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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)

 
 

Arne Jacobsen cups

Think you can’t afford an Arne Jacobsen piece? Sure, maybe not the furniture, but you can now own… (drum roll) a cup. Who doesn’t want some Bauhaus-inspired typography on their cup of coffee/tea/pencils/pens/miscellany? The letters were originally created by Jacobsen in 1937 for Aarhus City Hall, and now they’ve been revived (with permission) on these porcelain cups. Need I point out this could be a good gift for Jacobsen fans? (No need to go broke- just get two cups with the recipient’s initials if their name is prohibitively long.)

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Purchase Information:

Price: $21.00
Available from: Finnish Design Shop

Wintercheck Factory Gift Ideas 2013

And here’s another list of gift ideas for this last-Thursday-before-Christmas. Kristen Wentrcek and her partner Andrew Zebulon Williams rounded up a list of 12 things they’d like to give/get this season. If those two names aren’t familiar, Kristen Wentrcek owns and designs for Wintercheck Factory and is the co-founder of 06/08. Andrew Zebulon Williams is an illustrator and the other co-founder of 06/08. Thanks for sharing your list, Kristen and Andrew!
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Phaidon Concierge

If you want to be really generous, consider a Concierge package from Phaidon. Answer a few questions, and you’ll get expert guidance towards which books will be most successful as a gift. This isn’t cheap, of course, as we’re talking about nice and hefty art, photography, and food books (and we’re down to last minute shipping too), but it might give you an inkling as to which titles your recipient will be most delighted about, and who knows, you might just find an extra grand to spend once you consider you’re fattening up your loved one’s library with some excellent tomes.
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More information:

View Phaidon Concierge here

iSpoon Kitchen Stylus

It’s nearing stocking-stuffer time, and for $8, you can stuff your favorite cook’s stocking with this beech wood spoon with a handy silicone stylus end. If they use a tablet in the kitchen for following recipes, they’ll appreciate the combination, no doubt about it.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $5.96
Available from: CB2

Unstuff Gifts

If you’ve not yet got a special gift for that special someone, you’re in trouble. It’s either errands on foot or by car to brave the crowds or paying through the nose for premium shipping. But wait, what if you could give that special person an experience rather than a thing? Unstuff, rather than stuff. Maybe you could give them a class in Aerial Yoga. Or would they enjoy learning woodworking? What about indoor skydiving? Get more ideas over at Unstuff, and think about giving a story they can tell rather than something they’ll forget about by the time next year rolls around.

More information:

View Unstuff Gifts here

Nimbus Dashboard

Not that you need to be more connected, but this 4-dial dashboard will help you track what’s important. It’s customizable, so you get to pick what info it displays- it’ll wake you up, but maybe you also want to know the weather, how many emails you have, what the morning traffic is like, or just what day it is… the Nimbus will show you it all via each dial/barometer. It syncs in real time, so the data will be accurate. Maybe that means you’ll pick up your phone less? We can hope. Think of it as a desk top accompaniment or a bedside starting point.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $129.00
Available from: Quirky

Series One Titanium Tool Set

What to get that hard-to-please person? Well, if they like tools, get them this Series One Titanium Tool Set. There’s one Edge tool (for prying, cutting) and one Opener (for opening up bottles); both are lightweight, durable, and keychain friendly. The set is available in titanium from Hand Eye Supply as a limited edition.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $155.00
Available from: Hand Eye Supply

Present Modular Shelving by MOCO x Furni

What do we have here? It looks like a modular shelving system, but it’s certainly unlike any you’ll find at a regular retailer. With a pair of brass plated rails, three solid walnut shelf elements, each “module” of the Present Modular Shelving will provide multiple storage functions to fit your needs. Use the box element as a simple container for emptying your pockets or as a frame for your favorite items. The rail is perfect for hanging skateboards, or with the hooks (included), hang up your jackets and scarves.

And, if you need further convincing, know that the Present Modular Shelving is the first MOCO x Furni product, a collaboration between MOCO LOCO and Furni, the Montreal-based design and lifestyle brand/manufacturer. Convinced that you could find a place for it in your own home? Watch the video below to see more and back the project over at Kickstarter.
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Purchase Information:

Price: CAD425.00
Available from: Kickstarter

Michael Mundy Gift Ideas 2013

Michael Mundy from Anafternoonwith.com has once again found the time to share his gift list this year. If you haven’t checked out his site lately, it’s worth a visit to see the latest people and spaces featured. Thanks Michael!

1. Luc Parfum bottle, $85.00: great for men and women.

2. Best Made Steel Bowls, $35.00: for what ever.

3. First Aid Kit, $74.99: These could be a life saver.

4. Fisher Space Pen, $20.00: The chicest pen ever.

5. Classic American Bandana, $5.00: Can never have enough and these colors are great.

Michael Mundy Gift Ideas 2013

6. Luxury Canape set of 6 Blue Ships, $90.00.

7. Gentleman Soap Dish, $20.00: This or any thing from Izola.

8. Silver Gripper, $6.95: You’d be surprised how often you’ll use them.

9. US Navy Wool Blanket, $190.00

ISHUJA’s Eco-Essential Pen and Pencil

Are you sick of holiday shopping yet? Yeah, me too, but this might help. If you still have one impossible person on your list, and absolutely no idea what to get them, consider ISHUJA’s Eco-Essential Pen and Pencil Set.

Formerly a Kickstarter project, the set is now available for sale, and consists of one pen and one pencil, both with bamboo & aluminum bodies and a high-sensitivity stylus nib on each cap for tablet use. The set is appropriately gift boxed with a set of 5 color rings for identification. Not sure how long shipping will take, so do be sure to double check if you intend it as a Christmas gift.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $50.00 - 95.00
Available from: ISHUJA

Slate Mobile AirDesk

If your favorite working spot is anywhere other than a desk, you might just appreciate this mobile desk called Slate. It’s made from a block of pure, premium bamboo, which enables a lightweight, strong surface. A docking station and flush mouse pad gives your workspace increased function and, thanks to the air ventilation holes, your lap/laptop won’t be uncomfortably warm.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $99.99
Available from: BiteMyApple.co

Bubble Calendar 2014

Pop. Pop. Pop. And that’s just just how you’ll start each and every day of 2014, one pop at a time, if you like that sort of thing. U.S. holidays and all days of the week are marked, with the weekend days in bold for quick reference.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Available from: Uncommon Goods

Friday Links

  • the briefskate board
  • Stain Ceramics by Bethan Laura Wood. (via MY AMP GOES TO 11)
  • Minimalist Posters Depict The Architecture Of 13 Classic Films
  • Now You Can Take Selfies Inside Old Nintendo Games
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Amateur Photographer Shoots Largest Ever True Color Photo of the Night Sky: Photopic Sky Survey
  • Pretty cute. Video of a KODA (kid of deaf adults) enthusiastically singing holiday songs using sign language and animated facial expressions.
  • Cookie-Baking Chemistry. Important stuff.
  • The most saved and shared content across Pocket, from all categories
  • That’s it for today. Enjoy your weekend, and get all your holiday shopping done so you can sit back and gloat to those last minute procrastinators.

    Of a Kind Gift Ideas

    Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo are the co-founders of Of a Kind, a website that sells the pieces and tells the stories of emerging designers. They feature all sorts of products, and it’s worth signing up for their newsletter to be kept up to date on what’s new. Claire and Erica’s wish list is below- thank you two for sharing your favorites this year!
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    Spin Candelabra

    Hey Santa, if you’re going to blow your budget on my Christmas present, please make it this Spin Candelabra by Tom Dixon. It’s one heck of a centerpiece, and pretty much takes the place of a low light or chandelier above a larger table. The candelabra’s arms spin 360 degrees to give a variety of configurations, and, as it’s made from cast iron, it will last forever.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $675.00
    Available from: YLighting