and handle have a distinct industrial vibe and its two red buttons safely release steam and hot water. Designed by Selab + Alessandro Zambelli for Seletti, it’ll heat your water up safely and efficiently. (Note: boiling water in a pan for tea or coffee is sad. Get a kettle.)

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Purchase Information:

Price: $85.00 - 100.00
Available from: GSelect

Animal Boxes

A couple of years ago I saw a few of these Animal boxes by Karl Zahn lined up along a windowsill in someone’s home, and it struck me how it would be a thoughtful tradition to give one each year as a gift for a friend or loved one. Each box represents a “power” animal, a sort of totem for one’s ambitions. Plus, there’s just enough room inside for something small and special should you decide to take the gift a step further.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $49.00
Available from: Areaware

Super Sincere Sentiments by Hoko

Don’t send out a regular card on a specific occasion, send a Super Sincere Sentiments card by Hoko. “Unmask and articulate” the insincerity of mass produced greeting cards by selecting the occasion, recipient, and sentiment, and then finish it off with your signature. Let’s hope the recipient will understand and appreciate the concept instead of thinking that you’re a jerk.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00 - 20.00
Available from: The Farm Store

Soba Cable Director from Bluelounge

Most of us would like to ignore the unfortunate mess of cords lurking underneath and around our desks. It’s understandable, as organizing it all seems like such a pain. However, once you take a look at the Soba from Bluelounge, you might actually look forward to organizing those cords. Skeptical? Don’t be. The flexible tube portion has a ‘Vortex zipper’ that allows you to easily open and route cables through from one end to the other. Bundle up to three cords in the tubing and use the mounting clips to keep it all in place. Easy, right? Take a look at the video below for visuals.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $24.95
Available from: Bluelounge

ZZZ Stool

Another piece from Ethnicraft’s Universo Positivo collection? You got it, and it certainly won’t put you to sleep. When a room has to function in multiple ways, it’s best to choose pieces that are robust and versatile. This ZZZ Stool is made from powder coated steel and may also function as a side table, which checks off both boxes. One would assume it would be safe outdoors as well.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $349.00
Available from: Lekker Home

Friday Links

  • Outlet in a converted book. Yea or nay?
  • Better Band-Aid
  • Paper mache “creature masks” by London based artist Abigail Brown (you can buy them on her site).
  • Who Made That Windshield Wiper?
  • This is not a bad DIY Flush Mount Light Fixture, if you’re into gold. (I am.)
  • Garbage-Filled Cave Bought for €1 is France’s Cutest Airbnb
  • Ick. Acer’s Selfie Hat
  • Nice digs priced at $22 mil, if you’re interested. You’d be able to brag that Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were the previous occupants.
  • Infographic: The Insane Popularity Of CrossFit, Visualized
  • Cone

    The Cone portable speaker learns what music you like, and how and when you want to listen. Use voice commands to find music, podcasts, and radio stations, or just turn the dial to play or skip to another song. It has a 3″ woofer on board, dual tweeters, and a 20w amplifier to keep your audio experience pristine. And did I mention that it looks appropriately sleek? It’s easy on the eyes, that’s for sure.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $399.00
    Available from: Aether

    Squares Blanket

    Autumn weather means cozying up with sweaters, and when available, wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket. For those chillier fall evenings, be sure you have a soft throw lying within reach of the sofa, as it’s better to use a throw than to turn up the heat (save money, save energy). This Squares Blanket by Zuzunaga is woven by hand using 100% ecological French merino wool, and just try not to feel anything other than cheeriness when covered, all safe and warm, with its bright pattern of squares.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $440.00
    Available from: Lekker Home

    SnapRays Guidelight

    There aren’t many night lights to write home about (except for the Night Light Galaxy), and even less that are considered particularly safe for those kiddos running around. That’s exactly why it’s worth taking a look at the SnapRays Guidelight. It replaces your standard electrical outlet cover plate, and lights the way with LEDs embedded along the bottom edge. No more clunky night lights hogging your outlets. Installation is easy (no wiring necessary), it simply clips around your outlet to draw power (5 milliamps = ~10 cents a year). A light sensor automatically detects when it’s needed, allowing it to turn on in the dark and off when it’s light.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $15.00
    Available from: SnapPower

    Kobenstyle Casserole – Green

    Yes, your memory serves correct, we have featured the Kobenstyle Casserole dish before, but that was back in 2012 and it was a bright, tomato red. This time it’s done in a green color exclusive to MoMA, and, who knows, that might appeal to your kitchen’s aesthetic more than the red ever did. Kobenstyle was created in 1956 for Dansk®, a Danish manufacturer, and remains well known today for its lighter-weight enameled steel. The lid is especially handy with its cruciform handles; invert it and use it as the pot’s trivet.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $80.00
    Available from: MoMA Store

    Walnut & Leather iPhone Case

    For your new iPhone 6, you should have a new case, and may I recommend this walnut and leather option from Grovemade? It’s very sleek, yet the materials give a tactile warmth to our cold, cold technology. The case also doubles as a stand, which is essential for all those videos and brilliant photographs you’ll want to look at and show off.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $129.00 - 139.00
    Available from: Grovemade

    Two-Propeller Mobile

    Do you need an expensive, tabletop mobile? No, you don’t, unless you’ve got stacks of money lying around. However, you might want a “poetic work of wood, piano wire, and concrete” by François Azambourg, as it’s a quiet piece of kinetic sculpture that’s sure to calm your mind. If you’re even a tiny bit interested, I can recommend watching the L’ATELIER d’exercices’ video, as it shows how each mobile is made.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $450.00
    Available from: MoMA Store

    Crank Grinder and Bird Mill

    If you want, we could pretend you didn’t read the title and you could guess what this wooden thingamajig might be. I’ll wait while you guess.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $75.00
    Available from: Areaware