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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)

 
 

Bilbao C Tote

Warning for fans of Issey Miyake: this latest addition to the Bilbao series might make your heart all aflutter.

The latest addition to the Bilbao series, this bag has a triangular pattern printed in high-density ink on a cotton canvas base, creating a casual, durable, and versatile bag. One interior pocket. Made of cotton and nylon. Hand-wash only.

Size: 14.25″sq; Strap: 16.5l x 1.25″w

Purchase Information:

Price: $190.00
Availability: Buy Bilbao C Tote here

Nora Custom Dining Table

This table solves the problem of a custom size dining table for a pretty reasonable price, and more importantly, it’s beautifully simple. Add a set of modern chairs with this wood table and you’ve got a classic look that will last a very long time.

from 32-48″W to 36-90″L
Price Range: $1,590.00 – $2,890.00

Also, there’s the Nora Custom Extension Dining Table ($2,490.00 – $3,690.00) should you need expandable options.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,590.00
Availability: Buy Nora Custom Dining Table here

Cell Phone Telephoto Lens

Hmm. Sometimes I wish my phone would take better pictures, but as to whether I would go to the trouble to carry this around and put it on when I want to take (better) pictures, I just don’t know. I’m curious as to how well it would work.

“Simply and easily top the camera on your cell phone, iPhone or any other smart phone with this external lens, sure to upgrade your phone’s camera to create high-quality photos. Coated optical lens for magnifying objects up to 8 times; clear focus; adjustable clamp for fitting most phones.”

Adjusts from approx 1.5″w to 2.75″w.

[via Incredible Things]

Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00
Availability: Buy Cell Phone Telephoto Lens here

Source: Via

Lovi Postcards

Your penmanship is probably lacking exercise, so think about sending one of these postcards to a friend or loved one to make their day. The flat-packed pieces create either a heart, bird, or pig, so they’ll get your note plus a visible trinket to remember your message by.

Designed by Anne Paso of Finland.

Pack includes directions for assembly.

Purchase Information:

Price: $14.50
Availability: Buy Lovi Postcards here

Fernlund & Logan Loft

Remember this wall art I posted a while ago? Well, that particular interior was bugging me, because I thought I saw it somewhere before. And BAM! Today I saw it over on LoftLife. So much freaking white space, it’s almost not fair. If I lived there, those glossy grey floors would be treated to my rollerskates all the time.

USB Rechargeable LED Light

Desk lamp or book light, this rechargeable LED light sounds like a handy thing to have around.

This versatile mobile light can be clipped onto a book, or used as a desk lamp when inserted into its charging dock. Simply swivel the dock and pivot the head to direct light exactly where it’s needed. Charge through any USB port with the included USB connector.

Size: Assembled: 11h x 4.5″ base diam.

Purchase Information:

Price: $28.00
Availability: Buy USB Rechargeable LED Light here

Canteen Utility chair

Inspired by the post war school chair, this steel frame and beech plywood chair would work in the home or in a commercial environment. The color of the frame really makes the whole design seem playful on top of the utilitarian materials. Both lightweight and stackable, it’s a good choice for a high use area.

Powder coated steel frame married to a pressed beech plywood seat and back.
Steel frame available in grey white, jet black, mint turquoise, telemagenta, melon yellow or yellow green.

Designed by Very Good And Proper.

50w x 57.5d x 46/81h

(If you’re in the US, you can contact neo-utility for purchasing info.)

Purchase Information:

Price: ยฃ217.00
Availability: Buy Canteen Utility chair here

What chair is this?

Hey, one of your fellow readers, Maureen, emailed to ask what this chair is called. Usually I’d quickly respond with the answer, along with a link and price (as is my habit when responding to one of you), but in this particular case, I cannot think of the name nor manufacturer. Surely one of you might have an idea? Please reach into your memory and let us know by commenting, or emailing, if that’s more your style.

(The picture above is from DWR’s Freja Sofa, but I certainly don’t remember them ever carrying a chair like that.)

UPDATE: Mark, a reader, responded saying it’s the Holy Day Lounge by Jean Marie Massaud. Thanks Mark!

More information:

View What chair is this? here

I Swear to Good You Are God at This

Maybe you’ve seen this little book by Holiday Matinee? If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. It’s full of 25 creative people (and their projects) who’ve escaped the hum-drum and are now doing what they love to do. Sounds like just the thing to give you a kick in the pants, doesn’t it? If you’re sitting on a good idea but too scared to get it going, a read through this might help you believe the risk is worth it.

More on Dave Brown’s vision & company: Holiday Matinee.

I Swear to Good You Are God at This

I Swear to Good You Are God at This

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Availability: Buy I Swear to Good You Are God at This here

Totem Votive Set

Stack and build as you please with this votive set by Eric Janssen.

The modular design of these three natural beech wood tealight holders allows them to be arranged in a variety of heights and configurations. Multiple sets can be used together to create a more dramatic effect. Made of natural beech wood. Votive candles included. Two sets shown.

Size: Stacked: 9.75h x 2″diam.
Eric Janssen, 2009

Purchase Information:

Price: $26.00
Availability: Buy Totem Votive Set here

iPad

Is it overkill to post this? Maybe, considering everyone’s abuzz about it. It does look enticing… I’ll reserve judgement until reviews are out. Visit Apple site for technical specs.

16GB: $499.00
32GB: $599.00
64GB: $699.00

Wi-Fi models shipping in late March.
3G models shipping in April.

Purchase Information:

Price: $499.00
Availability: Buy iPad here

Aicf 20th Anniversary- Martinez Blanket

You can help fund scholarships for the American Indian College Fund by buying this blanket. As if we needed extra reasons. Some of the other blankets are pretty eye-catching as well, and have me wondering where I might fit one into my home.

Legendary Southwest ceramic artist Maria Martinez 1887-1980) is renowned for her black-on-black pottery, re-creating an ancient art form until then seen only in museums. In the Tewa pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico, she was known for making the thinnest pots in the fastest amount of time. She shared her traditional techniques and skills with her family, her Pueblo and the world, in keeping with her belief that an individual could not succeed without supporting the group.

64″ x 80″

Thanks to Jason for the link.

Purchase Information:

Price: $275.00
Availability: Buy Aicf 20th Anniversary- Martinez Blanket here

Inspiration: Black Glossy Floors

More proof that black isn’t going anywhere. I wish I would stop finding pictures of glorious black shiny floors, because it makes me itch to paint my own hardwood floors (that have absolutely nothing wrong with them).

[via BOLIG Magasinet]

House 43, photos Dujardin Filip

OWI is a treasure trove of homes to break my heart against, I swear. This strange one has all sorts of odd choices, but the end result is honest and comfortable. Things to pay attention to: the unassuming facade, the atrium with retractable roof (of course), the staircase through the brick wall and the small glass floor portion below (shown lower right), huge metal bookcases filled to the brim, the lack of ‘finish’ to the ceilings, and about ten other things that I won’t list. It’s like a person you meet that seems sort of boring until you discover they are absolutely fascinating.

Parafernalia Falter 2D Designer Pen

Otherwise known as ‘the pen that you make’, this pen is handmade out of industrial steel. The snap apart template includes elements to make a ball point pen, stand and mini ruler. Now, you ask, why in the world would you pay $40 for a pen that you have to make when there’s a dozen perfectly good bic pens at your disposal? Good question. For the tinkering, I suppose, or for the novelty. I found more pics and info at Visual Streak, if you’re interested.

5″ l x .5″ w x .5 h

Purchase Information:

Price: $39.00
Availability: Buy Parafernalia Falter 2D Designer Pen here