All posts filed under: Things for Drinking

KINTO Tableware

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One of the best things about going to the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) each season is discovering manufacturers that I never heard of and becoming a fan before I’ve left the booth. At this winter’s show, that company was KINTO Co. Founded in 1972 as a wholesaler of porcelain and ceramic tableware in Japan’s Shiga prefecture, the company began to develop their own designs in glass, wood, ceramic, and other materials, for the Japanese lifestyle in the 1990s, and started a full-scale export business in 2009. Based on the simple premise of creating products “to make our lives comfortable”, their line includes a range of coffee and tea related pieces as well as other designs. New this year is the Couleur teapot set, which combines a modern design form with the classic Japanese teapot. The microwave- and dishwasher-safe set includes a pot, cup, and saucer. Inside the pot, the spout is covered by a delicate porcelain strainer that is an example of the company’s craftsmanship. KINTO also launched an elegantly glazed new tableware …

Top Five Designy Posts of 2012

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In the spirit of the ubiquitous year-end top list, I present the top five most popular posts at designythings in 2012. A line of wallpaper and paint inspired by London was the top most viewed post of the year, followed by a water bottle designed by Black+Blum, a feature on Icelandic designer Thorunn Arnadottir, a new line of notebooks and accessories from Moleskine, and a handcrafted natural humidifier from Japan made of cypress wood. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and designy New Year.

Movember Bottle Opener & Money Clips

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In honor of Movember — the annual event in November where men grow mustaches in order to bring awareness to the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options for cancer — 1% percent of the sale of the mustache-toting bottle opener, money clip, and money clamp from bottleBoss will be donated to support awareness and education for men’s health issues, especially prostate and testicular cancer. According to statistics provided by the Movember movement, one out of two men will get cancer in their lifetime and one in six men is expected to get prostate cancer.  All of the funds raised by the movement will go towards prostate cancer and testicular cancer initiatives. $9.95 (bottle opener); $15.95 (money clip); $19.97 (money clamp).

Cleverly Designed Obama Campaign Swag

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The folks behind the New York City shop KioskKiosk have come up with a clever way to help support their favorite candidate for president. From now until Election Day, they are selling Obama re-election souvenirs in their shop and on their site, with all proceeds going to the Obama campaign. Those who prefer to volunteer their time are in luck, as the shop has opened up an “Obama Call Booth” during store hours, where you can earn credit for the items depending on how many calls you make urging folks to vote (10 calls gets a “We Shall Over Comb” comb, 15 calls gets a “Our Guy is Fly” glider, etc.). And if Obama doesn’t win, supporters can still console themselves drinking whisky from a glass with his face all over it, or by playing with the irreverent “Gawd Dam” Mitt paddle. KioskKiosk is open Monday to Saturday from 12-7 pm. 95 Spring Street, 2nd Floor, NYC.

Nendo Designs a Library & “Books” for Starbucks Pop-up Shop in Toyko

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For a clever pop-up shop concept in Tokyo, the Japanese design firm Nendo designed a library-like space where visitors could review “books” in nine different colors that correspond to a different espresso drink. Once a visitor finds a drink that they want, they would “check-in” the book for an actual espresso drink, but keep the “book” cover with info on their beverage. The reverse side of the book cover can be punched out and used as an insert for tall or short size tumblers. The shop only lasted for a few weeks in Tokyo in September…but perhaps we will see one popping up in another city soon?

Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker

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With a simple Japanese aesthetic and impressive functionality, Takeya’s Flash Chill Tea Maker was one of five finalists in the Kitchenware category in the Innovation Awards at last week’s International Home & Housewares Show. With the Flash Chill, you can brew, chill, serve, and store iced tea in one pitcher in just a few minutes, saving time, space, and hassle. While sampling some different tea flavors at the Takeya booth at the Home & Housewares show in Chicago last weekend, I got a demo of how the maker works. First, you fill the pitcher halfway with hot water, brew the tea in the tea infuser (using either tea bags or loose-leaf tea) and twist off the infuser and remove it with an “infuser holder” which keeps it from dripping on the counter. You then top off the tea with ice, twist the lid airtight and shake to flash chill the tea in under 30 seconds. I felt the container when it was hot from brewing and then again after it was chilled — I was surprised …