Kaleido Trays by Hay for DWR

These Kaleido trays designed by Hay made me sit straight up when I was flipping through the Design Within Reach catalog:

Colorful, modular trays: easy on the eyes and, apparently, good for your posture.

Anne-Claire Petit

Anne-Claire Petit's food-inspired crochet cushions are further proof that almost everything I love comes from The Netherlands (or Scandinavia!):

Hello, whimsical, colorful housewares in a playful scale! Please come in and sit down. You will look so good on my couch. Some of her designs are available in the US via The Future Perfect and you can see more awesome fiber objects on her portfolio site.

La Fabbrica del Vapore

I've had this little factory humidifier, designed by Giulio Iacchetti, on my wish list for years. Now that Tony and I are in a new place with radiators, I can indulge myself this winter and not feel like a dried out husk of a human every morning: 

For purchase from Italy here, and for more in this series of non-electric, radiator-powered humidifiers, see here.

Tout Est Mieux Avec Des Rayures

This tea towel speaks the truth: everything is better with stripes!

(I happen to think everything is better in French, too.) Check out more textiles designed and hand-printed by Studiopatró in San Francisco.

Polyhedra Pendant

This faceted polyhedra pendant made by RawDezign in Birmingham, England, is calling my name:

There are so many reasons to support small companies making great products like this, but the most selfish reason is to enjoy having custom options for things like cord colors! I'd go red or orange, but gold would be fancy pants, too.

House Page Markers by Suck UK

I'll never get over book-related stationery items, rainbows, or things shaped like little houses, so enter these adorable page markers from Suck UK:

They're also available in a larger post-it size. I'd better make some room on my desk.

Phone Rainbow

Odds are pretty good that you've either ditched your landline or you're thinking about ditching it, but maybe this rainbow of vintage phones from the Etsy shop Ohiopicker will make you reconsider:

More colors here!

DIY Geometric Paper Ornaments

The only thing I ever enjoyed in the history of math class was making paper icosidodecahedrons, so I think I would dig this super colorful DIY paper ornament set from Field Guide Design:

Hint: Don't wait 'til Christmas!

Koppel Thermometer

Welp, we can stop making thermometers, because this one, designed by Henning Koppel, is perfect:

Available from Skandium in stainless steel or black; also available as a hygrometer and a barometer.

Color Chip Boxes

I have instant colorful container love for these Color Chip boxes handmade in Denmark by Nunabee:

They're available in multiple colors in square and oblong from Leif. If you're not familiar with Leif, check out their site, which you can delightfully view by color. 

Austin Outdoor Studio

If you've been looking for affordable, modern mail boxes and house numbers, look no further. Jonathan Duke, aka Austin Outdoor Studio, has sleek and minimal offerings made of steel that can be painted or left to weather with a lovely patina:

 Standard Modern Mailbox

Modern House Numbers

And triple bonus points are awarded from this Texan for everything being handmade in Austin! See more options along with planters and fire pits in his Etsy shop.

Indice by Hiroaki Watanabe

I just stumbled on these rainbow indice bookends designed by Hiroaki Watanabe at the MoMA Store:

Perfect for organizing your back copies of Domino before the special issue is released in April! And while you're at the MoMA Store, check out the jewelry made by Jessica and Jesse, the fine folks of Nervous System.

Brace Yourselves for Modern Kitty Cuteness

Cat ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the cat bed bubble:

 

Warm Orange Red Bubble

Warm Grey Stone Bubble

Lithuanian graphic designer Vaiva Nat felts these cat bed bubbles by hand. I can't think of a cat alive who wouldn't immediately curl up in one and it would look fantastic in a modern, cat-friendly house, no? I'm immediately obsessed.

Floating Geometric Shelving

I hope designers' recent enthusiasm for geometric shapes isn't going anywhere. All the better for those of us looking for clean, uncomplicated housewares like the handmade floating geometric shelves below. The first is designed and made by Ron and Bri of Minneapolis' Junglai:

 Floating Parallelogram Shelf - Barnwood Grey by Junglai 

 Kulma Shelf by Martina Carpelan and Hong Ngo

And the Carpelan/Ngo shelf above is particularly appealing because it can tuck into a corner or wrap around the outside of one--'kulma' is Finnish for 'corner.' (Thanks for sharing this shelf on Pinterest, Amy Freezor!)

Modern Vases

These handmade vases are speaking to me through their clean, crisp lines and color. They're saying, "Take me home...no, the cats won't knock me over...."

Red Cross porcelain vase by NestingEmily

Strand Vase by TannerGlass

Half Dipped Porcelain Bottle Trio by SuiteOneStudio

Thank you to Liz Smith of MadeInLowell for sharing TannerGlass on Twitter!

Vibrant Rugs by Sonya Winner

With three cats and a dog, we've simply given up on the idea of having rugs in our house. I guess that's what I find so many I can't live without, like nearly every single design by Sonya Winner:

Are you holding your breath yet? It looks like there's a signature in some of her rugs, which is fitting for the works of art that they are. Everyone else can stop making rugs now, I think Sonya's got it, thanks.

Right Round

I've been seeing a lot of circle-shaped housewares that are really appealing to me. Captain's mirrors seem to be having a surge of popularity, but I don't use mirrors much. These would be more functional for me:

Vintage Mid-Century Black Metal Magazine Rack

 Blackwood Circle Shelf

Round Chalkboard with Bamboo Tray

The chalkboard is on my "must buy" list. What's on yours?

Pendant Lamps by Studio Snowpuppe

Nellianna and Kenneth, an architect and an industrial designer respectively, make beautiful paper origami pendant lamps by hand in the Netherlands under the name Studio Snowpuppe (I'm not sure what a snowpuppe is, but I'm sure that I want one). The lamps are fascinating to look at from all angles, making them perfectly suited for installation over a dining table or a seating area in the living room. Of their three available designs, here are my two favorites:

 Signature White Paper Origami Lampshade, size XL

Chestnut Paper Origami Lampshade in Yellow, size S

The Chestnut lamps also come in pink, grey, and white, and they're all available on Nellianna's Etsy shop.