A Starry Night from Torchbox on Vimeo.

(via Design Fetish)

A few years ago, I joked with a coworker that we should design carbon fiber cookware. Our first design was to be chopsticks. Now the joke is real. Designed with a special coating to be non-toxic and dishwasher safe, these may just be the fastest chopsticks in the world.

If you have copious amounts of money to spend, buy a set over at Carbon Fiber Gear for $150.

I’ve found that decorating a home office can be quite a challenge. You want your room to look nice but having a functional work space is more important. Every once in a while you get lucky come across a piece that combines form and function absolutely perfectly. For our office, that piece is the Cognita Storage Bench. Designed by Blu Dot for Herman Miller’s Lifework series, this walnut bench provides an upholstered sitting area, drawers for notebooks and supplies, and a solid surface for displaying artwork or holding your often required home office liquor collection. The best part, however, is that the entire seat lifts up to reveal an enormous file cabinet that holds letter and legal size files.

Available in green, red or brown from YLiving for $999.

Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

(via swissmiss)

It’s no secret, I love wooden toys.  They just have a certain feel to them that makes playtime seem so much more satisfying.  What is a secret, however, is that IKEA has some classic wooden toys at their typical unbelievable prices.  Their MULA stacking rings are probably my favorite.  The colors are deep and bright and the rings are cut to be just difficult enough to teach kids hand-eye coordination and mechanics.

Available from IKEA for $6.

I’ve been scouring the internets for the perfect alphabet art to hang in our child’s room and this piece from Bookhou might be a winner.  Laser cut in 1/4 inch birch plywood, it’s perfect for hanging on the wall or just leaning against it.  While the company normally uses wood to produce furniture, their take on an age old kid’s poster idea is right up my alley.

Available from Bookhou for $50.

A wooden cube that transforms into a robot that you can pose? Awesome! The fact that it was inspired by Japanese joinery makes it that much cooler. I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

Available from Twine for $25.

I love photography. I love manual photography even more. Ever since I picked up my Dad’s old SLR as a little boy I’ve loved the feel of a metal camera in my hands, the gears clicking as I adjusted the exposure. You can imagine, then, my lust for the new Leica M9 Titanium. A limited edition of 500, this model was designed by Walter de’Silva, a master automobile designer for Volkswagen AG. Constructed with a titanium frame and Audi leather trim, this already premium camera takes on a whole new level of awesome.

(via Uncrate)

And we’re back!  Sorry about the delay.  Between preparing for a new baby and moving across the country, I didn’t have much time for design writing.  Here’s my attempt to change that.

This bike shelf from Knife & Saw was too beautiful not to post.  Hewn from solid walnut or ash, it’s the perfect way to store a bike in plain sight without the use of ugly industrialized racks.  Plus, it acts as a shelf for your keys, bike lock, world domination plans, whatever.  I think I want to start riding my bike again.

Available from Knife & Saw from $270.

(via Unclutterer)