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Let’s play the guessing game: what the heck is the item shown above? Despite looking like some sort of futuristic alien egg, it serves a useful purpose when it comes to oenology. If that word is unfamiliar to you, oenology is “the science and study of all aspects of wine and winemaking” (-wikipedia). Looky there, you just learned something, and now you probably have a good idea of the item’s purpose. Yes? No? If not, the pictures below will give it away.
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Is it a magnet? Nope, it’s a trivet, a solid aluminium (or aluminum, as us Americans say) trivet, to be exact. Heat proof paint in either yellow or matte black finishes off this simple device to protect your tabletop in the most minimal fashion. By Daniel Emma.

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If the dry air is getting on your nerves, get yourself a humidifier. And, as we’re in the business of selecting well made items that have a pleasing appearance, you should probably take my advice and buy the Chimney Humidifier designed by Takeshi Ishiguro. The slim profile and tall chimney blend in with a room’s furnishings easier than other large humidifiers, and, using a silent, ultra-sonic system, the mist is emitted at a height that humidifies the whole room instead of one particular area. (Last fall I ended up buying one, and so far I’m pleased with its performance.)
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You’ve so many Instagram photos, but they’re all stuck on your phone or hidden in ‘the cloud’. Plus, you have a couple of empty walls just begging for a piece or art or two. What to do? Get a few of your Instagram photos printed from Shiner, formerly known as GlossyGram. Your Instagram photos are mounted on smooth, solid pine with a resin finish (or the new uncoated option for $6), all in a petite 3.5″x 3.5″ size.
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Can you believe that the United States has still not fully embraced the metric system? Do your part by using rulers that have both customary and metric measurements, just like this Ruler Stick you see before you. It has inches on one side, which you know and love, and centimeters on the other. Brought to the Cooper-Hewitt Shop by KIOSK.
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A grey crochet cable coils up to create the base of this blown glass sphere light, allowing the light to comfortably sit on any horizontal surface. While there are many color choices available, you might opt for the clear glass sphere (shown above) if you’d rather keep a quiet color scheme. There’s a 28.1 Single Pendant Light and 28s Wall Light as well.
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If you’re a no-frills type of person, you might just like this Monthly Planner from Poketo. It features a grid with each day’s abbreviation at the top of each column, allowing you to fill in the rest as you see fit. Available in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large.
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Not only does this Hasami Porcelain Teapot have a classically modern shape, it shares the same diameter as other pieces in the Hasami Porcelain collection, which allows for easy transport and stacking. That’s not only beneficial for your cabinet space, but it also makes for an efficient and aesthetically pleasing tablescape. Crafted from a custom blend of clay and porcelain, the surface is softer to the touch than traditional porcelain.
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In a reluctant nod to the holiday that is Valentine’s Day, I present you with the Heartwarmer Cushion. It may be placed in the microwave or freezer to warm or cool whatever region that may need it. (Considering the very cold February we’ve been having, the warmth of a heart-shaped cushion on toes and fingers would be especially nice, wouldn’t it?)
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How about a little mirror rivalry? To be more specific, buckled leather mirror rivalry. Gubi’s Adnet Mirror, above, on the right, has long been admired, but unfortunately its $700-$800 price tag is a bit too high for everyone’s wallet. Now, the mirror on the left is two inches shy of the Adnet’s 18 inch diameter, but it costs considerably less. Any guesses as to the price difference?

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At first glance, this Grain Pendant looks like it has a simple aluminum shade. However, take a closer look and you’ll see that the shade is formed over a wooden mold that has been sandblasted, and, during the shade’s metal spinning process, the patterns of the wood grain are impressed on the shade’s underside. Read more about the Grain Pendant’s case study over at Brendan Ravenhill’s site.
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How’s this board for organizing your what-haves and thing-a-ma-jigs? It’s a wooden magnetic bulletin board called SmorgasBoard, and it has different wooden magnetic attachments: pegs, a hook, a box, and a shelf. Each piece may be placed anywhere on the board, so configure it just the way you like. There’s not too much, so things won’t get cluttered, but there’s enough to give those essentials (like your phone, keys, etc.) a home. Each piece may be placed anywhere on the board, or on your fridge or metal surface.
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Remember the Intersect Valet posted a couple of weeks ago? John Dixon, of DIXON Branded, has a few other items in his shop, one of which is this Considered Curtain Rod. The final length of the rod is determined and cut by you, the end user, to specifically fit your windows. There’s just enough of a DIY-feel to make you look incredibly handy, but do be sure to have a saw on hand before you go bragging to your friends.
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I know keeping your wine chilled at the perfect temperature is the least of your worries, but, hey, if you can eliminate that worry altogether, why not do it? This Wine (or Champagne) Thermal is made from concrete and will keep wine at the perfect temperature no matter how hot it gets this summer. That seems a long way away from the cold, dreary weather outside our doors today, but it won’t hurt to be prepared. Oh, and if you’re fond of your company logo, engraving is an option. Available from Angle33. (They also offer concrete coasters and Wine Bottle Coasters to keep those drips and spills from spoiling your tabletop.)
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Can’t afford the $7,150 WrongWoods Long Credenza? How about the $2,970 WrongWoods Night Table? If your response to both these questions is rolling your eyes and wishing for the umpteenth time you’ll win the lottery, you need to take in this number: $220. It’s a tray, which is significantly smaller than a credenza or cabinet, hence the significantly smaller price tag. It’s still not cheap, of course, as it is a collaboration between British artist Richard Woods and designer Sebastian Wrong, but it does give you a chance to appreciate (and own) their work on a smaller scale.

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