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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)

 
 

Ash Bath Cabinet

So what, it’s a cabinet, you say. Well, so it is, but there’s something a little special about it other than the lowish price tag. If you view it from the side, it appears to float on its two front legs, which it does thanks to a secure wall mount. This clears up the clutter of legs and adds an extra oomph to the stream lined feel of the cabinet. And do I need to remind you that minimal-ish bath storage is quite hard to find? Designed by U.K.-based Lime Studio.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $349.00
Available from: CB2

Small Knit Color Cozy Mug

When it’s cold outside, all you need to warm up is a nice tea/coffee/etc in this knit mug. Cozy, indeed! It’ll keep your fingers safe and your spirits bright (well, we can hope so, but there’s no guarantee).

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Purchase Information:

Price: $26.00
Available from: LEIF

Friday Links

  • Now, this is a lot, but there’s some good ideas that are bound to come in handy: 101 New Uses for Everyday Things
  • Gizmodo: Why SOPA Is Going to Screw Us All: The Video
  • Clean up unnecessary email notifications: notification control via @nytimesbits
  • Lionel Richie’s “Hello” made of mashed up film clips.
  • Personalized Portraits: replaceface
  • TED: Alain de Botton: Atheism 2.0 (whether you’re religious or not, there’s value in listening to this)
  • Hey, how about someone taking stills of actors staring straight into the camera? Thankfully, someone has: eye-contact.tumblr.com (via Its Nice That)
  • NYTimes: The Rise of the New Groupthink
  • Want: Book Table by Lisa Finster. (via svpply)
  • Impressive “One Piece at a Time” paper 3D version of a 1969 Ford Mustang by Jonathan Brand (via todayandtomorrow.net)
  • Will you please have a nice weekend? I’m begging you. See you on Monday, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

    BLUEiQ Miniature Ecosystem

    So, if you like the idea of having a little ecosystem to look at in your home/office/classroom/etc, but don’t want to dedicate a whole lot of time, this might be for you. The BLUEiQ has options- you choose which rocks, plants, livestock (shrimp/snails), then just follow the instructions once it all arrives and you’ll have a miniature ecosystem that requires little upkeep- just top up the water when it evaporates.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $79.00
    Available from: BLUEiQ

    Computer Keyboard Doormat

    Say ‘welcome!’ to your visitors whilst professing your fondness for computers. And don’t even pretend to not like this doormat, because it’s pretty cute (not in a fuzzy kitten way, mind you, more like just plain awesome). It’s made from coir, a natural and renewable fiber which happens to trap dirt quite well, and you simply shake it clean.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $32.00
    Available from: Uncommon Goods

    Scantling Lamps

    Ouch. These are pricey, yet oh-so-striking. Designed by Mathias Hahn, arms and hinges allow the shade to fully rotate without the need of springs or counterweights. And what does ‘scantling’ mean? It is “a term used to define the size to which a piece of wood or stone is measured and cut, derived from the name of an old unit of measurement.” There you go. There’s also a Scantling Wall Light, too, though I haven’t yet seen a retailer offer the ceiling light, which is very impressive.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $920.00 and up
    Available from: YLighting

    Sticky Note Matchbooks

    For the sticky-note addicted, this is a no brainer. You know how sticky notes get quite gross when in a pocket or bag? They pick up all manner of lint and random bits of something that you’d rather not see when checking a grocery or to-do list. This smart idea of a Sticky Note Matchbook keeps notes pristine and protected, plus the size is perfectly pocket sized (for us persnickety people). Pack of 4 for $2.

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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $2.00
    Available from: Kikkerland

    Superhero Shoes

    If you added your name to a petition or called your representatives yesterday to voice your opinion on SOPA, you deserve a pair of these lace on lightning bolts for participating in your government. See, sometimes it works. Actually, these little bolts are intended for little feet, but I’m sure you could make them look just as good on your own shoes, or ask the seller to prepare some scaled exactly to your size (though do be careful about not going overboard). Or you could just get some for your favorite kids.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $17.00 - 22.00
    Available from: smallfly etsy shop

    RELAX Quilted Picnic Blanket

    Of course, the weather is not anywhere nice enough to have a picnic outside, but there’s only a few of these ‘RELAX’ blankets around, and you’d be upset if you missed out just because it’s January. Seeing as the blanket is quilted and looks rather robust, it would do well as a sit-and-dine surface*. Plus, we all need reminding to stop and smell the roses, no matter what our surroundings may be.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $120.00
    Available from: Cynthia Rowley

    Peggy Mirror

    If your entryway still needs sorting, this mirror might help. Coat pegs, a shallow shelf for keys and such, and a mirror to check that you’re presentable before heading out the door- it’ll do the job just fine without offending anyone’s sensibilities. Best of all, it’s entirely affordable.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $199.00
    Available from: West Elm

    The Edgewood Cup

    This Edgewood cup displays a fine wood grain that plays a little with our senses- is it porcelain, or wood? It is, in fact, clean lined porcelain with a wood grain pattern, a commentary on classic Danish design. Maybe file it away as a nice gift idea?
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $25.00
    Available from: edgewoodmade.com

    Void Mini Pendant Light

    If you like Tom Dixon’s Void Pendant Light, you’ll be happy to see there’s a new mini version. Whether you mix the sizes or just use the mini to fit smaller areas (powder or dressing room perhaps?), you’ll have a polished metal gem that won’t go out of style (ever – that’s a promise).
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $465.00
    Available from: YLighting

    Four Diner Placemats

    Should you find yourself at the table without meaningful conversation, please don’t pick up your smart phone. Instead, discreetly fill in some knowledge gaps with these placemats. Available in a set of 4, the placemats are 100% cotton (machine washable) and feature a Cocktail Guide, Map of the US, Presidents and the Chinese Zodiac.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $54.00
    Available from: Burke Decor

    Friday Links

  • You can watch the full documentary film Charles & Ray Eames: The Architect and the Painter over at PBS.
  • minieco: Paper gems (+ templates) (via svpply)
  • Oatmeal: Ten Words You Need To Stop Misspelling
  • This iTree is a top-quality docking station made out of a tree trunk. Oh yeah, and it’s $15 grand.
  • Over at even*clevand: Brain Cox teaches Hamlet to a small child.
  • This should be made into a dog toy. Seriously. Boner 01
  • Freaking amazing kite: Little Shining Man watch the video on vimeo (via todayandtomorrow)
  • Make: “Taylor Veltrop created a controller for a NAO humanoid robot using a treadmill, Kinect, Wii remotes, and a head-mounted display… and demonstrated it by brushing his cat remotely.” VR Kitty Brushing System
  • That’s all for now. Enjoy your weekend, as you always do.

    Block Crayons

    It’s the end of the week, and just as you think your liquified brain can do more creating, your hands can clasp no more writing utensils, and the spittle from the corner of your mouth is the only means to communicate your displeasure and utter lack of interest, these block crayons come into view. These non toxic pure beeswax crayons are easy to grasp, no matter one’s age or hand size, and allow for artistic expression wherever one’s state of mind happens to be. Plus, each set is $5, which says you should buy a few extras and pass them out to others in need.
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    Purchase Information:

    Price: $5.00
    Available from: ACME party box