Here’s a few unique tableware designs - the first, Soup/Cracker Mug from Harriet Carter may be just a standard coffee cup, but it’s made with a clever “sidecar” to hold cookies or crackers. The second image is Takito Co.’s Grooveware, an elegant series of dishes for fancy pantses and people with OCD. I love it! (Link via Normal Design.)

Transform an eyesore into the centerpiece of your room. You may think that wall outlets are the ugliest part of a high-end entertainment system, but the Outlet Wall turns that concept on its head. While this idea appears to be very costly, designer David Friedman suggests only wiring a certain number of outlets to save on the cost. Perhaps a little more appropriate for a bachelor pad or ”Man Cave” as parents will surely need one of those little plastic inserts for every hole not in use. (Link via Ironic Sans.)

There’s so much more to floor coverings than just simply covering the floor. Here are a couple of truly unique ideas, the first by Pravdoliub Ivanov as part of a 2002 installation. Quite striking and certainly achievable for any at-home entrepreneurs. Our second example is from the Hannes Grebin Design Studio, the “Perser” is a contrast of broken geometry and square, retro texture. I suppose great design doesn’t always have to be functional.

From 100% Design - We saw first hand, the awesome designs from Susan Bradley.  A great way to add dimension to your space.  Stunning three dimensional wall design. Available in a variety of materials and finishes, including stainless steel & powder coated steel. Perfect for interior or exterior spaces. See Susan’s site [ here ]

We’re excited at PureModern to have been asked to provide interior specifications and design for the Alteza Condos in San Antonio, TX.  The Alteza is the newest ultra luxury project being introduced in the hot central Texas real estate market.  Strategically located atop the new Grand Hyatt hotel, the residences tower over the city with the best views of the Texas hill country from every unit.  Visit www.altezaliving.com to view the stunning units now available for sale. 

More than just a place for storage, wall shelves can be an extension of your personal style. Take for instance the avant-garde style Baroque Bookshelves by Graham and Green. A simple yet elegant flourish is all it takes to really make these stand out. While the Large Comic Bookshelf by Fusca Design and Plusline Bookshelf by Måns Salomonsen say a bit more about the person brave enough to install them into their homes.

Brilliant concept by Tobias Franzel: a normal door that can instantly pivot down and create a ping pong table. It might not be regulation size but so what - while Ping Pong is fun, the tables can be some of the biggest wastes of space around. When finished, simply fold the table up and return to a standard door. Completely awesome. Link via Likecool.

The Uncanny Lamps are a series of shades designed to make the lights come alive: crawl up walls, hug table legs and squeeze into corners. Created by London-based designer Gitta Gschwendtner for an exhibition called the ‘Uncanny Room’ (via designboom). Pictured below, the Wire Birds lamp by the Henriquez Lara Studio is an inventive design made to look like crows on a power line. Very sweet and much more appealing than your typical wall sconce.

It Feels a little strange gearing up for 100% Design in London this year, considering we just left Maison & Objet with very little written about the experience.  We’re still sorting through the mass of information to share about M&O, but until then—we’re preparing to view all things cool at 100% Design - starting on Thursday!

Find a contemporary planter in any shape, size, color or texture imaginable! Our modern pots and planters are made of lightweight, durable and weather-resistant fiberglass, then textured with a range of beautiful finishes ranging from faux Aluminum, Lead, Weathered Terracotta to Stone. Longer-lasting, less expensive, lightweight and durable - everything you need in a planter, window box or trough. Our fiberglass planters can also be customized in any size, shape or colored finish imaginable. See our complete collection of sleek, stylish planters at Modern Planter.


Fairhaven Planter pictured above in custom Antique Copper Finish.

When simply giving the time isn’t enough - we feature a nice selection of modern clocks from BAI Design with a range of helpful functions. First the Here & There Wall Clock offers 2 independent time displays and saves you from the hassle of constant minor math problems when you wonder what time it is “over there” (wherever that may be). For a cute retro modern look, check out the Kitchen Timer Retro Wall Clock which includes a working, built-in 60-minute kitchen timer - a real must-have for any busy kitchen.


If that’s not enough, the Aluminum Weather Station Wall Clock (pictured left) gives you the time, temperature and humidity while the 8-in-1 Weather Station Wall Clock offers a barometer and calendar display in addition to those 3 features. See our full selection of clocks from BAI Design [ here ].

A finalist in the “house party” competition by designboom, the Gluttony Pendant Lamp by Luis Luna was originally exhibited at 100% Design Tokyo and is one of those rare prototypes cool enough to make me consider trying to build one myself. It’s a great design but bound to catch some heat in the states - we’re pretty attached to our flatware over here. Link via Industrial Design.

A new emerging trend spotted on Yanko Design: bedside rugs that do stuff. The Carpet Alarm Clock (pictured top) features an LCD clock that actually forces you to step on it in order to disable the alarm. Now while I really like the idea and design, I’m still going to need a snooze function on mine. And although I can’t really say as much about the Bedside Slippers (pictured second), it still looks like a fun accent for the forgetful or people with OCD.

Own a piece of design history brought to you by the Vitra Design Museum and Pure Modern. Pictured left is Frank Gehry’s Wiggle Stool from the Easy Edges Furniture Series - a collection of modern furniture made entirely out of corrugated cardboard. It’s actually much cooler than it sounds. A bit more traditional, Sori Yanagi’s Butterfly Stool and Isamu Noguchi’s Low Rocking Stool (pictured middle and right respectively) are two pieces of truly elegant contemporary furniture each originally designed in 1954 faithfully and officially recreated by Vitra and now available from Pure Modern.

We’re excited that we’ll soon be carrying cufflinks and keychains by Sonia Spencer Designs UK!  We first discovered Sonia Spencer in New York—and was impressed with the quality of the product, uniqueness of the design and how friendly the staff was!  Unfortunately, we got wrapped up in other projects and never pursued the product.  Shame on us!  Now we’re happy to be able to share her designs very soon!