Hasta La Ideas The Adventures of Star Wars Figurines in Nature Archives

Jan 18

Home Accessories from CES

Posted in: scales

Seven new products to enhance home living

While most of our CES coverage has gone to the latest tech advancements for your wrist or camera, we’ve also set aside an assortment of our favorite accessories for improving life at home. From heated toilet seats with retractable bidet spouts to energy saving outlets, the following are seven home product highlights from the 2012 CES.

For many Americans, the lawn is a highly visible extension of one’s personality. Mohzy’s Petal solar lights blend into the surrounding nature with a pop of clean design. The little green fixtures recharge daily, going on automatically at dusk and deactivating at dawn. The Petal light comes in two sizes and will be available in the coming months.

Fitbit’s Aria smart scale allows you to accurately track your weight, body fat percentage and BMI. Small electrodes in the surface glass send safe signals through the body to precisely measure your body’s fat and lean mass. Aria also uses wi-fi, so users can track their progress online, or with the iPhone app, with graphs and tools to help reach their goals. Pre-order is now available from Fitbit for $130.

Another bathroom accessory that caught our eye was the Swash, an “advanced bidet seat” to add a bit of luxury to your throne. The eco-friendly Swash features a heated seat, automatic lid, retractable bidet with heated water and customizable settings. And yes, it also has a dryer option. The Swash sells for between $180-$600.

Disguised as a digital photo frame, the Sonamba is a well-being status monitor and communication center for senior citizens. The touch-screen device offers medication reminders in easy-to-read text with email options and a personalized emergency response system. Plus, it actually shuffles through digital photos when not in use. The Sonamba is available for $550 with a monthly data plan for web-based access.

To cut down on the massive amounts of energy wasted by unused appliances left plugged in, Modlet automatically shuts on and off on schedule and wirelessly sends status reports to your computer to help monitor appliance efficiency. Modlet starts at $50 for the home model and includes software for graphing and tracking your energy use.

As the most intriguing design piece of the lot, Leon Speakers’ Trithon Reyn TVblends old-world aesthetics with the latest television technology. Accented wtih genuine python skin, the rich walnut, steel and brass tripod TV makes a strong statement standing more than eight feet tall.

For a considerably lighter-hearted home accessory, the Solarbulb turns discarded water bottles into renewable lights. The solar-powered bulb screws onto most bottles to offer a fixed level of LED light. The curious little light fixture is not yet available, but should be expected in the months to come.

Jan 11

Pattern Play Design Contest

Posted in: Uncategorized

A creative challenge to re-purpose a pattern by Marcel Wanders

Fans of the work of Marcel Wanders range from the casual to the obsessed. Called “the Lady Gaga of the design world” by The New York Times, the Dutch designer has shown transatlantic appeal, his pieces landing in museums from the V&A to the MoMA. While he’s probably best known for his “Knotted Chair,” Wanders has also established himself in the realm of lighting.

To promote the launch of Wanders’ latest design, the Can Can pattern, YLighting has placed an open call for creative designers, challenging them to find interesting applications of the motif. In response, an impassioned flood of people from around the world have submitted their original takes on the appropriated design. Among the current selection of entries, a few of the standouts include Can Can patterned contact lenses, a parasol, a cocktail strainer and a set of dumbbells.

Submissions will be accepted until 15 January 2012. Prizes for the contest are $2,500, $1,000 and $500 for the top three, and the top eight receive a FLOS Can Can Light. Head over to the contest page to download the pattern and enter your own creation.

Jan 10

Armenia Papers

Posted in: fragrance, inscence

Biblical aromas from a 17th century incense maker

Rooted in 17th century recipes blending kingly frankincense and myrrh, Armenia Papers have served as a time-tested means of extending the warm aromas of the holiday through the long winter for more than 400 years. Simply light one end and blow out the flame—its accordion fold will waft the perfumed smoke and effectively deodorize the immediate surroundings in just a few minutes.

Traditionally known as “Carta d’Armenia” at Florence’s Santa Marina Novella—one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in the world—the Italian-made fragrance strips began garnering world attention in the 1700s, and maintain their popularity in the 21st century, used in exactly the same way either as a handed-down custom or a simple indulgence.

Armenia Papers are available online at Lafco New York for $28 per packet.

Jan 05

Top Five from Module R

Posted in: modularity, topfive

Our favorite items from the flexible-use design retailer

Last month’s opening of the new Brooklyn design store Module R marked a welcome addition to the world of affordable design for small urban spaces. Every item bears some kind of modular quality, appealing to people who favor customizable furnishings with DIY personality. The following five items are our top selects from the online store.

BIRDs

This historic toy design was recently re-introduced by Danish company ArchitectMade. The simple birds are equipped with rotating heads and swappable torsos, giving them an infinite variety of moods from curious and excited to morose and tuckered-out. The family of birds spans generations from children (the small ones) to grandparents (the short, fat ones) in a mix of natural and smoked oak.

Sugarcane Wall Panels

There’s a fairy tale quality to the composition of these customizable wall panels made from sugarcane byproducts. The natural material is biodegradable and easily cut to the desired dimensions with a household blade. An economical and potentially inspiring design solution, the wall coverings can be painted or left as is.

Stix and Stones Necklace

The magnetized components of this geometric necklace give the wearer freedom to change up one’s bling on a whim. The “stix” come in the form of stainless steel rods of varying lengths with magnetic ends and are accompanied by the “stones,” or metal marbles that react to the rods. The necklace is available in sets of six or 14 pieces.

Gagnon Studio Grid Wall

We love the asymmetrical design of this divider, perfect for those living in cozy studio apartments. The grid gives your room a nice sense of separation while retaining the room’s visual space. With the option to hang from the ceiling or affix between vertical supports, this screen works in practically any space.

Table Table

A perfect and simple solution for people with spacial restraints, the polygonal pieces of this customizable table can be combined in a number of different ways. The table is made from folded aluminum, with personalized color finishes available upon request.

Dec 19

I Heart Keenwah

Posted in: glutenfree, quinoa, snack

Superfood snack-makers combine all-natural, gluten-free ingredients for a surprisingly tasty treat

Touted as the only whole grain that’s a complete source of protein, South American quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids and has thus become one of the most favored superfoods in recent years. To harvest the health benefits of the gritty grain in a tasty way, I Heart Keenwah makes surprisingly delicious little snack squares packed with gluten-free, all-natural ingredients.

Of the four available flavors—almond, cranberry cashew, ginger peanut and chocolate sea salt—we preferred the chocolate sea salt and almond for their modest, yet distinctive flavor. Although some of us were a bit apprehensive to dive headfirst into the superfood snack when Josh and Evan brought them in to the office this morning, after one little Keenwah cluster I was hooked. The salted almonds added to the intense crunch from the quinoa, while the sweet honey flavor was the perfect compliment to really pull the natural ingredients together.

Unlike artificial snack foods these tasty little morsels are filling, healthful and actually taste really good. For now Keenwah is only available in stores across Chicago, Milwaukee, Mineapolis and New York, with additional availability through their online store where a four-ounce bag goes for $5.

Dec 19

Gift Guide Pick: Jo Malone Candles

Posted in: Uncategorized

Every walk into a great smelling space and have it change your mood entirely?? Enter Jo Malone candles!

Dec 05

Insight Candles

Posted in: candles

Rebel-inspired home accessories from down under
By Yale Breslin

Insight, a line of women’s and men’s clothing born from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, has introduced their latest addition, Insight Collectibles. As a way to turn their collection of graphic tees, vintage-inspired maxi dresses, and après-surf gear into a comprehensive lifestyle brand, they’re launching home accessories with a series of stark white candles in unique and off-kilter designs. The debut pieces offer a peek inside the mind of Insight Creative Director Steve Gorrow as he incorporates his favorite oddities and eccentricities into wax form.

For what some may consider a mainstream brand, Insight has taken an alternative route by diving head first into atmosphere accessories with provocative pieces at an affordable price point. The brand boasts a global team of skate and surf talent like Jamie Thomas, Daniel Shimizu, Warren Smith, and Kai Otton, and has explored the boundaries of artistic freedom through their Garage Art program which includes artists like Magda Sayeg, Simone Decker and Madsaki. The range of candles provides a new perspective to illuminating a room and the items, which include a doll’s torso, an eagle skull, a human heart and iconic revolution insignia, double as small pieces of art.

Each candle is made with scented natural wax and will be available from January 2012 onward for $49 through Insight’s e-shop.

Nov 25

Gifts for Your Foodie Friend

Posted in: giftguide

Food and drink-focused highlights from our 2011 holiday gift guide

The holiday season is underway and so is our freshly launched 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, and with the magnificent gorging of Thanksgiving, we’ve got food on the brain. Peppered among art-related items and the newest gadgets are culinary trinkets, tools and ingredients to fuel your aspirations throughout this season and the following year. The following are eight of our favorite foodie additions to the gift guide, from hand-pressed espresso to a home-grown mushroom kit.

Bought, Borrowed & Stolen

This unique book showcases the most extravagant meals chef Allegra McEvedy encountered on her most recent travels around the world. Accompanying each recipe is a unique knife from each locale, reflecting the gastronomical heritage of each of the 20 countries.

Paella Kit

From Calasparra rice to saffron and spices to the actual Paella pan, the Paella Kit provides the essentials for cooking up the ultimate surf and turf Spanish delicacy—just add shellfish and sausage.

Clear Hive Honey Set

Inspired by the geometry of bee hives, the Clear Hive Honey Set is perfect for design enthusiasts and apiarists alike. Plus the artfully crafted wooden dipper keeps fingers sticky-free.

Steel Chef Knives by Bob Kramer for Zwilling

As the only master bladesmith in the world specializing in kitchen cutlery, Bob Kramer’s supreme skills have been tapped to construct a set of knives built for remarkable strength and unmatched edge-retention.

Intelligentsia Pourover Set

This winter-themed Pourover Gift Box contains a Hario V60 dripper, a box of 40 paper filters, a custom designed notNeutral coffee mug, a half-pound of coffee beans and detailed instructions for brewing the perfect cup of joe.

Presso

When there’s not enough time to enjoy a drip coffee there always espresso to get you going. With Presso just add boiling water and you’ll be enjoying your hand-pressed shot before most automated machines would have even gotten warm.

Twin Hens Chicken Pot Pie

We love a good, old-fashioned chicken pot pie when winter hits. Nothing says comfort food like these delectable little gems from Twin Hens, but if you’re feeling guilty about indulging, just remember they’re made with organic ingredients and free range chicken.

Mushroom Garden

Perfect for the urbanite with a green thumb, the Mushroom Garden grows more than a pound of gourmet oyster mushrooms in a matter of days. Best part is they grow from the box so there’s no real gardening necessary.

Nov 18

Hooknook and Squeezers

Posted in: homedecor

Clever storage and dispensing solutions by Flip & Tumble

Known for their their eco-friendly ripstop nylon shopping bags, Eva Bauer and Hetal Jariwala—the industrious duo behind Flip & Tumble—keep themselves busy working on a multitude of projects. Two that caught our eye—the wall-mounted hooknook storage solution and the quirky but sleek salt and pepper shakers dubbed “squeezers.”

The cylindrical hooknook has a slightly retro look—think ’70s-era school cubbies in miniature form—that belies the serious utility of its built-in storage. A perfect fit for the entryway or over a countertop, the multi-tasking unit hangs, holds and hides phones, keys, bags and all the other random stuff you’re either grabbing or dropping as you come and go. Over in the dining area, the tennis ball-like squeezers put their own spin on the design of our mundane items and how we use them, making the task of dispensing salt and pepper just a little more joyful.

The squeezers ($12) and hooknook ($24) are available in Flip & Tumble’s online shop.

Nov 07

VandM

Posted in: antiques, furnituredesign, swiss

Ten antiques less than $200 from the online destination for vintage and modern homewares

Founded in 2006, VandM (Vintage and Modern) is a membership-based online sales site with a passion for treasures from the past, specializing in unique and original furniture, household goods, jewelry and textiles. VandM provides insightful editorial notes to inspire and educate members about most pieces available for sale. While browsing VandM’s wide selection we selected 10 of our favorite antiques priced less than $200.

The Vintage Terracotta Head and signed Op-Art abstract photograph stand out in the art and photography section. The unglazed bust seems at once rustic and mysterious, while the signed 16″x16″ print—dated 1969—shares a similar color palette to work by famed Danish designer Verner Panton.

An elegant pair of Willy Guhl Dietker & Co chairs by the Swiss architect and furniture designer were produced by Deitker & Co. in 1959, and for just $200 for the set represent an excellent deal. Juxtaposing the classic mid-century style is a industrial work station on wheels, with cast-iron legs and wooden shelves for $185.

Falling under the category of “found object of industry,” this large, 1950s-era botanical chart ($200) from Dr. Louis Auzoux offers easy-to-read scientific illustrations of nine intriguing species of flora. On the other hand, the Op-Art bull’s-eye-patterned velvet pillows—only available in the 20″x14″ size for $180—hail from the bold-design era of the 1960s. Each cushion is hand-sewn in Zurich, Switzerland with premium vintage fabric.

This Swiss-made adjustable table lamp and Wilhelm Kienzie-designed metal storage box follow the Bauhaus design mantra that form should equal function, and each is beautifully crafted for maximum use. Both items retail for $180.

With the characteristic flare of its country of origin, the single statement-making vintage Italian glass lamp, priced at $195, remains in excellent condition. A set of antique Bakelite flatware features classic two-tone color combination of opaque honey and translucent dark teal. Dating back to the 1940s, this stainless steel set serves six and comes in its original box for $145.