bltd

Bringing up the name TDK to music lovers who didn’t grow up with an iPod is  sure to warm their hearts in some way. I’m still a bit young myself, but I certainly have great memories of dubbing  songs off the radio and creating mixtapes with handwritten liner notes. TDK is a storage media company, but has recently branched into the home audio market with these fantastic boombox-inspired stereos.

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If you’re after functionality and storage, this may just be your table, because literally every inch of this table is a sliding drawer. Smaller drawers hold stationary and office supplies, while the larger ones are designed around standard paper sizes from A5 up to A2. My favorite detail is the frosted glass top, which is translucent enough to see the contents inside, yet is opaque enough to quickly hide things from view and adds an overall “soft” effect to the table. Each table is made to order and available in any RAL or NCS color.

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Face Object Frames are geometric, sculptural frames that beg to be handled and shared, rather than statically sitting on a mantle or hanging on a wall. Each frame provides space to combine your photograph with memorabilia, adding another dimension to the photograph’s story.

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Designer Henry Pilcher turns the traditional industrial pendant shade literally on its head by encasing it in a wooden geometric frame. This unique framework allows the Block 2 lamp to be hung, free standing at many angles, and because of its now modularity, multiples can be stacked in infinite combinations (if you can actually afford more than one that is). Being that thsese fixtures can be both pendant and floor lamps, I see huge potential in these lamps for their flexibility.

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The Phonofone III is the third iteration of a completely passive, non-electric ceramic amplifer designed specifically for the iPhone. (Check out our previously posted Koostik for a similar product done in wood). Using only clever acoustics, the iPhone’s volume is amplified up to four times. The Phonofone is handmade in Canada and only available in limited quantities. For such a unique and handmade product I would naturally assume it would adorn quite a lavish price tag, but it is actually quite reasonable. I’ve never seen any of these in person so if there any readers out there who can vouch for the sound quality please chime in with comments.

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White and wood is used so often in product design because it always looks great and its style is timeless. Designer Klaus Hackl implements the two-tone palette in Maple and porcelain for his series of Cut & Paste cutting boards. I think they’re a bit small for serious kitchen use, but are just perfect for the dining table. The medium size measures 11 x 5.7, and the large is 17 x 8.5.
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If words or pictures aren’t enough to profess your love for photography, you can literally wear it now. Designed by Adam Elmakias, Lens Bracelets are reproductions of lens focusing rings made in soft silicone. Could go well with that Camera Lens Mug of yours. Available in 50mm prime or 24-70mm zoom, one size fits all.

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Montreal-based Furni has updated their incredibly popular Alba alarm clock. Now known as the Alba Me (for Media Edition), it now features an 1/8” auxiliary input, ten stage dimmable display, larger LED display, and contrasting silicone buttons and non-skid base. Furni does product evolution justice by adding just the right amount of upgrades and improvements without compromising the spirit of the original. Can’t wait to see the next version.

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Lacie has tackled the design of the portable USB drive in quite a few ways over the years — some mimicking currency, some resembling actual keys, and some even indestructible. The Moskeyto, one of their latest designs pares down the USB drive to, well, really just the USB port. I don’t think anyone really has been complaining about oversized thumb drives but if you’re into super miniature form factors this should do the trick.  Available in 2, 4, 8, and 16 GB capacities in black. White is only available in 2 GB.

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From our archives (originally posted April 9, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

Weird name for a company, but certainly a cool looking and hopefully good sounding speaker for your mp3 player. I’m impressed that it doesn’t require a power source but still has a switch to control loudness. This is a Japan exclusive product, available only through AudioCubes.

Material: Aluminum with leather strap
Color: yellow, blue, silver.
Dimensions: W73 x H76 x D32 mm

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Start on your New Year’s goals early with these charming clipboards from Etsy artist Maiko Kuzunishi/Decoylab. Each clipboard comes with a notepad and customized pencil that says either, “Make my wishes come true.”, or “I will achieve my goals.” Would make a great gift too.

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Makr is best known for their high quality, handmade leather and canvas accessories. They’re marking their expansion into furnishings with this new Studio Stool. It takes influence from early industrial style wok stools but is streamlined a bit for a more modern look which would equally look great in both your garage and in your den. Each stool is handmade, and made to order.

Specifications:
Height:  28″ to seat and 37″ to top of back rest X
Width:  13.5″ Diameter seat with a 15.5″ Base.
Material: White walnut seat and hand-welded steel body.

The Enclave iPad case from Brenthaven won’t turn too many heads on looks alone, (plasticky brown and black shouldn’t be the first thing you want to wrap your sleek iPad in), luckily it makes up for it in function. Besides the basic duties of protecting your iPad, the Enclave functions as a viewing and typing stand, and features a secure grip for to protect against a accidental drop. An included strap allows you to hang it from the back of a car seat, or perhaps on the bus too if the person in front of you doesn’t mind. If you’ve got a minute to spare, check out this video which best explains the features of the case.

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These rubber boots are printed with playful “rain level” gauge graphics, perfect for galoshing around the city on rainy days and finding the largest puddle to jump in. Or, for just looking really cool and turning a few heads. Designed by Stefano Priovano and manufactured in Italy.

For his series of Facet Lamps, designer Brendan Ravenhill drew inspiration from industrial light fixtures. Cleverly though, he forgoes manufacturing processes such as spun metal or ceramics that are traditionally used to create these lamps, and utilized an array of cut and bent sheet metal, creating a geometric pattern that is uniquely modern, yet still evokes the spirit of the original industrial shades. I don’t know if the light shining through at the bends was intentional or a byproduct of manufacture, but either way I love it.

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