bltd

Hmm…does anyone else find the set of ‘extra hands’ to be a little bit creepy?

This extensive collection of kitchenware was inspired by the witches and wizards of Western lore. Originally designed by Tord Boontje, each piece was then handcrafted by artisans in one of three South American countries: Colombian artisans hand-molded the black ceramic cookware, Guatemalan craftsmen handcarved the wooden kitchen utensils, and Brazil’s Coopa-Roca women’s cooperative hand-sewed the kitchen couture. Infused with a strong sense of local tradition, this collaborative effort in sustainable design succeeds in preserving the folkloric nature of witchery… without, of course, any of the lingering stigma.

Saucepan & Lid/Bowl: $239.00
Casserole & Lid/Bowl: $369.00
Extra Hands: $329.00
Set of 6 Assorted Utensils: $769

Buy it here.

I love it when someone rethinks something so completely ordinary.

Finally, a product that actually makes you want to look into your old sink drain. Made out of hand-forced and laser-cut stainless steel, The Ornamented Life has created this otherwise utilitarian metal drain with a lace print bringing beauty into the kitchen or bathroom.

Manufacturer: The Ornamented Life, Netherlands
Designer: Joana Meroz
Color: Silver
Size: 2 3/4″ diameter

$100.00,
Buy it here.

If a kitchen utensil set can be described as lovely, then this one is.

…his design for his 5-piece Kitchen Utensil Set culminates with different thickness along the laminated handle and has a modern catering feel. Beautiful and highly functional, the set comprises ladle, spoon,fork,spatula and skimmer, in a choice of satin or polished stainless steel.

[via Remodelista]

We’ve posted the Mikoto Knife Block in red before, but this black one caught my eye…I love the lacquered look.

By contributing to the preservation of the environment and continually searching for new and innovative ideas to make beautiful products out of bamboo this company has been one of our favorites from day one. The knife blocks are another example of great and functional design; because the blocks are filled with bamboo skewers, all your knives will fit anywhere in the block. All products are designed in France and produced by skillful artisans in Vietnam.

[posted by katie]

If you like the look of wooden cutting boards but prefer the sterility of glass, here’s your solution:

These cutting boards feature slightly abstracted digital prints of wood grain laid beneath textured glass. Not quite photos, the prints emphasize the linear quality of wood grain in an natural tone. The round board is particularly striking because its grain is a cross-section of a tree trunk, featuring sequential rings and spider-web fissures. Unlike real wood, these boards are completely sterile, wash easily, and won’t develop mold or absorb flavors. Made in China.

rectangle: 15.5 ” L x 11.75″ W; round: 11.75″ Diameter

This would certainly be a handy thing to increase your kitchen/cooking efficiency.

“The Large Chop 2 Pot takes advantage of the latest technology in polypropylene living hinges to create probably the most efficient chopping board out there. Use the large board to chop and dice your ingredients, then simply squeeze the handle and voila; the board folds into a chute that guides the food easily and cleanly into a pot.”

Dishwasher-safe polypropylene

Board: 19″W x 10.75″L x 0.5″H
Chopping area: 14.25″W x 10.75″L

Space-saving kitchen gadgets are always a smart idea.

“Over 100 prototypes were made before the Folding Colander was finally perfected… but, given its space-saving capacities, it was well worth the wait! 12 polypropylene living hinges are incorporated in the design so that, when you put it away, it can be folded completely flat for easy storage. Looks like practice does make perfect after all…”

Flatt: 16.5″W x 12.75″L x 0.5″H
Folded: 10.5″W x 8.75″L x 5.5″H

Materials: Polypropylene

Here’s a nice little bread box with a lid that also serves as a bread board.

(Link and price updated February 22, 2011.)

Support BLTD by buying here: $99 at gnr8.biz

This expandable organizer seems to be the answer to keep large and small utensils exactly where you want them, thereby providing serenity to those of us more finicky about disorganized flatware.

-Dividers adjust to accommodate all utensil shapes and sizes
-Organize more utensils in one compartment
-Multiple utensils stay neatly stacked even when drawers are opening and closing
-Expands from 9.75” to 16.25” to fit kitchen drawers

15.25” x 9.5” to 16” x 2”

If you haven’t checked out MoMA’s Destination: Japan, head on over there and take a look- it’s kind of fascinating.

Crystal Cloud, Yumiko Yoshimoto, 1979:
“Water in this cloud-shaped glass sculpture creates repeating natural phenomena such as forming water drops, becoming cloudy based on temperature, and shining when the water sways. Created by glass sculptor Yumiko Yoshimoto, each Crystal Cloud is mouth blown and shaped by hand. Made of borosilicate glass filled with distilled water and a polished chromium-plated brass stand. Hand-wash only.”
Size: 2.75h x 3l x 1.5″diam.

$100.00, $90.00 Members, Buy it here.

Pig Cooking Lid, Marna Inc., 2001:
“Made of soft silicone with a pig face in the center, this multipurpose lid can be placed directly over ingredients in a pot to help them cook evenly, releasing steam through the pig’s snout. It can also be used to cover food in the microwave, and as a grip to open lids. Dishwasher and microwave safe.”
Size: 1h x 7″diam.

$18.00, $16.20 Members, Buy it here.

These are the sort of thing you could leave out on your countertop as a sort of functional-yet-beautiful item.

“Made from fallen hardwood trees in
Minnesota. Sealed so that they are
food safe and moisture resistant.
Clean with sponge.
Available in cherry, ash and maple.”

Approximately 12″ diameter

While this looks to be very useful, and quite clever considering the shape of both ends, I can’t help but think of chimpanzees using a simple stick to get ants out of a log. It’s much more civilized, of course. The title is what threw me into chimp thoughts.

“This beautiful, functional tool comes in a transparent box featuring a typographic wordplay in black lettering along with suggestions for use. STIR POT – FLIP STEAK – SCOOP JAR – SLICE CAKE – BUTTER TOAST – CHECK SAUCE – SCRAPE BOTTOM – STOP DOOR – SCRATCH BACK – FEEL GOOD. It’s uses are limited only by your imagination.”

[posted by katie]

For anyone fond of Lego, now you can be creative with ice cubes. They also carry some coasters and wine bottle opener that are worth looking at.

Made of durable silicone.
Ice cube tray makes 10 ice “bricks” at a time!
Dishwasher safe.

(Thanks Michael!)

A lot more interesting than what you’ll find in the normal kitchen gear retail stores, these pot racks come in the requisite black, red, or stainless steel for the modern kitchen.

Potluck (shown in red), japanese character for luck
Double Happiness (shown in black)

L 26” X W 24” X H 2”

Have a little slice of genius with your cake. This silicone 11.8″ Cake Mold ‘pre-shapes’ any cake into 15 separate pieces, in a variation of ‘sizes’. From Small, to Extra Large. Also, I love how it really looks like an extruded 3D pie chart.