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July 27, 2007
If The Doorknob's A-missin', Don't Come A-knockin'
Who needs ties, notes, turned over potted plants, and other signals of privacy? Why not get a doorknob that recesses flush to the door? The Doorknob Condition designed by Arnaud Lapierre allows the person inside to retract the knob on the outside simple by pulling it in. So if the doorknob's a-missin', don't come a-knockin'.
More pictures after the jump.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)
You's Gon' Die If You Keep Smoking
Says the ashtray. Yes this ashtray actually calculates how many days you've shaved off your life by lighting up. A complex sensor weighs the amount of ash in the tray and calculates the sum of your life based off your own personal stats. The number is prominently displayed on the bottom of the ashtray. If that wasn't enough, the whole thing gets blacker if you keep smoking.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
July 25, 2007
Modern Pinwheel
Since I'm redecorating my apartment, I struggle to find a style I want to live with, be it post modern 50's or American traditional, I find there's one congruent theme; I like whimsical. But not a frilly whimsical. More like Alice in Wonderland set in the year 2100 type whimsical, which leads me to these metal pinwheels. I love them and at only $15 a pop, perfect for my oversize floor vase. So umm, anybody wanna buy one for me, or two, or three?
Posted by tranism at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Wet Tunes
I listen to the radio when I'm in the bathroom. A good 30 minutes could be spent in there every morning and truth be told, the bathroom is one room void of gadgets except for my shower radio, which is this transparent blue box that hangs from the shower neck. The Musical Shower Knob for all intents and purposes is an AM/FM radio that mimics a shower knob. Sure it probably doesn't match the fixtures you have now but it's a lot less intrusive than a transparent blue box. My only gripe with it is the antenna - when hidden looks fine but unwinds to this unruly wire that sorta juts out from the unit. In any case you can pick one up at the Funshop for $32.
Another picture after the jump.
via Gizmodo
Posted by tranism at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 20, 2007
All That Glitters In Gold
It's coated with 1 gram of real gold. Yes and apparently her name is Kitty White. She makes everything from socks to refrigerators and the fans buy them in hordes. I wish my business card was made of some precious metal. No scratch that, I wish I could charge for my business cards because these will set you back $85.
Posted by tranism at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Matchbook Faces
My new favorite blog, Roadside Scholar has a post about these insanely cool matchbooks. From what I can tell, there are several series, my favorite being the bunny rabbit above. Poor things don't wanna get lit up. Now I'm thinking maybe I should make one with little puppies. On the book itself write, "every time you light up, you'll have to kill one of us first". Then I'll hand them out to the smokers who lolligag outside during lunchtime.
Lots more pictures at Roadside Scholar.
Posted by tranism at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Post Modern Rocking Chair
Ron Arad's work is always devoid of sharp right angles so it's appropriate his latest rocking chair is called Voido. Looks somewhat like an infinity symbol bent at its center, the Voido rocking chair is sure to be a hit in my home. At $1,600 it may be awhile before I get one but that's what dreams are made of. Sure it's made entirely of molded plastic but throw some cushions on that thing and you've got yourself one nice book reading chair.
Posted by tranism at 4:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
I Want A Tissue Ring
Hey readers. Did you know I'm moving? Yea and did you know I'm getting rid of almost everything to start over? It's true and here's one item I want. It's the Toro tissue ring and it's exactly what you think. A perfectly weighted ring that allows only a single sheet of tissue to slip thru at a time. $18 only. So who's buyin' it for me?
Posted by tranism at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 19, 2007
I Shine A Media Player
Yea it looks like a flashlight but it doesn't flash any light at all. What it does do is project a media interface, pictures, and movies onto any flat surface. Why? Because it's a flashlight inspired multimedia player. In lieu of a screen you have to point at a wall and turn a series of knobs along the barrel to navigate. Quirky but kinda cool. The concept comes with a pair of wireless earbuds and a speaker docking station.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 2:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Lego Salt Pepper Shaker
This is too cool for words and pretty ingenious too. This combo salt/pepper shaker is actually made from left over Legos. The white column holds salt, the black column; pepper. The red Lego controls how much of each comes out just by moving the block around. It's unassuming and definitely a show piece for the kitchen. Too bad it doesn't have some cool Lego robotics built in. I can imagine a motorized pepper mill.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 2:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Skateboard And Curves
A hoy mates! I have a confession. I can't skateboard for jack. Never learned and when I did try, I found it easier to run bare foot on ice. The Curve Skateboard concept by Gary Chang may convince me to try again if it were real.
The Curve Skateboard only has two Michelin GP inspired wheels as opposed to 4. One in front, one in back. The rear wheel is flanked by a pair of smaller tires that taper out. This gives the ride incredibly maneuverability. We're taking sharp turns on a dime here. Hey Gary, if you make one, I volunteer to design the deck for you.
Another picture after the jump. More at Yanko Design.
Posted by tranism at 2:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
July 17, 2007
Hobbit Homes And Smurf Houses Have Nothing On This
Off highway 1 in California stands an odd structure you're sure to look twice at. Its form seems to be natural while the clean geometric lines say otherwise. It was designed and built in 1985 by James Hubbell who envisioned a post modern building that would harmonize with the surroundings. The entire structure is made from local stone, wood, and glass. The interior is accented with copper and intricate metal rods organically welded together. Is it some awesome house in the backwoods of California? No, it's a Chapel.
What a brilliant design. The sloping exterior roof is especially eye catching. To see rain water run down the entire length and drip into a stone basin is amazing. I'm in love.
More pictures at Flickr
via Roadside Scholar
Posted by tranism at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
July 12, 2007
Connext Be All You Can Be Device
It's a given, the future is all flexible screens and convergence technologies. The Connext concept by James Zhang takes that ethos to the extreme. Imagine a device made almost entirely of flexible E-paper able to simulate any interface to suit the given application be it a phone, game pad or video watching. What's more, we're talkin' ultra portability since its flexible nature allows it to turn into a watch.
From a full QWERTY keypad to a watch? That's hot.
More at Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
July 10, 2007
An Alarming Ring
You ever wake up to the jolting sounds of a repetitive "eh eh eh eh eh eh eh" and find yourself stumbling around trying to shut it off? I do, almost every morning and I'm tired of it. I'm ready for a new way to wake up.
The "Ring" is an alternative solution that fits a vibrating ring around your finger. When the right time arrives, the ring vibrates until you place it back on its charging cradle. What's cool about this is if you have a spouse that wakes up at a different hour. No longer will you disturb them. Too bad it's just a concept.
More at Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 6:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
July 9, 2007
Suction Cup Dog Bowl
Isn't this cool? Designed by the clever Seungchan Lee, the suction cup dog bowl is actually a placemat and dog bowl all in one. The specially molded mat forms a suction preventing it from slipping while creating the perfect holder for a dog bowl. This should make cleanup easy-peezy. Why is this still a concept? This needs to be in every Petco.
More at Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 4:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Two Phones Are Better Than One
This is kinda cool. The Duofone concept expands its capabilities by combining with it's partner. The screen becomes, bigger, battery life increases and they even look like a couple when charging in their dock.
More at Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 4:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
July 4, 2007
Smart Energy Saving Adapters
Did you know on average 10% of your monthly electric costs come from appliances in standby mode? Yes even in sleep, they can waste a lot of electricity. That's why this smart energy saving adapter concept is one I'm very intrigued with. Each unit monitors power consumption to one device. When it detects sleep mode, a cool organic light pattern appears on the top of the unit, beckoning you to turn off the device. If you don't respond within 3 minutes, the adapter powers the device off itself.
via Yanko Design
More pictures after the jump.
Posted by tranism at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)