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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)

 
 

Money-Band

Custom manufactured to be exactly the right size for your cash and credit cards, this rubber band will minimize bulk and prevent pick-pockets (the rubber creates resistance, so you’d feel it being lifted).

Money-band is the original rubber band wallet replacement. More versatile and slimmer than a money clip. Many times slimmer and more ergonomically correct than your George Costanza hip-displacing leather variety.
If you’re tired of rolling with a junk-filled hunk of leather, then Money-band is the way to simplify and keep a tight hold on your cash and cards.

$3.99,
Buy it here.

(Thank you James for the link.)

Purchase Information:

Price: $3.99
Availability: Buy Money-Band here

La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico

So, I’m not the world’s most frequent traveler but I can honestly say that this is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in. Ranked #1 of 56 hotels in Zihuatanejo, it is the ideal location for a relaxed read-by-the-pool kind of vacation. With 24 suites and two pools (one freshwater, one salt), this hotel features excellent service and privacy…which means it’s actually quiet. Maybe it’s geared more towards a romantic getaway type of place than go-crazy-and-socialize-with-other-guests, but man, I have to say it was so freaking nice just to have a beautiful view and really good Mexican food…plus anytime you want anything there’s someone there to get it for you.

La Casa Que Canta is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

$335.00 and up,
Book it here.
(Also: It’s always a good idea to check out reviews on tripadvisor before you plunk down money on a hotel somewhere. For this hotel’s review on tripadvisor go here.)

Purchase Information:

Price: $335.00
Availability: Buy La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico here

Miami Sofa

This reminds me of a much more expensive design but I can’t quite put my finger on which one. For the price, it’s an interesting shape and design, yet sadly it sports a rather unfortunate fabric.
(update: it was the Moel sofa by Ligne Roset that I was thinking of…thanks to Edgar for figuring that out.)

Sink down into this plush off white sofa and you may find yourself languishing in your contemporary living room longer than you ever imagined. The ribbed stitching adds visual interest, texture and an aura of Deco glam. Don’t forget the matching chair! Once again, modern design, style and comfort help you create your little bit of heaven on Earth. Padded solid wood frame. Fabric, in easy-care vinyl.

78.5L X 34W X 33H
$1,398.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,398.00
Availability: Buy Miami Sofa here

EZ-Stick Decor Blackboards

This is an excellent option for a message center.

“Printed on a pliable chalkboard sheet material and backed w/adhesive. Quick and easy to put up and remove. Leaves no residue on your walls.”

Oval: 23″ x 28″, $20.00,
Buy it here.

Rectangle: 23″ x 28″, $20.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Availability: Buy EZ-Stick Decor Blackboards here

Sol Pendant Lamp

A decent price for a light that will definitely make a statement.

Bright yolk hemisphere lights egg-white interior. Very 70s Scandinavian. Iron shade suspends from white cord reinforced with metal cable. Professional hardwire installation recommended; hardware and ceiling plate included. 100W bulb (not included).

19.75″dia.x13.25″H
$99.95,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $99.95
Availability: Buy Sol Pendant Lamp here

Air Purifier

Compared to the other air purifier we’ve posted, this one gets a thousand points for looking less like it came off a spaceship and more like something that would blend in to the background.

“Enjoying a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing your sense of style may sometimes seem an impossible task when shopping for home appliances. Not to worry – you can now breathe a bit more easily with an air purifier that looks great while cleaning the air.”
Cleans 25 square meters of space.
17″W x 5.25″L x 16″H

Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00
Availability: Buy Air Purifier here

Teak Rough Storage Cupboard

For anyone that loves the idea of keeping tabletop items secured away in an actual cupboard, this collection hits the mark for any modernist. It could be the poorer man’s option of the Bulthaup b2 (though poor is a relative term in this case).

Teak Rough is a new collection that combines the rough texture of natural teak and the sleek surface of stainless steel. Combined they add modern and timeless design to any room in the house. The teak rough storage cupboard measures 46″ x 18″ x 63″ tall.

$2,500.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $2,500.00
Availability: Buy Teak Rough Storage Cupboard here

Laundry 101 Bag

For those of you that have to lug your laundry to and fro (or know someone who does), this bag looks like it would make the job a bit easier.

…heavy-duty denim laundry bag, printed with Lindy Sue’s most popular stain-fighting tips and universal laundry symbols. Bag can be carried as a backpack and includes a zippered pocket for change and keys for those trips to the laundromat (or home).

$38.50,
Buy it here.

More information:

View Laundry 101 Bag here

Herman Miller® Enchord™ Desk

This is an excellent example of a desk that will keep you on top of clutter, namely because there’s no place to stash it except in neat piles along the lower shelf. If that seems entirely implausible, the handy mobile cabinet keeps the clean lines yet has ample storage for your odds and ends.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $729.00
Available from: Herman Miller

Kässeli Piggy Bank

Here’s a rather modern puzzle-like interpretation of the personal coin bank.

“First, you get to construct the bank. Then fill it with coins, and when the time comes to collect your savings, take it apart. Put it back together and start all over again!”

Designer: Brigitta and Benedikt Martig-Imhof
5 wooden blocks, magnetic attachment

Purchase Information:

Price: $149.00
Available from: Gessato

Riverbed Saffron Embroidered Duvet and Shams

Sometimes simple white bed linens is all a room needs, but in this case the circle embroidery provides just enough detail to ward off any accusations of being boring.

Sanford Burrows’ streamlined designs are meticulously embroidered onto their linens, adding texture and warmth to each piece. The base is an Egyptian cotton fabric produced by one of Italy’s leading textile companies to ensure the finest quality and craftsmanship.

While techniques are traditional, Sanford Burrows designs are decidedly modern. White space and clean lines don’t overpower, but become an integral part of your design landscape.

Standard Shams Pair, $148.00
King Shams Pair, $166.00
Queen Duvet & Shams Set, $591.00
King Duvet & Shams Set, $657.00

Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $148.00-$657.00
Availability: Buy Riverbed Saffron Embroidered Duvet and Shams here

Nava Notes

If you’re the type to take notes or write down your daily observations, these notebooks make it easy to mark the date.

Art museum catalogue designer Atremio Croatto created these striped tone-on-tone blue Notebooks (2007) for the Milan-based Nava Design, which specializes in highly stylized paper products. Clever page headers allow the diarist to circle the day, month and year for accurate tracking of observations. Perforated sheets make passing notes a snap. Sold in packs of 5.

Pocket (Small)- Set of 5: H 5″ W 3.5″, $40.00
A5 (Medium)- Set of 5: H 8.25” W 6”, $50.00
A4 (Large)- Set of 5: H 11.75” W 8.25”, $60.00
Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $40.00
Availability: Buy Nava Notes here

Tahiti Pendant Light

Welded cut tubes make up this super sized lighting ornament.

Small: 15.75 x 15.75”, $299.00
Medium: 19.75 x 19.75, $390.00
Large: 23.75 x 23.75”, $494.00
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00
Availability: Buy Tahiti Pendant Light here

Galaxy Loveseat & Lounger

This actually looks quite comfortable despite the delicate appearance.

These transparent models are hand woven with golden sika (lighter version) or rattan splits (darker version). The foundation is composed of powder coated iron round bars and the cushions are filled with 3 inch thick FRD foam. The cushions are removable and an outdoor version of the lounger and chair are available.

Lounger: 33″h x 77.5″w x 38.5″d, $1000.00
Loveseat: 33″h x 52″w x 38.5″d, $1500.00

$1,500.00
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,500.00
Availability: Buy Galaxy Loveseat & Lounger here

Pasta and Parmesan Tool

If you eat pasta often, this might just make the task a little more streamlined.

Sagaform’s latest piece of Scandinavian design is a simple device which combines three kitchen tools in one. First, the handle end of the tool can be used for measuring out portions pasts, secondly the “fork” end of the tool is used to pick up your pasta and sauce, and finally you can grate your parmesan using the built-in grater. Simple and functional, another great-value item from Sagaform.

$16.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $16.00
Availability: Buy Pasta and Parmesan Tool here