bltd

I’ve always been drawn to terrariums. Too bad I have little to no luck with plants, otherwise I’d think about getting one of these quirky fellows from litill. They’ve got quite a few shapes and sizes to choose from (starting at $125 for a 5″x6″), so take a look if you’re interested.

phlox (pictured):
$200 s (4.5x8in)
$300 m (5.5x10in)
$400 l (7x12in)

Our first free header spot* goes to Julie Rooney of Blend Design. The Birdbottle was actually first posted on BLTD last August, but we now get a chance to ask Julie a few questions about the design:

What inspired you to create this product?
I was inspired to design the Birdbottle when I was at someone’s home and on their backyard fence they had a replica of the old Williamsburg bird bottle. It struck me as a unique take on a birdhouse and when I researched it more I discovered it had a really great history to go along with it as well. So I thought it would be great to create a modernist version of this once colonial object.

How long did it take to create a final version ready for sale?
The first initial sketch for the Birdbottle was done several years ago but I didn’t actually start working on bringing it to life until my husband and I launched Blend Design which was in early 2008. It then took us about a year to get it to its final version. We did several prototypes until we got to the final end product that we are really happy with.

What were the major hurdles from first inception to final product?
The major hurdle that we encountered with creating the Birdbottle was with the actual manufacturing of the product. Being a small company we couldn’t afford to do large quantities so we struggled with being as cost effective as possible. We also wanted to work with local vendors. But we discovered that many companies don’t want to be bothered with such low quantity orders, which is understandable but frustrating none the less. Fortunately we were able to find some great vendors and our product is entirely manufactured in Pennsylvania.

Thanks Julie for participating in our short q&a.

More about the Birdbottle:

What once was a functional necessity in the 18th century is now a testament to modernist design and simple function. Constructed out of aluminum, the Birdbottle’s tubular profile and slanted entrance roof provide ample security for nesting birds. The polished stainless steel perch welcomes birds home and provides a perfect spot for them to sit outside and watch over the surrounding landscape. Made in the USA

$142.00, Buy it here.

*If you’re a product designer and you’d like your product featured in a free header on BLTD, please read the submission guidelines before emailing us.

I think my heart stopped at the sight of the Black Dome Lamp. What is it about black matte lamps? Maybe it’s that the appearance is so contrary to their function? Whatever the reason, these two lights are lovely and minimalist (and expensive).

The dome lamp is an iconic representation of “what is light.” Light emanates evenly in a 360 degree pattern from its source (such as in the case with the sun), so therefore the most honest approach toward the design of a lamp was a spherical solution. The design is essentially a “globe” form, “hollowed out” to allow the light to distribute. Such a mathematical solution enables the design to be timeless and familiar, however completely new in approach, as it is more of an engineering solution than a fashion-based one.

Shade Pendel Lamp (left), $1,000.00
Designed by Signe Bindslev Henriksen & Peter Bundgaard Rützou, (9.8h x 23.6w x 23.6d)

Black Dome Lamp (right), $700.00
designed by Todd Bracher, (15h x 15.7w x 15.7d)

Also by Mater: Counter Stool

Do you know how Penguin books got started? Well, here you go*.

A shortened version for those of you too lazy to click on the link:

A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a different and iconic Penguin book jacket. From classics to crime, here are over seventy years of quintessentially British design in one box. In 1935 Allen Lane stood on a platform at Exeter railway station, looking for a good book for the journey to London. His disappointment at the poor range of paperbacks on offer led him to found Penguin Books. The quality paperback had arrived. Declaring that ‘good design is no more expensive than bad’, Lane was adamant that his Penguin paperbacks should cost no more than a packet of cigarettes, but that they should always look distinctive.

Also available here for £14.99.

I love these angled shelves by ALS DESIGNS. Whether alone or in a group, they’re a lot more interesting than regular ol’ floating shelves (which, of course, is reflected in the price).

Left or right pointing angle shelf. Urea formaldehyde-free bamboo with a zero VOC, water resistant finish with 100% natural Tung Oil.

Designed in Brooklyn & Made in the U.S.A.
6.5″w x 26.5″d x 8.25″h

[via svpply]

Maybe it’s the soft lighting in these photos, but these erasers seem like the perfect small gift for anyone that still uses pencil and paper.

shown: “You have to know the rules to break them.” “To Error Is Human.”
not shown: “I never make misteaks.” “Don’t give up!”

If you’ve ever run across room temperature shrimp or luke warm celery sticks, you’ll know how this chilled melamine tray could be put to good use. It has a removable cooling gel pad that you can chill in the freezer before using, which means all the cold foods will stay that way.

-set includes a melamine tray with subtle indentions for easy carrying, a removable cooling gel pad and a porcelain platter.
-Porcelain platter is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Kasper Rønn, 2009
Size: 1.25h x 14″diam.

Here’s a small grouping of bathroom photos with aqua/blue small tile used (almost) everywhere. I love the way it looks, but would you get tired of all that color after a while?

top left: AT: Kimberly’s Loft
top right: Scott Weston Archtecture*Design
bottom left: Scott Weston Archtecture*Design
bottom right: Beach Studios

Talk about wall art, this huge mural is one heck of a commitment. You can order whatever size you want, of course, but seeing it this size sure makes an impact, doesn’t it?

With this wallpaper, you choose the custom size you want, Height x Width and the design will be scaled to that size. It will come in self adhesive strips that overlap to make a seamless, large scale mural.

Production fee: $500.00 plus $6.44/sq ft.

This reminds me of the Candle with matchbox (which, btw, I can’t find for sale online anymore), in that it conveniently integrates the match box into the design of the candleholder. No more searching for random matchbooks in the kitchen drawer every time you want a little candlelight.

Design: Kristina Stark Design
One box of matches is included in the price.

Length: 6 cm, Width: 4 cm, Height: 2 cm, $17.00
Length: 12 cm, Width: 7 cm, Height: 3 cm, $38.00

Does this slightly crinkled journal elicit any cravings to pick up a pencil and draw? Or perhaps writing down your daily thoughts is more your style? Either way the colorful pages might tempt you to spend a bit more time with a pen or pencil rather than your keyboard.

A product from the oldest paper mill in the western world, the Artist’s Journal is ideal for ink, pencil charcoal or pastels. It is made of 12 elegant colours of Fabriano Ingres 90g paper. The journals come in two sizes and contain 192 plain sheets.

12×16 cm, $30.00
16×21 cm, $38.00

Also check out Amazon for other colors (and prices).

See that big header/banner up at the top of our page? Well, we’ve been thinking about offering one of those headers up for grabs. For free. Here’s the deal:

1) You must be a product designer/artist (no big retailers please) with an item that’s buyable online
2) Your item must be fit within the category of home furnishings, personal accessories or gadgets
3) You must submit a header (1170×191, you can download a .psd guide here) featuring an image of your product along with a purchase link

What does this free header spot mean? Well, it means you’ll get extra exposure plus maybe a few extra sales if you’re lucky. Try to keep in mind the aesthetic of our site and keep your header design simple.

Email your image submission (contact -at- betterlivingthroughdesign -dot- com) plus the link to your item or website and we’ll get back to you super soon.

If we get enough submissions, we’ll think about offering it up on a more permanent basis, so spread the news.

KimKim’s leather ‘paper’ bag joins the club of look-a-likes (see MyPaperBag) as well as offering a few smaller sized options.

By staying close to the original designs, inspiration, and basic construction methods, we pay homage to the honesty in ordinary products. At first glance, the identical proportions and symmetry more than elude to everyday products. The result is not homespun or designer kitsch, but a discerning elegance that is modest, yet exceptional. Our products are not used for praise or display, but adheres to a certain virtuosity which contemporary fashion lacks. Accordingly, our products transcend the elements of fashion by outclassing the test of facetious trends.

(thanks john for the email)

If you’re sympathetic to the goldfish and their usually small accommodations, picture these bookends holding flowers or corks or keys… there’s all sorts of things that could be put on display while serving the very worthy purpose of keeping your books in place.

Stands about 8″ tall x 5″ wide at base.

[via pointclickhome]

Usually the phrase ‘inspired by’ signals something iffy going on, but this piece is a good choice if you’re in the market for a chaise. While it’s distinctly midcentury in design, the classic pared-down design will mix well with other styles and allow you quite a bit of versatility. The sale ends today, so take notice of the prices if you’re interested.

H 27″ W 75″ D 33.5″

Chaise: Was: $1,800.00 (Now: $1,530.00)
Chaise Arm and Cushion: Was: $450.00 (Now: $382.50)