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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)

 
 

Clothing rail, Rectangular

So, who wants to spend $399 on a minimalist clothing rail and/or coat rack? I’ll be the first to put my hand up, despite the slightly ridiculous price tag and the fact that it can’t be shipped outside of Australia. Don’t worry, I won’t buy it, but let’s just think of the many unappealing options (search for ‘closet rail hardware’ and you’ll see exactly what I mean) and then let’s compare the minimal iron rail to all the parts and pieces of those other options. There’s something so appealing about reducing a clothes rail down to just an iron rod with hooks, as it would probably decrease our wardrobe to only a few select outfits. Sounds a bit utopian, doesn’t it? There’s also a Vertical and Round version, fyi.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $399.00
Available from: The Minimalist

4-piece nano note set

As someone who prefers to keep my weekly schedule in order via paper and pen, I shall never relinquish the smaller sticky note, as they provide a jolt of color to remind me of important dates and tasks. Now, I have another option to add to my visual arsenal: teensy tiny sticky notes. With small handwriting, you could probably jot down an important word or phrase, but considering their color, shape, and size it looks like they’d be perfectly appropriate for highlighting a particular date or line of text all on their own.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $6.95
Available from: CB2

NUD Classic Black Pendant

A simple grouping of hanging pendants is made all the more interesting when you mix up the cord colors and bulbs. After all, it’s fun to go a little crazy in lighting options, especially if you pick a few of your favorite hues. The NUD classic pendant has a load of color options, even more so if you order directly from the NUD Collection Webshop, and you could even go super crazy and pick out different socket colors, though I’d advise against it as it could look a lot less planned and a little more insane.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $49.00
Available from: Lumens

WeMo Light Switch

And, now, ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes upon a Wi-Fi® enabled light switch. It’s by the same company as the WeMo Switch (makes a lot of sense) and it allows you to turn lights on and off from anywhere. Maybe you’re on the other side of the house or maybe you’re in another country, either way, you can control your lights remotely with a Android smartphone, tablet, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can also program your lights for specified times, as in on at sunset and off at sunrise, which would be especially helpful for certain areas like your front door. And, if you’re not afraid of a little DIY, you can easily replace your regular light switch with the WeMo; there’s an installation video to guide you along.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $49.99
Available from: Belkin

Celine Desk

I’ve always been a fan of furniture with simple, clean lines, and so it’s no surprise that this Celine Desk caught my eye. One drawer hides away clutter and, on the right, an open cubby provides a nice spot for a stack of papers or folders. And, hey, 15% off (for a limited time, of course) makes this desk a little more ‘within reach’, if you know what I mean. The designer Nazanin Kamali was inspired by mid century architecture.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $722.50
Available from: DWR

Spork & Cork

What to do when you’re away from home and without utensils? Pull out the Spork & Cork from your bag, desk drawer, or glove box and chow down. The all-in-one eating implement is hand-shaped from a single piece of Certified organic bamboo and it’s lightweight and compact enough that you’ll want to bring it along on any adventure.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $10.00
Available from: Bambu Home

Nest™ 100

Whether you’re just starting out or just starting to upgrade your kitchen tools, you’ll want to make note of this preparation set from Joseph Joseph. What’s included? Two mixing bowls with non-slip bases, a sieve, a large colander, and a set of five measuring cups (from 1 teaspoon up to 1 cup). The mixing bowls, sieve and colander are all made from high quality 18/8 stainless steel and they all stack neatly together to save space in your drawer/cabinet.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $100.00
Available from: Joseph Joseph

Friday Links

  • Crowsflight, a GPS compass app.
  • Are viral cat videos actually viral?
  • Mr. Rogers Takes Breakdancing Lessons from a 12-Year-Old
  • Lichtenberg Figures: The Fractal Patterns of Lightning Strike Scars
  • Bullets Split Exactly in Half
  • Cocoon By Tanya Shukstelinsky: Sew Yourself A House
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    Only a short list of links this week due to a half-week vacation. Have a lovely weekend!

    Folded Paper Furoshiki

    Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloths that can be used as scarves, gift wrapping, or even as a wall hanging. You know this, of course, if you’ve seen any of the offerings from the Link Collective (etsy shop: LINK), as they have quite the collection. There’s also a Leather Carry Strap ($20-$28) that allows you to use a Furoshiki as a bag.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $48.00
    Available from: thelinkcollective

    Snug Cloud Cutting Board

    This petite Cloud Cutting Board sure would make perfect surface for assembling a small sandwich, or for presenting a snack of cheese and crackers. Just recently it’s appeared over at Rare Device, where you’ll avoid any overseas shipping charges (original retail link: orphansocks-shop).
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $42.00
    Available from: Rare Device

    Pin Table

    Outside tables are often wobbly on uneven ground, but not this Pin Table designed by Andreas Engesvik. You push it into the ground with the top button/post, instantly creating a sturdy spot to rest your food and drinks. The high gloss finish would have you thinking this table is made plastic, but that’s not the case. It’s made of wood (surprised?) and available in five different colors.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $119.00
    Available from: Interior Design Decor

    Noguchi Akari Lights

    Paper lights are everywhere in today’s marketplace (for example, IKEA’s VÄTE Table lamp), yet there’s still something entirely special about the original designs of Isamu Noguchi. Icons of mid century design, each Akari lamp is handmade from washi paper and bamboo ribbing by the original manufacturer in Gifu, Japan. In the words of Noguchi, “the harshness of electricity is thus transformed, as if by magic, into the light of our origins – sunlight – so that it’s warmth can carry on filling our rooms after dark.”
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    More information:

    View Noguchi Akari Lights here

    Pablo Clamp Lamp

    Task lights tend towards the metal/utilitarian look, and that’s why this wooden Clamp Lamp stands out. Whether you choose walnut or white oak, the wood gives a certain charm and warmth, and the seemingly simple design of 3 components gives a wide variety of positions for focused light.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $350.00
    Available from: 2modern

    Tivoli’s Model One BT

    Sure, Tivoli radios are an excellent choice for listening to your favorite stations, but now there’s a new version with Bluetooth® wireless. That means you can listen to all the songs on your iPhone or iPod (or any other device that allows Bluetooth pairing) wirelessly. There’s still the analog AM/FM tuner, so you can switch back and forth from regular radio to your music library on your device as quick your listening preferences require. Also, did you know Tivoli has a radio app?
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $259.99
    Available from: Tivoli Audio

    Tablet Portfolio

    Whoa, quite a big sale on this vegetable-tanned leather portfolio. It’s hand stitched with nylon thread and has a long, leather strap to keep it securely closed. The handmade feel gives a nice balance to the technology it protects. Fits iPad, iPad2, and similarly sized readers.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $sale: 104.50
    Available from: DWR