I love wooden toys and puzzles. They are generally either very simple, and in many cases very ingenious. The 3d wooden sphere puzzle falls into the later category. The puzzle has three separate planes connecting four chambers filled with colored wooden balls. It works much like a rubiks cube, in that if you make a change in one chamber, it will effect another. Besides being a great mind bending puzzler, it is also good looking and affordable.

Available from Deep Discount for $8.

Via Bem Legaus!

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.

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.

I love it when someone takes a simple everyday product and makes it beautiful. Muji has been doing it for years, and although their prices range from affordable to expensive, this Tape Dispenser is definitely on the affordable side. For only $2 you can have a great looking tape dispenser from the MoMA store. It will probably cost you more than $2 just to ship it, but you will still have a great looking tape dispenser for cheap.
Available from MoMA Store for $2.

I love Muji. They have a way of simplifying everything and making it look good at the same time, something that is not always easy. This acrylic calendar is no exception. It features a grid and acrylic numbers that can be moved around depending on what month you are in. Sure, it’s going to take you a bit more time than flipping the page on the calendar your insurance company gave you, but I guarantee that it is going to be much more rewarding too. It comes with a stand so it can be conveniently placed on your desk.
On sale at MoMA store for $12.

Read more

I stumbled across this magazine holder a while ago, and while I thought it was cute, I didn’t think it was a show stopper. I happened to look at it again today, and realized that it was part of a website called amplesample.net. The whole website is devoted to using carpet samples to make interesting furniture among other things. The idea of getting free samples of carpet and making tasteful accessories for your home is quite appealing.
If you are looking for more ideas check out the other 2007 winners over at amplesample.net.

Some times it’s the little things that are hard to find. A prime example is a coat hook. Seems like it should be easy to find an inexpensive nice looking coat hook right? Well not as easy as it sounds. David M from Seattle looked all over until he found this Duet Hook for the entry way of his house. The design is simple and unobtrusive, and at $5 the price is right. To make things even better, looks like they are made by a local company called Three By Three who has all sorts of other goodies. Modern, affordable and local, looks like a winner to me.
Available from Tiny Living for $5.

Thanks to David M for the tip!

We haven’t had a doorbell in a house since we have been married, and honestly with our dog I’m not sure we need one. He assumes it is his duty to bark at anyone who even thinks of approaching our house. If I were in the market for a new doorbell however, I would definitely have my eye on this wireless doorbell designed by Jacob Jensen. It’s a classic example of hi tech meets Danish design, and it makes for one of the nicest looking doorbells around. It features 5 different polyphonic bell noises and can be wall mounted or freestanding. The range is 150 meters which should be plenty for just about everyone. The price is a little steep at $150, but good luck finding anything else that looks this good.

Available from Improvee for $150.

No, these aren’t the new iPod Shuffles, they are magnetic clips. Refrigerator clips to be more specific. They are basically just a high powered magnet, wrapped in silicone. The shape of the clip allows it to rock back when you push on the button area, similar to a normal refrigerator clip. The good part is that there are no moving parts to ever wear out. That, and these little guys are strong. They hold up to one pound each. I’m not sure just what one pound objects I would ever need to attach to my frige, but hey, you never know.

Available from Endo, 3 for $9.

Read more

Everyone loves a rubber duck, but who said that they have to be yellow? Definitely not Luxury Ducks. Designed and produced in Melbourne Australia, these ducks are made from non phthalate plastic so they are completely non-toxic. Available in four different styles, there is nothing boring about these ducks. Each one comes packaged in it’s own custom designed box that shows off the flair of these Luxury Ducks.
Available from Elsewares for $8.