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The next time you have a meal or appetizers outdoors, forego your regular dishes and dine on leaves! Silicone leaves, that is, so you’ll not be too Tarzan-ish. The leaves are made of flexible and durable food-safe silicone, and you’ll find that each one has a slightly different shape and shade of green.
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That’s it for this week. Enjoy your February 1st, 2nd and 3rd. See you back here on the 4th.

Perhaps you should take this desk’s name in reference to Mantises being highly visual organisms that are skilled in mimicry rather than their tendency for occasional sexual cannibalism, for the Mantis Desk does successfully blend in as a simple, modern workspace by hiding all manner of cables (via a discreet cable management system) and providing just enough space for notes and office supplies (see noteboard and drawer- there’s a double bookend as well). In multiples or alone, this desk would do well in keeping your officemates- or just you- organized and on task.
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Just try not wanting this Geometry Stamp set, I dare you. Think of the reports you could stamp, the note to your boss or accountant! Oh, the fun to be had with an ink pad and a little geometry! Each set is hand-carved in good-quality hard rubber, and don’t be shy about asking for custom stamps as the artist welcomes commissions.
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The Peg Lounge Chair, you say, haven’t we featured that before? Nope, we’ve featured the Peg Chair, but not the lounge version. Dixon wanted a mix of of traditional pub furniture with a modern edge, and this durable chair was the end result. And, good news, the price listed is for two chairs, so no googly eyes needed. The dark brown finish is intended to deepen with age and was particularly chosen as an antithesis to the recent Scandinavian blond wood furniture craze (which is still acceptable in many interiors, of course).
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Come on, you knew there would be yet another tea kettle sometime soon. It’s sort of a favorite subject around here. This classic kettle is made of porcelain enamelware and features the requisite handle and spout (the ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ song should be playing in your head right about now…) and comes in the 5 semi-expected colors found in most kitchens.
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Minimalists, do not despair, for your iPad/Macbook Air 11”³/Galaxy Tablet need not go without protection in your bag or desk drawer. There’s a super simple felt case for your precious device, and don’t worry, it’s not too terribly expensive. Various pockets keep your smaller items organized and one inside pocket even serves as a mousepad if you need it. Designed by Cloud&Co for 11+.
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Oh, Cosmonaut, where have you been? Whoops, wrong idea, let’s try that again.

Oh, Cosmonaut, where have you been? It’s such a pain researching styli (or, as you might call them, styluses). Various opinions and reviews send a lesser person into a tailspin, fit to swear off any device-writing-implement for the foreseeable future. However, there’s this simple, dry-erase-marker-like stylus that saves us from relying on our clumsy fingers. A comfortable rubber grip means it’s easy to handle by adults or kids (with or without gloves, mind you), and it’ll work on almost every capacitive touch screen device.
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Legs crossed or leapfrog, either way these legs are something different in desk design. Close inspection shows well constructed joints that ensure balance and stability despite the initial precarious impression. Side by side drawers will hold essentials while a two-toned oak and black walnut mix further add to the desk’s animated appearance.
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If you have any desire for a few more design/art books to flip through for inspiration, the Cooper-Hewitt Shop is offering 50% off all books. Enter ‘BOOKS50%’ at checkout.
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Bend has truly excellent seating options in a few lucky shades of pop-out color, so it should be no surprise that they add this extra special spherical pendant to their collection. At 18″ x 22″, it’s the right sort of size for a mid-sized dining area, and the gridded galvanized iron does no harm in casting patterns across a wall. Available in white or fluorescent green/yellow.
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I’ve attempted to grow new plants from cuttings and I’ve been successful about 30% of the time, mostly because I forget to keep the cuttings watered appropriately and also because I keep sticking them in nice little glass jars that let in too much light. Here’s betting that this rootcup will increase my odds significantly. The elastomer pot and lid protects a cutting’s roots from light, holds the leaves above the water to prevent rotting, and captures water to reduce attention needed. Those three things will have us propagating all sorts of cuttings like a pro.
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This certainly isn’t the only puzzle that features a major city, but it is one of the few that looks like it came from somewhere other than the dollar store. Maybe you don’t want to spend $20 on a puzzle, but consider the fact that putting together pieces of a city might just etch that city into your brain, making it easier to get around whether you live there or if/when you plan a visit. Also, in my experience, puzzles are always surprisingly nice to have at family gatherings, giving hands something to do while conversation comes and goes.

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You say you care, but show him/her you mean it with a cellphone signal-blocking hanky. That’s right, it’s a nylon and silver handkerchief that blocks all cell signals and says so with the phrase “My Phone is Off For You” just in case you or your significant other forgets what it’s doing wrapped around your phone. You could also purchase it for someone that is on their phone ALL the freaking time as a big hint that their habit is rude and annoying. The ‘Phonekerchief’ comes with a chocolate bar to soften the blow or, more likely, just to make it a more typical Valentine’s gift.

Note: Or, instead, just make a habit of turning off your phone or putting it on silent, which would obviously be a better method of conveying your attention to your companion(s). Hopefully those around you will get the hint to do the same.
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Here’s another chance to back a project on Kickstarter, and this time you’ll end up with some lovely wood home accessories. The V-Tray and Bowl are shown above, and the S&P Shakers, SQ Trivet, and Paddle Coathooks (shown below) are equally impressive for their simplicity and craftsmanship. By pre-ordering pieces of this collection you’re backing the current and future work of David Okum, and, if these pieces are anything to go by, that’s a sound investment.
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