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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)

 
 

At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents’ Place

With thoughtful watercolor drawings, Kate T. Williamson captures the many moments of her daily life after moving back in with her parents for what was thought to be a three-month stopover but soon became a twenty-three-month stay.

Small details and ordinary scenes amount to a personal memoir that catches all the joys and embarrassing episodes of living once again with one’s own parents. From spending her twenty-fourth birthday at a Hall&Oates concert with her mother to hiding in the fridge at a floral shop to avoid the ‘what are you doing with your life’ question, there’s a sense of self awareness captured in her own script that is alternately uncomfortable and funny. This would be a perfect gift for anyone who has ever moved back in with their parents (or might be tempted to) and for those who have experienced the strange period of ‘in-between-ness’ that occurs after college but right before finding one’s own roots.

Purchase Information:

Price: $19.95
Availability: Buy At a Crossroads: Between a Rock and My Parents’ Place here

Nama Rococo Little Butterfly Loop Wallpaper

This wallpaper might just be my favorite yet- the soft muted background color with the seemingly crazy little doodles scattered about are quite lovely.

“Moving into a 3,500 foot warehouse may have changed Karen Combs forever. Already an established artist, this new space enabled her projects to get larger. The space was large enough for a 50 foot roll of paper that was to become her first wallpaper. Each sheet is handpainted and handscreened for unparalleled quality.”

38″h x 24″w.
(note: price listed is per sheet, not per roll)

Purchase Information:

Price: $126.00
Availability: Buy Nama Rococo Little Butterfly Loop Wallpaper here

Signat and SBL Collection

Perfect for your laptop, this special 1965 re-edition of that classic Samsonite briefcase certainly shows signs of a makeover. Thinner than the old version with a leather handle face-lift, it’s most likely more comfortable to carry around on a daily basis and has the nifty added feature of a removable laptop sleeve. A divider panel and pockets help keep your papers and necessary electronic components organized.

Signat Attaches:
Mini Attache A5, 11โ€ย x 9โ€ย x 3โ€ย, $240.00
Medium Attache A4, 14โ€ย x 11โ€ย x 3โ€ย, $300.00
Large Attache, 17โ€ย x 12.5โ€ย x 3โ€ย, $360.00

Also, I couldn’t help browsing through some of the other ‘Black Label’ items- the faux crocodile shell of the AI2 I thought was especially eye-catching, along with the Hero, which treats the human form “just like an animal skin, with with the ribcage and sternum at the front of the case and backbone at the back.” (Does anyone else find that very/slightly disturbing?)

SBL Collection Luggage by Alexander McQueen: Available in bone or black
Crocodile AI2 Upright (lower left/middle), 14.5โ€ย x 22โ€ย x 8.25โ€ย, $775.00,
Hero AI 1 Upright (lower right), 17″ x 22.75″ x 10″, $775.00

(Thanks Adam!)

Purchase Information:

Price: $240-$775
Available from: Samsonite

Linkable Lined Notebook

This is a pretty smart way to keep your ideas together- the back side of one notebook slips into the front pocket of another…providing a way to link up several notebooks in one.

“160 lined pages that open flat. Inside pages are green seal certified and contain 30% recycled post-consumer fiber. Cover is stain resistant, waterproof, tear-resistant, 100% recyclable synthetic paper, easy to wipe clean. Patent pending front cover pocket linking system. One interior pocket. Size 5 x 7″ Available in blue, grey, white, pink, manila, and green.”

5″ x 7″

Purchase Information:

Price: $14.00
Availability: Buy Linkable Lined Notebook here

Pantheon Throw by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel

This throw isn’t a new thing, but I do keep admiring the design whenever I come across it. If you look closely, you can see images of tanks and grenades amidst the animals.

“The ordinary throw blanket may be a bit taboo in the design industry, seeing as its main function is to cover an old and unseemly couch… but when Marcel Wanders, Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel get ahold of it, it’s another story altogether! Decorated with bold, graphic patterns, the July and Pantheon Throws are elegant and unexpected heirlooms, capable of transforming any room with their warm and inviting atmosphere. If you don’t have an old couch that needs to be saved, they look equally great draped over the bed, hung on a wall, or used as a tablecloth for those extra special occasions.”

65″W x 110.25″L

Purchase Information:

Price: $475.00
Availability: Buy Pantheon Throw by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel here

Hedge Coffee Table and Rectangular Side Table

Both of these tables are almost unbelievably priced- either or both would be perfect for the outdoor weather that’s just around the corner.

hedge coffee table:
“Deliberately designed on the same low square grid as our Resort to pull right up to the edge, or in between, chairs and ottoman in modular fashion. Spare lines can also do coffee or side table duty with any outdoor, even indoor, setup. Rustproof, UV-resistant metal design with a slightly iridescent charcoal powdercoat with a hand-welded lower-level X. Ready to go, no assembly required.”

$129.00, Buy it here.

rectangular side table:
“At your service to perch a tall iced tea, a good read, or a tube of SPF. Apartment balconies and urban decks dig its tiny footprint. Industrial steel in a ivory powdercoat. Levelers included. Indoor or sheltered outdoor sites.”

$39.95,
Buy it here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $39.95-$129.00
Availability: Buy Hedge Coffee Table and Rectangular Side Table here

Pillow Leather Diamond by Pols Potten

These are awfully pretty.

“From Dutch Design Company Mrs. Me, Lekker is pleased to introduce these gorgeous throw pillows in 2 different sizes. The front is made of lasered cow-hide with a diamond pattern and the reverse is done in a gorgeous silver coated linen fabric. The large pillow measures 17.7″ x 23.6″. Imported from The Netherlands.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $245.00
Availability: Buy Pillow Leather Diamond by Pols Potten here

Metaphys Desk Trays

Back in December Kris posted the Metaphys Desk items and they’re now available in the U.S./Canada. (Plus, there’s a few more pictures to show the storage capacities.)
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $39.00
Available from: Metaphys

Piedmonte by Andrea Claire

This reminds me a lot of a lamp by Nicolette Brunklaus, except the scene is more ethereal.

“Pendant lamp with black fabric on the outside and image of trees on the inside. One must peek under the edge to see the image inside. The cord is fabric covered, gold. Comes with plug. Size is: 8″ high x 18″ diameter. Uses 25-75 watt bulb. Can be hard wired, requires canopy.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $540.00
Availability: Buy Piedmonte by Andrea Claire here

Scatola Armonica Sideboard

Pairing a little detail with an otherwise simple modern shape seems to suit this sideboard quite well. There’s just enough scroll work to keep it interesting, yet it wouldn’t clash with or distract from other pieces in the room.

“Straddling the line between minimal and maximal, the Scatola Armonica Sideboard teams a spare, modern shape and materials with richly ornamental, scrolling details.”

24″ H x 79″ W x 20″ D

Purchase Information:

Price: $2,049.30
Availability: Buy Scatola Armonica Sideboard here

Tripod Floor Lamp

This three legged floor lamp is unassuming enough to fit into any room.

“Brushed Steel Tripod Floor lamp 64″ tall, accommodates two bulbs (60W max). Shade diameter 21-3/4.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $295.00
Availability: Buy Tripod Floor Lamp here

Savour Kindness Pouch

This pouch carries a sentiment worth noting, whether on your travels or on a daily basis.

“Cream naplak inspirational message on gabardine makeup bag. Zipper closure top. Signature Anya bow on exterior and printed on interior nylon lining. Black/cream.”

Measures 15″ x 10″ x 2ยฝ”.

Purchase Information:

Price: $195.00
Availability: Buy Savour Kindness Pouch here

Tevere Chair by Hida

Man, this chair costs a pretty penny, but there’s something very nice about the simplicity of materials and form.

“The Hida Tevere Chair provides comfortable seating in a design that transforms natural material into a sturdy, contemporary form. The Tevere Chair features Sugi wood, a tree native to Japan that provides a lightweight, but strong, construction material.”

Designed by Enzo Mari

22″W x 20″D x 31″H

Purchase Information:

Price: $940.00
Availability: Buy Tevere Chair by Hida here

LED mini-chandeliers by Chris Collicott

I’m sure you could get creative and find lots of surprising places to put these mini-chandeliers.

‘designed by new york-based Brit chris collicott, these mini-LED chandeliers operate on 3 AAA batteries (not included) and range in measurements from 5″ to 7″- adding a touch of elegance to those cramped areas. an adaptor is available separately. inspiration, according to Mr. Collicott: “Chandeliers are always so grand and aloof, I thought it would be fun to bring one down to size. The mini-chandelier’s portability creates opportunities for fun: hanging in a car, on a tree, in a closet, or grouped together — a chandelier-elier, so to speak.”‘

LED mini-chandelier (on right) (LP15), $18.00
available in clear, black or pink versions. 5″ x 5″ x 5″

Mini-LED tier chandelier (middle) (lp17), $30.00
5″ x 5″ x 5″

Imperial LED chandelier (on left) (LP20), $30.00
7″ diameter x 8″h.

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

Duck Mirror

A rather small way to add some humor to your decor, this little mirror is sure to do its job in style.

“This webbed feet mirror will help get you on your way each morning. Duck’s feet cast in pewter, with a swivel back for any angle. Designed by David Dear.”

8.5 x 5.5 inches

Purchase Information:

Price: $80.00
Availability: Buy Duck Mirror here