Unplugged

Colorware: The Way to Make Your Gadgets Unique

2009-07-16T20:30:21+00:00

If you are looking for a distinctive way of decoration your new gadget, look no further. Colorware will customize your new toy and make it look extraordinary. It will be unique. We doubt that anyone near you will have used this store to personalize their technology. What's great about it? They will take your phones, laptops, audio video systems and color them in amazing colors.

What's really cool about Colorware is that you have the choice of buying a new device in the color that you want from their online store, or sending in yours to customize. Since the prices are significantly more expensive for gadgets bought at there store, we recommend sending your own to them for personalization, or buying one new and then sending it in. The colors and designs available are quite extensive and you can spend hours checking out how to customize your tech. The important thing to remember is that they don't only customize Apple products, they customize a lot of different products. You'll pay anywhere between $150 to $500 to get your new gadget customized. They also came out with a Stealth MacBook Pro, a totally black version of the popular laptop. We don't think you want to really know how much you'll end up paying for the black package, but we just can't help ourselves. It will cost you about $1,750. Naturally, this product is only available directly from Colorware. You'll pay about $6,000 for it! That being said, the other options that we've seen seem quite reasonable. If you want to set your laptop, phone or MP3 player apart from all of the rest on the market, you should most definitely try this service. The results will be quite unique. We noticed that they will also offer to customize HDTVs in a while. [images via Colorware] MORE COLORWARE Get A Distinctive and Unique Kindle 2

Dacor Millennia Microwave In-A-Drawer

2009-07-16T19:30:00+00:00

We've always had a love-hate relationship with microwaves. They're admittedly a very convenient kitchen appliance for certain situations, but they tend to be poor at cooking foods from a culinary perspective (though they seem to get better every year) and they take up a lot of space. We're not sure how well the Dacor Millennia Microwave is in the cooking department, but they've nailed the issue of a space saving design with their Microwave In-A-Drawer solution...

The Dacor Millennia Microwave In-A-Drawer is available in a 24" and 30" version, with the option of stainless steel, black glass, and glass (30" version only) with all models featuring a control lock so children can't accidentally nuke things they're not supposed to be putting in the microwave by accident. The drawer design also make it a possibility to install the unit not only under the counter but right above or below a wall oven. Perfect for space efficiency and a less cluttered kitchen appearance.

950 Watts
Unique Drawer Configuration
Automatic Drawer Opening
Control Lock
Three Sensor Cooking Programs
Modes include: o Reheat/Micro Warm/Defrost
Easy Minute Function
11 Power Levels
Touch Controls
Timer / Clock

Roundup: Thin Profile, Wall-Mounted Desks

2009-07-16T19:00:44+00:00

While the recent article about how truly green we're being by going completely paperless over at Re-Nest came across to us as a fair argument, we just couldn't help but fall in love with the sexy wall-mounted desk found at Dwell on Design's Westside home tour featured a while back at Apartment Therapy. For small spaces like ours, these mounted desks come as a perfect, space-saving alternative to full-fledged desks. The best part is that you can get creative and make it your own DIY if you wanted to. Our favorite examples, below the jump.

From left to right:

IKEA Six Arms Ceiling Lamp

2009-07-16T18:00:35+00:00

This DIY creation made out of an IKEA blanda blank metal bowl, 6 Tertial lamps, some metal cables and "lots of time" resulted in a creepy-cool creation that reminds us of one of those deep sea crabs. Aurélien Antoine has several other great projects worth taking a peek at, including a couple easy to copy DIY paper lamp projects...

Holmes True-HEPA Allergen Remover In The Test Lab

2009-07-16T17:40:14+00:00

Check out Stephanie's HEPA air purifier review over at Re-Nest (we had this same model prior to upgrading to a larger unit): We've posted about air purifiers before, but we'd never actually owned one. We were always curious about them, because friends of ours have told some pretty amazing stories. Still, we were skeptical. Recently, however, one friend's allergy success story sent us to our local Target to pick up our very own Holmes True-HEPA Allergen Remover...

Sites that Help You Get Out of Awkward Get-Togethers

2009-07-16T17:00:00+00:00

Admit it, you love having the apartment that seems to be the place everyone flocks to. Your place is always the meet-up spot before you carpool to a baseball game, or the after-party spot when you've come home from a night on the town. But being the ever-ready host comes with some downfalls: Getting rid of guests that have over-stayed their welcome. Thankfully, we've found a few Web-site-based applications that team up with your cell phone to give you a "Get Out of Awkward Situation"-free-card...

When you've got the one party crasher that just won't leave, let one of these automatic phone call services give you a bail-out:

Get Me Out of Here (getmooh.com) lets you schedule a call to your number where you'll hear a previously chosen pre-recorded message. They can be funny or helpful, like the instructional message that gives you a "repeat after me" dialogue with a reason to bolt the scene.
The Popularity Dialer (popularitydialer.com) also schedules calls to your cell at a certain time, but they're actually recordings of a one-sided conversation. The implication is to make you feel popular when your BlackBerry keeps blowing up with calls you just "have to take!," but we can easily see someone using this to kick out their unexpected overnight guests in the morning.

Via Lifehacker.com Image from timparkinson at Flickr with a Creative Commons license.

Continue Time Wall Clock

2009-07-16T16:30:03+00:00

The Continue Time clock might be the most unique wall clock we've seen in awhile. Two out of the three pointers rotate around another pointer, instead of the central point on the clock face, as with traditional clocks in strange sculptural motion. Wnat one? Nab one quickly, as Sander Mulder has only made 20 limited edition models for sale at their site. If that's too pricy and not digital enough for you, there's a free alternative...

The Hand in Hand Clock is exactly the same as the Continue Time Wall Clock, but is available as a downloadable Windows and OS X screensaver!

Inspiration: Fluxus Weaving Glass and Light Together

2009-07-16T16:00:49+00:00

Imagine a different sort of light fixture, one that could just hang from the ceiling and give a natural light, almost like the light from the sun. Now think about how these lights are put together. They are woven. This is exactly what Karim Rashid masterminded in collaboration with Michela Vianello for what they call Fluxus, a wave of glass and light.

This incredible looking thing is called Fluxus and it's basically a weave of glass and light in the form of a wave, combining the skills of Karim Rashid and the art of Michela Vianello. Rashid apparently designed the knit and the grid of glass elements this light fixture is composed of. Vianello then shaped it into the weaving form that we see in the photos. This piece of art is currently on display in the White Gallery, a lifestyle store in Rome. Fluxus covers a surface area of about 645 sqf and uses 42,000 handmade glass elements in 5 different colors. The lighting is provided by 5,000 micro lights distributed evenly over the internal surface of the weave or wave. We think that it's a weave in the shape of a wave. We've read that this gallery will open in October. This unique light fixture took about two years of research and seven months of development before it was created. The knit can be bent in different forms and it was made for an Italian manufacturer named Andromeda, who is already looking into commercial applications. We can see many ourselves. Blanketing a ceiling with this weave is just extraordinary. The amount of light created this way must be incredible to see. [via Core77]

MicroFridge Combo Appliances for Small Space Living

2009-07-16T15:30:21+00:00

When you live in a small apartment or dorm and space is at a minimum, every square inch counts. That's where something like the MicroFridge comes in, a space saving refrigerator, freezer, microwave and gadget charging station integrated all in one. Available in a variety of colours and sizes, this seems a good option for people who live in cities like San Francisco and New York, where living "small" is not so much of an option as a necessity (at least that's how we remember it)...

MicroFridge features:

Patent-pending power management system that keeps power draw at 11 – 13 amps or less – reducing circuit overload and minimizing the risk of fire.
Dual outlet charge station provides a convenient way to re-charge personal electronics that draw 4 amps or less - such as laptops, cells phones, MP3 players and more.
One-plug-to-the-wall operation, the refrigerator plugs into the microwave, managing power consumption.
Microwave mounting brackets eliminate the risk of electrical shock from self-installation.
CFC-free and D.O.E. compliant.
3-minute cycle delay, internal to the unit that increases the life of the appliance.
Comprehensive warranty with toll-free customer service and a nationwide service network for fast service response.
Both single door and 2-door units available. On 2-door units, one door is for the refrigerator and the other is for the freezer - so frozen foods stay frozen.
Bold design details that complement any décor.

We especially like the two door 2.9MF-7TPS for $455.00 because of its small footprint and stainless steel finish. If only we had something like this back in college.

Ikea Hacked PC Desk

2009-07-16T15:00:30+00:00

When Matt and Beck decided it was time to redecorate their office they hacked their way into a clean and simple space. "When we first moved in we sorta just slammed in whatever furniture we had, bought a futon for guests and that was that," writes Matt on his blog. "Our workspace was a small Ikea desk (table is more appropriate a word) that shared my PC, Beck's laptop and her sewing machine. It was an absolute nightmare but we lived with it." Matt, inspired by the red and white filing cabinet under their desk, bought a matching cabinet, some replacement drawer pulls, eight legs, and a large untreated pine board. "I slapped it all together, treated the pine with a clear finish and voila! A new desk was born!"

Matt, "gutted the left cabinet, knocked out the back end and drawer bottoms, connected all the drawers together and stuck my PC inside. I've got a pretty monstrous computer so it's nice to get it out of the way." He also installed his monitor on the wall to clear up even more desk space. (Image: Peanut Butter Bagels) via Ikea Hacker

Renters: When Do You Blast the Stereo?

2009-07-16T13:00:00+00:00

Apartment Therapy has already helped you deal with noisy neighbors before. But what about when you are the noisy neighbor? What's a big-city musician supposed to do when he's not yet hit it big and joined the home owner club? He's got to rent an apartment somewhere, and his amp and stereo system have got to come with him...

Maybe you're not a musician; maybe you just love loud music. You're an audiophile that's completely happy and set in his sound-loving ways, but still among the ranks of renters. After you spent all that money on a perfect home stereo system with crisp and clear sound, why shouldn't you be allowed to enjoy it? Because if you blast tunes 'round the clock, you're sure to be the annoying neighbor (if not the evicted neighbor) that nobody wants to be. So we ask you, Unplggd... When is it OK to blast the stereo? We have the good judgment to play our music softly when we get ready in the mornings to respect our neighbors with later wake-up calls. But is it ok to start jamming out after noon? And what time of night should you start to turn it down? Let us know what you think in the comments... Image from Roytex at Flickr with a Creative Commons license.

Crate & Barrel: Fulton Collection Goes Retro Modern

2009-07-16T12:00:52+00:00

It's been a while since we've stepped on CB grounds. However, their new Fulton collection sure is capturing our hearts (and wallets) with its trendy minimal lines and mixed materials for a fresh, rustic-modern look that's undoubtedly one of the best pieces we've seen by the CB group. More details after the jump.

Our favorite has to be this Fulton 56" Media Console ($999) that utilizes solid teak and reclaimed teak veneer to contrast beautifully with the industrial black metal frame, which is finished for an oxidized effect. The addition of the two drawers offers a distinctive twist on contained media storage. The Fulton Desk ($699) is also feels like an instant classic with its light profile, perfect for laptop desks or a complementary piece to the rest of the Fulton collection if you enjoy that streamlined look throughout your home. There's a Fulton bookshelf available for $699. Kind of pricey for a mere bookshelf if you ask us, but the rest of the collection is priced spot-on. What do you guys think of CB's new collection?

Novophone Retro Handset

2009-07-16T11:00:00+00:00

OK, we freely confess to a love of all things retro, from 8-track players to MCM furniture. We try to balance that love of retro with an affection for tiny up-to-date gadgets, and are always delighted to find ways to marry the two (like playing an iPod through a 1970s era radio). After a marathon cell phone session last night led to a cramped and achy shoulder this morning, the hunt for a new handset began- when we found this one, we knew we were in love...

This stylish offering from Novophone is a genuine old-school handset wired for use with a cell-phone. If comes with a 2.5mm jack standard, and Novophone offers a series of adapters to make it functional with most cell phones. At only $24.95 and with a lifetime guarantee, this handset is is a hands-down better option than the last ear-piece we got from our cell-phone company which was more expensive, less attractive, and broke just past the 30 day return period. We don't have a landline, and though this handset certainly won't help while walking or driving, we will be picking one up for use at home. We're pretty sure just looking at it will make us smile at the start of every phone conversation; we would love to hear from anyone who has actually used one of these handsets.

All-Black Wii Console Gets A Japanese Release Date

2009-07-16T09:00:00+00:00

Remember when we asked if you have a go-to color for gadgets? Well if your go-to color was black (as many of you said it was), you've probably had your reservations about adding the super-popular Nintendo Wii to your media cabinet—until now. Japan is going to see a black version of the Wii hitting stands sooner than you can sling a Wiimote into the television screen...

A new, black Nintendo Wii game console is set to launch in Japan on August 1, according to the Amazon.co.jp product page (Thank goodness for Google Translate!). It might be more prone to showing dust, but the announcement of the black Wii is sure to put a smile on the face of aesthetites with a taste for darkness. Even though there's no word of the black Wii hitting the U.S. market anytime soon, we figure it can't be too far behind. The new black Wii is exaclty the same as it's white counterpart—it just features a new black colored exterior. And don't worry, the Wiimotes and nunchucks are not left behind: They've been given the goth makeover, too. How long before we start seeing third-party black peripherals? Via GeekSugar

Final Frame: Home Theater in the Trees

2009-07-15T21:00:12+00:00

Architect Ellen Cassilly, an architect, and her husband Frank Konhaus's combination art gallery, residence, and studio is built atop a slope overlooking the woodlands near Durham, N.C., so it only made sense that they mask their home theater system to reflect that integrated design with surroundings in mind...

(Via New York Times)