Slow Cooker by Margriet Foolen for Royal VKB is a great way for those who don’t know how or just don’t like to cook to turn out some pretty impressive meals – added bonus, very few pots to clean since the cooker doubles as a serving plate. Watch the demo…
Okay but not just any thermos, this Royal VKB’s Fresh Traveller. For those of you who tote your treats, you know this is a winner. For those who don’t, watch the movie, you just might become a believer…
Nambu Tekki Cookware designed by Sori Yanagi in 1999 won the Good Design Award in 2001. What makes this line special, besides its simple good looks, is the thicker iron which helps distribute heat more evenly and the gently curved edges which make pouring from the pan easy.
MKS Knives are serious knives that have been precisely tuned for weight, balance and control. The blades are made to facilitate quick and precise cutting. But these knives are pretty fun too with their bicycle grip handles in blue, red or green. MKS Knives are a favorite of executive chefs Patrick Connolly at Bobo in the West Village and Russel Moss at the 92nd St. Y TriBeCa. According to Connolly “A knife is very personal. Its weight and balance should never obstruct what your brain is trying to do to the thing on the board. For me, it’s something that I have in my hand several hours a day, so it has to fit me perfectly. I also like the fact that this knife has some character.”
Adam Simha is the man behind the knives. Impressed at an early age by his uncle-Harvey-the-Butcher’s knife collection, Simha’s knives were a long time in the making. After several jobs in the food business, a physic’s degree from MIT, a welding class that fired him up and studying under master bladesmith, JD Smith – MKS Knives were born. His knives were to be a pleasure to use and “compelling objects to have around.” Mission accomplished.
You can find MKS Knives in NYC at Brooklyn Kitchen and Bowery Kitchen or at MKS online.
Moscardino Sporks, the ultimate picnic utensil, were designed by Giulio Iacchetti and Matteo Ragni who were reportedly inspired by the Mediterranean Octopus. This piece is made from a 100% cornstarch compound and is entirely biodegradable. They were shown recently in Milan in bright white – not sure if this color is commercially available, but the Spork is available in packs of 25 for about $24.
The design is manufactured by Pandora Design, Italy which produces items for the temporary table. The company began by responding to the needs of large scale caterers that were looking for functional yet aesthetically pleasing designs. The company has produced some really interesting designs, take a look!
How cool are these – Magnito Salt and Pepper shakers are magnetic, they stick together to work like a gently rotating top. Thoughtfully designed so that the salt and pepper won’t intermingle when joined. Labeled so you know which is which. The shakers are about 5″ in diameter and there is a mini version available in a 1-1/2″ diameter (I’m thinking these would be great for picnics). About $14 for the large set @ Property.
This is what its all about: good, working design. Ice Orb takes that simple concept of displacing water to make a vertical ice tray. Fill the outside container, place the storage bucket inside and freeze. Use the interior bucket to store up to 30 ice cubes (its makes 21 at a time),chill champagne or keep picnic foods cold. Moreover, the shape of the cube is a welcome variation. There’s even a movie to show you how its done, check it out >>
I think it must be gratifying for an architect to design and produce products. Compared to the time frames they are used to: years, decades, maybe more, product design must give some sense of immediate gratification. This Serving Set, designed by Renzo Piano in 1998 combine stainless steel with a natural wood handle. The soft curving edges make for a timeless and graceful appeal. At about $115 for the set, this makes a very nice gift.
As part of the same collection, Piano designed cutlery in the same easy profile. This sells for about $100 per place setting.
Strainer by Boje Estermann for norman COPENHAGEN is the kind of product I love: functional, storable and nice to look at. My current strainer takes up an undue amount of cupboard space and I am always stacking things inside it to utilize the extra air space. This Strainer is only about 9″ diameter, collapsible, made from long lasting materials: heat resistant rubber and stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. I think this would make a great practical yet interesting gift.
The strainer is based on an earlier design for a collapsible funnel. The story is that Estermann, too, had limited storage space in his kitchen. While using a funnel, he began to think of his reflex camera with its accordian sunscreen. He applied this concept to the funnel and later the strainer and put the ideas into production with Normann Copenhagen.
My idea of solving the Palmolive-Dishsoap-Bottle-on-the-Counter problem was to buy the really small size so it would be less noticeable. That was until I saw Soapfoamer by Menu. How great looking is this little guy? You simply fill the base with water and dishsoap, replace the top, give the scrub brush top a few pushes and get to work. I especially like the idea of watering down the soap. Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but all of them are “super concentrated” – which I think means you get less, use the same amount that you’ve always used, and end up buying more product. Priced at about $40.
I have purchased several Menu products in the past, always as gifts. They are well designed, affordable luxuries that I feel good about giving. Check out the Menu Rubber Vase and Salad Tongs, two of my favorites.
SoapFoamer Stripe is now on sale at Emmo Home $30.36