Thompson Hotels -- $ 219.00| Buy it here

With a number of stateside locations already, this Spring sees this luxury boutique hotel chain open their first international branch in Toronto.

Thompson Hotels are contemporary and elegant with an element of edge and surprise. At Thompson Hotels we believe there’s a place for refined, innate style in a world of overly dressed-up mega brands. We are not trendy boutique hotels. Our style is simultaneously timeless and avant-garde.

Dare we hope Europe is next? Doubles from US $219.00

[posted by mark on February 8, 2010 at 11:52 am]

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Wallfa by Jordi Canudas -- £ 3,500.00

  (convert currency)

| Buy it here

Remember this from way back in ‘07? I sure do because it sort of knocked my socks off. As is often the case, there wasn’t much in the way of price or convenient online purchasing options because it was more of a prototype idea, so I refrained from posting it. But just today I ran across an actual retail link, so, here we are. If you’ve got the cash it’s a pretty fabulous seating option for a larger space (i.e. office area or loft).

Wallfa is an intriguing two sided piece of furniture that is both wall and sofa. It offers a comfortable sitting area that becomes playful when users interact from both sides of the wall. Movement, sound and touch hint at what might be happening on the other side.

designed by Jordi Canudas.

[posted by katie on February 8, 2010 at 9:27 am]

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Amboyna Wood Cheese Board -- $ 42.00| Buy it here

This cheese board might just look like any ol’ tree slice, but it’s actually from amboyna trees in Thailand. Considering that the roots and branches from the tree would otherwise be burned, it’s nice to know that it can grace our tabletop instead.

-Hand sanded and finished with palm oil.
-Each one is unique and sizes vary slightly.
-Food-safe.

Material: Amboyna wood
Dimensions: 1″ h x 9″-11″ diameter

[posted by katie on February 8, 2010 at 8:23 am]

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Haute Culture Mini Gardens -- $ 28 and up| Buy it here

My boyfriend recently got a wheat grass juicer so I’ve been trying to find cool containers to start a little wheat grass garden in. These nice little planters are a perfect shape for wheat grass and would look cool growing on your dining table or in your kitchen.

[posted by kris on February 8, 2010 at 8:07 am]

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Pig Speaker by Idea -- $ 49.00| Buy it here

Too cute. Not only do I eat pork, but I think they’re totally adorable as inanimate objects. Conflict of interest with earthy-crunchy types? Maybe, but I’d rather this than a talking carrot. Barry White’s “Never, Never Gonna Give You Up” just took on new meaning.

Material: Ceramic
Designer: Idea
Dimensions: 3.5 x 7.25 x 4 inches
Available in black, white, and gold

[posted by troy on February 8, 2010 at 7:56 am]

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lítill terrariums -- $ 125.00| Buy it here

I’ve always been drawn to terrariums. Too bad I have little to no luck with plants, otherwise I’d think about getting one of these quirky fellows from lítill. They’ve got quite a few shapes and sizes to choose from (starting at $125 for a 5″x6″), so take a look if you’re interested.

phlox (pictured):
$200 s (4.5×8in)
$300 m (5.5×10in)
$400 l (7×12in)

[posted by katie on February 8, 2010 at 7:35 am]

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Wood Boxes with Lacquered Lids -- $ 29.00| Buy it here

I’ve never been into West Elm’s style ever, a bit too drab and generally unexciting for me. However they’re definitely on the right track here with these new wood boxes. Woodgrain combined with super glossy lacquer is  a great combination.

Material: Ash
Dimensions: Small 9″w x 4″d x 1.75″h, Large 12″w x 8″d x 4″h

[posted by Simon on February 8, 2010 at 6:08 am]

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Blend Design: Birdbottle by Julie Rooney -- $ 142.00| Buy it here

Our first free header spot* goes to Julie Rooney of Blend Design. The Birdbottle was actually first posted on BLTD last August, but we now get a chance to ask Julie a few questions about the design:

What inspired you to create this product?
I was inspired to design the Birdbottle when I was at someone’s home and on their backyard fence they had a replica of the old Williamsburg bird bottle. It struck me as a unique take on a birdhouse and when I researched it more I discovered it had a really great history to go along with it as well. So I thought it would be great to create a modernist version of this once colonial object.

How long did it take to create a final version ready for sale?
The first initial sketch for the Birdbottle was done several years ago but I didn’t actually start working on bringing it to life until my husband and I launched Blend Design which was in early 2008. It then took us about a year to get it to its final version. We did several prototypes until we got to the final end product that we are really happy with.

What were the major hurdles from first inception to final product?
The major hurdle that we encountered with creating the Birdbottle was with the actual manufacturing of the product. Being a small company we couldn’t afford to do large quantities so we struggled with being as cost effective as possible. We also wanted to work with local vendors. But we discovered that many companies don’t want to be bothered with such low quantity orders, which is understandable but frustrating none the less. Fortunately we were able to find some great vendors and our product is entirely manufactured in Pennsylvania.

Thanks Julie for participating in our short q&a.

More about the Birdbottle:

What once was a functional necessity in the 18th century is now a testament to modernist design and simple function. Constructed out of aluminum, the Birdbottle’s tubular profile and slanted entrance roof provide ample security for nesting birds. The polished stainless steel perch welcomes birds home and provides a perfect spot for them to sit outside and watch over the surrounding landscape. Made in the USA

$142.00, Buy it here.

*If you’re a product designer and you’d like your product featured in a free header on BLTD, please read the submission guidelines before emailing us.

[posted by katie on February 8, 2010 at 5:14 am]

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Wonder Thunder Muslin Produce Bags -- $ 20.00| Buy it here | [via]

Not a whole lot to say except that this is a set of four ridiculously awesome looking muslin produce bags, handmade in Seattle.

Material: Unbleached cotton muslin with organic cotton drawstring
Dimensions: Large 10″ x 12″-Medium 6″ x 10″-Small 6″ x 5.5″-Herb 3.5″ x 5

[posted by Simon on February 6, 2010 at 6:07 am]

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Mater Black Dome and Shade Pendal Lamp -- $ 700.00| Buy it here

I think my heart stopped at the sight of the Black Dome Lamp. What is it about black matte lamps? Maybe it’s that the appearance is so contrary to their function? Whatever the reason, these two lights are lovely and minimalist (and expensive).

The dome lamp is an iconic representation of “what is light.” Light emanates evenly in a 360 degree pattern from its source (such as in the case with the sun), so therefore the most honest approach toward the design of a lamp was a spherical solution. The design is essentially a “globe” form, “hollowed out” to allow the light to distribute. Such a mathematical solution enables the design to be timeless and familiar, however completely new in approach, as it is more of an engineering solution than a fashion-based one.

Shade Pendel Lamp (left), $1,000.00
Designed by Signe Bindslev Henriksen & Peter Bundgaard Rützou, (9.8h x 23.6w x 23.6d)

Black Dome Lamp (right), $700.00
designed by Todd Bracher, (15h x 15.7w x 15.7d)

Also by Mater: Counter Stool

[posted by katie on February 5, 2010 at 11:28 am]

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