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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)

 
 

Areaware Sale (Gilt Groupe)

If you missed the Areaware sale that ideeli had a while back, stop kicking yourself and take advantage of Gilt Groupe’s sale today. (It’s an invitation-based site, fyi.)

Kuma Dot Bear, (reg:$50.00)
Sale:$25.00
Blue Clocks, (reg:$100.00)
Sale:$50.00
Reality Wine Rack, (reg:$95.00)
Sale:$29.00
Reality Bookshelf, (reg:$120.00)
Sale:$60.00
Alma Simple Cup & Saucer, (reg:$75.00)
Sale:$25.00
Chow Cushion, (reg:$48.00)
Sale:$24.00
Reality Hand Hook, (reg:$75.00)
Sale:$28.00
Reality Desk Set, (reg:$90.00)
Sale:$28.00
Gold Reality Key Chain, (reg:$45.00)
Sale:$22.00

Buy it here.

ICFF 2009

As usual, here’s a smattering of photos from ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) this weekend. Overall I think there was a pretty good selection of new items to get excited about (I’ll refrain from personal commentary on how the economic climate is affecting the design world) and it was interesting to see how designers are playing with materials/colors/finishes. I’ll do my best to post items individually as they become available for purchase online; hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.

More pics below.
(more…)

Midway Coffee Table

I finally saw this in person whilst making the rounds in NYC this weekend for ICFF (picture montage to follow shortly), and I do have to say I was impressed with how sleek and simple this table was up close. I give it two thumbs up.

Nature nurtures metal in material mix. Beautifully grained, warm sustainable solid shesham wood spans industrial bridge of black powdercoated flat steel. Natural lacquer protects.

56″Wx16″Dx14″H

$299.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00
Availability: Buy Midway Coffee Table here

Water Clock

Hmm. Perhaps this leans more towards the art category than time telling as far as functionality, but either way it’s an interesting idea.

Kouichi Okamoto’s Water Clock tells time with water and magnets. Inside the ceramic base are 2 rotating magnets which attract 2 balls – the red one showing the hours, the white one the minutes.

Will work with any plate, glass, combination thereof or anything that can hold water.

Designer: Kouichi Okamoto
Dimensions: 2″H x 7.85″W x 7.85″D
Materials: Ceramic, Polypropylene, Magnets

$289.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $289.00
Availability: Buy Water Clock here

Parquet Dining Table

This is one snazzy table. I love the angular legs and parquet detailing, and, to sweeten the deal, there’s a removable leaf for versatility.

Our Parquet Dining Table is a solid, classic design that demonstrates our commitment to craft. Crisp, angular legs and an impeccably crafted oak tabletop are delightful for entertaining. The center leaf is surprisingly easy to remove for an intimate gathering.

quarter-sawn oak, includes a removable 22″ leaf
94″ long x 36″ wide at center x 30″ high (72″ long without leaf)

$3,800.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $3,800.00
Availability: Buy Parquet Dining Table here

John Beck Chalkboard Pendant

The fun to be had with a chalkboard pendant light…

Yes, you can write on it. Designed by St. Louis, MO artisan John Beck, this steel sheet lamp shade can (literally!) send a message. Comes with a 15″ cord with plug end and an in-line switch. Chalk not included.

Available in three sizes: 6″ x 5″, 6″ x 10″, and 6″ x 15″.

$175.00-$295.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $175.00-$295.00
Availability: Buy John Beck Chalkboard Pendant here

Showtime Multileg Cabinet

Interchangeable legs and a drop-dead blue color qualifies this cabinet for my wish list…unfortunately, the price makes it go into the ‘if-I-win-the-lottery’ subcategory.

Interchangeable legs support this Showtime Cabinet as it expresses dichotomy and symbiosis. Things internal and external play out in organic forms and established classicism, resting against each other, elegantly coexisting. Noticeable inspiration comes from classical MGM musicals in terms of the dramatic and personified shapes for which the Spanish designer seems to have a penchant.

Jaime Hayon for BD Barcelona
Each Module: 39.4″ W x 32″ H x 20.5″ D
(Three Module Wide Cabinet Pictured.)
$4950.00 per Module, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $4950.00
Availability: Buy Showtime Multileg Cabinet here

MOOF Bicycle

Talk about a sweet ride. This bicycle has some very nice touches- check out the integrated headlight (solar powered of course) and the leather seat/grips.

MOOF improves the basic functionality of the urban Dutch bicycle by combining a beautiful extruded aluminum frame with integrated solar powered head and tail lights. This single speed sleek and smooth urban cruiser is both smart and conscientious.

Designer: Sjoerd Smit
Dimensions (inches): 72 x 36 x 22 inches

$600.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $600.00
Availability: Buy MOOF Bicycle here

Wrap Wrap

It’s nice to see a simpler (in the way of craft) wire management tool. The natural material provides a little bit of balance to the tech/gadgetry.

Wrap wrap is an innovative wire management tool that brings an element of simplicity and craft to the concept. Created with beautiful walnut or oak, Wrap Wrap keeps your ipod or mouse cables under control. Designed by Naoto Yoshida for to.mo.ni of Japan.

Finish: Walnut or Oak
2″ long

$15.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Availability: Buy Wrap Wrap here

Lexon Design Luggage

If you appreciate under-the-radar design, take a look at Lexon’s collection of bags and travel accessories. No flashy labels or extraneous design makes for an especially clean look.

Toiletry Kit, $35.00, Buy it here.
2 Panel Toiletry Bag (with canisters), $22.00, Buy it here.
Design A4 Binder, $42.00, Buy it here.
Design Garment Bag, $109.00, Buy it here.
Design Suitcase, $99.00, Buy it here.

Also, check out the Airline Document Bag and Airline Garment Bag.

More information:

View Lexon Design Luggage here

Pantone Photo Album

If you actually get around to printing out those photos you’ve taken, this might be a nice way to show them off.

The Pantone Photo Album by Pantone Universe features a Pantone Color Matching System (190303) Jet Black exterior and colorful transparent pages. Suitable for 4″ x 6″ photo size.

$33.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $33.00
Availability: Buy Pantone Photo Album here

Filigree Skull Money Box

Sometimes you have to spend money to save it, right? And a filigree skull money box is a lot more rock star than visiting your local bank, so maybe you’ll be encouraged to fill it up with change.

Daniel Piršč envisioned porcelain lace, which he applied to enchanting effect on this skull moneybox. “Porcelain can be different,” declares the ceramicist, who set out on this quest when he established his namesake studio in the Czech Republic town of Mikulov in 2005…This money box must go under the hammer to access any savings inside, forcing the coin collector to come to terms with what exactly is most precious…

Size: 6″ l x 4.5″ w x 5.5″

$275.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $275.00
Availability: Buy Filigree Skull Money Box here

Loft (Qb3 Design)

How many of you could be okay with open cabinetry in your kitchen? This photo of Frank and Ditta Hoeber’s Philadelphia loft sure makes it tempting, doesn’t it? Check out the spread from LoftLife Magazine for more inspiration.

Frank and Ditta Hoeber’s Philadelphia loft is all about display. The architectural and design firm behind the space, Qb3 Design, wanted to create a “silent background” within which the couple could feature their book collection, art and objects.

See it here.

Virtue Blanket

As some of you might be aware, wedding season is fast approaching. If you’re looking for a gift for upcoming nuptials, you should (of course) get them something off their registry. However, if the couple has thumbed their noses at the tradition of registering (or if you’re a stickler for putting thought and effort into every gift), then maybe something like this would be a perfect thing to wish them well.

“The Virtue blanket (155 cm x 210 cm) is finely knitted using high quality, undyed Icelandic wool. It warms us, at the same time reminding us to be virtuous. The pattern is derived from the decorations on the virtue cloths reworked in a contemporary style, but with the historical background of the virtue cloths in mind. It is a symmetrical, abstract form that each individual can interpret in his or her own way.”
by Mary (Olof Maria Olafsdottir)

Size: 155 cm x 210 cm
Colors: grey, brown and black

$208.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $208.00
Available from: Birkiland

Desk Organizer and Bamboo Tuck Box

Two organizers that might help you make sense out of your desk disorder:

Black Tabula Rasa Desk Organizer, $45.00, Buy it here.

Tired of the untidy heaps of papers on your desk? Tabula Rasa keeps all of your papers organized, and at the same time is a beautiful object for your table. Made of powder-coated steel. Designed by Adam & Harborth. (5.25″h x 3.6″w x 3″d)

Bamboo Tuck Box, $28.00, Buy it here.

These felt-lined bamboo boxes swivel together to create a cube for easy storage. Designed by Lawrence Chu.
(5″ square)

[posted by katie]