Better Living Through Design

Friday Links

Katie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:45:51 +0000

Anatomical Cross-Sections Made with Quilled Paper by Lisa Nilsson. (via Colossal)

A record player that plays slices of wood: YEARS by Bartholomäus Traubeck

BUILD has made a staircase that looks pretty awesome AND it adheres to building code: Modern Stair Design. Also, be sure to check out their Ridiculous Stair Awards, as it’s a sobering reminder that most kick ass staircases wouldn’t pass inspection within the US of A.

“If you study, wait, and then study again, the longer the wait, the more you’ll have learned after this second study session.” -Wired:Everything You Thought You Knew About Learning Is Wrong

Dictionary Desk Pillow for naps.

Diary of a Crazy Artist: Day 1. I enjoyed reading the comments.

The Secret Power Of Introverts. (We can move things with our mind!?)

Interesting idea: Flattr

The Agricultural Revolution: Crash Course World History #1 via Open Culture

It’s Friday, and that means the weekend is upon us. Enjoy!

Cast Iron Tape Dispenser

Katie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:14:01 +0000

This won’t be going anywhere. It’s made from heavy cast iron, so you can be sure it’ll keep your tape in place no matter what. It’s just too bad that it also has a hefty price tag. Available with black or white text.

6.25″l x 2″w x 3.5″h

Cast Iron Tape Dispenser with white text, $88.00

Lipault FOLDABLE Upright Luggage

Katie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:31:06 +0000

If you’re the sort that hates wasting space, you might like this foldable luggage from Lipault that comes with its own plastic storage bag. It’ll take up less space in the closet and will be dust free when you’re ready to hit the road. It might also work well for those trips when you know you’ll need more luggage on the way back than on the way there- just pop it into your larger case. There’s an upright version as well as a duffel bag (below).

Foldable wheeled duffle in black, $189.00

Foldable wheeled duffle in Orange, $189.00

Geometry Notebooks

Katie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:27:58 +0000

A little geometry will do you some good, especially when it has nothing to do with numbers and everything to do with decorating a simple notebook. Each blank book is hand-printed and you have your choice between Ruler (grey), Protractor (pink), or Set Square (yellow).

50 blank pages in each book which measures 4.25″ x 5.75″.

Chalkboard Kitchen Clock

Katie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:15 +0000

So, take note that ‘kitchen’ is in the title of this clock. We can all probably agree it’s a more casual item intended for use as a little family message center rather than an timepiece meant for a super modern sleek living area. It used to be $248 (yeesh!) but now has the slightly friendlier price tag of $99.95. It’s chalkboard, so of course you can write in your own numbers or notes, but what particularly stands out is it has two pullout holders for the chalk and eraser, making sure the tools are hidden yet at-the-ready.

Made in Italy
Birch wood, chalkboard, chalk
Assorted chalks in primary colors included

12.8″H, 12.8″W

Strap Mirror from Hay

Katie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:21:40 +0000

Well, hello, hello. This is like a Captain’s mirror from the future. With a silicone strap and powder coated steel, it’s got the modern materials to banish any antique store stuffiness. And, hey, the price isn’t too shabby either, especially considering some Captain’s mirrors go for around the $2 G mark (like BDDW’s that starts at $1600).

Also, if you like the more traditional Captain’s mirrors, I did some searching and found a couple of leather ones within the $400-600 price range:

16″ dia: $375 at Empiric Studio
26″ dia: $625 at Empiric Studio
17″ dia: $375 at Maison Luxe (via Remodelista)

Or, check out this DIY video from House and Home showing how you could make your own with an Ikea mirror and a few belts: DIY Captain’s Mirror.

Manufacturer: Hay
Material: Powder coated steel, silicone

Small Strap Mirror, dia. 50 cm (19.6″), $160.00
Large Strap Mirror, dia. 70 cm. (27.5″), $200.00

Recycled Glass Tumblers

Katie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:14:28 +0000

If your glassware needs updating, consider these 100% recycled glass bottles turned into tumblers. Hand finished at the rim, they have an ever-so-slight color tint.

from the Green Glass Company (you may purchase glassware from their site as well, fyi).
Dishwasher safe.

Recycled Glass Mist Tumbler, $12.00
4.5”h x 3”w
Recycled Glass Mardi Gras Tumbler, $12.00
3.25″h x 3.5″w

Au Retour Totes

Katie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:13:43 +0000

Got a thing for minimally graphic totes? Say no more, it’s completely understandable. The selection from Etsy seller Au Retour is smash-bang terrific with their simple lines and colors, and if you need (i.e. want) a few extra bags you’d do well to check the collection out. The graph study pillow cover ($35) is pretty snazzy as well.

Shown above, Four corners tote in black and white and Floating Shapes tote in red on royal blue

Normandie tote in blue and black, Four corners tote in blue and red

Reflect Sideboard, Black

Katie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:03:51 +0000

You might have seen the natural oak version, especially as we’ve posted it before, but the black finish of this Reflect Sideboard is, shall we say, hot. Designed by Søren Rose Studio for Muuto, each drawer front has corners that curve outwards, reflecting light and capturing our collective interest.

Manufacturer: Muuto
Design: Søren Rose Studio

Size: Length 70.4″, depth 15″, height 27″, leg height 10.6″
Material: Oak
Color: Black

Quips+Queries Cards

Katie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:03:11 +0000

I, for one, believe that a quick handwritten note will never go out of style, no matter how advanced technology gets. For those of you that agree, might I direct your attention towards these cards, of which there are 6 different designs all available in a set of 50. My favorites are the 8 ball and Luck designs (shown), but there’s also a pink set (with 5 different French sayings) and a blank set with a silver or gold edge. There’s also an option of 100 cards in an acrylic box if you’d prefer to stock up: Quips+Queries Set, $28.00

- 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″

Available from russell+hazel.