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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)

 
 

Boom Table Light

Need a little light? The Boom task light by Tom Dixon is composed of a series of cylinders and tubes arranged in a semi-industrial sculptural stack. Inspired by traditional draftsman’s and machinist’s lamps, the pivoting arm and head will focus light right where you need it, which may just help you get your work done a tiny bit faster. If not that, then at the very least you won’t have headaches from eye strain.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $330.00
Available from: Horne

Friday Links

Piaggio introduces Gita personal cargo droid that follows you around

– Daily news got you down? Experts Suggest How to Adjust Your Media Diet

– And, Positive News

Kayashima: The Japanese Train Station Built Around a 700-Year-Old Tree

– Cute Little Lightning Bolt Light (there’s also a Little Neon-Like Heart Light

– Neat New York Cityscape Architectural Model

– Zoomable version of The Catโ€™s Paw Nebula from ESO.

– Pink! Crosby Studios

Crosby Studios

Scout Tall Stool

I know finding the right barstools are tough, and that’s exactly why I keep my eyes out for anything remotely interesting or decent. Surname’s Scout Stools are more than decent, they’re downright perfect. No frills except for a brass or copper finish on the footrest, each stool is made from antique heart pine salvaged from dismantled New York area buildings. A gentle slope to the seat keeps your backside comfortable, and your wallet will be happy to see the price tag is just under the $300 mark.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $340.00
Available from: Surname Goods

Raised Fist Poster

The clenched fist is a “a universal sign of solidarity and support.” Should you feel beaten down by the news of the past few days, remember, you are not alone. This particular print may just be enough to keep you going… organizing, uniting, and working to make sure your voice is heard.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $48.00
Available from: A+R Store

In Between Chair

You might sense a resemblance to Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair in the curved back rail of this chair, and you’d be spot on, as designer Sami Kallio has a high regard for the world renowned Danish designer. Kallio’s chair occupies a certain ‘in between’ place in method of manufacturing as each one is hand and machine made. Ash and oak, the two options, both respond quite well to woodturning, more of classic hand-held lathe technique, and compression molding, a technique that allows for strength despite an overall lightness. The back and side panels provide support as well as a nicely contrasting visual gap.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $630.00
Available from: A+R Store

Trash Me Lamp

Do you have any egg cartons lying around? Maybe you could make a lamp… or, at least appreciate that this small lamp is made from paper pulp comprising of four egg cartons, water, and aluminum screws. Designed by Victor Vetterlein, the lamp is intended to reflect the transient nature of the material used. At the end of its life the lamp can be recycled.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $125.00
Available from: Matter Matters

Next Cardboard Cactus Air Purifier

Huh? This cardboard cactus is an air purifier? Apparently so, and, according to the description, it breaks down “bacteria, fine dust and pollutants” with filters and a fan inside the cardboard structure. A particular surface treatment plus the use of chitosan and titanium dioxide (with an ultraviolet LED) all combine to make the surrounding air a little cleaner. Anyone interested in testing the efficacy of such technologies?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $190.00
Available from: designboom

OMY Giant Coloring Page

C’mon, it looks fun, right? A giant coloring page to fill, with markers or crayons or both. You could certainly wile a few minutes (or hours) away, and we’ve not even talked about how much kids would like it. Pin it in the hallway at home or at the office with a box of art supplies nearby so people will occasionally stop to help out (and smell the scented markers). Plus, everything seems to move a little slower from February to March, so no one will notice if you end up filling in a section or two all by yourself.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00
Available from: Perfectly Smitten

Sheepopco Popcorn Bowl

See that little side bit on this Sheepopco Popcorn Bowl? That’s what you get to eat, because the rest is mine. Or, okay, I’ll share, but let’s do the fun thing and mix something with the plain popcorn for the right sweet-and-salty pairing. That’ll make movie nights all the more fun. Two bowls are included in the pack; one standard popcorn bag will fill both.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $25.00
Available from: Sheepopco

HeartShapes Blocks

February is just a couple of days away, so you know what that means… Valentine’s Day is looming (barf). If you have to get something for your significant other, consider the HeartShapes Blocks from Zoe Miller and David Goodman. The set of 50 wooden pieces are boxed in the shape of a heart, but can be configured into plenty of patterns; it includes an illustration sheet of designs to try out.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $100.00
Available from: MoMA Store

Friday Links

– Pretty space: Kinfolk Gallery

– Netflix! Abstract, The Art of Design (via kottke)

Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight

– Huh? Birkenstock launches line of beds as next step in comfort design

– For your rugs: Fringe Comb

Moon Night Light

Enjoy your weekend!

Bottle Humidifier Mini

You may be needing a humidifier to combat the dry winter air or to provide some relief from seasonal allergies. This little mini 11+ Bottle Humidifier promises to supply enough humidity for any personal space, all powered via USB. Skeptical? That’s understandable, due to its compact size, but it is powerful enough to use in a bedroom, office, or living room. There’s also the regular sized Bottle Humidifier ($69), if you prefer a bigger size.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $45.00
Available from: Leibal

Moon Bowls by Normann Copenhagen

You could probably use an extra decorative bowl or two, as there’s usually a few odds and ends floating about that need a home temporarily (because you’re eventually going to put it away to where it belongs, riiight?). The concave wooden vessels you see above and below are named after the moon, for they resemble perfectly shaped moon craters. Use them together or individually to hold your smaller things in the office (paperclips), closet (jewelry or keys), or kitchen (dry foods only).
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Purchase Information:

Price: $22.00
Available from: Gretel Home

The City Backpack

Need a light backpack for carrying essentials during the day? The City Backpack might just work. It’s made of water-repellent nylon and has a padded interior (for a 13″ laptop) with an inner pocket for an iPad or Kindle. A small front slip with a magnetic snap keeps writing implements and smaller items close at hand; that plus an inner zip pouch will keep your stuff properly sorted. There’s also the no-nonsense nylon City Briefcase (in black or slate, if you’re interested.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $128.00
Available from: Poketo

Nomad Carafe

This stainless steel carafe hits all the right notes with its minimalist cork stopper and four nesting cups. Stack the cups and invert them on top of the carafe for an easy to carry stack that’s perfect for picnics or just for transporting a hot or cold beverage from the kitchen to patio. Designed by Hlymur Vagn Atlason.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $40.00
Available from: MoMA Store