Shun Higo Nokami Gentleman's Knife
Who said you had to be at home to enjoy the precision of a Shun blade? The Shun Higo Nokami Gentleman's Knife ($100) lets you bust out your culinary cutting skills wherever the need arises, with a locking foldout six-inch blade made from high-carbon stain-resistant VG-10 steel, a resin-infused PakkaWood handle with an inlaid silver and brass samurai family crest emblem, and an included black lacquer box with leather sheath. Good for cutting everything from steak to sushi.
Alessi Silver Tea & Coffee Tower
There's little reason for anyone to pay more than 30 grand for a coffee and tea set, but the amount becomes slightly more tolerable when it's an unquestionable work of art, and the Alessi Silver Tea & Coffee Tower (£20,000; roughly $33,500) certainly qualifies. Created by London-based designer Zaha Hadid, this striking piece of functional fancy features a long, flat teapot, a skyscraper-like coffee pot, a milk jug, and a sugar bowl, all designed to fit together following a template built into the carrying tray that allows for different looks based on how the set is being used. Truly unique.
Go Plate
Perfect for backyard bashes, the Go Plate ($48/42-pack) assures you'll never lose your drink again. The reusable and recycled clear plastic food tray fits over bottles, cups or cans for one-handed action. They can be thrown in the dishwasher for multiple parties.
OXO Good Grips Salt & Pepper Grinder Set
A modern table deserves updated accouterments. OXO's Good Grips Salt and Pepper Shaker Set ($30) are a great place to start. Features like a rotating tab to select the setting (slow, fast, pour, or close) and a flat top for easy refilling are complimented by a clear acrylic body and stainless steel accents. These shakers look the part and work well too.
[Thanks, Rob]
Socks by Mack Weldon
So comfortable customers routinely claim they’re “walking on clouds” thanks to the cushioned footbed. The No Shows ($14.50/2 pack) have a “no slip grip” that stays put in low cut summer shoes, while the crew length styles actually stay up if you want them to. Get one or get them all - the Sock Drawer ($135) includes 16 pairs. But do get them soon, because like all things Mack Weldon makes, these are in high demand (and insanely comfortable).
Sing Sing Dinner Tray
Eat like an inmate with the Sing Sing Dinner Tray ($15). Made of melamine, it's an exact replica of the food tray (and bludgeoning weapon) used at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Also excellent for shielding shanks.
Canouflage
Forget can cozies — if you really want to hide the fact that you're chugging a Miller and not a Coke, take a look at Canouflage ($6/4-pack). These vinyl wraps attach to your beer cans, making them look like different name-brand sodas, instead of booze.
CB2 Home Wine Bar
CB2 has put together an excellent collection of affordable pieces to create your own wine bar at home. Just order the below for instant adult living. You'll need a couple Bongo High Dining Tables ($300), some Bongo Barstools ($139), two Factory Pendant Lamps ($100), a bunch of Cellar Wine Racks ($40), a set of Cheers Wine Glasses ($20), as well as the Kyoto Four-Part Server ($20), Puzzle ($3) and Palm ($2) appetizer plates, a few Porcelain Dip Dishes ($1) and a Puna Tray ($50).
Seven Deadly Sins Plates
Indulge yourself with these awesome Seven Deadly Sins Plates ($250). The black plates feature the famous seven deadly sins — lust, envy, greed, sloth, gluttony, wrath, and pride — in gold-tone lettering. As a bonus, they come in a funeral-worthy black gift box.
[Thanks, Dylan]
Udon Noodle Bowl
Bring the chopsticks and noodle experience home with the Udon Noodle Bowl ($26) by Flavour Design. The handmade ceramic bowl is microwave and dishwasher safe, and is designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. Included chopsticks keep the experience authentic, and built-in holes and slats make sure your 'sticks don't end up in your lap.
Biodegradable Plates, Cups, + Utensils
The convenience of disposable dinnerware is wonderful, but most disposables are anything but wonderful for the environment. Biodegradable Plates, Cups + Utensils ($6-$14) are made from compostable sugar cane fiber, a byproduct of the sugar refining process, and the utensils are made of 80% potato starch and 20% vegetable oil. Attractive, handy, simple, and green. [via]
Ribbons & Boughs Plate Set
These plates are sure to bring some style to your next fried bologna sandwich. Made of lightweight melamine, the Ribbons & Boughs Plate Set ($48) includes four uniquely-shaped plates sporting a terrific abstract-foliage design.
City Plates
You don't need to have visited LA, Shanghai, Cario or Berlin to realize their importance as gateways, nor to appreciate the design of their City Plates ($48/each). Each of these 12" porcelain plates represents one of these cities, with the downtown core printed on a black background, key buildings represented with orange icons, and rivers and public spaces shown in blue and green. A great example of informative design.
