Animal Boxes by Carl Zahn

These totally cute and beautiful Animal Boxes by Brooklyn based designer Carl Zahn are functional little sculptures that capture the essence of the animal while still remaining function. The boxes, all hinged at the eye, have a single small magnet that holds the box closed. Carl designed Animal Boxes for Areaware.

— Via DesignBoom

Whistler Tea Set by Raquel Castro for Alma Gemea

The Whistler Collection by Raquel Castro is a beautiful tea set that combines the softness of cork with the sturdiness of earthenware. The cork surrounds the bottom half of each of the vessels, adding texture but also taking advantage of corks insulating properties by placing it where the user holds the vessel and also where the majority of the tea sits. Perfectly protecting the hand while keeping your beverage warm!

The Whistler tea set is named after the oldest cork oak tree in the world, The Whistler, which is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal and is part of a joint project between two Portuguese companies, Amorim Cork Composites & Matceramica. The project, called Alma Gémea (Love Story), was started to explore the possibilities of combining cork and ceramic into new and exciting products.

The Whistler collection is available from Loja de Estar.

Shokki Collection by Laurent Corio

I really love the simplicity and color burst of the Shokki Collection of stoneware vessels by Paris based designer and ceramicist Laurent Colio. The bare ceramic mixed with the brilliantly colored interior is beautifully matched with the simple form and ribbon handles. The clay Laurent used is native to the Guimards quarry in Burgundy, France.

— Via NOTCOT

The Whole Story photo Albums by Debra Folz

I really love these Whole Story photo albums by recent RISD grad Debra Folz. In my head, and home, the perfect photo album is one that makes you want to leave it out and not hide it away in the bottom of some drawer. These hand made albums accomplish that by making the album a sculptural element worthy of permanent display. The albums are handmade with reinforced front and back covers and a removable binding that allows you to expand the whole album open at once or leaf through it page by page.

You can grab one for yourself for $180 on Debra’s website.

— Via Design*Sponge

Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha & Räsymatto Dinnerware

Love these Marimekko dishes.

From Finn Style:

Maija Louekari’s patterns have been carefully designed to suit the size and shape of each simple piece, designed by Sami Ruotsalainen. The line drawings of Siirtolapuutarha (Community Garden or Allotment) depict intricate vegetables and labyrinthine buildings that flow from one piece to the next.

KAMI Collection crafted by Takahasi Kougei

The KAMI Collection crafted by Takahasi Kougei is everything but ordinary. The simple forms of the cup and the mug are reminiscent of traditional forms but are rendered in beautiful Castor Aralia wood with a food-safe polyurethane coating inside. Both items come in two sizes. The cups are designed by Oji Masanori and are available for purchase from Analog Life.

Two great new products from Ladies & Gentleman

Ladies & Gentleman is a great little company releasing some really fun new products this year. Both Chalk It To Me Piggy Bank and Superior Servers are whimsical reinterpretations of existing products. They have a sense of humor about them while still adding usability and value to the product.

Chalk It To Me Piggy Bank

Chalk it To Me Piggy bank is a pigmented ceramic piggy bank that allows you to write on the surface with chalk and wipe it clean.

Superior Servers

Superior Servers are a throw back to your grandmothers silver set with a modern twist. The handles are brightly colored reminiscent of rubber dipped tool handles. The set includes a fork, spoon and a straining spoon and comes in three different colors.

Moa Baskets by Marcel Basau & Eva Marguerre

Moa is a series of handmade baskets by the German design team of Marcel Basau and Eva Marquerre. The basket are made using a new process Marquerre created back in 2008 for the Nido glass fiber stool. Elastic yarn is woven on a wooden stretcher and then drenched in resin. The stretcher is pressed down over a form and secured. Once the resin has dried, the stretcher is removed from the form and the finished piece is cut off and cleaned up. Its a brilliant process that not only creates sturdy baskets relatively quickly, but the are amazingly beautiful.

— Via DesignBoom

Wasara Biodegradable Tableware

The Wasara line of biodegradable tableware, designed by the Japanese design studio Simplicity, are a beautiful replacement for ordinary disposable plates, bowls, and cups. The Wasara line is made from tree-free renewable sources, a special blend of bamboo, reed pulp and sugar cane fibers. The tableware is completely biodegradable, perfect for throwing into the compost bin when your done. Simplicity paid special attention to the way the user holds disposable tableware, which differs greatly from how traditional tableware is used. They added gentle curves and hand holds that are both beautiful and functional, adding needed strength to the object.

— Via DesignBoom

Rocking Pot by Betina Piqueras

I’m not really a tea drinker but if I was I would want to brew it in The Rocking Pot by Betina Piqueras. The pot balances perfectly in a holder that allows you to just tip the pot forward to pour.