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It seems like there’s been a lot of items made from old or unused billboards recently…and that’s (of course) excellent.

Giant Recycled Billboard Bag (left), $60.00, Buy it here.

Handmade from recycled billboards this roomy tote is great for everything from laundry to storage, toys to groceries. Zipper closure and extra wide carrying straps to help make carrying large loads easier. Due to the recycled nature of this product, each bag will vary. 26″ L x 26″ W

Medium Paperbag (right), $20.00, Buy it here.

Paperbags are made of unused billboard posters that have been sewn together. Every time it is a surprise to see what design there is on the bag. The Paperbag can be assembled easily by unfolding the flat package by following the included instructions. 16″ H x 10″dia.

[posted by katie]

I’m in the market for a floor lamp for my living room and this guy keeps catching my eye.

“A Flos classic, the Parentesi has been in production since the 1970’s. The fixture consists of a small ceiling mount, which can be trimmed to a specific size. The rubber bulb holder swivels in any direction. The Parentesi simply plugs into any wall outlet. The fixture is part of the permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Uses 1 X 150W BR40 incandescent bulb (not included).”

Designed by Achille Castiglioni.
Black or Nickel.
To read more about the Parentesi, visitAchille Castiglioni or Flos.

Does this series by Paige Russell perhaps bring to mind that classic road trip journey? Four great ‘hold anything’ containers complete the set (Camper not pictured).

Shown left to right: Monster, Rvee, 4by
matte white glazed stoneware

$85.00 each, Buy it here or for € 75.00 – € 250 per 4
here.

www.paigerussell.com

This is an excellent alternative to the traditional tree: it eliminates the hassle of storage and cleanup and still provides the classic shape for your favorite ornaments.

Our own, anodized aluminum star holiday tree. For modernists, minimalists, non-traditionalists and all around something cool to talk about this season. Ships flat with hanging wire and hook.

Available in Green, Blue, or Gold.
Size: Spring aluminum ranges from 6-6.5 ft as hung.

$199.00, Buy it here.

While I’ve never been particularly worried about RFID credit-card fraud, it’s nice to know that this would stop it.

Thin and lightweight, this money-clip wallet is made from leather-trimmed pliable stainless-steel cloth typically used in industrial applications. The material prevents credit-card fraud by blocking communication by unauthorized RFID readers. It has a slot for credit cards and a magnetic clip for currency. Made of stainless-steel fabric, leather trim, and neodymium magnets.

2.75h x 3.5w x .5″d

$55.00, ($49.50 Members) Buy it here.

While this object might be a little off-the-beaten-path of gifts to give, you can pretty much guarantee that no one else will give the same thing (unless they read this site, of course).

This soothing art object is reminiscent of tall rice plants swaying in the breeze. Place it in your entryway and it will gently shake it’s head to the right and left as people pass by.

by Hiromi Taki & Tomonori Ohata

$23.00, Buy it here.

The calendar tape shown in the packing tape roundup is available in the US after all.

Multi-functional sticky tape that works as a calendar, diary, organizer & planner. As well as being pretty useful packaging tape! Easily create each month in any day and date combination, by using the two separate rolls and sticking them next to each other. Pack includes 1 roll of days and one roll of dates plus a marker pen.

$12.00, Buy it here.

This is a great price for a stool; it reminds me of a nicer wooden version (see below).

Available in Black, White, Orange, Red, or Green
ABS formed body with high gloss enamel.
22 x 22 x 19″H

$138.00, Buy it here.

(Update: so I found the wooden stool- it’s the Tahiti Stool…but after looking at it a little more it doesn’t have the same seat indentation and the back rise is higher, so it has less resemblance that first thought.)

This small chalkboard is the perfect place to leave messages. (Also, the chalk fits into the ‘blow hole’ on top, pretty cute…)

Super cool painted wood whale chalkboard by dynamic design duo Suddenly It’s Real. Chalkboard measures 15.25″l x 7.25″h and has two pre-drilled holes in the back for easy hanging/mounting. One piece of chalk included, which will sit safe and snug inside the pre-drilled “blow”hole in the top of the board.

15.25″ w x 7.25″ h

$40.00, Buy it here.

[via Chow’s excellent Gift Guide– check it out.]

Perfect for those days when things are feeling a bit crazy…

Necklace made from sterling silver with a 16″ chain.
Center piece : 2 1/2″ wide X 1 1/2″ long.

$45.00, Buy it here.

I usually tend to get a bit nauseous whenever I see copious amounts of floral fabric in a room (I call it the ‘cabbage rose’ syndrome), especially if there are table skirts involved. If any of you seem to share these symptoms, don’t worry, you won’t run into that stuff in this book. Sure, there are some interior shots that tend towards the more traditional style, and yes, there are some floral fabrics, but this book is more of an invaluable guide and resource than picture book.

What got me was how the book is so thorough; it walks you through thinking about your space in practical terms for both big renovations and small changes. There are thoughtful questions to ask yourself about your home, helpful tips, rules of clearance (kitchen & bath, which is quite helpful to have it all boiled down into the necessities), insider’s advice, inspiration pages, product selections (though I wish they referenced those items), color selections, design element discussion and so much more. Trust me, it will most likely save you money by providing you the tools to plan your project well so there’s less room for error. It’s an excellent, excellent resource.

$24.59, Available at amazon.com

photo credits:
John Gould Bessler: Makeover Lessons #6: Repetition – Foyer: blue and white skirted table, trellis wallpaper, étagère, lantern, Page 198; Don Freeman: Lighten Up! Water Color – Foyer: Rustic floors, blue plank walls, chair by stairs, Page 203;
Pieter Estersohn: Neutrals are Serene – Hallway: altar table w/Buddha head, large vase umbrella holder, Page 209

These are a surefire way to cheer someone up (or yourself)…who doesn’t deserve a medal of honor for something?

Colors: Black, Ivory, Fluo Pink, Red
Shapes: Oval, Star

$20.00, Buy it here.

Kitchen gadgets: the things you don’t know you need until you do…

“It’s a trivet, it’s a jar opener, it’s a kitchen snake, it’s just a hot gadget. Flex is…well, flexible. 18″ long with a touch of the blomus stainless on the end for the German flair.”

(Link and price updated June 17, 2013.)

This will help you count down the days in style…(by the way, I ran across something like this in a picture of someone’s loft and they used it more as a sculptural item than a holiday decoration and it really worked…wish I could remember where it was.)

Build enthusiasm for Christmas by building this Advent Calendar upward. A modern take on a traditional decoration, 24 cylindrical boxes stack on top of each other to create a stylized red cardboard holiday tree. Place a small gift or snack under each box, revealing a surprise each day as you get closer to Christmas. A red foil number on the side of each box tells you what day you’re on and the whole calendar can nest inside itself for compact storage during the rest of the year.

Built up: H 57.5″ Base Diameter 11″

$90.00, Buy it here.

I’m not a huge espresso fan, but if I was, I’d be all sorts of into this: no electricity needed and you could take it anywhere when traveling. Might be a great gift for an espresso-loving friend or family member…

Compact and lightweight, Handpresso allows for espresso to be enjoyed anywhere. It works without electricity with four easy steps: pump handle, pour hot water, insert coffee pods, and press. Uses standard E.S.E. (easy-serving espresso) coffee pods (not included). Made of aluminum and plastic. Hand-wash only.

Size: 2.75h x 8.75l x 4″d

$140.00 ($126.00 Members), Buy it here.