All posts filed under: Things for Storage

Cling Magnetic Clothing Hanger

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The Chicago-based designers at HANGDSGN are currently raising funds on kickstarter to create the first-ever detachable hook on a hanger. Using incredibly strong neodynium magnets placed in the center of each hanger, the Cling system takes away the weight and pressure traditional hangers endure over their lifetime. Available in white or black, Cling hangers work with a regular closet and can hold up to two pounds of clothing when clicked into place. While they still have a few weeks left to their fundraising campaign, the designers are currently in talks with a local manufacturer here in the U.S. who also happens to have a base in China. All images courtesy of HANGDSGN.

Kikkerland’s China Design Challenge

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At an event held last month at the company’s shop in Manhattan, Kikkerland presented finalist designs from the Kikkerland China Design Challenge, an competition held in collaboration with Beijing Design Week Organization and Redstar Design Fund. Held during Bejing Design Week 2014, the theme of the challenge was “A Passage Into Design,” which encouraged young talented Chinese designers to present unique ideas based on Chinese heritage, history and mythology. The ideas also had to exhibit the quirky sense of humor and wit characteristic of Kikkerland Design. Nearly 1,000 design submissions were received, from which 30 were selected and prototyped during a workshop with professionals. Ultimately, 17  finalists were chosen from the challenge. During the New York event, an award was presented to challenge winner  Zhou Yi, who designed the Hutong Eraser, an eraser that represents the disappearing traditional architectural style that was once prominent in Beijing. “As the streets of Beijing are filled with more and more high-rise buildings, there are less and less Hutong style streets left,” says Yi. “The eraser will disappear as you use it, like the the disappearing Hutong.” The eraser, along with eight other finalists’ designs, will be produced and sold worldwide …

Desktop Accessories by Beyond Object

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Beyond Object is a design label of the London-based design studio Poetic Lab that creates and distributes “poetic objects” around the world, including desktop objects, accessories, and tableware that are manufactured and crafted in Taiwan. After creating a temporary showroom during Milan Design Week in April, Beyond Object presented their new line of sculptural desktop accessories during the Maison et Objet Americas fair held earlier this month in Miami. One of the stars of the new collection is Cantili, a tape dispenser made of a pair of cantilevered mirror polished concave disks available in gold, cooper, and silver finishes. Penpo is a magnetic desk organizer made of three tubes of different materials, height, and size that have magnetic joints to form playful combinations. Funno is a pencil sharpener machined from a solid block of metal and hand-polished to a mirror finish in various colors. Funno, which also doubles as a paperweight, comes in mirror-polished gold, copper, and silver. Last but not least, Lino is a structured letter opener that has been reduced down to its outline. Handmade in stainless …

Coolbox Toolbox

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The Coolbox might appear to be a normal toolbox at first glance, but this useful tool is more like a portable workstation for the construction site, boat, or garage. First of all, Coolbox features a 20v rechargeable lithium polymer battery to run small power tools on the go or to charge your devices (via two USB ports built into the front panel). It also has a built-in, marine-grade 40w Bluetooth speaker built into the front, built-in LED lighting mounted internally and externally, and an LCD clock that will also display the battery level. Add to that some less techy, but still quite handy, conveniences like a retractable 12 foot extension cord, dual handles, wheels, a 20” x 12” dry-erase board on the inside lid, and a tablet stand, and you have the smartest toolbox on the block. While the Coolbox is crowdfunding on indiegogo (until March 12th), you can get one for the special price of $169 (61% off the $299 retail price), with an estimated delivery of June 2015. That timing might make it a great Father’s Day or graduation present for that …

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″ …

Nanuknano Rugged Case by Plasticase

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For 30 years, Plasticase has designed, manufactured, and sold millions of plastic cases worldwide. The company currently works mainly on a B2B (business-to-business) basis, tailoring its products to the specialized needs of fields such as medical equipment, electronics, tools, military, and law enforcement. In late 2012, Plasticase hired Météore Design to create an all-new consumer-oriented outdoor line of small handheld cases called Nanuknano. The impact- and water-resistant cases protect personal belongings like smartphones, wallets, and cameras, on hikes, boat rides, and anywhere else you need extra protection. The cases, which come in eight colors and three sizes, feature shock-resistant polycarbonate resin shells, a patented PowerClaw latch, a valve for pressure control, and an elastomer over-molding that provides both internal protection and exterior shock absorption. You can carry the case using an adjustable wrist strap or by attaching it securely to a boat, belt, or knapsack. The cases are available worldwide via Plasticase.com. $19.99 U.S. (small); $24.99 U.S. (medium); $29.99 U.S. (large).   ‘   Images courtesy of Plasticase Inc.