Cool Hunting
| 21 August 2007view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Light Fruit
by Tim Yu
Last time we checked money still doesn't grow on trees, but now lights do. Designed by Nick Foley, this hand-forged hollow steel tree bears three removable pear-shaped lights that are held on with a rare earth magnet. An integrated circuit charges the 10 LEDs inside each pear for portable use. After harvesting, the lights provide over an hour of itinerant light. No word yet on pricing.
via Yanko Design
Smeg Fab28 Refrigerator: Coming to the U.S.
by Tim Yu
Previously only available in the U.K., aesthetes based stateside can now rejoice with Smeg's first showroom opening in the U.S. soon.
With looks that are more '50s icebox than white-beast refrigerator, the Fab28 adds a bit of vintage style to your kitchen appliance line-up. Smooth rounded corners add to the Rocakabilly feel, while the single lever door comes hinged on either side. An antibacterial interior features five glass shelves, two compartments and the freezer's at the top. At less than five feet tall and 23" wide, it's well-suited for tight spaces.
Available in 10 retro colors, visit Smeg USA for more info and purchasing details or contact them here.
Utilitea Kettle
by Ami Kealoha
For true tea connoisseurs, heating water to the proper temperature is key—too hot and the taste and health benefits of greens, whites and herbals are destroyed. Adagio, the company that introduced the automatic tea maker, has a solution with the new cordless Utilitea kettle featuring a variable temperature control.
Much like other electric kettles, the Utilitea has a stainless steel canister and heats up to four cups of water in a matter of a few minutes. The difference is the color-coded dial that selects a temperature suitable to the type of tea you're brewing. Pick it up from Adagio for $49.
Also on Cool Hunting: Tea Time, Anteadote Teas
Nerd Cars
by Ami Kealoha
Nerd-mobiles! At Japan's twice-annual comic convention Comiket, otaku (aka "geeks") showed off their hardcore dorkiness with sticker-covered cars. Called "itasha," these geeked-out cars take their name from the Japanese kanji for "itai" (painful) and "sha" (car). Rumor has it that the character "ita" was chosen because it sounds closest to the "Ita" from "Italian." Yes, these dork wagons are a word play on "Italian Car." Because nothing is more cool and exotic than a hatch back covered in stickers.
In recent years, it has become more socially acceptable to be an otaku in Japan, where previously adults into animation, manga and video games would be reluctant to publicly display their interest. A 21 year-old college student confesses to Yahoo! News Japan, "I like anime, and I want to attract attention."
Typical decor include stickers of popular anime "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" and erotic PC game "Fate/Stay Night." But it's not just the exterior that get dolled up. Itasha are also noted for their unabashedly nerdy interiors that include figurine stands and character pillows. (Pictured below left.) Itasha have moved beyond automobiles and have expanded to bicycles. Yes, there are nerd sticker bikes, too. (Pictured below right.) Talk about otaku pride.
See more images on the Senaka Blog.
by Brian Ashcraft
Solopipe
by Seth Brau
The Solopipe started popping up on the interweb a few weeks ago and when we saw the magic of this all-in-one smoking solution, we had to check it out. Based on a simple concept, the pipe has a built-in lighter that wins extra points for beautiful execution.
Sleek and compact, it's made of high-end stainless steel featuring a sliding bowl cover. The refillable lighter rotates itself 90º into position when clicked to ignite the bowl.
Perfect for on-the-go "motivation," the travel pipe makes a great companion for any concert and could even pass for a digital camera. It comes tastefully packaged with a carrying case, extra screens, and cleaning kit , selling for $70 here.
