All posts filed under: Things for Drinking

100% Trays from Blu Dot

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  100% Trays are the latest accessory from the modern furnishings maker Blu Dot. Sold in sets of three, the trays are ready for keys, jewelry, sunglasses, or barware. The colorful, powder-coated steel trays are perfect for nesting or can be used separately. Just don’t serve canapés directly on them as they are not food-safe. The blue tray measures 14.7 square inches, the white is 9.7 square inches, and the lavender measures 5.8 square inches. $79.00  All images courtesy of Blu Dot.

SMEG Small Appliances

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Italian kitchen appliance maker SMEG has collaborated with the renowned Italian design firm Deepdesign to create an affordable line of retro kitchen accessories to coordinate with their line of ’50s-style inspired appliances. The new line includes a stand mixer, a 2- or 4-slice toaster, a blender, and two kettles in a range of colors from polished stainless steel to pastel pink. The kettles are available with an auto shut-off at 212° F or with a temperature setting from 122° F to 212° F that will be available in the second half of 2015. The blender, which is also available in the second half of the year, will come with several pre-set programs. Images courtesy of SMEG.

Tanssi Tableware Collection from Iittala

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New from the iconic Finnish brand Iittala, the Tanssi tableware series features illustrations by Finnish artist Klaus Haapaniemi. The group of dishes, plates, mugs, and other decorative pieces were inspired by Haapaniemi’s visual designs for the Finnish National Opera production of The Cunning Little Vixen, a Czech opera by Leoš Janácek that premiered in January 2015. The story, which looks at the co-existence of animals and humans and the eternal circle of life, comes alive on tableware shapes created by Finnish designer Heikki Orvola. Reflections from both ancient Oriental and Slavic imagery, as well as traditional stories appear in the drawings of deers, badgers, vixen, and foxes. The earthy color palette coordinates with all current Iittala glassware, including the brand new desert color now available for the Aalto vase. All images courtesy of Iittala.

My Favorite New Products Now Available at the MoMA Store

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Last week I got to get a sneak peek at the new products available at the MoMA store in New York City and through its online shop. Here, in no particular order, are my five favorite new gifts, gadgets, and gear now available through the store. 1. Amish Scooter This scooter-bicycle hybrid has been crafted by the Stoltzfus family, an Amish family in Pennsylvania, since 1978. This substantial scooter lets adults move on two wheels without worrying about balance and knee strains. It comes with a kickstand, basket, and rear brake and handbrake with black or orange powder-coated steel frame and fenders. I’m partial to the orange myself. Black, $360, Orange, $320. 2. Porthole Infuser Designed by the Chicago-based design firm Crucial Detail, the shape of this table-ready infusion vessel was inspired by submarine portholes. It can be used to create and hold 13 ounces of cocktails, infused oils, dressings, or whatever you want to conjure. Made of tempered glass, ABS, stainless steel, and silicone, the Porthole Infuser is dishwasher safe and comes with four recipes to get you started.  2” wide x 7″ …

Haand x SL Geometric Mugs

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  Adding a bit of bling to your breakfast, Haand x SL Geometric Mugs are a collaboration between designer Mark Warren of the North Carolina-based ceramic company Haand and Seattle-based jewelry designer Sarah Loertscher. The two artisans first met while at the Penland School of Crafts in western North Carolina and this is their first project together. The gloss black or matte white mugs are made from slip cast porcelain, and feature hand-applied 22-carrat and platinum geometric decals. They combine Loertscher’s metalsmithing background and distinctive drawing style with Mark’s interest in historic craft pieces and porcelain forms. $48 each.   Images courtesy of Haand, except where noted. 

Showroom Tour: Spin Ceramics, NYC

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Last week I got a tour of the New York City showroom for Spin Ceramics, the Chinese tabletop brand that has built up a cult following around the world since its founding in 2002. Opened since June at 13 Crosby Street, the shop is Spin Ceramics’ first store outside of Asia. The brand works with a collective of eight independent designers to create modern, quirky pieces that are all stamped with the designers individual “chop” identification mark. Based in the Spin’s Shanghai design studio, the designers come up with concepts for plates, chopstick rests, cups, bowls, and other pieces through methods including drawing, digital modeling, throwing on a pottery wheel, or hand molding clay. Although the pieces are all handmade, Managing Partner Clay Cunningham says that the company produces about 250,000 items a year. Prices range from $25 for a napkin ring to $3200 for a large vase. Cunningham, a former banker, fell in love with the products while living in Asia and believes the company will continue to gain fans now that it has …