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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)

 
 

Eames Soft Pad Executive Chair

I absolutely love this chair. We ended up getting ours off of ebay, but if you’re not the patient type that will wait forever until one turns up for bidding, there are several stores that offer a brand new one in exchange for a chunk of change.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $3,689.00
Available from: DWR

45 Nano Cases

Man, this is smart. It would be a great gift for your favorite nano-owner.

“45 NANO CASES are made from reclaimed cassette tapes rebuilt to fit your 1st and 2nd generation iPod nano.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $45
Availability: Buy 45 Nano Cases here

Source: Via

Truth Hurts Card Set

These are both funny and sad- I guess it depends on what else you write on it. Humorous messages are encouraged…

‘When you read these cards, letterpress printed in a somber dark brown ink, you might think “ouch!” but yeah, the truth hurts. Two flat cards (not folded) of each of the following, plus envelopes: ‘I know in my heart that you lied.’, ‘There’s something you should know.’, ‘I meant what I said.’ Perfect to send chills up someone’s spine.’

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.00
Availability: Buy Truth Hurts Card Set here

MALAGA Rack System By Modern Cellar

This wine rack is actually quite a nice idea- you can add on modular units as needed (either as your collection grows or as your budget will allow).

* Rack Dimensions: 23 ½” x 5 ¾” x 10”
* Base Dimensions: 23 ½” x 7 ½” x 10”
* Holds five wine bottles (up to 1.5L magnums) each.

Purchase Information:

Price: $195
Availability: Buy MALAGA Rack System By Modern Cellar here

Stephanie DeArmond Ceramic Letter Pieces

I recently saw a letter vase by this artist in the recent issue of Readymade magazine, and a visit to her site did not disappoint. The combination of old fashioned decorative embellishments on cursive letter pieces are intriguing, and definitely look like they would be well worth the price. Cups and such run about $40, while the larger letter pieces go up to $1500. You can email Stephanie directly to purchase or to inquire about commissions. [posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $40-$1500
Availability: Buy Stephanie DeArmond Ceramic Letter Pieces here

Travel Yoga Mat

If you’re the type to do yoga while traveling, this would make things much easier. A “deluxe” carrying bag is included.

“The travel mat is 24-inches by 68-inches by three-millimeters and rather than rolling it, you just fold it and go.”

24″ x 68″ x 3mm
[posted by katie]

More information:

View Travel Yoga Mat here

Art Invention House by Michael Webb

This will definitely give you some ideas (or dreams) on future homes for you and your family.

“The houses shown here are understated or audacious, but never conventional. Each of these cutting-edge projects, whether built in town or country, represents a world apart from its surroundings. Some have only trees for neighbors; others are shoehorned into tight urban sites, perch on precipitous slopes, or cling like limpets to the coastline. But every house is one of a kind, the product of dialogue between demanding clients and creative designers around the globe.”[posted by katie]

The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living

Just in case you haven’t been hit over the head enough about sustainability and the environment, here’s another book that’s perfect for guiding us all towards greener choices.

“In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman—host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name—provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products—cars, toothbrushes, cell phones, pet accessories—to buy. Green, it turns out, can be an extremely stylish color.”[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $10.17
Availability: Buy The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living here

ecopod e1 Home Recycling Center

Remember when all of the “nicer” homes had garbage compactors? Maybe it’s time to use the old idea to reduce your trips to the curb or recycling center.

“Designed by BMW Designworks, the ecopod cleans up the way you recycle with its eco-chic design and functionality. Simply drop an aluminum can or plastic bottle in the top opening and press the ecostep to hear the sweet sound of compaction. As the ecostep releases, the redeemable container automatically falls into the enclosed collection bin. Open the door and remove the bin for collection or redemption. Glass bottles, paper, plastic bags and other recyclable items can be stored in the removeable bins inside the top lid.

* Dimensions: 21″ deep x 16″ wide x 31” tall
* Weight: Approx. 50 lbs.
* Available in: Black or White

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $328
Availability: Buy ecopod e1 Home Recycling Center here

Series 21 One Pendant Canopy by Bocci

Of course multiples look spectacular, but it would require more of investment than just one. I love the sculptural, almost-paper-bag look to it.

“the series 21 fixture by omer arbel is a porcelain and borosilicate glass fixture suspended by metal cable to a brushed nickel canopy. inspired by the sporadic arrangement of barnacles on a a substrate in nature, the porcelain is wrapped around glass cones of different sizes, resulting in a unique appearance to each fixture.”

standard cable length is 10′. Now taking advance orders (shipping December 2007).[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $359
Availability: Buy Series 21 One Pendant Canopy by Bocci here

The Nature of Dwellings: The Architecture of David Hovey

“Hovey has made a name for himself as the torchbearer for modern residential design, a designation he shares with a growing number of architects who’ve returned to pure modernism. His houses merge into the landscapes in which they’re situated, and with names like Cloud Chaser and Rain Maker, their ties to the land and climate are made clear. Hovey picks up where Frank Lloyd Wright left off, forging ahead with explorations of simple materials, rectilinear geometries, and structural innovation all in the service of free-flowing floor plans that merge indoor and outdoor into a cohesive whole.”[posted by katie]

Hideo Trolley/Luggage

All three of these would be completely suitable to be seen with while jet-setting. I especially like the white with the mirror finish, though I don’t know how it would look after a few trips…all three feature functional innovations such as ABS shell, for lightweight supreme protection, and silent moving soft wheels.

(on right)Shown in Orange- Hideo Wakamatsu Mirror Finish 20″ carry-on trolley. Zipper closure. 10lbs., $210, 13in X 20in X 9in.

(middle) Shown in Blue- Hideo Wakamatsu 20” carry-on sized trolley from their Wave collection. Interior features mesh organizing panel with zippered pockets. Combination lock. $210,14.5in X 20in X 8in.

(on left) Shown in White- Hideo Wakamatsu Mirror Finish 26 ” check in trolley. Large capacity trolley features…smooth magnetic locks, [and] a “top spin” to allow tilt pull. 15lbs. $300,18in X 26in X 9in.
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $210-$300
Availability: Buy Hideo Trolley/Luggage here

Greenwich Mirror Collection

These mirrors would be great in a small bathroom or entryway- the shelf is the perfect depth for smaller items like keys or sunglasses. Ebony Finish. By Bobby Berk Home.

Landscape Mirror w60″w x 8.5″d x 47″h,
Large Mirror w30″w x 8.5″d x 72″h,
Small Mirror 23.5″w x 8.5″d x 47.5″h
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $495-$895
Availability: Buy Greenwich Mirror Collection here

Nova Coffee Table

This might require some consideration due to the higher price point, but it would be worth it. Walnut and brushed stainless steel.

45″l x 25.75″w x 12″h

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,300.00
Availability: Buy Nova Coffee Table here

The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture

This is such a beautiful book. There’s over thirty-five homes in fifteen different countries featured as well as six different climactic zones- so if you’re even a tiny bit interested in sustainable design, it’s worth a look.

by Alanna Stang and Christopher Hawthorne.

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $29.70
Availability: Buy The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture here

Source: Via