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Articles Written by Katie

Katie

About Katie: Katie has been a product and textile designer, an art restoration specialist, and an interior designer/merchandiser. Her interests are focused on finding well designed items that improve daily life as well as reading fiction and making stuff. (View Profile)

 
 

2019 Update

As you may have noticed, we haven’t had as many product posts in the past few months. Part of the reason is that design blogs aren’t as popular nowadays. The other part is that we’re busy with other projects and pursuits.

We’ll keep BLTD up and running as a resource, but we’ll not be updating it as often. We’ll also be checking email much, much less.

Thanks for continuing to use BLTD as a resource. : )

Chair Charlie

This is a super cute kid’s chair, but there’s something else pretty special about it: it is made from Ecothylene®, which is recycled plastic (check out YouTube for the video showing how it’s made or visit EcoBirdy directly.). It’s comfortable, light, and stable with a soft and friendly form. What else do you need for your kid’s drawing/making space? There’s a table, container, lamps, and sets available as well.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $185.00
Available from: Cooper-Hewitt Shop

HYT-001 Multi Hanger

Available in either a one-off or in a longer, track-style system, the HYT-001 Multi Hanger is a smart solution to hanging just about anything. Made of powder-coated steel, it’s sure to withstand all manner of use, whether it be in a public space or your own home.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $53.00
Available from: LIXHT

Turn Around Juicer

If you don’t mind using a little old fashioned elbow grease to produce your morning orange juice, then you’ll want to consider the simplicity of this wooden juicer from KiBiSi and Muuto. The Turn Around Juicer stands on its own and fits the palm nicely. Shall I point out that this won’t need any updating as years come and go, unlike other electrical juicers? Plus, the juice will taste all the more sweeter knowing you made it yourself (and burned some calories whilst doing so).
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Purchase Information:

Price: $40.00
Available from: DanishDesignStore

Brass Honey Dipper

Talk about a great gift for someone that likes their honey, huh? This pretty Brass Honey Dipper from Los Angeles designer Deanna deVries is going on my wishlist pronto. Maybe I’ll get two- one for me and one to give. The Brass Coffee Scoop by deVries is also worth noting.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $35.00
Available from: Juniper & Scout

Panobook Notebook

Picky about notebooks? Me too, and I just bought/backed the Panobook, a notebook intended for your desk. What’s so special about it? Well, it has a panoramic format (160 mm x 288 mm) that fits nicely in front of or next to your keyboard. A subtle dot grid lets you draw layouts easily (most prominently, three 16:9 boxes or quadrants) and a slip case is included for storage. Nice!

Update: I think I may have found my forever notebook. I love the size and paper quality. I’ll reorder more whenever I get through my first three.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $20.00
Available from: Studio Neat

Project Wall Planner

So, are you back into the swing of things? You may have noticed we (I) took a long holiday break from BLTD. I needed it after a busy year with several different projects. Now, if I had had this Project Wall Planner, I could have encouraged my team to use the Gantt Chart method to organize our efforts and be more efficient. The poster-sized wall planner helps break down a project into defined tasks so everyone’s on the same page (literally). Add time constraints and track progress to reach your goal.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $48.00
Available from: Poketo

X-Cap Light Up Hat

Headlight plus hat? Sign me up, because who knows what outdoor exploring we’ll be up to these winter evenings? The removable head lamp clips into and out of the beanie so you can charge (via USB) the 120-lumen light. I’d say this is an improvement over single strap headlamps, as the beanie is less likely to slip off the ol’ noggin, don’t you think? Could be a good gift, as well.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $35.00
Available from: MoMA Store

Gradient Puzzle Small Bundle

So, were you aware that Bryce Wilner’s Gradient Puzzles come in a smaller size? AND you can buy the whole bundle for a whole lot of slow and deliberate color sorting that’s sure to calm anyone down (or frustrate the hell out of them?). Either way, it’s a gift that keeps giving, as it can be assembled/disassembled many, many times.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $68.00
Available from: Areaware

Open-Editions Thank You Tote

Why would you pay $32 for a plastic bag? Because it’s not plastic, that’s why. Open-Edition’s embroidered taffeta shopping bags look like single-use plastic bag so you can make an ironic statement every single time you use it. Perhaps it would be a good gift as well?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $32.00
Available from: Poketo

Little Puzzle Thing

Hand me that last piece of birthday cake, will you? Little Puzzle Thing™ jigsaws look just like your favorite food and can be completed in twenty minutes (or less, if you’re clever). Go ahead, give your brain a break and put together a broccoli or ramen bowl; perhaps time your task just before lunch?
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Purchase Information:

Price: $15.00
Available from: Areaware

HAY Dish Drainer Tray and Rack

Dish drainers are pretty much the least interesting thing in the kitchen, so that’s why our eyebrows are up in exclamation over this duo (trio?). Designer Shane Schneck chose a ridged melamine dish-draining tray paired with a steel rack for drying plates. A Dish Draining Cup (sold separately and not on this particular retailer’s site just yet) completes the picture.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $29.00 - 39.00
Available from: MoMA Store

Phi Scissors by Hay Denmark

Such pretty scissors! A carbon gold plated handle will dress up any cutting chore while two different sizes will ensure that the blade fits the job. What, like someone is going to spot ugly scissors on your desktop? Of course not. It would ruin all those artistic instagram shots of your workspace (and disappoint your fans).
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Purchase Information:

Price: CAD43.00
Available from: The Modern Shop

The Lunch Box

Foodies and minimalists will love THE* Lunch Box. It’s made from anodized aluminum- that means it’s sturdy, lightweight, heat-conductive and hygienic. There’s no clips, straps, buttons, or branding (thank goodness), so your food will be the star of the show. Fun fact: the proportions of the box are based on the Japanese flag. (Back in stock!)
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Purchase Information:

Price: $28.00
Available from: Ode to Things

Chopping Board Set

When you’re out on an adventure there’s no reason to do without decent kitchen tools. This medium sized chopping board folds up and stores a knife inside, allowing you to prepare foods with ease on your picnic or camping trip. Does that mean you don’t have to suffer through anymore soggy sandwiches? Yep, it sure does.
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Purchase Information:

Price: $39.95
Available from: Snowpeak