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Okay, do you like tangrams? You know, the traditional puzzle of seven geometric 2D pieces that you rearrange to make bigger shapes? If so, you’ll be happy to see that there’s a colorful, magnetic version that’s appropriate for all ages. Show off your designs upright, and keep them close at hand on a shelf or desk so you can mess around with them when your brain needs a break.
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Water is a necessity, but nowadays too many of us rely on plastic bottles to get our daily intake. Perhaps by purchasing this very nice Talise carafe, you’ll cut down the amount of plastic you use and thus become a more responsible adult. Unending supplies of water and other beverages may be kept in its lovely fluted design, which looks so much more appropriate on a dinner (or conference) table than a six pack of plastic bottles. Use the inner funnel to hold a water filter, if needed, or remove entirely for non-filtered beverages.
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If a messy hose situation is ruining the appeal of your outdoor area, you’d best get things sorted with an appropriate storage solution. There’s many storage options around for much less than this one, but most are slightly depressing in that they’re made of plastic or have unnecessary/disappointing decorative accents. Ten10 Design’s Hose Jockey, on the other hand, keeps hoses tidy without offending your design sensibilities, and is made of industrial-grade, powder-coated steel.
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Sometimes those cheap plastic cups just won’t cut it at the dinner table. Upgrade to the Lempi (means ‘favourite’ in Finnish) Glassware from Iittala. Use them for everyday water or for that special occasion wine; they’ll fit every occasion. And, the major bonus, the Lempi is stackable to save space in your kitchen. If you’d rather a bit of color, check out the lilac, light blue, and grey.
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Thank goodness, no more messiness. We can now throw the bin into the compost and avoid the inevitable cleanup of gross leaks. Greenlid makes all this possible by providing compostable compost bins made of locally-recycled cardboard. You get one dishwasher-safe reusable lid to keep odors in and fruit flies out. When the bin is full, remove the lid, seal it with a paper top, and toss the whole thing into your compost. Order refills when you run out; well worth the zero clean up, right?
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Okay, stick with me here. Think of this strange terrarium as an “architectural plant system” and you’ll most likely understand the appeal. Yes? No? Despite your love (or hate) of the cantilevered top and sparse cacti arrangements, you must see how one of these Minis would fit in well with any interesting interior, as they’re a sculptural and artistic way to add plants into a space with a minimal vibe.
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Holiday travel is booked, you’re wrapping up at work, and all is set for you to head off to family/friends for the upcoming break. It’s only at the last minute where you have a minor freak-out wondering who is going to water your plants, and then rush around making a messy shoestring wick for the 2 to 3 plants that won’t survive without steady irrigation. Nothing against shoestring wicks, as they can be successful if done correctly, but this self watering planter by Joey Roth seems like a better (looking) solution. The planter’s earthenware central chamber allows water to slowly seep into the soil as the plant absorbs only what it needs. The planter is inspired by the Olla, an ancient irrigation tool used in arid climates.
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It’s a no nonsense tool box, on sale. Two-tier, so you’ll be able to fit larger items below and smaller items above, and it’s in a two-tone steel and black powdercoat finish so it won’t mess up your interior style. Now, just what will you organize with the help of this Italian tool box? Your tools, of course, or your crafts, or picnic supplies… whatever you want.
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When you’re off on your adventures, you need not go without salt and pepper. The Arcto Alpine Travel Shaker is designed for robustness: it’s humid proof to prevent clumping and housed in a extra tough plastic case to withstand all sorts of abuse. It opens with a “click” so you’ll know when it’s open- no unnecessary spills in your bag, thank you very much. Get it, and all of your future travel companions will like you so much better.
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You recycle everything, you minimize car travel, you try very hard to buy local foods, so why the hell are you still using plastic bags for food storage? Maybe you could take one tiny extra step and get some reusable food storage wraps.

The Abeego material is a hemp and cotton fabric infused with a blend of beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil that keeps food fresh. What? Huh? How? Keep your pants on, and listen. When at room temperature, the cloth is slightly adhesive and malleable, and when it’s cool, it stiffens and holds the form you create. The natural coating is fluid and air resistant, and you just hand-wash in cold water to clean. There are a couple of drawbacks, though: no dishwasher or microwave use, and you might be accused of being a hippie. Maybe.
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Oh, it’s just a box, you say, so why does it cost $200+? Well, it has heavy-duty swivel casters, so you can move it around for maximum sun, it’s made from 100% untreated FSC certified cedar, so it’ll last for years and years, and the slatted base has a soil screen to keep things tidy. And, it takes less than ten minutes to assemble, meaning you’ll have a garden box for your patio or kitchen quicker than you can make dinner.
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Is there anything wrong with your tape dispenser? Because if there is, you have an excellent reason to try out this circular approach by the Japanese brand METAPHYS. Not only does the case allow you to hold the dispenser firmly in your hand, but it also lends itself to easily hang on a hook. Less desktop clutter? Yes, please.
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Fermob has plenty of practical outdoor furnishings, but these Planter Baskets are particularly perfect for a patio. Why? Well, the handles, of course. If you’ve ever tried to move a heavy planter, you know the value in that. They also have two holes for water drainage (with plugs) and the feet and trays separate for easy filling and transport. The baskets are available in a plethora of colors, several of which are sure to suit your fancy.
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If you’re going to add a little nautical flair to your surroundings, please, please, please make it one of these rope mats by Sophie Aschauer. Reclaimed sailing ropes are woven with four different knots- referred to as “Bonny”, “Drake”, “Morgan” and “Killigrew” (pirates from the 17th century, by the way)- into doormats or smaller sized area rugs. Remember that the rope is reclaimed, so they’ll show a little bit of wear, but that’s a small price to pay for such color and texture.
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These end grain ButcherBlocks are very durable; the design allows you to cut in between the fibers of the wood instead of across them like most cutting boards. This makes for easy maintenance and a very long lifetime, which are two important features for any cutting board over the $100 mark.
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