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January 26, 2015

Hilla Shamia Blends Tree Trunks and Aluminum into Beautifully Imperfect Furniture

Tel Aviv-based designer Hilla Shamia has a thing for what she calls "controlled imperfections." And this particular interest is what makes her Wood Casting furniture line so poetic and special. Hilla's unique tables, stools, and benches are made by casting molten aluminum into wood—an unusual pairing of two very different elements that when fused not only reveal surprising details, but a third element born from the unlikely marriage.
Learn more about these striking designs

January 21, 2015

Meet LO-LO, a Capsular Microkitchen for the Home or Office

LO-LO is a capsular microkitchen from designers Tanya Repina and Misha Repin of Aotta Studio in Moscow. The family of three standing pods was designed for the basic office kitchen, but we could easily see the stylish pieces in a studio apartment. Each module is intended for a specific electrical appliances -- a water cooler, microwave, and coffee pot -- and its corresponding accessories such as cups, plates, cutlery, tea, and coffee.
More about LO-LO ahead

January 20, 2015

Miito Reinvents the Way We Boil Water in a Minimal and Sustainable Way

Meet Miito, one of those objects that makes you think, "Why didn't anyone think of this before?!" Innovative, minimal, sustainable, and most importantly, logical, it works by simply heating up liquids directly in one's mug as opposed to a kettle. Invented by Copenhagen-based Studio Chudy and Grase, Miito's clean, innovative design saves both money and time.
Learn more about this innovative boiler

January 5, 2015

The Rumbles Are 3D-Printed Pendant Lights by Studio MeraldiRubini

We're no strangers to the 3D printing movement (we even know someone who's printing an entire estate), but we still get excited when we find a product that not only incorporates the technology, but is also a beautiful, striking design. The Rumbles made just that impression on us. Using 3D printers, industrial design firm Studio MeraldiRubini created this collection of three pendant lights characterized by soft and sinuous shapes that artistically filter light.
More details on the Rumbles ahead

December 31, 2014

Nomad Is a Portable Herb Planter Perfect for City Living

Apartment dwellers are famous for turning their fire escapes into extensions of the home. From serving as a relaxing spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee to drying wet laundry, the fire escape does it all. One of its most common makeshift uses is as a garden, since many New Yorkers don't have a backyard. But growing plants and herbs out there can be a bit challenging, especially when your upstairs neighbor insists on dropping cigarette butts or when you have to climb over the couch and out the window just to get a piece of basil. That's where Nomad comes in. A clever creation of the Garden Apartment, the portable herb planter was designed with the urbanite in mind. It can hang indoors from the ceiling or on a wall and can even attach to bicycle handlebars.
More on Nomad ahead

December 30, 2014

Jessica Helgerson-Designed Brooklyn Brownstone Features Colorful Modern Design

When a young couple commissioned Jessica Helgerson Interior Design to furnish their recently-remodeled Fort Greene townhouse, the team jumped at the opportunity. The clients–pop art enthusiasts with a fondness for modern designs and bold hues–requested vibrant colors and a playful vibe. And that’s exactly what JHID, headed up by project manager Chelsie Lee, gave them.
See inside the bold and beautiful home here

December 30, 2014

Slow Wood’s Teca Lamp Elegantly Combines Hand-Turned Wood and Blown Glass

Typically, glass lamps border on the contemporary side, while wooden light fixtures lean more toward a rustic style. But for those of you who don't fit squarely into one of those boxes, we've found the perfect piece to light up any room. The Teca Lamp by Italian startup Slow Wood (in collaboration with Shiina + Nardi Design and Lorenzo Frenceschinis) is a sustainable ceiling fixture that beautifully combines hand-turned wood and blown glass. Each shade is made with a unique combination of raw cherry woods and is enclosed in a glass bubble.
More details on the Teca Lamp here

December 28, 2014

Coat Rack for Bonnie Effortlessly Holds the Items You Shouldn’t Forget When Going Out

Coat Rack for Bonnie is not just a regular hanger; it's an exploration of human habits through minimalist design. Created by Kiwi designer Annabelle Nichols, this handy piece of furniture will be a great addition to any home's entrance hall. It comes with specially-designed compartments for keeping what anyone would need–or mustn’t forget–when going out: keys, a book or magazine, a coat and, of course, shoes.
Learn more about this functional piece of furniture

December 26, 2014

Nikolo Kerimov’s Upon-Tea Beautifully Unveils the Visual Side of Brewing

Upon-tea is not just a teapot but also an object for admiring the process of brewing of tea. Made from a sleek combination of glass, renewable cork and white ceramic, it offers a unique visual experience in a common daily act. Designed by Nikolo Kerimov, this minimal design enhances one of life's most simple pleasures.
Learn more about this transparent Finnish teapot

December 22, 2014

Kristina Kjær’s Wooden Desk is a Sweet Modern Design That Also Saves Space

When you live in a dense city like New York, you know that every inch that you can get your hands on is a sacred one. While sacrifice usually comes into play when taking up space in an urban environment, thankfully there are smart designs out there that don't require us to give up the simple things in life–like a desk. Perfect for your computer–or for your unruly piles–this compact desk designed by Kristina Kjær is practical, comfortable, and pretty easy on the eyes.
Learn more about this small-scale wooden desk

December 19, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Karma Turns a Cellular Connection into on-the-Go Wireless

This pocket-sized device may be less than three square inches, but it certainly packs a lot of punch. Karma Go takes a cellular connection and turns it into your own personal WiFi signal to power up to eight devices, including laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Plus, the battery lasts for 220 hours of standby time and five hours of internet usage.
More details here

December 17, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: A Minimal, Politically Correct Nativity Set by Émilie Voirin

If Jesus is your homeboy, you can share a bit of religious flair this holiday season without offending any Christian on your list. The Minimal Nativity Set is a contemporary take on the bible-based scene, employing beech wood or brass blocks inscribed with each scene member's name (Donkey, Joseph, Baby Jesus, etc.) to stand in for the traditional figurines. Created by French artist and designer Émilie Voirin, the blocks still represent the story and take place around the crib, but the characters have no skin color or features, leaving it up to people's imagination and personal beliefs.
More on the Minimal Nativity Set

December 16, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Arbor Jewelry Stand Displays an Avian Inspiration

There's nothing worse than grabbing your favorite necklace just to realize that its chain is in a knot that would take you all day to detangle. Or when you reach for your favorite earrings to find one has gone missing. Know an absent-minded jewelry lover like this? Get them the Arbor Jewelry Stand this holiday season. Not only is it functional, but we love the avian inspiration that designer Zoë Mowat infused into the piece.
READ MORE

December 15, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Metropolis Chalk Set Is Decorative and Functional

Here's a gift that both parents and children will get a kick out of. The Chalk Ware Metropolis chalk set contains eight custom-carved chalk pieces shaped like houses, skyscrapers, and everything in between. They don't resemble the buildings of a particular city, so they're perfect for your cousin in NYC or your aunt in Chattanooga. The fun pieces can be used as decorative objects on a mantle, and if mom or dad is feeling generous, the youngsters can take them and create their own works of art on the sidewalk or the chalkboard wall.
More on Chalk Ware

December 12, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Insane Big Rig Exer-Desk Generates 100 Watts of Electricity

Do you have a friend who, year after year, promises that they'll work harder and exercise more? Pedal Power's kick-ass Big Rig exer-desk might be exactly what they need to stick with those new year's resolutions. This cool desk is totally "off-grid" and has the potential to generate up to 100 watts of electricity for one motivated user. And because it's modeled off an actual high-performance bike, it features an ergonomic seat for comfort, quick adjustments for different riders, a flywheel to smooth pedaling, and a wide range of gearing—meaning your giftee could easily go from tubby to Tour de France cyclist before the new year's close.
Find out more about the bike here

December 12, 2014

This Suspended Tent Gives New Meaning to “Sleeping Among the Trees”

What happens when you combine an idea for a multi-story camping tent with the childlike love for treehouses? You get this fanciful creation known as Vista, a suspended "tree tent" or "portable treehouse" that allows campers to sleep among the trees (literally). Designed by British tent makers Tentsile, the suspended tent hangs between trees with a series of straps and ratchets. The basic unit has a roof and insect mesh, but isn't fully sealed on the sides to give the true experience of being one with nature. To add more stories to the tent structure, additional units can be attached underneath.
Learn more about the Vista tent

December 11, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: High-Tech ‘Tile’ Helps Those Who Constantly Lose Their Keys

There are fewer things more annoying than waiting for a friend or family member as they frantically search for their keys. Help them in their hunt (and preserve your sanity) by gifting them a Tile this holiday. This simple but brilliant device takes the mystery out of finding one's most important belongings and takes advantage of something we all have: a smartphone.
How it works

December 10, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: iBlock Is a Brooklyn-Made Cutting Board That Holds Your Tablet

We were recently introduced to the term "lumbersexual," used to describe a rising trend among males who, though they may spend no time outdoors at all, prefer to dress like upscale lumberjacks (think red flannels, stylish lace-up boots, and jeans) and buy woodsy, handcrafted goods. Does this sound like a guy you know who lives in Williamsburg or Bushwick? Well then we have the perfect rustic holiday gift for him–or anyone on your list who likes locally-made goods and cool kitchen supplies. Made by Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, iBlock serves double duty as a cutting board and tablet holder, so you can read your recipe (or watch Netflix) while chopping veggies. It's also reversible; the raised back that holds the tablet keeps the board flush to the edge of the counter.
Learn more about iBlock

December 9, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Wacaco’s On-the-Go Espresso Maker Can Fit Inside a Purse

If you've got someone on your gift list that's overworked, under-caffeinated and looking for a better way to get their fix (this is New York, after all), look no further than Wacaco's Minipresso as the perfect present. This portable hand-held device is a godsend for those who frequently need a boost but don't have the time to wait in long coffee shop lines—or simply for those with a more discerning taste for the finer grounds in life.
More on this cool high-caf design here

December 8, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Andrej Urem’s Architecturally Inspired Eco-Candles

Candles are probably the easiest, most common holiday gift when you just don't have a clue what to get someone. But after several years of giving the same old candle, it gets a little boring. So we've found the perfect outside-the-box candle for architecture buffs, tech nerds, or anyone who will love an attractive eco-candle. The AU Collection by artist and designer Andrej Urem is a series of 3D-printed candles inspired by architectural forms. And they're made right here in Brooklyn.
More on the AU Collection

14 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC

Capsule Market Square.

December 5, 2014

14 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC

As December dawns, the holiday gift markets roll in, and it’s harder than ever to turn around in NYC without encountering a pop-up shop or makeshift mall offering everything anyone could ever want–whether they know it yet or not–for the body, mind, soul and home. We've assembled a list of smaller, cooler pop-ups and holiday markets that mix music, food and fun freebies like haircuts, goodie bags and beer with this year’s selection of clever, crafty gifts.
Find out where to get the goods, this way

December 4, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Oyster Mushroom Log

Sure, we'd all love to be able to give our fungus-loving friends a nice, big truffle for the holidays (or even this $1 million beauty), but that's not really the most economical gift idea. So to cure our mushroom cravings, we've found the next best thing. The Oyster Mushroom Log from Williams-Sonoma is a hardwood log pre-inoculated with oyster mushroom spores. Just keep it damp and stored in a dark place, and the delicious mushrooms will sprout every two months for up to three years.
More on the culinary gift here

December 3, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Nokero’s Solar Light Bulb with Phone Charger

Aren't we all a little sick of receiving holiday gifts that are completely useless and end up collecting dust in the junk drawer? Well, here's a gift idea that's extremely useful, but still an exciting product to unwrap, thanks to its sleek design and fun, bulbous shape. Nokero's solar lights are perfect for camping, traveling, or everyday use in a poorly-lit apartment. The Huron N222 (pictured above) can charge a cell phone while it illuminates an entire room, while the Start N182 is compact enough to fit in your pocket (hello, stocking stuffer) but strong enough to light up a small space.
More on Nokero's solar products here

December 2, 2014

6sqft Gift Guide: Neighborwoods Map Coasters

Coasters are definitely high on the list of "gifts for people who you don't know what to give," and if you're like us, you're always searching for sets that aren't the standard square cloths or round pieces of wood. So, we've found the perfect coasters--not only are they unique and visually appealing, but they have a personal touch. Neighborwoods Map Coasters were created by San Francisco graphic designer Aymie Spitzer, who has a passion for hand-lettered vernacular and antique maps. The cedar wood coasters celebrate the special neighborhoods of some of the country's biggest urban sites, including Manhattan and Brooklyn.
More on Neighborwoods Coasters here

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