A Finlandia vodka on the rocks would probably be incomplete without sculpted ice from this Alvar Aalto-inspired ice cube tray. Designed from a vase design Aalto created in 1937 for iittala, this ice cube tray is made from molded, sustainable rubber. Would Aalto be cold to the idea? iittala, whose company motto incidentally is “Against Throwawayism,” doesn’t think so.
Via MocoLoco
This past February my husband and I cruised to Palm Springs to visit friends and check out the annual Modernism show but was let down by the paltry selection and left empty-handed. And since my life ping pongs between work and design school, I haven’t had the time to hit the weekend flea markets here in L.A. So when I saw today’s Design*Sponge post featuring New York’s Hi+Lo vintage boutique I got excited. Voted “Best Bet” by New York Magazine Hi+Lo offers an impressive range of high quality, vintage modern design including ceramics, furnishings, jewelry, fashion, art and rare books. No need to make your way through piles of musty doilies to find the gems–they are available online. They ship in the U.S. and internationally. Generaly high-end prices but occasionally you’ll find that perfect budget find.
MAJA ISOLA MARIMEKKO WALL HANGING($75)
RUTH REEVES ABSTRACT TRAY, melamine plastic with incised mark on the bottom, circa 1954 ($275)
JORGEN JENSEN PEWTER CAT’S EYE RINGS, signed by artist ($40-85 each)
MOD CHROME FLOWER LINK BELT, Chrome flower belt, originally bought in Paris, $100 (ooh lala)
The Blimp Soft Lamp by Mathmos bring a little dare-I-say-it “touch me” fun to a modern room. These handblown frosted glass bubbles stand about 4″ high & 6″ in diameter and cast a soft colorful glow by touching the top. Effects are created using microchip controlled LEDs which equates to playful lighting for the eco-conscious. Retails for $49 each at Plush Pod.
Today’s entry pays homage to my favorite accessory: the bag. Backpack, clutch or messenger bag, it’s the only accessory that marries style and function. There are lots of fabulous options that rescue materials from the landfill and refashions them into stylish satchels for men (and women):
Brothers Markus & Daniel of Swiss-based Freitag introduced a line of messenger bags for the urban go-getter. Bold colors, one-of-a-kind graphics create stand-out style. Made from discarded truck tarpaulins, they are virtually indestructible. Available in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.
Ecoist’s Movie Billboard bags give new life to obsolete movie posters. Like the Freitag bags, they are waterproof and rugged. Available as a messenger bag or a purse. A green bonus: Ecoist plants a tree for each purchase through their partner Trees for the Future. Trees have been planted in India, Uganda, Haiti, Mexico, and the U.S.
There are even styling bags for the technorati. My husband, who is permanently glued to his iPod wants the Voltaic™ Solar Backpack. The solar cells outside the bag can power up MP3s, cellphones and PDAs while you’re on the go. A bit pricy at $239US but the technology is ingenious. Available through Voltaic Systems.
