MDT-tex Tulip Umbrella

Thanks to reader Frederika for sending us a link to MDT-tex's Tulip Umbrella. The base is a bit clunky, but I love the inside-out action and the elegant shape of the umbrella itself.

Union Bench

Jangir of i do design sent over their latest design, the Union Bench. The Union Bench is a beautiful alternative to the standard park bench, and provides the user with more flexibility by allowing one to sit facing in any direction. The desire is to foster a more communal mode of public seating. The bench has an indoor version made of glass reinforced plastic (fiberglass?) with leather seats, and an outdoor version made of concrete and wood. If you're able to make it to Milan for this years Salone Satellite, i do design will be exhibiting the Union Bench at booth A-58.

Burton Premium Sleeper Hoodie

A very cool idea for the weary traveller from the Burton catalog: The Sleeper Hoodie. Available for sleepy men and women. It includes a built-in inflatable neck rest in the hood, snap-in/out light shield and eye mask for catching up on sleep between stops. Or, use it in the back row of your math class...

Sno-Baller

This weekend Sean and I went to Connecticut for a getaway, and much to my happiness, there was about a foot of snow on the ground (New York City hasn't really gotten any this winter). We went sledding and hiking and I would totally have started a snowball war if I had had one of these Sno-Ballers with me. How great are they - no more freezing, cold hands and the Sno-Baller *claims* that you can make up to 60 snowballs a minute (though, if you aren't a machine, I'm not sure that's really possible.)! But regardless - it would make for an awesome snow fight! Also very cool is the Snow Block Maker, which is basically a plastic bucket that acts as a mold for snow bricks. Backyard igloo, here I come!

Via Cool Hunting.

Studio De Makers Van

The Cinderella table by Studio De Makers Van is something of a mind bender...It's got a crazy shape going on (you can't see it from the photo above, but it morphs into a semi-circle as you move around the table - check out the 3D model on the Studio De Makers Van website). What I like most about it is the traditional profile it mimics in an nontraditional way. I almost wish they had simplified the form so that it didn't morph quite so much, but it is a very beautiful table. The Cinderella table is made up of 57 individual pieces of birch plywood. Also very cool is the Lace Fence, which is a reinterpretation of a common outdoor element. SDMV describes it beautifully as "hostility versus kindness, industrial versus craft".

Jeroen Verhoeven, Judith de Graauw and Joep Verhoeven founded Studio De Makers Van after graduating from the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2004.

National Geographic - Wildlife Motion Detection Cameras

Ever wonder who is stealing the cheese out of the fridge? These Wildlife Motion Detection Cameras from National Geographic might solve that problem right quick. Triggered by heat and movement, both the 35-mm and digital models of these simplified all-weather cameras take multiple images to capture backyard wildlife. Equipped with a wide-angle lens with 60-degree field of view and two test modes, these cameras will run for 21 days of 24-hour operation before needing fresh batteries. NG makes both a digital (left) and 35mm (right) version for all your cheese-nabber needs. And they are incredibly affordable at $60-$70 each.

Ellington and EMS heritage briefcases

These retro-inspired work bags would be great for the fall when the bulk of the fabric won't make your back too hot. On the left is the Ellington Clark Canvas/Leather Briefcase. And on the right is the EMS Lewis Messenger.

Tejo Remy - Playground Fence

The Playground Fence by Tejo Remy is a translation of what is normally a mundane object - by manipulating the fence he reprograms it, creating seats and play areas. What is normally built as a barrier or a separator becomes an area for connecting and hanging out. Beautiful idea!

Via Inhabitat.

BCXSY

This is the coolest swing ever. It doubles as an outdoor light and would make you the most popular kid in the neighborhood. The Swing Lamp comes from BCXSY's Play! collection.


Via MocoLoco.

Flash UL Pack by REI

The Flash UL pack by REI is a neat little pack built around a minimalist attitude. Stuff-sack simplicity with a few perks like the daisy chain, tool loop, hydration compartment and internal slots for the ten essentials.

95th Anniversary Double L Fly Outfit

If you don't know the pleasure of fly fishing with a bamboo rod, you're missing out on one of the most serene and natural joys in the world. Flyfishing is all about the romance of nature and using a fiberglass rod doesn't fit right (and they cast like a sack of bricks). In contrast, the flexibility of bamboo translates each flick of the wrist down the length of the rod as if it were a true extension of your body.

Only 25 of the The 95th Anniversary Double L Fly Outfit by LL Bean will be produced. Made by hand by master rod maker Gary Lacey of Granger Bamboo, each one of the $3,000 kits is pretty special.

Frederik Molenschot

Very cool patio tiles from Frederik Molenschot. The Solid Poetry tiles contain hidden patterns that emerge when wet. How pretty would your patio be after a rain? And as the patio dried, the image would slowly disappear. Very lovely!

Via notcot.

Marmot Tea-Zer and Pilsner Mug

The Tea-zer and Pilsner Insulated Mug, both by Marmot, are great travel companions. Brewing tea and keeping it on the go is always a big problem. And warm beer is probably the most disappointing thing known to man.

Damian O'Sullivan

Normally I think that almost anything solar powered is really ugly, but Damian O'Sullivan's Solar Lampion doesn't fall into that category. I love how it's reminiscent of a paper lantern, and how you can leave it outside to store up sunlight, and then bring it indoors later for a lovely night lantern.

Sternform

The Niklas by Sternform is a multi-functional, porcelain sphere that has many clever functions. It can be a lampshade, a fruit bowl, a flower pot and a birdhouse, among many other things.

UCO Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker

The UCO Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker is one of those odd inventions you might see on tv late at night. The ball is a very curious combination of science, fun and cheap labor (your kids). By playing with the ball and circulating the ice/salt mixture, you freeze the milk in the interior container to make ice cream. If you have ever tried to use one of those hand-cranked ice cream makers, you know what a pain it is. Why not kick a ball around the backyard during the summertime and wind up with some ice cream. As strange as it is, it's pretty cool.

Blomus Fire Basket

The Atrio Fire Basket, by Blomus is a nice little self-contained fire pit for your backyard. Simply fill with wood, light and relax. When you are done, simply ash in your garbage bin.

Orikaso Fold Flat Products

Orikaso makes camping products that pack as a flat sheet and fold up in crazy ways into bowls, dishes and cups. I played with some at EMS the other day and the cup or mug is the most interesting piece. At less than $5USD per piece, they are a good buy and never take up any space in a pack.

Chris Kabel

I just discovered Dutch designer Chris Kabel. I love how the image is incorporated into the functionality of the Coral Vase. The vase is made of glazed porcelain, and was hand painted by artist Jose den Hartog.



The Shady Lace umbrella is also super cool. I would love to have this in my back yard (if I had one)...

Half Shark Alligator Half Man

The Alligator Lopper, by Black & Decker, is the sickest looking yard tool I have ever seen. It's a mini-chainsaw(!) with a jaw to grip and chop large branches or small logs.

Pimp your bike

This is so cool! Pimp out your bike with electronic images...It comes with software that allows you to upload bitmaps, or to create your own. It's too bad it's such a battery sucker - it goes through 3 AA batteries in 10 hours. Maybe someone can come up with a way to use kinetic energy to charge the batteries or something. I'm not smart enough but I'm sure someone else is!

Via Core77.

Hable Construction

One of the companies I was introduced to yesterday at the Biz meetup: Hable Construction is a sister-run business (Katharine & Susan). They make just about everything that uses fabric...I especially like the apron line. Very clean, graphic designs. Besides at their online store, you can check out their work in person at their new york store in the west village.

Gift Guide - Ceramics: Egglings

For all of your garden-challenged friends, I present the Eggling. Ceramic eggs that look and feel like the real thing - just crack one open and add water and voila! Garden! The eggling is available with seeds for basil, italian parsley, mint, thyme, chrysanthemum, lobelia, phlox, and petunia.

Available at Elsewares for $8.95.

Stella

Vases derived from paper bags, and cast concrete stepping stones with graphic perforations for moss and grass to grow through. Stella is a collaboration between Johnathan Hopp + Sarah Auslander.

Stelton Lamps

Stelton is a Danish design studio founded in 1960. They produce very clean and modern housewares such as the Ship Lamp (left) and the Table Lamp (right). All of the Stelton objects are striking in their simplicity and thoughtfulness of form. The trait linking the entire Stelton line is the use of stainless steel in nearly all of their products, from moneyclips to coffee pots.

Birds Birds Birds

evasolo is a danish cooking-serving-lifestyle object design house. They make a very wide range of products including these two bird feeders. The Feeder Ball (left) and the Bird Table (right) are two of the products that exude the lightness of glass and the joy of birdwatching.