Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

Bauhaus Spinning Top

I think you need this, and now. What better way to distract yourself from the droll everyday office life than with a fun, vivid, spinning top that demonstrates color theory? Plus, it’s a reproduction of an original Bauhaus design, so you can say ‘Bauhaus!’ whenever someone comments on it. And, if a spinning top isn’t your thing, consider it as a gift (6 years old and up).
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $55.00
Available from: MoMA Store

Matégot Nagasaki Stool

$450 for a barstool might just be a little above your budget, but, even so, let’s just spend a moment admiring this barstool designed by Mathieu Matégot . Who’s he? Apparently, he’s the guy that first combined metal tubing with with perforated sheet metal. Thank you Mr. Matégot.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $449.00
Available from: Horne

DIY Table Lamp by Dino Sanchez

Check it. This do-it-yourself DS Kit 02 table lamp by Dino Sanchez can be assembled in less than 10 minutes with a phillips screw driver (if you’re super handy, I’m sure you can knock that time down to 5-7 minutes). All the components are included- even the lightbulb. There’s also a wall version, DS Kit 01 ($75), fyi.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $75.00
Available from: The VITRINE

FYRKAT Grill

With all your planned or unplanned activities this summer, you might want to have this little guy handy. Its compact size makes it perfect for grilling on terraces or tailgating (or camping, or on the beach). Big enough to grill whole fish yet small enough to easily carry around, it’s the ideal tool for cooking up your summer meals.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $60.00
Available from: SFMOMA Store

Nail Brush Soap Dish

It’s a soap dish and nail brush all in one. Handy? Of course. Functional? Yes sir/ma’am. Made for the the mudroom, workshop, kitchen, you name it. Materials: natural stout pig bristle and specially ridged beachwood handle.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $18.00
Available from: Best Made

Source: Svpply

Paper Lamp

Here’s a nice lamp with a very affordable price tag. Inspired by origami, this lamp is constructed without any screws or glue. Using less materials in a simple structure allows for a simple beauty that is also environmentally friendly.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $119.00
Available from: Milk Design Shop

Hay Book Ends

If you have books falling over on or off a shelf, consider these steel bookends from Hay. They come in a set of three (in either a color mix, black, or white) and have different heights to work with your books. Quite similar to the Steel Bookends from the Jasper Morrison shop, which are a little less price wise if you’re in the UK.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $32.00
Available from: Finnish Design Shop

Free Range Tables

Well, how nice is it to see some marble topped tables not costing an absolute fortune? There’s solid walnut legs too, with brass details and a black steel frame. Both coffee and side are a pretty good alternative to some of the pricier marble tables you see in some showrooms, and the design has a very slight mid century vibe (a definite plus). From Blu Dot, if you hadn’t guessed already.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $299.00 - 599.00
Available from: Blu Dot

Segmented Jars by Ben Fiess

Are these jars meant for functional use or merely as art objects? Perhaps both, as rare as that might be. Ben Fiess brings us quite a few color options on these slightly-odd-yet-beautiful jars, and each vessel breaks apart into container, strainer, lid and cap.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $85.00 - 105.00
Available from: IKO IKO

Pelle Consoles

These petite consoles by Pelle sure pack in the storage options despite their small size- each piece has a shelf plus drawer options to keep items like keys, gloves, and wallets close at hand. Yes, they are a little pricey, and lean towards the more bespoke budget range, but it sure is nice to see something different in the console category, even if it is a little more whimsical than the usual straight edged modern that some of us prefer.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $650.00 and up
Available from: PELLE

Kitchen Brush and Glass Container

Hmm, not sure exactly what you would store inside this container, but it seems like a good idea to have a kitchen brush as a lid of a storage vessel. The brush could scrub pots and pans or your vegetables, but would you put soap inside the container? Or baking soda for cleaning? Your imagination might be useful in determining the best use.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $60.00
Available from: Fitzsu

Xtreme All-Terrain USB Key

Are you constantly finding yourself in extreme situations? As in, crazy places where you would need your data protected from 10-ton truck wheels and temperatures as high as 392 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as -50 Celsius? Besides finding a new job, you need to consider this USB flash drive by LaCie and Constance Guisset. The impenetrable 2mm casing and wear-resistant, water-resistant screw threads (with rubber O-ring) will protect the USB 2.0 interface against all manner of extreme conditions.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $56.00
Available from: A+R Store

Folded Paper Furoshiki

LINK has a new Furoshiki design, and if you don’t remember, Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloths that can be used as scarves, gift wrapping, or even as a wall hanging. There’s also a Leather Carry Strap ($20-$28) that allows you to use a Furoshiki as a bag.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $48.00
Available from: thelinkcollective

Tick Leg System

This is pretty fantastic. The Tick is a leg system which clips/clamps on to a variety of materials to make a table. No screws or tools necessary (see how it functions here). You pick the board- new, old (reuse points!), plywood, plastic, whatever- and then clip on the legs for a super easy new coffee table. Other sizes are in the works, but right now just the two widths (35cm or 50cm) are available. See below for more pictures and info.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: €75.00 - 94.00
Available from: Linie58

Source: core77

Wood Cutting Boards by Luke Bartells

If live edge wood excites you even just a little, note these nicely shaped wood cutting boards by local San Francisco wood worker Luke Bartells. Each is handcrafted and varies depending on the wood. Also, if you’re in the market for live edge wood furniture, be sure to check out the website of Luke Bartells; there’s quite a few gems.

Square Block, $60.00
Circle Block, $160.00

Purchase Information:

Price: $60.00 - 160.00
Available from: General Store