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)
Written by Katie on October 21, 2008. Permalink
This cooler-slash-icemaker is brilliant.
The world’s first vertical ice tray! It chills. It serves. It stores. The Orb makes 21 ice cubes, and stores another 51 within its removable inner bucket. Or use it to keep bottles or homemade ice cream and other goodies cold. It’s airtight so it keeps contents odor free.
Size: 6″ dia x 5″ t
$16.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 20, 2008. Permalink
I think the name of this sofa is actually ‘Modern’, which sums up the silhouette even if it is a little unimaginative. Plus, the price is reasonable (in that it isn’t above the $3000 mark).
Our Hardwood Frame is hand built using the finest “Kiln Dried” Alder for maximum strength and resistance to warping and cracking. All corners and arms have extra reinforcement for added strength. Our frames feature a lifetime warranty against breakage or cracking to the original purchaser under normal household usage.
We use heavy 8 gauge sinuous seat springs on most styles. Our springs system is attached using Teflon coated clips to resist noise.
W90” D40” H29”
$1,600.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 20, 2008. Permalink
Here’s a product similar to the Molo idea, but (dare I say) a bit more colorful.
Fun, colourful and easy!
A series of bright plastic sheets unfold into this cylindrical accordeon-like structure.
Use it as a funky side table or as a seat, it will instantly add energy and vibe to your decor!
Unfasten the stainless steel clip and it folds flat to the size of a big book, for easy storage.
Includes a round black fabric pillow with a rigid base for extra comfort.
Available in blue, green and orange.
Manufactured in Europe. Made of polypropylene.
Folded: 17″ 10.8″ 2.2″, Unfolded: 17″H 22″Ø
$490.00 $196.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 20, 2008. Permalink
You know those clip on book lights that look sort of silly? Well, this does the same thing but looks a bit better.
The leading book light for nighttime reading. Patented LightWedge technology directs all the light only on the page you are reading, without bothering someone sleeping next to you. The larger-sized LightWedge Original is ideal for hardcover books and large paperbacks. Whether reading in bed, reading on a plane, or reading in a car, the LightWedge book light is the perfect accessory for all readers and an ideal gift for travelers.
Mini LIght: $14.95,
Buy it here.
Original size: $34.95 each, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 17, 2008. Permalink
Hmm, I suppose for some of you with a ton of gadgets the regular device chargers just aren’t big enough, but as to whether this one floats your boat (or your wallet) remains to be seen.
ChargerFrame transforms your electronic landscape into wall art. It is the hub for all your chargers – as you add a device, the picture changes. This active interplay between cables, gadgets and indicator lights is neatly framed and finished off by an energy-efficient master green switch. Hang it, wrap it, lay it and plug it. Hangs portrait and landscape.
750 by 550 by 120mm; wood, veneer, electric components
450 Euro, pre-order it here.
Written by Katie on October 17, 2008. Permalink
This is made out of the same material that’s used in life rafts, so you’ve got some degree of comfort in knowing that it will last a bit longer than perhaps other inflatable furniture you might be familiar with…in any case, it’s a great option for outdoors (if you don’t get a lot of wind, that is).
Materials: PVC, Vinyl (bottom protection)
Contents: Sofa,
Cushion,
Electric pump (230 V),
Repairing kit,
Instruction manual
Available colors: Stone White,
Midnight Grey,
Earth Green
Designer: Jeroen van de Kant (NL)
1-seater: &euro: 379 (inc 19%VAT)
2-seater: &euro: 479 (inc 19%VAT)
3-seater: &euro: 679 (inc 19%VAT)
[via Blog Esprit-Design]
More information:
View Blofield Inflatable Chesterfield Seating here
Written by Katie on October 17, 2008. Permalink
With all the USB-powered accessories out there, this was bound to happen sooner or later.
The USB Air Conditioned Shirt is a fantastic invention for hot days! USB- fans blow fresh air into the shirt, powered solely by your powered USB drive. Great for any hot office or room, or even for portable action with a laptop or other device. There’s simply nothing else out there like it!
$169.00,Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 16, 2008. Permalink
This pretty crazy price-wise, but the design is worth noting. Now if someone can just figure out how to make it less expensive…
Launched at the 2008 Milan Furniture Fair, this table is designed by award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. Grand écart means ‘the splits’ in French, and the table’s top comprises two slender sleeves of lacquered aluminum that are undetectable when the table is closed but slide apart to extend the table from 71″ to 118″w to seat up to 14 people. Requires simple assembly. Available in other sizes and in fixed length versions by special order.
W71/118 x D33.5 x H29 in
$7,995.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 16, 2008. Permalink
Man, these clocks are really something. The intricate cut forms and layers make for an altogether interesting time piece.
Part of the Animal Clock series with animals largely representative of those found in North American continent. Can you find the ones that seem out of place?
Material:Wood (Japanese Linden)
Animal Clock Uma (Horse): W15.0 x H15.0 x 0.2” thick, $150.00, Buy it here.
Animal Clock Square Mini: H7.1 x W10.6 x 0.2” thick, $130.00,
Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 16, 2008. Permalink
Excellent; when guests comment on your lovely lampshade you can impress them by launching into a lecture that starts with ‘Well, actually, its form is inspired by…’ or you could just say thanks.
A lampshade inspired by the structure made of spirals according to the Fibonacci mathematical sequence: the spiral you find everywhere in natural structures like sunflowers and mussels. Heat-resistant and can be used with any kind of light bulb. Use Fibonacci as a pendant light by pulling it over a lampholder
Silicon Rubber
Diameter 14.6” x Thickness 0.5” (flat)
$70.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 16, 2008. Permalink
These are really quite nice for the price.
A perfect and pretty plate, decorated with a charming design, and equally at home on your table or wall. Choose Kaleidoscope, Night Flowers, Stormy Harbor or Towers print. Exclusive to Urban Outfitters. Imported. Dishwasher and Microwave safe.
* 8″ diameter, Porcelain
$8.00, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 14, 2008. Permalink
It drives me bonkers when there are almost exact same products at different retailers with different prices and names; is the Bowling Pin Light from UO a Knock-off (um, literally)? Does anybody know?
pictured above: Bowling Pin Light, $38.00,Buy it here.
STRIKE! You’ll be bowled over by the Bowling Pin Light, a fun sculpted lamp that turns off when you knock it over (gently). You might just want to get 12! Imported. Wipe clean. 4.75″w, 15.5″h, 4.75″d
not pictured: Knock-off LIght by Josh Owen, $26.00, Buy it here.
The iconic bowling pin has a story to tell. In it’s standing state, it tells us that it is waiting to be knocked over. When the lamp is on its side, the light is off. When the pin stands up tall, it glows.
15″ tall
[posted by katie]
Written by Katie on October 14, 2008. Permalink
As luck would have it, these two products will ensure that you’ll not be without a mustache in times of need.
Mustache Pencils, € 9.50 ($13.30), Buy it here.
Formosa Mustache Keyring, $25.00,
Buy it here.
[posted by katie]
Source: Via
Written by Katie on October 14, 2008. Permalink
Made from tradtional bentwood components, these creative takes on the classic chair are something to see (and perhaps collect as funds permit?).
Martino [Gamper] studied sculpture and product design at the University of Applied Art in Vienna. He went on to do a Masters at the Royal College which he completed in 2000. His work is widely exhibited and he recently won the Wallpaper Magazine ‘Best Alchemist’ award in 2008. Behind each of his pieces is a story involving materials, techniques, people and places. He nurtures an interest in unwanted and disparate objects and by reworking furniture, which he finds on the streets, he creates mismatched families of objects.
Martino has travelled to the old Thonet factory in Croatia to see the bentwood components which he will use in his own inimitable and unexpected way. Three styles are available.
shown left to right: Back of the Chairs, Bend and Wood, Chair of the Rings,
$585.00 each, Buy it here.
Written by Katie on October 14, 2008. Permalink
Take a look at this paper documentary; it’s pretty amazing:
The lives of refugees and the displaced are told through journals, stories, images, and graphic novellas: war in Chechnya, ethnic cleansing in Burma, globalization in Mexico, and AIDS in Malawi.The book features works by Joe Sacco, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Julie Morstad, Phoebe Gloeckner, Chris Abani, Karen Connelly, Kamel Khelif, and many others. A foldout case contains the four volumes, one for each country.
The I Live Here Foundation helps unheard people tell their stories to the world. We set up creative writing programs in forgotten places such as a youth prison in Africa or a refugee camp on the Burma border. We also collaborate with noted writers and artists to produce stories and images that go far beyond ‘crisis journalism.’
To visit site, go here.
To donate, go here.
$29.95, Buy it here
or for $19.77, here.