bltd

If you prefer the rustic modern look, this dresser might be perfect for you.

“Beautifully crafted walnut dresser with iron accents and base.”

36wx36hx21deep

While this looks to be very useful, and quite clever considering the shape of both ends, I can’t help but think of chimpanzees using a simple stick to get ants out of a log. It’s much more civilized, of course. The title is what threw me into chimp thoughts.

“This beautiful, functional tool comes in a transparent box featuring a typographic wordplay in black lettering along with suggestions for use. STIR POT – FLIP STEAK – SCOOP JAR – SLICE CAKE – BUTTER TOAST – CHECK SAUCE – SCRAPE BOTTOM – STOP DOOR – SCRATCH BACK – FEEL GOOD. It’s uses are limited only by your imagination.”

[posted by katie]

I have admired this sofa for a long time now, and one day if my wallet permits, I might bite the bullet and get one.

“The Tufty-time sofa, designed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, has an original and luxurious design, and is extremely comfortable! The Tufty-time consists of various modules made of large-scale square tufts which can be combined in different ways to form a variety of configurations. The large depth of the sofa seat and its soft features make it extremely relaxing! The cover is completely removable.”

Fabric Cat. B, $4,755 exc.
Fabric Cat. Extra, $ 5,134 exc.
Fabric Cat. Super, $ 5,398 exc.
Fabric Cat. Lusso, $ 5,871 exc.

Decadence, anyone? In the light of all the take-a-short-shower-and-save-water messages, it seems wrong to post this, but I’m going to anyways because I’ve wondered how much these were and now I know I can’t afford ‘luxurious water delivery’.

“With their 54-nozzle sprayheads, WaterTile Ambient Rain overhead showering panels provide luxurious water delivery. Additionally, integrated chromatherapy offers mood-enhancing colored light sequences to offer a truly customized shower experience.”

[posted by katie]

The reviews are a little mixed on this one, but once again, the cover beckons…

“What makes a sustainable house a sustainable home? NEW SUSTAINABLE HOMES will address that question by presenting a wide range of projects where the architect and client have made a conscientious effort to incorporate sustainability into the design of the home and construction materials used in its execution. The result is a home that is less toxic to live in, is cheaper to operate, and often gives back to the environment rather than taking away. Also, and this is the most important consideration for many, it is a great looking, highly livable home that not only retains its value but has been shown to increase in value more quickly than more conventionally conceived houses because of cheaper operating expenses.”

NEW SUSTAINABLE HOMES will show readers will learn about the many materials and techniques that make up today’s sustainable house, including:

1) the use of pervious concrete on driveways that allows water to seep through to the water table below.

2) using bio–fiber panels in lieu of plywood for interior finishing

3) using organic, green roofs that improve insulation, absorb sound and manage storm–water runoff

4) solar water heating systems

5) use of high thermal performance windows

6) photovoltaic electrical systems

This looks entirely interesting.

“The allure of mobile, portable architecture is worldwide and centuries old, from the desert tents of the bedouin to the silvery capsules of the Airstream trailer. Mobile explores the ever-growing range of possibilities of portable, demountable, and mobile structures. Jennifer Siegal brings together the work of the most interesting contemporary designers of dynamic, active structures, whose work ranges from the microenvironment of a house that literally attaches to your body to the city-scaled macroenvironment of London’s Millennium Dome, from the interior of a Boeing jet to an entire mobile community whose living units plug into a framework of flexible communal space, and from the practical design of transportable office space to the whimsical design of Pink Floyd’s The Wall stage set. All of the designs celebrate the lightness, transience, and practicality that mobile architecture makes possible.”

[posted by katie]

So, we’ve made a few minor changes to the site recently. If you haven’t noticed yet, the search bar is now at the bottom of the page, near our other useful/informative buttons and we’ve replaced the previous logo with our original (yet updated) one. You can, of course, also search by category with our drop down menu (located in the grey bar below the tabs). Please shoot us an email if something is out of place and we’ll fix it.

Also, for you iPhone owners, we’ve jumped on the bandwagon (albeit rather late) of doing a BLTD webclip icon, so if you’re interested, just delete your old link and add it in again to pull up the new icon. If you’ve not added BLTD yet (gasp!) or if you’re not sure how, here’s a quick walk through:

1. Find BLTD in Safari
2. Tap on the ‘+’ sign
3. Tap ‘add to home screen’
4. Ta-da! The icon should appear on your home screen

As always, please feel free to contact us with tips, comments or suggestions. (And, if you find scrolling down to the bottom too much of a chore, let us know and we’ll work on putting the search bar into our drop down menu.)

Thanks.

I don’t know why, but I’ve got a knack of finding (and loving) expensive travel things. Not quite sure why this warrants a hefty price tag, but it sure looks impressive.

“This trolley is perfectly designed for modern day travel, holding more
than enough for a long weekend. Design details include hidden wheels,
royal blue cotton lining and a chrome padlock with the correlating key
nestled in its own matching leather cover. Your contents will be
further protected by two additional buckled flaps made from the same
black granulated leather.”

46
x 37 x 24 cm

[posted by katie]

Quite similar to the
Icarus Light, the Daedalus utilizes the same overlapping feather shapes yet provides soft lighting for tabletops.

“Activate or dim this dramatic sculptural light with a gentle touch to the chrome base. Inspired by the Greek mythological inventor, Daedalus, the shade is made of a white mylar polyester with a base of satin-plated steel. Requires one 60-watt bulb (not included). Simple assembly required.”

8.5″diam.

This is one of the strangest coat ‘rests’ I’ve seen, but in the best possible way. It has a very sculptural look, with or without outer attire. Also available in
Dark Brown if you’d prefer a more subtle look.

“This unconventional design is created using weighted balls of stitched burnt orange, red and brown leather. The coat rest attaches to the wall by the leather rope that secures the balls in place; a perfectly practical yet ultimately stylish piece.”

Weighted leather coat rest in burnt orange, red and brown

At this price, I could overlook the ‘inspired by’. This is a great choice for anyone on a budget.

“Inspired by an iconic Midcentury design, our wire chair is equal parts modern sophistication and organic comfort. Iron mesh construction adds both textural interest and a sense of transparency, resulting in a piece that simultaneously enhances and supports its surroundings. A true classic, you’ll love it defining a corner in your living room, pulled up to a desk in your office or grouped in 4 around a dining room table. Get wired! Imported. Wipe clean.”

27″w, 31.5″h, 24″d

As I recall, we’ve received a few emails asking about where to find the Full/Fill Bottle; this collection pictured above is a different version that has a similar look and function.

“Italian design house Seletti brings you these glass water bottles that are inspired by their plastic counterparts. Great for serving water, wine and all things fine. Each bottles holds 1 liter and comes with a glass cap. Choose from four different designs pictured from left to right.”

[posted by katie]

Not sure if this is to everyone’s taste, but I really like this planter. It’s not just that it’s made from recycled tires, it’s the handcrafted quality and texture that make it a unique choice for planting or storage.

“Each one strong and beautiful. Each one slightly different.
Suitable for growing small trees and shrubs, bedding plants and herbs, potatoes and squashes. Also a great way to store rakes, hoes and spades.”

Handmade from 100% recycled tyres.

Height 60cm; Widths 44cm, 48cm and 52cm

A clever adaptation of the coffee mug, this vase wins the title of ‘best desk vase’ ever.

“Take a brake. Pour yourself some fresh flowers. Desk vase mug. Earthenware.” [sic]

24cm high

Nice price for a multifunctional piece of furniture.

“Hybrid safari/luggage bench makes SRO a non-issue. Midnight black recycled leather with black saddlestitch wraps a fixed X-base in black-stained solid wood.”

60″Wx17.75″Dx18″H