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If San Francisco is near and dear to your heart, maybe you’ll like this plate set. Or, maybe you just like the geometry and web-like look of city maps. Interestingly enough, Cherry Chaicharn, the designer, is a former Bay Area city planner, so you know her heart (or her work) is behind the design of these subtle grey-on-white patterns. The set features maps of South of Market, North Beach, Glen Park/Noe Valley and Castro/Mission. And, get this, apparently there’s other cities (Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, etc..) to follow.

Set of four (one each of four designs).
Designed by Cherry Chaicharn, of August Table (more pics here)
7.5″ diameter each

It’s a shame to have a trash can spoil the look of a room, and really, there’s no reason why you should have to suffer the sight of an ugly bag hanging over the side. This inner-receptacle-plus-outer-cover trash can tidies up that whole dilemma lickety-split.

12 x 8 x 8 inches.
Made in Japan.

I was thinking maybe this food warmer is a chicer alternative to those tin pans and blue jelly candles, especially because this version by Seitz is porcelain and heated by tealights. I just wish it came in bigger sizes, but it’s dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe so I’ll cut my losses.

Rectangular dish: 8 x 13 x 2.5 inches
Warmer: 8.5 x 13.5 inches
A range of coordinating dishes and platters/lids available at Lekker Home.

Awarded with the Form 2001, the red dot award for good product design 2002, and nominated for the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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I forget how I found this thing, but the reviews, even the critical ones, say it makes a better-than-average cup of coffee with less acidity and no bitterness. And you don’t even need electricity to use it so take it camping if you like…Brokeback Mountain style, but with Juan Valdez and a happier ending.

Includes: Aeropress plunger, funnel, scoop, stirrer, and a year’s supply of micro-filters.
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If you’re continually hopping about from one destination to another, maybe this rug is for you. Even if you’re not a jetsetter, the cursive white writing on the black background makes for an interesting focal point.

100% New Zealand wool
Designer: HZL by Henzel

$990.00-$4,285.00

For another handwritten (and uber-lovely) rug option, see Manuscrit Rug by Joaquim Ruiz Millet.

TV dinner trays aren’t exactly known for their elegance, of course, but this tray might change that. Coated in a non-slip finish, it helps keep your plate and glass from sliding around, and it’s easy to stack and store. Available in white, black, and willow wood, it also has a distinct elevated appearance from your regular plastic tray variety, which might just help your TV-watching dinner experience be a bit more… well, civilized.

Designer: Ontwerpbureau 3.11
Manufacturer: Royal VKB

This is pretty affordable compared to some of the other task lights out there. Two sizes are available (Compact or Standard) and you can mount it on a regular base or table clamp (panel, slatwall, or grommet mount also available).

Black or Silver.
Manufacturer: Knoll
Designer: Stephan Copeland

All you do is freeze a little water in this carafe (on its side), then once it sets, you fill the rest of the carafe up with water and watch the ice slowly release. It’s a smart idea for streamlining the cold drink process.

Designer: Officeoriginair (Ivan Kasner and Uli Budde)
Materials: Polycarbonate bottle; silicone top
Size: 11.2″ t x 3.3″ w x 3.3.” d

If you’re interested, there’s a video about it too…
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If you’re looking for a bit of black-and-white pattern (always a good choice) in a hallway or entryway, hopefully you’ve got enough money to drop some on this rug by Marcel Wanders.

Designed by Marcel Wanders for Moooi.
Made in the Netherlands.

If that price is too rich for your blood, might this black and white ‘contemporary’ rug suffice?
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Cute. While Green Boy does a great job of organizing that jangling mess of keys you have, to me, it seems like he’s being quite assertive and telling me to remember to keep work and home life separate. Funny how a piece of green plastic could have so much emotion.

Designer: Vadim Kibardi

Yeah, how much do you want this? Because this is the sort of thing that once you have, you’ll wonder how you managed without it, unless you always-always-always sit at a table to eat, of course (in which case, this might change your life). The double chambers allow two types of food to be balanced ‘ergonomically’ while eating without a table. What part of that isn’t great? Less mess fumbling around with your food is always a good thing, no doubt about it.

Designed by Thomas Both
3.2″h x 9.3″w x 4.8″d

$25.00 at SFMOMA MuseumStore
$25.00 at UncommonGoods

Brooklyn designer Jean Pelle handcrafts these gorgeous candle holders from cross sectioned wood and then fills the cracks with a super bright white filling. They are one of four unique designs available, check out the rest at Jean Pelle’s website.

Designer: Jean Pelle.
Tall: 3.5″ ht x 2.75″ width x 2″ depth
Short: 2.75″ ht x 3.5″ width x 2″ depth

Has spring officially sprung? I’d say so, and it’s got me daydreaming of afternoons at the park. I’m not a huge person for picnics, but this set by Swedish designer Carina Ahlburg has me reconsidering. Check it: plates, cups, tableware, with one big bowl for storage and/or serving, for four people.

Designer: Carina Ahlburg
Tableware is in stainless steel.
Material: Melamine.
Height 4.3″ (11 cm), 9.4″ dia. (24 cm)

Do you remember the Do-lo-rez Modular Sofa? Well, here’s a carpet to match. Normally I’d say stay away from anything too ‘matchy-matchy’, but I think we all know in this case it’s entirely permissible (if not advisable?).

Designer: Ron Arad
Brand: Nani Marquina
Do-Lo-Rez 1: 1840 x 2760mm
Do-Lo-Rez 2: 2070 x 2530mm

Just add elbow grease. If your place is a pigsty and you’re short on the basics, this kit would be a convenient thing to get. Of course, you could get some of the items yourself and maybe save a few bucks, but that’s up to you. It’s also worth noting that this could be an excellent housewarming gift.

Contents: Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, Distilled White Vinegar, Spray Bottle, Tarpon Natural Sponge, Microfiber Dusting Cloths, Cleaning Rags, Natural Cleaning Solutions Booklet