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One tiny hole on this heart shaped salt shaker reminds you to take a little less…
designed by Bormann & Serman.

Also available from odc-paris for €39.

These playing cards have large 1-1/4″ numbers that can be easily read by visually impaired individuals. I’d be tempted to buy them just for their graphic appeal; a few in a frame would make a satisfying black/white/red wall art.

It’s difficult to convey just how lovely these desk accessories are. First seen at 100% Design* last year and more recently spotted over at Theo, the collection has not lost any bit of its initial charm, though I am a bit dismayed I can’t quite splurge on the whole set in one go. Instead, I’ll have to settle for buying one piece at a time until my desktop is graced with the complete collection. Each piece has a satisfying heft, and though petite in scale, there’s a distinct beauty in the choice of materials for each simple shape.

*Not that it matters to your purchasing decision, but the Australian Designer duo Daniel and Emma seem like incredibly nice people and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for them.

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If you’re looking for a bit of peacock pizzazz without dropping a few grand (I’m thinking of the Peacock Rug by Matthew Williamson), this rug by CB2 could fit the bill. Sure, you sacrifice the ultra-luxe look, but man, you sure would save a bundle.

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Whether you have breadcrumbs on your table or eraser shavings on your desk, this brush and dustpan set will make short work of cleaning up. Made by the Iris Hantverk company (they employ visually impaired craftsmen in Sweden).

Small oiled beech wood dustpan and horsehair brush.

Designer Henry Pilcher turns the traditional industrial pendant shade literally on its head by encasing it in a wooden geometric frame. This unique framework allows the Block 2 lamp to be hung, free standing at many angles, and because of its now modularity, multiples can be stacked in infinite combinations (if you can actually afford more than one that is). Being that thsese fixtures can be both pendant and floor lamps, I see huge potential in these lamps for their flexibility.

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If you’re not lucky enough to wake up to the sound of real birds chirping, you can get this alarm clock that features a chirping or beeping sound. There’s also a talking function in English and Japanese if you prefer to be told to get up and out of bed. Use the included stand for your bedside table or, if you prefer, hang it on the wall. Includes a calendar and snooze feature.

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Rarely are dishes and such labeled ‘fun’, but this bowl and cup set are decidedly so for their squishiness. No worries of breakage, you can shove this food grade silicone set in a bag or backpack and know that if you need a vessel for food or drink you are entirely prepared. I’d think they’d come in handy whether you’re on a camping voyage or at the office kitchen.

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Are you tired of calendar talk yet? I’d be surprised if you haven’t snapped up a 2011 one yet, but just in case you haven’t, this one by designer Carlo Brito is a good choice. It’s so simple and clean, plus, it comes with its own clipboard that you can reuse after 2011 is over.

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Nice. This simple dark steel woodtower will frame your wood in style. No excuses now for a messy woodpile…

Designed by Franz Maurer.

The Phonofone III is the third iteration of a completely passive, non-electric ceramic amplifer designed specifically for the iPhone. (Check out our previously posted Koostik for a similar product done in wood). Using only clever acoustics, the iPhone’s volume is amplified up to four times. The Phonofone is handmade in Canada and only available in limited quantities. For such a unique and handmade product I would naturally assume it would adorn quite a lavish price tag, but it is actually quite reasonable. I’ve never seen any of these in person so if there any readers out there who can vouch for the sound quality please chime in with comments.

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White and wood is used so often in product design because it always looks great and its style is timeless. Designer Klaus Hackl implements the two-tone palette in Maple and porcelain for his series of Cut & Paste cutting boards. I think they’re a bit small for serious kitchen use, but are just perfect for the dining table. The medium size measures 11 x 5.7, and the large is 17 x 8.5.

Montreal-based Furni has updated their incredibly popular Alba alarm clock. Now known as the Alba Me (for Media Edition), it now features an 1/8” auxiliary input, ten stage dimmable display, larger LED display, and contrasting silicone buttons and non-skid base. Furni does product evolution justice by adding just the right amount of upgrades and improvements without compromising the spirit of the original. Can’t wait to see the next version.

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Happy New Year! Have a safe celebratory night if you venture out (or stay in, for that matter)… we’ll return to posts as usual on Wednesday, January 5, 2011.

Shown above: 5-piece stainless steel champagne gift set, $49.95 from CB2

Okay, so $300 for a cotton calendar is a little frivolous, yes. Not even throwing in the name ‘by Maison Martin Margiela’ helps soften the blow. But, what would you say if perhaps this cotton calendar becomes table napkins after the year is over? That is the intention after all. Does the novelty of that fact make it any better?