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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)

 
 

Charbonize Bag & Sleeves

Simple and utilitarian are two of my favorite adjectives when describing gadget sleeves and bags, so of course this collection by Charbonize gets a spotlight. Using vegetable tanned leather and recycled wool felt, each piece is created by hand in their workshop and follows the aim of “being simple, timeless and functional”. And don’t worry, the wool is anti-piling & water repellent. Now available in the US via HORNE.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $265.00
Available from: HORNE

Grey Dot with Orange Rug

If you need a soft surface on that ‘fifth wall’ of your living area or bedroom, do consider a this grey dot rug with subtle orange lines. It’s a quiet color scheme with that little hint of color, which means it’d be easy to work some designer magic by adding a few orange accents- maybe a pillow, maybe a lamp, it’s up to you. After you’ve added a couple of color accents, your room will look more pulled together and, dare we hope, semi-pro.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $399.00
Available from: CB2

Flip Mirror

Oh, here’s a good idea- let’s compare the state of our bathroom countertops. Are yours organized, clean, and perfect? Mine are clean, but they’re certainly not organized and perfect. Do you have a table mirror to trim any unwanted head or facial hair, or apply your more detailed makeup wizardry? I do, but it’s not as nice as this one. Inspired by a rear-view mirror, Javier Moreno designed this mirror to swivel up, down, and rotate 360 degrees. And, thankfully, there’s a nice catch-all tray at its base to corral your smaller items.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $120.00
Available from: MoMA Store

Void Pendant Light

Look at this beauty. It’s not new, but it is something worth revisiting for its shiny, spectacular surface. Each light is made from solid metal sheets that are pressed, spun and brazed to form the double walled shade. Referencing the Olympic medals, the Void Light is available in three metallic finishes: brass, polished stainless steel and copper. The halogen light provides a ‘soft directional beam’.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $615.00
Available from: YLighting

Manual Paper Shredder

No electricity needed, just a little elbow grease and your sensitive documents and bills are shredded lickety split. Let me guess, you like that a) it uses manual labor rather than electricity, b) you won’t need to worry about your tie/necklace getting caught and potentially strangling you, c) you’ll finally get some exercise, d) your workspace will be rid of that loud paper shredder noise, or e) all of the above.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $44.00
Available from: HORNE

Hold Cookbook Holder

There’s a bunch of cookbook holders out there, but this stainless steel one has the advantage of a smaller size and a sizable heft that will hold any cookbook open. It fits perfectly across a book and into the binding, and, as an added bonus, it would store well alongside your other cooking utensils or you can even hang it on a nail if you prefer.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $34.00
Available from: Rare Device

Noi Dining Table

There are quite a few minimal dining tables out there in the marketplace, some of them quite affordable, but not very many of them can claim remarkable craftsmanship in the way the top meets the base. If you look closely, you’ll see that the Noi Dining Table’s surface rests within its steel frame, giving an ultra-slim look and a very durable edge. And, not to worry if you want a specific size or color; Ohio Design offers a good selection of options.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $849.00 - 1249.00
Available from: Ohio Design

Slot Table

How about adding some smoky, gray acrylic to your living room? This side table has a built-in slot to store books, magazines, and/or your tablet, and you can mix things up by using it upright (as shown above) or on its side (shown below). The subtle, reflective surface makes it a smart choice for a sleek accent piece.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $275.00
Available from: MoMA Store

BassamFellows Sharp Series

Yes, the boxes shown above are a bit skewed to the right; it’s not in your head. Each Sharp Box is carved from a solid piece of wood (there’s part of the price explanation) and intended as a modular system for desktop or bathroom. The slightly slanted nature defines the collection and adds a note of humor to your small storage needs.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $295.00 - 720.00
Available from: SUITE New York

Losanges Rug

Pair Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec with the Nani Marquina rug team and what’s the result? Awesomeness, of course.

The Losanges is a reinterpretation of the traditional Persian rug using the kilim technique. Kilim rugs are pretty flat, as you might know, because the strands are tightly interwoven and there’s no pile (cushiness). In this kilim rug, 13 colors are combined through a geometrical rhombus shape, all handwoven by Northern Pakistan craftsmen. Now, maybe if you’re very talented, you can confidently say that you could weave something as impressive as this with your hands, but I sure as you-know-what can’t, so I understand the higher price point. Technically complex, indeed.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $4,836.00 - 14,359.00
Available from: YLiving

Swell Sofa

This Swell Sofa has some serious curves that catch the eye. Just add a cartoon character with a bike pump beside the image above, and you’ll get the idea- it’s a playful take on a minimal form, with super stuffed cushions that are inviting you and I to take a seat, take some time, and relax already. ‘Swell’ refers to rising bread in the oven, if you prefer that visual. And, equally impressive, it’s available in 21 colors.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $3,850.00
Available from: Normann Copenhagen

The Simon, iPad Case

Remember the crocheted laptop case (The Steven) from Krochet Kids International? Well, there’s iPad and iPad Mini sleeves as well, and remember, not only will each sleeve protect your device, but with each purchase you’re empowering the people of Uganda to rise above poverty. That’s what we call a win/win situation.

There’s also a couple of crocheted clutches (The Auburn and The Wendy), a card/coin purse (The Dixon), and various other clothing, hats, and accessories worth checking out.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $29.95
Available from: Krochet Kids International

Mirror Shelf

It’s just a mirror with a small shelf for keys and other small things, yet its slight angular design and assembly are noteworthy for their stylish simplicity. Also, if you visit Golden Biscotti’s site, do check out the natural straws and round cushion.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $125.00
Available from: Golden Biscotti

Friday Links

  • Bird brick! via
  • 10 SIMPLE, SCIENCE-BACKED WAYS TO BE HAPPIER TODAY
  • ‘Nature’ by Ronald van der Meijs: 5000 chrome bicycle bells swaying in the wind
  • Let your cat outside in a super long cage
  • How excited am I? VERY: Lego Archhitecture Studio
  • Clever! Fold-Out Pet Bed
  • Alfredo Moser: Bottle light
  •  
    Enjoy your weekend!

    Timo Termo glasses

    These glasses have a spiral silicone layer, ensuring that you’ll have a better grip on hot or cold (or slippery) beverages. It’s a pretty simple idea that’s executed elegantly. The Timo glass is also heat resistant.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $78.00 for s/4
    Available from: Plastica Shop