eco smart fire

the eco smart system seems pretty simple and amazing--it is an envorinmentally friendly open fire place that burns clean denatured ethanol. it needs no hard connection and no flue, making it a pretty versatile solution for anyone--even rented spaces! [via]

TED talks

The TED (technology, entertainment, design) conference only happens once a year in monterey, but you can stream talks from some of the worlds best designers, innovators, and thinkers year round on their website. just a little something to inspire you in your cublic. some of the higlights include ross lovegrove, malcom gladwell, & david pogue. find it all here. [thanks chris!]

rooftop dwellers

mvrdv has figured out how to build rotterdam up, intstead of out with these rooftop homes. they actually look great up there. see more images here.

droog rag chair

this is a fantastic idea to use up some old pillows and quilts. just don't pay $4170 for this chair--make your own princess-and-the-pea creation. [via]

beijing olympic torch

the new torch for the upcoming beijing olympics was designed by lenovo, a pc manufacturer. he ultralight torch is meant to symbolize a scroll from the front, but from the top you can see the traditional chinese symbol of the cloud. The orch is red with gold accents, the colors of luck and royalty. [via]

jaime hayon at milan

i love this new chair by jaime hayon, the shape and patterns really communicate his unique style, as does that amazing wallpaper in the background!

this is part of d*sponge's coverage of the milan show--which i am so greatful for! check out the full story here.

best things in life are free

i love this spontaneous creativity- it's an anonymous trash installation near the site of milan design week. the sign next to it says "please complete!" [via]

table teresa

super interesting play on materials, table teresa by citi & simonelli at salon satellite 2007. [via]

isomera chair

isomera chair by philippe bestenheider, one of the winners of the promosedia design competition. i love the proportions-very fun little chair. [via]

start here

start here is a new system of customized notebooks, intended to keep all of us “organized, inspired, and productive”. You can completely customize the note books to your personal needs, & and best of all, start here only use “green” and recycled materials! [via]

inspiring workplaces

check out this flickr pool of inspiring workplaces. this one from bosch & fjord, is an entire room of white board space. [via]

yo amo leche!

if you like milk and cute graphics as much as i do, you will like this site.

love beads

kawari dama is a string of beads made from coloured sugar with lover beads inside. it is intended for pleasure derived from a private ritual, the enjoyment of slowly sucking the beads and the unexpected find of a concealed preciousness. [via]

objects as texture

i love the camoflaged objects on this wall, the frames are an especially quirky idea. [via]

heartbreak

tjep's heart break necklace is a fragile porcelin heart, connected to a strong titanium hammer. the heart will crack, but never fall apart, due to a rubber core holding it together. [via]

bantie!

Bantie is a textile company based in Stockholm, with beautiful color and pattern options. Pictured above is Paradis, and Bubbel. Check out their full collection which includes not only fabrics, but other interioir items. [via]

roules au sucre

mmm, sugar rolls for breakfast, and in such a cool little bowl. [via]

swiss chalet

a less traditional approach to a seasonal alps dwelling. without the amazing view, i'm not sure how much charm it would have. [via coolhunter]

frazier & wing mobiles

beautiful paper mobile from frazier & wing, made from old magazines...very resourceful. [via bloesem]

thisnext.com=perfect gifts

discover, recommend, and shop thisnext.com is a collective site for cool products and fun gifts. you can browse gifts from many different sites on thisnext, where items are categorized by users in groups like "eco-stars for earthday."

time magazine: the style and design 100

check out time magazine's 100 list, which spans all design categories including interior, textile, fashion, green design, and more. They've highlighted some great studios and designers...and some not so great ones. you be the judge.

more from alberto...

alberto cerriteno

my friend katie just passed along the work of illustrator and designer alberto cerriteno of portland. his characters are so cool and the details and texture really bring them to life. alberto does print as well as animation and web design. [thanks katie!]

keds

keds is really turning things around this year--they've realized the potential of their original sihouette, and hired a few illustrators and designers to liven things up a bit. the resulting collection is fun, versatile, and surprisingly affordable. especially check out the collaboration with designer zero maria cornejo.

sara singh

i never get tired of sara singh's work. these simple water color skethces are so pretty and juicy. looks like marie antoinette in the middle...

new blik

great new collection available at blik, this bamboo is so light and springy. [via d*sponge]

volksware carpet

silke wawro of germany is interested in exporing the emotional bond that consumers have with their products. the volksware carpet trys to give new meaning and use to a person's cloth consumption throughout the course of their life. [via bloesem]

new jongerius

oh hella....what were you thinking this time? [via d*sponge]

all dressed up

i really want this shirt. [via the sartorialist]

new young pony club

i love these guys-check out ice cream.

market tote

check out this limited edition market tote from timbuktu. the print is so nice, and i bet the bag is indestructable.

mmm brioche

wow, this looks amazing. too bad it takes about five hours to make. how are you supposed to have it for breakfast?

every man jack

a stylish new line of all natural men's products debut at target next week! high quality, simple packaging, and no product over $4.99. [via notcot]

warm & fuzzy

wooly lamb tea cozy from rose & radish

origami glow

illu stration's 100% felt origami floor lamp. [via moco]

google gets personal

make your own customized homepage...mine displays the current weather at cartoon bustop...nice little illustration. make yours here.

evian chandelier

cool recycled lamp by rina bernabei and kelly freeman. the blue caps really make it fun. [via pan-dan]

lucky charms

demaskersvan designers collboratively created a beautiful series called "lucky charms", ceramic tableware connected to a ceramic chain. you assemble your own chain of tableware centerpieces; it is like putting jewelry on display on the dinner table… nice idea. [via bloesem]

julia rothman

this pattern maker has opened a print shop! cool website too. [via d*sponge]

good morning 3191 style

a lovely pair from the portlands, 3191 miles apart.

test tube shelf

i love how the plants run right throught the shelf--very cool design.

cole & son

fresh wall patterns from cole and son, seen at london design week [via print&pattern]

trek lime

automatic shifting and seat stashing capabilities. nice job trek! [via notcot]

very brooklyn

a few moco highlights from the very brooklyn show happening this week at Commissaires design gallery in Montreal. I love those simplified awards--nice play on the badge & trophy walls people have in their homes. [via mocoloco]

vodka flavoured vodka

.

icelandic reyka vodka has a new ad campaign that is simple and really clever. they are animated in a cut woodblock style and pretty halarious. actually the vodka also sounds really amazing, it is filtered through lava rock! check out the ads here. [via notcot]

lovely luggage

travel in style with these great patterned bags. the little passport case in the corner is so delicate! (left to right, top to bottom: Small Wheelie Travel Case by Orla Kiely, Seahorse Suitcase by Halsea, Leather Passport Case by Temperly, Canvas/Leather Pouch by Temperly, Sunspot Travel Case Corner Store Shopping Trolley by Orla Kiely, and Hopsack Luggage from Free People.) [via oh joy]

new method!

method is launching a line of body care products in mid-april, called "bloq." the products available will include body wash, lotion, shave cream, and bar soap...available in four scents that have been designed to match four moods: green mint for the "go getter", water flower for the "pure minimalist", beach sage for the "escape artist", and citron leaf for the "eternal optimist." can't wait to try them! packaging looks interesting as always! [via happy mundane]

omotesando climbing wall

check out this climbing wall made up of frames, taxidermy, and various other wall decorative items. designed by nendo and located in a tokyo's fashion district gym. classy! [via core77]

exploring the sacred, modern along the ganges

npr often has radio expedition series, and the current one, in five episodes, takes us along the ganges river to discover changing northern india. the sounds and descriptions are so vivid, it's amazing what radio can do. listen here.