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I mentioned a while back that I would be able to compile a gift list for someone in dire need of ideas. Such is the case for reader Elizabeth, who has asked very nicely for help in finding her significant other a birthday gift. Guidelines: he loves design and art, books, fishing, nature, music and exercise, and a has thing for lobsters…
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Chances are if you’re near a wooded lot and own a saw, you could make something similar to these coasters pretty easily. However, they probably wouldn’t be teak and you’d spend a few hours replicating 4 coasters that cost $12.

4.25″ approx diameter.
Set of 4.

I’ve had this site bookmarked for a while now, and finally got a chance to go through it semi-thoroughly. If you’ve an empty spot for a piece of artwork, there’s a few gems that might fit. Here are a few random favorites.
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What’s the big deal about a blue spoon, you ask. Sometimes the tiniest tools make our lives a little easier, and that is just the case for this spoon designed by the Castiglioni brothers. It’s intended to retrieve the very last bits at the bottom of the jar, and, for anyone particular about using up the last teaspoon of mayonnaise, jam, or spread, it’ll most certainly be appreciated. Originally designed in 1962 and reissued by Alessi in 1997.

You’ll not be surprised that this expandable rack was originally made out of wood in 1924, as it’s most certainly not the most sleek and modern storage option out there. However, that’s its distinct appeal; the industrial quality of (recycled) aluminum makes for a no-nonsense file system that allows you to easily see all papers, projects, etc. and have them right at hand. The collator can be hung vertically on the wall or kept horizontally on your work surface. Previously priced at $140, it’s now on sale for $98.

Note: Or, as Brian and Joe commented below, you can get one from a stationery or office supply store for around $30. Thanks guys. Here are a few links: $26.12 at
thetwistergroup.com, $27.68 at shoplet.com, or $33.02 at Amazon.

Made in Germany.

So, air purifers. I used to think I had no need for one, but after living on a busy London street for about 2 years, I saw enough dust and grime to make me believe otherwise. This purifier by Humanscale removes more than 99% of airborne particles and employs a silent, breeze-free and ozone-free operation. Those attributes combined with its smallish size (13″ W X 9″ D X 14″ H) hopefully means it would all but disappear when cleaning the air.

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Amateur or pro, this wooden tripod would no doubt become an heirloom in any photographer’s toolkit. Built in the same way for over 100 years in Germany by Berlebach, the tripod is made of sustainably harvested ash wood and extends from 2 to 6 feet. An aluminum core keeps it light at 6.20 lbs, meaning you can tote it around semi-comfortably at events or short hikes. Also, did you know that wood absorbs vibration naturally? So, less worries about shaky pics.
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Post-Its are oh-so-convenient, as you might know, and for those of us that find them integral to our work habits, let’s take a moment to appreciate this grid version. I can’t think of all the ways these would come in handy, but I know I would use the heck out of them. Perhaps one could graph a few quadratic functions (as one does, often), sketch out a simple organizational chart, or just make the grocery list neat and tidy.

Genuine Post-It ® brand
50 notes per pad
Set of three pads

Hmm, this chair from Room & Board has a quiet sort of beauty, doesn’t it? It has just enough mid century modern flavor to keep it from being boring, yet it’s not something that screams ‘look at me, look at me’ when you first enter the room. It would be an excellent seating choice for a low key area. You have a choice between solid maple, solid cherry, solid walnut or solid maple with ebony stain (do you get that it’s made from solid wood?).
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By all means, if you’re able to make this yourself please do so. The price tag is a bit hard to swallow, I know, especially since it’s a beanbag in the shape of a tire and intended for kids. However, it is knitted wool, sewn to a polyester fleece, and has appropriate detailing that puts it well above, say, something you’d find on sale in the kid’s section at your local furniture store. And, of course, Bertjan Pot is the designer, so if you’re an admirer (I am) you’ll appreciate the concept, if not the price point.
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If you liked the Brass Clip Numbers, you might also consider adding this ruler to your desk tools. Made of solid brass, it has a nice weight to it and has one raised edge to prevent smudging. There’s also a lovely Brass Pen if you appreciate consistency.
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Have a lovely weekend.

Ah, who among us wouldn’t enjoy eating off of a face from the National Gallery’s collection? It’d be satisfactory to say the least. The plates are melamine, so no risk of breakage at picnics or parties, and there’s a selection of 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates and 1 large platter.
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Do you need yet another gadget for your iPhone? Maybe. This little guy makes your iPhone mountable on a tripod as well as giving you various viewing angles. It’s made from recyclable rubberized plastic and is small enough to fit in your pocket. Might make a good gift for a fellow photo-taking-iPhone-fan, perhaps?
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This might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s notable nevertheless. Piet Hein Eek’s Scrapwood Wallpaper looks quite real (super high resolution printing) and would give a rustic/antiqued feel to a room in a snap. Plus, you get over 43 square feet of unique planks with no repeat.

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