I love decorated packaging tape. It seems like such a fun and easy way to spice up just about anything that needs a little tapping. This original design by UK designer Joanna Rutter is absolutely fantastic. It has a great vintage + scandinavian feel to it. If you love it, you better snatch it up quick as this is the last roll from this design series.
I don't have an iPhone, I have a hot pink Motorola Razr from about 123508973 years ago. (Photographic evidence found here.) But, gosh darnit, if I did you can bet your grandma's homemade jam that I would spring for one of these sculptural cases from Poketo. I mean, how could I not? They are awesomeness in silicone.
We posted about Best Made's designer axes a while back, but it seems they've been hard at work expanding their line to include all kinds of items, from extension cords and now first aid kits! They claim this kit was specifically designed for "woodsmen and loggers", but we're pretty sure any appreciator of good design will love it. It's an indispensable, life-saving tool that'll treat your wounds just as well as it treats your perfectly-planned decor! What more could you want?
It looks like modern furniture maker Blu Dot has expanded its offerings to include a new line of wool and cotton rugs! The stand out player here is definitely the Last Newspaper rug: a unique flooring option made from recycled newspaper woven into cotton. Other series include shaggy Cush and woven Dash rugs. All styles are available in 3 sizes and multiple colorways. Check out the full collection right here.
I mentioned earlier this year that I'm really into overlapping colors lately, so when I saw the Colorways iPhone 4 case, I was instantly in love. The case is made from three separate pieces that overlap in the middle. Case-Mate was nice enough to send one my way to try out and my one observation was that having a white iPhone is a must. The effect isn't even close to the same with a black one. They do send along a white piece of paper that you could use with a black phone, but I can't see that being a good long term solution. That being said, if you have a white iPhone and like colors, this may be the one for you.
DwellStudio has been on fire lately! Apparently 2011 was their year, because just about every week they seem to be adding new products or, at the very least, announcing new products. They've even expanded to include decorative objects, like these gorgeous ceramic vases. Check out all their new collections here and let us know what catches your eye!
Be still my heart. I posted about the fabulous work by Singapore based Studio Juju earlier in the year, but their new work definitely deserves a follow-up post. I've completely fallen for their Wobble and Mushrooms bowls. Made of lathe formed maples with powder coated aluminum lids, these simple containers are absolute eye candy. I want one of each of them pretty please.
Lots more pretty pictures after the jump.
OK reader, I need a little help. I'm currently in the market for a new wallet, but I'm not really a wallet guy. More of a money clip/ card holder in the front pocket guy. So far I have come up with the following short list. 1. Magic Wallet w/ money clip and ID window. $20. Not very creative name, but some nice features. I worry that the quality will be poor based on the price. 2. Norman Copenhagen move credit card holder. $60 Look like it could be a bit bulky, or worse everything wouldn't fit.. 3. John Kubasek carbon fibre knife. $200 Too rambo? Plus it's uber expensive and I could never fly with it. I do like the idea of it serving multiple purposes though.. 4. MAKR Horizon three wallet. $90 I love anything Jason does. Hand made, high quality.
Does anyone have any other good suggestions?
I always enjoy seeing tastefully upcycled goods, and this wine bottle tea light makes pretty good use of an old wine bottle in my opinion. Of course if tea lights aren't really your thing, you could just good all in and get an acacia wood bottle bookend.
I'm a firm believer in the idea that it's the little things that count... even little things like colorful block candles in ceramic trays. Is that so crazy??
Last week I received an email from UK based designer Kirsty Whyte sharing with me some of her great design work that has recently gone into production. One of my favorites of the bunch is the Drew Collection shown above, which is currently available through Modus.
She also has some really great scandinavian influenced pieces that were recently picked up by Heals (how have I never heard of Heals before?). Both the Twist table and the Walnut Candlestick are fantastic.
Last, but not least, she has a clever little Limpet hook that is on Made.com. Vote for it now and it could also go into production.
A huge congrats to Kirsty on all her recent success and well deserved recognition.
What is a "soak salver", exactly? It's designer Sharif Pendleton's term for the common coaster, though his laser-etched bamboo creations are anything but ordinary! They feature graphic patterns like plaid, argyle, houndstooth, and geometric repeats - all treated with a special sealant designed to look better with age. Check 'em all out here.
We've posted about iPad, iPhone, and laptop sleeves galore but it's good to see the Kindle* finally getting some love! It doesn't hurt that I've got a soft spot for anything made from wool felt, but throw a little leather into that mix too and it's a surefire hit. So, to the Rustic Case Company I say: Nicely done!
Looks like the world's gone minimalist thanks to Japanese company Nendo. This gorgeous black and white globe is available in two sizes and, I've got to say, would look pretty dang sweet in any modernist's home!
One of our awesome readers posted this on our Facebook wall yesterday, and I thought it was good enough to share with everyone. This 2lb box from Anthropologie is made from cast iron so it's small but substantial. It could just be the perfect place for you to hide some little treasure that you have. Best of all, it's on sale for just $8.
(Thanks Vanessa!)
Remember when simple things like spray bottles were well designed and made to last forever? Yeah, me either, but I wish I did. Those must have been the good old days.
It's mid-July and the heat index is rising all over the place! If the AC, swamp cooler, or ceiling fan isn't cutting it, it might be time to bust out your own personal table fan. I love this retro-styled option from The Company Store especially, never mind the fact that it's available in 11 colors. Bring on the breeze!
What better way to start a Monday than with two sets of minimalist blocks from across the pond. The top photo shows Russian made Geo Blocks, which includes a set of 7 wooden blocks painted white. 7 too many for you? The how about the Swiss designed Designomat blocks. Comprising of only 3 blocks, they can be rearranged to form endless shapes.
Geo Blocks (via)
I know that these slice scissors are old news, but they are new to me. New as in I just picked up a pair off of Fab.com last week. I opened them last night and I'm here to say that they are just as good looking in person as they are online. Well done Mr Rashid. Well done.
I ended up on a sort of last minute whirlwind trip to Chicago over the weekend too look at some new things DIRTT and Corian are doing (more on that later). I snapped the pic above while taking a quick dip at the Hotel Palomar before dinner. The Marina City buildings are some of my favorites in Chicago. I have a whole camera full of other ones I need to get to, but I'm heading out the door right now to check out NeoCon. I'll be updating the Grassrootsmodern Facebook page all day, make sure you check it out. I'll get around to the official recap later.