reproduction

This is a reproduction of the classic "Womb" chair designed by Saarinen and originally made by Knoll (I think). The reproduction is around $600 and the original is around $4000. Would be interesting to compare them side-by-side and see if the original is worth the extra cost.

Oakley 3

Another good example. I do not think that it is so much that they have good too far with their Giger-esque alien organic aesthetic. Maybe it just feels extreme because it is so contrary to what everyone else is doing and what their target audience is buying. At least it is distinctive.

over the top

Of course the "time bomb" style below is better than this over-the-top collage of Tissot + Oakley + Casio + megatron. They seem to be searching for relevance but aren't paying attention their core demographic.

Oakley

They have been riding this form language for a little bit too long but this is still working. Although for $2700 you can buy a much nicer watch.

Timberland

Nice to see Timberland testing the elasticity of their brand. Given the rigidity of their retail spaces I thought the whole brand would be on the way out soon

bubble light?

Looks like bubbles to me but the official name is the balloon lamp

Holiday gift idea #14

Fun and really easy to get started but deceptively hard to master. You can get a basic set almost anywhere. Perfect for eve eve.

da Vinci

The name is over referenced but it does fit this break through. This is the medical robot that will be used to remove AM's lung.

Holiday wrapping paper

This only works well if you are giving a lot of gifts but it is pretty cool. Nice find T-dog

grab bag gift idea #1

Soap-on-a-rope is a classic grab bag gift and this student concept takes it up a notch

Braun Watch?

Braun used to be something special. Clearly they were a part of the design inspiration for most of the current Apple products starting with the original ipod. However, $680 for this chunker is a bit hefty. Especially with the heavy handed logo.

sprite

Partial evolution of the sprite can.

snow shovel

Looks cool but the push handle and the shovel surface are more aesthetic than functional. Colors look good though.

Holiday gift idea #13

Ebay is getting a little stale but there are still some good buys like these old scissors.

Holiday gift idea #12

Not just for kids the Disney App named water has a very well thought out structure, smooth expansion through the levels and is intuitive. The graphics might be a bit flat but the colors make up for it.

holiday gift idea #11

For under $20 this classic stanley flask is hard to beat. The enameled finish, texture and color are classic.

Wood iphone cover?

Prestige cordless kettle

Love the way the handle follows the form. Not sure I like the way the spout terminates. Appears to be a bit cut-off.

holiday gift idea #10

Wolverine 1000 mile boots. Simple, comfortable perhaps over-priced but then again how long will it take you to walk a thousand miles and need to buy another pair.

Holiday gift idea #9

Chicco racecar

Holiday gift idea #8

Try Mario Kart 7. Especially with Nintendo's lead game designer Miyamoto retiring after the launch of Mario Kart 7 and the new Zelda, now is the time to get one of his last big games. The boys have it for their 3DS and seem to love it but they play it on 2D mode most of the time.

holiday gift idea #7

Beefeater is not the best gin. I'd say it goes Karoon (sp?), Plymouth, bombay sapphire, tanguarey ten, tanguarey, bombay dry, then beefeater. But, with the holiday package it does make a nice gift.

More from the game

Here is Ian making confetti and enjoying his ear warmer hat (he had the hand warming packs held against his ear).

Buffalo Bills

Another horribly disappointing showing for the Buffalo Bills. But, it was the boys first game and they had a fantastic time cheering the Bills for a full four quarters, enduring the elements and of course the loud and colorful Buffalo faithful.

Barnum museum

You can see a piece of this gem from I-95. Hard to believe that Bridgeport has been beaten down for so long.

Fiskars

Design concepts by HEIBERG, Interesting handle form and evolution of the brand. Also a great example of the role of color and material in making a brand identity.

method

Very nicely sculpted bottle form from our friends at Method. Not sure that the "Bowl Patrol" part is necessary.

Armstrong

Or maybe this one, also at Morrison

Holiday gift idea #6

For those who have a lot more money to spend maybe an oil painting on aluminum by Chris Armstrong (at the Morrison Gallery).

Puma

Most times the giant mark does not work (like the current Polo application) but this one works.

Miami kettle

The mami kettle by stefano giovannoni, for alessi 2003. made of 18/10 stainless steel, this kettle is a beautiful addition to the mami series. designed with a magnetic stainless steel heat diffusing bottom, the handle and whistle are black polymide. use medium heat on this kettle due to the smaller base. dimensions: 10.25"h x 3.5"w x 9.5"d

holiday gift idea #5

Most of what Core77 has to say is bloated and muddled self-promotion mixed with overly-complicated self-importance but the comments on this hatchet from Estwing are right on.

Holiday gift idea #4

The Patrick Starr key chain

new sides are hard to find

Poblano, ham and corn pudding from Epicurious

2 large poblano chiles*
2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 2 large ears) or frozen, thawed, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted, slightly cooled
1 teaspoon salt
Large pinch of baking powder
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup instant corn masa mix (Maseca)**
4 ounces 1/4-inch-thick slices Serrano ham or prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 1 cup)
1 cup coarsely grated Manchego cheese (about 4 1/2 ounces)

CBD

Another example oft he the very refined, smooth technique

car body design

Cool technique made more compelling by the controlled palette. Not sure the exaggerated perspective is helping.

holiday gift idea #3

For all the tea in China by Sarah Rose is the story of Robert Fortune, the Scottish botanist hired by the brits to sneak into China and steal tea plants to be grown in India so that they could have better tea at a cheaper price in England.

Enzo at his best

I believe that this was done for Gerber and is called the gator.

smith black

A close up of one product mentioned in the previous entry this is a good example of the inspired vision and interesting intellectual ambition that falls short of creating a product that is actually desirable to own and hold.

zani and zani

Enzo is the man, no doubt about it. And I can see what he was going for with this new line for Zani & Zani. As good as the vision and inspiration are someone should have told him that the end result is just not working.

Holiday gift idea #2

Too stark to be a primary but any Muji makes a nice casual second watch just don't expect them to hold up to very much abuse.

packaging

Seen on die-line. The style of this is clean and simple but also has a unique feel.

Granite Hall

One of the boys favorite stops in Maine, the Granite Hall store in Round Pond. They like the candy assortment and the inexpensive toys but mostly they like being able to buys a bunch of stuff for $20.

little dipper

boardwalk

Evo Solo

Interesting form with a classic designer color choice. I believe that it comes with an additional part that covers the fork. Although they are known for their restraint when it comes to color, on this product they should have challenged themselves to step outside of the designer default and pick a color that is more appetizing and clean. This just comes off looking boring and dirty.

Holiday gift idea #1

Nintendo 3DS. The games are the same but the graphics are a bit better and the controls more nimble. This is a concept (much more slabby than and angular than the real thing. In the next gen they need to work on bringing the display close to the edges to keep up with what the ipad and iphone offer. They also need to do a better job of picking colors and deco.

Thomaston opera house

The proportions sort of remind me of the opera house right down the road from my house...or maybe it is just the postcard style faded printing.

saginaw

Postcard of the Saginaw post office. The detail is amazing. Construction started on the Saginaw Post Office on May 11, 1897 and dedication ceremonies took place on July 4, 1898. Originally established as EAST SAGINAW on September 15, 1851 the name changed to SAGINAW EAST SIDE on March 17, 1892. Then the name changed to SAGINAW on June 24, 1898. In the 1970's the county acquired the post office and rehabilitated it as the Castle Museum, and is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Saginaw County. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It is worth seeing if you are ever in the area.

sailcloth

Recycled sail cloth bags are everywhere. The texture of the material and the visual of the over-stitching is compelling but the patterns and forms are usually standard nylon bag forms. Would be interesting to see some new forms made just for the material.