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)

 
 

World Map by Joff Casciani

If you like maps, you might just appreciate this world map with its simple graphics showing every country in the world, numbered in alphabetical order. Available unframed (£55) or framed (£109) in an aluminum matte black finish.

Size: 50cm x 70cm
Design: Joff Casciani

Purchase Information:

Price: £55.00
Available from: Lane

Hidden Message Cups

Not many of us know how to read braille, and I’m not sure that owning these 4 cups with the lines “Be Kind,” “Breathe Deep,” “Love Yourself,” and “Make Time” will actually help us learn, but they do look nice, don’t they? The phrases are also printed on the bottom of each cup, so perhaps you can test yourself each time you use one.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $30.00 for s/4
Available from: Uncommon Goods

Gear Console Table

You would be hard pressed to find a console table more simple than this. Heavy duty steel with super thin legs means it almost disappears, yet it’s sturdy enough to take a few stacks of your massive art and photography books.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $249.00
Available from: CB2

2012 Buy Local Towel

It’s 2012. You’re in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, hands a mess, when suddenly you wonder what day your friend/loved one’s birthday falls on… what to do?! Ah, if only you had this tea towel, you could dry your hands and check out the calendar, all while having a strong feeling that you should go to your local farmers market at the next possible opportunity.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Available from: terrain

Helen Lamp

This little guy is something to take note of, as it’s made from 16 gauge mild steel that is “scored, folded, welded, sanded, and powder coated”… all that and you get a small 14″ high lamp that’ll no doubt last longer than you.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $350.00
Available from: gambrelworkshop.com

Source: NYTimes

Redo-me

Redo-me is a system of pieces that you can reconfigure to make an endless array of furniture. Sounds a little far-fetched, but it looks pretty easy to assemble and the end result has a modern erector-set-feel that actually looks nice. You’ll have to do a little translating on the site to figure out which set combinations you need to make what you want, and for those of you that go for it (despite the overseas shipping) you get a high five. It’s also worth taking a look at Redo-me’s blog for customer pics and such.

(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: €240.00 and up
Availability: Buy Redo-me here

Office Speak Rotating Stamp

Add this to your office stamp collection and see how many phrases you can use on paperwork without annoying your coworkers. Or buy as a gift for someone else to purposefully annoy their coworkers. It should be noted that it would have been enormously helpful to include the phrase ‘this should have been emailed’ just to truly thumb one’s nose at others and, of course, align oneself with the paperless movement.
(more…)

Purchase Information:

Price: $12.00
Available from: Knock Knock

Friday Links

  • Do you like Downton Abbey? Take the Personality Quiz to see which character you are. Also, Watchin’ Downton. Yes, I did just link to that.
  • Brooklyn artist Iviva Olenick embroiders anecdotes from her dating escapades. (via tmagazine)
  • Type n Walk (via Apartment Therapy)
  • The third series of Sh*t Fashion Girls Say (filmed during New York Fashion Week)
  • WSJgraphics: infographic showing 43% of unemployed people have been out of a job for 27 weeks or longer. Damn.
  • Google: how to Turn off search history personalization
  • People as Pixels
  • Happy weekend! Eat, drink, and be merry. See you back here on Monday.

    Slab Chair

    While not new, this completely-amazingly-designed-angular-modern-lovely chair by Tom Dixon is still something to talk about. Might I mention that it is also stackable? It’s made from solid lacquered oak deeply brushed to expose the grain. Also available in natural.

    (more…)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $575.00
    Available from: abc home

    Notebook Paper Pouches

    In the interest of organization, these notebook paper pouches must be considered. Two sizes, machine embroidered, and entirely appropriate to hold pencils, pens, or whatever bits and bobs you might have. If you have a sewing machine, you could try to make these yourself, but we both know that the odds of that happening are pretty slim.

    Small is 7″ x 9”
    Large is 9″ x 10.5″ (fits an iPad)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $22.00
    Available from: The Quirk Gallery

    Woodland Tumble Rug

    Thoughts of little ones and decorating a nursery is on the brain thanks to a sibling that will soon give birth… fortunately, my sister has me to search out possible options for furnishings, and though this rug doesn’t quite work with the current color scheme, it is cute as can be with its woodland themed graphics, and someone must use one for their own baby’s room. There’s also a round version.

    Woodland Tumble Large Rug, $550.00
    100% hand tufted New Zealand wool. 5′ X 8′.

    (more…)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $550.00
    Available from: Dwell Studio

    45° Butter Case

    A butter dish isn’t much to write home about, nor is your budget likely to allow $85 for one, but let’s just focus a second on the details. This is made from wood, so it’s a friendlier receptacle that doesn’t clink or clang as porcelain does, and it would be a bit warmer to the touch if you keep your butter in the fridge. Plus, it has its own knife which allows you to scrape every bit of the case clean and is meant to be stored alongside so you’re not without a utensil. Sometimes the smallest of details add pleasure to a rather normal daily routine.

    (more…)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $85.41
    Available from: Analogue Life

    FlexVase

    This vase allows you to switch out the top for specific arrangements. Have a bigger bouquet? Use the wider mouth. Have a single stem? Use the tiny one. Three options with one base, and that means less to store in the cupboards. The tops clip on with a tight seal similar to canning jars.
    (more…)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $295.00
    Available from: MODULE R

    Personal Library Kit

    $10 is well worth keeping track of all the comings and goings of your personal library… especially since certain friends need help remembering to return books that you thoughtfully lent them, and, well, sometimes it’s easy to forget who you lent them to. Usually this kit is priced at $15, so you’ll save just a little until it sells out.
    (more…)

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $9.99
    Available from: Uncommon Goods

    Imperfect Black and Grey Pillows

    Talk about minimal, these pillows are super simple in design and color scheme. The grey and black wool will not interfere with your sparse interior but they will certainly add to your comfort level. Choose between three designs: Imperfect Black Plus, Black square at Angle, and Imperfect Black X.

    21″ square.

    Purchase Information:

    Price: $235.00
    Available from: Blackbird