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You know what's impressive? A water filter from the future. That's really the only explanation for such a well executed design, after all. The handcrafted glass carafe is a beauty all on its own, then you add the filter on, and you've got an excellent option for purifying water. No need to mess with finicky lids either, as the Soma has a pour-through lid that automatically opens when you add...Read more

Say what? It's a flashlight and a low-heat LED rechargeable bulb? Sounds strange, but it makes sense, I guess. Extend the telescopic handle to use as a flashlight (up to 3 hours) or use it as a bulb in any standard screw-in light fitting. Like I said, strange, but seemingly practical. Using only six watts of power, the bulb is equivalent to a 40w incandescent bulb. The LEDs will last...Read more

Hmm, I don't quite understand how the same barstool could cost roughly $150 more on one site than the other. Do you? One site has it on sale, so that explains a little discrepancy, but perhaps it's not exactly the same barstool, or by the same designer/manufacturer, or maybe someone is smoking something somewhere and the profit margins were messed up. Either way, this teak and iron base barstool has...Read more

Hmm, this media console by Mark Daniel (of Slate Design) has the right sort of look and the right sort of price. Plantation-grown shesham wood is set off nicely by an iron base, and there's the nice detail of a finished back in case you need to float the piece in the middle of a room. Two open shelves provide space for components with two drawers below for storage. And,...Read more

I've long admired the Uten.Silo, but somehow can't bring myself to pay the $475 for organized bliss. The Luis Organizer isn't a whole lot less in terms of the damage done to your wallet, but it provides the same sort of function with a minimal, geometric purity, and is handmade in Barcelona by OLI13 (so you won't see it around as much, if you care about that sort of thing)....Read more

A bluetooth enabled speaker is a dime a dozen (so to speak) these days, so what's so special about this pair? Well, for starters, the 11+ Sound1 Speakers have absolutely nothing to offend the eyes, and one could even say they're aesthetically pleasing. What else? Three things: embedded magnets allow the pair to be joined into one piece for storage or transport, the cables can be stored neatly within each...Read more

Portable Home ÁPH80 from ABATON Architects (conversation) How to Stop Chasing Self-Esteem Helen Friel's paper scupltures The History of the Trapper Keeper Kottke: Richard Feynman explains rubber bands pointerpointer William Faulkner's 1924 resignation letter YouTube: Sheep teaches young bull to head butt NASA: This is what the Earth will look like in 2099 Film: De La Espada Factory (furniture making)   Enjoy the weekend!...Read more

So, what do you get when you add a wooden disc to a Wire Basket? A small, lovely, graphic table, or just a lid for the basket, depending on the way you look at it. Both basket and top from Ferm Living, of course. Wire Basket, (available in gray, mint, rose, black, and yellow) $85.00 - $125.00 Material: iron wire with powder coating Dimensions: small - 15" wide x 13.5"...Read more

You might think a mirror is just a mirror, but that would be underestimating how much a small tweak can change a rather ordinary item. Marie Thurnauer has bent the Fold Mirror slightly away from the wall to give different views and angles of a room. The image above (from domus) with the Fold Mirrors en masse shows their potential dynamicity, and has me, at least, thinking about ordering at...Read more

If you prefer to use a physical keyboard, like the Apple wireless one, instead of the on-screen keyboard for the iPad, this lightweight Convertible Case will make transporting both quite a bit easier. A magnetic closure keeps both the iPad and keyboard protected when closed, and when opened, the case can fold into a stand. -Compatible with the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the iPad 2, the 3rd generation iPad, and...Read more

Upcycling! If you've watched any home shows (say, on HGTV) you're likely to have seen some upcycled stuff, with some of the results semi-impressive and other attempts being downright awful. Now, I know I've seen used washing machine drums upcycled into lights and tables before, but it certainly wasn't executed in such a precise manner, as shown above/below. Powder-coating, rather than hand spray paint, helps convey a higher end look,...Read more

If you'd rather not infuse your bookshelf with an array of rainbow color, you're in luck, as there's now a subtle set of grey Indice Bookends that does the job quietly without shouting (red!orange!yellow!green!blue!). Not that there's anything wrong with color, mind you, just that sometimes it's nice to do without. Dimensions: 8.25h x 8w x 4"d Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Designer: Hiroaki Watanabe...Read more

I'm guilty of forgetting to water plants, how about you? With this gadget we can change our ways, as it beeps and blinks when a plant is thirsty. Just stick Moistly in the soil of your plant and go about your business, and know that when the time comes, you'll be alerted before your leafy friend becomes too parched. -Does not work for plants like the cactuses and succulents. -60-day...Read more

Remember the walnut version of the Eames® Hang-It-All? Well, it was only a matter of time- 3 years, to be exact- when other color options hit the marketplace, and now you have your choice of white or black powder-coat finish. Is your response 'hooray!' or 'ho-hum'? I'm leaning towards 'hooray' as the multicolored version can sometimes feel just a tiny bit too colorful in certain environments. Design by Charles &...Read more

Stool, side table, ottoman, whatever function fits your needs, this solid Acacia wood stool will last through thick and thin. Cut out handles make it easier to shift around and an optional thick Felt Top (+$19) gives a softer surface for the backside. Felt pads are available in five 'fashion' colors. Solid Acacia wood. Dimensions: 15.7"h x 18"w (top: 14.6"w)...Read more