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An old, fraying beach towel doesn’t help you look any better, so why not upgrade to one of these smack-you-in-the-face-with-pattern towels by Cristian Zuzunaga? The upside is if you don’t have a spectacular (according to the media) body, the towel will grab people’s attention first (as in, ‘Ooo, who’s that fascinating person with that beach towel?’) and, if you do have a spectacular (according to the media) body, you’ll look like you have good taste (‘Ooo, who’s that hottie with that cool beach towel?’). You get the idea.
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If you’re going to save your table from scorch marks, you might as well do so with something pretty. The Lift Trivet is made from solid brass bent in a graceful ‘s’ shape to keep those hot pots and pans off those delicate wood surfaces. It’s simple and shiny: just what your table didn’t know it needed.
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Those pesky boxes and bottles. You always need something to help open them, unless you possess extremely strong teeth. Here’s a combination knife and bottle opener that’s ideal for your keychain, and it’s made from 3Cr13 stainless steel. The bottle opener portion is dual-layered at the axis point, making it easy to pry off bottle caps. The locking blade folds out for a sharp cut, so you’ll be ready to open those things you ordered online faster than you can say ‘where’s-my-utility-knife’. Back the Porter Key Knife & Bottle Opener on Kickstarter.
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Did you think the Stick-Up Sticks were coathooks? I did, and I don’t think I’m disappointed to find out that they’re magnets instead. Where will you put them? Possibly the fridge, bulletin board, or any other metal surface could use some photos or notes. Stick a few Stick-Up Sticks there to start, and then see where else you could use them.
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Hooray! Those of us still struggling to keep houseplants alive now have a savior: the Tableau by Pikaplant. The Tableau incorporates a water reservoir so that our plants can drink when needed- even we’re away on a vacation (or just incredibly forgetful). The reservoir will hold enough water for up to three plants for a month, so they’ll be happy and healthy for at least that long. No electricity needed, it all works thanks to gravity and a steel base with a capillary fabric that plants can wick water through when needed. Back the project on Kickstarter within the next few days to receive one of your own.
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Did you have a nice Memorial Day Weekend? Now that summer is unofficially here, perhaps we should discuss hammocks. Yea or nay? I believe the correct answer is ‘yea’- though if you voted ‘nay’ it’s probably due to the fact that most hammocks aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing things. However, Yellow Leaf Hammocks have several that look entirely decent, and you’ll probably even grow to love the stripes (colorful or neutral) after spending a lazy afternoon reclining in one. And, by the way, relax a little- it’s summer.
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You might not need the Prism Magnifier today, but you might make use of it the next time some tiny text with fine details needs a closer look. When you don’t make use of its magnifying properties, it will sure look nice sitting atop that stack of other paperwork that you may or may not have beside your internet machine.
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Pretty, jewel-tone leather contrasts nicely with the polished brass perimeters of the Karui Trays by Gam Fratesi for Skultuna. “Karui” means “light” and “soft” in Japanese (there, look at that, you learned something), which echoes the minimal feel of the circular shape and soft leather surfaces. Pair a couple up for a vanity or entry area, and try not to gravitate towards them every time you pass by.
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Drink rocks aren’t the most appealing idea, mostly because the two words don’t sound like the best of friends. Who wants a rock in their drink? Not me…but, maybe we should be a little more open to the idea, especially because Runa Klock has made this set from soapstone and marble, and each rock has a very appealing geometric shape. Come to think of it, they’re the sort of thing I’d like to set on a bookshelf to see, or on a table to pick up and hold, so why not see if they can cool my drink?
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How about an ultra thin LED lamp to light your workspace? The Fine 500 Desk Lamp by FX Balléry has a delicate outline yet it packs a punch when it comes to light output. You get 1200 lumen, which equals out to around 75W, with only 15W of energy consumed. Let’s all approvingly nod our heads at that bullet point, and then admire that it has four preset light levels and a “Green mode” option with a sensor that turns on and off depending on movement.
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More pixelated Bitmap imagery from Spanish designer Cristian Zuzunaga, and this time he’s taking cues from British painter Bridget Riley. It’s a great pairing, don’t you think? You might have seen some of Zuzunaga’s other pieces before, and I’d say this collection seems a little more quiet, though just as energetic- like a shy kid that just ate a LOT of sugar.
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A set of colorful steel trays will do wonders for your organizational skills, especially as you can nest all three together for an excellent color grouping or separate them for individual use. Sunglasses and keys would suddenly have their own spot, or your jewelry, or those office supplies… so many things would look right at home when corralled within the bent edge surfaces. Sold in a set of three.
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These triangular rulers are pretty fun with their stripes and bright color contrasts. They’d probably make you happy every time you used them, or maybe even every time you looked at them, which makes them waaay cheaper than all the other things you do to make yourself happy (maybe).

The set of three is priced at just under the $50 mark, which might make it a good gift for someone who likes to draw or that’s fond of bright desk accessories. The straight Wooden Ruler Set (pictured above) is sold separately ($29), fyi.
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You’d probably get sick of seeing all the hardware-related design belonging to MoMA Store’s London Tech City group, otherwise I’d post each and every item back to back to back. As it stands, I’ll reign in my excitement and post just one more today.

The DIY Thirsty Plant is a solar-powered sensor that flashes when your plants need water. You put it together by first creating a moisture sensor and then connecting a circuit to a solar panel. That solar panel powers an LED to flash when water is needed. Sounds pretty simple, and, if a kid (8+) can put it together, so can you. Feel free to hack the kit for more complicated solutions (automatic watering cans, plants that tweet, etc.) if you so desire.
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Here’s another sort of motion alarm, but this time it will bleep loudly if it’s moved. Stick the Sammy Screamer Motion Alarm on something you don’t want moved or touched, and as soon as someone puts their filthy paws on it, it will bleep and send a notification to your phone (via the free app). The Sammy measures around 2″x2″x1″, so it’s small enough to fit in or on the many things that should stay put just as you left them (handbag, bike, liquor cabinet, etc.).
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