Tetsuo Kondo Architects have made a mirror that reflects a clear image when viewed straight-on, but appears cloudy from the side, softly reflecting it's surroundings' blurred silhouettes. I love this artistic and poetic take on a functional object. - Jennilee
Studio Patro's linen tea towels gives us a friendly little reminder to take advantage of each day's opportunities. See more options at their shop, as well as some bags and aprons that will have you feeling inspired.
We're suckers for anything dipped-dyed so we're sure you can imagine our delight when we found the Wood & Willow Home shop. From wooden bowls to woven baskets, these nature-inspired handmade housewares have our hearts skipping a beat. We're about to get dip-dye crazy up in here.
Got an ancient rainbow iMac lying around? Craving the company of a pet? Now you can kill two birds with one stone—and keep one more big, clunky computer out of the landfill—with the iMac Aquarium Kit by young Omaha resident Jake Harms. The set includes a tank, light, and filter specially designed to fit inside the iMac body, along with detailed assembly instructions; for a little extra, you can buy the entire thing pre-assembled. Fish not included. -Eviana
So you live in Brooklyn, you dream of growing kale on your fire escape and herding honeybees on your roof, and yet you can't seem to keep even a potted cactus alive. Where to turn? You, would-be homesteader, are not alone—and now, you have a spiritual home in Hayseed's Big City Farm Supply. Starting this month and running until the end of June, the pop-up store in northern Greenpoint is dedicated to the growing art of urban farming, stocking everything you need to start a city garden (organic soil, tools) and a few things you might not (heirloom tobacco seeds, rabbit feed). With classes and workshops on subjects including backyard livestock, mushroom growing, and worm composting, Hayseed's looks set to be as much social hub as supply store. Hee-haw it ain't. -Eviana
Maarten De Ceulaer makes bowls out of an item we would never have imagined could do such a thing: balloons! Filling the balloons up with food colorant and varying amounts of air, he leaves them to dry (sometimes while hanging them or putting weights on them). The result are these beautiful one-of-a-kind bowls in numerous shapes and sizes. Find out more about the process here!
Lifecycling intimately takes a look into the lives and spaces of Japanese creatives, including Beams creative director Kenchi Aono and designers Mana and Takashi Kobayashi. Think of it as a Japanese version of Freunde Von Freunden or The Selby with beautiful write ups and interviews. - Jennilee
Love & Victory's Seven Deadly Sins Glassware are perfect for those late night summer get togethers. Each glass is hand-engraved by Brooklyn designer Meg Moorhouse and will have you recapping your latest sins to decide what glass is best for you. We'd choose gluttony—we totally want them all.
Tania da Cruz's Wig vase is so rad! To create this Chia Pet-like head of flowers, choose your favorite buds and just add water. Experiment with different arrangements and colors until you create the floral crown of your dreams. If only changing our hairstyle was this easy!
Above are some of the great understated products by New York brand Izola who produce a variety of home items and personal accessories. The extra pocket-friendly circular flasks come in three and five ounce sizes with eight different engraved messages to pick from in addition to a blank one. -Bob
African weaver birds are some of the world’s most talented architects, building sculptural, cocoon-like nests from fallen twigs and leaves. South African creative consultant Porky Hefer’s firm, Animal Farm, has adapted this concept for humans, making outdoor chill-out pods from woven fibers and steel that are big and strong enough to hold people. -Eviana
How many designers does it take to change a light bulb? UK-based creative Samuel Wilkinson, working with product manufacturer Hulger, has pulled it off with Plumen. We all know we're supposed to choose energy-efficient CFL bulbs, but starting in 2014 when the government phases out incandescents, we'll have to. Plumen, inspired by the shape of a bird's feathers, looks completely cool dangling from a bare wire—and at $30, it lasts eight times as long as a regular bulb while using a fraction of the energy. Bonus: The light that comes out is warm and natural, so in this case going green doesn’t mean your skin will look green. –Eviana
I'm a sucker for any project that involves exploring beautiful and creatively decorated interiors. Slanted Mansion, a blog that photographs the homes of creatives from around the globe, is no exception. Interviewing everyone from Swedish tattoo artists to Argentinian musicians, photographer and interviewer Siobhan Frost definitely has an eye for interesting homes. - Hazel
Jimmy Cricket is for those out there with an imagination. Just take one look at their website and you'll know what we mean. From bird houses and robots to porcelain plates and scrapwood, your rooms will be brought to life with this wallpaper.
Check out this clean and minimal Plant Ring from Makr that lets you mount a four inch potted plant to the wall. I really like the pewter version but it's also available in a light green avocado for those who need a bit more color. Comes with the ring, hardware, and a leather base plate to protect your wall but you've gotta supply your own plant. -Bob
While we love everything Pigeon Toe has to offer, the Faceted Magnets from their S/S 2012 Collection have really caught our eye. Looking at them makes us want to snap more polaroids, take more photo-booth pictures, and maybe even print out some on the images on our digital cameras (yeah right!)—all just for a reason to use them. Buy them individually or as a set of six here.
Shelli Worley and her husband collect tree scraps from the heavily wooded area they live in and repurpose them to make these Tree Branch Candle Holders. For special occasions, you can even order them with custom engraving—how sappy.
The glasses in my house are carefully picked out vintage pieces and it's rare I find many these days I am very fond of (this is thanks to constant antique and flea market shopping) but if I had the option, I'd fill our cupboards with every one of these incredible Artware Editions glasses. Chelsea Seltzer and Theo A. Rosenblum have created my favorites by far. X - Jen
Portland based Andi Kovel and Justin Parker of the internationally renowned Esque Studio have created a mesmerizing candle holder called The Wax Collector. The glass vase collects melted wax drops that over time resemble a layered sand painting. - Jennilee
