MoMA Spring/Summer 2011 Preview, Part II

From geometric mobiles to solar-powered iPod docks, our favorites from the newest MoMA store collection

With over 125 products included in the new collection, selecting favorites from the MoMA Spring/Summer 2011 preview is no easy feat. In Part I, we sorted it out by limiting our picks to “things that look like other things,” but here you’ll find a more general assortment of nine items that we like for their form, function or both.

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Garlic Rocker

Designed by Edward Goodwin and Richard Hartshorn, this Garlic Rocker ($16) helps crush garlic with ease. Simply rock it back and forth to press the garlic through the holes, and scrape the results directly into the pan. But the real beauty lies in its stainless steel construction, which is easy to clean, dishwasher safe and deodorizes hands when you run it under water.

Maiaia Bowls

Memories of childhood hand-knit clothes inspired Spanish designer Silvia Garcia to craft large ($35) and small ($15) serving bowls out of recycled colored glass, each with intricate textural patterns that toe the line between kitsch and beauty.

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Reflections Placemats and Coasters

Liora Mann‘s design studio hand-blended, needle-punched and encased acrylic fibers between two layers of vinyl—a patented process—to create these color-splashed placements ($16) and set of four coasters ($12).

Flat Watch

Aptly titled, the Flat Watch ($30) by Ops! is a super-slim silicone watch that’s perfect for teens or color fanatics. The back-lit display makes it easy to read in any lighting condition, it’s water-resistant, and has a 12- or 24-hour display along with the date.

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Themis Mobile

Designed by Clara Von Zweigbergk, the Themis Mobile consists of five geometric paper ornaments, suspended from a thin metal frame. With multiple colors, this piece creates a fun visual effect and requires only a small amount of assembly despite its delicate appearance.

Lace Border Rings

Using the lost wax process, Brigitte Adolf created the unisex rings out of sterling silver ($575) and 18K gold ($2,750) exclusively for MoMA. The inspiration stems from her “long-time passion for old handiwork” and the “illusion of a textile material.”

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Muji Suitcase

Made by Muji, the medium or small carry-on suitcases ($125, $115) both meet FAA standards and features a minimalist polyester exterior that has multiple compartments, a side handle and now 360-degree wheels. Interior divider pockets makes for easy organization and a sturdy, water-repellent exterior keeps belongings safe and dry.

Soulra Speaker

Eton Soulra‘s portable, solar-powered sound system for the iPod and iPhone ($200) offers a bass boost for full stereo sound, and the rubberized case and aluminum frame make it the perfect picnic accessory once the weather warms up.

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Space Bimba Watch

Miriam Mirri continues her playful approach to design with a polyurethane watch dubbed the Space Bimba ($85) for Alessi. Her charming take undoubtedly also captivates kids and adults alike.


MoMA Spring/Summer 2011 Preview, Part I

Nine products designed to look like other things

While the MoMA store’s product preview always has us excited for the shopping year ahead, a few designs stood out for their “faux” ingenuity. Below are nine objects cleverly designed to resemble other objects, making for a new way to enjoy an old favorite. Check the
MoMA store site
this spring to buy them and peruse consumer expert Rob Walker’s blog Things That Look Like Other Things for more illusory inspiration.

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Loose Leaf Door Stop

Thai designer Teerachai Suppameteekulwat’s green leaf-shaped doorstop ($14) adds a bit of brightness to the home while propping open a door to let in springtime air. Tapered to fit beneath most doors, it’s made of polypropylene.

Toast It Coaster

This set of six cork coasters ($10) might make you pine for butter and jam while enjoying your morning brew. The toast-shaped surface protectors, designed by Patricia Naves, even come packed like a loaf of bread.

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Watermelon Knife

Forged from Japanese carbon steel, this serrated watermelon knife ($25) has a playfully eerie resemblance to the fruit it’s meant to slice. The knife features an ergonomic design to make cutting through the thick shell of Citrullus Lanatus (or any other melon) easier so that you can enjoy a juicy treat without too much effort.

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Tea Bag Infuser

Drawing inspiration from traditional teabags, Claus Jensen and Henrick Holbaek‘s infuser ($30) updates paper versions for a more eco-friendly and (some would say) better-tasting version. The stainless steel and wire infuser can make pots or cups of tea and its rubber base helps it stay put.

Prato Umbrella Stand

Naoki Terada’s umbrella holder ($35), a MoMA exclusive, brings a mini lawn to even the most compact apartments. Cute and functional, the grass patch can hold up to twenty umbrellas and is made of steel and synthetic resin.

Couture Flower Vase

On first glance Sayaka Nishinami’s beautifully-crafted vase ($24) appears to have a delicate lace sleeve around the base. But it’s the effect of matte porcelain that creates the effect on what is actually a seamless design.

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Leaf Tray

Argentine design collective VacaValiente ($18) is known for recycling leather into happiness. Their Leaf Tray, which functions as a catch-all for the house, embodies the firm’s optimistic approach.

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Faux Bois Placemat

The digitally-printed vinyl placemats ($12) by NYC-based designer Sandy Chilewich bring the outdoors inside. The result is a little rustic harmony for the kitchen table with a woodgrain pattern that, unlike its real-life counterpart, wipes clean easily.


UNIQLO Sping Collection

In Italia non esiste ancora il marchio giappo UNIQLO ma ricordo che a Parigi c’è uno store davvero fantastico. Qui il loro stylebook della collezione Spring.
[Via]

UNIQLO Sping Collection