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Glassware may not be the most exciting thing to you, but, hey, you use it every single day for your juice/water/spirits. Why not upgrade to something more visually appealing than the mix-matched set you’ve had since college? You can’t go wrong with Iittala’s Kartio Collection, as the series dates back to 1958, when Kaj Franck first created their simple, balanced design. There are quite a few subtle colors (you’re sure to find something to suit your preferences) and they’re durable enough for everyday use.
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No one gets excited about bathroom trash cans, but what about a bathroom recycling separator? This two-compartment bin makes it easy to separate out trash from recycling, so you’ll not need to think twice about sorting plastics from the regular icky stuff later on. That’ll make your life a tiny bit easier, right? (Now, if someone could just make it look a little bit more exciting…)
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If you’re still holding out on print copies of your favorite magazines and newspapers, maybe you’d like this rack from Fruitsuper. Its looped steel body with walnut handle holds your reading materials in a tidy stack, off the floor (and nearby tables) so your living space appears more orderly. Choose between White or Forest Green. Now on sale!
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Need a home for those extra bits and bobs? Keep them in this ceramic half donut dish, as its satin glaze with raw bottom gives just enough specialness (it is hand thrown by Sara Ekua Todd, after all). It may be perfect for your entryway console (keys, coins) or your wardrobe dresser (watch, jewelry).
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What, there’s a functional sculpture that displays your favorite books and I’m not going to tell you about it? Please. These ‘functional sculptures’ aren’t cheap, but they are quite special if you have some very special tomes. Mountains holds an open book, so that you may peruse the pages slowly. Peaks intends to show off a book’s cover, or one cover and several spines, if you so wish. Waves has blackened steel upright dividers to mark your place in your smaller novels and other current readings.
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Here’s another trick to flower arranging: use the brass Flower Constellation disk. Stretch out the disk (in your favorite Zodiac design, of course) so that it rests snugly in whichever glass or vase you have handy, and then pop in single flowers from the supermarket, florist, or nearest field. You’ll find that it’s easy to create a “voluminous” arrangement thanks to the openings in each disk.
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These platters by Gareth Neal use digital manufacturing techniques to create inset lines, boxes, and ripples on the surface of the wood. And, yes, they do all look very intriguing thanks to these carved shapes and textures, but they are also quite functional, as these features provide resting spots for your favorite foods and their necessary crumbs and juices.
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Well, what do we have here? It’s a very simple pendant that uses the light bulb as support for the shades. Aluminum disks diffract the light and trick your eye with reflections of its environment. Does it remind you a little of the Grain Pendant by Brendan Ravenhill? It’s the same sort of idea, and a little more affordable at that.
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Uh, Tangram Erasers? Of course we need a set. Do you know the history of the Tangram? Do you have fond memories of making shapes with one when you were younger? Maybe you could see if your brain still has the skills to hammer out a few puzzles with these erasers, knowing they could always do some erasing if you fail to have fun with the puzzle part.
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No need for any subpar shiv in your desk drawer (the office is ridiculously competitive, isn’t it), because you’ll have the Desk Knife. It’s a multipurpose cutting tool that’s pretty enough to leave out, within arm’s reach. Inspired by the small, pocket-sized Japanese Kiridashi Knife, this knife feels closer to a writing tool, so you’ll enjoy handling it while you slice open boxes, mail, and other paraphernalia (NOT your coworkers).
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Fun! Make anything a vase with fruitsuper’s Anywhere Vases. The set of steel shapes transform vessels into vases, simple as can be. They’re cork-backed, so they’ll stay put, and have openings to accommodate stems. The color will brighten up the most ordinary of glasses or mugs, giving you a fun vase no matter what you have to work with.
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A smart, indoor garden? Sure, sign me up. Originally a Kickstarter project, the Veritable® Smart Indoor Garden is designed to help you grow herbs and small vegetables effortlessly, all year round. While it has a small footprint (easy to fit in a kitchen, don’t you know), four different types of plants can grow together at their optimal rate. The lamps’ specific LED technology ensures quick growth; they also can be set to automatically adjust brightness based on ambient natural light. And, if that’s not enough, you’ll see the light softly pulsating when it’s time to add more water.
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You know about kintsugi, or kintsukuroi, right? It’s the “Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum,” according to Wikipedia. Well, now you can try your own hand at the art, by using this Kintsugi kit from Etsy. Of course, you could also just mix gold dust with an epoxy you find at your local hardware store, and then try to repair a crack or break on a dish using your own mix*. Good luck, either way!
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If you ever spend anytime with a ruler and a pencil, you’ll appreciate the Measure Collection Set from Grovemade. Custom machined from a solid block of aluminum, each ruler, protractor, and triangle is a beautiful, sleek tool for your desk. Subtle measuring marks ensure accuracy, and will perhaps ensure more straight lines and graceful curves when it comes to your sketches or drawings.
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Does anyone collect bottle openers? If so, this one is a must have, as it masquerades as a thin slice of lotus root. Pretty, isn’t it? Made of solid brass, it could make a lovely little gift for anyone who likes their bottled beverages.
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