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.