bltd

Hmm, you might want to consider the new ANDREA as a possible choice for an air filter for your home. It purifies the air by utilizing plants… sounds good, right? (If you have a green thumb, that is.)

Andrea is a revolutionary new air purifier engineered to significantly improve the air filtration capacity of natural plants. This living filter accelerates the removal of harmful VOC’s and toxins through the active infrastructure system of a plant to continuously clean and oxygenate the rooms in your home or office. Andrea naturally purifies air by drawing it in with a whisper quiet fan to propel it through the leaves and root system of a plant, then out through the water and soil filtration and back into the room. Works with any household plant. Ozone free operation. No replaceable filters.

Invented by designer Mathieu Lehanneur with David Edwards.
12.2 x 12.2 x 16.2 inches

Take a moment to rejoice, for Wallpaper* City Guides are now available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Happy travels may now commence.

Wallpaper* City Guides present a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller. Here is a precise, informative, insider’s checklist of all you need to know about the world’s most intoxicating cities.

Ten of the best selling Wallpaper* City Guides available now on the iPhone App Store.

You know those pointy ends of umbrellas that poke you in the face or that you poke other people in the face with? Well, no more. Enter in the Blunt Umbrella, with rounded corners that will keep you from injuring others and possibly also from injuring yourself. Plus, it’s got a few fancy reinforcements (radial tensioning system and double struts) to keep the structure intact when strong winds strike.

Available in three different sizes for individuals, couples or golfing.
Colors: Black, blue or silver.

[via designboom]

Who knew a boring work lamp could look so attractive simply by a few tiny changes and some gold-plating? (I’d wager a guess there are many things that would benefit from the same transformation, though don’t go and be all completely ridiculous about it.)

The Swedish trio behind Form Us With Love–Jonas Pettersson, John Lofgren and Petrus Palmer–refined the lowly utility light into something beautiful with a few new bends of the angled cage, a dimmer switch to match your mood, and thickening those wires by plating them in chrome or gold. The naked bulb is protected–you can treat it as haphazardly as the one in your garage. But it’s so striking you’ll want to spotlight one or more in your home or office.

Packaging: Gift Box
Size: 8″ t x 5.8″ dia
Cord is 10′ long with dimmer and plug.

The lamp comes in gold-plated ($120.00) and chrome-plated ($100.00) versions.

Also available here: € 145.00

(Thanks Malin!)

If you’ve got a clutter-y entryway or kitchen spot that seems to attract keys, mail and whatnots into a big ol’ mess, perhaps consider getting that junk sorted with this bamboo wall panel organizer. You can use dry erase markers to write notes and messages plus there’s hooks and cups to hold whatever you need holding.

Available in two styles; the bare panel can be hung vertically or horizontally, the channel panel�s stainless steel accessories slide into the exclusive channel system, tucked behind the front panel. The small channel panel has one bottom channel and comes with: two hooks, bamboo cup & holder, magnetic strip, 3 strong magnets, dry erase pen. The large channel panel has two channels and comes with: letter holder, three hooks, bamboo cup & holder, magnetic strip, 4 strong magnets.

Mounting hardware included.
Large � 31 1/2″ W x 15 3/4″ H
Small � 23 1/2″ W x 11 3/4″ H

We’ve posted something just like this before, but this is a better picture and a different price, so not sure if it’s the same or not. Anyways, unused billboards are made into colorful waste-paper baskets that will brighten up your work area (and maybe remind you to recycle/reuse some things that you would throw away otherwise?).

Dimensions: size adjustable
Materials: Recycled billboard-posters

I’ve been catching up on my rss feeds, and was delighted to find this Folding Chair and Ottoman over on Cool Material. Easy to transport and easy to store, it looks like something to seriously consider if you’re short on space (or, on the run).

Inspired by the clever design of pop-up books, we developed a chair that could be used as a permanent piece of furniture in modern homes and businesses but could also be easily transported, stored, and set up. Despite the minimalistic form, it provides a comfortable and stable resting place just about anywhere.

* Made from a single sheet of plywood
* Folds flat in seconds for quick storage
* Assembles easily without tools
* Optional snap-on cushions (in 3 colors)

The chair folds down to a 60″ x 30″ rectangle, at 1 3/4″ tall.
Shipping and handling for the Folding Chair anywhere in the Continental US is $130.

[via Cool Material]

I love the how the art display in this room adds interest to a section of (what looks to be) a huge white wall. The low cabinet running the length of the room also helps to anchor and focus the eye as well. (Lighting fixture: Random Light)

We’ve added another new member to our team. A big welcome to Troy Witter, who will be a contributing writer for BLTD. We’re looking forward to seeing how his background in trendspotting and fashion will round out our home furnishings selections. We hope that you’ll enjoy his finds.

If you’re into interesting glasses and teacups, check out the sale on Gaia & Gino selections. At up to half off, there are some items (especially the glasses) that would make an excellent buy for the design connoisseur.

FYI, the sale is through Gilt Groupe’s invite-only site (items sell out pretty quick).

I promise I won’t dissect each inspiration photo I post, but this one is tempting. I’ll just say that it’s a great mix of modern treatments (ceiling curve, kitchen cabinets) with some interesting ‘pops’ (crazy patterns of seating nook, gold door at back left) to keep it far from boring.

Photos: Scott Weston Architecture Design (for Vogue Living Australia).

Extra space is always at a premium, and if you work like I do, spreading out papers and such is a necessary evil to get a job done. This desk seems to tackle that problem with ease, with an extra drawer-like surface to give you the space you need. Plus, the idea of not necessarily having to straighten up (instead just push in the drawer) is a nice thought.

Hidden cord management storage.
dimensions: 56″l x 26″w x 31″h

Whether you’ve solved ‘the cube’ or not, you might get a kick out of these salt and pepper mills.

These salt and pepper mills are the ultimate tabletop tribute to the 80’s icon. Each cube is built around a high-quality ceramic grinding mill. The top layer of the cube rotates to operate the mill. The action of grinding the pepper or salt has the same feel and sound as the classic cube puzzle.

2.25″ square.

Available as a pair ($34.00) or individually ($17.00).

While I’m patiently waiting for the new stuff to hit stores, I’m also keeping my eyes peeled for snap-up worthy sales. These utilitarian soft bags have no visible tags or brands that I can see, and for those of us that dislike unnecessary visual clutter (i.e. brands) upon ourselves, that’s simply a godsend.

Messenger Bag Small (11″ W 14″), $220.00 Now: $110.00
Messenger Bag Medium (H 13″ W 16″), $245.00 Now: $122.50
Soft-Top Briefcase (), $420.00 Now: $210.00

This baby is crazy big. Standing at about 6-feet tall, this Anglepoise-ish lamp uses a combination of oak and cast iron balancing weights to function. It’s quite a sight to see in person, even if it is a bit beyond most of our budgets.

Design Freshwest, 2009.
Oak frame, cast iron.
Made in The Netherlands by Moooi.
70.8″ h | 27.5″ w | cord; 118″ L

Brave new world is available in natural oak & requires 1xE27, 20W max lightbulb.