All posts filed under: Things for Storage

Osuza Canvas Backpack

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The Osuza Canvas is a backpack made for folks who like to make things. The premium black canvas backpack is intended for painters, photographers, architects, designers — basically anyone who needs to safely and securely carry random tools and gear with them on a regular basis. Inside mesh pockets and multipurpose molle loops keep your things where you want them. The backpack is expandable up to 40 liters, has weatherproof closures, and can be customized with patches and pouches to express your personality or promote your brand.  $349.00 (Free shipping in the U.S.) All images courtesy of OSUZA.  

Highlights from Alessi’s New Collection

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The Italian accessories brand Alessi has brought together a range of collaborators — from star architects to new talent — for their Spring/Summer 2017 collection of tabletop products. Below are a few of my favorites from the new collection. Forma Grater by Zaha Hadid The Forma Grater was the late Iraqi architect’s final project for Alessi. Like many of her works, its shape was inspired by organic, natural forms that have been smoothed over time by water and wind. It consists of two elements: a sculptural black melamine base holding a mirror-polished stainless steel grater. $80 Va Bene by Miriam Mirri The Va Bene cooking utensil for testing pasta, vegetables, and other hot foods is produced via a complex sheet metal processing technique of molding, cutting, and welding to create a form that recalls part of a musical instrument. $45 T-Timepiece by Titus Wybenga Inspired by the shape of an antique pocket watch, this infuser was a result of the “Life in Transition” workshop organized in collaboration with Dutch University TU Delft, with a mission …

Little Free Library Design Competition

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A competition to design a new version of the Little Free Library touches on two of my favorite things in the world — product design and books. If you aren’t familiar with Little Free Libraries, they are small containers that are installed in front yards, community centers, and public spaces all over to world to help people exchange books for free. There are nearly 40,000 of these structures worldwide, and Chronicle Books. Little Free Library, and AIA SF are inviting architects and designers to rethink the structure and solve some problems cited by users in the field. Challenges that the new design should try to overcome include keeping the doors shut, making it accessible at night, keeping it water-tight and heatproof, and perhaps my favorite, serving small children and tall adults alike. The jury includes architects, editors, and designers, and the prizes include an architecture library from Chronicle Books and other goodies. If I designed one, I’d love a little solar panel on top that lights it up at night when the door opens and …

Kickstarter Things: RE.BIN Recycling Bin

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Paper bags are so versatile. They can either be the arts and crafts project or the thing you put under the arts and crafts project. They can be reused several times before ripping, are easily recycled, and when folded up properly don’t take up that much space. Unless you go shopping every week, which people tend to do. Then they start accumulating in an unmanageable pile, (which is particularly troublesome in small apartments) and you just want to switch to plastic (but you really don’t). So isn’t it brilliant when someone develops a new way to use up those paper bags while also recycling other garbage as well? Currently raising funds on Kickstarter, RE.BIN is a paper grocery bag shaped bin designed to hold your paper bag as a liner so that you can easily carry out the trash when it’s full. Made in the U.S.A. of 100% recycled plastic, RE.BIN is designed specifically to help save space in smaller, urban apartments. Recycling garbage in recycled bags supported by a bin made of recycled garbage – kind of the ideal sustainable product. Images …

MAG Stickers for Knife Storage

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There are two ways to store knifes: carefully or dangerously. The careful way keeps them out of reach of children yet accessible enough so that you actually can find the right one for the job. This approach also helps protects the knives from becoming dull or damaged by banging around other things in a drawer. The folks behind MAG Stickers, the Moscow-based AMOD-DOMA Design Studio, hope to offer a new way to store and organize your knives. Made of magnetic vinyl, these stickers attach to cabinets to help optimize kitchen space. The stickers come in different sizes and shapes for various blades, which simply attach to the magnetic surface. Since the adhesive material isn’t permanent, they will not destroy the finish on cabinets when you want to move them, according to the designers. MAG Stickers are on sale at Etsy and come in a set of three knife shapes, a circular shape, and festive Christmas Tree shapes. All images courtesy of AMOD-DOMA.  

Travel Dice by Walnut Studiolo

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Walnut Studiolo‘s line of handmade accessories and games are produced in the company’s Portland, Oregon workshop. The latest addition to their growing line of travel games is a lightweight, portable set of dice ideal for players of any game using six or less die. The dice are secured inside the brass tube with a brass-beaded chain that can be worn as a necklace or carried as a keychain. The solid brass square tube perfectly houses six (6x) 7mm travel dice. A chain secures the dice in the tube at one end, and inlaid walnut wood closes the other end. Over time, the brass will develop a patina from hands and scratches. The die are available in either white or black and the chain comes in two lengths. $25. All images courtesy Walnut Studiolo.