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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)

 
 

The Food Guide Tea Towel

Update: Now available stateside! Hoorah!

Which foods are rich in vitamins and minerals? If you’re not sure, then perhaps this tea towel would be a good reference to have on hand in the kitchen. It might even encourage you to eat a little healthier (fingers crossed). There’s also The Food Guide Poster if you’d rather see the info on the wall.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Available from: Uncommon Goods

Velo Blk Tote

A carry-all made of authentic World War II military tent canvas seems like a good choice to survive the everyday wear and tear of commuting from home to the workplace battlefield. Simple leather straps and front pocket keeps things minimal for our modern day civilian lives. Also available with tan straps/pocket.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $178.00
Available from: Defy Bags

Bridge Paper Shredder

You and I could both think of hundreds (of thousands) of things more exciting than paper shredders. Either they’re behemoths of ugly office design or they’re too small to get through a decent stack of documents, meaning you waste time standing there feeding in sheet by sheet, shaking your fist at your laziness to get rid of sensitive documents in a timely manner. Now, this Bridge Paper Shredder won’t handle stacks at a time, but it does fit on top of any small trash can, meaning you can tuck it away in a drawer when not in use. It’s lightweight, so it could foreseeably fit in a travel bag if needed. And, it won’t hurt your design sensibilities, which means you’re more likely to stay on top of your shredding duties… rrright? Fingers crossed.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $50.00
Available from: Cooper-Hewitt Shop

Store Jars by Established & Sons

An homage to the space age, Established & Sons has a collection of storage jars that are inspired by the shapes of space capsules. A matte glaze on the base of each jar gives a nice grip on work surfaces, making the collection a perfect solution to clutter in the kitchen or office.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $78.00
Available from: AmbienteDirect.com

Paul Desk

Do you need some nooks and crannies to put your workplace odds and ends? This desk by Wintercheck Factory might fit the bill with its removable side boxes that are perfect for stashing your miscellany. And, good news, it’s $595, which is less than it was back in ’09 ($740.00-$840.00).
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Purchase Information:

Price: $595.00
Available from: Wintercheck Factory

Paper Write-On Watch

You can hear it calling out for your scribbles, doodles, and fancy handwriting, can’t you? It feels like paper, but this watch has a polyethylene (plastic) band for durability. Use pencil for erasable notes or ink for more permanent designs, and don’t forget that this could be an excellent gift idea for a friend or family member. As the retailer recommends, it might also be a clever save-the-date or party invite. Sold as a set of three, and is available in three styles: ruled, graph, or plain white.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $18.00 for s/3
Available from: Uncommon Goods

Une Bobine

A super-bendable charging cable that doubles as a tripod? Uh, yes, please. The Une Bobine is a two-foot-long cable that can charge your device (available in iPhone or micro USB versions) and act as stand or tripod- feel free to flex it or loop it around to suit your needs. No need to worry about your phone’s battery if it’s plugged in, so it would be perfect for longer video chats or time-lapse photos.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00
Available from: Photojojo

Eva Solo’s Stainless Steel Kettle

This kettle still wins top prize for its attributes, despite its exclusive price tag. It cooks on all heat sources- even on an induction range. There’s no cables or lime scale on heating coils, and when it needs a wash, just throw it in the dishwasher. The handle stays cool as well, so no worries about burning your fingers or hands. All that and it’s certainly easy on the eyes; if it fits your budget, it’s a no brainer.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $250.00
Available from: A+R Store

Chef’n SleekStor Collapsible Colander

When it comes to rinsing a handful of berries, grapes, or other small fruits/veggies, a large colander is a little too big, and my hands are always a little too small, as proved by the inevitable escape of three or four renegade berries/grapes. While one could choose to rinse smaller portions, I’m instead thinking a smaller colander will corral foodstuffs appropriately and make the rinsing ritual a little easier. My bet is on this smaller, collapsible colander from Chef’n.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $10.00
Available from: Amazon

New York Times File Folders

Perhaps the Grey Lady will inspire you to organize those few important papers lying about your desk. This set of 6 file folders features three historic front pages of the New York Times. The two red folders show the front page of February 17, 1923, King Tut’s Tomb Discovered. The two blue feature the front page of May 22, 1937, Charles Lindberg Crosses the Atlantic. The green, May 8, 1945, WWII in Europe is Over!

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.00
Available from: Paper Trail

Lucinda Stacking Chair

Sometimes a simple cafรฉ chair is all you need, especially if you’re on a tight budget. This powdercoated iron chair can live indoors or out and stacks to save space. For $70 you could do a whole lot worse, that’s for sure. Choose between a hi-gloss white or the very brave, bright orange.

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Purchase Information:

Price: $69.95
Available from: CB2

Felt Wall Accessories

Hmm, these felt wall accessories would look oh-so-soft and organized in an entryway or above a desk, though it could get a little pricey should you choose to spring for several all at once. I smell a DIY project for someone handy with a drill and staple gun (and precut wood tiles, magnets, clock movement, etc.).

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Purchase Information:

Price: $110.00 - 150.00
Available from: Panik Design

Tybee Jump Rope

Jump Rope for Heart! Perhaps you participated in the American Heart Association’s program when you were in grade school*, and perhaps your older heart could be a tiny bit healthier than it is right now as you’re sitting reading this page on your computer/tablet/phone. How many minutes could you jump rope without collapsing in a sweaty mess? If you had this Tybee Jump Rope you’d be at least motivated to try, even if it’s just a few minutes each day. Made from turned walnut handles, leather cord, and paracord in the USA and available in blue, black, red, or rainbow.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $65.00
Available from: General Manufacturing

Friday Links

  • Sand timer by Maarten Baas
  • Microdonations: yea or nay?
  • Industrial Rustic Shelf Tutorial (via Michael Mundy)
  • Replace the Moon with a Planet (via thisisnthappiness)
  • What If The Keystone XL Pipeline Was A Bike Path?
  • How a differential gear works
  • Etsy: Helveticat
  • James Gulliver Hancock is drawing every building in New York.
  • 10 small Guerrilla Gardens
  • Keep track of any activity with Tictrac via Netted
  • Have a nice weekend!

    The MULTI Tool/Wallet

    Just look at all the tools that this thin, minimal wallet has integrated into its surface: bottle opener, nested wrench, ruler, bit holder, box opener, and even a smartphone/tablet stand. If you don’t mind the metal aspect for the wallet function, you could have all these tools sandwiching your cash and cards, at the ready for whenever you might need them. Sure, it’s a little clunky, but it is metal, after all. See video below for more.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $40.00 or more
    Available from: Kickstarter