Average Items given the Steampunk Treatment

From a chess board to stereo speakers and a microwave, transformed into a steampunk, one of a kind.

Lifts, a serious side and a lot of Fun

We just wanted to make it clear that this is not a product endorsement.  We have chosen to feature the Terry Lift not only for the clear benefit this kind of technology can bring to a disabled person, but also the fact that it looks really cool and can fit in a really small home with more than one floor.  I know this will not be very popular in an age were exercising is not seen as a pleasure, but a means to keep from getting sick but, a lot of us would probably get into it and go up and down in it all day.  We have added a video that gives you more information.

Minipresso the Portable Espresso Machine

Hugo Cailleton, founder of Wacaco and the inventor of Minipresso had to battle with many factors that had to work simultaneously, in order for the product to work.  It had to be light, durable, aesthetically pleasing, small, it had to maintain the characteristic taste of an espresso and could not be constrained by mains power.  It took over ten prototypes, before they were happy with the end result.  Wacaco have 2 Espresso machines, one that works with ground coffee and the other one with cartridges / capsules which also means you can get cartridges of other product like all sorts of different coffees, teas, chocolates...  We have included 3 short videos below the first works with Ground Coffee the second with Cartridges / Capsules and the third shows the characteristic tones and foam of an espresso, just like the one that comes out of the machine.

Architectural Cardboard Night Lights

Dutch Animator and Film Maker Vera van Wolferen has many interests, but has a particular fascination with cardboard.  In this article we are going to share with you, her night-light Architectural Sculptures.  @VeravanWolferen creations can provide a very different type of light on your bedside table or, adorn your children's room where they can be used as a night light.  Once in the article you can enlarge the image by pressing it (not the first one).

Upcycled Iron Pipe Lights

Kozo Lamps are made out of upcycled iron pipes, with which they construct a fantastic array of designs.  David Shefa and Anati Shefa head the little team that construct these very versatile lighting sculptures.  These are some of the lighting options they cater for: desk lamps, table lamps, shelf lamps, wall fixtures & sconces, ceiling fixtures, pendants and even chandeliers.  We have included two short videos to show the details and specifically the switch, which is not a conventional one and is activated by a tap.  Once in the article you can enlarge the image by pressing it (not the first one).

Bulbing - Lamp Design

This deceptive night-light is very well designed and executed.  At first, it looks like fully 3D bulb, but when you turn it you notice that the designs are contained in 5mm (about 3/16 of an inch) acrylic sheets.  The base is made of plywood birch.  Nir Chehanowski from Studio Cheha is the creator of these clever and effective designs.  Chehanowski is launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for production (he has surpassed his goal with many more days to go).  As the Acrylic, lit part, is not locked to the base, you can get all the other designs and slot in, the one that suits your mood that day.  You can buy more bases if you like, all the combinations are shown on his very popular  Kickstarter page.

Dinnerware for Special Guests

Guaranteed to make a real impression on you're guests, this Dinnerware from Richard Brendon in London (they call Patternity Reason), is assured to weird-out your guests eyes.  Don't worry, the effect will be mostly lost when you cover the plates with food, you really don't want accidents to happen...  If you own one of these sets or you know someone that does, let us know in the comment below, what they are like in the real world.  To get the best effect, once in the article you can enlarge the image by pressing it (not the first one).

Tea Calendar

This would have been one of the best Year End Presents if it wasn't for the fact that only a limited amount were made for an advertising campaign.  Every day you tear off a sheet of tea for the day indicated on it and melt it in a hot cup of water, with different tea flavours for different days.  The company that came up with this concept was German company Kolle Rebbe that mounted their advertising campaign for Hälssen & Lyon.

If you like this have a look at Instant Columbian Coffee Cubes.

Folding Kettle - Novel

The Novel Kettle is a patented foldable machine that you can take wherever you want.  With and angular design and modern colours the Novel kettle might be a very good portable sterilising or boiling container (camping, small flats with small counter tops, B&B etc). Details of the parts that constitute the Kettle are listed in the article. Inventor of this innovative product is Stanislav Sabo.

Polar - Magnetic Pen & Stylus

A very different pen that uses magnets to assemble the shaft.  Because of its modular structure, you can take it apart and put it back together in different configurations, which can be seen in the video, in the article. The Polar Pen can be used as a normal Pen or a Stylus.  Canadian Andrew Gardner is using KickStarter to raise the money he needs to produce this pen.  With 21 days to go he has raised $379,178 when originally only asking for $14,000, amazing...

Spaghetti Measuring Tool

Simple but effective invention, that uses images to help people measure the amount of spaghetti they need to use for their meal.  The range goes from small child to adult to family, that is in the shape of a horse for when you are as hungry as one.  Created by Icelandic Stefán Pétur Sólveigarson. (via Reykjavik Corner Store).

Flexible LED Desk Lamp

Simple lines but very effective and good attention to detail.  The Fluida is a flexible LED lamp that can be configured in different positions, thanks to its magnetised base. to give different light effects to suit your needs.  The Fluida lamp is produced by Martinelli Luce.  To understand better the functions of this new design please have a look at the video in the article. Ps. As can be seen in the diagram this light has a USB lead so in theory you can take with you on your travels and connect to you laptop.

Smart Key

Smart Key finds a new way of keeping your keys in your pocket, without the conventional keyring.  Mostly used for flat keys, but can also be used for USB keys.  At the moment there are 2 sets one that can hold 4 keys and the other one that can hold 100.  This project has been over subscribed on Kickstarter raising to date $124,359 when originally only asking for $6,000.  The designer and inventor is Michael Patrick.  Have a look at the video for more details.

Ice Pucs

Pucs are machined from solid stainless steel.  They were invented as a substitute to ice cubes, when the drinker wants to chill their drink but not dilute it with water.  They will not dissolve or degrade.  Pucs do not absorb or release odours, they can be washed from time to time.
Sparkly Water.

Popcorn Chair

Is this the way of the future? furniture that comes in slab form (5% of original size) and then when heated or exposed to electricity it expands to it's original size and shape. This is the work in progress of Belgian designer Carl de Smet, via dezeen.

Espresso Maker Pcup

Very stylish and compact design for this new coffee maker.  This single cup serving experience was conceived by designer Seung Jun Jeong.

Instant Columbian Coffee Cubes

Instant Columbian Coffee with Sugar Cubes by Jiva Coffee.