Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heaters
Okay, so maybe you're too late to get these in before Nemo drops a foot of snow on your doorstep, but at least you can be ready for next time. Available in 100- and 200-square foot models, these Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heaters ($50-$90) promise to provide hours of safe heat using nothing but standard propane tanks. The smaller of the two stands just one foot tall and uses a 1-pound propane cylinder for fuel, while the larger model cranks out up to 9,000 BTUs of heating power and runs off grill-sized propane tanks. No matter which model you choose, you can rest easy knowing both have low oxygen sensors and a tip over switch that will shut things down if the unit gets knocked over.
Thomas Tramp Rugs
These Thomas Tramp Rugs ($100/sq. ft.) are basically like works of art that you walk on. Designed and edited by Thomas Tramp, these edgy rugs are hand made in Nepal under global fair-trade standards using wool from sheep that are raised in the Tibetan Alps at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet. Don't see a design you fancy? Not to worry — he'll happily make you a bespoke rug to your exact specifications.
Dyson Airblade Tap
Yes, it's designed for use in public spaces — but the Dyson Airblade Tap ($TBA) is so damn smart that we wouldn't mind having one in our homes. Within its modern design is a no-touch water faucet, which lets you wash your hands without touching anything, and an ultra-powerful hand dryer that removes the need to cross the room with wet hands. The secret is a fully-integrated 1400W motor housed underneath the sink that draws air in through a HEPA filter before blasting it through a small aperture and onto your hands, which are dried in just 14 seconds. [via]
Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray
Ever look at a table, backsplash, or pretty much any surface ever and think "boy, that'd be way cooler if it was a chalkboard"? Well, thanks to Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray ($8), it can be. Good for use on wood, metal, paper or hard board, and plaster, It also cleans up easy with just soap and water, making it perfect for little people surfaces. For a fun social experiment, order a bunch and turn your car into a rolling blackboard, complete with a chalk tray for passersby to write all over it.
Timberland Earthkeepers Casco Bay Canvas Shoe
Prepare for casual summer days with Timberland's® Earthkeepers® Casco Bay Canvas Shoe. These lightweight, laid-back kicks will add a stylish pop of color to any no-sock, warm-weather look. Choose either a fun slip-on style or the one-eye moccasin style, with a choice of four colorways ranging from blueberry to poppy. See the entire collection here.
Turf Pro Grass
Not looking forward to grass mowing season? Do away with the chore altogether and install some Turf Pro Grass ($7/sq. ft.). Available in a variety of colors and textures, it's safe for humans and pets, is easy to clean and maintain, and has a life expectancy of 20 years. But best of all, it keeps you from needing to weed, mow, fertilize, water, or otherwise tend to that filthy stuff that grows from the dirt.
Stellavie Stellar Map Prints
Sure, there are apps you can download that will show you what stars are in the sky, but like photos, sometimes you just can't beat paper. Stellavie Stellar Map Prints (€70; roughly $95) are 50cm x 70cm prints — or about 20" by 27.5" — that show the constellations and stars seen in either the northern or southern skies. Hand-printed with custom-mixed inks, hand-numbered and -signed, and available in four colorways — gold on white, silver on black, gold on black, or white on blue — they make a great addition to any room that also plays host to a telescope.
Splash Coat Rack
While it doesn't really have anything to do with water, we suppose the Splash Coat Rack ($280) could justify its name thanks to its vaguely splash-like shape. Crafted from powder-coated steel and walnut, this stylish rack offers four spires on which to hang your coats, hats, bags, scarfs, and small children, preferably by their belt loops. Okay, maybe that last suggestion is a bit silly — they might be too heavy.
Cut Brooklyn Knives
You won't be finding these in your nearby chain kitchen store. Cut Brooklyn Knives ($350-$575) are handcrafted in a Brooklyn workshop by owner/operator Joel Bukiewicz, who takes as much time as necessary with each piece to make sure it's worthy of the company name. While the selection of currently available knives might change from day to day, you can be sure that each one is made from high-quality steel and comes with a cutting edge sharp enough to cut through any food you want.
Uuni Pizza Oven
Up 'til now, wood-fired pizza ovens have been the domain of restaurants and the rich. The Uuni Pizza Oven (£160; roughly $250) is looking to change all of that. Made from stainless steel, it's compact, weighs just 5kg, and - most importantly - cooks a fantastic pizza, thanks to an integrated furnace that gets up to 800° F, or hot enough to cook a pie in just 3 minutes.
Skull Ice Cube Mold
Replace your boring, plain ice cubes and add a touch of morbid flair to your next drinking session with this Skull Ice Cube Mold ($12). Made of plastic, you simply fill the mold with water, freeze it, and open to remove the cube, which is a lot more multi-faceted/artsy than it is realistic/gross. Which is a good thing, unless you're looking to creep out some Halloween guests later this year.
Hario Bonmac Siphon Coffee Pot
Feel like your kitchen isn't looking enough like a Mr. Wizard set? The Hario Bonmac Siphon Coffee Pot ($110) should be able to fix that. To use it, you fill up the lower bulb with water, and place your coffee grounds in the upper container. Place the alcohol lamp burner under the lower bulb to boil the water, which becomes steam, rises to the top, mixes with the grounds, and finally ends up back down in the lower bulb as one of the best cups of coffee you've ever had. Safety goggles not included.
Eva Trio Martini Glass
Put an attractive new spin on your cocktail hour with the Eva Trio Martini Glass ($35). This mouth-blown glass was designed and made in Denmark, and holds 6 ounces of booze. But the real draw is its unique shape — it features a 14-degree angled rim which gives it a distintive look and is said to "enhance the experience of drinking martinis." And maybe it does — but we're thinking it might also help us keep from sloshing stuff out as we're making the rounds at our next party.
