bltd

Space-saving kitchen gadgets are always a smart idea.

“Over 100 prototypes were made before the Folding Colander was finally perfected… but, given its space-saving capacities, it was well worth the wait! 12 polypropylene living hinges are incorporated in the design so that, when you put it away, it can be folded completely flat for easy storage. Looks like practice does make perfect after all…”

Flatt: 16.5″W x 12.75″L x 0.5″H
Folded: 10.5″W x 8.75″L x 5.5″H

Materials: Polypropylene

Here’s a nice little bread box with a lid that also serves as a bread board.

(Link and price updated February 22, 2011.)

Support BLTD by buying here: $99 at gnr8.biz

This expandable organizer seems to be the answer to keep large and small utensils exactly where you want them, thereby providing serenity to those of us more finicky about disorganized flatware.

-Dividers adjust to accommodate all utensil shapes and sizes
-Organize more utensils in one compartment
-Multiple utensils stay neatly stacked even when drawers are opening and closing
-Expands from 9.75” to 16.25” to fit kitchen drawers

15.25” x 9.5” to 16” x 2”

If you haven’t checked out MoMA’s Destination: Japan, head on over there and take a look- it’s kind of fascinating.

Crystal Cloud, Yumiko Yoshimoto, 1979:
“Water in this cloud-shaped glass sculpture creates repeating natural phenomena such as forming water drops, becoming cloudy based on temperature, and shining when the water sways. Created by glass sculptor Yumiko Yoshimoto, each Crystal Cloud is mouth blown and shaped by hand. Made of borosilicate glass filled with distilled water and a polished chromium-plated brass stand. Hand-wash only.”
Size: 2.75h x 3l x 1.5″diam.

$100.00, $90.00 Members, Buy it here.

Pig Cooking Lid, Marna Inc., 2001:
“Made of soft silicone with a pig face in the center, this multipurpose lid can be placed directly over ingredients in a pot to help them cook evenly, releasing steam through the pig’s snout. It can also be used to cover food in the microwave, and as a grip to open lids. Dishwasher and microwave safe.”
Size: 1h x 7″diam.

$18.00, $16.20 Members, Buy it here.

These are the sort of thing you could leave out on your countertop as a sort of functional-yet-beautiful item.

“Made from fallen hardwood trees in
Minnesota. Sealed so that they are
food safe and moisture resistant.
Clean with sponge.
Available in cherry, ash and maple.”

Approximately 12″ diameter

While this looks to be very useful, and quite clever considering the shape of both ends, I can’t help but think of chimpanzees using a simple stick to get ants out of a log. It’s much more civilized, of course. The title is what threw me into chimp thoughts.

“This beautiful, functional tool comes in a transparent box featuring a typographic wordplay in black lettering along with suggestions for use. STIR POT – FLIP STEAK – SCOOP JAR – SLICE CAKE – BUTTER TOAST – CHECK SAUCE – SCRAPE BOTTOM – STOP DOOR – SCRATCH BACK – FEEL GOOD. It’s uses are limited only by your imagination.”

[posted by katie]

For anyone fond of Lego, now you can be creative with ice cubes. They also carry some coasters and wine bottle opener that are worth looking at.

Made of durable silicone.
Ice cube tray makes 10 ice “bricks” at a time!
Dishwasher safe.

(Thanks Michael!)

A lot more interesting than what you’ll find in the normal kitchen gear retail stores, these pot racks come in the requisite black, red, or stainless steel for the modern kitchen.

Potluck (shown in red), japanese character for luck
Double Happiness (shown in black)

L 26” X W 24” X H 2”

Have a little slice of genius with your cake. This silicone 11.8″ Cake Mold ‘pre-shapes’ any cake into 15 separate pieces, in a variation of ‘sizes’. From Small, to Extra Large. Also, I love how it really looks like an extruded 3D pie chart.

An excellent bamboo knife block available in orange, red, or white.

“By contributing to the preservation of the environment and continually searching for new and innovative ideas to make beatutiful products out of bamboo this company has been one of our favorites from day one. All products are designed in France and produced by skillful artisans in Vietnam.”

If you get frustrated by the minimal amount of paper/drawings/menus that your current fridge magnet holds, then this would completely solve your problem.

“This little chap is made from a super-strong magnet coated in non-scratch plastic to protect your fridge and your photos. But what really makes the Endo brilliant is that is in effect a magnetic hinge – to use, you just press the top and the magnet frees up whatever it is holding, release and it and it grips again…all without any springs or moving parts. Combining neodymium, silicone and steel, the Endo clip is great looking, holds up to 20 pages or 1 lb and can be thrown in the dishwasher for cleaning.”

Each magnet is 2″ x 1″, pack of 3.

Anyone who has spent time in a kitchen can appreciate the combination of spoon and spatula in one. Smart.

“As their name implies, these utensils combine a spoon and a spatula in a very unique and useful form. They’re made from solid bamboo, which makes them not only beautiful, but also extremely durable.”

100% organically-grown bamboo, natural food-safe wood oil

13″ long

Sold as a set of three.

Designed for Alessi, this new toaster with a bread warming attachment has a clean oval shape and 18/10 stainless-steel body with a white polycarbonate base. Includes a defrost setting, removable crumb tray, variable browning selector, and reheat functionality. An additional rack for making sandwiches is available.

Size: 10h x 17w x 4.5″d

Toaster with Bread Warmer Item# 64757

This looks to be more of a sculpture than a mere kitchen accessory.

“Sagaform is a Swedish company that makes clean, well designed products that are good looking, practical and affordable. This clever small pestle (made from ceramic) and mortar allow for the even crushing of small amounts of spices…”

4.74″ wide x 2″ tall

Kitchens with limited counterspace and no dishwashers could use a dishrack like this. The little pegs allow you to store lots of different plates, and provide more surface area unlike those metal drying racks.