bltd

Dishwashing is one of those chores few look forward to doing. However, it could be just a little bit more enjoyable for the rest of us with this set by VIPP. Rubber moulded steel protects your more fragile dishes and the brush has an easily exchangeable head. A handy bracket is included to hide everything away inside a cabinet door (though I suppose you could put it on view if you wanted).
(more…)

Storage containers are probably one of the lesser exciting things to shop for, especially when you consider all the other accessories and gadgets it takes to make a house a home. These containers would fit well within the kitchen, office or bathroom, corralling all manner of small things in a tidy silhouette of wood and glass. An optional rubber lip can be slipped on to create airtight storage.

Small ($20) or Large ($23).
(Ack! Small is out of stock, fyi.)

What is this thingamajig, you say? Well, I know someone very picky about their ice cubes, and that someone would be quite happy to hear that this thingamajig is an ice tray that makes crystal clear ice. An insulated base allows air and impurities to compress at the bottom of the tray, leaving a block of clear ice at the top. Break apart for drinks or freeze flowers for decoration (does anyone do that?).
(more…)

Whether you’re a die hard minimalist or just someone who appreciates simple no-frills kitchen accessories, you might like this bamboo knife rack by Taylors Eye Witness. See video below for closeups and installation.

(more…)

Holy, this Kitchen Organizer used to have the price tag of $699, and now it’s on sale for $349. Much more affordable, and could be just the thing to get your kitchen sorted.

from Design Within Reach.

Was: $699.00USD
Now:$349.50USD

From our archives (originally published September 24, 2010), for your gift list consideration… to see more, visit our Gift Guide.

If you love your lemons, feast your eyes upon this citrus squeezer by Roland Kreiter. The innovative torpedo shape allows both sides to be utilized at once, making short work of enough juice for lemonade or your favorite cocktail.

Also, if you’re interested, Mark Tintner won the pure creativity competition to make a viral film based on the mysqueeze. See it on Vimeo.

Yeah, soap dishes are boooring in a major way, usually way too boring to even bother with. But, if you’re one that always finds bars of soap disgusting because of the ‘watery mess’, take note of this dish/brush. Yes, it’s soap dish and a brush in one. The brush is a silicone tray with pitched bristles, so after you scrub up, turn it over and there’s a tidy nook for soap so that it stays put. Details make a difference.

Shown above, Red on Bone Soapdish.
Other colors available: Black, Black on Bone, Blue on Bone ,

Agh, something so terribly ‘cute’ about this apron, very Donna Wilson-esque with clouds and polkadots and such. 100% handmade and hand-screened with with soy-based ink in Los Angeles.

Also available at zakka nouveau : market.
(more…)

There are few things that genuinely delight and surprise me (being desensitized as I am to the many things I sort through each and every day), but funny enough, this oven mitt caught my attention in the best of ways. Whether you get it for yourself or just keep it in mind for a friend’s future housewarming gift, it’s sure to bring a smile and/or chuckle at each use.

Keep in mind that the image above is of one single Oven Mitt; it says ‘Love’ on the right hand side, ‘Hate’ on the reverse left hand side.

So, you’re all for the idea of composting, but the smell and occasional fruit flies annoy the hell out of you. What do you do? You get this freezer bin, that’s what. Designed by Fuccillo Studio, this silicone bin allows you to store your scraps in the freezer* and ‘pop’ them out at the compost heap.

(more…)

This and the High & Dry Dishrack can compete for the ‘coolest dishdrainer/rack’ title, though this one might lose since it’s a little higher price wise. It looks like the US Alessi shop is out of stock, but you can sign up to be notified when it’s back in.

Designed by Pauline Deltour.
18/10 stainless steel with cutlery drainer, £58.00
Tray in thermoplastic resin, £15.00

This is to news to me, but keeping vegetables like garlic, shallots, onions, and potatoes from light will delay sprouting and they will last longer. These cotton Vegetable Keep Sacks by Mastrad do just that while also providing a convenient means of storage and access. And of course, they look awesome. Comes in small, medium and large sizes, priced at $7.95, $8.95, and $9.95 respectively.

Small: 9″ L x 5.5″ W, holds 2 lbs
Medium: 10.25″ L x 6.5″ W, holds 4 lbs
Large: 14″ L x 8″ W, holds 8 lbs

Materials: Cotton and linen
(more…)

Just how handy would this apron be in the kitchen? Numeric conversions, cooking times for vegetables, roasting times for birds, freezing instructions, defrosting times, a cooking glossary and more are all printed on the front, making useful information available right at your fingertips.

Available for preorder.
Design by John Caswell

Thanks to Arian Brekveld for what’s probably the sexiest squeeze bottle I’ve ever seen. I hear it’s dishwasher safe, it’s made of polypropylene plastic with caps in several colors, and for a few extra bucks it’s also available in stainless steel.

Designer: Arian Brekveld
8.2 x 2.3 inches
Design-Plus Award 2006

Our second free header spot* goes to Martin Zampach. His ICEBLOX look like a lot of fun (note that the silicone mold can be used also for making chocolate, jelly and biscuits), so he gets a little free spot here on BLTD. We asked him a few questions about the design process:

What inspired you to create this product?
Actually inspiration came from my childhood when I was playing tetris like crazy on small one-purpose game handheld. Then It came to my mind again when I was in Moscow in summer 2007. Actually creator of this game is Russian engineer who designed it in 1984. I’ve got the idea that with ice or chocolate cubes could be fun too.
(more…)