HemDing Fruit Platter is an 18″ white ceramic dish with a garden shovel handle. Big, bold and functional. The design is by Andres Fabian.
I was curious about the name: HemDing. So I surfed the web, looking for a little background on the piece. I found nothing. So I read a little about Fabian – spent his childhood in Afganistan, Lebanon and Portugal and educated in Germany and London. His work is described as sensuous, restrained, provocative and humorous. This is a guy who did his PhD research in Switzerland on spoons…
But still, no explanation for HemDing. So I used an online translator. Given his background, I wasn’s sure what language to choose. I tried German, Spanish, Arabic, Danish and then Swedish. The translator returned Home Stupid. Hmm…
Simon Pengelly created Hands On Salad Bowl for British design house Joseph Joseph. It kind of falls under the category, Why didn’t I think of that? But then again, some of the simplest ideas are the hardest to come up with. For those of you who spend time at your children’s school potlucks – you know how often the salad servers are left behind. With this little piece of genius, that is not going to happen. Made from melamine, this bowl is beyond practical. We love it!
pod trays in new lightweight design – order before labor day and save 15%
pod1 $460
pod 1 w/block $495
pod 3 $480
pod 5 $540
@ ftf design studio
Calf & Half
A cream pitcher with a message – don’t forget who provides you with cream for your morning coffee… an hommage to the cow. This fun little piece is double walled glass and comes gift boxed. At $22.95, Calf & Half is a great gift idea @ Mxyplyzyk.
Among the far-sighted Danish architect Verner Panton’s most renowned works is the graphic pattern from 1960, “Geometry 1”, for which he was awarded The International Design Award in the US in 1963. Now, almost 50 years later, the stringent yet lively pattern is virtually more popular now than during the height of Panton’s popularity in the 1960s.
The Panton Geometry serving tray has a 15.7″ diameter. It is made of melamine. On Sale @ EmmoHome.
Ring in the new year by raising a new glass – and make sure its worth raising. Here are some we like, starting with the Inside Out Series by Alissa Melk-Teichroew. The idea of iconic forms like the martini glass and champagne flute are turned inside out, encasing the form. The double wall of the glass keeps your drink ice cold and the interior shape is unveiled as its being filled. Both available at Stitch Chicago.
The Float Collection by Molo suspend the champagne in an elegant but minimal form. The enitre collection is available through twentieth, Los Angeles.
Finally, the Aarne Glass Collection by one of the pioneers of the Finnish glass tradition, Goran Hongell. Aarne is mouth blown glassware which was awareded a gold medal at the 1954 Milan Triennale and is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The Aarne Champagne is a great way to ring in 2010.
You already know you’ve waited too long… but there are a few items you may be able to pick up locally (depending on where you live!) or get shipped out by tomorrow.
I love recommending things that I have already road tested – I gave these Cone Candles as Christmas gifts to some friends. They are substantial, free standing candles available in many colors. I gave the metallic version which are very pretty in a strong sort of way. The 12.5″ candles are about $20 pair or $86 for eight. They look really nice in numbers. Metallics are slightly more expensive.
Your eco-friends will love this Apero Bamboo Plate by Ekobo. The food safe plate/platter is made in Vietnam by Fair Trade artisanal communities. A feel good gift all around. About $25 each.
Ice Orb by Fusion Brand – you can freeze the cubes in this vertical ice tray and then store 51 cubes in the removable inner bucket. Great new shape for ice in your favorite beverage. $15.
The New York Times Home and Garden reports on the Metropolitan Home / Showtime show house , in NYC’s Tribeca, with room designs based on six network shows. This image is from a room designed by Marie Aiello and features knives by MKS in the unique clear knife block. For those who haven’t seen the giant billboards of a guy splattered with blood, Dexter is a show about a meticulous serial killer…
Update: I wrote about Chop2Pot back in June. Not only have I given it as a gift, I bought one for myself. I have to tell you this simple little idea is great!
Its not often you find a $22 product with its own movie… but in the case of Chop2Pot it is well deserved. This handy little product provides a flat polypropelene cutting surface. The board has been scored, give the handle a squeeze and the board forms sides so you can transport your work to the appropriate pan, mixing bowl or whatever the destination might be. I think this could be my newest gift idea – practical, thoughtful and affordable.