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I first read about this last year in METROPOLIS magazine, and knew it would be the perfect holiday gift for my good friend who drinks loose tea quite often. A few weeks into the new year, my friend confided that it was their favorite gift and that they use it everyday! For under $25, I don’t think you could go wrong if you have any tea drinkers on your gift list.

“The ultimate infuser for tea enthusiasts features intuitive “scoop-slide-steep” functionality while it reflects the aesthetic of traditional loose tea service. Durable enough for industrial use, it has no breakable mechanisms and is constructed entirely of 304L stainless steel with holes small enough to infuse the finest of teas. The innovative design provides optimum flow for perfect steeping and incorporates a fill-line. The Teastick fits nicely into glasses and mugs and is ideal for a 10-14 oz perfect cup of tea.”

I love the Jasper Morrison Glo-Ball and now it’s available in a tiny size with a matching price. Unlike copycats, the glass is handblown and acid-etched.

H 3.6″ Diameter 3.9″

I live in a place where it doesn’t rain that often, so I don’t know that I’ve ever actually seen one in a residence here, but it occurred to me that in some places, an umbrella stand might actually garner a lot of use.

Blue, Grey and Off-white

$145

$99.95 Sale
$79.96 Members

[link to retailer]

Bold gridwork embellishes natural raffia. Spot clean. Imported. Ivory or copperplate.
16″sq.

Down alternative inserts: Lofty poly fiberfill, smooth combed cotton shell. Hypoallergenic. Down inserts: smooth 230-thread-count combed cotton shell is filled with lofty 95% feathers/5% down.

Here’s another clever modern interpretation of antlers used as a coat rack, this time with a very tiny price. Available as either an antler or tree style.

“COAT CHECK is a clever range of coat hooks formed from flat sheets of 1.5 mm brushed stainless steel. Handsome, heavyweight, and durable, perfect for guarding your lucky hat, LuLu’s leash, or even your winter coat! The Coat Tree is 15″ tall by nearly a foot across, while the Coat Rack spans 18″ from tip to tip and 9″ from bottom to top. Each COAT CHECK is packed in a protective plastic bag inside a corrugated box. We’ve included wall anchors and a handy printed template. Why even we were able to hang ours perfectly straight!”

Instead of getting a kid an x-box, don’t you want to be the type of aunt or uncle that gives the brainy gifts that are also really fun to play with?

“As irresistible to adults as it is to children, MUJI’s New York in a Bag comes with nine wooden city structures and six wooden cars. Included are New York City icons such as the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum, and MoMA’s original 1939 building. The wood is from sustainable forests. Recommended for ages 4 and up.”

(This item’s link and price was updated 11/19/09.)

Here’s a great little desk lamp that looks very high-end with a rather low-end price tag. One would look great in any modern office and two would work really well for bedside tables.

– Desk lamp with fabric pleated shade
– Satin-finish steel base
– In-line switch
– Requires 60-watt standard bulb

Update: This item is no longer available for $49.00 through original retailer, however I did find it on Amazon for $120. (11/19/09)

In light of things funny/fantastical…(and, think outside the box, why not add some whimsy to areas other than those delegated to kids?)

“These colorful wall graphics are part of the Vynil line by a French publishing house called Domestic. Domestic works with well-known designers to produce products that allow the consumer to contribute to the design. In this case, giant fantastical figures cut out of removable adhesive vinyl can be grouped or scattered around a room, based on your whim. The stickers come on 20 x 20″ sheets.”

Hugely dramatic, light as a feather and distinctly Dutch, the Random Light (2002) by Bertjan Pot began as a modernist craft project of sorts. After attempts at knitting fiberglass as a means of creating structure, Pot turned to coiling epoxy-dipped fiberglass around a large balloon in varying patterns. Once the balloon was popped, the dramatic globe shape remained, becoming a buoyant pendant lamp for an entryway, dining room or lounge area. The light bulb is visible at the center of the globe, and when lit, creates an allover glow with minimal glare.

Bulb (not included): Incandescent 75W/120V/E26/A19.
Made in the Netherlands. UL listed for commercial use.

Add a little nature to your modern.

A slice of natural acacia, lacquered to a polished finish. Size will vary.
10″-11″diam x 1.5″d

“Designed by Karim Rashid for Danese in 2003. Stak is the perfect stackable modern table set. Each set includes a plate, bowl, soucer and cup. Made of high quality Italian ceramic-ware. A stylish alternative to traditional table ware.”

Material: Ceramic-ware.

Dimensions: 7.87″ h x 10.04″ w

If you’re on the lookout for a decent coat depository for your entryway, you might consider this one. Made out of natural bent sheet steel, it has a handy shelf above the hooks for your mail, handbag, mittens, or miscellany.

Phosphatized black finished with bee wax.
Hooks in stainless steel.

27.6″ x 8.7″ x 9.9″

I believe we posted this light over a year ago, but unfortunately I had not realized the actual scale, despite dimensions being readily available. It’s a whole lot of light (as shown in a better picture with a human form as comparison) for a decent price.

“Designed by Bruno Munari in 1964, this original custom design became a modern-day classic. The Falkland Pendant Lamp features a tubular metal frame and aluminum structure, with an elastic fabric shade, and operates on a single 100W (max) standard light bulb (not included).”

6 diameter x 65 height (fully extended) (inches)