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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)

 
 

Osorom Bench/Table

This would require a bit more money out of the bank than most other coffee tables, but it’s amazing, so it makes sense that it has a higher price point.

“This incredible design from Grcic features a lozenge-shaped object in white Hirek technopolymer; the cut outs create a magnificent spatial dimension and lightness with the piece. Perfect as a bench or a large surface like a coffee table – and, it can be used outdoors!”

measures 47.25″ diameter x 13.75″ height

[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $1,673.00
Availability: Buy Osorom Bench/Table here

K-bench by Vange

I love the newspaper bench- it can be custom made from your favorite daily news…

“K-bench is an innovative combination of design and materials. Honeycomb structured it can be expanded and contracted into different shapes according to your need. Made from polypropylene it is only 16cm thick when contracted and can extend to 3 metres in length, available in white, grey and orange. Also available is a newspaper version handmade to order out of whatever newspaper you like.”

16-300L x 43H x 64.7D
(thanks Koen!)
[posted by katie]

More information:

View K-bench by Vange here

Small Houses: Contemporary Residential Architecture

This book proves that bigger isn’t always better. Now all we need to do is distribute it to anyone thinking about building or buying a home.

“Small houses are no longer synonymous with cheap houses and lack of privilege. Instead, they symbolize a range of culturally coded values: compactness, efficiency, discrimination, discreteness, minimalism. Opening with a detailed exploration of the social and historical background behind compact housing in the twentieth century, this book goes on to feature thirty-seven illustrated case studies that represent some of the best examples of small houses built worldwide within the past decade.” [posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Availability: Buy Small Houses: Contemporary Residential Architecture here

Conversions

“As populations grow, where and how we live is a major concern. Architects address the issue of housing, and converting spaces is often a more satisfactory solution than building from scratch. Conversions shows that with a bit of imagination all sorts of buildings can be converted into homes. With each case study the author asks: What does one leave intact, what does one rip out, and what changes are forbidden by planning regulations? The budget, the materials, and the way they impact upon surroundings are also examined and assessed. Varied projects from around the world include rural, urban and civic buildings, lofts and industrial spaces, and radical one-offs.”
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $21.61
Availability: Buy Conversions here

Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto

Hurray for all guerilla gardeners- each city deserves to be injected with gardens wherever possible.

‘The term “guerrilla” may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving in the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transform an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Once an environmentalist’s nonviolent direct action for inner-city renewal, this movement is spreading to all types of people in cities around the world. These modern-day Johnny Appleseeds perform random acts of gardening, often without permission. Typical targets are vacant lots, railway land, underused public squares, and back alleys. The concept is simple, whimsical, and has the cheeky appeal of being a not-quite-legal call to action. Dig in some soil, plant a few seeds, or mend a sagging fence-one good deed inspiring another, with win-win benefits all around.’ [posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $9.69
Availability: Buy Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto here

fjord round bar table (0S1) by patricia urquiola

Patricia Urquiola’s Fjord collection for Moroso is huge-lots of different chairs and tables to choose from. This set is especially nice for a dining area.

fjord h. armchair, 22.8″w x 28.8″h x 21.8″d. seat height is 17.8″, $335

fjord round bistrot table (016), dimensions: 27.3″h x 31.5″dia, $652.00

fjord large round table (0SA) by patricia urquiola for moroso

dimensions: 28.8″h x 51.3″dia, $3,598.00.
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $335
Availability: Buy fjord round bar table (0S1) by patricia urquiola here

58″ Christmas Tree by Kuno Prey

If I follow the logic that all retail stores seem to go by, October the 1st is a perfect date to start talking about Christmas. Now, I disagree, and feel that the end of November is much more appropriate, but due to this perfect little tree being in limited supply I am going against the fibers of my being and posting this early.

“designed by kuno prey, Kuno Prey was a professor at the new Bauhaus Dessau School and is now at the Free University of Bolzano. (also see his other designs for danese & alessi)- …we have an EXTREMELY LIMITED SUPPLY. ADVANCE ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN WITH SHIPPING IN SEPTEMBER. Made in Germany…”

58″ high, 44″ widest branches, 22″ base with quick assembly.

Purchase Information:

Price: $325
Availability: Buy 58″ Christmas Tree by Kuno Prey here

Bauhaus Floor Lamp

We’ve posted the Bauhaus Table Lamp, and now there’s a floor lamp version to accompany it. Such a good price…

“The form is classic modern, but the execution’s a total rethink in top to bottom all metal, all white. Pedestal iron base rises clean, straightforward. Shade is a major surprise in handmade smooth aluminum. Un-color is a smashing high-gloss whiteout. Clear cord disappears nicely.”

19.75″dia.x59.5″H

Purchase Information:

Price: $149.00
Availability: Buy Bauhaus Floor Lamp here

Stack Stool by Ruby Metzner and Sather Duke

This is perhaps one of the more expensive stools we’ve ever seen, but it’s such a great combination of colors that it’s easy to forget the price tag.

“Inspired in part by the gears and brightly painted turbines seen in hydroelectric generators, and constructed of reclaimed wood, the Stack Stool by Hivemindesign is the latest in new sustainable design. Seven simple silhouette turnings are stacked in alternating woods and colors to create elements that are both different and alike in each possible configuration.”

Materials: Scrap American Black Walnut, Oak, Poplar. Water-based low-VOC finish.

D 15″ x H 16″
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $1350
Availability: Buy Stack Stool by Ruby Metzner and Sather Duke here

Costanzina Table Lamp

A smaller version of the classic:

“Paolo Rizzato’s Costanzina Lamp (1992) is a diminutive update to his classic Costanza Lamp, which has been copied so frequently, it’s become an archetype of modern lighting. Costanzina’s square brushed-aluminum base firmly holds a coordinating aluminum stem. The polycarbonate shade, which is held together with five aluminum rivets, offers a warm, diffused light and is easy to clean.”

H 20″ Diameter 10″ Base W 5″ D 5″ Cord L 72″
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $260
Availability: Buy Costanzina Table Lamp here

Soho Sectional, Sofa, & Chair by Bobby Berk Home

Yet another perfectly proportioned sofa/sectional to choose from…Also, you can save 10% off of all Bobby Berk Home Furniture Collection during their Columbus Day Sale using the coupon code “BBH10”.

“This contemporary sofa is comfortable and practical, without compromising design or fashion. The Soho Left Hand Sectional Shown in Cocoa with polished metal base. All Soho pieces are available in Wheat, Cocoa and Mocha.”

Sectional Right or Left Hand $3,250.00
w25″ x d15″ x h76″

Sofa $1,999.00
w86.75″ x d36″ x h25.5″

Chair $1,160.00
w41″ x d36″ x h25.5″
[posted by katie]

Purchase Information:

Price: $3,250.00
Availability: Buy Soho Sectional, Sofa, & Chair by Bobby Berk Home here

‘Modern House’ book by John Welsh

This book has lots of pictures (215 colour illustrations, 93 b&w illustrations, and 148 line drawings to be precise)…

“A collection of 30 recent innovative houses from around the world by notable contemporary architects such as Glenn Murcutt, Richard Meier, OMA, Tadao Ando and Frank Gehry…Houses range from organic structures in desert landscapes to villas in Mallorca and Malibu, and urban houses in Paris, London and Tokyo.”

Purchase Information:

Price: $22
Availability: Buy ‘Modern House’ book by John Welsh here

Armored Pillow

Not sure why military vehicles are so appealing on a pillow, but they are for some reason.

16″ Square

Purchase Information:

Price: $48.00
Availability: Buy Armored Pillow here

About Time Clock

This is perhaps one of the more ingenious designs of time-telling, allowing for (or reminding us to have) some flexibility in our schedules.

Poetry in motion, this innovative clock reveals the passing of time by rolling around your desk and telling time in one long continuous sentence.Designed in reaction to our stressed lives, where we tend to plan our daily activities to the minute, this clock simply tells you ‘It’s about six o’clock’ or ‘it’s almost seven now’.

Operates on AA batteries.
Anodized Aluminum
9″ dia, 3.5″D

$179.00

Purchase Information:

Price: $179.00
Availability: Buy About Time Clock here

Eva Zeisel Brass Candlesticks

Now is the time to pre-order these Zeisel brass candlesticks- only 150 sets are currently available, so you might want to put your name down soon…

“Made using the ancient method of sand casting, these three beauties get their smooth bronze finish by heating them over raw coals and dipping them in precise chemicals. The process is repeated until desired color is reached. All work is 100% hand-crafted until final finish.”

11″ – $45.00
8″ – $40.00
6″ – $35.00
Set – $120.00

Purchase Information:

Price: $35-$45
Availability: Buy Eva Zeisel Brass Candlesticks here