bltd

C’mon, it looks fun, right? A giant coloring page to fill, with markers or crayons or both. You could certainly wile a few minutes (or hours) away, and we’ve not even talked about how much kids would like it. Pin it in the hallway at home or at the office with a box of art supplies nearby so people will occasionally stop to help out (and smell the scented markers). Plus, everything seems to move a little slower from February to March, so no one will notice if you end up filling in a section or two all by yourself.
(more…)

What do you get the person who has everything? A Mozartkugel Music Box, of course. Turn the key and Mozart’s ‘Voi Che Sapete’ from ‘Marriage of Figaro’ begins playing from inside the large, solid wooden ball. Magic? We wish. This wind-up music box is cleverly designed by Adam + Harborth of Siebensachen and is available in Light Beech, Dark Smoked Oak, special edition #01 Snowball, or special edition #03 Golden Oak.

(more…)

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…)

Ceramic cacti: they’re perfect for you, even if you tend to kill every plant you’ve ever touched. Sculptor Lina Cofán has crafted these life-size cacti to give you very low maintenance plants. Sure, they’re a bit shiny, but they won’t need a drop of water. And, as long as you don’t drop them, they’ll last forever. Kinda fun, right?
(more…)

Are you going to stay up late to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower tonight? You should try, as there’s going to be quite the show- between 160 and 200 meteors every hour until Friday morning. That’s a “meteor hurricane.” For other times, you could gaze upon Best Made’s Map of the Constellations to contemplate the stars above, as it charts the stars of both northern and southern hemispheres and includes helpful diagrams of earth’s axis, phases of the moon, solstices, equinoxes, and eclipses.
(more…)

Intricate brass pieces on these mobiles turn and shift with slight changes in the air, catching light and casting shadows. The delicate nature is fine and precious, and the thin, slow moving, branch-like arms will add a dynamic element to your space. Think of it as a special finishing touch to a room, much like a refined piece of jewelry you add to complete an outfit.
(more…)

Um, say goodbye to your productivity, because there’s patterned Washi Tape that you can color. Now you have an excellent excuse to give people gifts, and those gifts don’t even have to be particularly special or amazing, because you colored the tape with your own two freaking hands. You’ll have to make a point of this or else your hard work will be ignored and forgotten, and that is just not acceptable.
(more…)

It’s unlikely that you know a lot of people that love Frank Stella’s art and needlepoint, but in case you know just one, this set would be an excellent (and extravagant) gift. The set is a limited-edition needlepoint cushion, brought about by The Mesh Canvas, a collaboration between Frank Stella, Art in America and Artspace, and “allows the viewer to become involved in the creative process.”
(more…)

Love or hate Jeff Koons, you’ve got to agree a $30 giant coloring roll is a good idea for almost anyone. Pin it on the wall or roll it out on the floor for hours of meditative coloring- at home or in the office. There’s a roll by Keith Haring, too, if that’s a better fit for your aesthetic sensibilities*. Should you wish to use a paintbrush instead of markers and pencils, be sure to consider the Large Paint Tin Set with Haring imagery ($22) as an accompaniment. Fun!
(more…)

Need a spot for notes, cards, and other pinnable stuff? How about a bulletin board with a good dose of geometric pattern? The metal overlay gives the board its design, setting it apart from other brown corkboards (yawn). Use pins or magnets to arrange and organize. Four different finish options available.
(more…)

Is an hourglass an irritant or an opportunity? Will you use it to test your efficiency at emails or time your short/medium/long meditation? Whichever it is, at least you’ll have Hay’s Timers to do the job. Choose between an interval of 3, 15 or 30 minutes and several cool colorways (grey + powder would be my pick).
(more…)

Okay, put your art critic hat on. Now, rest your eyes upon the Matrix LED Screen created by Wolf Udo Wagner, 2014, which is now on sale from MoMA’s Store.
(more…)

Anyone who has ever professed love for Phillip Johnson’s Glass House might like this very specific snow globe. Quoting the store, it’s the “ultimate souvenir” for an admirer- “a modern icon in a nostalgic representation.” There’s a limited edition blue version as well ($80).
(more…)

What’s the best gift, a plane ticket to the Caribbean or a hand-stitched Star Chart showing the overhead sky for any date, time, and location? As if you even need to think twice about that answer. Possible jet lag. Sunburn. Getting your wallet stolen, plus the crappy hotel that looked nice on their website. Yeah, that all sounds like a barrel of laughs, doesn’t it? I’m being sarcastic, of course. The Star Chart will last decades, and shows the recipient that you remembered their birthday, anniversary, their first child, etc. You’ll win big points, trust me.
(more…)

Not a lot of art has been popping up on the must-feature list, but there’s just something about a Star Chart that always grabs the eye. By the way, if there’s anything particular you’d like to see more of here on BLTD, please let us know- email us or send us a tweet.
(more…)