bltd

Need a no-nonsense, utilitarian briefcase? This bag by Industry Portage features an exterior padded pocket for your tablet, interior pen slots and pockets for organizing smaller items like business cards, and adequate space to carry a decent stack of documents (let’s hope you won’t need to do that though). Rugged canvas and suede handles reinforce the no-frills approach; there’s no doubt it’s durable enough for your everyday commute or for those longer journeys. Also available in red.
(more…)

If you have $300 and a not-so-nice smelling room, you either buy a boatload of ugly artificial air fresheners or you buy the Hakutan. As you may know, the Hakutan is a section of White Charcoal with an extremely high carbon content; this high grade of charcoal cleanses the air naturally and remains active indefinitely. It regulates humidity (think bathroom) and absorbs odors (kitchen smells), all while looking like a small natural sculpture. And, if you should ever tire of it, you can dispose of the Hakutan by crushing it and mixing with potting soil, as it makes an excellent fertilizer.

(more…)

The Cage lighting collection designed by Arik Levy for Forestier combines the industrial aspect of protective cage light fixtures with traditional paper lanterns (a more obvious iteration is found in the In & Out Lamp small and large). This opposites-attract formula results in a successful pairing that is surprisingly elegant, and as a result this collection has moved to the top of the wish-this-was-available-statside list.
(more…)

See those tiny red letters and what they spell out? Early voting begins in several states this week, and now’s the time to motivate yourself and others to participate in this year’s elections. Maybe you could hand them out around the office, or post one in a conspicuous place on the bulletin board at your local dry cleaners or favorite lunch place. Sometimes it only takes the tiniest push to get someone to the polls (and other times it takes a bull horn).

(more…)

Have a lovely weekend.

Just when you thought you were over feature walls, a few photos pop up that have you itching to pick up a paintbrush. Here are just a few images that show how color on just one wall (or in a closet) can add depth and interest to a room; maybe have a think about if your home would benefit from a little color jab somewhere?
(more…)

This calendar has been around a while (it used to be called the Pentagram Calendar) but that doesn’t diminish the excitement of typography aficionados who are patiently waiting for the 2013 version to hit their desk. Each month features one typeface (chosen by a prominent designer Stefan Sagmeister, Ivan Chermayeff, Tom Geismar, Massimo Vignelli, Michael Vanderbyl, Louise Fili and others, all members of the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI)) and includes a description and biography of its designer. The major holidays are noted, and, as hardcore typography fans will be glad to hear, so are the birthdays of the typeface designers.

(more…)

Ah-ha, a pen and stylus, all in one. Click the top and an analog rollerball pen cartridge protracts, enabling you to write on paper surfaces as usual. Click again and the pen cartridge retracts, leaving you with a silicone tip that works with your tablet device. Dual tip, dual function. Video below.
(more…)

Do you like a little retro feel in your furnishings? This Elko Coffee Table from Eastvold has a just a hint of 50’s mod in its angled leg base. The solid wood box has reinforced mitered joints, giving it a nice fluid feel, and the steel base is avialable in either green, black, red, white, silver or blue powder coating. Also, Eastvold offers custom sizes for an additional fee, so if you need a specific size, you’re in luck.
(more…)

Here’s another minimal approach in organizing your important everyday accessories. The Blokkey has four earth magnets embedded underneath its surface to hold keys and an elastic bungee cord for phones, mail, and sunglasses. Two key fobs are included just in case you have bulkier keys. And, don’t worry if you’re not too fond of the bright color contrast around the edges as there’s a plain Walnut option as well.

(more…)

What to do when you love the marble look on walls but can’t quite stomach the bill? Marble wallpaper, of course. And, even better, this wallpaper is from Ferm Living’s WallSmart line, which is a non-woven paper that is easier and faster to hang (apply paste to wall and then apply paper).

(more…)

A wall lamp with a coat hook? Sure, why not? After all, an extra hook for hanging a hat by the front door could come in handy, or maybe it’d be useful in a dressing area, where all manner of accessories and outfits need adequate lighting for your fashion decisions. (If you’ve ever heard the ‘did you get dressed in the dark’ jab, that last bit was directed at you.)
(more…)

This salt & pepper set has embedded neodymium magnets to help keep the two pieces paired together as one. That’s a small detail that makes a big difference if you’re always losing one or the other in the cabinet or on the table. It would also simplify passing the salt and pepper around the table when your family or guests prefer to season their own meal (chefs: cue audible gasp).
(more…)

Trivets are one of those things you don’t think much about until you’re wondering how to protect your table with a hot dish in hand. The Myria trivet is made of rectangular stainless steel loops, which gives it a decidedly modern feel, yet the stand out feature is that it’s expandable and foldable. Designed by Anne Boenisch for Carl Mertens.

(more…)

If you need a place to store some of your little one’s toys and knickknacks, you could do a lot worse than Ferm Living’s Face Storage Boxes. Just take a look at those faces/handles. Cute. Plus, they’re stackable and small enough that kids can carry them around on their own. Maybe it’ll make cleaning up a little less of a chore (one can hope).
(more…)