bltd

While this screen might not be within everyone’s budget, it’s absolutely beautiful. Perhaps it could be added to your inspiration file? ‘Yuki’ means ‘snowflake’ in Japanese, hence the name of this screen from Japanese design firm Nendo. Composed of 36 snowflake-like pieces that stack on top of each other, the screens can be connected to create any size you wish.
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This calendar was first featured on our site back in ’08, and, as is often the case, needs its info updated. The Calendreco by Dessi Ivanova* is a great alternative to the somewhat ubiquitous Stendig Calendar, and as it is perpetual, you’ll be set year after year. Three headers give you options on weekday combinations, so a simple changeout each month is the only lifting-of-finger(s) you’ll need to do. If you should ever need to dispose of it (unlikely), it is 100% recyclable.

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Despite the trend of emailing/social networking/texting a ‘happy birthday’ or ‘get well’, nothing really beats an actual handwritten card. When did you last handwrite a note on a card? If it’s been sometime in the past 3 months, well done. If not, time to remedy the situation with a box of cards to fit every event. If you’ve got several cards on hand, you can quickly whip out the right one, jot down your message, stick it in an envelope and you’re done. No trips to the local stationery supplier necessary. I like the look of Pancake & Franks offerings, especially as they’ve three different sets from which to choose.
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Remember last week’s “A Tempo” Stool? Well, rarely is a laundry basket something worth featuring, but designer Pauline Deltour has made this one with metal wire, and, as was the case with the stool, it’s something to notice. Rarely would a laundry basket command such a price, but this one is infinitely better than your local big box store selection. There’s also an additional tray ($34) if you want to hide those not-clean clothes.
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It’s fair to say that there aren’t many clocks made of concrete. Though this particular hand made wall clock is striking in its choice of materials, I wonder just how heavy it is and what would be the means of securing it to the wall. The play of light and shadow would be interesting as it changes with time, for sure.
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Whoa, if you’re a sucker for black and white patterns, check out these flat woven rugs from DwellStudio. The runner is a winner, for sure, with its simple almond shapes taking the full width of pattern. Flat woven rugs are often the best choice for high traffic areas as they don’t show wear as much as a higher pile rug. They’re often much easier to clean as well.
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Whoa, are these crazy blocks or what? Brinca Dada is usually known for their dollhouses, which are actually pretty amazing, but these blocks are fit for adults and kids alike. Instead of fitting together snugly or simply, they’re completely wonky and will encourage you to play “with the simplicity of imperfection.” Nice idea, isn’t it?

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Talk about high rollin’, take a look at these gold playing cards. They’re not real gold, of course, they just look like it. Sort of fun, though, aren’t they?
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Never underestimate a good bottle opener; the same goes for a corkscrew. If you use it often, a well designed opener can make the experience of removing the lid of your beer or beverage even better, while using a poorly designed one can be quite irritating, and even dangerous (if and when inebriated). This bottle opener was originally designed in 1960 by Achille Castiglioni for the Splugen Brau bar project in Milan. Also, note that this is tagged in our gift guide, for your future reference.

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At the risk of sounding like a pretentious wino, when you travel with wine, you want it to make sure it arrives unharmed. And when that wine is, say, a little expensive (why else would you travel with it) you’d do well to invest $4 in making sure it’s protected. This durable vinyl WineSkin has a double closure and an interior bubble pack that acts as an insulating shock absorber. It’s meant for one-time use (thumbs down), but it is recyclable (thumbs up), so you can hopefully shed any residual guilt from your conspicuous consumption.
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If you would like a more established tableware set (i.e. nicer than what you bought at IKEA), you could do a whole lot worse than this set from Heikki Orvola. If you’re a complete dinnerware-obsessed nutcase*, you might recognize the 24h series, which Orvola designed for his own use. While perhaps the collection didn’t necessarily need improvement, Finnish designer duo Helorinne & Kallio added a little pep and pizazz (for lack of a better term) with the blue brushstroke pattern.
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Are you a Dieter Rams fan? Do you have a Braun alarm clock? If the answer is no, you can pay homage and ensure timeliness by choosing between the three (newly licensed) travel clocks. A quiet quartz mechanism and easy-to-operate alarm switch are available on each, with an analog display (of course).
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Now that it’s most certainly autumn, it’s time to think about ways to still enjoy your outside space despite the chill in the air. This fire ring will hopefully facilitate many s’mores and stories, and as it’s made from 3/16 thick steel with a solid raised internal floor to contain the ashes, it’ll do the job of keeping your fire right where you want it. The recycled poly top keeps out the elements while also doubling as an off duty cocktail table. At three feet wide, it’s just large enough for a small gathering… grab your graham crackers and marshmallows.
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This modular three piece set will organize your desktop clutter in no time. You can arrange them in numerous ways to suit your needs, and take note that two sets will give you quite a few options (see photos at TUC). You’ll also be happy to hear they’re made from a a plant based bio-plastic called Cereplast.
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Regardless of your thoughts on our original ancestors, this eraser does a clever job of making an ordinary desk eraser into a small sculpture. Modern Homo sapiens is at one end, and a monkey on the other; it can be sliced into segments to show the different stages or even used as an ink stamp, if you wish. Or, just use as usual and slowly watch as one end gets worn down into the other.
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