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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)

 
 

Diode watch

The impressive thing about this watch is that it was originally designed way back in 1975.

LIP watches have been around for over 150 years but were unavailable in the United States until very recently. The company has reintroduced some of their most important models from a modern collection that was first unveiled 35 years ago. In the 1960s and 1970s, LIP enlisted a handful of creative architects and designers to design contemporary watches. Among them was the prolific Roger Tallon, who designed everything from high-speed French TGV trains to the 1964 Helicoid Staircase (part of the MoMa Design Collection). Tallon’s LIP designs include the iconic Mach 2000 series.

materials:mineral glass, stainless steel case, leather strap
$380.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $380.00
Availability: Buy Diode watch here

Foster Series tape dispenser

So this special tape dispenser has a trick: when you’re finished, you simply remove the lid from underneath (the black bit) and the tape sinks down so you can cover it all up.

designer: Norman Foster
materials: aluminum and “Perdur” (a type of rubber)
4.5″ x 1.75″, height 2.75″
$130.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $130.00
Availability: Buy Foster Series tape dispenser here

Animal Shot Glasses

If you’ve ever entertained the thought of collecting shot glasses for even half a second, you’ll have to buy a set of these. If you’re not into shots, then the idea of using them as votive candle holders might appeal to your sensibilities a little more.

Shot glasses for the passionate animal lover… or the avid hunter. Either way, the Animal Shot Glasses are made of black glass and balance atop the head of either a bear, bull, deer, moose or rhinoceros. Can also be used as votive candle holders, paper weights, or simply something lovely to look at.

Designer: Goody Grams
2″ dia. x 3.25″H, 1.9 fl.oz.
Materials: Black glass, Pewter
Set of 2, $55.00,

Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $55.00
Availability: Buy Animal Shot Glasses here

Witches’ Kitchen

Hmm…does anyone else find the set of ‘extra hands’ to be a little bit creepy?

This extensive collection of kitchenware was inspired by the witches and wizards of Western lore. Originally designed by Tord Boontje, each piece was then handcrafted by artisans in one of three South American countries: Colombian artisans hand-molded the black ceramic cookware, Guatemalan craftsmen handcarved the wooden kitchen utensils, and Brazil’s Coopa-Roca women’s cooperative hand-sewed the kitchen couture. Infused with a strong sense of local tradition, this collaborative effort in sustainable design succeeds in preserving the folkloric nature of witchery… without, of course, any of the lingering stigma.

Saucepan & Lid/Bowl: $239.00
Casserole & Lid/Bowl: $369.00
Extra Hands: $329.00
Set of 6 Assorted Utensils: $769

Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $239.00
Availability: Buy Witches’ Kitchen here

Tractor Stool

These definitely qualify as a ‘want-but-can’t-afford’ item…

A design icon, Tractor Stool derives its shape from a Swiss tractor seat. The warm, organic feeling created invokes nature and invites interaction. Carved from solid wood and hand finished by expert cabinet makers, the stool comes in three heights: dining, counter and bar.

Designer: Craig Bassam and Scott Fellows
Available In: Solid carved stool in Ash, Walnut, or Teak with an oil finish.
17″w 13 1/2″d 19 1/4″h 17″seat h
$1950.00-$2000.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $1950.00-$2000.00
Availability: Buy Tractor Stool here

Offi Coosh Lounge and Ottoman

This lounge and ottoman is certainly geared towards the younger crowd, yet perhaps if Offi gets enough requests they’ll make it in a larger (living room) size.

Inspired by kids and the desire to touch. This ball is cut from a single block of high density foam giving birth to a lounge chair and ottoman, or interlocking curving chaise. The Coosh is the perfect “gamer’s” chair. Roll it open, lock on the ottoman, sit back with your favorite Playstation, Xbox, or Guitar Hero game and play in comfort.

Safe, breathable, kid-friendly high density polyurethane foam. Fire retardant. Available in Urban Grey.
Rolled up = 23 x 23 x 29 (inches)
Unrolled (ottoman interlocked) = 23 x 23 x 45

$349.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $349.00
Availability: Buy Offi Coosh Lounge and Ottoman here

STAACH Cain Collection Chairs, Set of 2

We’ve posted this chair before showing the
black/white/gray color scheme, but the bright hues deserve their own chance in the spotlight.

STAACH has built a chair that is all about simplicity. You choose a style and color. They build it. You sit on it. Created using two tools and two hands STAACH furniture is the embodiment of sustainability. Made out of certified wood sourced in the US each piece is fabricated in their NY workshop.

15.75 W 32 H 19 D

Set of 2: $380.00 – 640.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $380.00
Availability: Buy STAACH Cain Collection Chairs, Set of 2 here

Faux Wax Candlestick

This will save you hours of patiently waiting for wax to drip. And, if an extra zero doesn’t send your wallet into hiding, turn your attention to the Vesuvius Candlestick (pictured above right) by Ted Muehling.

“This surreal candlestick appears to be dripping wax. However, upon closer examination it is made entirely of china (Earthenware.)”

20 x 12cm with a diameter of 8.5cm.
$35.00 CAD,
Buy it here.

(Vesuvius Candlestick, $350.00)

Purchase Information:

Price: $35.00
Availability: Buy Faux Wax Candlestick here

Papier-mâché Creatures from Stray Dog

These delightful papier-mâché creatures will be your friends through thick and thin, so they’re well worth the price tag. And, most importantly (who needs friends anyways) they’re available in all sorts of colors. Doesn’t that make you happy?

Available in white or in any of 13 luscious colors – all in low VOC paints.
Rendered in papier mache by hand by artisans in Haiti.

Bird, $45.00, 6”h x 8”l x 4”w
Peacock, $200.00, 30”l x 17”h x 10”w
Cow (Ferdinand), $275.00, 20”h x 20”l x 25”w
Pig, $185.00, 13”h x 24”l x 10”w

Crab, Deer with Flowers, Fish, Love Bird, Pagan Goat (head), Peace Antelope (head), Praying Mantis, Snail, and Spider also available (not pictured).

Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $45.00
Availability: Buy Papier-mâché Creatures from Stray Dog here

031 lin pod bench

This is slightly reminiscent of something you might find in a doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, if the doctor or dentist was unbelievably cool. If you buy this, you might have to pretend to be unbelievably cool, otherwise it just won’t work. Trust me.

Slender contours of upholstery fluidly move from one feature to the next. the backrest slopes downward to the seat which extends outward to contain a pot of greenery. By placing plant life in such an intimate position, Lin Pod Bench creates a peaceful atmosphere that connects us more deeply with nature. A solid wood leg frame raises the upholstered form, enhancing the inherent visual levity.

Design Leif.designpark, 2007.
Offered in traditional oiled oak, white oiled oak or traditional oiled Walnut. Upholstered in your choice of cotton or wool upholstery.
69.3″ w | 23.2″ d | 26.5″ h
$2,195.00, Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $2,195.00
Availability: Buy 031 lin pod bench here

Tunto Keinu Swing

This picture has me wishing for a sunny day (and $250 to burn).

Layered pieces of birch wood.
Available in Green, Light Blue, or Red.

$250.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $250.00
Availability: Buy Tunto Keinu Swing here

Cake Plate (Fair Share)

Now you can tell the cake cutter exactly how much you’d like.

“With this plate the concept of measurement is explored in a way to create a connection between the person and the object. For instance, when cutting cake or cheese, nobody will complain about having the smallest slice. d27cm.”

$45.00CAD,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $45.00
Availability: Buy Cake Plate (Fair Share) here

AQHayon Mirror

This mirror is simply striking with its laser-cut decorative edges. It’ll set you back a fair bit though, ’cause it’s a show stopper.

A final touch to the AQHayon series of bathroom furniture, this laser-cut mirror adds just the right amount of decorative detail to complete the look of perfect elegance and sophistication. Available in stainless steel in three different sizes or in either a black or white silkscreen version, there is a distinct possibility that this mirror may just find its way out of the bathroom and into another room in need of some character.

Small: 35.5″W x 23.5″H, $1,169.00
Medium: 53″W x 35.5″H, $2,415.00
Large: 70.75″W x 47.25″H, $3,101.00
Silkscreen: 36.25″W x 24.5″H, $858.00
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $858.00
Availability: Buy AQHayon Mirror here

Heaven Chair

Such a lovely choice for outdoor seating, though I’d opt for indoors just so I could gaze upon its beauty each and every day. Just kidding (sort of).

Using a new process that extrudes pre-galvanised metal sheet into a 3D mesh sling, Christophe Pillet and Jean-Marie Massaud’s Heaven chair combines a barely-there appearance with a sturdy structure that can be left outdoors permanently.

W24 x D22.4 x H31.5 in.

$350.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $350.00
Availability: Buy Heaven Chair here

Black Deck of Cards

This deck will give you that sinister/unshakable look for your poker game (or Old Maid, if that’s your thing).

“A deck of cards entirely in black. The design, particularly for Jokers, Kings, Queens and Jacks, also add another unique touch. Play cards with design and style.”

$16.00,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $16.00
Availability: Buy Black Deck of Cards here