Cool Hunting

Collapsible Kitchen Gadgets
With an increase in "essential" kitchen gadgets fighting for limited storage space and the anything that can be silicone, will be silicone mantra of designers, consumers are benefitting from an overwhelming variety of new products. These handy measuring cups collapse down to a fraction of their height and can handle boiling liquids. Likewise, the colander and funnel, with their camera-inspired designs, are a huge...

Rise and Fall Floral Love Pillow
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Cool Hunting favorites Rise and Fall created a romantic heart-shaped pillow that wouldn't be complete without their hint of macabre. The Brooklyn-based design collective designed this black and white floral print with skulls cleverly hidden into the pattern (click on image for detailed view). Made by hand, the pillow fits in nicely with Rise and Fall's other efforts...

Fun Night Lights
Okay, it's a generic title but there's something to be said for these bizarre night lights that are liable to scare a small child worse than whatever's lurking in the closet. The purplish plasma bulb takes on a Frankenstein-esque quality while the fiber-optic blue looks like the head from a sci-fi Muppet character or Mystery Science Theater 3000. For only $12 for the pair,...

Beaker Juice Glass
The new Beaker Juice Glass from cb2 is another great example of reworking the classic design of disposable everyday items by using high-quality materials. Made from heat-tempered chem lab beaker glass, the "Pixie cups" are hand-blown, transforming the humble paper cup into an attractive conversation piece. A less expensive alternative to the Ceramic Party cups we featured in our 2006 Gift Guide, at $2...

TVS Esprit Skillets
TVS, the Italian cookware company who produced their first skillet in 1968 and have gone on to achieve the highest standards of production technology and quality, launched their eye-catching Esprit line of aluminum nonstick skillets last year. Available in three different sizes and with a matte or glossy finish, the Esprit line comes in both solid colors— including shades of lilac, aqua green, hot...

Three Menorahs
Even goyim can appreciate the charm of lighting menorahs during dark winter months. These three—whether tongue-in-cheek, made from inventive materials or an unobtrusive modular set— lend just the right amount of irreverence for surviving the season. Acrylic Menorah This acrylic menorah (pictured above left) by Italian design team Sawaya & Moroni combines a classic shape with modern materials. Reminiscent of the Mahua Huni acrylic...