bltd

This is the sort of rug that makes you want it no matter the price, because of the following reasons: it’s strange, no one else has it (probably), your guests would spend all sorts of time trying to decipher the imagery (which would give you more time to get the table set/drinks poured, etc.), and it’s black and blue and white, which could act as a neutral in a very tricky* (but delightful) way.
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No, it’s not food, so don’t try to eat it. Actually, it is food, but in a recycled sense, so you could try to eat it but it probably wouldn’t do any favors for your tastebuds. They’re kitchen scrubber cloths; they’ll clean up messy dishes without detergent and I’m assuming they’re friendlier to the environment than the plastic alternative. (Let’s be honest here, how many of you would try the taste just out of curiosity? Hmm? What if I gave you $5? Maybe then?)

The natural abrasives in these scrubbing cloths make for a resiliant kitchen utility. No detergent is needed for use, though a tiny dab of soap can be applied for the greasiest of dishes. The scrubbing cloth can be used for several months, gets curlier and softer with use and resists odor and bacteria.

The yellow coarse scrub is made from recycled corn cobs while the red gentle scrub is made from peach pits.

Designer: Hiroki Hayashi, 2008

$11.00, Buy it here.

As I remember, Artecnica launched this product back in ’08 to mixed reviews. It’s the first piece in Artecnica’s Wiremore™ collection, a series of electrical products aiming to change power cords and wires from “concealed, passive objects into visible, active elements that aesthetically and functionally energize living and working spaces”. [via dezeen]
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Hmm, sawhorse legs on a storage console…good or bad? I’m leaning towards good, but I’d like it a little more if there were other leg options to choose from.

Our pared down take on the classic sawhorse is used as a leg for this cabinet. Shown in white oak with ebonized doors in a surprising, chiseled finish. Touch latch door closure.

white oak with hand-planed blackened maple doors and ebonized oak legs.
Console also available in ebonized oak or oil and wax-finished natural walnut
72″ wide x 18″ deep x 31″ high

$2,950.00, Buy it here.

I know I’m not the only one who gets a little weak in the knees when seeing a stack of Moleskine notebooks (at least I admit it), so if some of you have seen this already, my apologies. The new project planner looks to have all the features we know and love in the traditional Moleskine, except inside you’ll find a 54 accordion page sheet that allows you to view your project’s time line at a glance.

With two layouts for both short and long term projects, it makes your planning easy to see at a glance. The creative concept features one giant sheet of heavyweight paper folded in to 54 zig-zag accordion pages. If you want, pull out the entire page and extend it to view your project in one discrete linear view. Both sides feature a month view, but in two different ways. One has it in a linear format, covering two days along two folds, with eleven spaces to write project details. The other side features several pages of useful info (more on that below) and a horizontal format.

3.5 x 5.5 inches
$13.95, Buy it here.

With that back-to-school feeling in the air, there might as well be some study aids featured. Similar to the Book Darts I posted a while ago, these bookmarks will hold a place without damage to pages. The magnetic closure ensures each mark will stay secure and the colors allow for some coding should you need it. (These sort of look like a hybrid of post-it flags and the Book Darts, don’t you think?)

These colorful, reusable magnetic bookmarks are a super easy way to prominently mark a specific line of text for future reference, a memorable passage in a book, or earmark all your favorite recipes. Simply open the point and slip the bookmark over a page and it will adhere securely. So much more book friendly than resorting to bent corners, paper clips, or high-lighting; and much neater than post-it notes sticking out of a book to note a place. Their glossy coating makes them super durable. Great for students, researchers or anyone who wants to notate something in a book without harming the pages.

25 multi-colored bookmarks to a container.

$8.75, Buy it here.

Seeing as I posted the Slow Chair today and mentioned this houseboat, I might as well give you the pics too. While not all of us can live on the water, the Maison Flottante does give inspiration for a minimal aesthetic. In this particular case, a few curated pieces allows for more visual space while large windows center attention on the view.

The Floating House is a studio for resident artists and authors invited by the Cneai, national contemporary art center for publication. Initiated in 2002 by a public commission and finished in 2006, this habitable barge was realized in collaboration with the architects Jean-Marie Finot and Denis.

photos: www.gaelleleboulicaut.com

See it here. (click 2006, floating house : interiors)

Take a look at this Praying Mantis inspired floor lamp by Jonathan Adler. I like the rattan on the white metal frame, especially with the slightly strange angled base.

20″ long x 27″ wide x 60″ high

$350.00, Buy it here.

This would be extremely handy to have for any notebook/schedule where you need a writing instrument close at hand. I’m sure you’ve experienced the frustration of losing your pen/pencil in your bag, so just imagine how nice it would be to have it right where you need it.

“It’s self adhesive, so you can stick it to the back cover of any notebook, calendar, planner or address book. The loop is elastic. Adhesive is permanent. The adhesive portion measures 1.5 x 1.5 inches; the actual loop is approximately 5/8 inch wide x 3/4 inch high.”

Constructed of hard plastic.

I post this with considerable trepidation. On one hand, having a huge trunk to stuff all sorts of work papers and items plus a computer would be exceptionally nice in that you could close it all off and see a nice looking old trunk instead of a messy workspace. On the other hand it is absolutely huge and might look like an elephant in the corner, plus some people might assume you have a Real Doll in there, and that would not do your reputation any good whatsoever. So, it’s up to you to decide whether the risk is worth the advantage, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. (Also, if you’re into the antique steamer trunk thing, there’s a sizable collection of them (media stands, dressers, etc.) to check out at Restoration Hardware).

* Crafted by antiques dealer and furniture maker Timothy Oulton of London
* Reproduction antique steamer trunk
* Features a pull-down desktop and multiple drawers, cubbies, wire management and bookshelves
* Stands on wheels for mobility and closes for storage and privacy

Dimensions: 39″W x 29″D x 76″H

$3,995.00, Buy it here.

Yet another product from the new Ikea PS collection. This little table is one of the highlights in my opinion. For the price, the shape and size are hard to beat, and maybe this won’t make a lot of sense, but somehow it doesn’t seem overly Ikea to me…that might change with time, but I hope not.

Solid Wood
Diameter: 18 1/2 ”
Height: 10 5/8 ”

$59.99, Buy it here.

Some fun patterned household tools from Alice Supply Co…might make some tasks a bit more enjoyable perhaps?

Camo Dustpan & Broom Set, $40.00, Buy it here.
Woodgrain Dustpan & Dust Broom, $40.00,
Buy it here.
Camo Tool Box, $60.00, Buy it here.
Wood Grain Tool Box, $60.00, Buy it here.

Keep those ’emergency supplies’ close at hand with this wall mounted bar cabinet. (Shame that the price is quite high, but maybe that means it’s made extremely well?)

safety is always first, but happy hour is a close second. named for the bar at tempelhof airport, the melli compact lounge is slim, wall mounted and provides storage for your favorite elixir. bar tools are included but liquor is not. the laminate work surface is easy to clean. and…in case you need a nightcap…the soft open hinges prevent the door from slamming.

34″W x 23″H x 7″D

$1,699.00, Buy it here.

Made from sustainable, plantation grown solid shesham wood, this steel legged table looks like it has the size and price to fit the bill of many a dining room. The wood top adds warmth while the steel legs add a modern-rustic vibe.

Sustainable solid shesham wood top
Steel trestle base with black powdercoat finish
Handcrafted
83″Wx34″Dx30″H

(reg. $799.00) $699.00, Buy it here.

If wallet woes are holding you back from dressing your bed appropriately with a proper headboard, perhaps consider these graphic options to give the look without spending a bunch of money.

Designed by Mina Javid.

Wrought Iron Headboard, 40″-78″ x 54″, $40.00, Available at Blik
Nico Headboard, 39″-76″ x 53″, $40.00, Available at Blik

Also check out Olivia and Nessa Headboard.