Gift Ideas, 2nd installment

Rill is a sweet toy designed by Donna Wilson for the little people. It is lively, it is orange, and it is so cute. Can be purchased here.

Gift Ideas, 1st installment

So for the first entry we have adorable containers for pencils or smallish plants. I think they will look absolutely darling in the kid's room, or on the desk of a cubicle prisoner awaiting vacation. Containers come in several shapes and available for purchase here.

My baby is here!!!

Today, at LA Auto Show Lotus unveiled their US version of the Evora. In general it is the same vehicle as the one that was seen in Europe a few months back, but this time it is here, on the American soil, and so close, I can't sit in my chair. I loved that car from the time I saw the first concept sketches that were leaked into the internet a while back. It is an absolute beauty. But to top it off, looks like it got the backing too. This is a larger creation, as compared to Lotus Elise, and supposedly comfortably accommodates 2 American males up front with room in the back left for kids or gear (wait, did they just call us fat?!) But really-- this is a huge deal, when Elise is not an option for many people just due to its size. 0-60 in 5 seconds, top speed of over 160 at 30 mpg, plush interior with a touch screen multimedia system and full navigation and overall sweet design. Does it get better than that?! It is set to be available for purchase this time next year. So keep those piggy banks stuffed till then!
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Dream of Doll

Not even moments after I posted about Small magazine I got an email from a friend about a doll company - Dream of Doll - that produces pretty exceptional dolls. Located in Seoul, Korea the company manufactures exclusive dolls, who are members of anime-type cast for a fantasy story. Dolls have a large number of movable joints, which allows them to acquire very complex poses. With custom eyes, hair, hands and even make-up they are made to please. Here are a few beauties from their website.

Stair Porn

Today I found stair porn, and I feel that it will become a new addiction for me. Maybe even big enough to push back love for fashion and cool shoes. Yep, you heard right, I did say Stair Porn. It is a super cool web/blog project that collects and shares nothing but stairs. Old, new, modern, antique... Stairs from all over the world get their share of spotlight on Stair Porn. Here are a few excellent shots from there:

Weaponry is an art

Museums in all countries around the world boast with extremely elaborate and beautiful pieces of weaponry from different ages, and so far 2000's have little to show. But there are a few artists, whose work is in museums and private collections, and quite rightfully so. Here is a collections of pieces by Russian masters of metal. They are extremely utilitarian, and yet artistic. A cornerstone of every piece is history, poetry and philosophy. I am very impressed.

SPAcer is a space saver

SPAcer is a spa bath designed by Dominik Chojnacki. According to Dominik it was inspired by 2 raindrops, but the shape also can be seen as resembling a bean, or a nut. In other words something totally natural and organic. I find shapes like that very soothing and great for a home. And aside from great design this one is ergonomically well engineered and a space saver. It can be folded up when you are not using it. Awesome! Here via Yanko Design.

Geeks of the world rejoice

So today I stumbled upon these wonderfully designed coffee cups that have a very peculiar look-- the look of forums, blogs, and other social chatty entities of 21 century-- they are modeled after smileys. Very smart! So now you can express yourself in the real world just like you do online. Done by the creative team Psyho over in Ukraine.

Who knew bike helmets could be that pretty

Fabulous Gabrielle Blair at Design Mom had a really neat posting today. It is about bike helmets. And for all of us who get excited over good design-- really cute helmets. I mean Gyro and Bell make great ones, assuming you are sporting a jersey and a pair of biking shorts, but what about riding around town?! The solution is Yakkay. What a smart product! Yay for creative designers at Yakkay.

Dishlamp

When I stumbled upon this lamp collection first thing that came to mind was good old college days with joys of roommates and dirty plates. But kidding aside, those lamps are really something! Great form, even greater concept. Designed by the Bureau Belenko those lamps are really good addition to their portfolio. They work in architecture field, and ventures in product design are far and few in between, but boy I wish they did it more often.

Sinful

Young brit Kacper Hamilton of Hamilton Design Studio is in love with all things theatrical, and it shows. One of two projects completed for 2008 so far is his set of seven wine glasses inspired by the seven deadly sins. Very clever! I wouldn’t consider this to be part of the product design, but a piece of art for sure!

Simple... its Japanese

There are several things Japanese that are in most people lives. TV, stereo, car… whatever, but if I had to guess what Japanese designed product you have, I’d be 99% right on if I said it was an electronic device. Right? Well, that’s not all Japanese designers can do. Creative minds at N.O.L. sat down one day and decided to give the world some fun office products. The USB key is nice, but I wouldn't mind having those cool whiteboard flower pots on my desk either.

And lets not to forget to feed the local wildlife-- mouse to the computer, as cheese to the mouse right?!

And for the really challenging days: