The Roomba lawn robot revolutionized yard work–or at least that’s what the manufacturer wants us to believe. Seemingly, couch potatoes could do what they do best, and the lawn bot would cut the grass all on its own. Now there’s a new machine, GrillBot, that will do the same for your grill. It features three motors […]Read Post ›
Walking home in the rain is one thing, but there’s something special (and refreshing) about taking a shower alfresco. A jury-rigged hose fastened to the side of the house, of course, is unacceptable and, if I may say, a little crude. We’re not animals, after all. The elegant way to shower outdoor is in these […]Read Post ›
Most (if not all) modern architects are anal retentive, but they fall into different camps: There are the architects who favor the Tom Kundig approach in which the mundane elements of a building—rafters or the inner workings of door locks, say—are celebrated beautifully; then there’s the master of minimalism John Pawson, who takes the dictum “less […]Read Post ›
So last week the Design Within Reach e-newsletter popped up in my mailbox. I love DWR. They’ve managed to convince hipsters and design aficionados that they need cool modern furniture and bric-a-brac, but they’ve also manage to get people to pay a premium for said merchandise. But I digress. The lead story in the transmission, about a new line […]Read Post ›
Teak is one of the most desirable wood species in the construction industry. A favorite among boat builders and furniture makers, teak contains natural oils that resist moisture, cracking, and warping. Plus, it’s unbelievably gorgeous! The problem, however, is that teak is a tropical hardwood that is being harvested into oblivion. Wimberley, Texas-based Proteak says its […]Read Post ›
As if we didn’t have enough to hate lucky New Yorkers living in fabulous upper East Side pied-à-terres and hip Tribeca lofts, now comes a book to show us yet another reason we’ll hate them even more. We’re kidding, of course, but not really. April 19th is the launch date of Rooftop Gardens: The Terraces, Conservatories, and […]Read Post ›
Italy and Germany’s place in design is undisputed, but what country has a stronger case than Denmark as the place for good design? Witness the names: Hans Wegner (Shell Chair), Arne Jacobsen (Ant Chair or Egg Chair), or Poul Henningsen (PH5 pendant), and many others. It’s in this tradition that we bring you the Knife Magnets and […]Read Post ›
It’s nice when you find a company that applies a little thoughtfulness to a utilitarian object, but it’s downright awesome when that object turns out to look like these Spore doorbells. Available in round or square designs, the pieces feature a long-lasting LED bulb, a colored-resin button and trim, and an anodized aluminum faceplate. It […]Read Post ›
For every product you can put in your house, there’s a high-end version and a low-cost alternative that looks just as good. This Richard Neutra collection of modern house numbers by Design Within Reach is a case in point. True to the 1930s originals that the architect used on his houses, the numbers are made from weather- […]Read Post ›
McGuire Furniture Co. It came to our attention that we don’t blog about enough traditional products—Noted!—so we found some that you might like. The Antalya Collection by McGuire offers 12 pieces that are rooted in traditional design but with pared back lines. Inspired by the Mediterranean city of the same name, the outdoor collection is made from […]Read Post ›
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