Surfing through the various online stores there are a few stores I love because of their large range of fun home-related items which are designed to make people smile. Two stores which I discovered and particularly like are Utility and Pedlars. Their design inspired items are yes a little bit more expensive but I do believe you get what you pay for and surely a smile doesn't carry a price tag! I came across a few great doormats and if you are entertaining a load of friends at Christmas - then surely a great entrance as a talking point is not a bad thing! I love the 'I am not a doormat' from Pedlars (£26.95),Utility have a larger range with my three favourites being the Vegas inspired one (£27.50), 'Oh No! Not You Again (£25) and the very edgy (for a doormat!) tattoo one (£27.50)
By: Valerie Brown
If you have a tiny little kitchen or living life as a student then this nifty little gadget might be of interest. The Nostalgia Electrics egg and muffin toaster features a wide 2-slot toaster and flip down griddle in one compact appliance. The non-stick griddle heats up to 450 ° and features a separate on-off control. Grill plate and drip tray remove for easy cleaning. Available through Bed Bath & Beyond for $29.99. Shipping in Europe not possible unfortunately.
Inc.com and Architizer teamed up to present the World's Coolest Offices and although Missing Link, based in Johannesburg did not take first prize... for us this is the winner. They have introduced graffiti throughout the office to create a relaxed urban feel and used furniture in an offbeat way (such as a bathtub as a reception desk) to carry across their non-traditional creative personality. The office also includes a treehouse, tattoo parlour, firing range (to help staff eliminate stress) and a fireman's pole. This is just awesome and so inspiring! Click to see all the other finalists.
Having visited Top Drawer, a retail buyer trade show in London it was impressive to see so many cool products to tempt retailers. On the love list was Scottish-based Claire McVinnie's quirky, vintage print bird clocks. They were totally original and just gorgeous. They retail for £34 through her own online store and also available through other retailers too. Visit www.clairemcvinnie.com to see more cool products.
The Kitchen Bull from Australian business Toro Legno combines unique, playful design with practicality. Designed in the shape of a bull, with cute little horns the Kitchen Bull combines a miniature bookcase, knife holder and chopping board and we think it is a great piece to have in any kitchen.
This Butterfly Clock from Utility Design is a creative way of bringing a unique wall feature to any room in your home and is available in various colours.
These Spaghetti pots designed by Karim Rashid for Vondom are meant to 'monumentalise' the plant, rising it up from the ground on its cool spaghetti inspired legs.
This pirate ship themed bedroom is fantasy come true for one little boy. This special commission was carried out by designer Steve Kuhl and includes a floating pirate ship, rope bridge that connects to a jail cell and a rope suspended from within the ship to the closet. Lucky kid!
Source: www.mymodernmet.com
I-Beam Design is a New York based architectural and design firm. They developed this child's play inspired LEGO bedroom. Using LEGO boards they covered floors and ceiling allowing children to re-invent their space, limited only by their imagination.
Fabio Teixeira is a Brazilian designer who has taken inspiration from the much-loved Rubik's Cube and created his KUB+ coffee table concept. This clever self-assembled piece of furniture comes with handy storage space and would be great for small living rooms or to brighten up office space.
