bltd

Now, if you like tea, you know a tea kettle is quite important. I’ve had an Uplift kettle before*, and liked the way the spout opens automatically when lifting the handle (hence, the name ‘uplift’), but this 10th anniversary version takes the cake with its cork handles. Cork insulates well, and provides a soft, nonslip grip, which makes it an ideal choice. And, it works nicely in conjunction with the stainless steel, of course. It’s a winner.

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There’s always time for tea, especially when you have a tea service like this one from Muuto. It’s a little whimsical in its large proportions, of course, so there’s no surprise that the designer (Jonas Wagell) was inspired by fairy tales. So, say goodbye to stuffy traditional sets and shout hello to friendly shapes and handles. Tea time should be enjoyable, after all.

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How about a handmade tea mug with custom illustrations by Lieke of Liekeland? It’s special, for sure, as you pick what images you’d like on it and she’ll do the illustrations. Maybe it’ll even prompt a mass donation of extraneous mugs in the cabinet? It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind gift, for someone special or maybe just for yourself. Note: only a few can be made at a time, so you have be added to the wait list in hopes of being selected.
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How about some traditional Polish motifs for your table this winter? Monika Lubkowska-Jonas (of British design house LSA International) was inspired by the traditional folk craft of paper-cutting, and as you can see, the handmade glasses look like they’d brighten up your libations in no time. Available in a set of 4; choose between several different colors.
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What’s better than a nice glass of wine? One that’s been opened up and allowed to breathe. Yeah, that’s right, I’m admitting it, I aerate my wine. If you’re not already smirking at my inane talk regarding a subject I know little about, you might be interested to know that this decanter is designed for aerating wine, and pairs nicely with any of iittala’s wine glasses, if you have them.
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Inspired by Oiva Toikka’s Kastehelmi (Dewdrop) collection, this dinnerware set is intended for holiday use, yet I think it would work just fine throughout the year. The red and grey colors are festive, sure, yet the dot pattern isn’t so “holiday” that you’d look strange using it in May or June.
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If you’re a klutz when it comes to chopsticks, this might be a good alternative. It’s a knife and fork set that interlocks to become a pair of spring-loaded chopsticks. Now, while this seems quite clever, I doubt that many people in a restaurant would congratulate you for bringing your own utensils, so perhaps this is more of a stay-at-home item.
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Cyber monday, blah, blah, blah. I’m sure you’re busy clicking on all the deals flooding your inbox, and the best of luck to you. While you do that, some older posts will get some much needed updates here on BLTD, with current links and prices.

If I drank coffee, I’d make it out of this coffeemaker; there’s something awfully nice about the simplicity of no buttons or blinking lights. Made out of an hourglass-shaped glass flask, this coffeemaker was invented by a chemist, and therefore brews coffee by a chemically correct method. All that’s needed is coffee, hot water, and a separate Chemex bonded filter (sold separately).

Dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Set of 100 filters sold separately.
Designer: Peter Schlumbohm, 1941
Size: 9.5h x 6″diam.

(Originally posted Aug 27, 2009.)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your odd-yet-lovely family and friends! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend; posts will return as usual on Monday.

Shown: Altered Antique Plates by BeatUpCreations. May be used for serving or just as an interesting art piece. Each plate costs anywhere from $25 to $100.

AMAZING. 19, double word score, 38 points. Delight your favorite wordsmith or board games player with these Scrabble-inspired mugs. Game on!
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This carafe by designer Céline Frébault for Sentou incorporates a rather odd beaker-like handle, which fills when the carafe is full. As far as carafes go, it’s definitely got a high end (semi-mad-scientist?) look… any guesses as to the price? Is it $50, $100, $200?
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Think you can’t afford an Arne Jacobsen piece? Sure, maybe not the furniture, but you can now own… (drum roll) a cup. Who doesn’t want some Bauhaus-inspired typography on their cup of coffee/tea/pencils/pens/miscellany? The letters were originally created by Jacobsen in 1937 for Aarhus City Hall, and now they’ve been revived (with permission) on these porcelain cups. Need I point out this could be a good gift for Jacobsen fans?

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Trivets aren’t necessarily exciting, are they? Charged with the task of protecting our tabletops, they’re meant to be covered up with pots and dishes with little thought to their aesthetic value. However, this walnut trivet does a neat trick of extending from a small area to a rather long length, allowing it to fit your feast from one dish to several. It looks like a stack of chopsticks when closed, which is exactly what I thought it was when I saw it in person. Designed by Sabine Meyer with SidebySide, a studio partnered with Wendelstein Werkstätten, a workshop for the handicapped.

How’s this for a beautiful and classy mug? It may not replace your “Best Mom/Dad Ever mug”, but if you’re in the market for a new coffee-sipper this could do the trick. It has a similar charm to the Pantone mugs, but a closer inspection will reveal handmade qualities such as the glaze being hand dipped. Made in Japan and microwave and dishwasher safe.
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These glasses have a spiral silicone layer, ensuring that you’ll have a better grip on hot or cold (or slippery) beverages. It’s a pretty simple idea that’s executed elegantly. The Timo glass is also heat resistant.
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