Cool Hunting
| 20 November 2007view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Tretorn Georgetown Shop
by Ami Kealoha
Tretorn opened its first stand alone boutique yesterday in Georgetown, D.C, its location a coincidental nod to its preppy history. Using a custom modular display system shaped like the Swedish flag, in addition to their minimalist footwear, the Swedish label will also offer their rubber boots, their new line of men's apparel and accessories.
Tretorn
1237 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Georgetown, D.C. 20007 map
Steelcase Walkstation
by Tim Yu
Unveiled a few weeks back, the Walkstation by Steelcase went on sale yesterday to businesses looking to improve the health of their employees without sacrificing productivity. Developed by Dr. James Levine of the world renowned Mayo Clinic to help alleviate the consequences of our increasing sedentary lives, the Walkstation is a converged desk and treadmill.
Obviously not intended to provide a gym-style workout, the Walkstation in fact doesn't go above three mph. Rather, the goal is to increase whole body movement while working to increase what Dr. Levine calls "non-exercise activity thermogenesis" or N.E.A.T., energy expended during everyday activity. I went by the showroom expecting a good laugh but was pleasantly surprised by the design and functionality.
The desk sits on hydraulic legs allowing adjustments to the height of the worksurface at the push of a button. Keeping it minimal, the display console is simple and easy to read, only showing speed, calories burned, time and distance. Concealed shock absorbers minimize vibration and bounce and the treadmill belt runs smoothly. There is also an emergency pull cord you can attach to yourself in case anything goes wrong.
I could see some problems with using this if you suffer from motion sickness but it could just take some getting used to. I wouldn't recommend talking on any corded phones either, however, it's still an interesting take on our work lives—or rather our lack of non-work lives. Pretty sad actually, is this what it has come to?
Walkstations range from $3,500 to $4,500 and are available through Steelcase and Details dealers. A consumer model along with customizing accessories should be out in the Spring of 2008.
Refinery29 Winter Playlist
by Ami Kealoha
This time of year can be fairly sluggish as far as new albums go. You have to be paying close attention to catch the sonic gems. But, rest assured, they're here in abundance—you just need to know where to look. Refinery29 has compiled a Winter Playlist that has a mix of some of our all-time favorite artists peppered with a few new discoveries we've been into as of late. Some highlights…
Radiohead: In Rainbows A virtually flawless album from one of our generation's true musical treasures. Like a more organic re-recording of Kid A material—electric piano, strings, drums, and Thom Yorke's inimitable voice. It's Radiohead, what more can we say?
Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend There has been much buzz about these preppy Columbia grads, with their top-siders and Lacoste polos. But enough about their style—they make great Paul Simon-influenced jangly pop that discusses the pitfalls of dorm life, vacationing on Cape Cod, and the Oxford Comma. Cloying? Perhaps. Insanely catchy? Definitely.
Roisin Murphy: Overpowered Roisin wears outrageous outfits and makes amazing videos, and, frankly, that's how we first discovered her. But don't mistake those disco stylings as hipster Kylie rip-offs. It's actually quite amazing in its own right. Unfairly destined for American obscurity, we should help Roisin make it to the top and crank this as loud as we can.
Wingrider Bicycle Clip
by Ami Kealoha
To add a little Greek god/comic book style to your daily bike commute, these winged straps will do the trick. They'll also do double duty by protecting your pant cuffs from rips and grease stains caused by the chain. Designed by Droog co-founder Gijs Bakker (who got his start designing jewelry), they're made with a reflective PVC for night safety that's also weatherproof.
The pair is $15 from the Conran Shop.
