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Check out these colorful felt sleeves that folds around your laptop to keep it protected. When unfolded, the felt acts as a workspace with integrated mousepad. (If you have a sewing machine, chances are you could make something similar maybe?)

Felt colors available: Orange, Grey, Lime, Black and Pink.
Also available in Black or Brown leather (€189.00).

This looks like something straight out of Verner Panton’s portfolio, doesn’t it? Pink, orange, and yellow glass is combined to form these colorful ‘color-wheel’ tables. Now, if only they made this in a lucite-ish version at, let’s say, a fifth of the cost, then maybe it’d fit nicer into all of our budgets.

side table (20″dia x 16″h): $2,495
coffee table (31″dia x 12″h): $3,195

That’s right, a glass water bottle that is reusable, recyclable, transportable and dishwasher safe. But what about the glass, hmm? Afraid it’ll break? As long as you keep it from “radical falls” it should be perfectly fine. (On the Tkaro website there’s also an engraved option if you want it customized; price is just slightly higher at $37.95.)

Equivalent to 2 cups or 500mL.
Do not place in freezer or microwave. Not suitable for hot beverages.

One of our longstanding sponsors, 2modern, has an excellent giveaway going on from April 26th to May 25th. The Grand Prize includes a MASH Wall Mounted Desk, MASH Chair, MASH Wall Mounted Shelf with Base, and a MASH Wall Mounted Shelf, and as if that wasn’t enough, you also get a one hour color consultation from Color Expert Danielle Hirsch. What might you have to do to win all this? Just sign up for their newsletter, that’s all.

Visit 2modern for more details.

Hexagonal. Modular. Felt. Rug. I’m sort of speechless. There’s not a lot of background info on this whole series (there’s vases and bowls too that I’ll post separately), but apparently Portland designer Aurelie Tu works with women at the YWCA in order to create these handmade pieces. If the rug is a bit high for your price range, there’s equally impressive table runners: Interlocked Rounded Runner and Felt Offset Runner.

colors: snow white, cloud light grey, charcoal, orange mango, sunflower yellow and apple green.
Size: 4.5′ x 7′

Man, mobile gardening products sure are showing up left and right these days. These BACSACs are made from a 100% recyclable material that lets soil breathe and drain (which protects the roots of plants, fyi).

Square and Long BACSACs are based on 12″ squares.

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Designed by Thomas Buchheim, this super thin wall clock is just the thing to inject some color into your day. It measures in at just half an inch thick, which means you can hang it pretty much anywhere. Pretty impressive (and affordable too).

Uses one button cell LR1130 battery (included).
14.2″ diameter, 0.5″ thick

No more searching around for your favorite pens or pencils, because if you get this tray, you’ll use it. Sure, it’s a tad pricy, but depositing your writing implements on the soft (therefore quiet) rubber surface would appear to be entirely satisfactory.

7.1″L x 18.4″W x 0.5″H

Gym class. Did you love it or hate it? Either way, now you can remember (or rewrite) any old memories by owning this hand crafted table made from the maple floor of Kendigan Gym, built in 1964 in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Materials: reclaimed wood
Surface is intentionally unfinished.
Dimensions: 48″ L x 16″ W x 18″ H; frame: 1.5″ W

It’s taken a while for this lamp to finally be available for purchase, but my-oh-my, wasn’t it well worth the wait? Karl Zahn wanted the light assembly to be “as simple as opening a book”, and describes the light at its most basic level as a “composition of pages all working together in symmetry.” It arrives perfectly flat and through careful opening becomes a beautiful three dimensional shade. Available in either a pendant or table lamp, the white tyvek shade provides a warm, even glow to any area.

phrena pendant light, $78.00
phrena 2 table lamp, $95.00

Table lamp and more info shown below.

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Toy? I’d classify this thing as more of an awesome-strange-plaything-slash-art-object, because ‘toy’ doesn’t quite cover it. Each piece has three flexible arms with magnetic tips, so you can build all sorts of shapes and structures by attaching the arms to other pieces. The picture of it as a sort of room divider (shown above) sealed the deal for me, but take a look at the extra pictures below showing it as a weird artscape and toy/jewelry thing. So, yeah, it is a toy, but it could be ever so much more with a bit of creativity.

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This lovely wool and silk rug has a warm gold and red color scheme with just enough pattern to make a room interesting. The simple design on a otherwise flat background has an updated feel to it, and the red/gold almost reads as a neutral because the contrast is somewhat subtle. It’s the sort of piece that would work well with modern or traditional furnishings, which is always a good sign when you’re considering spending a good amount of money.

4′ x 6′

Add another reusable tote to your must-have list: this lightweight bag is made from a single sheet of #2 plastic and, just like the Ty Shower Curtain, you can write/draw on it as you wish. So, make notes, keep a travel log, or just keep it plain white (as I plan to do, at least at first). It’s machine washable and can be recycled when it has worn out.

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I could’ve sworn that we’ve posted these before, but just as well that we haven’t seeing as they’re a perfect fit for today. Yes, today is Earth Day. What does that mean to you? Hopefully something, as it looks like our little planet needs all the help it can get. If you want to see what else you can do (in addition to recycling, because you already do that, right?), take a look at Worldwatch’s suggestions. I bet there’s a few on there that won’t hurt you to add to your weekly routine.

So, now that’s said, let’s take a look at these fully biodegradable and compostable pieces. Intended for single-use, they’re beautiful alternatives to regular paper plates. Sample kits start at $18.00 and contains one of each of the 14 pieces in the WASARA collection along with a coupon for $20 off your next purchase. Individual pieces in packs of 12 start at $9.00.

Designed in Japan by Shinichiro Ogata / SIMPLICITY
materials: 100% tree-free renewable materials (sugar cane fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp)

Here’s a rather affordable LED lamp that will fit well within a modern workspace. Consuming only 9 watts, this light has a built-in 4 or 6 step dimmer (mini or regular size), giving you the option to pick just the right amount of light that you need for your task.

Available in daylight and warm-white light models.
Available in White, Silver, Red, or Black.
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