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Yeah, I know, I use the word “simple” way too much, but tough. Deal wit’ it. I really like the way this very simple pendant lamp makes no effort to hide what it is… instead, it does the opposite.

“Sofie Refer perfectly executes this minimalist design meant to highlight the bulb, socket and cable. Constructed of thick mouth blown glass, this lamp has already won the Good design’ Award (2001) from the Chicago Antheneum, and is destined to become a classic.”

lamp measures 3.5″ diameter x 5.75″ height; cable measures 7.5′

This is the first time I’ve laid eyes on the wall lamp of Contraforma’s Romance collection, and I have to say I’m quite pleased that they’ve expanded into lighting.

“an unmistakably modern lamp with a neo-romantic twist. the stark durability of laser-cut, powder-coated steel is offset by fragile perforation, which gives way to the light from within and acts as a playground for illumination and shadows. 27 x 12d x 27 cm (10.6″ sq; 4.7″d). available in white with white interior, champagne with white interior, or graphite black with white interior.”

(I do have to warn you that shipping might take a little longer than you’re used to, ’cause it’s from across the pond…but that’s a small price to pay I think.)

You’ve seen this before? Maybe? If so, good for you. If not, well, take a gander. Plastic toy soldiers are melted into a bowl that is quite different than one you would find at the average home store. I like it.

Diameter 44cm H10cm.

Have you ever wanted to take the Bilbao Guggenheim home with you? I have. Although this doesn’t resemble the Guggenheim it does have the whimsy (did I actually just say “whimsy”?) that Frank Gehry adds to all his designs.

“Renowned for buildings that boast monumental volumes dressed in shimmering skins, Frank Gehry recently turned his inventive eye to packing paper cups. Stapling them together, the architect discovered he had the inspiration for a light fixture—the Cloud Lamp. To transform the shade from a found-object construct to a prototype for mass production, Gehry developed a “skin” made of polyester that feels and looks like fiber and is flexible, tear-resistant, easy to clean and fire-retardant. The result is a whimsical puff of a shade exclusive to Design Within Reach. What one can’t do with his buildings one is able do here: the Cloud Lamp can morph in the user’s hands, becoming a very round cumulus or a flatter stratus shape. Each sheet of the Cloud Lamp buttons to its neighbors with a simple snap and is available in three different volumes based on groups of 5 (#30 small), 7 (#32 medium) or 10 panels (#34 large). A transparent polycarbonate ring is inserted into each lampshade from which hangs a single lightbulb. Bulb (not included): Incandescent 100W/120V/E26/A19-2pk. Made in Germany.”
Made by Belux for Vitra.

Note: 3 lamps shown in image.

The set consists of soup ladle, sampling spoon, gravy ladle, deli fork, spatula, carving fork, carving knife, vegetable server, serving spoon, skimming l adle. Ten hooked serving pieces with a utensil rack.
mono 10 + 1 is made of dishwasher safe 18/10 stainless steel, and is always at the ready near the work surface in the kitchen.

Recycle in style. These envelopes are from repurposed vintage magazines, with inserts of recycled paper, so you’ll be doing your part without sacrifice (like having boring stationary).

“These unique, one-of-a-kind notecards are made by designers Joshua Trees and Yván Martínez, who hand-select pages from the old magazines and convert them into envelopes. No computer scanning or printing is involved. The envelopes are made with original vintage magazine stock. The writing sheets are printed by an offset printer using “direct-to-plate” film-less technology, without toxic photographic chemicals.”

Set of 5 envelopes and 10 writing sheets.

This hard-wired lamp would look good alone or in multiple clusters.

Yes, I’m kind of a fiend for perpetual calendars (not a secret to anyone who’s been looking at this here site of ours for any length of time). So, in the spirit of continuing what is not quite an obsession, yet bordering on becoming one, I’ll post yet another even though it’s quite beyond my budget. Hand pressed paper bound like a book, this calendar shows the day of the month by turning the pages. Gift box available.

I’m pretty into “hex” as a decorative element these days. And here it is in a very reasonably priced mirror that’s intended to just lean against a wall that needs it.

“Two beautifully shaped contemporary mirrors that rest on the wall. The wood edges are of an unfinished black walnut veneer that is absolutely stunning. Make a modern home decor statement with these beautiful pieces!

Modern home decor items should be an extension of taste and personality. The Hive contemporary mirrors give your modern home decor a special vibrance and uniqueness.”

Materials:
solid wood and veneer

Options/Finishes:
Natural Black Walnut

Dimensions:
Hive mirror shape ( 6 sides): 19.5″ wide x 43″ high; Metro mirror shape (4 sides) 15.5″ wide x 43″ high

Geez. Why don’t more people drink tea out of teacups? I think this teacup is my favorite thing for the day, and maybe if I bought it, it’d be my favorite thing everyday.

height: 5.2 cm.
diameter: 9.5 cm.

material: porcelain

Designed by Shiro Kuramata, these k-series lamps are definitely a unique accent to any room. They look like little ghosts to me, which makes me like them that much more, but to those of you less creatively inclined, maybe they’ll just be cool cloth-like lamps.

“The lighting fixtures that he developed in 1972 give an impression of a white cloth placed on the ground. It represented a revolution in lighting, with each of the light shades differing slightly in shape from the others. The light appeared as a piece of cloth rising of its own accord, seeming to defy gravity, while successfully replacting the image of a cloth with light itself. Every piece is individually formed. The process involves four craftsmen, who are specially trained to shape this unique design.”

k-baby floor/table lamp: 16″w · 16″d · 15″h, $450.00
k-mama floor lamp: 23″w · 23″d · 21.5″h, $650.00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to eat. So any product that is designed to help me enjoy the consumption process has won my heart already.

“HotCool is an innovative serving concept that makes drinking hot drinks a luxurious taste experience. HotCool keeps hot drinks hot – like mulled wine and specialty coffees – and cold drinks cold – for instance, smoothies and iced tea.. An essential part of the HotCool range is the tray which is handy for carrying cakes or small savoury snacks.”

Presented in gift box.

Material: Glass & Plastic.
Dimensions Latte Cup: 5.25″ high
Volume: 13.5 oz.

I think we’ve all seen this before but for some reason its genius is just striking me now.

“Vase Maker dissects the classic vase into its two functional elements: support for the flower and a container for the water that sustains it. You can place it upon a vessel of your choice – a wine glass, teapot, even another vase – to essentially design and redesign it with every use. The Vase Maker is a recent recipient of a design award in the RedDot International Product Design Competition.
Made of porcelain. Hand wash only.”

Genius! I love it more than my shoes.

“You might think that the Convex Mirror is familiar. You should. UK based designer, Sebastian Wrong has taken direct inspirtation from an everyday automotive piece of equipment, the rear-view mirror. By enlarging this well-known form and placing it in an unfamiliar interior environment Wrong has chosen to make iconic a most non-iconic object. The Convex Mirror is designed with humor and with the ambitian of creating an ultimately functional object. The mirror allows its owner the opportunity to rotate and move on any axis. This smooth movement is made possible by a ball joint at the rear of the mirror. The convex curve of the mirror surface is manufactured using instrument quality mirror technology normally reserved for use in aircraft simulators. The mirror is finished with a tactile precision injection molded casing. A commitment to quality manufacturing is a regular feature of Wrong’s work. Here we see that characteristic combined with anouther favored quality- humor. 1300mm x D250mm x H900mm. Injection molded ABS frame and glass.”

Sometimes you just need to tell people you’re sorry. If you find yourself to the point where you need to do it frequently, get one of these to avoid the hand-cramps. The British spelling is a bonus to help it go over well.