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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)

 
 

Summerhouse Skรฅne

Sometimes it’s easy to forget how much paint can change an interior. This renovated farmhouse gets a jolt of bright turquoise to highlight the stairs, bookcase, and door jamb. Also, check out the site for the bright yellowish orange wall/room, which is surprisingly lovely.

LASC Studio

[via remodelista via materialicious]

Akanbe Folding Basket

A basket that becomes a rug…you can’t say that for all those wicker versions out there, but you can for this little guy. Seems like it would be really handy for toting around a little one’s toys and miscellany; unfold it and it becomes a play surface, fold it back up and it’ll corral everything all over again.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: AUD125.00
Available from: Mimoto

Table Tap

Looking more like something out of a science lab than what you would use to serve your guests, this ‘Table Tap’ makes the ordinary ol’ water jug seem a bit dull.

Inspired by inventions and scientific research, this object’s basic function has been put into a new context. Table tap also reminds us of a perfume atomiser, though now it functions as a small water pump at the table. Pouring a simple glass of water really is a fascinating experience.

Designer: Arnout Visser
17 dia. x 47 cm

€149.00, Buy it at Droog.

Purchase Information:

Price: $149.00
Available from: droog

Off-The-Wall Hooks

These would look spectacular in multiples; the shiny finish is also a nice touch.

Geometric and bold, these colorful wall hooks complement any space. Mount multiples to create a playful arrangement. Made of shiny powder-coated steel. Hardware included.

5.5h x 2w x 2″d

$25.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $25.00
Availability: Buy Off-The-Wall Hooks here

kraftwerk: DIY Cardboard Chair

Some of you might have seen this before, but it’s new to me. For around $10 you can purchase the plans for an origami-ish cardboard chair. Weighing just under 4lbs and reinforced with polyurethane expansion foam, it’s a great alternative for any of you DIYers on a tight budget. Plus, it looks neat.

Designer: Tom de Vrieze
20.08″w x 33.23″h x 22.28″ d

(Total cost to build chair is around $25, including materials.)
€5, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: €5
Availability: Buy kraftwerk: DIY Cardboard Chair here

Credit Card Cutlery

Never leave home without it…(‘it’ being cutlery that you can keep in your wallet).

In case of hunger don’t buy junk food, but good food. And be prepared to have your cutlery with you! Designed for, and available exclusively at, the Shop at the Cooper-Hewitt.

Designer: Ineke Hans, 2006

$10.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $10.00
Availability: Buy Credit Card Cutlery here

Mark Giglio Wallpapers

With so many great wallpaper options, it’s hard to pick just one.

design:
Mark Giglio, 2009

“Hand Print” Wallpaper (2 Rolls) $240.00,
Buy it here.
“Kabegami” Wallpaper (2 Rolls) $240.00, Buy it here.

Gold Log Stool and Caspar Ottoman

Oooo. Two drool worthy items for the wish list.

Gold Log Stool, 11″W x 17″H, $450.00, Buy it here.
Caspar Ottoman, 26″W x 18″H, $1,395.00 $1,116.00

Up in the Air Somewhere: New Items

I’ve posted some of Susan’s work before, but I have to say her new items are worth another post. I love how delicate the bowls appear…and those factory vessels (shown top left) would add a nice sculptural element to a desktop/tablescape.

factory vessels, $58.00-$62.00 each, Buy it here.
rubber-dipped cup, $32.00,
Buy it here.
pair of small paper bowls (peach fade), $28.00,
Buy it here.
gold paper bowls, $18.00-$34.00,
Buy it here.

Icon Pendant

A hundred dollars off? Yes please.

With a Panton-like playfulness, the Icon Lamp (2003) by Ferruccio Laviani is at once simple and dramatic in its scale and color. Made from color-tinted transparent vinyl polymer, the Icon’s dome-shaped shade reduces glare while appearing slightly iridescent when lit. At nearly two feet in diameter, it is a versatile, statement-making fixture for an entryway, dining room or restaurant, and can also be hung in multiples for increased visual impact.

H 13″ W 21″ Cord L 76″

Red or White.

$293.00 Now: $196.31, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $293.00
Availability: Buy Icon Pendant here

Studio Leung

Two notable items from Studio Leung: a body sponge that rains on you in the bath and a pencil case fashioned from a traditional Chinese calligraphy mat.

Pencil Case, £5.00
Cloud Sponge, £4.00

Buy it here.

More information:

View Studio Leung here

Clever Covers

Clever, indeed! Now you’ll not have to worry about any embarrassment when reading your questionable material (though you might run into awkward moments where someone asks you about physics or the Japanese language, and then you’ll have to explain that you’re not actually reading what it looks like you are, and then the interested party might think you’re really weird or pervy to cover up whatever it was that you were reading, then you’re back to square one, if not at a negative 4 or 5, on the impression scale).

An intelligent book cover that hides your fluffy novel. this cover was designed specifically for those who have a thirst of the UnShakespearean variety. Simply slip over your book and go out into the world with no one ever knowing. No more disapproving looks, just respect from those around you.

Clever Cover (Book Size): Titled “Complete Japanese For International Business,” $8.00CAD, Buy it here.
Clever Cover (Magazine Size): Titled “Advanced Quantum Physics,” $9.00CAD,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $8.00
Availability: Buy Clever Covers here

Ace Hotel: Palm Springs

Sometimes hotel interiors serve as inspiration for small touches in our own homes, and the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs has me taking notes. On my list: denim slouchy headboards, patterned rugs, canvas bedspreads (with simple graphics), wood and leather accents…all together it equals a relaxed comfortable look.

Rooms: Doubles from $89.00, book it here.
Also, check out their packages for some nice discounts/specials.

Purchase Information:

Price: $89.00
Availability: Buy Ace Hotel: Palm Springs here

Hexagon Executive Lounge Chair

Hmm. It’s appealing in a strange (and big and low to the ground) sort of way. Plus, there’s a ‘make an offer’ option which means you can get it for less than the listed price…(very curious as to just how low they’d go). Also, if you’re feeling brave: an Egg Chair in Rattan. Yep, you read it right, rattan.

Comfort meets stability with a touch of class with the Hexagon Lounge Chair. Great for rest and relaxation yet adds style and a sense of power through modernity to any interior space.

Dimensions: 35” x 43” x 27”

$1,499.99 $1,299.99, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,299.99
Availability: Buy Hexagon Executive Lounge Chair here

Mixelated Pillows

With a name like ‘mixelated’, how could you not absolutely love these pillows?

Brand: Alice & Sens
Material: Silk and linen
Dimensions: 50 x 50 cm

Mixelated Blue, €50 €39.50 Buy it here.
Mixelated Plum, €50 €39.50 Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: &euro39.50
Availability: Buy Mixelated Pillows here