bltd

Simple faux wood placemats might just be the thing to get your tablescape updated this fall. They’re polypropylene vinyl, so you get the look of real wood with the easy care of vinyl.

Originally available from UMA.

I love these new Wine Cork stoppers designed by Aurélien Barbry. The Wine Pourer (right) is pretty clever too, as its top ensures a proper seal. With more and more wineries choosing screw tops over cork stoppers, these will at least keep some of that traditional feel alive.

(more…)

Carlos Slim? Verónica Castro? Maybe you’re familiar with these names, maybe not. But these MexICON Platters from the design studio DFC sure steal my heart quicker than any Fornasetti piece I’ve seen. Originally DFC founders Tony Moxham and Mauricio Paniagua conceived this series as homage to Fornasetti, and used famous Mexican pop icons in place of Fornasetti’s ubiquitous choice. The group includes faces of poet Pita Amor, telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim, eyepatch-wearing ’70s soap star Catalina Creeland, architect Luis Barragán, and actors Andrés García and Verónica Castro. I’d say any one of them is a safe bet for jazzing up your tabletop.

(more…)

Camera-geek joy, indeed. This mug looks just like a 24-105mm lens. Buy several and call it a day, because this would be just about the best gift (ever) for anyone who likes photography. A lens-cap lid and rubber-grip focus and zoom rings completes the picture.

Plastic mug with stainless steel lining.
Holds 16oz of liquid
3.3″ diameter, 4″ tall
(more…)

Mypressi, Mypressi, Mypressi! Not only do I love the concept of a handheld espresso maker, but as you can tell, I love the name too. Just put in your coffee, add hot water, and press. And it now ships with a free Mypressi Milk Frother!

-produces single or double shots from either fresh ground coffee or ESE pods
(more…)

If you need some reminding about where the dessert spoon goes, here’s the perfect placemat for your table. Or, perhaps just get a few purely because you’ll enjoy the graphics. No one nowadays really cares all that much about correct placement of cutlery, do they?

60×65 cm (25” x 23”)
Cotton, machine washable.

These cast brass openers and trivet might seem like something you’d pass over in a second, but consider how nice they’d be as a gift for a host/hostess or coworker or something. I’m just saying think about it; they’re functional objects that will stand the test of time without offending anyone’s design sensibilities.

Crescent bottle opener, $50.00 (2.5″dia.)
Brass bottle opener, $60.00 (5.5″l)
Sunburst Brass Trivet, $99.00, (7″dia.)

Spotted these mugs over on Notcot yesterday and I have a feeling that you’ll like them as much as I do.

“I will pay for good design” and “Design will save the world”
11 oz. ceramic coffee mugs, sold as set.

I meant to post these forever ago, but, as is often the case, got sidetracked with the hundreds of other things to show you. This collection by Alessandro Zambelli for Seletti are sets of dinnerware that form small buildings when stacked, giving you an opportunity to have a mini gallery of Florentine-inspired Renaissance homes on your shelves or table. The roofs become serving dishes and each plate has an interior floor plan layout.

Porcelain.
Available at The Future Perfect or A+R Store.
(more…)

If you’re into the whole cork craze (as I am), you’ll appreciate these wine cork-ish salt and pepper shakers. (I’m guessing they’re larger than an actual wine cork, fyi.)

Food approved with a stainless steel cover.

The Whistler Cork Teapot is part of Moma’s exclusive highlight of Portugese products. Made with traditional materials, this charming and quite affordable teapot has a large opening at the top for easy filling. Also, check out the Sugar and Creamer containers and Tea Cups that go along with the cork teapot.

Designer: Raquel Castro, 2009
Material: ceramic earthenware, cork.
Size: 7h x 5l x 5.5”w, 3.5 cups

This really is the best mug ever, as you can write whatever you want in the blank. Could be a good way to start the day for yourself or your loved one (depending on what you write, of course).

Dry erase marker included.

Masayuki Kurokawa’s concept behind these Shakers was to see the contents, so that in addition to regular salt and pepper containers, they could also be used for all sorts of seasonings. Each is hand-blown by Shotoku Glass Co., who used to make lightbulbs in Japan.

Designer: Masayuki Kurokawa
Cork/Glass
2″ dia x 2.75″h

Sold in Set of 2 ($80) or Set of 4 ($160).

Happy Memorial Day! In light of all the outdoor events you’ll have this summer, here’s some colorful (dishwasher-safe) acrylic straws to dress up your drinks.

Set of 6 straws.
Pink and Orange, $4.95
Blue and Green, $4.95