Such a perfect modern home for our feathered friends...

"Designers Gavin Christman and Kate Knapp created the Bird House as a response to the disappearing habitats of small North American birds. Its understated spherical design and small entry hole make it impervious to the advances of squirrels and other predators, and it's sized to offer a safe nesting spot for blue tits, coal tits and marsh tits. The Bird House comes in recyclable packaging and includes stainless steel brackets and all the necessary hardware." Diameter 7"

Wall Mounted Bird House (on left): "Made from all-natural, unfinished clay, the Wall Mounted Bird House (2003) attaches easily to walls, sheds or fences, making an attractive, but not ostentatious, home for garden birds."
$95.00, Buy it here.

Terracotta Bird House: "Made from all-natural clay, the Terracotta Bird House (2003) is an attractive, but not ostentatious, home for garden birds...The Bird House comes in recyclable packaging and includes a steel wire for hanging and a plastic protector to prevent tree damage."
$95.00, Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

Here are some various (smaller) items worth a post...(especially the planter- I love the way it looks more like a sculpture than a plant stake). The baskets could be perfect for gardening supplies or a catch-all for newspapers and magazines, and while a regular shoe box might be okay for storing shoe cleaning supplies, the Cleaning Shoes box seems to store those same supplies while adding a little more specialness to the ritual.

My Beautiful Garden: $72.00, Buy it here.
"My Beautiful Garden, designed by Arik Levy, each ceramic pot includes a shapely stake to help the baby plant grow." Materials: ceramic and solid wood. W4.75 x D4.75 x H5 in.

Wire Log Basket:$175.00, Buy it here.
"Simple and sturdy, a straightforward log basket devoid of rustic overtones." Materials: Iron, W24 x D17 x H19 in.

Cleaning Shoes Box: $99.00 $59.40, Buy it here.
"Keep your favorite shoes in top form with regular cleaning and polishing. This simple shoes box by Donata Paruccini allows you to store your polish, brush and cloth required to keep your favorite footwear looking sharp and lasting long." Materials: beech wood, nylon brush, W8.25 x D4.75 x H4 in.

Spirograph Log Basket:$95.00, Buy it here.
"Inspired by shapes created using the popular '60s toy, this hand-crafted wire log basket, which is deceptively strong, is exclusive to The Conran Shop." Materials: Iron, W23 x D23 x H17 in.

[posted by katie]

If you have a lawn, read this:

"The EPA estimates that of the 800 million gallons of gas used to fuel lawn mowers in the U.S. every year, about 17 million gallons are spilled, which can contaminate ground water. However, your "it's bad for the environment" excuse for not mowing the lawn is about to end. The Neuton Battery-Powered Mower (2007) is a smart alternative to loud, gas-guzzling machines that are difficult to start. It runs on a rechargeable battery, and in place of a pull-cord, this mower starts by turning a safety knob and squeezing the handlebar. When the handlebar is released, the blade stops spinning. The Neuton Mower produces no CO2 emissions, and the 24-volt battery gives you enough juice to mow for 45 to 60 minutes, or approximately a third of an acre per charge. Included with the Mower are a Mulching Plug, Bagger, Side Discharge Chute, Battery and Battery Charger, Safety Key and two wrenches. There are no spark plugs or air filters to replace, and the Neuton never needs a tune up. The cutting height is adjustable, and if you're still looking for an excuse for not mowing the lawn, here you go: Longer grass tends to have a deeper root system, and needs less water than shorter grass."

[posted by kris]

These containers are made from discarded tires that are hand-cut and hand-sewn into a multi-use vessel indoors or out. They'd be perfect as a planter, carrying container, or just act as a holdall for miscellany.

"Americans alone toss out about 300 million tires every year. The big thinkers of the world are working on creative ways to reuse this vast quantity of rubber - ideas include mixing ground-up tires with urethane to create sidewalks or burning them like coal to produce energy. Meanwhile, some designers are thinking a little smaller. With the large Rubber Tote, discarded tires are hand-cut and hand-sewn into a vessel that can be used indoors or out as planter for a small tree, carrying container, space for gardening supplies or anything else that can benefit from solidly constructed storage. Modeled on ancient leather-crafting techniques, these durable containers are each unique and offer a functional alternative to the landfill. Not guaranteed to be watertight. Made in Egypt."

Small Rubber Tubs (Set of 6): H 14" Diameter range 8"-17", $320.00, Buy it here.
Rubber Tote: H 13" Diameter 21", $75.00, Buy it here.
Rubber Flower Pots (Set of 3): H 10" Diameter 8"/9"/10", $110.00 Buy it here.

[posted by katie]

I had posted the waterHOG in our Remodel section at the beginning of this month, and sure enough, it is now available through DWR. This non-permanent water storage solution can work as a single unit or in multiples and can be installed vertically or horizontally.

"The Rainwater Hog (2006) is a small-scale modular storage tank for collecting rainwater that can be reused for watering plants, washing the car or whatever you need...The Hog can be installed vertically against a wall, or horizontally, and it's specifically sized to fit between structural frames. One unit holds 47 gallons of rainwater collected from a downspout, and if a larger capacity is needed, simply attach another Hog. A percentage of sales will go to the nonprofit Water Aid. Also in keeping with the eco-conscious Hog, is the fact that it ships without packaging. Other than a small box holding an Elbow Vent and Connector taped to the unit, the Hog arrives unwrapped, unboxed and just as you see it pictured. A Leaf Catcher/Outlet Kit must be purchased (sold separately) for the Hog. (Subsequent Hogs can be added without needing extra Leaf Catcher/Outlet Kits.) A Wall-Mounting Kit is also available for vertical installation."

H 71" W 20" D 9"

[posted by katie]

I don't know how many of you care to accessorize your watering pot as you do your outfit, but if it would make you happy, more power to you.

"An art object that deserves as much a spotlight as those blooming buds, each Josephine comes with three pre-selected lids - one in the same shade as the pot, one in white, and another in contrasting color. The saturated color and unique shape provide a graphic statement on any plant shelf - or even alone."

14"l x 11.5"h

[posted by katie]

I can honestly say I've never admired Topiary Sheers before.

"Inspired by the design of sheep shears, the Leather Handle Topiary Shears (2005) have a one-handed grip which positions the hand right over the blades, offering maximum cutting control. Great for topiary shaping, these Shears are also ideal for lawn edging, pruning, opening compost sacks and dozens of other trimming jobs around the garden. The soft, weather-treated leather handle offers added comfort for hours of trimming."

H 10.5" W 3.5" D 1.5"

[posted by katie]

Barely-there thermometer to aid your 'is-it-cold-enough-to-wear-a-coat' dilemma each morning...

'Outdoor Thermometer to be placed directly on the window. Easy "click" on and off when cleaning the window.'

Dia 9cm

[posted by katie]

Maybe it's a bit early for the birds where you are, but come springtime you'd be ready with new diggs for your feathered friends.

Birch and pine
17" x 8" x 5"

[posted by katie]

These planters are excellent excuse to get some greenery.

"This series includes three geometrical planters, designed to be stacked or suspended in the arrangement of your choice. The dramatic contrast between stark-white planter and lush, green grass creates a beautifully framed slice of nature, held within the boundaries of contemporary design. Bringing the outdoors in has certainly never looked so stylish..."

square: 6.75"W x 3.5"L x 6.75"H, $79.00
rectangle: 13.5"W x 3.5"L x 6.75"H, $109.00
circle: 15.75"dia. x 2"H, $129.00

[posted by katie]