Tag Archives: homes

Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design

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Good things take time. Whether it’s waiting minutes while your coffee brews, waiting weeks for new episodes of your favorite series, waiting years for tech to improve, or in the case of Wacaco, waiting 10 long years for their award-winning Minipresso to get its much-needed upgrade. Since its launch in 2014, the Minipresso has been perhaps the gold standard in outdoor portable espresso brewing. Wacaco designed the entire gizmo from the ground up, with a patented pressure-building system that worked without batteries. The Minipresso ran entirely on kinetic energy, using a hand-powered pump to generate up to 8 bars of pressure for the perfect brew. 10 years later, the Minipresso GR2 makes its debut, with a smaller, lighter design that accepts more coffee grounds than before, giving you more brew for your buck. It still runs on its classic hand-pumped design, but now also uses eco-friendly biomaterials in its design that reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Designer: Wacaco

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The challenge with the Minipresso GR2 was to pretty much create a version 2.0 of a product that was already pretty perfect. The first-edition Minipresso GR still is impressive for its size and capabilities, so going back to the drawing board wasn’t about problem-solving, it was about design-refinement and feature-addition. The Minipresso GR2 is now a whopping 5cm or 2 inches shorter than its predecessor, making it shorter than the average smartphone at just 4.9 inches in height. Designed originally for travel and outdoor use, this tinier design makes it much more space-efficient, allowing it to fit into handbags, backpacks, travel cases, duffels, or even in a jacket pocket for you to carry around. The smaller design is lighter too, weighing 285 grams or 0.63 lbs, but the small size doesn’t necessarily mean less coffee… in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The Minipresso GR2 embodies user-friendliness, sturdy materials, and an elegant design, ensuring a flawless espresso brewing experience with every use.

While the previous Minipresso GR accepted only 8 grams of coffee in its basket, the GR2 gives you the option of loading 12 grams of coffee grounds in for a stronger shot of espresso. The basket comes with a modular, height-adjustable design, letting you load either 8 or 12 grams of coffee into its basket. Depending on whether you like your coffee regular or strong (also depending on the roast you load into the Minipresso GR2), you have the option of brewing a lighter or bolder cup of coffee. The user experience is further enhanced with the integration of a water tank that also includes a dosing funnel and a drip tray.

This cutting-edge portable espresso maker incorporates our most advanced pumping system, which results from years of experience and innovation, ensuring optimal extraction efficiency.

Brewing with the Minipresso GR2 hasn’t changed at all, helping users adjust to the newer design with no learning curve. The Minipresso GR2 disassembles to reveal its multiple parts. The upper double-walled flask holds up to 80ml of hot water, while the basket below it carries the coffee grounds. To brew your coffee, set up the pump by twisting it to have it pop out. Pump the Minipresso a few times to build the pressure needed for the espresso to brew perfectly, and use the included lid as an espresso cup to extract your coffee into. The process takes under a minute, and can be done without batteries or electricity, letting you brew fresh coffee on a beach, a campsite, a mountaintop, or heck, even inside an airplane so you don’t pay for the overpriced coffee they serve on flights.

Measure your coffee.

Get your coffee fix ready.

Enjoy your drink.

The tinier Minipresso GR2 comes with a new design too, boasting cleaner surfaces, minimal details, and an easy-to-clean format that makes maintenance a breeze. The double-wall design helps keep the hot water inside the Minipresso GR2 hot, while keeping the outer surface cool so you can brew your coffee without having to deal with a hot or warm device. The outer shell is also made from a new wheat-composite polymer as opposed to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. This bioplastic, along with the 30% smaller size helps the Minipresso GR2 have a much smaller climate impact than its predecessor… all while letting you brew more, better, stronger coffee. I guess that’s something worth waiting a few years for, right?

Handy cover.

Photo credit: Garance Rx

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The post Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home?

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Both vinyl and laminate flooring form affordable and durable options for flooring. However, before selecting the flooring material it’s important to consider their specific strengths and weaknesses to ensure which flooring material is best suited for your home. Most laminate floors and some luxury vinyl planks are installed as floating floors, where boards and tiles interlock like puzzle pieces and rest on the subfloor.

Image courtesy of: StiahailoAnastasiia

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a synthetic material, unlike natural options such as wood, stone, or cork. Made with a fiberboard core and finished with a resin layer, laminate flooring offers a budget-friendly option for enhancing your home’s aesthetic appeal. With a décor layer or printed image, it can replicate the look of more expensive flooring types like wood, tile, or stone. This durable flooring choice is particularly suitable for dry areas like living rooms or bedrooms, where moisture is not a concern.

Advantages of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is exceptionally durable and offers patterns and textures that mimic marble, tile, or real wood like teak, oak, cedar, and pinewood which enhances its stylish appearance. Additionally, laminate flooring with foam underlayment can help dampen hollow sounds underfoot.

Disadvantages of Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is sensitive to excess moisture, including damage from steam mops. Another disadvantage is that the resin surface can be easily scratched by abrasive scrubbers or sponges and low-quality laminate flooring tends to fade faster in the presence of sunlight.

Vinyl Flooring

Image courtesy of: ellinnur

Unlike laminate, vinyl is a synthetic plastic material often made with PVC vinyl and fiberglass for added flexibility. Vinyl is highly regarded for its durability, moisture resistance, and easy installation, with many options featuring a convenient peel-and-stick backing for DIY projects. It comprises a bottom layer, called the backing layer, which is typically made of cork or foam. It serves as both the underlayment for the vinyl flooring and a cushion for comfort while walking and functions as a sound barrier to reduce noise. The common types of vinyl flooring include Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP), Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), and Sheet Vinyl.

Advantages of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring holds up well in areas with heavy foot traffic and is easy to install, especially peel-and-stick vinyl tiles that can be grouted for a natural stone look. Vinyl’s water-resistant properties make it ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens and bathrooms and this material resists fading in natural light.

Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time and can be difficult to remove due to the adhesives and glues used in installation. Unlike some flooring options, vinyl cannot be patched or repaired. Another minus is that vinyl flooring is not biodegradable and the presence of heavy furniture and appliances on the flooring can cause dents.

What is the difference between Laminate and Vinyl Flooring?

Here are some parameters considered when comparing laminate and vinyl flooring.

1. Appearance

Image courtesy of: StiahailoAnastasiia

High-end laminate flooring typically mimics wood more naturally, with a texture similar to wood, while vinyl, composed of synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and sealed with urethane, tends to have a shiny and synthetic appearance.

2. Layers of Materials Utilized

Image courtesy of: anatoliy_gleb

Laminate Flooring

The multiple layers of laminate flooring include:

• Featuring a clear aluminum oxide layer, the Wear Layer protects the floor against scratches.
• Defining the flooring’s image or visual appearance is the Print Layer.
• Constructed from highly compressed wood fibers, the Core Layer forms the main body of the floor.
• Aiding with uneven subfloors is the Built-in Underlayment, which includes a soft layer.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl Flooring comprises multiple layers namely:

• Protection against sun damage is provided by the UV Acrylic Coating.
• Guarding against scratches is the role of the Wear Layer.
• Defining the visual appearance of the flooring is the responsibility of the Print or Image Layer.
• The PVC layer ensures stability, support, and durability at the core.
• Helping to level uneven subfloors is the soft layer of the Built-in Underlayment.

3. Durability

Image courtesy of: choreograph

Vinyl flooring is a resilient flooring material and it requires minimal maintenance, even in commercial settings. Laminate flooring, while also durable and low-maintenance, may delaminate over time, especially with prolonged water exposure, as repair is not possible and the flooring material allows water infiltration into lower layers. Note that thin vinyl flooring, with its single cohesive layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is less prone to delamination compared to thicker varieties, which may have a soft underlayment that is susceptible to such issues.

Image courtesy of: towfiqu98

4. Water, Stain, and Heat Resistance

• Water Resistance:

Laminate flooring, with its fiberboard core, can suffer irreversible damage from water exposure, leading to swelling and peeling layers. Replacement is often necessary for severe water damage, and while newer laminate materials may offer improved water resistance, they are not suitable for areas prone to standing water like bathrooms. In contrast, vinyl flooring, including sheet vinyl, LVT, and LVP, is inherently more water-resistant, with all types being waterproof. However, water can penetrate seams, reaching the subfloor in significant quantities. Vinyl flooring outperforms laminate in wet areas like bathrooms and basements.

• Stain Resistance:

Image courtesy of: towfiqu98

Laminate and vinyl flooring both offer stain-resistant properties and feature wear layers that are treated to resist stains effectively. Laminate flooring uses a clear aluminum oxide top layer for superior stain resistance, while quality vinyl flooring is coated with transparent urethane for excellent stain resistance.

• Heat Resistance:

Both vinyl and laminate flooring have limited heat resistance and are susceptible to damage in the presence of heat. Exposure to extreme heat can lead to the burning of the top layer in laminate flooring, causing expansion and contraction issues, while prolonged exposure to extreme heat in vinyl flooring can result in expansion and melted adhesive.

5. Lifespan

Image courtesy of: nikmock

Both laminate and vinyl flooring can offer comparable lifespans with proper maintenance, with laminate warranties typically ranging from 10 to 25 years and luxury vinyl warranties commonly extending up to 20 years. Vinyl is well-suited for high-humidity rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, whereas laminate performs better in high-traffic areas. Proper maintenance is crucial to prolong the lifespan of the flooring, and professional installation may be advisable if you lack experience.

6. Comfort and Acoustics

Image courtesy of: larisikstefania

Both laminate and vinyl flooring can offer a comfortable and quiet walking experience. Laminate flooring, while not identical to wood, can feel warmer, especially with quality underlayment, and may become quieter and softer with foam or felt underlayment. However, footsteps, especially with heels, may be audible on laminate. Vinyl floors, although they may feel cold or hard, especially over concrete or tile, tend to produce minimal noise when walking with heels.

7. Pet Friendly

Image courtesy of: Olga_Ovcharenko

Vinyl flooring surpasses laminate for pet-friendly environments due to its 100% synthetic construction, which makes it waterproof.

8. Costing

Cost-wise, both vinyl and laminate flooring are competitive options, with sheet vinyl usually being more economical. Generally, they are less expensive compared to natural hardwood, engineered wood, and many ceramic or porcelain tile types, making them popular choices for budget-conscious consumers.

In conclusion, one can choose between vinyl and laminate flooring based on personal preferences like style and cost, but vinyl is superior in water resistance, especially in places like bathrooms. However, laminate is often preferred due to its versatility and natural look.

The post Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home? first appeared on Yanko Design.

Transform Your Home for Better Mental Health: 10 Design Tips

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Mental health is a global public health concern. Investigating the impact of our physical surroundings on our emotions, particularly through design, offers significant potential to enhance the quality of our spaces. Some aspects of interior design possess psychological impacts that are capable of influencing our mood and mental well-being. If you seek a home interior that promotes mental well-being, utilize these design tips to plan your space and get started.

Image courtesy of: seventyfourimages

1. Biophilic Design

Image courtesy of: pro_creator

Nature significantly impacts mental well-being, reducing stress, boosting memory, and fostering happiness and creativity. The biophilic design seamlessly integrates nature into interior spaces, promoting healing environments and human-nature connections, scientifically proven to enhance overall well-being by reducing stress and improving emotional wellness. Embrace nature indoors with greenery like potted plants, and succulents on floating shelves, and use the backyard for therapeutic gardening, maximizing outdoor views and sunlight for a deeper connection with nature.

Designer: John Mauriello

John Mauriello’s Coral Lighting Collection is a fusion of art and technology, capturing the beauty of natural growth with intricate designs inspired by coral formations. Featuring Timor, Sargasso, and Celebes, each lamp reflects the unique aesthetics of different coral types. Crafted with precision using computational design algorithms, these lamps evoke a moment frozen in time, illuminating spaces with hauntingly beautiful patterns of light and shadow.

2. Use Natural Materials

Incorporating natural materials and textures like wood, stone, and plants in interior design evokes a connection to nature’s soothing rhythms, triggering relaxation by associating these elements with the outdoors.

Designer: Julian Topor

Furniture takes up space, but it doesn’t always have to be idle. The KURVE collection utilizes minimalist wooden designs to maximize storage while maintaining simplicity. For example, the KURVE chair features a backless box for seating, the KURVE Couch has a central console and lower compartment, and the table and nightstand offer trapezoidal designs with storage spaces above and below.

3. Introduce a Water Feature

Image courtesy of: wirestock

Water’s presence significantly impacts mental health, with studies showing that individuals living near the oceans, especially with ocean views report better well-being. Our brains naturally respond positively to water, inducing calmness, enhancing creativity, and promoting mental healing.

Image courtesy of: Mint_Images

4. Engage the Senses

Incorporating natural and tactile materials like wood and natural fibers in a space supports workplace mental well-being by encouraging direct engagement with touch, fostering mindfulness, and focusing attention on the present. Simple design choices, such as timber floorboards, natural stone, or exposed brickwork, can achieve this effect. For instance, when in use, this multi-sensory table introduces both scent and sound to your environment.

Designers: Junseo Oh, Junwan Woo, Jihoon Park, Yoon Seoyoung, Dagyeong Kim

Many cultures consider mealtime a sacred ritual, often creating dedicated spaces for peaceful dining. Imagine enhancing this experience further with the Oasix: a table featuring a built-in planter and speaker, allowing you to enjoy music or ambient sounds while enjoying your coffee or meal. Perfect for creating a sensory oasis in any setting.

5. Color Psychology

Color psychology in interior design addresses mental well-being through the strategic use of warm and cool tones. Cool hues such as blue and green evoke calmness, while warm tones like red and orange infuse warmth and energy. Neutral tones and pastel colors combine to foster an uplifting yet tranquil atmosphere.

Designer: Lisa Brustolin

Minimalism has made many products, especially furniture, seem too plain, but there’s a counter-culture advocating for maximalism to address contemporary mental and emotional challenges. This new furniture collection demonstrates how ordinary objects can become room highlights through a clever mix of colors, materials, and shapes. The Differ Shelf and Opticabinet use contrast and illusion, while the Wrong Mirror offers a modern twist. Brustolin’s collection combines functionality with artistic expression in the home.

6. Clutter Free Space

Image courtesy of: FollowTheFlowStudio

Untidy living environments can prompt the release of cortisol, a hormone associated with heightened stress levels, decreased happiness, and diminished productivity. Make sure your home is clutter-free with optimum utilization of space.

7. Reduce Noise

Sound significantly affects mood and stress levels. To reduce external noise, choose quieter areas and improve insulation. Opt for acoustic double-glazed uPVC windows for effective sound insulation. Use fabrics like tapestries, carpets, heavy curtains, and textured wall décor to minimize echo and absorb sound. Enhance relaxation by adding soothing indoor music and nature sounds like wind chimes.

Designer: Mogu

The Foresta System by Italy-based Mogu features modular acoustic panels made from a blend of fungal mycelium and upcycled textile materials, offering durability and eco-friendliness. Integrated with wood branches and nodes and supported by a timber frame, these panels allow for easy installation and removal. Recognized for sustainability and innovation, its commitment to eco-conscious manufacturing, this collection effectively reduces noise in various environments, including home offices, by combining wooden aesthetics with the advanced properties of mycelium through cutting-edge manufacturing techniques.

8. Aromatherapy

The brain’s emotional center reacts to scent, which makes aromatherapy a powerful tool for boosting mood. Utilize diffusers to spread calming essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, woody scents, and eucalyptus throughout the air. Additionally, scatter soothing candles throughout the house and arrange fresh flowers for both visual and olfactory delight.

Designers: Yu Ito & Yoshimi Kemmotsu of SOL style

Click Here to Buy Now: $249.

Enjoy your favorite scents guilt-free with this sustainable aroma diffuser, powered by a candle and free from batteries. The Lei aroma diffuser utilizes candle heat to generate electrical power for gentle scent dispersion, eliminating the need for battery changes or recharging. Crafted from recyclable materials, its sleek and minimalist design ensures eco-friendly relaxation anywhere, without the hassle of wires or complicated parts.

9. Room Layout and Furniture

Image courtesy of: FollowTheFlowStudio

Evaluate room layouts and furniture placement to optimize comfort, reduce clutter, and promote easy movement. Designate separate areas for work, play, and rest mentally, keep furniture away from walls, utilize natural curves, consider minimal, multifunctional pieces, and prioritize ergonomic support for lounging and sitting spaces.

Designer: Lorenzo Spanu

Chairs and beds are meant for comfort, yet not all chairs prioritize supreme comfort. The Nebula chair concept challenges conventional designs with cylindrical pillows for ergonomic support, offering various seating options from kneeling to reclining. Despite its unconventional appearance, it maximizes space efficiency and encourages movement, promoting a healthier approach to seating in evolving work environments.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

Space is precious in our homes, driving the need for furniture with dual functions. Crossbred fills this niche with its cross-shaped design, serving as both a shelf and a low-side table. Crafted from wood, it offers versatile storage with five compartments and a flat surface for delicate items or beverages. Its dynamic yet understated design blends practicality with charm, making it perfect for modern living where flexibility is essential.

10. Soothing Lighting

Selecting the right lighting sets the relaxation tone; opt for incandescent bulbs for warmth, avoid harsh fluorescents, utilize dimmers, distribute lamp lighting, and adjust levels throughout the day for energizing mornings and restful evenings.

Designer: Sunroof

Rooms lacking sunlight often leave us feeling lethargic and unproductive, but the SUNROOF lighting system offers a solution by bringing the warmth and benefits of sunlight indoors. No longer must basements remain dull and gloomy, as this system enhances concentration, mood, and productivity, and reduces stress, transforming any space into a vibrant and inviting environment.

Designer: Rollo Bryant

Inspired by sunflowers, sculptural wall lamps from the Aureole collection evoke an otherworldly aura using quartz sand and innovative 3D printing. When illuminated, they emit an ethereal glow, casting unique shadows reminiscent of a solar eclipse corona, making them a captivating addition to any space.

The post Transform Your Home for Better Mental Health: 10 Design Tips first appeared on Yanko Design.

Transform Your Bread Baking: DoughBed Ensures Perfect Proofing Every Time

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As bakers, we often grapple with unpredictable bread dough. To shape a great loaf, mastering the art of mixing and fermenting a perfect batch of dough is essential. This initial proofing stage, also known as bulk proofing, is pivotal and, unfortunately, one of the most challenging steps in bread baking. It can take home bakers months or even years to develop the skill to recognize a well-fermented dough. So, the question arises: how can we consistently proof our dough correctly and ensure confident baking every time?

Designer: Sourhouse (Erik Fabian & Jennifer Yoko Olson)

Click Here to Buy Now: $185 $225 ($40 off). Hurry, deal ends in 72-hours! Raised over $260,000.

Meet DoughBed by Sourhouse – your new best friend in the kitchen. Rest assured that the problem isn’t your dough; it’s the inconsistent temperature of your kitchen. Kitchens are often too cold, and the temperatures fluctuate, making it challenging to stick to a proofing schedule. This ingenious tool solves the problem by warming your bread dough by approximately 5-10°F (3-6°C) and sustaining that temperature. DoughBed combines a warming mat, a glass dough bowl, and a cork lid to create the ideal proofing environment.

Mat + Bowl + Lid = The Perfect Proofing Solution

The warming mat ensures your dough is gently and evenly warmed to 75-82°F (24-28°C), the ideal temperature range for fermentation. This consistent warmth transforms the proofing process from unpredictable to reliable, giving you confidence in your baking. The cork insulation in the mat and lid prevents heat loss, directing the warmth where it’s needed most – your dough. This innovative design means your dough will stay warm, not your counter or the surrounding air.

DoughBed combines a warming mat, a glass dough bowl, and a cork lid to create an efficient warming solution. The dough bowl has a wide bottom so your dough is gently and evenly warmed to 75-82°F (24-28°C) by the mat below.

The glass dough bowl’s oval shape is inspired by traditional wooden dough bowls, offering an ergonomic and pleasant experience for mixing, folding, and kneading. This shape allows you to get underneath the dough and move it around easily, much like a trough. The bowl’s transparency is another thoughtful feature, letting you keep a watchful eye on your dough as it bubbles and rises. Seeing the fermentation process helps bakers become more intuitive and skilled over time.

The warming mat is made with cork to prevent heat loss into your cold counter.

With consistent dough temperatures, you can say goodbye to inconsistent proofing times. By keeping your dough at a steady temperature, you’ll know exactly when it’s ready to shape. This predictability is a game-changer, whether you’re baking with sourdough starter or commercial yeast. Consistent dough temperature sets you up for repeated success, turning baking into a more enjoyable and less stressful activity.

Oval = the Best Shape for Dough Handling

This design also considers practicality and sustainability. It’s energy-efficient, operating at just 10W via a USB plug, which means it can be used anywhere in the world with a local USB-to-wall adapter. This low energy consumption makes it one of the most sustainable ways to proof dough at home. The use of materials like cork and glass further enhances its eco-friendly profile.

When it comes to storage, it’s compact and convenient. The warming mat’s cable can be neatly tucked into a pocket on the bottom side, and all parts fit inside the bowl, making it easy to store in any kitchen space. Whether you place it in a drawer, a vertical cabinet, or even under the oven, it won’t clutter your kitchen.

DoughBed makes proofing a delight rather than a challenge. By providing a consistent and controlled environment, it ensures your dough ferments perfectly every time. With this, you’ll find that baking bread becomes a more reliable and enjoyable process, enabling you to serve up great loaves with confidence. Bakers, embrace this innovation by Sourhouse to enhance your bread-making skills. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this product will become your go-to kitchen companion, making the process of perfecting your bread smoother and more satisfying.

Click Here to Buy Now: $185 $225 ($40 off). Hurry, deal ends in 72-hours! Raised over $260,000.

The post Transform Your Bread Baking: DoughBed Ensures Perfect Proofing Every Time first appeared on Yanko Design.

Reimagined clay water filter uses white ceramic for a better design (and taste)

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Brazil apparently has one of the most effective (and affordable!) water filtration systems in the world. You can find clay water filters in almost every home and markets and they are actually created by local craftsmen. There are some challenges to this though as it is not always aesthetically pleasing and some people say there is a certain aftertaste to the water that goes through this system. There is even sometimes a problem about mold as well. Now a reinterpretation of the clay water filters may have solved some of those issues.

Designer: Estúdio Biologique

A Brazil-based design studio has come up with the Biologique water filter which still uses the same filter system. However, it uses white ceramic so that the water should taste about the same but of course it is filtered. It also doesn’t leave any mold but is also easy to clean, which was also a problem with the traditional filter. The important thing though is that it is able to bring clean, drinking water with the simple filtration system that doesn’t require any complicated installation or instructions.

For those that are concerned with the aesthetics of the water filter, then this is also where Biologique shines. It has a simple, minimalistic design that still keeps the original idea of the clay water filter but brings a more modern feel to it. It has two round parts on top of each other, a wooden stand, and a faucet that looks like those you find in draft beer machines. It comes in different colors: terracotta, rosé, green, brown, off white, black, gray, and capuccino.

The Biologique water filter comes in 9.0L and a petit version in 4.5L so you have two options depending on your space and the drinking water capacity of the people you live with. Of course it is more expensive than the traditional clay water filters that you’ll find in the usual Brazilian households. That’s the price you have to pay to have something prettier and better designed. Estúdio Biologique says their products are done by hand and on a small scale, so that’s also one of the reasons for the price point.

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This Juicer gives you Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice in Less Time than it takes to Brew Coffee

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Orange juice is great for you. It’s packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, citric acid, and anti-inflammatory compounds. The problem is that juicing an orange is a little more annoying than it should be. You need to cut the oranges, manually juice each cut half, strain the pulp, and then wash your hands because you got juice all over them. It takes way too long to get one glass of OJ and you end up smelling like oranges in the process. It’s much more convenient to buy a carton of orange juice, and that’s quite a shame… Which is why a Barcelona-based startup Citring designed the Citring One, a citrus juicer that works about as fast as a Keurig or a Nespresso takes to make coffee. Just add the oranges, press a button, and you’ve got yourself a glass of fresh juice. Sounds too good to be true, right?

Designer: Citring

Click Here to Buy Now: $289 $409 (30% off). Hurry, only 42/150 left! Raised over $100,000.

Well, if you think of how Nespresso and Keurig made coffee-brewing as simple as inserting a pod and hitting a button, the Citring One does the same for all citrus-based fruits. About the size of a coffee maker, the Citring One squeezes and juices 3 fruits at a time, eliminating the need for elbow grease, straining pulp, and cleaning yourself up after. Just open the lid and insert up to 3 whole citrus fruits in the silicon container. Shut the lid, place a glass under the dispenser, and hit the button on the Citring One. Once you do, something rather interesting happens. A slicer ascends upwards, guillotining the fruit into two halves, before using compressed air to press into the cut fruit and squeeze its juice out. Juice is dispensed to your glass through the same silicone container, so there is no need to clean any additional parts.

1) Put up to 3 whole oranges in the machine. No need to cut them. 2) In about a minute, your juice will be ready. 3) Citring will automatically squeeze the oranges and pour the juice into your glass.

The entire process is absolutely foolproof because you don’t need to do anything at all. The Citring One cuts and juices your fruit for you, giving you empty hemispheres of squeezed fruit that you can then throw away. The interface has all but one button, so you don’t need to worry about any settings, modes, or a smartphone app that tells you how much Vitamin C intake you’ve had all day. Drinking juice is good for you and the simpler the process the better. Every few uses, the BPA-free food-grade silicone containers inside the Citring One can be removed and rinsed under running water or in your dishwasher. The technology under its hood is impressive, and the overall product even secured an iF Design Award this year for how simple and foolproof it is.

Aside from being a little larger than your citrus juicer or even your blender, the Citring One does sport a $289 price tag which would make anyone reconsider… But think about a few things. You’d pay the same amount for a coffee machine, so why not a juicer? After all, juice is great for you. Secondly, those cartons of juice are filled with more sugar than fruit, and the costs add up when you end up buying a carton every week. Fresh fruit (especially from a farmer’s market) is a lot cheaper, and actually helps you regulate how much added sugar you consume in a day. Moreover, the Citring One works with other citrus fruits too, from lemons and limes to grapefruits, tangerines, mandarins, blood oranges, etc. It’s perfect for people who love consuming fruit, and just personally, makes for a great addition at juice cafes or restaurants/canteens wanting to offer juice that doesn’t get fresher than this. The Citring One comes in 2 colors, an all-black version and a stormtrooper black + white variant, and ships globally.

Click Here to Buy Now: $289 $409 (30% off). Hurry, only 42/150 left! Raised over $100,000.

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Tea maker lets you smell your tea while steeping and relaxing

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Making and drinking tea is highly relaxing for a lot of people, even more than making coffee (at least, for some people). When you need to relax or destress, people tell you to drink tea rather than another kind of drink like caffeine and alcohol. Another way to destress is to light up your diffuser or scented candles. If you could combine the two plus add some other relaxing techniques, then you can come up with a pretty great nighttime relaxing routine.

Designers: 빈 허 (Heo Been), Jaewoo Jang, 이 지호 (Jiho Lee), 최 예은 (Choi Yea eun)

U Soo is a concept for a tea maker that can help you “relax and chill”. The difference with this compared to other tea makers is that you can also smell the tea as it steeps so you also get an aroma diffuser with the machine. The machine itself looks like a coffee maker or something that belongs in a laboratory. You see the whole process from the boiling of the water to the steeping of the tea to when it pours out to your cup. The transparency actually adds to the therapeutic feels of the machine.

The tea to be used in U Soo are dried leaves that are compressed into balls. They will “unfurl” once in the machine being steeped into the water. There is a cylinder like part in the machine with a tube inside where you put the water in and then it goes to the other side where the tea ball is dropped, unfurled, and steeped. The water then goes back onto the other side through a small tube and then dispensed to the cup that is in the middle.

There are of course controls on the machine to help you through all those processes. On paper, it’s a pretty interesting product. And for someone who is incorporating tea drinking into her routine, this is something that can definitely help me with that.

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Want Perfect Sourdough Bread every single time? This Kitchen Tool gives you foolproof results

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The beauty of baking your own bread lies in its simplicity, and the fact that the yeast and bacteria does most of the job for you. You don’t need fancy equipment or ingredients, just a big container to proof your bread, and an oven to bake a perfectly rustic loaf of sourdough that you can then top up with avocado or ricotta and honey. However, what most bakers don’t tell you is that your loaf of bread is actually a living being. The yeast, whether natural or the instant kind you buy at the market, is a living creature that transforms your ball of dough into a fluffy, airy, mildly tart slice of bread that tastes so good with anything you put on top. This yeast needs just 3 things to perform this transformation – flour, water (hydration), and the right temperature. Most home bakers ignore that last metric, and if you’ve made a loaf of bread that just lacked that oomph or the right texture, chances are you followed your recipe correctly, but missed out on ensuring the yeast could grow under the right temperature. The DoughBed, however, takes care of that part of the breadmaking journey for you. Designed to be a perfectly optimal proofing tray for your dough, the Doughbed is a wide glass tray with a cork lid and a heating bed that creates exactly the right temperature for your loaf. Keep your dough to proof in the DoughBed and you’ll be consistently rewarded with the perfect proofing every time, whether it’s for sourdough loaves, pizzas, baguettes, focaccias, brioche buns, or any other kind of leavened bread you desire to bake!

Designers: Sourhouse (Erik Fabian & Jennifer Yoko Olson)

Click Here to Buy Now: $175 $225 ($50 off). Hurry, deal ends in 72-hours! Raised over $220,000.

Designed by home-baker Erik Fabian and industrial designer Jennifer Yoko Olson, the DoughBed is basically an incubation chamber for bread microbes that creates the perfect thermal conditions for yeast (and sourdough bacteria) to feed and grow. “The problem is not your dough, it’s your kitchen. Kitchen temperatures are often too cold for bread dough, and more importantly, always changing,” say the duo behind the DoughBed. The yeast in your dough thrives at temperatures of 75-82°F (24-28°C), but that might just be a tad too warm for humans, who set their thermostats or air conditioners to slightly lower temperatures. This mild temperature difference (of a mere 4-5°F) can be the difference between a perfect loaf, and a loaf that just doesn’t have the right open crumb. The solution? A mini habitat for your doughball, allowing it to do its job flawlessly well, every single time.

Mat + Bowl + Lid = The Perfect Proofing Solution

DoughBed combines a warming mat, a glass dough bowl, and a cork lid to create an efficient warming solution. The dough bowl has a wide bottom so your dough is gently and evenly warmed to 75-82°F (24-28°C) by the mat below.

Each DoughBed is made of 3 parts – an oval-shaped glass bowl, a cork lid, and a warming base that gives your bread microbes the ideal temperature to do its job. The wide oval tray is big enough to hold 3 loaves worth of dough at one time, and is perfectly shaped and sized for mixing your dough in, resting and proofing, and pouring your dough out for shaping before baking. As a bonus, it’s even designed to be oven safe, although baking a loaf that big would be overkill!

The warming mat is made with cork to prevent heat loss into your cold counter.

Once your dough’s ready for proofing, simply cover the glass tray with the DoughBed’s cork lid and place the tray and lid on the DoughBed’s electric base, which heats up to just the right temperature for your bread microbes to thrive. The bowl’s wide base helps the bread dough heat evenly and quickly, and the DoughBed’s single temperature target works with remarkable consistency all throughout the year, giving you perfect loaves even in autumn or winter months.

Oval = the Best Shape for Dough Handling

The DoughBed is perfect for home bakers looking to upgrade their bread game. The oblong oval shape of the glass bowl is ideal for mixing, kneading, and folding with both your hands, and the cork lid and base don’t just give the DoughBed its rustic aesthetic, they’re key to helping your dough maintain its temperature efficiently, and the cork base prevents heat-loss into your kitchen counter.

The DoughBed’s base operates with just 10W of power (that’s 75% less than an oven light), relying on a USB cable that can be wound up and tucked into the underside of the base when not in use. The cork lid comes with a removable, food-safe polypropylene liner, and both the glass bowl and polypropylene liner are dishwasher safe. We’d recommend not washing the cork to ensure it lasts longer. The DoughBed starts at a discounted $175 for backers – that’s a lot cheaper than the Le Creuset you’d mix and proof your sourdough loaf in.

Click Here to Buy Now: $175 $225 ($50 off). Hurry, deal ends in 72-hours! Raised over $220,000.

The post Want Perfect Sourdough Bread every single time? This Kitchen Tool gives you foolproof results first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cutting-edge Pet Water Fountain has a 10-liter reservoir and a multi-stage filtration system

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Would you drink water out of a glass that’s been sitting on the table for 5-6 hours? No, right? So why is it that your pet has to drink water from a bowl that’s been left standing for hours at an end? Quite like a drinking glass with stagnant water, traditional water bowls can become stagnant and harbor bacteria, requiring frequent cleaning and refills. The LALAHOME DailyFresh™ Eco-System pet fountain aims to revolutionize pet hydration by not only ensuring that your pets drink fresh water, but also ensuring they drink water that’s been appropriately filtered.

Designer: LALAHOME SMARTECH CO.,LTD

Click Here to Buy Now: $169 $299 (43% off). Hurry, only 18 left! Raised over $90,000.

DailyFresh™ and RealPura™ 5X Filtration Technology help deliver fresh and crystal-clear water, while the extra-large 10L tank and 6L waster water tank ensure fewer refills and disposals.

Sure, it’s easy to think of the LALAHOME DailyFresh as yet another pet water fountain, and there are many pet water fountains available out there… but on the inside, you’ve got a purification system so cutting-edge it could rival most regular purifiers found in homes for human consumption. Water is purified, oxygenated, sterilized, and waste/contaminated water is even discarded in a separate container that you can then use for watering/growing plants. The system is ruthlessly efficient, giving your pet the best water it can drink, and ensuring that every sip they have is as fresh as possible. Why? Because pet parents only want what’s best for their fur-babies, right?!

The overall design takes cues from Brutalist architecture of the 60s, combining those cues with the the minimal functionalism of contemporary design styles. Almost reminiscent of a self-sustaining society, the LALAHOME DailyFresh recycles, treats, and dispenses water efficiently. The twin cylinders look almost like skyscrapers, dual spouts look like meandering rivers, and waste water is diverted to grow cat grass (wheatgrass and other sprouted cereals) that help aid your pet’s gut biome and digestive system.

The pet fountain boasts a large 10-liter water reservoir, eliminating the need for daily refills. That’s up to two weeks of fresh water for your pet, providing peace of mind for busy pet owners with multiple jobs or those who travel frequently. The DailyFresh system goes a step further by incorporating automatic water renewal. This innovative technology automatically flushes, drains wastewater, and refills the fountain with fresh water, ensuring a consistent supply of clean water for your pet.

But fresh water is only half the story. The DailyFresh Eco-System Pet Fountain incorporates a rigorous 5-layer RealPura filtration system to remove impurities. This multi-stage filtration process tackles everything from pet hair to heavy metals, keeping the water fresh and healthy for your pet. An integrated UVC light provides an extra layer of protection by eliminating bacteria and other pathogens that can lurk in stagnant water. LALAHOME’s OxygenZ technology increases water flow, resulting in oxygen-rich water that tastes fresher and is more enticing to pets. This can be particularly beneficial for cats who may be more inclined to drink from a moving water source than a stagnant bowl.

All that tech delivers results that you can actually measure. The DailyFresh comes with a smartphone app to control the dispenser, check water levels, and even toggle different modes. Now, you’re probably wondering why your pet fountain needs its own dedicated app, but for the overly caring pet parent, the app gives control over the dispenser as well as allows you to track how much your pet drinks in the day. The app lets you know when the DailyFresh’s water levels are low, so you can replenish the removable water tanks, and the DailyFresh’s neat design and tight footprint let you easily place the pet fountain anywhere in you house, ensuring your furry friends get the best drinking water to stay hydrated and healthy, without depending on you to constantly replenish their water bowl!

Click Here to Buy Now: $169 $299 (43% off). Hurry, only 18 left! Raised over $90,000.

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Top Ten Reasons Why Prefab Homes are Gaining Momentum

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Prefabricated construction involves manufacturing building components in a controlled factory environment and then transporting them to the site for assembly and finishing. Innovations in manufacturing, coupled with a growing emphasis on sustainability, have empowered companies to develop prefabricated solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial structures worldwide. Explore the benefits of prefabricated construction.

Designers: Ryan Street Architecture Studio & Escobedo Group

1. Highly Durable Materials

Prefabrication materials, such as precast concrete panels and light-gauge steel frames, are renowned for their exceptional durability, specifically engineered for extended transport to the site. Notably, they eliminate issues commonly associated with traditional materials like efflorescence on bricks.

2. Rapid Construction

Prefab homes, whether modular or panelized, have an off-site assembly, reducing on-site attachment time significantly compared to traditional stick-built homes. As a result, prefab homes are usually the quickest option for homeowners needing to adhere to tight construction timelines. Employing pre-assembled frames can cut construction time in half compared to traditional methods. Panels can be cast simultaneously with foundation work, and essential elements like insulation are already integrated, simplifying the process.

Designer: Brette Haus

Brette Haus prefabricated cabins redefine “Home Delivery” by arriving directly on a trailer to the location. Within 3 hours, these cabins unfold and secure into livable spaces spanning 22 to 47 sq. ft. Crafted from carbon-neutral, weather-proof cross-laminated timber, each cabin takes 8 weeks to fabricate. With no need for a permanent foundation, they easily unfold on leveled ground and secure with screw piles. Featuring hinges enduring up to 100 folding cycles, these cabins offer exceptional portability. Optional add-ons like waste tanks and solar panels enable comfortable off-grid living.

3. Quality Control

Given the difficulty of controlling quantity at the construction site, the prefab manufacturing process facilitates individual quality checks for prefabricated components before dispatch. This ensures that essential standards such as fire resistance or heat insulation are met before construction begins.

Designer: Leap Factory

The House in Chamois caters to outdoor enthusiasts, blending seamlessly with the alpine landscape while prioritizing environmental sustainability and robust security against extreme weather. Its modular design allows for versatile adaptation to various lifestyles, complemented by integrated furniture and warm interior details. With meticulous attention to detail, the house offers well-lit spaces conducive to personal expression and harmony with nature. Leap Factory’s innovative approach marks a significant shift towards zero-impact dwelling in the construction industry.

4. Affordable Construction

Prefabrication offers significant cost reduction potential. With standardized panel measurements, readily available off-the-shelf plans are common. Additionally, economies of scale from mass-produced and bulk-purchased prefabricated materials further contribute to savings.

Designer: ARCspace

Initially developed to address extreme homelessness in Los Angeles, ARCspace offers a diverse range of accommodation options ranging from 160 to 10,000 square feet. With the construction industry contributing to 28% of global emissions, ARCspace focuses on innovative designs and sustainable, cost-effective prefabricated homes. All ARCspace structures are prefabricated, resulting in efficient builds that minimize emissions and waste. Residents can personalize their homes with options for off-grid power and water, including Hydropanels and solar panels. ARCspace prioritizes energy efficiency and health-conscious features, utilizing eco-friendly materials and advanced technologies to create cleaner, more efficient, and equitable living environments.

5. Use of Sustainable Materials

Today’s prefabrication materials often use eco-friendly or recycled materials, like local timber or other sustainable options. They can switch materials as new techniques emerge to reduce harm to the environment and there is less waste from construction.

Designer: TRIAS

Minima is a 215-square-foot prefab module designed for versatility, serving as a tiny home or backyard addition. Constructed with sustainable CLT, it features a modern exterior with cypress battens and a steel roof. Inside, its Japandi-inspired layout maximizes space with integrated furniture and essential amenities. Compact yet stylish, Minima embodies sustainable, adaptable architecture.

6. Energy Efficient

Prefab homes prioritize energy efficiency by adhering to strict design guidelines, ensuring airtight seams that prevent leaks and airflow, resulting in long-term cost savings for homeowners. Additionally, as sustainability is gaining momentum among consumers, prefab home architects, designers, and contractors are integrating eco-friendly features like solar panels, wind turbines, and rainwater catchment systems into prefab home designs.

Designer: Taller Aragonés

The Pi House, a shining example of prefab architecture, was assembled in just 45 days in Mexico City’s Bosques de las Lomas. This highly energy-efficient home features a customizable modular construction system with aluminum framing. Its innovative design allows for easy expansion and customization, while its double-glazed windows and thermal insulation ensure comfort and sustainability. The Pi House’s aluminum construction makes it easily recyclable, contributing to its eco-friendly profile. With international patents and plans for expansion, this affordable prefab home represents the future of accessible and sustainable homeownership.

7. No Wastage

Since prefab homes are built in a factory setting, there is virtually no on-site material waste. Within the factory, any leftover materials from the construction of one home can be efficiently reused in the assembly of another manufactured home.

8. Use of Simple Construction Methods

Due to the utilization of straightforward construction methods, the site may necessitate fewer managers and less specialized training compared to stone or brick masonry. Additionally, it allows smaller teams to accomplish more in safer indoor environments alongside improved planning and fewer delays.

9. Sustainable Construction

Modern prefabrication materials commonly utilize eco-friendly or recycled materials, including seasonal or locally sourced timber. Advancements in manufacturing techniques allow for material substitution, reducing the ecological footprint, and resulting in minimal construction waste. This is because the materials possessing a low ecological footprint are readily recyclable, providing economical and environmentally friendly choices for reuse when a building reaches the end of its life. Moreover, disassembly is straightforward, often involving merely reversing the construction steps.

Designer: STUDIOROCA

VMD (Vivienda Minima de Descanso) by STUDIOROCA offers prefabricated tiny homes made from repurposed shipping containers in Mexico. These homes feature off-grid capabilities and modern luxuries. STUDIOROCA’s innovative design transforms containers into sleek living spaces with open layouts, eco-friendly materials, and smart home systems. Built with a minimal impact process, each home is customizable and includes preset elements like FSC-certified oak flooring and smart appliances. Available in one-, two-, or three-bedroom options, clients can add features like outdoor decks into the design.

10. Modular Extensions are Easy to Attach

The best aspect of prefab buildings is their adaptability. Adding a modular extension, using identical materials, is quicker and more cost-effective than relocating or acquiring additional land for future growth.

Designers: Undecorated, Studio Detroit, Prince Concepts, D.I.R.T. Studio, and SteelMaster

The Caterpillar, a pioneering modular residence crafted from Quonset hut structures, features compact cubes within each unit for essential services like bathrooms, showers, and kitchens. This innovative 9,000-square-foot sculpture in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood includes six residences and two live-and-work spaces, soaring 23-foot ceilings, and a contemporary design. Each unit integrates a central “Jetsons” style genesis chamber, fostering a communal living experience. With inspiration drawn from diverse sources, the Caterpillar embraces porch culture with 36 openings, flooding the space with natural light and creating a welcoming ambiance.

However, note that there are some drawbacks of Prefab homes. Firstly, there’s the issue of land costs, including expenses such as the price of land and ground leveling. Limited customization options compared to stick-built homes restrict choices to what the manufacturer offers. Additionally, planning for utilities and site-specific requirements can be challenging, although some prefab home companies offer assistance with these tasks.

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