4th of July festivities leave you searching for your bottle opener? This one made by UK based Vitamin might just be your new replacement. Available in 9 different patterns, or in plain white. Fang the bottle opener use's his teeth to get the job done.
Fang bottle opener $24 from Bouf
Unique storage solutions always get me going and the new Hive Storage Unit from CB2 is no exception! Modular (it's stackable up to two high and infinitely expandable) and playful, this would be perfect for just about any area in your home: living room, office, kid's room, etc. I'm thinking it would be great in our guest room, though I'd love to figure out a way to get it up off the floor and mounted to the wall! What do you think? Are you diggin' on the Hive as much as I am?
Hive Storage Unit from CB2: $79.95
P.S. This baby was the winner of the Coup de Coeur award at the 2009 Maison & Objet show in Paris. So, it's got that going for it, too.
MCM buffs, it's time to get your geek on. Cranbrook Academy of Art has turned out some of the greatest architects and designers, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen just to name a few. Ever wonder about the roots of this incredibly influential school? Watch and learn.
VIDEO: Revisiting Cranbrook: Eliel Saarinen and the Survival of Tradition
Im a pretty big fan of my swiffer, especially when it comes to keeping our white rubber floor in our kitchen clean. I will admit though that sometimes I wish it had a little more oomph. This Ergorapido from Electrolux may just do the trick. Target even has that snazzy yellow one. It looks like online reviews including Apartment Therapy give it two thumbs up. Any GRM readers using one?
Electrolux ErgoRapido $99 from Target.
I spotted these resin salad servers in the Art Institute of Chicago's online shop and couldn't help but daydream about dishing up a crisp summer salad in a room covered in Jenn Ski prints. Please tell me someone else has this fantasy? No? Did I mention these servers are on sale? Yeah, look who's fantasizing now!
Luminous Salad Servers: $15.99 (reg. $32)
P.S. You can pick up the complete bowl/server set on Amazon for $72, if you're feeling fancy.
I am still amazed that Flor seems to be the only carpet company that has figured out that floor tiles are for more than just commercial jobs. Haute stuff, one of their new lines shows the flexibility of carpet tiles. The positive/negative look comes from two different floor tiles that are cut and spliced together. With Haute stuff, Flor is nice enough to do the work for you, but the same idea could be applied to any of their tiles.
Haute Stuff from Flor $7.43 sq/ft
Fredrik Kjellgren of Swedish architecture firm Kjellgren Kaminsky Architecture, developed the Paperfold collection after, essentially, playing with a piece paper. Inspiration comes in the simplest of ways, doesn't it? I was drawn to this series mostly because I think we've all "played with a piece of paper", and could easily adapt this concept into a DIY lighting project of our own. What do you think? Is the Paperfold lamp DIY worthy?
Kjellgren has this to say about the series:
It all really started with a strong woman, my grandma. Astrid was one of Sweden's first teachers in sewing. She sewed the first clothes I wore and introduced me to form and design, she told me how to make beautiful clothes out of simple paper templates. The Paperfold series comprises six lamps each deriving from the same idea. They come in black and three primary colors; cyan, magenta and amber.
See more here.
After months of complaining about cold weather and rain, I finally got my wish. Summer is here and it's getting hot. I spent the evening yesterday laying in a hammock, and more than once wished I had some ice cold water to cool me down. I think this Iced Carafe by Officeoriginair would have done nicely. To use, just fill to the indication level and place horizontally in freezer. Once frozen, fill with water. The ice forms a cooling strip down one side of the carafe, cooling the water.
I'm super excited about these new aluminum planters from home accessories brand Wallter! The outdoor collection is a first for Wallter, known for their textiles and paintable wall decor. Husband and wife duo Max and Linda Geiser were inspired after developing a passion for gardening with their two young boys, resulting in these beautiful planters that fit their modern aesthetic and fulfilled a desire to accentuate the family garden.
The collection consists of three styles: Post, Wall, and Hang. My favorite are the post planters, which sit atop a four-foot post. Wouldn't they look lovely clustered in a garden? The wall planters would also be great for those with limited outdoor space, as they could attach easily to a terrace/patio wall, etc.
Made of spun aluminum and available in four bright, powder coated colors: Orange, Mustard, Teal, and White.
[No price yet, but you can contact Wallter to be notified when the planters are ready!]
UPDATE:
Just got the prices for those planters: $70 - $90
Love Blu Dot but waiting for your favorite piece to go on sale? Wait no longer. There is a nice smattering of Blu Dot goodies for sale on Gilt right now, all of which are at least 50% off. Unfortunately they didn't have any seating (my weakness) but they have some great stuff still. If you are a Gilt member, you know what do do. If you are a newbie, become a Gilt member now. Don't worry, it's totally free.
If they keep making cool toys like this, I'm going to have to do something drastic... like start having kids.
About:
Tours of the Eames House and Studio require a sizable donation to the Eames Foundation, but you can bring the Case Study No. 8 house to the convenience of your coffee table or kids playroom for less cash than dinner for two at the local upscale chain restaurant. It’s a bargain when you consider that each set of 36 replenishable Michigan-grown basswood blocks represents 29 separate hand-pulled screen passes. In true Eames spirit, your kids can create a ligneous yard sale on your living room rug while you're in deep conversation with your guests, then build this living landmark to demonstrate how you are properly introducing them to important bits of culture.
Eames Blocks from House Industries: $150
One of my favorite websites The Mid-Century Modernist updated their website this week. While the whole site looks brilliant, my favorite part is the gallery. It features a hand picked showcase of the best MCM items available for sale on ebay. Best of all it's updated daily.
The Mid Century Modernist gallery.
Attention all art loving frugalites! 20x200, purveyor of affordable, limited edition art, is celebrating the summer with a special sale from now through Sunday, June 27th. Enjoy 20% off all orders of $50 or more from artists such as Chad Hagen, Yellena James, and Gary Peterson.
Are there any pieces that catch your eye? I'm thinking I might snatch up one of Carol Padberg's prints!
20% Off Sale at 20x200: enter code RIDONK at checkout!
[Image: Nonsensical Info Graphic No. 1 by Chad Hagen / Verlag 3 by Carol Padberg]
I'm loving the resurgence of hand made furniture using traditional woodworking techniques, especially when it has a simple modern aesthetic. Eternal Furniture fits the bill perfectly.
Eternal Furniture & Design, a one man shop located just outside of Boston, MA, specializes in custom, one of a kind furniture with hand made craftsmanship. Furniture is designed with clean minimalist lines and quality materials. Each piece is made with traditional joinery and high attention to detail, building furniture that will stand the test of time.
While the end product is beautiful, don't expect Ikea prices. The wall cabinets range from $500-$1000. The hall and coffee tables from $900-$1500. Yeah, I get it, it's not cheap. Just skip a couple Ikea trips and save your pennies.
We're big fans of South African artist Heather Moore's textile shop Skinny Laminx, so saying we're "excited" about her new designs is an understatement! You can find the new patterns on pillows, tea towels, bags, and even fabric-by-the-yard; all in cheery, updated colorways. It's hard to pick a favorite, but "Linked Birds" in lemon definitely caught my eye. What's your favorite new design?
Textile goods from Skinny Laminx: $12.50 - $30
I swear I never had anything half this cool when I was a kid. BIT is a bike of sorts for kids just venturing into the two wheeled world. I has brightly colored wide wheels to help with the balance and a classic bent wood chassis to complete the look. I just wish they had one my size.
BIT bike available direct from Glodos for 95.00 EUR ($115)
A collection of these porcelain canisters would cheer up just about any kitchen, don't you think? Though the Okura Canister is intended for use as a tea caddy, I think you could store some of your most-used spices or even an assortment of candy if you've got a sweet tooth. What would you store in this bright little container?
Available in yellow, green, blue, and orange.
Okura Tea Caddy Canister by Jonathan Adler: $28
P.S. Check out the Okura dessert plates, too! I'd love to have a set of those!
I hate it when you get an email about a 50% off sale, just to find out that there is only one item 50% off and the rest are just barely below normal pricing. Luckily CB2's one item is the Ipanema chair and table (ok that's two). Steel chair with white mesh steel seat and back. Timeless look, and at $50 it may actually be in the budget.
Ipanema chair $50 and table $100 from CB2
Also check out the $40 sol pendant lamp!
I know, I know, I know. MARTHA STEWART. I'm just as shocked as you are, trust me. But hear me out.
While wandering aimlessly and killing time in PetSmart the other day (who does that??), I spotted a new line of pet products from Ms. Stewart. That beguiling blue called my name and I couldn't resist. When I arrived at the thoughtfully conceived display, I was greeted with an array of well-designed, reasonably priced products that I felt compelled to buy. Though I resisted the siren song and later walked out of the store empty handed, I have to admit that the attraction was there. From double feeder bowls to food scoops to feeding mats, every product had a decidedly clean, modern aesthetic. Martha Stewart for the win.
You can get a glimpse at some of the products online, though they are only available for purchase in-store at this time. Check them out if you can; I would love to know what you think!
Martha Stewart for PetSmart: $3.99 - $24.99
Wooden blocks. One of the most simple kids toys out there. What happens when you try and improve on the age old simplicity? Multiblocks happen, that's what. I love the story of these blocks almost as much as I love the blocks themselves. Designer Brad Singley recounts the origins of the "multiblock".
"I can still remember the frustration of playing with building blocks as a young child," Brad says. "I wanted to build BIG, but it was impossible to make a skyscraper out of triangles, semicircles, cylinders, and small cubes."
Brad's prayers were answered when his father made him a set of wooden square and rectangular cubes in four different lengths. Many years later and with children of his own, Brad recreated his favorite toy, updating it to include numbers and increments to encourage both mathematical and creative thinking.
Multiblock set of 42 available from Uncommon Good for $48.