All posts filed under: Things for the Office

Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: Pieces of Time Flower Objet d’Art

If you are looking for a different way to give flowers this Valentine’s Day, consider gifting your loved one the MoMA Design Store’s Pieces of Time Flower Objet d’Art. Designed by Soojeong Shin and Jiseon Park from Korean Studio Style Jieum, these sculptures feature fresh flowers that have been encased in domes of hand-blown glass and filled with preservation fluid. When viewed through sunlight, the object seems to contain a calm forest of plants that feels like a real landscape. Each Pieces of Time Objet d’Art is handmade by specialists in floral design, and its design will vary slightly. The handcrafted glass may contain small bubbles that are a natural part of the creation process. They can be displayed individually or as a group. To care for your objet d’art, store indoors in a cool place and do not open its silicone plug. Each measures 2.8”w x 5.1”h. $80 each at the MoMA Design Store. Images courtesy MoMA Design Store.

Designy Things Holiday Gift Guide

Here are some designy gift ideas for your holiday season, from a snowflake you can cuddle to pencils you can plant in the garden. Jellycat Holiday Soft Toys Jellycat arguably makes some of the most adorable plushies in the world, combining the softest materials with a small smiling face that brings personality to all types of everyday objects and animals. Designed in London, this snowflake ($30.00), Christmas Tree ($40.00), or potted Poinsettia ($48.00) can adorn a mantle or work as a festive table centerpiece. Available through the MoMA Design Store. Embroidered Holiday Ornaments Designed in London and handmade in India by a team of master embroiderers, these ethically sourced fabric holiday ornaments are made through the traditional technique of “zardosi” (sewing with gold), historically used to decorate the most luxurious of courtly finery. Ornaments in the collection include Claude Monet, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and Vincent van Gogh. $16.95- $18.95. Available through the MoMA Design Store. Taste Collection by Paola Navone The Glass House design store offers an exclusive design collaboration …

Toff & Zürpel Beeswax Wraps

Toff & Zürpel, a Dresden-based brand that designs natural, and reusable beeswax wraps, is now available in North America through AMEICO. An alternative to wasteful one-use products such as cling wrap and aluminum foil, Toff & Zürpel beeswax cloths bring a colorful touch to covering salads, cheeses, cut fruit, veggies and more. Toff & Zürpel beeswax cloths are made of bio-cotton, regional organic beeswax, traditional pine resin, and fair trade organic coconut oil. The wraps are water repellant and are available through AMEICO in four sizes and three color schemes. The wraps come with a natural beeswax soap bar which can be used to clean the wraps after use and as a general kitchen or hand soap. A starter kit including four different sized wraps sells for $40.00 and the soap sells for $13.00. All images courtesy of AMEICO.

Osuza Canvas Backpack

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.  

OstrichPillow Hood

If you’ve ever wondered if ostriches really bury their heads in the sand when they are scared, the answer is, sadly, no.  According to the San Diego Zoo, when an ostrich senses danger and can’t run away, it merely flops to the ground and remains still. The newest member of the OstrichPillow family of products, the OstrichPillow Hood, might not help you avoid danger, but it does help keep your head and neck cozy while looking cool. You might be familiar with the first product in the OstrichPillow line, a soft helmet with holes for your hands to let folks more easily nap in public. For those who want some privacy, but don’t feel like wearing a giant pillow on their head, there is now the OstrichPillow Hood. Available in one size and two colors — Ocean Green and Night Black — the cotton/poly/spandex hood works as a modern Riding Hood-type accessory to any work out or casual outfit. I imagine it can also be used in open offices when you want to show your …

Artifact Uprising Desktop Calendars

With the end of the year soon approaching, what better time to upgrade that calendar you got last year from your local dry cleaner? These elegant (and affordable) desktop photo calendars by Colorado-based Artifact Uprising can make a nice holiday gift for home or office desks. Made of solid walnut, the Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar (starting at $30) showcases a dozen of your favorite photos in a year-round display. It features a brass-coated clip and peg stand, making a modern statement.   The Brass Easel & Calendar (starting at $55) combines a solid brass easel with premium quality papers with your favorite snapshots.   The Wood Calendar (starting from $25) is handcrafted from reclaimed pine. Artifact Uprising partnered with the non-profit SKCAC — a group that provides jobs for adults with intellectual disabilities — on this design.   Last but not least, the Solidwool Calendar (starting at $40) is made of a sustainable composite material made from British sheep fleece. Like the others, it features 12 sheets with custom images.   All images courtesy of …