Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
What better inspiration for a wine rack than a bunch of grapes? Grape is a modular wine rack that can be mounted on a wall, placed on a table top or sat on a floor. Interlock multiple units for a growing wine collection in all sorts of appealing configurations.
The rack is made of expanded polypropylene, a 100 percent non-toxic, recyclable closed cell foam. Because it’s both light weight and strong, the material is used as a packing material for high-end electronic goods which need maximum protection with minimal added weight during shipping. Reducing shipping weight has the added benefit of lowering the carbon footprint, adding to its environmentally friendly qualifications.
One unit holds 12 bottles and measures 23 5/8 x 15 3/4 x 7. Grape is sized to accommodate Champagne-sized bottles too.
Robert Bronwasser designed Grape in 2007. Son of an architect, Brownwasser is the principal of Smool, an award-winning and widely exhibited design firm based in Amsterdam.
Purchase here.
It’s that time of year again when urban folks experience seasonal envy toward those who can grill on their backyards. I say, embrace your limitations, fellow-urbanites, and check out this cool item from German designer Henrik Drecker, called Bruce Handrail Grill. As the name suggests, the piece is attached to the handrail of your balcony (or fire escape). It functions like a proper charcoal grill and takes as much space as a flower pot. The grill can also be attached to the wall directly for a more permanent arrangement. Love it!
(via like cool)
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
Appo Cork Trays are a great way to repurpose those empty wine and beverage bottles that might otherwise be discarded. Slide an Appo into the bottle neck to transform the container into an eye-catching centerpiece or serving tray for hors d’oeuvres. They also work well for creating nifty tabletop or shelf displays, especially when grouped together in bottles of contrasting shape and size.
The tray is made from renewable and durable cork, a substance with the practical benefit of simultaneously resisting heat, moisture, and cold to a degree unmatched by most materials. A tray measures 18 inches in diameter. Appo was designed by Carlo Trevisani for Seletti.
If your space is too tiny for a coffee table (happens a lot in NY) – here is a convenient and space-saving alternative: Couch Arm Wrap by Blisscraft&Brazen. The piece is made of solid wood and elegantly fits any standard sofa armrest. A perfect spot for a beverage, book or a tablet. And if your sofa is not a standard size – the arm wrap can be custom made to fit your particular dimensions. Beautiful idea well executed.
This Mondrian inspired vase by Danish designer Frank Kerdil is a real gem for artsy people living in small quarters. Aside from being high on visual impact, the piece breaks down into three individual parts. These containers can be conveniently grouped in different ways to suit your setting or tastes, or to accommodate differently sized flower arrangements. You can also use them separately. Brilliant! The vase is made of acrylic, which makes it a lightweight durable accessory. Available for purchase here.
I’m very impressed with this clever invention – Space Bar desk organizer. This elegantly-designed accessory minimizes clutter while providing additional USB ports for your gizmos. Who wouldn’t want that! And after the work is done – simply slide the keyboard into the designated space below the shelf and store your office miscellany — keys, phones, camera, chachkies, etc. — up top. The piece is made from brushed aluminum with white plastic accents. Available for purchase here.
If you are a neat freak, the smallest things can terrorize you. Crumbs, for example. How annoying and persistent they are!.. If this sounds familiar (and I envy you if it doesn’t) – this product will be a hit in your kitchen. The Scrap Trap is a tiny trash can that is attached to your counter. It comes with a handy sweeping brush and features handles on both sides. One of these handles can be attached to the top cabinet or a drawer. Close that compartment – and the receptacle will be positioned right underneath your counter. Now sweep/brush/whisk/wipe your mess directly into the container – and you can breathe again…
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Donald M. Rattner.
Noted Israeli metal designer Laura Cowan designed the plates in her Dune Seder sets with a distinctly curved profile to evoke the rolling dunes of the Sinai desert where, as the Passover story goes, the Israelites made their journey out of Egypt. There is also a travel version that comes in a metal box suitable for transport and compact storage.
Plates measure 4 x 4 inches, come 6 to a set and include a small round dish for the egg that attaches to the Beitsah tray by a hidden magnet to prevent the egg from rolling away. The tabletop version features a 13 x 9 inch Stainless Steel tray. Sets are available in two finishes: all Stainless Steel, or a mix of Stainless Steel and Anodized Aluminum. Each plate is hand-crafted and signed by the designer, whose collections include a modular matzah plate, interchangeable menorahs and dreidel sets.
This fun and attractive hybrid between a clothing hook and a mirror has been designed by London based designer Kirsty Whyte for Danish brand Normann Copenhagen. The piece, called Ready, consists of a round frame made of steel and a round mirror. Not only this shape looks lovely on the wall, it is ergonomic and won’t deform collars of your clothing. Perfect for an entry area or a bathroom. The Ready hook comes in six colors.
Pools is a minimalist collection of stoneware by Vancouver based design studio Fleet Objects. The line consists of plates, bowls and other types of multifunctional vessels that can be combined or used separately in many different ways. The pieces can work equally well as tableware for serving food and drink, vases for displaying flowers, containers for storing things, or all of these purposes depending on the occasion. Minimalist and multifunctional – the two of my favorite m-words… Add to this a well-thought-out color scheme that allows you to mix and match these pieces and always strike a beautiful combination. They make a great gift too. Available for purchase here.