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Make your cup of Joe even more special with Carl Mertens’ stainless steel stencils. Sprinkle cocoa powder over the stencil and onto your cappuccino for a cute graphic surprise.

Designer: Carsten Gollnick
5.1 x 4.1 inches

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Apart of Stelton’s Cylinda-Line, this cocktail shaker is a sight for sore eyes, and I’m not talking about the promise of future cocktails. Clean lines, no frills, it’s amazing that something so very simple and sleek is sooo incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, as is often the case, sometimes less is very definitely more.

Designer: Arne Jacobsen
8.6 in x 3.3 dia.

I recently saw this in a shop nearby and was impressed with how the servers are integrated into the bowl. Made from melamine, this set would be perfect for all those casual summer dinners outside (or in).

??Dishwasher safe.
White or green.
11″ dia x 5″ deep

Evens or Odds? Pick your side with these number dinner plates. Also, if you want to be all matchy-matchy, here’s some Numbered Cocktail Napkins (shown below).

10″ Round
Set of 4: Even or Odd
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I could’ve sworn that we’ve posted these before, but just as well that we haven’t seeing as they’re a perfect fit for today. Yes, today is Earth Day. What does that mean to you? Hopefully something, as it looks like our little planet needs all the help it can get. If you want to see what else you can do (in addition to recycling, because you already do that, right?), take a look at Worldwatch’s suggestions. I bet there’s a few on there that won’t hurt you to add to your weekly routine.

So, now that’s said, let’s take a look at these fully biodegradable and compostable pieces. Intended for single-use, they’re beautiful alternatives to regular paper plates. Sample kits start at $18.00 and contains one of each of the 14 pieces in the WASARA collection along with a coupon for $20 off your next purchase. Individual pieces in packs of 12 start at $9.00.

Designed in Japan by Shinichiro Ogata / SIMPLICITY
materials: 100% tree-free renewable materials (sugar cane fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp)

Similar in usage to the French Stacking Carafe, this Stainless Steel Carafe set has cups that stack and nest within the mouth, allowing for easy transport to and from the table. However, unlike the glass of the French Carafe, this 1 litre double-walled carafe will keep your drinks at the temperature you want- hot or cold.

While this upside down decanter is quite expensive, it would be terribly fun to use. Inspired by the stories of “Alice in Wonderland”, it magnifies and distorts the things seen through it. Chances are that it would be partly used as a decanter and partly a display object, because why in the world would anyone hide something like this in the cabinet?

Hand made in borosilicate glass.
Available as a numbered sequential edition.

When looking through a recent issue of Dwell, the “Main Chaude” Oven glove caught my eye. Lo and behold, through another search, I found the retailer again and got sucked into browsing through their whole site. They have quite a bit of little textile jewels for the kitchen and dining zones. Two of my favorites are this glove and placemat:

“Untitled one” Oven glove, �15.99 ($22)
“My Computer” Place mat, set of 2, �15.99 ($22)

What appears at first as a vase is actually a stack of 4 unique bowls. Could be a handy thing to have for serving or storing snacks/food, or maybe even on your desk as a receptacle for office supplies. Totem is made by hand, so keep in mind that each one is “perfectly imperfect.”

designers: Constantin and Laurene Boym of Boym Partners for Purple South.
Material: Ceramic
Dimensions: 16″h x 5″ dia.

I think every kitchen needs a large wooden spoon for cooking. It just has that warm, welcoming feeling when using it, and won’t burn your hand when you touch it. Having that minaturized into flatware for eating sounds like a good idea to me. Made from fast-growing and renewable bamboo, and supposedly the knife won’t ever lose its edge.

3 piece place setting.

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

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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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

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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