Tag Archives: metal

Wedged-shaped full metal keyboard is inspired by the Flatiron NYC landmark

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Computer keyboards are designed for utility primarily, with aesthetics often coming in second place if at all. Considering its purpose, that’s not exactly puzzling, but there are thankfully fresh new designs that are giving keyboards more refreshing visuals without changing the standard formula in any way. There are, however, also bolder attempts at carving a completely different character for the humble keyboard, without losing any of its functionality, of course, creating a product that is as much a work of art as it is a piece of engineering. One such piece is this all-metal “Icebreaker” keyboard, presenting a rather radical approach that aims for maximum impact by distilling the design down to its bare essentials, resulting in an almost brutalist form that takes its cues from that iconic steel-framed building in New York City.

Designer: Denis Agarkov (Serene.Industries)

The earliest computer keyboards came with a chunky wedge shape, not for the sake of appearances but almost out of necessity. It offered a naturally inclined plane that was more ergonomic than typing on a flat surface, although the designers of that period may have not been completely cognizant of that. It’s a design convention that today’s keyboards implement using foldable stands in order to accommodate varying user preferences as well as sleeker styles and thinner profiles.

The Icebreaker, in contrast, is unapologetic in embracing that wedge shape and does so in an almost extreme way. It’s actually more of a triangle than a wedge, with the angle facing the user presenting an edge that looks sharp enough to chop wood or even break ice, hence the name. The inclined plane naturally forces your hands to type at a fixed angle, but unlike the first keyboards of old, the design comes with built-in wrist support. When viewed from certain angles, like when the keyboard stands upright on one of its sides, it resembles the Fuller “Flatiron” Building in New York, a piece of architecture that is famed for its unusual shape that represents a cast-iron clothes iron.

Just like that building, or perhaps even more so, the entire keyboard is machined from aluminum, including the keycaps. Unlike your typical keycaps, these are completely concave circles. Even more interesting, the marks on the keys aren’t in the middle but are off to the corners, created using 300-micron micro-perforations. There are no other markings on the keyboard, no color or even backlighting, giving it an industrial aesthetic that borders on brutalism because of its raw, full metal appearance.

Of course, The Icebreaker isn’t just for show and it actually has one feature not found on most keyboards. There’s a programmable dial off the left of the keyboard, a useful tool for creators who constantly scroll through menus and options. It’s definitely an interesting piece of computer equipment, at least visually. Its actual usability and ergonomics, however, are still to be judged when the product actually becomes available for purchase.

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Discover Your Poetic Journey Through Time With Calen-bar

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In a world characterized by the ceaseless march of technology, the Calen-Bar emerges as a distinctive and poetic tribute to time, seamlessly blending aesthetics, mindfulness, and sustainability. This perpetual calendar transcends the conventional, inviting users into a realm where the manual meets the meaningful, where every little act becomes a marker of eternal days.

Designer: Yukimasa Hirota

Crafted with precision and an eye for detail, the Calen-Bar is more than a tool; it is an experience. The inclusion of a metal weight introduces a tactile elegance, grounding the calendar in substance and texture. As fingers delicately adjust the rubber band to align with the current date, a connection is forged with the tangible passage of time. This manual engagement elevates the daily routine of checking dates into a ritual of reflection, ensuring that each day is not just observed but remembered, retrospectively embraced, and seized.

Positioned thoughtfully at the right end of the material rotation, the day of the week becomes a subtle but integral part of Calen-Bar’s design. As the material gracefully turns, it serves as a visual reminder that time, like the calendar itself, is in perpetual motion. This dynamic element adds a layer of continuity, urging users to appreciate the cyclical nature of days and the interconnected dance of weeks and months.

In a society racing against the clock, the Calen-Bar offers a respite from the relentless pace of technology. It is not a mere tool for making remarks or planning; rather, it is a sanctuary of poetic and aesthetic value. By embracing the manual nature of this calendar, users are prompted to engage in the deliberate act of adjusting dates, fostering a connection with time that transcends the digital coldness of screens and alarms.

Beyond its aesthetic charm, the Calen-Bar boasts a commendable sustainable aspect in its design. In a world inundated with disposable calendars, this perpetual masterpiece breaks the cycle. By omitting the mention of the year, it becomes a timeless companion, allowing users to reuse it year after year. The absence of a predefined year, while potentially leaving room for miscalculations, is a deliberate compromise in the pursuit of sustainability. In an age where ecological considerations are paramount, the Calen-Bar offers a meaningful alternative, prompting users to embrace the beauty of imperfection and intentional living.

While the manual adjustment may invite occasional errors, the Calen-Bar gracefully acknowledges the digital age, leaving room for users to cross-verify dates with their devices. This harmonious integration of analog charm and digital precision ensures that the Calen-Bar is not just a relic of the past but a versatile companion for the present and future.

In essence, the Calen-Bar is a testament to the enduring allure of simplicity, mindfulness, and sustainability. As we navigate the fast-paced currents of modern life, this perpetual calendar stands as a reminder to savor the little moments, to mark the eternal days not just in our lives but in the products that accompany us on this journey. It is a celebration of time, a fusion of elegance and purpose that invites us to comprehend the lost moments, appreciate the present, and embrace the time that is yet to come.

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Portable Battery-free iPhone Speaker for Immersive Music Anywhere

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The ubiquity of smartphones has made these communication tools the perfect portable media players as well, allowing owners to enjoy their tunes, podcasts, and even videos at any given time or place. But while smartphones are great for private listening, even the most powerful smartphone speakers have limits, especially once the sound starts to distort at maximum volumes. Speakers can help spread the sound, but only as much and as far as their batteries or power cords take them. This distinctive smartphone speaker, in contrast, harnesses the laws of physics to take your tunes farther and immerse you and your friends in moving sounds, all without using any power and looking quite handsome to boot!

Designer: Ooi Masato of Pit-A-Pat for Shimawa

Click Here to Buy Now: $152 $179 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Holiday Sale ends in 24 hours!

At one point in time, there was a breed of speakers that boasted requiring no electricity, no batteries, and absolutely no power at all to operate. These accessories acted as echo chambers to naturally amplify sounds, offering a simple and sustainable option to common speakers. Most of these, however, used plastic or at most wood to avoid the effects of vibrations, leaving their aesthetics and textures much to be desired.

The speaker is an innovative and unique take on this kind of no-power smartphone speaker that, unlike the rest of its kin, uses metal to offer a product whose value goes beyond its function. It uses Duralumin, a type of aluminum alloy that’s used in the aviation and aerospace industries because of its vibration-resistant properties and durability. Thanks to this, all you need to do is insert your smartphone into the speaker and feel the sound envelope you from all sides.

The choice of metal for this speaker’s material also gives the battery-free speaker a unique aesthetic you’d be hard-pressed to find in similar products. With a minimalist and retro industrial style, the speaker adds some character to any surface or space it is placed on. This elegant design is achieved through the use of the famed golden ratio to create a more natural proportion of the form’s shapes, particularly the different sizes of the speaker holes. Whether standing on its own or holding your smartphone, the speaker easily grabs your attention without being dominating or distracting.

And if you want to give the speaker a little more oomph, figuratively and literally, there are custom accessories you can screw into the holes to tweak the experience a bit. Reminiscent of airplane engines, Jet focuses and delivers sound in the direction the attachments are facing. Bloom, on the other hand, diffuses sound along the curves that try to resemble a blooming flower. Enjoy an immersive audio experience with this electricity-free smartphone speaker that requires no power to use and looks captivating anywhere you place it.

Click Here to Buy Now: $152 $179 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Holiday Sale ends in 24 hours!

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0.25 oz Spork Perfect for Outdoor Enthusiasts Seeking Lightweight Gear

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It has become trendier these days to pack your meals when you’re going out, whether to eat lunch in the office or to enjoy a brief excursion. It’s not always a positive experience, though, and not just because of the food preparation but also because of the tableware you have to bring. There’s a specific class of utensils designed to be carried around, but many of them are either too heavy or even too flimsy. And then there’s the fact that most of these come as a set that you bring with you all the time, and if you lose one, the rest become almost unusable. The 0.25 oz Aero Spork was designed precisely to address those concerns, combining an innovative design and expert craftsmanship to deliver the one cutlery to rule them all.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $20 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 24 hours!

Although most indoor cutlery is made from metal, there is a wider variety of those that are designed to travel with you, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Plastic utensils are lightweight but easy to break, while metal is durable but heavy. Some try to have very thin bodies to offset that weight, but they end up making your hands feel cramped after a while. They also mostly come as a set, at most a pair of a spoon and a fork, but you’ll be left at a disadvantage when you lose one or the other. Of course, sporks exist to combine those two into one, but the vast majority of them are more cumbersome to use than they’re worth.

This lightweight metal spork, in contrast, was meticulously designed to give your hands a break while you’re taking your lunch break. At only 0.25oz (7g), you can hardly feel its weight so your hand won’t feel strained the more you enjoy your meal. Being lightweight, however, doesn’t mean it’s fragile. With a special anodized aluminum exoskeleton, it remains tough as nails and ready to scoop up or pierce through food.

The spork’s design might strike one as odd, but it wasn’t made on a whim nor is it purely aesthetic. Inspired by the curved plate structure used in architecture like the Sydney Opera House, the spork gains a body that is both lightweight and surprisingly strong. The wide and curved handle is also designed for ergonomics, allowing your finger to rest more comfortably inside the curve. Even the shape of the head itself is different from the norm. Instead of trying to copy the rounded shape of spoons, it tapers a bit towards the tip to make it easier to twirl noodles like pasta around it.

Sporks were invented to have both a spoon and a fork in one for practical convenience, but their designs haven’t exactly been comfortable to use, long-lasting, and visually appealing. In other words, they’re not considered the best cutlery to use. Made by expert metalworkers from Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, this innovative metal spork shatters those misconceptions with a lightweight yet durable body, a unique yet practical design, and a beautiful minimalist aesthetic that makes each bite a joy.

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Everlasting Metal Pencil Changes the Game in Writing No Sharpening Ever Required

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We’ve all been through those panicked moments when we try to scramble for a pen or even a pencil and neither is in sight, let alone within reach. Thanks to a renaissance of paper notebooks and analog productivity systems, it’s no longer weird to be carrying a writing instrument with you all the time, sometimes even in your pocket. Not all pens and pencils, however, are made to be shoved in pockets, especially when it comes to pencils that have fragile leads that easily break at the slightest pressure. But what if you had a writing tool that never ran out of ink, never needed to be sharpened, and never snapped in two when you accidentally sat on it? That’s the kind of handwriting bliss that the Pocket Everlasting Metal Pencil brings to your pocket, bag, or EDC toolkit, ensuring you’ll have something to write down your thoughts with at the moment that inspiration strikes.

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Although an ink pen is the preferred tool for jotting down notes, some prefer the centuries-old pencil for its more forgiving and expressive properties. That’s mostly thanks to the nature of the graphite core that leaves its unique mark on paper or other mediums. But whether the pencil is traditional or mechanical, it has the almost innate drawback of needing to be sharpened or replaced because the “lead” has become dull or has broken off. When that happens, not only does your flow of thought get broken as well, you also start to get stressed while scrambling for a sharpener or replacement leads.

This all-metal pocket pencil removes that weakness by using an ingenious special alloy core that barely needs sharpening or not at all. That alloy, however, still contains graphite so it leaves the same marks that a regular clay or charcoal-based pencil would. In other words, you get the same writing experience and quality as a 2H pencil, but without the hassles of “running out” of lead or even ink.

What makes this everlasting pencil even more special is its size. At only 4.7 inches (120mm) long, it is the perfect length to keep in your pocket so you always have it at hand when you need it. At the same time, it isn’t too short to make writing for long periods of time uncomfortable. It strikes the perfect balance between portability and ergonomics, something that a regular pencil can’t even achieve.

The design of the pencil is quite distinctive as well, sporting a faceted metal barrel with a matte texture that improves your grip and prevents the pencil from rolling off desks. It also comes with a rather cute leather cap so you don’t accidentally leave marks inside your pockets. Whether you’re scribbling notes or drafting your next designs, you can enjoy a stress-free and expressive writing experience by having this everlasting all-metal pencil always in your pocket.

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This luxurious metal cylinder is actually a pencil sharpener disguised as a desk ornament

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There are many tools whose existence we take for granted until the time comes that we urgently and desperately need them. It’s easy to overlook them, especially because of their mundane or cold, mechanical appearances that don’t help endear themselves to us, especially when they’re not in use. A pencil sharpener, for example, is just a simple block of plastic or metal that often gets lost in the mess of our drawers and shelves. This particular incarnation of the stationery tool, however, is something you will probably never be able to ignore, precisely because it calls attention to itself by becoming an object of beauty that you’ll want to always keep on your desk and always in sight.

Designer: Beyond Object

What can be more mundane and infrequently used than a pencil sharpener? It is a critical tool for designers, artists, and engineers, but it is also being made irrelevant by mechanical pencils and digital tools. And even for those that do use pencil sharpeners regularly, these are often cast aside after use and shoved somewhere, sometimes never to be seen again.

Just one look at Funno, however, and you know this isn’t your typical pencil sharpener, not by a long shot. In fact, you might not even realize that it’s a pencil sharpener unless somebody actually points it out. It takes the form of a small cylinder, which is already uncommon for this kind of tool. But what really sets it apart is the lustrous sheen that makes it look more like a priceless desk decoration than something that cuts through wood and gets dirtied by black graphite.

Machined from a solid block of zinc alloy metal, the pencil sharpener is hand-polished to a mirror finish and given four different colors. Three of them look exquisite in polished gold, silver, and copper. The fourth and newest variant comes in a matte black finish that sets itself apart from the others by giving the object the appearance of cast iron. It might not look expensive, but it definitely still has an artisan quality to it.

Funno, fortunately, isn’t just all looks, bearing a German-made Möebius+Ruppert inside to make short work of dull pencils. And, when you’re done with it, the tool continues to be useful beyond its intended purpose, serving as a paperweight or just as a piece of decoration that brings something interesting and motivating for your eyes to see, giving your mind something to dwell on and hopefully draw inspiration from. The Funno pencil sharpener is definitely a beautiful example of how something mundane can be transformed into something glorious with a simple design and a touch of class.

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How metallic hues can add sparkle to your home décor

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Decorating with metallic accents is trending in the décor space and can add a dash of glamor and panache. From furniture to accessories and wall paint, metallic hues work as a decorative accent making their way into the interior design space. Metallic tones add a shimmering look and can be found in any finish or medium, like artwork, upholstery, and wallpaper. Its reflective surface bounces light back into the room and makes it look brighter and more spacious than it is. However, the art of using metallic tones is to strike the right balance within a space so that your interior doesn’t appear gaudy. Here is how you can infuse glam, sophistication, or visual intrigue into the décor with metallic accents.

Types of Metallic Hues

There are a variety of metal hues to consider, and they can be classified into warm and cool metallic tones. From high to low luster, the different types of metal finishes include polished finish followed by a satin finish, antique finish, and finally, matte finish. The warm metallic includes shades of brass, bronze, gold, and rose gold that are warm and inviting and go well with a warm color palette. Note that gold has always been a symbol of luxury that steals the limelight and has emerged as one of the classiest metallic hues. One can infuse an old-world charm with the golden-brown hues of brass and bronze that look glamorous; it’s a warm and lively metal with a rich patina that infuses elegance and luxury.

Cool metallic includes shades of silver, nickel, chrome, and pewter, offering a sleek metallic aesthetic and going with cool tones and contemporary interiors.

Designer: FORMUS

Functional Hardware

Choose between gold and silver metal for the cabinetry door pulls, door hardware, door pulls, and exterior door hardware. Move a step further and introduce metallic in the knobs and handles of the TV units, drawers, and wardrobes that are available in a wide range of modern, vintage, traditional, and minimalist designs. These shiny functional elements add a wow factor and enhance the overall glamor quotient of the home.

Designer: Aluminr

Furniture

Metallic pieces of furniture, such as a metal coffee table, nesting tables, chairs, and bar stools, add bling to the décor of the home’s bedroom, living room, and other entertainment areas. Don’t be afraid of mixing metals; they provide a sleek and sophisticated look. Let a common design element, like wood, glass, natural stone, or a complementary shape, weave the pieces together when mixing different metal tones. A trick here is to let one metal be the focal point so that it can effortlessly combine with two or more metals that serve as accents to create a synergy. Finally, never clutter the space with too many metal hues. Experiment with a mix of gold and silver hues, as it is a great way to add depth and dimension to the home décor.

Designer: Aura Living

Color Palette

Metal finishes enhance the aesthetics of a white space or a neutral-toned palette. For a maximalist look, combine warm metal with jewel tones or other shades of pink, dark navy, white, and black. The best part about warm metallic is that it is amiable and goes very well with wood and earth tones, especially if it has a little patina. If you don’t prefer gold accents, throw some warm light on the silver finishes to look like gold.

For a chic look, use silver or chrome tones that blend well with shades of gray, white, and sage green. If you want to achieve an industrial look, it is highly recommended to go for galvanized metal.

Designer: Rowen Homes

Lighting Fixtures

A light fixture with a dramatic sheen always makes a good first impression once you enter the room. Warm your space with a gold or copper chandelier that can form the showstopper element in a modern or traditional interior. Incorporate warm and cool metallic tones with light fixtures like bracket lights, chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, and table lamps that also form a decorative accent.

Designer: White Teak

Textiles

Add bling and bring a luxe vibe into the interiors with gold and silver-hued textiles. These finishes add instant class and sophistication to the soft furnishing and upholstery. Metallic threads are used for embroidery and design motifs to highlight the fabric and offer a rich and refreshing look. Use metallic in small doses for the accent pillow, throws, and cushions, and combine it with soft textures like mohair, wool, velvet, leather, and suede to complete the look.

Designer: Kylie Minogue

Look Up To The Ceiling

Install wallpaper and feel glamorous under the ceiling of the entrance foyer, as it is one of the most unexpected places to use metallic hues. One can also consider a metallic-hued grasscloth to add texture and dimension to the space and take the décor to a whole new level.

Designer: Lilly Bunn

Create Balance

The dynamic nature of metallic lends an intriguing contrast and visual depth. With the right balance, the décor can feel elegant and eclectic. Contrast is the key, so pair warm and cool metallic undertones and combine it with the soft textures of the rugs and the upholstery. Pay attention to areas like the kitchen and bathroom, as steel finishes dominate them and make these spaces feel cold. A good way to offset the steeliness of appliances and faucets is to offset the space with bronze finish handles, hanging crockery, and gold pendant lights. If there are too many warm tones in any room, go for a chrome finish pendant light or table lamp, and if the space feels cold, add warmth with warm meal accessories or a statement piece of furniture. In a large room, you can demarcate the area into two zones: one section has more gold, and the other has more silver. Another way to use metals is to create a harmonious look by combining similar metal tones in different finishes or the high and low shine options.

Designer: Nora

Statement Pieces

Accessorize the space with statement pieces of furniture that form the center stage and do not look OTT. Metal adds sparkle and offers a glamorous pop of color that can blend with the most commonly used colors in a well-designed space. Installing a large decorative piece in copper, silver, or gold for a bolder look can add richness and not look blingy. Another metallic trend is introducing a large metal framed mirror, mirrored wall panel, and furniture into the home decor. It mimics the sparkle and shine of polished silver. Its reflective qualities visually expand the space and make it look brighter.

Designer: Scarlet Splendour

Curated Accessories

Start small and strategically introduce smaller metal accessories as they reflect light and impart spaciousness. Metallic can be presented subtly in the tablescape, in bookcases, vignettes, trays, candle stands, and vases that are easy to change and move around. Hang photographs in a golden or silver frame. It works beautifully in the entrance foyer or hallway. Also, one can introduce metallic finish wallpaper with gold and silver accessories to create an exciting composition.

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Hence, even a tiny hint of metallic adds loads of character and subtle glamor. It’s a great way to add shine and impart an interesting touch to a dull space.

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Everlasting all-metal pencil lets you write on and on without sharpening

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Despite the variety of pens or the ubiquity of computers, the humble pencil has remained the tool of choice of writers, draftsmen, designers, and artists for centuries. Of course, there are different grades that determine the marks they leave behind, but nothing can be simpler than picking up even the most common Number 2 (2H) pencil and immediately putting your thoughts down to paper. That is, until your tip breaks or becomes too short, forcing you to break your train of thought to scramble for a sharpener. Wouldn’t it be grand if, like a Wacom stylus, you rarely have to replace a tip or barely sharpen it at all? That sounds almost like a pipe dream, but that dream has fortunately become real with this everlasting metal pencil that lets you worry less about lead and focus more on your creative process.

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At first glance, it looks like the all-metal cousin of the second-gen Apple Pencil, and that is almost an accurate assessment. The octagonal shaft is made of aluminum and houses a special alloy core. Knowing that, you might think that all it will do is leave heavy grooves on your paper, but your mind might be blown away when it draws like a real pencil without seeing the tip wear down even after dozens of marks.

It isn’t magic but science, at least a very creative application of science. That special alloy core contains graphite, the very same graphite used in all pencils, and the friction caused by writing or drawing leaves particles of this graphite and alloy behind. But because it uses metal for the core rather than the usual clay or charcoal, it wears down so slowly that you might think your all-metal pencil will actually outlive you. That means you can write on and on, for about 10 miles worth of scribbles, before you even have to worry about things getting a little too dull.

At the same time, however, this seemingly immortal pencil’s marks can be erased just like any regular pencil. Whether it’s gum, rubber, vinyl, or anything else, you don’t have to worry about immortalizing your mistakes, either. But because it uses friction to make the particles adhere to the material, it doesn’t smudge or smear the way normal graphite does. That might be a bummer for those who use smudging techniques, but it’s going to be a lifesaver for watercolor artists.

With a core that barely wears down over time, this might be the only pencil you’ll ever need. It’s a good thing, then, that it looks and feels great as well. The metal shaft gives the writing tool a well-balanced weight and a matte texture that makes it feel luxurious in your hand. Stop worrying about breaking your train of thought when you need to sharpen a pencil and start leaving your mark on the world with this handsome full-metal pencil that won’t fail you when you need it the most.

Click Here to Buy Now: 2 for $33 $39 (15% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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This mini handheld grater makes it easy to add flavor and joy to your meals

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Grating ingredients is not exactly something one would consider enjoyable or even satisfying. It doesn’t require much skill compared to slicing and dicing, and the common tools for grating aren’t that fun to work with, either. Why should you have to use a large metallic weapon just to add a touch of cinnamon to a plate? They say, however, that every little thing matters, and that’s especially true for garnishes and grated ingredients. Quite appropriately, this grater is also little, small enough to securely fit in the palm of your hand, almost like a toy. And just like a toy, it is designed to add a bit of fun to your kitchen and dining life while you add a bit of cheese or lemon zest to your dish.

Designer: Gensuke Kishi for Tsuboe

Click Here to Buy Now: $21 $25 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 14th.

Your typical graters are large pieces of metal that are often unwieldy to use except in the hands of a total pro. Sure, larger graters that tower over your plate have a place in larger kitchens, but the average use of graters at home rarely goes that far. Plus, even the most common grater is cumbersome to use, leading to hurt fingers and hurt feelings.

In stark contrast, the irogami grater is simple in all aspects that you wonder why home kitchen graters aren’t made this way, too. Instead of multiple pieces of metal bent and curved at different places, the grater is a single sheet of aluminum alloy that curls backward in one corner. The design makes it look almost like a sheet of paper, particularly a colorful sticky note or memo pad, that speaks to both its playful and serious demeanor.

That curled corner isn’t just an embellishment, though. It’s actually designed to rest snugly on your index finger so that the whole grater nests securely in the palm of your hand. Compared to those cumbersome graters that you have to hold tight at their handles, this form gives you a firmer grip. As a bonus, that curl also makes it trivial to hang the grater on rods and bars, though there’s also a hole for a hook if you prefer it that way.

Using this playful grater is like a game itself. Simply move the piece of cheese or stick of cinnamon from left to right and watch the tiny pieces fall down on your food. That’s really all there is to it! There are no holes where pieces of food get stuck and hide, making it easier to clean the grater. Of course, that also means the hand holding the grater remains clean since it’s more than enough for only one hand to get a bit dirty.

This simple yet genius grater comes in a variety of lively colors that perfectly complement its cheerful design. Sure, it might not fit the rest of your fine, silver-clad kitchen tools, but the typical monstrous and rough grater never really fit in either. More than just color and simplicity, however, this grater brings fun and life to your food, both in its preparation as well as its inevitable consumption.

Click Here to Buy Now: $21 $25 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, sitewide Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 14th.

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Camber envisions chairs and benches made from a single sheet of metal

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Furniture is so critical and so common in our lives that few of us probably give a second thought to how they’re made. As long as they serve their purpose and look good, tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture might as well be made from alien material for most people. Unfortunately, the materials and processes used to make these essential products have started to chip away at the health of the planet for the sake of keeping humans comfortable. Designers have started to become more aware and conscientious of this problem, and they have started to put their creativity to work in solving it. In addition to using sustainable materials right from the start, another potential answer is to reduce the amount of waste that results from the manufacturing process, like a single sheet of metal that is then cut and bent to form a sharp-looking chair.

Designer: Paul Coenen

Even the simplest piece of furniture sometimes uses multiple parts. A table will be made of at least four legs attached to a tabletop, and those connections might require screws or other means to keep the table from falling apart with the slightest weight. With conventional furniture designs, these parts are often cut out or formed at different times from different materials, a process that often yields wastes bits and pieces that can no longer be used anywhere else.

Some furniture designs have become a bit smarter by attempting to utilize every inch of a single sheet of wood or metal, but those might still need extra parts to connect them together. A more efficient way would be to just use the whole sheet and nothing else, but it’s also more challenging to create visually appealing designs. You might think it’s a simple case of folding metal, for example, but making it usable while also looking good is actually harder than you might think.

Camber is an attempt to check all those boxes by cutting and bending a single sheet of stainless steel to form seats you’d want to look at as much as sit on. Rather than simply bending two ends to form legs, the design actually involves making two angular cuts where the folds would happen before actually bending down the legs. This creates not only a more interesting design but also adds some stability to the bench or stool’s legs.

Sanding gives the seats a reflective yet matte surface, removing the need for any harmful coating. It’s an almost perfect complement to the designer’s SST mirror, which uses the same single-sheet principle, except that the surface is polished to the point that it becomes more reflecting. Stainless steel might not be the most environment-friendly metal, but its longevity ensures that these chairs and benches should last far longer than other types. Camber is simple, almost brutalist in its appearance, but its appeal goes beyond looks, offering a design that isn’t only efficient but also, in some odd way, charming in its own right.

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