In addition to the new Artecnica Charming Collection by Studio Tord Boontje, Artechnica and Studio Tord Boontje also launched 4 other collections! The Future Flora is a series of 3 Silver Plated Pendant Lamps: Laure, Ruglada, and Nadine. Studio Tord Boontje has always been a master of shadows when it comes it lighting, and these are no exception ~ flat packed, and ready to transform a room! On a smaller scale, Bright Times, is a series of 4 pop-out votive candle holders made from colorful/silver/gold etched steel… Also on the candle holder front, they have launched Candle Clamp, made from laser cut steel, it uses an “ingenious interlocking system that requires neither steel nor glue”… and the latest addition to the tranSglass collection, a new gorgeous Champagne Dish designed by Tord Boontje and Emma Woffden ~ see all four new collections on the next page!

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The Droog Shadylace Parasol by Chris Kabel, 2004 ~ i’ve been lusting after this design since… at least 2006 (i even posted about it back then!) Well, on indulgences for the new house, and with some help from Greener Grass Design, i gave in, and finally have one! And yes, it’s just as exciting as i’d hoped! The green is stunning, the adorable little gold birdy perched on top is adorable, and i LOVE the way it casts shadows! Finally having it in person, beyond the usual press photos we’ve all seen, here’s an up close look at the details ~ nice thing i was hesitant about… the material for the parasol is green polyester, and not at all waxy feeling! So it has a really nice look to it. And really it just brightens up any space you put it in! So take a look at the unboxing, closeups and some pics of it set up yesterday (popped it up in the hot sun between these rainy days we keep getting!) ~ everything on the next page!

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Been doing a lot of moving lately, and one of my pet peeves is being stuck with piles of boxed up stuff that isn’t unpacked, there’s something so unsettling about living amongst a pile of boxes, as if ready to bolt again… but more often than not, those boxes during transitory times serve as places to sit, makeshift tables and more… so i couldn’t help but smile when i ran across this new piece at PID ~ the Wannabe by Llotllov which is a powder coated steel table that comes with a box… so when you moving, or if you never want to unpack, that box becomes a functional piece of furniture, and the box nearly disappears! See more pics on the next page!

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The Steelcase Leap has been literally supporting me through this holiday season. Amongst the chaos and overworking it’s been looking out for my back and posture, and its comfy! I also love that it comes in a stool version, perfect for those architectural sketching desks… and then a lounge version too with a leather ottoman to match! Check out the whole Steelcase Leap collection.

So here’s the deal, while my back can’t talk and tell you quite how comfy and supported it’s felt ~ and although the holidays are coming to a close and most are getting back to the office soon… here’s the perfect post holiday gift to help yourself (or your hard workers) have a little more fun at work (Steelcase claims that increased ergonomics increases productivity…. and in between there i assume everyone just feels better and happier too!). So here’s my review/closer look through lots of pictures on the next page ~ including the inspiring GIANT cardboard box! And pictures that can’t be missed on the next page… besides the closeups… pictures of their test models! They look like fantastic crazy contraptions from medieval times meet today’s office chairs! Check it all out on the next page ~

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*Phew* Merry Boxing Day ~ what a season it’s been!!! Apologies for the slow down in posts, just been trying to catch up with my life a little after the gift guides, giveaways, and more the last month or so! As a result you’ll be seeing a few more playful posts from my everyday life (like the ZOO posts!) I just spent most of today hanging out at the new house/NOTCOT HQ which is nearly ready, and luckily ready enough for me to move my first conference/dining/pool table into!!! I somehow ended up hanging out there from about 10am till 9pm… delivery didn’t happen until closer to 3pm, but luckily Dan was there to keep me company! And then we naturally had to play a few games both before and after grabbing dinner with a friend! And now i couldn’t resist sharing some pics with you! But first, these are overview/snapshots of the building of the table, because once i got home i realized that in the excitement of PLAYING, we forgot to take more pics… so more pictures of the awesome design details to come.

So, remember Fusion Tables by Aramith? Wayyyy back as .org post #8996 that Laura Sweet posted? Basically its one of the first unique designs for pool tables that leans super sleek minimalist modern, and quickly hides in plain site as a dining table or conference table. To achieve this, Aramith (Belgian maker of incredible pool balls… “Without being familiar with the industry, very few would guess that nearly 80% of the billiard balls used worldwide come from a small village in the countryside of Belgium. For over half a century, the company SALUC SA has produced in the secrecy of its premises in Callenelle the unique and well-known Aramith phenolic balls, making this miniscule village the world’s capital of billiard ball production.” from their history), has designed the Fusion Tables, with a special lift system to adjust the table from dining height to pool table height easily, spandex pockets solve the problem of needing pockets that show when viewing the table from the side, and it still has a single slate, and incredibly high quality felting! Really with the table top on, you’d never guess there was a pool table hidden within! Anyhow, with the new house/office nearly ready, and the need for a dining/conference table ~ i couldn’t resist once i saw one in person! So take a peek at the set up of the table on the next page… and more pics to come!

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So first i started laughing, then i started wanting it…. how bizarre are these Picnica reusable shopping totes that… you stuff into a bunny! So when you use it the bunny hangs out on the side! Definitely one way to stand out in a farmer’s market, distract a child (in bunny form), or make those baggers do a double take…

I just found it over this hilarious reusable bag at our friends at Greener Grass Design ~ PICNICA TOTE BAG by Japanese design house, Eding:Post… also hilarious, Message Tote Bags ~ those, as you can guess, stuff themselves into speech bubbles with text like “Thank you” or “I’m Sorry” ~ see more pics of the rabbit totes and the message totes on the next page!

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UPDATE: Baxter of California is offering NOTCOT readers a 20% discount on all products using the code NOTCOT in the Coupon Code Section ~ good for 48 hours only ~ ends Sunday Dec 6th, midnight PST.

Oh, Baxter of California, always with the fun silly surprises… because of you, i just ate mini gummi bears for breakfast! and you brought me back to when i was a tiny tot and my mom used to give me those mini haribo gold-bear packs!

Soooo, here’s a packaging look at the fun textured, textual matchboxes and Flammable candles of Baxter of California… first time seeing them in person, i must admit the “Jasmin Noir” scent filling my desk really is quite divine… but its the gummi bears… and the way the big bold text wraps around all sides of the boxes that really grabs me… you have to see the pics on the next page to see what i mean…

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Gift Guide! This one is all about lighting ~ i’ve recently found that one of my new favorite fall backs for gifts is lighting! especially when unboxed before hand, and setup ready to plug in or light up, there is something so magical about the unboxing experience and watching someone literally transform the room by opening it, turning it on, plugging it in! Here is a roundup of picks we’re loving and/or wanting… and also a special section on solar lights! I’m recently been obsessively researching them ~ in love with the solar lanterns ~ and exploring options and design ideas on other solar lighting related concepts… Anyhow, check out the massive gift guide on the next page, click to browse!

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TO WIN: Leave a comment ~ Tell us something rechargeable related! ENTER BY 12/3. WINNER: Keira in Alberta, Canada!

Oooh i’m giddy excited about this one too! I guess you’ve probably noticed by now that everything we’re giving away i’m really excited about… this latest one is part review/unboxing (i’ve been dying to see one of these in person!) and part giveaway! OXO was kind enough to send over one the BIG Candela Luau Lanterns! I reviewed the Candela Flare lights earlier, and have been totally obsessed with how versatile and eco-friendly (and safer than candles!) they are with their rechargable batteries ~ perfect for outdoor usage of all sorts, and create the most incredible ambiance, especially in woody spaces! Well i’ve been itching to get one of the large lantern like Candela Luau lanterns for some time now, but had a hard time committing to the $200 pricetag without knowing quite how big or bright it was… but just seeing the product shots made me want to take one and wander along a stream at dusk…

Bottom line ~ its gorgeous! Brighter than i expected, but you can even dim it (and extend battery life from 6 to 10 hours) if you rotate the base… a bit large (Dimensions: 9” x 9” x 15”) to put on a smaller dining table, but perfect for taking on a picnic, having out on the patio, hanging from under a large outdoor umbrella. So take a look at the pics on the next page to see the unboxing (don’t worry i carefully un/re-boxed it!) ~ and to win it, leave a comment tell us something rechargeable related!

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TO WIN: Leave a comment over at Delight ~ Tell us about how YOU go green! ENTER BY 12/1 . WINNER: Mahrinah in California!

Happy Thanksgiving! Since i might be tied up a bit, thought i’d get this one up early for those of you looking for things to do and win between the festivities, or those of you who may be stuck at work… or black friday hunting… or… well, here! Giveaway #11 is from our good friends at Delight - They have a new deal every day, and quite the arsenal of incredible gifts, and gorgeous gift wrap! I always loved the clean look of an ivory white ribbon on a brown box… and now they’ve even come up with a great eco-friendly gift wrap, all the goodies tied up in a reusable RuMe bag! (So smart, its such a nice idea!) So what is this big Thanksgiving giveaway? Basically the ultimate green goody basket!!! Well, they call it the Eco-Delightful GET GREEN Gift Set - and its got about 50 things in there! If you count the pencils and lollipops separately… you can check my math on the next page… as well as see each and every product included! Some highlights ~ another chance to win the I Am Not A Paper Cup, the fun Twist sponges that have packaging that turns into bird feeders, reusable bags of multiple sorts, stainless steel water bottle, and more!

P.S.
Don’t forget ~ for this one, please Leave a comment over at Delight ~ Tell us about how YOU go green!

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Gift Guide! Here’s a guide of fun and unexpected gifts for the home ~ a little something for all types… see the full guide on the next page!

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On italian design icons, the Sacco is legendary, it’s impacted every college kid since 1968… it’s the original beanbag as designed in 1968 by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro for Zanotta… it is the first mass-produced bean bag chair, filled with polystyrene pellets… Can you believe it? 40 years? To celebrate, Zanotta invited us to breakfast at DZINE in San Francisco, and unfortunately i wasn’t able to make it up there, but Marcia Simmons was nice enough to step in and help out! Highlights were meeting Martino Zanotta, the current head of the company, having access to the ORIGINAL DESIGN SKETCHES of this legendary piece, and the picture she sent me of her cat, Olive, who has happily claimed her mini Sacco… See more images and her comments on the next page!

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I was watching Chuck tonight - the one where the best buy (“buy more”) geek squad (“nerd herd”) like guy has all the nations secrets downloaded into his brain and he has to run around and have crazy adventures playing spy, as created by the OC guy (josh schwartz) - and while it was as amusing as usual (with bizarre special guests nicole richie and ben savage) - the interiors of Sarah’s apt/hotel room were terribly distracting! The wallpaper, the green chair, headboard, and door, the lamps, the side table, the punching bag hanging from the ceiling. So, i took some mediocre shots of the TV to post here before it drove me nuts trying to track down tonight’s episode online… maybe i’ll update it the screenshots when the online versions are ready. How gorgeous is that green?

UPDATEs: So i have swapped out all the pics of my tv screen for some better ones (and even more on the next page now too!) ~ and thanks to Andrea, we’ve figured out that its the Viceroy right down the street in santa monica! Wonder if they would ever let us go wander around and take pics of rooms… or now i feel like getting a room there just to see it (which seems silly living so near by) - So Sarah apparently lives in Room 832 of the Viceroy.

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Tokujin Yoshioka’s Venus - “Natural Crystal Chair” ~ is an incredible chair that is crystallized over time on a polyester elastomer skeleton (says Today and Tomorrow). “Second Nature” directed by Tokujin Yoshioka at 21_21 Design Sight fron Oct 17 - Jan 18. See more images on the next page!

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While wandering through IKEA today, i finally gave in and had to take pics and buy one of the adorable kids Spoka Lights. These little ghosty night lights come in three shapes/colors and are squishy silicon rubber ~ its cordless with a recharger ~ and you push its head to turn it on and off. Designed by Bodrul Khalique. What was unexpected when i saw them was the packaging, they come in cute graphic bags, and inside the bag there is even a small pocket stitched inside for the cord. Supposedly on a full charge it can last 4-6 hours and light diodes are not replaceable; diode life approx. 50,000 hours. See more pictures on the next page!

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