TIMBER! Reclaimed Timber Desk Caddy

Reclaimed Timber Desk Caddy by Jonathan January

I’m sitting in a session at BlogHer in San Diego and the discussion is ridiculous. I’ll spare you the details. It’s providing the perfect time to tackle a few task items, including a long passed due entry here on The Desctop. This came way of Uncrate recently and I thought to myself, “how beautiful to have some raw materials sitting on your desk.” This desk caddy is made from reclaimed fir timber and treated with a non-toxic durable finish. It’s a stunning piece for the desk for showcasing all of those items like pens, pencils, letter opener, scissor, etc. I’m all about the old with the new, so this can be quite special looking if sitting on a nice stark modern table. The caddy measures 11”L x 4”h x 3”W and sells for $45 USD on Jonathan January’s Etsy site.

Storylines for your office (wall)

Frederik Roije's Storylines book shelf

Available in four colors, dark and light grey, white and blue.

Last month, I introduced you to Frederik Roije and his Guidelines wall-mount magazine rack. Now witness another great find from his Amsterdam-based studio – Storylines is a book shelf with the outline of an architectural skyline. If in the search for something interesting for your office that goes beyond the conventional, look no further. What I enjoy most about Roije’s work is the combination of architecture, design and functionality. True to the modern creed of “form follows function,” there’s nothing better than a true testament of authentic design that fuses all of these great aspirations. Made of powder-coated folding metal, Storylines is available in dark grey, light grey, blue, and white and is available for 199 Euros.

Guidelines for your Life (and other mags)

Frederik Roije's folding medal Guidelines for wall mounted magazines.

Something about Frederik Roije‘s Guidelines design is very fashionable for your office wall. “Fashionable”… perhaps I’m channeling Anna Wintour because of today’s Fashion Night Out. But if you agree or not, his simplistic design is quite practical for displaying a few magazines that can pose as art. A little Bauhaus mixed with a Mondrian twist, the Amsterdam-based designer has created something unique with folded metal that is coated and available in white or dark gray. If you’ve been reading The Desctop for awhile, you will know that I have a love affair with print magazines. I’m especially excited about Roije’s creation because it is now easy to frame your favorite three covers without going through the trouble of placing them inside a frame. Furthermore, you can switch out the covers with ease for a quick update. For anyone looking to add a bit of fashion to their office space, simply add Guidelines to your wall. Available directly from Frederik Roije’s studio for 169 Euros.

Write Wall – IdeaPaint

IdeaPaint turns your wall into a dry erase board!

Available in a solvent or water-base paint

Ever get in trouble for writing on the walls as a kid? I did. Perhaps it was a degenerate gene that connected me to my graffiti-making cousins or it was an artistic need to exert some creative expression. Whatever it was, I masked my bedroom walls long before it was popular to do so in conference rooms for the business world. Now, thanks to the wonders of science, you have another option besides chalkboard paint for similar applications. IdeaPaint, founded by three Babson College graduates, creates a high-performance solvent-base and a home-friendly water-base paint that transforms your walls into an effective dry erase board. For commercial and corporate needs, 50 sf of surface paint is available in an array of neutral colors starting at $175 USD. For smaller home projects, the water-based solution is available for 20 sf of coverage for $30. Keep in mind, 20 sf will yield an area that is 5′ x 4′. If opting for this option, I suggest buying cheap molding to create a frame effect for the designated area. The last thing you want is to go outside “the lines” and truly ruin your traditional walls. Consider this a lesson learned from my youth.

Visit IdeaPaint for their great site full of…well, ideas.

Set within a color backdrop, a small amount goes a long way.

I Heart MUCU – MUCU Notebooks

Japan's MUCU notebooks

Offered in a small array of notebook choices

I’ve been waiting for a US outlet to carry these great artisan notebooks by Japan’s MUCU. Something about the craft of Japanese paper and stationery is so beautiful when jotting down your mental notes or just casually sketching as if you were back in college. Using untreated materials like newspaper stock, canvas and tarpaulin, the small variety of choices include a wire spiral, blank pocket notes, and a pocket ring flip book. Ranging in price from $12 to $20, you can now order domestically at the Virginia denim purveyor Need Supply Co.

Light in Motion – The LIM task light

The LIM LED Task Light by Pablo Pardo and Ralph Reddig

I came across this exquisite desk light at the Dwell Design show in Los Angeles this summer. The LIM task light is an ultra slim LED desk light suitable for any workspace. It’s literally light in motion (get it, LIM?) with its L-shaped arm that provides a range of height adjustment from 12″ to 17″ and tilts up to 90 degrees through a clever magnetic attachment to the base. In fact, you can acquire an additional arm an attached it to the opposite end of the base for maximum dual lighting. Offered in three styles – polished, graphite, and satin aluminum – the LIM is a great companion for any office, executive or entry level. Created by Venezuelan product designer Pablo Pardo, the LIM represents a partnership between his San Francisco-based studio and the contract furnishing company Haworth. You can get your hands on one for $300 at Velocity.

Inspiration – A.T.’s House Tour

Apartment Therapy gives you a tour of a home in Hemet, CA

One might not think of Hemet, California as a source for great style, but Morgan and Jeremy have taken Palm Springs flair to their Riverside County outpost. What I like most of their home office is the use of existing built-ins and updating it with new pulls and fresh paint. You can never go wrong with all white, especially when you can anchor the space with great, eclectic art. See the whole house at Apartment Therapy.

A Mad Mad World – Columbus, Indiana

Plastolux visits Saarinen Bank in Columbus, Indiana

In celebration of the new season of Mad Men, I thought it would be nice to take a stroll down memory lane to an era of mid-century modernism. This comes from Plastolux, a fantastic blog of everything modern. Take a tour of this classic example of “form follows function” and “less is more” with Eero Saarinen’s bank project in Columbus, Indiana. Built in 1954 and has remained true to its natural form. Kuddos.

Doctor Doctor! – The DR Collection

The DR Collection designed by Claudio Bellini for Jofco

A little of the old with a little of the new.

Call the doctor because I just felt my heart stop at first sight of this beautiful executive desk designed by Italian artisan Claudio Bellini. Created for Frezza who deals with Jofco for US domestic sales, the DR Collection combines natural carved walnut wood with modern accents like colored glass surface tops. The collection comprises of the casegood as seen above, as well as a freestanding desk, credenza and conferencing table. The executive collection made its debut at Neocon last month and is already garnering much attention. Check out the entire suite of furnishings at Jofco.

Thank you Contemporist for the tip. To see other stunning products designed by Claudio Bellini, visit his portfolio here.

Write with a feather – Fjader Pen

The Fjader Pen by Coles of London

Also offered in Midnight Blue

Paying homage to the art of writing with a feather, the Fjader (Swedish for feather) is a sleek, stunning writing tool with a beautiful pedestal for displaying its exquisite modern lines. It’s lightweight at only 10 grams and measuring 7.2 inches. This set will look GREAT on any desk…buy yours immediately. Available for $39 at Barnes & Noble.