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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)

 
 

Radiometer

This might be a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in science-y type stuff.

Invented in the late 1870s by chemist Sir William Crookes, a Radiometer is part science project, part conversation piece. Housed inside a glass bulb with a partial vacuum, the four vanes of the Radiometer are attached to a delicate stem, which rotates when it senses the presence of light. The brighter the light, the faster it spins. The bulb is perched on a thin glass stand that evokes both a chemistry lab and a wine glass. Place one on your desk, on the living room coffee table or even on the kitchen window sill, and it will offer quiet meditative movement as the room’s light changes and shifts. Made in Germany.

H 8″ Diameter 4″

$60.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $60.00
Availability: Buy Radiometer here

Twenty Past Four

Teach your friends and family dining etiquette without saying a word.

Referencing “proper” British etiquette, these plates are printed with a diagram showing the correct placement of utensils (twenty past four) when dinner is done, as well as the caption “Place your utensils in the dotted lines when finished”.

Price shown is for a set of two plates.

Designer: Willie Tsang
Materials: Fine Porcelain
Dimensions: 10″ dia.

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

ZiPP Light Shade

This light shade is quite lovely and versatile.

First 30 all numbered made for Panik Design.
The ZiPP Light shade can change from a seed like shape into a flower shape.
Flat packed for self assembly.
Material: PP, Bulb to be used Max 40 Watt.

£ 155.00 (around $230.00 US at the moment), Buy it here.

More information:

View ZiPP Light Shade here

Baroque Frame Set

Here’s a colorful option for framing your favorite pictures.

Set of 4 baroque resin frames in assorted vibrant colors. Frame size 9×11…inside matting window 4×6. Classic desk stand or horizontal vertical wallmount included. All felt backing.

$32.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $32.00
Availability: Buy Baroque Frame Set here

Hola Ola No 1

This looks like such a handy thing to put all sorts of food stuffs in.

A pre-molded soft silicone pot, 2″ wide and 3.5″ high (50 x 87 mm) that you squeeze, it opens, you fill it, you release the pressure, it closes. You need it? Squeeze it, it opens, a little shake and it pours, release it and it closes again. So smart.

Colors: Black, Lilac, Transparent – sold out, White, Yellow

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.00
Availability: Buy Hola Ola No 1 here

MUJI Travel Cases

These organizers from MUJI are simple and functional (of course).

MUJI Travel Organizer, $28.00 ($25.20 Members),
Buy it here.

Made of nylon, this travel case features removable zip pouches to store personal travel items. The case also features a detachable key holder, multiple pockets to organize travel documents, and a penholder.
10.25h x 5.5w x 2″d

MUJI Passport Case, $12.50 ($11.25 Members) Buy it here.

This slim, black passport case features interior pockets that allow you to easily store travel documents. Made of nylon.
10.25l x 5.5h x .25″d

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $28.00
Availability: Buy MUJI Travel Cases here

Source: Via

Tre Bamboo Lounge Chair and Ottoman

This is a crazy price point for a lounge chair (the ottoman seems a tad bit over-slanted, but man, for the price I could overlook it).

* Created by bending and molding pieces of bamboo through a heat and pressure process
* All stains and any glue used is certified non toxic
* Chair measures 19.75″ wide x 27.5″ deep x 36″ high
* Ottoman measures 19.75″ wide x 24.5″ deep x 15.5″ high
* Eco Friendly product

$299.99, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

Scandia Series

I’m a little bit in love with this series by Hans Brattud.

The iconic Scandia Series was designed by Hans Brattud in 1957. During the 1970’s the factory in Norway burned down and was never rebuilt, therefore, putting Scandia out of production. In 2001, Norwegian manufacturer, Fjord Fiesta brought the series back. Working closely with Brattrud himself, they made sure that every detail of the original design was perfected.

Laminated Walnut. Satin chrome base.
Lead time of 8 weeks.

Swivel Chair (not shown) (29.5″w x 29.5″d x 33″h), $2,550.00
Nett Chair (26″w x 29.5″d x 33″h), $2,250.00
Senior Easy Chair w/black leather bolster (29.5″w x 29.5″d x 41.25″h), $2,950.00
Dining Chair (31.25″w x 20.5″d x 32.25″h), $835.00
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $835.00-$2,950.00
Availability: Buy Scandia Series here

Moscardino Sporks

Sporks: one of man’s greatest inventions, especially at holiday parties.

Nicknamed ‘Sporks’, these spoon-and-forks are useful for hors d’oeuvres, picnics, or dining on-the-go. An example of the recent trend towards the inclusion of environmental responsibility as an important element of contemporary design, they are made of a 100% biodegradable corn-based plastic.

Hand-wash only. Set of twenty five.
Made in Italy

Size: 3.5″l

$24.00 ($21.60 Members), Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $24.00
Availability: Buy Moscardino Sporks here

Discovery 3-Foot Ultimate T-Rex Skeleton

Am I a complete dork for wanting one of these? (don’t answer that.)

* 51 bone-like pieces
* Snaps together, puzzle-style
* Realistic, mid-stride pose captures the dinosaur’s daunting stature
* Display it on its rock-like base, or disassemble for future use
* Includes educational color poster full of fun T-Rex facts
* No messy glue needed
* Easy to assemble

Plastic and metal, 36″ L

$49.95, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $49.95
Availability: Buy Discovery 3-Foot Ultimate T-Rex Skeleton here

Prism Side Table

This is a steal- $50 for a very decent ‘futuristic’ side table that can go indoors or out.

Durable patio furniture features ABS plastic construction
White, Black, or Red
17 in. W x 17 in. D x 18 in. H

$49.99-$54.99, Buy it here.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Purchase Information:

Price: $49.99-$54.99
Availability: Buy Prism Side Table here

Applause Machine

Forget self-help books, this little machine will boost your confidence in no time.

Designer: Martin Smith.
Manufactured: By Laikingland in the UK.
Description: Push the button and the Applause Machine claps it’s hands for you.
Materials: Powder coated steel, brass, Walnut wood, plastic and motor.
Dimensions: Height 450mm.
Power: 2 x AAA Batteries (included).

Available in Currant Red, Signal Green, Traffic Orange, Graphite Black, and Chalk White.

£195.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: £195.00
Availability: Buy Applause Machine here

Signed Edition of Arts & Architecture 1945-54

If you’re serious about the history of modern architecture (or know someone who is) you’d be smart to snap up these puppies quickly.

The years between 1945 and 1954 were the high point of American modern architecture and the journal Arts & Architecture was on the forefront of the movement. Under the guidance of editor John Entenza, the publication helped establish the careers of Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames and Richard Neutra, among many others. It famously initiated the Case Study House Program, which has come to epitomize mid-century modern residential architecture in the United States. Taschen has now compiled and reprinted a limited-edition box set of every issue from the period, in their entirety. The set includes 10 boxes, 118 issues total. With cutting-edge cover design and the photography of Julius Shulman, the set encapsulates the cultural shift in post-war America, telling that story through the architecture of the time. An invaluable window into the essence of modernism, the set was compiled by David F. Travers, A&Aโ€™s editor from 1963 to 1967 and founder of Arts & Architecture Press.

This edition of the Arts & Architecture set is signed by legendary architectural photographer Julius Shulman with the date 10/2008 โ€“ the month and year that the set was introduced.
118 issues in 10 boxes.
Each issue: H 10″ W 12.75″

$700.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $700.00
Availability: Buy Signed Edition of Arts & Architecture 1945-54 here

Novel Picturebook Frame

So, if any of you book lovers were jealous of the audiophile’s
Play and Display Frame, now you have the same option to display some of your favorite reads (or just cover art) without damage.

Ever wished you could admire more than just the spines of your book collection?…Unfortunately, short of ripping the front cover off and destroying a beloved book, there’s no way of putting them proudly on show in your home. Until now that is, these wooden picture frames let you display your firm, literary favorites and gives any room a personalized feel…Can be hung on the wall or free standing. Measure 8.25″ x 5″. Available in Black or Natural (please note that this color is not white and more beige than appears in the photos).

Black or Natural, 8.25″ x 5″

$24.50, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $24.50
Availability: Buy Novel Picturebook Frame here

House Candle Holder

I usually try to avoid the word ‘cute’ if at all possible, but this candle holder is exactly that. Cute.

These stylish candle holders play on the traditional form of a house, replacing the chimney with a candle.

Designer: Sonodesign

$25.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $25.00
Availability: Buy House Candle Holder here