Grassrootsmodern has been stumbling along for a long time with what I think is fairly mediocre web design. Problem is I’ve always been too cheep to shell out any cash to get “professional” help. Well folks, the time has come. I actually need a good web designer/ graphic designer for a couple different projects. I have three specific needs. If you fit one or all of the above, contact me or leave a comment.

1. A competent wordpress template designer.

2. A plain jane website web designer.

3. A flash designer (don’t even get me started about how much I hate flash, just trust me on this one.)

In all areas I’m looking for someone who can produce a simple clean web standards compliant site. Bonus points for thinking outside the box and not costing me my firstborn. Yeah, did I mention I’m a cheapskate?

Interested? Contact me! This could be the beginning of a beautiful new relationship.

Before Christmas I blogged about the new Elan From Chilewich iPhone case. During the holidays I was lucky enough to get one of these cases and I have been using it now for several weeks now on my iPhone. Coming from an Incipio feather it took a while for me to get used to the added bulk of the Chilewich case, but I don’t really notice it any more. The quality of the weave is absolutely amazing.

The case separates for removal or docking but when pushed together the pattern of the weave is continues flawlessly without interruption. If you are a fan of the style, I would highly recommend the case.

Available from Apple or the MoMA Store for $40.

Looking for some last minute stocking stuffers? Here are a couple cool/unique products that I found over at Fredflare.com. These Talking Japanese Watches come in a variety of colors, and you can even mix and match parts. Best part of all though is that with the push of a button it will tell you the time… in Japanese. On sale for $15.

The Repro Depot note card book includes 24 retro patterned cards and envelopes. These kickback patterns could be just the thing for the MCM lover on your shopping list. $16

The white Russian Dolls are actually Russian Doll Measuring cups! Includes six standard measuring cups made of sturdy plastic. Stack them all together inside the largest 5″ doll or spread them out. $16

Last but not least are some retro inspired headphones for the music lover. Imported from Japan these Zumreed Headphones come in lime, pink, blue, white or black. If you want the white, better act quick. There are only two left! $65

Could it be true? Two of my favorite things combined? Starting today Ikea has officially released a free iPhone catalogue app that lets you browse the latest catalogue on your phone. The 35mb app lets you zoom in on pictures and flip through the pages so you can get your fix on the go. Just make sure you are connected to WiFi when you download it.Cake Group, the developer of the app plans on making improvements in the future, I just hope a US version isn’t far behind.

Ikea Catalogue 2010 UK

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This one may not be “Way back” but it is still a great one. In case you have never seen it before, here is a lovely short film done by Charles Eames for Polaroid in the 70’s.

Everyone that knows me knows that I am completely helpless without my iPhone. So why not splurge a little on this amazing little piece of technology and give it a little fashion update.

Impact resistant polycarbonate iPhone® covers are the result of a unique collaboration between Sandy Chilewich and Griffin Technology. Chilewich’s signature mini basketweave vinyl textile is adhered to the two piece Griffin EasyDock™ design. These covers provide access to all controls and ports, and allow quick docking without removing the case.

I love the carbon fiber/tweed look of them. The $40 is a little expensive, but maybe I’ll buy one for my iPhone for Christmas.

Available from Apple or the MoMA Store for $40.

I’m fascinated when people are able to rethink old ideas and come up with something completely new. The Node electrical outlet was designed to address the issue of not enough wall sockets. It’s unique design allows you to plug in multiple two pronged cords. While I’m not sure that it is really any more practical than your traditional electrical outlet (it may be less practical really, no three prongs here) you can’t deny it looks better.

If anyone finds out if these are available stateside, let us know.

Available from Metaphys

I love it when people think outside of the box. For instance, why does a smoke detector have to attach right to the ceiling? What if it was a attractive orb that could be snapped onto a pendant light? Snapalarm does just that. Winner of a Red Dot design award, this is the first smoke detector I have seen that completely breaks free of the typical design. Available in black or white to fit in with your decor. So is a wart on a lamp cord better looking than a wart on your ceiling?

Available from Scandinavian Design Center for $29

I have a thing for high end audio equipment, especially anything that involves tube amps. Shown above is a beautiful prototype tube amp that was designed by Koichi Futatsumata of CASE-REAL for a Japanese electronics manufacture Elekit. While I haven’t been able to ferret out any pricing yet, or even find out if this thing has gone into production, I have my fingers crossed. If if is anything like the rest of Elekits DIY tube amp kits, it promises to deliver great sound at a comparatively inexpensive price.

If anyone has more info, please let me know.

Elekit

Koichi Futatsumata & CASE-REAL
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Almost a year ago we posted about a wind turbine that Philippe Starck had been working on. The object was to make it attractive and affordable. Unfortunately it looked like it was going to be unavailable as there has been no mention of anyone actually building it. Now it looks like the designer wind turbine might actually be more than vaporware. While the details are still pretty sketchy, it appears that the UK branch of Pramac will be producing the turbine, and according to their website it should be “available soon”. There is even rumor of a new three blade vertical axis ‘Darrieus’ style turbine (shown left). We just hope that something actually gets made, and that it is close to the original rumored price of $800 – $1,200.

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