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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)

 
 

Wing Bike Clips

We’ve posted these before, but an update is necessary now that they’re available in the U.S:

“These bicycle clips are made of reflective PVC and shaped like the wings on the sandals of the mythical Greek god Hermes. Easy to put on and take off, they keep pant legs free from the bicycle chain. Set of two.”

Unrolled: 14.5l x 1.25″w
$15.00 ($13.50 Members),
Buy it here.
or
here.

Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Availability: Buy Wing Bike Clips here

Source: Via

Christmas Tree by Buro North

Despite the skepticism some have on this ‘green’ tree, I still think it’s worthy of a post. It’s a different take on the traditional idea of a tree, and there’s quite a few people who like that, not to mention the reusable aspect.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: AUS69.00 and up
Availability: Buy Christmas Tree by Buro North here

Venus

Check out this modern interpretation of the well known Venus- I especially like the blue…

“The beauty of the Venus de Milo is illuminated with this ultra-modern version of one of the world’s most celebrated sculptures. The light within shines through the sculpture, creating a lovely, romantic glow that would please any goddess of love and beauty.”

15.75″W x 11.75″L x 27.5″H

Materials: Polyethylene

Purchase Information:

Price: $129
Availability: Buy Venus here

WeSC’s Premium Headphones

Sure, they’ll take up extra room in your carry on, but they’ll look and sound a whole lot cooler than the free ones that come in a plastic bag.

“The Premium is a smooth looking headphone in perfect musical harmony – full, rich sound, coupled with imaculate clarity, depth and warmth. The Premiums will bring you perfect auditory balance. Their versatility and comfort makes them ideal for a long plane ride or short daily commute.”

Green or Yellow.

Purchase Information:

Price: $85.00
Availability: Buy WeSC’s Premium Headphones here

Contura Acrylic Tub

This bathtub is absolutely lovely. A bit higher in the price category, but understandably so…

“Its strong acrylic construction and large soaking area allow for total relaxation. Available with optional airbath upgrade for those who want a total spa-like experience.”

72″ L x 32″ W x 28″ H.

Purchase Information:

Price: $3,980.00
Availability: Buy Contura Acrylic Tub here

Cardboard Safari 3D Animal Puzzles

The whole antler thing has taken the world by storm, but not many of us can afford (or want) to deck out our halls with the real thing, much less some very excellent designer interpretations. So, if you’ve got that antler itch, or know someone who does, here are some great cardboard versions that are at a very friendly price tag. They’re sure to add character to a room along with some amused glances and inquiries from visitors.

Deer, Moose, or Rhino (not pictured) available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes.

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.42
Availability: Buy Cardboard Safari 3D Animal Puzzles here

Gold Brick Door Stop

We posted this a while ago, and then got a few emails when it was no longer available…well, now MoMA has it so those of you that were sad about its disappearance can now rejoice.

“Prop open the door with this attention-grabbing doorstop shaped like a gold bar. The digits inscribed on each bar (260373) reference the first day women were allowed to enter the London Stock Exchange. Made of aluminum, cast iron, low-carbon steel, and gold-flash plating.”

1.5h x 6.25w x 2.5″d

Purchase Information:

Price: $79.00
Availability: Buy Gold Brick Door Stop here

Napkin Notebook by Dave Arnold and Jason Kreher

Entirely useful and amusing, this notebook will be sure to capture your thoughts without ever getting too serious.

‘It is a little know fact that the first sentence in “A Farewell to Arms” was written on a cocktail napkin.
This notebook conveniently keeps big ideas from getting lost. Includes 20 cocktail napkins, spiral bound with one ball point pen.’

5″ sq.

Purchase Information:

No longer available.

Hokey Spokes

Hokey Spokes! Do you remember? It’s the new version! They’ll keep you safe at night (if you’re riding a bike, that is), and, most importantly, it’ll make you insanely happy every time you see them.

“Hokey Spokes are unique bicycle safety lights that allow riders to display computer-generated images and text inside the spoke cages while riding at night. Not only are Hokey Spokes fun and interesting, but they also provide important side visibility, which is mostly unavailable in today’s standard bicycle lights.”

Blades are sold individually for $29.95
Red, green, yellow, orange, blue or rainbow lighted versions available (blue and rainbow are priced a bit higher)

[via the coolhunter.net]

Purchase Information:

Price: $29.95
Availability: Buy Hokey Spokes here

Kindle: Wireless Reading Device

The jury’s out on whether Amazon’s new electronic book will be a hit or not. I’m a fan of building up my own library, so I’m probably not going to try it out, but I can see the benefits of downloading books immediately for 1/3 the price it would normally cost, not to mention all kinds of newspapers and magazines being handy in a relatively small package. Quite convenient sounding…

-Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
-More than 90,000 books available, including 100 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers.

-Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
-Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback; weighs only 10.3 ounces.
-Holds over 200 titles.
-Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed

7.5″ x 5.3″ x 0.7″

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $399
Availability: Buy Kindle: Wireless Reading Device here

Keyport, Limited Edition

The worlds first universal key fob is now available. Don’t know if you saw this making the rounds a while back, but you can finally buy one for your very own. And, if you’re fretting about your car alarm remote, don’t worry, it looks like they’ve got that built in as well.

“Converting to Keyport is as simple as having each of your keys copied to a compatible blank and attached to the internal slider apparatus. By simply depressing the buttons on either side of the shell you can slide each of your keys as they click into place for use. With an array of technology rich upgrades currently under development, Keyport will be the most sophisticated entry device available.”

6 total keys, 3 each side
Price includes US shipping & conversion for 6 metal keys
Limited Edition Batch Colors: Silver, Black, Pink or Blue

1.10″W x 2.68″L x .58″H

Purchase Information:

Price: $295
Availability: Buy Keyport, Limited Edition here

Light Candle Holder

I don’t know why these are on sale, but holy, that’s great that they’re under the $50 mark. Again, so simple in design, with interesting materials to give a subtle style. I think they’d finish off a room quite nicely, or maybe they’d be the perfect present for one of your modernist friends?

“Arik Levy’s Light Candle Holder (2007) is a study in restraint, a distinct departure from its Victorian counterparts. An innovative use of materials, the candle holder comes either in white alabaster or black-textured aluminum. When a candle is lit, the alabaster holder captures the light, giving it a translucent quality. Paired together, the Light Candle Holders provide a satisfying material contrast to each other. Nicely weighted, they can be safely transported with one hand using the simple, sizable handle and accommodate standard taper candles (not included).”

H 6.25″ W 3″ D 1.25″

Purchase Information:

Price: $60
Availability: Buy Light Candle Holder here

Grid-It Notepad

I saw these a few months back and was disappointed when they weren’t available-but now they are! If you don’t “get” why grids are great, you’ll just have to trust me, they are.

“Each one is based on a famous grid system that changed the history of design. (Lots of background reading on grids at http://www.artofthegrid.com)
Choose from Le Corbusier’s Le Modulor (grid based on mathematics and the human body), Paul Rand’s A Designer’s Art (three column layout) or Jan Tschichold’s Die Neue Typographie (right-hand page layout). These are the front three pads, from left to right, in the main image. 60 sheets per pad printed in light blue ink.”

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $9.50
Availability: Buy Grid-It Notepad here

Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, LCW

For a limited time, DWR is offering free standard shipping on the classics. So, if you’ve been wanting something, now there’s an excellent excuse to get it.

“The Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair (1946) has been referred to as the “most famous chair of the century,” with a form that relates directly to the human body and holds no secrets as to how it succeeds technically. Low-slung, with an expertly crafted molded plywood seat and back, this chair cradles the user and features hardwood inner ply for durability.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $629.00
Availability: Buy Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, LCW here

Stone Menorah

I haven’t seen a whole lot of Menorahs, but this one tops the list.

– stone candle holders with black powder coated steel base
– one of a kind; stone color will vary
– handcrafted in Pennsylvania from stones quarried in the US

11″ x 5.5″ (at highest point)

Update: This item is unfortunately no longer available. (10/21/09)

Purchase Information:

Price: $115
Availability: Buy Stone Menorah here