IKEA sent us a sneak peak of some products to come this April – here are our favorites:

The KNUBBIG table lamp by Michiko Nakata (above), with floral graphics on clear and frosted glass spheres. We love the bright colors of the GUNVOR fabric by Anna Salander (bottom left) and the very sweet BARNSLIG cushion by Maria Vinka – a pillow for keeping your hands and feet warm. The design and colors of the cushion remind me of kids pajamas.

We were at IGF this weekend and saw these Artist Collection Glasses, available at Molla Space, are something I haven’t seen before. I like that it’s a limited edition of a banal and everyday object. Each glass comes with a coaster by the artist and the case with the artist’s bio. The coaster is displayed in the top lid.

Thomas Bernstrand is a multi-disciplinary Swedish designer who makes everything from glassware, to furniture, to lighting, not to mention that he designs architectural interiors, as well. He designed the Uddabo table for IKEA, which combines a dining table with a work table. I could definitely use one of those! Too bad the US IKEAs don’t carry it (though it may just be out of production, since it’s an older design). Also interesting are his Burk Glasses – a series of glassware inspired by beer cans. Thomas appreciated the ergonomic comfort one finds in drinking beer out of a can – the lip fitting perfectly with the folded part of the can – and translated that into a classier, glass version.

Hello, sexy! The Slant glass is by Teruhiro Yanagihara of Isolation Unit. I love the form and the delicate imbalance of the glass and the liquid inside.

Sean and I put together today’s gift guide over at Notcot. It’s filled with (mostly) affordable picks from our favorite designers. We hope you will check it out, along with the rest of the gift guide that Jean has worked so hard to put together…

Left to right: Decanter N°2 by Etienne Meneau, Full Contact Spice Grinder by Mint, and Bubble necklace by Brevity (yes, me!).

Happy holidays!

Hi Folks,

We hope you caught our gift picks for him this week – watch the ideas column next week for christmas decorations.

Left to right: Dart Coat Hooks by Suck UK, Decanter N°2 by Etienne Meneau, and the Snow Wallet by Ulterior Motive.

I saw these inverted candle sticks on Moco Loco and love them. Designed by Alberto Mantilla and Anthony Baxter for Mint, the Abra Candelabra is made from hand-blown glass. It seems like this “inside-out” idea is cropping up all over the place. I first remember seeing Emiko Oki’s Pint Glass Series back in February of this year, and not so long ago Alissia MT’s Inside Out Glasses. I like the trend, but I’m glad to see it moving beyond drink ware. Anyone who can point us toward other “inside-out” products, please feel free to leave a comment!

Oof (which somehow translates into “Out of Office”) is a collective of young graduates from Britain’s Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication. My favorites: the Cloud Sponge is a playful bath sponge, the Watering Mug is shaped so as to remind you to water the plants after having a cup of tea, and the Musical Comb.

Via Core77.

Yesterday was a crazy day (thus the lack of posts), but I did make it to the Artful Home preview show at the Puck building (love that place!). The evening provided a great opportunity to meet artisans and to see new work in the glassware, ceramics, jewelry and textiles fields. Some of the highlights:

The glassware tended to be colorful – lots of bright pastels (is that an oxymoron?). The Spike Bowls by Hudson Beach Glass and Nicholas Kekic’s collection of vases were gorgeous, and I loved their forms.

Ananda Khalsa had some jewelry in the show, and it is truly more beautiful in person than it is in photographs. Everything is so delicate and intricate. The Stacking Bowls are by Kaete Brittin Shaw.

I had the pleasure of meeting Laura Goldstein of Grotta & Co, who make very cool silk screened throw pillows. The designs tend to incorporate personal elements, such as handwritten letters from her grandma and old musical scores.

The Artful Home show is open to the public starting today through Sunday at the Puck building in Manhattan. There is unfortunately a cover charge – tickets are $12 in advance and $20 at the door (steep, in my opinion!). Check it out if you are in the area. Have a good weekend, all!

Jean over at Notcot. posted about Alissia Melka-Teichroew’s gorgeous Inside Out Glasses. When empty, the glasses all have the same shape. When filled with liquid, each glass reveals a traditional, recognizable form. A nice play on negative space. Check out more of Alissia’s great body of work on her website (Sean actually proposed to me with Alissia’s diamond ring!)