skip to main content
 

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 Bike Valet

Another bike storage option? Yep, and this one is (dare I say it) a more refined option than the Cycloc. Angles, steel, leather… it’s nice, isn’t it? Designed by Stephen Tiller of Reclamation Art + Furniture, the Bike Valet currently has a Kickstarter campaign going to increase the level of production and manufacturing. For a pledge of $87 or more, you’ll receive a signed and numbered valet of your very own.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $87.00
Available from: Kickstarter

fvonf: Karen & Christian Boros

You might have seen a few interior shots of the home of Karen & Christian Boros, but it’s another thing entirely to see a video of their space, and Christian talking about collecting art. Video below. Plus, just in case you want something to be excited about, check out Freunde von Freunden’s new book.
(more…)

Bracket Lamp

There’s no hiding the cord on this wall lamp by Dino Sanchez. Indeed, it’s the cord that is the lamp, along with a solid oak bracket. I love the blackened oak version, shown below, but there’s several combinations to choose from. Handcrafted in Massachusetts.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $300.00
Available from: Vitrine Shop

Dodecahedron and Cube Terrarium

Just when you thought you’d be sick of terrariums, these two beauties pop up. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Geometric Terrariums posted a while back are from Score + Solder as well, as they look identical, so if you want to take in the whole collection I’d recommend starting there.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $110.00 - 160.00
Available from: Old Faithful Shop

Lace Vase

Reuse your plastic and glass containers with this rubber top. It fits over all sorts of containers, and makes an instant vase out of most things currently sitting in your recycling bin. Looks like black is currently the only color in stock, but if you’re set on white let them know and hopefully you’ll get an idea of when it will be available.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $14.50
Available from: Milk Design

Uplift Tea Kettle

Now, if you like tea, you know a tea kettle is quite important. I’ve had an Uplift kettle before*, and liked the way the spout opens automatically when lifting the handle (hence, the name ‘uplift’), but this 10th anniversary version takes the cake with its cork handles. Cork insulates well, and provides a soft, nonslip grip, which makes it an ideal choice. And, it works nicely in conjunction with the stainless steel, of course. It’s a winner.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $69.99
Available from: Hectic Gourmet

RydeSafe Reflective Bike Decals

Do you ride a bike at night? Slap on some of these reflective stickers and increase your chances of staying alive (i.e. not being plowed down by drivers). Made from engineering-grade “conspicuity film” (the stuff on emergency vehicles) the stickers reflect light back to its source and allow easy customization of your frame, helmet, rims, etc. Pledge $15 or more on Kickstarter for a Full DIY Kit (51 pieces) of RydeSafe Reflective Bike Decals.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00 and up.
Available from: Kickstarter

Slip n Snip Folding Scissors

Folding scissors. Is there need to explain further? It is, simply, a compact pair of scissors which fold away safely in a pocket or bag, or even to slip on a keyring. Use them for cutting out those annoying clothes tags, for a quick hair (beard? nose?) trim, or making paper snowflakes on the subway, or for whatever else you can think of.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $8.00
Available from: Amazon

Ming Green Side Chair

The dull January sky has me itching for some color so, of course, this bright true-green metal chair caught my eye. With a little Ming Dynasty thrown in, it fits the bill for robust seating in a modern-yet-eclectic home. And it’s welded from steel, so you can have it indoors or out.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

Comic Shelf

Check out this Comic Shelf by Oscar Nunez. It’s a good size at just over 3 feet wide, which means it would fit it in a variety of spaces- bathroom, bedroom, hallway, you name it. It’s now available through Groopti for $249.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $249.00
Available from: Groopti

Phoenix Coat Rack

100 bucks for a strange thrown-together-stick-like coat stand seems like a fair deal, doesn’t it? One of its cons is also a pro: the fasteners that keep the bars assembled are a teeny tiny bit distracting, yet the fasteners allow for disassembly and storage when not in use.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $109.00
Available from: fashion4home

Weather Master Wall Clock

Whenever it rains (as it is now) the thought of a hygrometer comes to mind, as if I’d actually pay attention to the humidity levels. If you’re more committed to understanding weather pattens than I, perhaps you’d use a combination thermometer and hygrometer wall clock? It’s not water proof (pity), so do be careful about where you place it… perhaps a covered patio area or porch? There’s also a few variations in color and design (see below).
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $47.78

Support BLTD by buying here.

Available from: Amazon

Two Sided Sleep Mask

For long haul flights, this mask is a must. Display your meal preference with no room for error (exception: you sleep on your face) and make the best out of the generally unpleasant experience that is flying for hours on end.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

Friday Links

The year is starting off slow it seems, but it’s probably just the post-holiday haze.

  • Who would love colorful Duck Tape? Me, and probably you, that’s who.
  • Eva Zeisel, Ceramic Artist and Designer, Dies at 105
  • Carved Book Landscapes by Guy Laramee.
  • Time Video: Jeff Harris documented his life by taking a photograph every day for 14 years.
  • Don’t set goals, change your daily habits. (via The Do Lectures kindling)
  • NYTimes: How Many Stephen Colberts Are There?
  • Happy weekend to you. See you on Monday.

    Cloud Key Holder

    I believe this key holder was first mentioned over on Swissmiss, and now there’s a US retailer for stateside convenience. Magnets hold your key ring in place under a little white cloud; hopefully it will help you avoid the frantic search when trying to find your keys.

    Keyholder with magnets in ABS and nylon.
    Designer: Duncan Shotton.
    Also available from his shop for £20: dshott.co.uk.

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $30.00
    Available from: Emmo Home