Chiasso has a couple of new wall clocks out, my favorite of which is the Trace Clock. It is made of a wooden core with 12 solid aluminum rods that project out from the middle. They describe the effect as a look “that’s stunning contemporary with just a hint of retro.” I would say that it’s atomic clock shape is more than just a hint of retro. It’s that classic mid century vibe that it has that makes me like it so much. The overall diameter is 20″ and the cost is $88.
Available from Chiasso for $88.

OK, so this may not be the most affordable bread bin, but it has to be one of the best looking, and most functional. Designed by Antony Joseph, this Bread Bin features a melamine box with a beech lid. The lid, once removed, can double as a cutting board for your favorite loaf of bread. The Bread BIn measures aprox. 14″ long, 7″ wide and 8″ high. It is available in either black or white melamine with a beech lid.

Available from Generate for $85.

Anybody have any ideas on how to achieve the same look for cheaper?

Via Bem Legaus!

The FORSA is a new lamp from Ikea. In classic Ikea style it manages to look great and not cost you an arm and a leg. This little guy takes some obvious cues from Tolomeo and classic architect lamps. While it is available in the more traditional nickel plated, it also comes in dark red, dark blue, and black. It sits about 20″ high and it’s base diameter is 6″. Since it’s brand new it still isn’t available online, so you will have to check out your local Ikea if you want to get it.
Available from Ikea for $25.

I have featured a couple of piggy banks here on GRM, and they have ranged from functional to whimsical. The Volcoino bank designed by Karim Rasid has got to be one of the best looking. Made from chromed aluminum, this little coin bank has a small slot at the top where you put your coins in, and a rubber stopper at the bottom to get them out. It’s attractive enough to put in any room in your house, and priced at $22 you might even have enough change in your old piggy bank to buy it.

Available from I love UMA for $22.

The latest Apple buzz online is the new 3G iPhone, which is twice as fast and half the price, but what I’m excited about is the price of a new MacBook. I have been wanting a laptop for a long time, but I have never been able to justify it. I finally needed one for school, so I started to do some shopping around. What I found is that you just can’t beat Apples pricing. Their current “Back to School” deal is offering a free iPod Touch with the purchase of any qualifying Mac and they have a free $100 printer deal. That ads up to $400 of free goodies! Even better is the fact that I already have a iPhone, so I don’t need a iPod touch, and I already have a good printer too. So I plan on selling both for cheap. Let’s assume I get $300 for both, that makes my brand new MacBook cost $700 after an education discount. You can’t beat that. Thanks Apple!

Anyone local want a cheap printer or iPod Touch?

I’ve always been a fan of Blu-Dot’s real good chair. Made from powder-coated steel and folds along laser-cut lines to create a dynamic and comfortable chair. It has a brilliant flat pack design and assembly process, and once put together it looks great. If you haven’t already seen the video of the squirrel putting it together, you are missing out. (I’ve included it after the jump) It is available in two glossy tone-on-tone colors, satin black and glossy red. Velocity Art and Design currently has it for $99, which is about the cheapest I have seen it online.

Available from Velocity Art and Design for $99.

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Rugs can be a tricky thing. If you really want a nice one, you usually need to be willing to shell out a little bit more money. But if you are just looking for something to cover the ground, then the door is wide open. There are lots of cheap cotton rugs to be found, but few with this much style for the price. This 3′ x 5′ Heart Flower rug from Urban outfitters will run you a mere $28. That’s a bargain. I checked it out the other day in the store, and while it is just a thin cotton rug with a print, what more could you expect for $28?
Available from Urban Outfitters for $28.

Tissue boxes aren’t always the best looking things in the world, and while some have been getting better in recent years many people still want to cover them up. If knit tissue box cozies aren’t your style, and you are looking for something a little more modern, you should check out the Wooden Tissue Box over at Molla Space. Designed by Yamato Japan, these simple bent ply tissue boxes are simple and attractive. I can’t quite tell from the picture, but it looks like you would just slide the actual tissues, sans box, into the holder. While it would probably be hard to try a DIY version of this in wood, a plastic one could be quite simple….
Available from Molla Space for $20.

Our new house has a much bigger yard than we are used to, and luckily for us it comes with all sorts of birds. There are some old bird feeders that are left behind from the previous owner, but we are in need of some new ones. Most of the ones that I like are way too expensive, so I think that eventually I will just make my own. I did run across these plastic birdfeeders from DWR that are a pretty good deal. For $25 you get three bird feeders (red, black and clear) and a pack of insect flavored bird seek. While insect flavored birdseed doesn’t sound too good, I do like the simplicity of the feeders. Plus if you ever decided to get rid of them, they are recyclable.
Popoutz bird-feeders available from DWR for $25

When it comes to letterpress goodies, there is no shortage of talent out there. I have seen lots of cards and prints, but I think that this is the first time I have seen any coasters. These Birds in Flight coasters from 12fifteen are very simple and understated, and that’s exactly why I like them. Hand printed, each one comes out slightly different, but all are on a heavy weight 3.5″ coaster stock. They come in a package of 8 for $12.
Available from 12fifteen for $12.