bltd

You’ve got guests coming over for dinner, but your dining table is looking oh-so-sad and very unadorned, and you’ve not much money to dress it up with a fancy tablecloth. Tablecloths are a bother, anyway, as they need to be laundered and pressed after each use. So, what to do? How about adding some ‘flourish’ with a paper table runner? An ornate black scroll will dress up your tabletop while the kraft paper says ‘Hey, I’m not trying too hard.’ It’s long enough for around 4 separate lengths of an average sized table.
(more…)

Hooray! Sugru is now available at MoMA, and that means more people can fix and modify all sorts of things with this magic stuff. Sugru, if you’re not familiar with it already (Simon wrote about it back in 2010), is a self-setting rubber that you can mold like play-dough. It bonds to almost everything and sets into a flexible, water-proof silicone rubber overnight. Use it to make tools easier to grip, mend broken wires, put bumpers on your phone, and more. You may also buy the kit directly from Sugru ($22), fyi.
(more…)

Another wireless speaker, yawn… but wait, the very fact that it’s not neon orange or some other outrageous color makes it seem more grown up and mature, and that certainly won’t hurt your image, am I right? Solid walnut wood helps deliver a warmer sound than other plastic speakers, and, with the addition of neutral graphite speaker grills and buttons, you have an altogether pleasing package. The Grain Audio PWS measures in at 7″ long, 2.345″ wide, and 3.125″ high, so it’s the perfect portable size.
(more…)

How minimal can you get? Turns out you can go super minimal even when it comes to your playing cards. The Minim Playing Cards by Joe Doucet are regulation playing cards that reduce hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades to their simplest geometric forms. A diagonal line marks the back.
(more…)

Just a reminder that some of the spring sales are ending tomorrow. And, if you have some money to spend, you can save some money by spending a little time perusing the items on sale… such as the petite Risom Desk, originally designed in 1968 by Jens Risom for his home in New Canaan, Connecticut. Meant more for use as a writing surface than a computer station, it suits a simpler lifestyle with just one drawer with a removable walnut tray for desk supplies. Perhaps the pared down storage will encourage you to tailor your office supplies down to only the most necessary?
(more…)

Hmm, what in the world could this small, ramp-like item be? It’s made from natural cork and is about the size of a medium sized notepad (for lack of a better comparison). Any guesses? Pay attention to the incline, ribbing, and bumper at the end… would you be able to store, say, longer, flat things on it somehow?
(more…)

Come on, be brave. Pink is a flattering color no matter what your room’s complexion, and, if you need further encouragement, this wire frame side table is on sale too. Crafted in Italy, the metal structure is made of open, interlocking frames that create an interesting visual as you move around the room. Also available in a lilac/gray color.
(more…)

Happy Pi Day to you- and have a great weekend!

Corto PIPAS from Manuela Moreno on Vimeo.via

I know, I know, plastic isn’t your favorite material, but hey, you wouldn’t turn away a Componibili Round Storage Module on sale now, would you? After all, its friendly proportions makes it perfect for fitting into tight spots and its shiny surface and sliding doors are just enough ‘future’ to make sense alongside your other modern furnishings. Office, bathroom, kid’s room, wherever it goes, it’ll fit right in and give you some extra storage. And, did you know that the Componibili Modules have been in production for more than thirty years?
(more…)

Nowadays there are more lighting options than ever- you don’t have to buy from the big box stores, as there are many designers/makers doing their own selection of ceiling pendants and lamps. This Brass T fixture from Allied Maker is just about as simple as you can get, and was inspired by 19th century gas lanterns that used to illuminate old saloons. With hints of the same materials as the You Make It: Lindsey Adelman Chandelier (my own version shown here), it has me itching to get out my pliers and electrical tape, but, thankfully, there’s no need because it’s actually pretty affordable, especially considering the custom lengths available.
(more…)

You’re probably thinking that those are stone tiles above, but, surprise, those tiles are made from recycled and reclaimed sources of paper-laminate. Paper-laminate? Yep, you read it right. Slate-ish is lightweight, strong, durable, and easy to install, and with geometric shapes like Hex, Tri, and Para, I think it’ll make it onto many of our future remodeling materials list.
(more…)

Not every home can stomach super modern sculptures, mostly because they’re not exactly kid-friendly, but also because modern art can be prohibitively expensive for a more modest budget. However, these sleek, colorful acrylic sculptures by Vasa Mihich aren’t going to make you choke when you hear the price- or maybe they will if you have a very, very modest budget- but for those of us that wouldn’t mind investing in such splendor for under the $1G mark, it looks like a safe bet. There are also smaller, less expensive pieces on Vasa Mihich’s site. Hmm, what was that? Why, yes, my birthday is coming up, how kind of you to remember.
(more…)

If one of these kits were within my arms’ reach, I’d be building my own geodesic dome, no matter if there were kids around or not. It looks fun, doesn’t it? A bunch of 24-inch polypropylene tubes plus 12 SEBS (non-toxic, latex-free material) OgoBild balls gives you the ingredients to construct large, lightweight structures. Throw a sheet over it and you have a fort. Like I said before, fun, right? Now on sale at MCA Shop, but you can also purchase directly from OGOStore.
(more…)

If you still find yourself (or your guests) placing their drinks on the floor, guess what? You need a couple more side tables. A seating area with no place to rest a cold glass or hot cup of tea is slightly awkward, and, before you comment, no, a koozie is not an acceptable solution. This Plus Side Table from CB2 is hand-carved from a solid stump of sustainable acacia wood, so it’s substantial and eco-friendly. Get a couple of side tables and THROW AWAY anything resembling a drink sleeve. That’s an order.
(more…)

Too many notebooks? No such thing. Each of these One Day Notebooks feature a cover image to correspond with the time of day: morning, day, evening and night. Organize your thoughts into sections of the day, or just pick one randomly and enjoy the imagery.
(more…)