This is how this product is being spun:

Graphic Designer Thomas Dabner from Sheffield has created these fun and attractive “low ink” pillow covers. A cotton pillow cover designed specifically for those designers out there who share his frustration with low running ink and you know you have no new cartridges left. via if it’s hip, it’s here

Sometimes there is this kind of “new” design stuff on the market that seems to either fly or fail. It honesly reminds me of those takcy men only gift stores from the eighties that sold useless golf novelty products, the magic eight ball, or silly ties. It’s inovation-less products like these that make me wonder if design has truly run out of inovative ideas or if we’re now doomed to repeat history. It does seem frustrating, as a designer, that another designer can profit off a found-object, mundane, slice-of-life hap-hazard reality of printing off-shoot and turn it in to “attractive” and ”fun” geek-ware.

Or maybe I’m completely off base and I can’t see beyond the ugly of the wasted piece of paper and this is truly the most ingenious idea of the year to date. I’m willing to change, so you tell me. Am I wrong?

So I’m reading my feeds this morning and I’m doing my usual scan for my chic picks and eco-chic picks (which are new categories I just added because I love the label) and I came across this:

After I finished throwing up (because this is a disgustingly gross picture, I mean, the least Okhyo could have done here is added a sexy or sentual picture that makes you want to clean yourself rather than feel like you’re being dumped on by a thousands pounds of water) I came across the kitchen backsplash pic which is much more interesting:

Now, be warned that this isn’t really something that we should all rush out and do to our backspashes because, afterall, there is a bit of a goddy factor when considering your photo backsplash; but I think it’s a cool idea for a more minimalist space.

Is it a hit or a miss?

via Unplggd

Oh it’s a game changer, alright. Plug in your already included USB cords in addition to a Travel Adapter? WOW! My world is about to change for the better.

Our custom TruePower U-Socket power outlet solution includes two Universal Serial Bus (USB) charge ports in addition to the two standard three prong power outlet ports.

Specifications:
Input voltage: AC 100 to 240V 50/60Hz
USB input current: 80mA
Output voltage: USB: DC 5.0V 600mA
Operation temperature: -15 to 45 Degrees Celsius
Relative humidity: < 95%
Air pressure: 86 to 106kPa

Via: Core77.com

Yoga Journal – Earlier this week, domestic diva Martha Stewart taped an episode of The Martha Stewart Show, dedicated entirely to the practice of yoga. During the show, which airs tomorrow, her guest Trudie Styler, a famed yogi and wife of musician Sting, leads the audience of 51yogis though an empowering Warrior workout. There’s also an overview of the different kinds of yoga.

Click here for the video preview

Spare me the country twang, but this is pretty cool.

Making the RD Legs chair from Cohda Design on Vimeo.

Inhabitat came out with a sleek Green Gift Guide for 2009 this past week. Some of them are pretty cool and I especially like the idea of purchasing something that has great value and isn’t newly manufactured.

Only problem is, it’s kind of a segregated guide. I went strait to the category marked “gifts for girls” because of this AWESOME Eco-Chalet Dollhouse. So I re-wrote the description:

Encourage your little girl’s child’s inner green architect with this beautifully-made green dollhouse. Made from all natural recycled rubber wood, it’s no ordinary dollhouse! It comes with a whole host of green design features (miniature replica photovoltaics!) as well as two separate units that can be arranged and rearranged until she they’re is satisfied that she they has have the house of her their dreams.

Holiday sexism sucks.

How cute is it that these fellas have taken the early digital images from day’s of yor and produced a geometric product. Not sure I’m totally into the RGB raw colours but it’s still kinda cute.

Martinus Teapot by Art Lebedev Studio » Yanko Design.

Oh my goodness! How hot this stuff guys?!? Cabracega, a Portugese design form, came up with this All City line of tableware and, well, you can see what I’m going to say next.

It’s intended to confront two different places and times. On one hand, we have the elegant quality of porcelain – represented by the table sets and decorative objects, taking us back to a different timeframe. On the other hand, there is graffiti as an art form and a way for contemporary urban intervention, which aims to promote new perspectives over cityscapes.

via Core77 / industrial design magazine + resource / blog.

*stun-ning: adj

1. Causing of capable of causing emotional shock or loss of conciousness

2. Of a strikingly attractive appearance