Sigg Limited Edition Oval Bottle

by Tim Yu

Originally designed in 1941 for the Swiss Army, Sigg, the environmentally friendly, Swiss bottle company (previously featured on Cool Hunting), brings back this functional, retro-style oval bottle. Shaped like a flask, it holds .6 liters (20.4 oz) and is made of high-grade stainless steel that doesn't impart taste or leach toxins into beverages. This limited edition black flask includes a detachable cup with a leather attachment strap and a useful swivel handle that folds away when not in use. Unlike oversized competitors, the mouth of a Sigg bottle is a convenient size to drink from and we really appreciate the leak proof cap.

Available for $30 here.

Pottery Barn Smart Technology Collection

by Jacob Resneck

Admittedly, we don't do a lot of shopping at Pottery Barn, but their new line of Smart Technology furniture caught our attention. It's worth noting not only for the way it integrates gadget clutter into homes but also for adding other functional and organization features.

The pinboard and speaker combination ($259) combines a linen bulletin board and built-in stereo speakers with a plug for an iPod or other MP3 player. With its relatively unobtrusive style, it's ideal for posting important reminders or inspiration while blaring your favorite songs.

Framed in black hardwood, the Leah Desk ($369) features a centralized power strip that includes ethernet and phone jacks and two USB ports for laptops and other accessories. With a fold down mirror, it's perfect for the narcissistic internet junkie.

If you always find yourself looking for your cellphone/iPod/miscellaneous rechargeable device, the Recharge Station is the perfect answer. Available in woodgrain, black and white, t's a discreet docking station to organize and recharge portable accessories. Though it has a lot in common with other docking stations we've seen (and has a very housewifey look), we always appreciate a drawer for helping to introduce order in the chaos that is our daily lives.

Check out the rest of the collection, including a cabinet, shelf and desktop hutch here.

Summercase 2007

by Leonora Oppenheim

Sunshine, blue skies, sand, sea and waves—sound waves that is— are all elements of summers in Barcelona, the epicenter of summer music festivals. This past weekend the city danced to the happy sounds of Summercase. Now in its second year, the newer, lighter and fluffier festival on the block displayed its youthfulness with a decidedly upbeat line-up, in contrast with the darker edgier sounds of Sonar and the distinctly indie Primavera Sound. An amazing feat of organization, Summercase puts on a two-night bill of artists playing in Barcelona and Madrid simultaneously—the artists playing Madrid on Friday night all travel to play Barcelona on Saturday and vice versa.

Several behemoths of the festival circuit—such as Air, The Flaming Lips, Chemical Brothers and DJ Shadow—headlined both nights this year. But, as impressive as these old boys are, it was actually the young girls who stole the show. Lily Allen was in fine and feisty form telling it exactly like it is and The Gossip, who most likely had never been seen before by this crowd, were a vision of raw female power. Beth Ditto, the lead singer, shot her extraordinary energy through the audience like a shockwave (above right).

London-based, Canadian group Dragonette (above left) was a special highlight and the perfect embodiment of what Summercase is all about. The lead singer, Martina, who you might have heard guesting on the Basement Jaxx single, "Take Me Back to Your House," was faced only with a few stragglers when she came on stage, but by the end of their electrifying set she had a full tent rocking to their self-described dirty, hook-heavy, electropop monsters." Young, bold, bright, sharp and sexy, Dragonette are ones to watch in the future. Their single "Take it Like a Man" drops next Monday, 23 July and their debut album is imminent. Watch Martina work it in the video for "Take it Like a Man" here.

Blackle

by Seth Brau

Stop using Google and start using Blackle. Based on the idea that a black screen uses less energy than a white one, it will also act as a reminder to keep taking small steps towards saving energy every time you search in black.

Hopefully you've already heard about it and are using it, but we found it worthwhile enough to spread the word some more. We're looking forward to when they come out with Bmail or even better, Blackmail. Go here for more information, and start blackling!

Update: Blackle is only beneficial on CRT monitors not on LCDs. See this Wall Street Journal article for the run down on the numbers. Either way, it's an interesting concept and should serve as a reminder that every little thing can help.

Josh Jakus Winepocket

by Leonora Oppenheim

Winepocket, the latest design by California-based Josh Jakus, is one of those products you never knew you needed, but when you discover it, it seems like the perfect solution. I never like spending a decent amount of money on a bottle of wine to see it promptly put into a cheap plastic bag or a crumpled paper. Jakus' Winepocket can either be an extra gift with the wine for the host or you can take it home with you to use for your next invite out. In either case, it can be reused again and again.

We also like the perfect elegance of the design: a piece of felt with a hole cut out, doubling as the opening for the bottle and the bag's handle. You can see this and Jakus' other beautifully minimal felt products at the San Francisco International Gift Fair 28 July-1 August 2007 at booth 6014, and at the New York International Gift Fair, 11-12 August 2007, booth 4012.

Available here for $29.

Anthony Burrill: One For Me, One For You

by Tim Yu

Known for bold graphic work reminiscent of vintage propaganda posters and vector graphic instructions, English artist Anthony Burill created "One For Me, One For You", the latest up in the award-winning Zune Arts project. (Click above image for detail.)

Burrill's trademark clean typefaces and line drawings combine with a witty sense of humor to playfully convey simple yet effective messages. Highly sought-after, leading ad agencies around the world have tapped his potent aesthetic in campaigns for Diesel, Nike and the London Underground, among others. He's also created interactive web-based projects for Air and Kraftwerk, while producing short video and animation pieces with collaborative PAM. Busy and engaged, Burrill is super-productive but soft-spoken and credits his success to following his own advice and motto, "work hard and be nice to people."

Tell us about your installation for the Zune Arts project.
The installation is comprised of four repeating rows of images I created using Illustrator and printed on light gray cardstock. The individual panels are all simple line drawings that somehow relates to the Zune experience...burning of records, sharing experiences, smiling faces. I like the repetition because it has an even sort of feel to it. I don't usually work in this scale, so I definitely had to think it through.

Were the individual images made with the cohesive bigger picture in mind or did it develop naturally?
Yeah, I suppose it was made with the bigger picture in mind. There is some sort of sub-level thread but it was also a natural progression. All the images are made with a point width of two so they naturally fit together and match. I was picking and choosing images with a similar idea in mind, however, yeah, I think they could all work standing alone.

How did you get involved with this sort of media?
When I was younger I used to copy and draw record sleeves and logos all the time, that was my thing. All of my friends and classmates use to have branded bags and clothes. I used to have an unbranded bag that I would then brand by drawing logos with marker. I was always trying to copy the logos and trademarks perfectly. This type of controlled drawing is evident in my work today.

All of your work is very simple and clean. What is it that you like about the simple aesthetic?
That is how I live life as well, just keep things very simple. I don't like anything to be too complicated. Overall I like things that are easy on the eyes. (Pictured left, click for detail.)

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