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So, this isn’t a scrapbook, it’s a Portfolio. That’s said with a teensy bit of snobbery, by the way. A thick paper accordion is held between two pieces of solid oak with a large rubber band to hold it all together. Think of it as a cool way to showcase photos and/or drawings- perhaps from a vacation or special event (gift alert!). When opened, the Portfolio stands on its own for display.
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If you have a dark living or dining area, may I suggest the Mobile Light by Andrew Neyer? The rotating arms allow for quite a bit of variety in movement, especially considering the arms are 40″ and 48″ in length. The no-frills, minimal design provides a clean look that would work well with other styles, so it’s a very safe bet for all sorts of interiors.
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Uh-oh, if you like the Nest Mortar and Pestle from Pat Kim, you’d better snap one up right this very second, because there’s only four available. The mortar actually houses the pestle in its base, keeping it tucked away until use. Inspired by woodpecker nesting holes, it’s a smart solution for compact storage.
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Did you know Erik Magnussen’s Stelton Vacuum Jug was designed way back in 1977? Or that the very recognizable shape is now available as a coffee press? Brew your coffee and keep it hot for hours, all in the retro-cool iconic thermos. The EM Press brews up to 8 cups, and has the same simple open-close mechanism of the Stelton Jug.
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Maybe you need a few extra pots for your plants? If so, please do consider the new Radial Vessels from Areaware. With their quiet architecture, they’ll blend in nicely with your other things without much fuss, thus putting the focus on your prized plants. Available as a planter, vase, or dish.
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A 2017 Phases of the Moon Calendar is just what you need, because how else will you know when you’ll turn into a werewolf*? You’ll be able to schedule meetings and other events around your “personal business”, thereby conveniently keeping your crazier self free to roam without getting a reprimand from someone saying they were supposed to meet you for dinner and where were you? You’ll remain mysterious, and all your coworkers will marvel at your lunar knowledge. 2017 is going to be your best year yet, isn’t it?
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When it’s raining out, you’ll need a spot to rest your wet umbrella. Sure, you could lean it up against a wall to let it drip down on the floor, possibly creating a safety hazard where someone could slip and fall, hurting their pride and also possibly breaking a few bones, or you could do the sensible thing and get an umbrella stand. The Hoop has a heavy and compact cast-iron base with a slender oval wire rim suspended above; it’s both minimal and functional. The pink color is my favorite, but if you want to stick to the tried and true black option no one will fault you.
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If your salt and pepper situation is very sad, maybe you need to get better receptacles. Reed Wilson offers these faceted walnut shakers with rubber stoppers, and I dare say they’d be a pleasure to use. Each shaker is shaped by hand, so no two will be exactly alike.
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Let’s run through the very short list of requirements for a pendant light. Minimal/modern? Check. Spectacular/different? Check. Somewhat affordable? Check. The Antipode Pendant Light from Lambert & Fils fits those three requirements, and now we just need to figure out just where we’re going to put it. Maybe the dining room, entryway, or a large walk-in closet?
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An entirely new measuring tool that combines three in one is just the thing to reduce desktop disarray. Matching silhouettes of traditional rulers is how Tomas Kral created Outline, and it’ll last well past your drawing days as it’s made from stainless steel with laser engraving. The Outline’s form includes a protractor and right angle with measurements in both inches and centimeters.
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Cooler weather will soon be here, so it’s time to assess your entryway. Do you have enough hooks for hanging up all those scarves, hats and coats? Go the minimal route with these Round Walnut Wall Hooks or the Solid Brass Square Wall Hooks. Both sets are by the designer Farrah Sit and may be purchased through her website, Light and Ladder, or from Kaufmann Mercantile.
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Can you draw? Because this lamp needs to be the star of a short comic- its little shade looks just like a hat. Simple geometric elements with the slight skew of asymmetry give the Conic Lamp its personality. Set it up on your desk or a side table for a directional reading light (and pretend it’s your non-judgmental friend, always there with a bright outlook when you need it most).
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Your dining table hates hot things, so do it a favor and get a Rhom Trivet by Shane Schneck. It’s made of silicone, so it’ll protect your table’s surface from all sorts of hot trays, dishes, and pans, and its rhombus-inspired shape will do wonders for your design credentials. That’s not a promise, mind you, just a very enthusiastic endorsement of a trivet design.
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If you’ve got a weakness for nice pens, pencils and pen cases, then you’re in trouble. Ystudio’s offerings are made of brass and copper and wenge wood, and the various pieces are all beckoning to belong to your collection. Take a look at their Mechanical Pencil and the Rollerball Pen*- each have a satisfying heft in their cool, streamlined brass cases. Either (or both) would be excellent gifts, as the brass has a nice, understated elegance to its matte sheen. Consider adding a Pen Case or the Pen Container to keep your writing implements close at hand.
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Are you up for a bit of chemistry when making your morning brew? If so, this Pebo Vacuum Coffee Maker from Bodum could be an interesting experiment. How does it work? Steam escapes from the bottom bowl into the top, mixing with the oils of your coffee. Once you remove it from heat, and the newly brewed coffee filters back down into the bottom bowl for serving. That’s a simplified version, of course, but you get the idea. It’ll take a little longer (5 to 11 minutes) than a regular coffee maker but the brewing time and temperature are calibrated precisely for a perfect cup each time.
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