the function key

God damn why does this clock have to be so expensive? It’s amazing. Really. It contains 12 unique typefaces (most from the 20th century, one from the 19th) that rotate with the date and time. I was going to get it for my boyfriend — his alarm clock recently kicked the bucket. But seeing as it’s $1,280, and he now knows my intentions, it’s going to remain at MATTER. Unless of course I strike oil at the bottom of my bathtub, heh.

These might not look like much at first, just a beautiful gradation of gray-scale in the shape of a spool of thread. But wait! Look further, they’re tables! And height-adjustable tables at that! Designed by Frederik Mattsson, “the Chick Corea of chairs,” these lovely tables would make a great place to have coffee or dinner — or even make a good home for a lamp. You get the drift, they’re multifunctional! And if you’re like me and have the urge to move your furniture around at least four times per year, they make for endless possibilities. Ok, maybe not endless, but definitely more ways than one.

Peeped first at Living in Andyland.

It’s official: Boston is having a heat wave. I almost keeled over walking to the T today while carrying (among other things) my lunch, my laptop, my Tom Wolfe hardback novel, and of course, the heaviest object of all, my wallet. It sure would have been nice to have this cold carafe of water on-hand. Oh wait, there’s a cool carafe right there!

But look twice: It’s not really sweating from the heat, it’s actually frosted to give the effect of an excessively cool beverage. The design makes your mind think the water is colder than it (probably) is and entices you take a sip.

Hie-Hie, designed by Nendo.

Dress up your fridge with these black and fluorescent magnets designed by Snowden Flood (what a lovely name) of London.  Flood includes an Eames rocker, Jacobsen Swan chair, Saarinen tulip chair, Pederson Icicle table, and a retro ceiling fan in each magnet set.

J. Mendicino’s Shorebird Vases remind me of the summers spent at the Delaware shore.

Sandpipers (depicted in J. Mendicino’s design) are my absolute favorite beach-loving bird. They hang out at the water’s edge and run into the surf as it leaves the shoreline, quickly (and delicately) escaping the crashing waves and returning to the hot sand for safety until the water recedes again. If you’re lucky enough to see these little guys, take some time to watch their patterns, surely they’ll bring a smile to your face.

What a fantastic object: a naked porcelain bowl meant to be altered by its owner. The Panier percé (or literally, the bored basket) arrives with embroidery thread, a needle, and instructions on how to create your chosen pattern (of which there are five).

Panier percé with Ratatouille embroidery kit
by Guillaume Delvigne and Ionna Vautrin

Each of Jennifer Graham’s delicate porcelain objects draw influence from textiles. She embosses the vessels with a pattern, texture, or stitching, leaving the edges as raw as bolts of fabric. The results? Finely crafted porcelain vases, bowls, tasting trays, and even lighting, glazed in lush hues.

Tasting Tray.

You probably use salt everyday, but where do you keep it? In a salt shaker? In the store-bought container? Well, I keep my salt (sea salt that is) in a salt pig. Since salt doesn’t ever go bad (unless of course the dreaded moisture invades), the salt pig keeps the mineral on-hand at all times, perfect if you need a pinch or a tablespoon, and its unglazed interior keeps moisture out.

Salt pigs: Emile Henry, France

Did you build monsterous castles out of Lego blocks when you were young? I certainly did. I also built these amazingly cool Malibu-esque beach houses (made especially for girls) out of Lego’s, too. Point is, you can further your love for those primary-colored blocks and integrate their charm into your home decor.

Cook eggs to perfection with the Lego Eggtimer, throw some Lego-shaped ice cubes into your cocktails, or bake a Lego brick for your honey! All available at the Lego Web site.

The owners of Boston-based company, Bob’s Your Uncle have opened a brand new design store in Fort Point Channel. Front, as the store is called, does in fact carry Bob’s Your Uncle products, but it’s really a conglomeration of design objects and gifts from around the world.

Martin and Michele Yeeles have yet to launch a Front Web site, but hopefully it will be coming in the near future. The store is also an exclusive distributor of Thomas Paul melamine plates, which I blogged about a few months back.