Stand Umbrella

An umbrella with feet to stand on its own. How clever and independent!

Anamorphic cups

I thought these Anamorphic cups were pretty cool when I first saw it. "Anamorphic" refers to a distorted image that only appears normal when viewed with a special device. The most common of these devices is the anamorphic cylinder, which typically consists of a cylinder with a highly reflective surface, placed in the center of painting that is lying face-up. Such curiosities first appeared in the 1600s, and became popular throughout Europe in the 18th century. The Anamorphic Cup is the first product to employ the visual principles of the anamorphic cylinder. The stainless steel cup reflects the distorted words printed on the porcelain saucer. The image is indecipherable when the cup and saucer are separate.

Dutchtub

Designed like a cannibal's kettle, dutchtub requires no electricity, plumbing or hot water. Just fill it with water from a garden hose or river, put fire wood in the bin, and enjoy a 100 degree soak in nature with roasted marshmellows. This has got to be the closest you can get to enjoying an onsen experience in the middle of nowhere during winter. Fits in the back of an S.U.V, these tubs can also be rented over the weekends for a private party or large event. Looking at these images just makes me go ahhhh...Available in many parts of Europe and the US.

Hella Jongerius

Designed by Hella Jongerius for Droog Design, these polyurethane wash basins questions the materials often associated with bathroom designs and takes it to a whole new level!

Vinyl stickers by Domestic

These colorful wall/ceiling decals are part of the Vynil line by a French publishing house called Domestic. Domestic works with well-known designers to produce products that allow the consumer to contribute to the design. Pretty magical when matched with a ceiling fixture, don't you think?

Glasklasen

Glasklasen (the Glass Cluster) is a chandelier and repository for drinking-glasses with stems by Swedish design company Form Nasielsky. With a clear bulb, Glasklasen will provide a pleasant lighting and will be a gorgeous centrepiece above a dining table. The reflections from the glasses also creates lights and patterns on surrounding surfaces in the room. Available at Style Nordic.

Red, white and green algue

I just love the way the algue from Vitra has been used in these places. Reminiscent of a forgotten enchanted forest, the plastic elements can be linked together to form a design feature for your wall or to create a light curtain or room divider. Each algue is 6" x 12" and sold in sets of 6, available in red, white and green.

(above) images from Vitra

(above) window of Seydlitz (via Decor8)

New products for kitchen and bathrooms

I was doing some research on the latest trends for kitchen and bathrooms today when I came across these cool products featured at K+BB.

(above) Diamond cooker hood. Looking more like a chandelier than a cooker hood, this will be a great product to add a bit of bling-bling glamour to your kitchen. Part of the Evolution series, this stylish unit from Elica includes ventilation, filters, lighting and controls. It even doubles up as a light!

Those who appreciate good bathroom design will be pleased to hear that the Vero range, by Duravit, now includes a toilet and bidet in the same rectangular shape as their gorgeous washbasin.

Really think these modern bathroom silhouettes from Art Ceram's La Fontana toilets are quite cool. Made from clay, each toilet contains concealed storage compartments that are perfect for hiding cleaning supplies.

Neat Recharge Station

Loose wires round the house always drive me crazy. Just thought that this Bedford Smart Recharge Station is a really neat idea to recharge all your gadgets in one place. And it doesn't look that difficult to DIY it yourself too! Here is one more project on my list! For those who want it NOW, it is available at Pottery Barn. (via Oh Happy Day)

EL VAQUERO (THE COWBOY)

What a cool design for a chair! It is made from materials used in the building industry which are not very common in the furniture design. You can even change the look of it by changing the magazine you hang on the rail! Think this will be an excellent (but not that comfy) design for a bus-stop or carriage seat. By eosmexico. (via)

Clever mailboxes

I saw these really clever mailboxes in the July/August 2007 edition of Dwell magazine. Created by Mark Naden of Pure Design, the barcode is actually perforated so you can take a peek inside to see if you've got mail! Available here, but it looks like they're sold out right now.

"Lace" tape

Lace tape by Stella Bugbee . Available at mattermatters

TinTree spaljé

TinTree spaljé by Johan Carpner. Great to decorate your garden wall or use to hang your ornaments indoors!

Loft Cube

One of the highlights at the Milan fair 2007, the loft cube by Werner Aisslinger is a self-contained mobile living unit. Conceptualised to inhabit underutilised rooftops, this compact structure is meant to be a temporary structure to suit the nomadic lifestyles of people who live in large, dense cities. It even comes with the option of installing a swimming pool on your own roof!

Beehive Kitchenware

Pretty and functional handmade metal kitchenware inspired by designs found in old homes and fleas markets from Beehive Kitchenware. (via oh joy)

Frames

Frames, the wallpaper that allows you to turn your wall into a piece of art!

D-BROS

Innovative products from Japanese graphic design company D-BROS.

Above: Jewelgraphy gift tags. Looks like the real thing !!

Above: Hotel Butterfly bookmarks. These bookmarks are part of a series of stationary products that take the form of hotel amenities from an imaginary highland resort called HOTEL BUTTERFLY. MUST check out the rest of their butterfly series!

Above: Fog circus. This lace paper decoration can be used as either a beautiful centre table decoration or window accessory.

Above: A Path to the future- Sticking/packing tape

Above: Hope Forever Blossoming flower vase made from vinyl (plastic).

Ebon-aide

ebon-aide's are first aid strips for all different skin tones,which come in three different sizes and five shades: licorice, mocha, coffee, cinnamon and honey.

via the cool hunter

Poketo

Poketo is a network of artists. First launched in 2003 with their limited edition artist wallets, Poketo is now a growing network of over 100 international artists designing an exclusive line of artist tees and bags, stationery, and homeware. Intended as catalyst for conversation and ideas, the 100% unique pieces of art are also used as platforms to promote the artists themselves (the bio and contact info of the artist are packaged together with all poketo products).

This is a great website to go to if you want to learn more about the work of emerging artists round the world. I have selected a few of my favourite artist wallets to feature below. The wallet contains the art work on one side and a transparent vinyl sheet (with button badge) to keep your money and cards on the other side. Folds in half.

Saelee Oh Wallet 1. Saelee lives in Pasadena, CA where she paints and draws for various gallery shows and illustration work and creates handmade, unique gift items for her online boutique, Lemonade Maid.

Jill Bliss Wallet 1. Jill's inspirational work was featured here at laissezfaire in an earlier post. Jill is a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York and CCA in San Francisco. Her work reveals a fondness for combining fabric, paper, and other found materials. Click here for her website.

Suzanne Husky Wallet 2. Suzanne is an illustrator and installation artist. Her artwork is often humorous and critical of the human environment. She has exhibited in the U.S., China, Europe, and at renowned galleries including Southern Exposure and Marin Headlands Center For the Arts. Click here to learn more about her work at her website.

Tokyo based artist PCP was also invited by Poketo to design a double plate set. I just love the yarn inspired artwork of these plates. The two plate set comes in a beautiful handscreen box.

Kalon Studios

Via Designsponge, I learnt about Kalon Studios and their gorgeous line of bamboo furniture with botanical cravings. Based in both Berlin and Los Angeles, their entire collection is proudly made from green and sustainable materials that are apparently so non-toxic that it is food grade!