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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)

 
 

Friday Links

  • Art collector alert: Do Ho Suh’s Doorknob/Bathroom, $10,000
  • Map prints: MrCityPrinting
  • For foodies or those dabbling in the culinary arts: Golden Eggs
  • Octopus opens jar from the inside
  • NdGT: the galaxy M100 is so far away that…
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    I know, not so many links this week. That’s because staring into a computer screen isn’t always so fun (gasp). Enjoy the weekend.

    Weight Vases

    Yes, here’s another vase, but considering the holiday that takes place this Sunday, I figure there is going to be a plethora of flowers around, and you’ll have ample opportunity to assess whether or not the receptacle in which they are placed is aesthetically acceptable. If it isn’t, you’re in the market for a better vase. Now, there’s no question in my mind that these Weight Vases by Decha Archjananum are acceptable and, in fact, desired for their minimal concrete bases and thin, steel frames. The frames keep flower stems upright while the base holds water and provides stability.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $150.00 - 270.00
    Available from: Luminaire

    Hide Pendant Lights

    If you’re vegan, just skip reading this post or spending too long looking at these pendant lights. For the rest of us, you might notice that these lamps are made of laser cut leather (locally sourced, mind you), hand molded and hand dyed to the correct color. As with other fine leather goods, they’re not inexpensive, yet for certain rooms or environments, they just might be worth the price.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $410.00
    Available from: Anaesthetic Design

    601Street 4×4 Envelope Notebook

    Don’t underestimate the effect a handwritten thank you note can have, especially as they’re rare to give and receive nowadays. As someone who still occasionally writes notes to friends and family, folding a paper into an envelope seems like an efficient method of traditional correspondence, and that’s exactly why this envelope notebook caught my eye. 16 sheets in total with four possible envelope folds. There’s also a 6×4 Envelope Notebook, $13.95 (24 sheets with six possible envelope folds).
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $11.95
    Available from: Omoi Zakka Shop

    Spectra Vases

    Just how lovely are these glass nesting vases? So lovely that they’re being reshuffled to an updated post for today, as the link and price have changed.

    Pastels can sometimes look a bit boring, but these shades are quite beautiful. And, did you know that these colors are the same formulas as the original glass first made at Holmegaard back in 1839? Antique colors for a modern design… nice.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $190.00
    Available from: Horne

    Tua Table Lamp

    The Tua Table Lamp looks interesting, sure, but it also helps that Marco Zito, the designer, explains his thinking behind the design (see below), and thereby performs an excellent sales pitch. Simple and elegant, the price point hovers just around the $300 mark, depending on which retailer you choose.
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    Purchase Information:

    No longer available.

    Chelsea and Fabrika Scarf

    If you are still searching for a Mother’s Day gift, you know you only have a few more days, right? Check out this scarf by Shonquis Moreno. Digitally printed on 14-mime silk twill, the Chelsea Scarf features an image abstracted and manipulated “down to the core color in pixels.” Sounds good, and looks even better.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $150.00
    Available from: Cooper-Hewitt Shop

    Prouvé Standard SP Chair

    Fans of Prouvé are familiar with the high price tags associated with the name, and that’s exactly why everyone should sit up and pay attention to this version of the original Standard Chair. Notice the ‘SP’ in Prouvé Standard SP Chair? That, my dear, indicates ‘Siège en Plastique’ which means an ASA plastic seat and back. Don’t you turn your nose up at the word ‘plastic’, because it’s still an authentic Prouvé chair. A plastic seat and back would make more sense in high traffic areas where you needn’t worry about keeping the surface pristine- a few scrapes and such won’t be as noticeable, and I dare say it’ll be easier to clean. And, it brings the price down to a much friendlier place, which is oh-so-nice to see.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $495.00
    Available from: DWR

    Electric Paint Pen

    That’s right, it’s an electric paint pen. It’s completely safe, as the electrically conductive paint is formatted to be non-toxic, solvent-free, and water-soluble, and only becomes conductive when dry. And what would you use this pen for? If you’re especially handy, you could repair devices, draw circuits on all sorts of materials, solder stuff… you fill in the rest. The paint dries after five minutes and can be removed with soap and water. Oh, and there’s an Electric Paint House Kit ($35) if you’d like some paper houses to turn into “an illuminated voltage village.” It would be an excellent tool for you (and your kids/nieces/nephews) to learn more about electronics, if you’re interested.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $10.00
    Available from: MoMA Store

    Rigby Media Console

    What’s that price tag doing on such a modern media console? And it can be mounted directly on the wall without the base, thus bringing the price down to $999? Hmm, perhaps we need to consider where it could live in our own homes. I especially like the option of the wall mount version, as it could be hung at any height and do the job of an entryway console or dining area buffet.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $1,198.00
    Available from: Crate & Barrel

    Spring Watering Can

    If you need a new watering can, how about a brightly colored polyethylene one with a rather organic (or cartoonish-in a good way) shape? Designed by Robert Bronwasser for Goods, the Spring Watering Can has an ergonomic shape with a slender spout and large opening for filling with a faucet or hose. Choose between blue, green, gray, yellow, or white.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $24.00
    Available from: Gessato

    Mother’s Day

    It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 11th*. If you have a mother, and you’d like to show her some appreciation, you better put some thought into it and pick out something special. Visit our Gifts tab to view gift-ish posts by price, and if you happen to find something with a weird/broken retail link, just shoot us an email or tweet (@bltd) and we’ll fix it.

    Above, left to right, top to bottom:

    Mezzo Radio, $75.00
    Marmol Radziner Ring, ~$75.00
    earHero Worlds Safest Earphone Kit, $149.00
    Misfit Shine activity monitor, $120.00
    Hasami Porcelain Teapot, $55.00
    Eva Zeisel Pillow Vase Stack, $340.00
    Spin Table Candelabra, $675.00
    ‘MOTHER’ Keytag, $15.00
    Geo Top Ring Holder, $10.00

    *Mother’s Day in the UK was back in March, so, yes, you’ve seen this post before.

    Clara von Zweigbergk Mirrors

    Geometric mirrors that have a friendly price tag? Yes, please. Clara von Zweigbergk has designed a few perspex mirrors for Domestic, and the result is your face reflected on an affordable, decorative frame. Each mirror is around 18″ wide/diameter, and with the $100 price tag, I dare say you’ll be able to find one or two a spot in your home.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $100.00
    Available from: GreenerGrassDesign

    Bacsac Composter Bag

    Composting isn’t the sexiest subject, but you might find yourself excited about this bag from French company Bacsac. At-home composting is easier now with the Composter Bag (available with 5.2 gallon or 10.5 gallon capacity) made from Bacsac’s signature geotextile fabric. Add all your vegetable and fruit peelings, dead leaves and flowers to the bag, zip it up and leave it alone. Use the handles on either side to flip the bag for mixing every couple of weeks, and once composting is complete, you’ll have fertilizer for your plants. Easier (and better looking) than a composting bin, isn’t it?
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $75.00 - 95.00
    Available from: Dwell Store

    Apple Magnetic Wood Mail Organizer

    Get that random paperwork organized with this Magnetic Mail Organizer from OTTOwoodwork. Put it above a desk, in a hallway, or in the kitchen to catch all sorts of mail, notes, invites, and drawings. Thanks to some hidden magnets, it will also keep your keys in sight and allow you to post extra papers front and center.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $150.00
    Available from: OTTOwoodwork's Etsy Shop