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Inscribed with the names of French cheeses in the geographic area where they are produced, this France-shaped board might be just the thing to get for your favorite turophile. (I had to look that word up, btw.)

set includes a Laguiole Cheese Knife with a stainless steel blade.

Instead of hiding your wires, why not create some interesting features out of them? Though I’m sure it’s not for everyone, it’s certainly a smart solution to pesky wires. I’d love to see this sort of idea used to make all-out faux period detailing in a room, as in, molding and such… though at that scale you’d be wasting a lot of wire.

[via Design*lounge]

Maybe you remember seeing Peter Schlumbohm’s Chemex Coffee Maker? The same functional simplicity is found in this water kettle.

Handblown from heat proof borosilicate glass, the kettle has no lid, yet is nearly completely enclosed. The silicone stopper ensures that steam escapes without coming into contact with the glass neck, allowing it to be used as a handle. Part of the Museum of Modern Art New York’s Permanent Collection.

Design: Peter Schlumbohm, USA, 1944
Dimensions: 8.5″D x 13″H
(or you can buy it here for $69.99.)

You’d have to be quite a fan to shell out $400 for this nativity, but hey, if you are, go for it… it’ll be a holiday highlight each year.

Alexander Girard amassed a huge collection of nativities, most of which he spent the last years of his life curating for his wing at the International Museum of Folk Art in Santa Fe. We thought it would be an appropriate homage to create a completely new nativity that is based on a Girard illustration that hangs in his son’s house.

– Non-toxic, child-safe inks
– Pieces 1″ (2.5 cm) to 7.75″ (19.5 cm) tall, Stable 11.75″ x 4″ x 8.75″ (30 cm x 10 cm x 22 cm)

[via Dwell]

If you had this in a hallway, wouldn’t you be tempted to see how far you could jump? Or would you just wear out your kids (or guests) by suggesting it? Note: a non-slip rug pad would be needed to make sure no accidents occurred.

100% new wool
Dimensions: 13’2″ x 3′

Check out this slim-fit house in Toronto. Making use of a super tight lot, the home is a smart example of how space and light can be used to the best advantage. Dwell has some good shots of the interior and exterior, and check out the architect’s site (Donald Chong Studio) for floor plans and extra photos. I especially love the landscaping in the outdoor areas.

[via Dwell]

So, you audiophiles, what do you think of this? I’ve never claimed to be an expert on sound, but this has some serious style to it. While currently it’s available through special order, there are a few Limited Editions in Silver Beech that are priced at $1600. Not cheap, certainly, but it looks like the people behind the speaker have put some thought into sustainability and quality, and we all know you get what you pay for (usually).

Designed by Grier Govorko and hand-crafted in New Zealand from real wood, Q-speakers use highly efficient Class D amplification to deliver 60W of smooth audio in stereo to you, the listener. Hidden from view, the mid/high speakers create an ‘all-around’ sound, the listener can be in front, behind, to the side and the sound remains perfect. This is made possible by what we call ‘reflective-sound’. Dave Levine, the genius responsible for the Red Hot Chili Peppers live sound, dreamt up this unique concept. Q-speakers adopted it.

Limited Edition collection starts at $1600.00

Shopping for recycling bins that fit right in your kitchen space can sometimes be a little difficult. These quite colorful bins were designed to fit under all kitchen sinks, and seeing as you can use any size or type of bag in them (even fit two bags per bin), it offers you a little bit of versatility.

-bins are made by offset printing on recycled plastics, shipped flat and put together by plastic rivets
-The bins or boxes cost between 15 – 22,50 euros.

Personally, I think the Mustache Napkin Rings have a bit more flair to them, but these chalkboard(ish) rings are simple enough to grace a streamlined tabletop. Might be a fun gift for a someone that loves throwing dinner parties.

set of 4 wood napkin rings with black matte surface, white pencil and sponge included.

Whoa. Though these are terribly expensive, they’re also completely spectacular. Part lighting and part sculpture, either of these lights are sure to become a treasured piece in your collection. I don’t mean ‘your collection’ in the home-is-a-museum sort of way, just that if you spend the money on one of these lights, you should love it enough to keep it forever.

MR. 2 (H 104.9″ x W 77.7″ x D 36.7″): $4,000.00
MR. 5 (H 49.7″ x W 88.8″ x D 31.9″): $4,000.00

Materials: Powder Coated Steel Tube, Ash, T8 LED Tube, Cork
Designer: Tomas Alonso

Whoa, these stainless steel bookends weigh nearly 4 lbs. a piece, which makes them absolutely perfect for your big art and design books. Simple hefty bookends are rather hard to find for some reason, so it’s lovely to find this perfect pair.

Design: Stefan Long, USA
Dimensions: 8″L x 7.75″W x 8″H

If you’re in need of a small step ladder to reach those upper shelves in your kitchen or closet, this retractable solid oak one might be a perfect fit.

“Two-level retractable step ladder in solid oak. A practical design that functions as a compact 3-step ladder with the lower pedestal pushed in. Alternatively, the lower pedestal slides out along safety runners to create a 2-level version for a surer footing. Handmade in Småland (Sweden).”

(Link and price updated March 21, 2011.)

Looking for something different this year to wrap your special gifts in? Well, look no further than Megan Herbert’s wrapping paper designs. My favorites are the two shown above (Snowflakes and Circulation), but the Skeletal and Respiration ones are equally intriguing and appropriate year round.

Each design represents elements we all as human beings share – the blood coursing through our veins (‘Circulation’), the bones helping us to stand strong (‘Skeletal’), the food that nourishes us (‘Digestion’), the air filling our lungs (‘Respiration’), and the traditions that shape our history (‘Snowflakes’). This limited edition collection is designed and printed in Iceland on reclaimed deadstock.

Two size options: Standard – 50 x 70 cm and Large – 70 x 100 cm
€12.00 – €15.00 for 3 to 4 sheets

Nice. With this timer you simply turn it to the number you want and it starts ticking down. Might not seem like the most genius thing, but when your hands are covered in cooking ingredients, you don’t really want to mess around with tiny buttons or switches.

Keeping time in the kitchen is no longer a crap shoot with this dice-like timer by Japanese design collective IDEA. Want a 3-minute egg? Simply turn the timer so the number 3 faces up, and instantly time starts ticking down. Beep! C’est fini. Or count down from 10, 30 or 60 minutes.

Size: 2.4″ x 2.4″ x 2.4″

I won’t mess around with talk of deck size or trucks because, although important, it’s really the graphics that stand out on this skateboard. And, hey, no tears if you’re not a skateboarder, you can always wear the T-shirt.

Hello is a collaboration between California based skateboarder Buddy Carr and New York based graphic designer Antonio Carusone.

T-shirt (Color: Black, White): $22.00
Skateboard, Limited Edition of 100: $160.00

[via things i have seen]