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Hand cranked music boxes, they’re not just for monkeys in red hats to dance to anymore… uh, right? This music box brings to mind the vintage versions, except it’s small enough to keep handy. Have a listen to what it sounds like on youtube:‘Valser d’Amelie’.

The nice illustration/graphic design on the package is by Maria Helena of the 2.2 design studio.

About 1.6″ x 2″ x 0.8″
Material: Metal, Paper
Available Tunes: ‘Are you lonesome tonight’, ‘La vie en Rose’, ‘My Way’, ‘Valser d’Amelie‘ (listen to it on youtube)

These are such a cute idea for protecting floors. Too bad they’re only available to European countries right now, but soon enough there’ll be some US stores that pick them up. (Will update post when that happens.)

An amusing play with associations. We all know these sterotype socks and associate certain human personalities with them. The “Personality Socks” show impressivly how strong these associations can be, as they easily turn your chair into a snob, lady, small town boy or a good girl… An amusing protection for your floor, but also criticizing our prejudging on the basis of banal things like socks.

Available in sets of four equal socks.
They fit legs with a perimiter of 11-13,5 cm.

Looking for something different this year to wrap your special gifts in? Well, look no further than Megan Herbert’s wrapping paper designs. My favorites are the two shown above (Snowflakes and Circulation), but the Skeletal and Respiration ones are equally intriguing and appropriate year round.

Each design represents elements we all as human beings share – the blood coursing through our veins (‘Circulation’), the bones helping us to stand strong (‘Skeletal’), the food that nourishes us (‘Digestion’), the air filling our lungs (‘Respiration’), and the traditions that shape our history (‘Snowflakes’). This limited edition collection is designed and printed in Iceland on reclaimed deadstock.

Two size options: Standard – 50 x 70 cm and Large – 70 x 100 cm
€12.00 – €15.00 for 3 to 4 sheets

Have I waxed poetic about American Science & Surplus yet? No? Well, they have a vast arrray of all sorts of science miscellany, some of which is quite delightful, and if you’re going for a mad scientist/collector look, there’s a ton of beakers and curiosities to set your heart aflutter*.

Miniature anatomy models, $19.95
Glass Beakers, $3.25 and up
Plastic Skull, $24.95

A few other items not shown but that I must link to: radiometer (I bought this, I like having it on my study windowsill), and Heart Quintet (the mother of all gifts, if only someone would buy me this.)

*Just to be clear, I was not paid to say that. I really mean it.

Oh, why do things torture me so? This is an example of an item that in no way I have to have or even slightly need, but I want sort of badly. I actually saw these in New York at the store and had to suppress the urge to caress them. It’s that balance of beauty and craftsmanship, together making an item where, sure, it could be useful, but I certainly wouldn’t want to cover it with towels or clothes*. I would simply admire. And, yes, it’s an awful lot of money for a ladder that you wouldn’t actually use as a ladder, but that’s really not the point (or maybe it’s exactly the point).

19th-century orchard ladders are the inspiration for this series of decorative accents. Turned, hard maple components fit snugly together. Orchard ladders can accommodate throws, towels, clothes, or simply stand alone. Available in three sizes.

Designer: Paul Loebach
Materials: Hard maple
Dimensions: L 18″ x W 1.5″ x H 78″

$1,200.00, Buy it here.

*at least not at first

Hmm…here’s a different option for dispensing tissue paper.

Finally, a refreshing change for tissue paper cases, from Japan! With its cute shape, bright colors (except for black, which is matte finished), and useful functions, this revolutionary Paper Pot can surely add a new twist to your room decors. Designed to be used for both toilet paper and tissue paper.

W6.8″ x H6.7″, center tube: W6.2″xD1.2″

$38.00, Buy it here.

If you actually get around to printing out those photos you’ve taken, this might be a nice way to show them off.

The Pantone Photo Album by Pantone Universe features a Pantone Color Matching System (190303) Jet Black exterior and colorful transparent pages. Suitable for 4″ x 6″ photo size.

$33.00, Buy it here.

I can think of about ten uses for this thing, and I’m sure you can think of many more. Is it wrong to say they make cleaning look like fun?

Tubtrugs® are the original 2-handled tubs that are the most useful tool for thousands of jobs around the home and garden. A Tubtrug® is great for carrying, mixing, pouring, scooping, plastering, storing, washing, gardening, pets – the list of uses for your Tubtrug® is literally endless… –Tubtrugs®

small 9.5″ tall 13″ diameter (3.5 gallon) $12.00

medium 12″ tall 15″ diameter (6.5 gallon) $15.00

large 13″ tall 18.5″ diameter (10 gallon) $18.00
Buy it here.

[via AT]

A perfect companion piece to the Razor Holder, this wall tile will hold whatever you want right where you want it.

This wall tile is perfect for holding all things. Made of powder coated steel and fixed to the wall by 3m self-adhesive tape. 15 x 15cm. Available in red, black and white.

$32.00CAD, Buy it here.

Knock, and it shall open unto you, because it’s a door knocker.

Walnut and brass.

designer: Kiel Mead
dimensions: 12″h x 7″w

$300.00, Buy it here.

Update: This item is no longer available through original retailer. (3/4/10)

This is an excellent alternative to the traditional tree: it eliminates the hassle of storage and cleanup and still provides the classic shape for your favorite ornaments.

Our own, anodized aluminum star holiday tree. For modernists, minimalists, non-traditionalists and all around something cool to talk about this season. Ships flat with hanging wire and hook.

Available in Green, Blue, or Gold.
Size: Spring aluminum ranges from 6-6.5 ft as hung.

$199.00, Buy it here.

For your light switches or outlets, these plates are a fun alternative to what your local hardware store offers.

Add a little fun to your house with these switchplate covers. They play tricks with your eyes.

ABS plastic
3mm deep

Light switch: $8.00, Buy it here.
Electric: $8.00, Buy it here.

[via Apartment Therapy]

You better get while the gettin’s good; this reusable tree is only available in limited quantities.

Twenty-five years ago, architect Richard Babcock had an idea: Rather than buying, hauling and disposing of a Christmas tree every year, why not create a tree his family could use year after year? The six-foot wooden tree he created back then is still used by his family today. The PossibiliTree shown here is a tabletop version, standing almost three feet tall, with branches that can be fanned out in various ways…Whether you use PossibiliTree to celebrate Christmas, another occasion or just to enjoy the artful simplicity of its design, when the festivities are complete, the tree is easily disassembled. The pieces can be stored in the original packaging – a tube, similar to the ones used by architects to hold drawings. Simple assembly required. Made in U.S.A.

Materials: Metal; walnut.
H 34.5″ Diameter 28″
(*Limited Availability*)

$360.00, Buy it here.

I just about flipped when I saw that these are now available in the US.

3 lovely divider sets, always front and back shaped either like a Giraffe, a Deer or a little Piggy. Just slide them between your books and within an instant it looks as if the little guys are peeping out of or disappearing into, your books…

$22.00, Buy it here.

Here’s a handy solution for wet towels or linens that can fold flat when not in use.

For more than a hundred years, the Iris Hantverk company has employed visually impaired artisans to handcraft high quality products using traditional Swedish methods. Anna Doll created this oak Towel Drier for dish cloths, bath towels or any other linens. Mounted in a kitchen, bath, laundry or sewing room, the five rods of this compact design fold flat against the wall when not in use. Made in Sweden.

$110.00,
Buy it here.