d3

Functional design: great towels & sheets

So this is a recession-friendly post moreso than a strict design post. But I figure these are items that we all use every day, yet struggle over when it comes time to buy, so why not...

I recently decided that my 4-year-old Jonathan Adler towels from BB&B have reached the so-thin-they're-painful stage (which means that probably everyone else in my house, and my guests, reached that stage at least a year ago. I'm strangely stoic when it comes to things like this). So I'm doing a trial run with $10 bath towels I found from Target's Thomas O'Brien Vintage Modern line. Now, the fact is that these towels aren't particularly interesting from a visual design perspective - rather ordinary, in fact, though certainly not offensive in any way. They're just so thick and rich and delicious that I love them. They dry easily (a problem I've discovered with some thick towels, and just grosses me out beyond belief. I'm not so much into inviting mildew onto my body).They're also surprisingly lightweight, which matters if you're a big towel-wrapped-around-the-head sort of person. I went with white, of course - but there are many great colors available. Highly, highly recommend these...

[Note - it appears they're only selling these as bath/hand towel/wash cloth sets for $25 online; the bath towels are available a la carte in stores for $9.99. Really. Amazing.]

Next up on the function front - sheets. Also recently needed to re-stock the family sheet collection. Between dog, 2 kids, and the two of us our bed takes quite a beating. That said, it is our family oasis, and I really need amazing sheets to make it so. I just took a gamble and bought two sets of these from Overstock.com, and am thrilled. We especially love the darker, mocha-colored set ("truffle"); the "stone" color is sort of blah. 400-thread-count, lovely Egyptian cotton, really amazing. And $60 for a king sheet set! Hard to beat. Get'em while they last...

Conran Shop Collector's Series: Picasso pitcher

This isn't particularly modern but I'm captivated anyhow.

It's got a good story behind it, and it's so lovely and sculptural. Read all about it here...

Picasso Jug, $110, Conran Shop

More great gift ideas...now under $40!

Check out this great post from my pal Steph at Fab & Frugal, a fantastic new resource for women who wish to maintain responsible finances while living in the fabulous manner to which we all wish to be accustomed. A list of great, thoughtful gifts for less than $40...

Great Modern Art/Design/Wine Gifts for Under $50

Okay, the theme isn't new. But I'm short on time (and sleepy) so you'll just have to appreciate my attempt to give you some gift-giving options that are fun, creative, and cheap - all under $50. I hope to keep rolling more out as the week goes on...we'll see how I do. In the meantime, you should be able to get your hands on any of the following in time for Xmas...

2009 Pentagram Typographical Calendar (12"x18") - I gave this calendar, pictured at right, to a friend of mine (and myself) a month or two ago...it's gorgeous and functional. $32 (includes ground shipping!) at kenknight.com

I saw another gorgeous calendar at Etsy...this one is quite small, but printed with very modern images of nature on premium, heavyweight matte paper, and sold with a clear clip that mounts to the wall...brilliant.

While we're on paper - I just saw this poster at our cool friends Tom & Leah's house last week. It's fantastic. And $22! My favorite is the LA version, but most major US cities are represented...find your here.

Other quickies...there's still time...how 'bout a cute fake tree? A 3' version from Urban Outfitters is just $28. Or an unusual bottle of sparkling wine (a $20 Gamay from the Loire Valley - bubbles are v. modern, you know...)?

A gift that's really useful but that you're unlikely to buy for yourself is the best kind (well, second best, after a gift that's fabulously UNuseful, of course). This recycled carafe & glass set, $22, certainly fits the bill.

One last quickie before bed - long time readers of d3 (that's you, Mom!) kno I'm obsessed with 20x200.com. If you aren't too, you should be. Anyhow, my latest love on this fanw thattastic art site is this image by artist Jane Mount. It's a gorgeous way to give the gift of art (it's hard to see here...do check it out, it's incredible - and $50).

More to come. Merry, merry!

MUJI Acrylic Jewelry Box

This one gets right to a problem I have - jewelry storage. My jewelry is currently stored in a tupperware bowl on my bathroom counter. Yeah, not so design-forward, nor so effective - I've thrown away more than one piece that ended up destroyed by water and hand soap...

So Muji to the rescue, with this acrylic jewelry box for the MoMA design store. Function meets form that for once isn't too frilly, traditional or girlie for a modern interior. Great gift for a girl like me who loves modern design, and shiny things (I'm sort of like a crow that way...).

MUJI Jewelry Box, $39.50 ($35.55 for members) at the MoMA Design Store

Print Your Way Into My Heart

This is a super-brilliant, easy gift for your lov-ah...(though sadly they won't get it till mid-January, still worth sharing)...$25 for a 18" x 24" digital print from artist Christopher David Ryan.

Ben Weber, photographer

This is a bit of a non-sequitur but the indirect connection to this blog is the concept of cool design all around us. A gentleman of my intimate acquaintance, Mr. Ben Weber, recently published this photograph taken on his iPhone. I think it's stunning. Too bad it's not higher res...

Ooh, fun - Dwell Holiday Daily Sweepstakes

This pretty much verbatim from Dwell.com:

"Today Dwell launched the Dwell.com Holiday Giveaway -- live on the site from Dec. 3rd through Dec. 23rd.

"This is Dwell's daily holiday drawing that gives a new modern product away to a lucky winner each day through December 23rd. Please enter yourselves and pass along to any friends, family, colleagues, or just modern design fanatics that might be interested. BTW, there are some very cool products at high-values."

 There's some good stuff in there - and it appears they're doing some special discounts in addition to giveaways. I'm digging the Sporadic Wall Panel wine holder in walnut (retail value $168), the Timber Table from Gus Modern ($235) and the Slim Cargo laptop bag from Acme Made ($250 for the version that appears on the sweepstakes calendar).

Tis the season to win cool goodies, after all...

My Mansion...planter

This is the item that motivated me to start blogging again:

I saw it in some magazine (California Design somethin' somethin') while eating breakfast at Whole Foods a few weeks ago with the family, and somehow this lovely item was able to break through the clutter of overhead music, coo-ing baby, climbing/giggling/syrup-covered 4-year-old to make an impression on me.

Later the same day, Ben & I wandered into a shop where there was a 75% off table. What was on it? None other than the Mansion Planter - a 4 inch tall concrete wonder. It's been sitting on our dining room table ever since (as a candle holder). I can't tell you how much delight it brings me.

Best price I've found online is $120 - it's a special gift, but the right person will really love it, I promise!

Girl, Turn Your Records On...

Clementine Press, a letterpress based here in LA, is offering free shipping this week (via Etsy) only on their cool designs. Get this 8 x 10 print for the music aficionado in your life...real art for $15!