bltd

Shall we talk tape dispensers? They’re somewhat necessary in our homes and office environments, yet most are clunky and boring. Not the HMM TapeDispenser, though, as it has a magnetic core holder which holds the tape gracefully in one-third of a traditional dispenser’s size. A weighted base allows for one hand to pull and tear the tape, so your other hand can juggle, sip coffee or give someone the bird.
(more…)

Your favorite little plant might need a new home in this Architectural Planter. It’s small, so it’ll fit on your desktop (or windowsill?) and has three vertical slabs as its base. Plus, it comes with a drainage tray to catch any overwatering (so you daydream sometimes, no big deal). Let’s hope for a larger version, or a family of sizes to propagate all sorts of succulents.
(more…)

Please tell me you need a strange sort of tray for your next dinner party, because I’ve got just the thing: the ZZ CenterPiece. Isn’t it lovely in its asymmetrical-yet-functional design? Is the ebonized Walnut not beautiful with its zig zag topical pattern? It’s interesting enough to leave out all the time- maybe you could even put it in your entryway to catch keys and correspondence?
(more…)

I know what you need: this set of six silkscreened cork coasters from Fredericks and Mae. Why? Well, they’ll protect your furniture from hot and cold drinks, but, most importantly, they’ll make you happy every single time you move them around. Choose the Green/Red/Blue or Red/Blue/Yellow sets. There’s also the very fun Trivets in similar target designs.
(more…)

Do these glasses remind you a little bit of industrial light fixtures? That’s exactly what inspired them, and the result is a hefty sort of glassware with just an smidgen of decorative fluting (like a well-made suit with a pretty tie and pocket square). Choose between a large or small set of three.
(more…)

Oh, how wonderful it would be to have additional coat storage, especially if that coat storage was the Asplund Tati Coat Rack. Designed by Johan Ridderstråle & Mats Broberg for ASPLUND Collection, the Tati Coat Rack is available in two different sizes and several colors (anthracite, white, violet, olive, nougat, deep blue and orange) as well as a base in either Carrara mabrle or black granite. Which one would look best in your entryway or bedroom? I vote for deep blue.
(more…)

– New Gardenista Book

– Vets Made Tiny Custom Snowshoes For A Bird

– 9/11’S Second Wave: Cancer and Other Diseases Linked to the 2001 Attacks are Surging

– How to Pick the Fastest Line at the Supermarket

– “Grown-up” lunch box: To-Go Container

– A question I often ask before thinking about it for an extra two seconds: WHY HASN’T THE U.S. ADOPTED THE METRIC SYSTEM?

– Can Direct Democracy Be Revived Through New Voting Apps?

– Fun? Yayoi Kusama embellishes Philip Johnson’s Glass House

So, this isn’t a scrapbook, it’s a Portfolio. That’s said with a teensy bit of snobbery, by the way. A thick paper accordion is held between two pieces of solid oak with a large rubber band to hold it all together. Think of it as a cool way to showcase photos and/or drawings- perhaps from a vacation or special event (gift alert!). When opened, the Portfolio stands on its own for display.
(more…)

If you have a dark living or dining area, may I suggest the Mobile Light by Andrew Neyer? The rotating arms allow for quite a bit of variety in movement, especially considering the arms are 40″ and 48″ in length. The no-frills, minimal design provides a clean look that would work well with other styles, so it’s a very safe bet for all sorts of interiors.
(more…)

Uh-oh, if you like the Nest Mortar and Pestle from Pat Kim, you’d better snap one up right this very second, because there’s only four available. The mortar actually houses the pestle in its base, keeping it tucked away until use. Inspired by woodpecker nesting holes, it’s a smart solution for compact storage.
(more…)

I know, I know, a block of wood with some strange carvings won’t make much sense until you pair the title with the picture. It’s the Pivot Koostik Passive Amplifier, and it does just what it says- it passively amplifies sound on your iPhone. Two channels allow you to set your phone in either landscape or portrait mode, and you can customize the face. Might be a fun gift to give, right?
(more…)

Did you know Erik Magnussen’s Stelton Vacuum Jug was designed way back in 1977? Or that the very recognizable shape is now available as a coffee press? Brew your coffee and keep it hot for hours, all in the retro-cool iconic thermos. The EM Press brews up to 8 cups, and has the same simple open-close mechanism of the Stelton Jug.
(more…)

If you’re fond of minimalistic furniture, chances are you’ll have the hots for the Adam Stool from Frama. Its skinny steel base almost disappears, and its flat, rectangular seat has only a convenient handle to break its plane. Want it to be a little more luxurious than the standard oak seat? There’s a leather topped version just for you.
(more…)

Maybe you need a few extra pots for your plants? If so, please do consider the new Radial Vessels from Areaware. With their quiet architecture, they’ll blend in nicely with your other things without much fuss, thus putting the focus on your prized plants. Available as a planter, vase, or dish.
(more…)

– DIY: Build Your Own Spiral Staircase From Simple Plywood Templates

– Artist Olek Covers a House in Finland with Pink Crochet

– Uh, gift alert: Starman Vase

– 12 Tips for Living a Longer Life

– Kickstarter: KOSMOS Pen

– Kickstarter: Marble bookend Kub & Coasters

– Kickstarter: Personal Body Unit Index

– Kodasema creates tiny prefabricated house that moves with its owners

– Fancy Shredder

Have a great Labor Day weekend! We’ll return with semi-regular posts on Tuesday.