Hasta La Ideas

Function meets form in these handy items soon to hit shelves at the Museum of Modern Art

Perpetually stocked with an exciting supply of functionally clever items, the MoMA Design Store is a never-ending source for curious shoppers. Each season the amped-up museum gift shop adds even more well-curated wares to its inventory, spanning jewelry, gadgets and more.

Here we highlight three items culled from 2011 that stand out for their equally appealing aesthetic and ease of use. Keep an eye out for these on MoMA shelves and online in 2012.

Terrain Vase

Created by Stephan Jaklitsch, the architect behind several Marc Jacobs stores, the crafty Terrain Vase features a removable lid that easily slides off the reservoir at the base. The 11 interlocking dividers keep the stems intact even when disposing of the dirty water that has collected at the bottom, ensuring your arrangement never has to be reconfigured. Made from biodegradable cornstarch-based PLA plastic, the vase can also be positioned in two different formations for a wider variety of display. $48

Verso Snack Dispenser

The Verso Snack Dispenser is not only a sophisticated way to pass Skittles around the office, but by keeping hands out of a communal bowl, it’s also a healthier system for sharing treats. Created by skilled designer Mario Taepper, the German-made dispenser stands upright—working as an elegant, petite vase when not stocked with snacks—and is crafted from 18/10 mirror-polished stainless steel. $85

Cutting Board with Collapsible Bin

Joe Kent adds a handy element to the ubiquitous cutting board with the simple addition of a removable bin. Dishwasher safe and leak-resistant, the receptacle catches scraps pushed off the edge of the slip-resistant board. $25