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Is this an affordable alternative to Prouvé’s Standard Chair ($935) or what? Answer: Yes, indeed it is. To be clear, in theory, knock-offs or “reproductions” aren’t the best choice if you can afford the original designs, but if an original is way out of your price range, then it’s certainly forgivable. In this case, $325 is way easier on the wallet than $935, especially if you consider ordering multiples ($325 x 4 = $1,300; $935 x 4 = $3,740).
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Still looking for a suitable lunch bag? MENU’s Cool Lunch has a velcro handle that handily attaches to your bag or bike, making it easy to carry without damaging its contents. There’s also a small cooling element that keeps your food fresh and drinks cold. Available in White/Lime, Black/Gray, and Black/Red.
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If you have a tree where a swing would work and 150 bucks lying around*, what are you waiting for? The weather is nice and ripe for appreciation, and a tree swing is just the thing to entice you and your friends/family oudoors. This handcrafted swing by Dzierlenga F+U is made from local cedar in upstate NY and can be personalized with a message, name, or initals. Talk about a great housewarming gift, eh? There’s also the Carved Oak Rope Swing ($188) which has a nice curve to it.
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These woodpecker notes by Jonghwan Kim of tale design studio will remind you just where your paper comes from. Each notebook has a bark-like cover with the inside pages showing the grain and pattern of a particular species of tree. Choose between Oriental white oak, Pine tree, Ginko, Platanus, and White birch.

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Perhaps you’d like a little of the old fashioned feel in your extension cords? If so, Best Made Company has it covered, literally. Their cloth covered extension cords aren’t meant to be hidden, so if you’ve got an unavoidable spot where a cord shows (and it bothers you), this would be a good option. The cords are “woven in Massachusetts using three copper wires, each stranded and covered in PVC insulation.”

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Flat-packed and assembled with wooden pegs (no screws or glue necessary), this bench sounds like it has a humble background, but rest assured you can impress your friends with a designer name when they come a-calling. Be sure to tell them that what would normally end up in the rubbish heap (curved and irregular pieces of discarded wood called wayney edges) is made new with the creative mind of Tom Dixon. Available in either natural ($300) or fluoro ($550). And, yes, there is an Offcut Stool ($235) as well.
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It’s a little late in the game for a calendar, but if for some reason you neglected to pick one up, here’s a nice linear-month one for your wall that costs a mere $15. See the entire year at a glance, in silver on white or magenta on yellow.

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Burglars in a huge hurry will probably pass this fully functional cabinet right on by, if you’re lucky. If you’re not lucky, they’ll be smart and guess that the legs and the possible lack of fireplace mean that this stack of firewood is actually a cabinet, and then they’ll plunder the heck out of it. (Note: if you’re handy, you have little choice but to do a DIY version of this, and then be smug that you saved a bunch of money.)
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Here’s a smart solution for storing your house key when you’re out for a walk or a jog.
The gokey is a silicone wrist band that conceals your key safely and comfortably- no tying it to shoestrings or putting it in a pocket only to worry it’ll come loose. As the gokey is currently a Kickstarter project, you can donate $15 to receive a gokey in the color and size of your choice. Designed by Francesca Passoni and Cristina Cook.
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Classic cameras might be a little outdated, but you can do your part to keep their spirit alive with this stationery pack from Paper Pastries. Includes 8 flat gray cards, 8 cobalt blue envelopes and 8 blank kraft labels. Also available from the MoMA Store, $19.95.
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Oh, how to display your precious objects? Or tiny plants? Those special collectibles and/or living specimens can now live protected in a small glass petri dish under a similarly smallish glass dome. Fact: objects in glass domes make you look smart, unlike just petri dishes, which, if you left lying around, would make people think you’re really weird, or a scientist.
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These blocks are a bit odd- sort of like a concession between a kid (“I want legos!”) and an interior designer (“No, they’re too colorful!”). Don’t go getting ideas though- replacing a child’s toy blocks with tree bark and tea leaves- that’s what these blocks are made of- is bordering on plain meanness. However, these blocks could be an interesting decorative accent for an eclectic interior.
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Give credence to your paranoia by putting up this googly-eyed wallpaper from Cavern Home. Now when you whisper “there are eyes everywhere!” whilst rocking back and forth on the floor, you can point to the wallpaper and everyone will understand.
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This carafe and cooler by Normal Studio uses the cooling properties of terracotta to keep your beverages at a slightly chilled temperature. When soaked in cold water prior to use, the carafe and cooler will slowly release moisture to cool the wine inside the carafe.
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Travelers: if you’re often wondering if your bag is over the weight limit, do yourself a favor and carry a travel scale. If it doesn’t encourage you to lighten your load, at least you’ll be prepared for luggage fees. To use, you hook the strap around the carrying handle on your luggage and lift- you’ll get an accurate reading up to 88 pounds. For a non-digital scale, check out Kikkerland’s Travel Luggage Scale ($10).

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