post-off: what's your favorite everyday marvel?
We picked up a copy of Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design by Paola Antonelli the other day. The book came out earlier this year and it’s certainly one to add your collection. It celebrates the beautiful simple design of the tools of our lives — from BandAids to Q-tips to soft contact lenses. Most of the things on its pages will be amazingly familiar, and it will definitely have you looking around your house with a new appreciation for the little things. Since Paola’s book doesn’t have anything made after the year 2001, we thought we’d ask: What’s your favorite everyday marvel? You know, that great, perfectly designed thing that not only does its job remarkably well, but also is strikingly gorgeous? Here are some of our favorites. Click through to the next page to read more and share your own!
Bunny says:
I’m generally laid-back about beauty stuff, but I agonize about my hair—which is why I can’t imagine a world without blow dryers. My mother slept with curlers in her hair (ouch!) when she was a teenager, so I’m happy that I only have to spend five minutes in pursuit of wavy volume.
Megan says:
Among all the new gizmos in the cleaning aisle, the Swiffer is the one that sweeps me off my feet. I admit that it’s not most environmentally friendly product on the planet, but if I can avoid hauling out a mop and filling a bucket with slop water, I’m a happy camper. Every time Buster comes in from the backyard bearing muddy paws, I just whip out my Swiffer and my floor is as good as new in 50 seconds and the smell is so fresh and so clean, clean. I’m also charmed by the idea of “Swiffer” as a verb, as in “so I was swiffering the other day and the craziest thing happened…”
Angela says:
My vote would have to go to the simple binder clip. I use these things for all sorts of uses, not the least of which is holding together large piles of paper. They’re also great for keeping bags of tortilla chips closed and hanging up photographs without the commitment of a nail or tack or piece of tape. I was going to suggest Post-its, but then I saw a wonderful post over at Happy Mundane that pretty much sums up their greatness. You must check it out and remember them next time there’s a wall that needs covering!
Arianne says:
This is a tough one! Well, these might be too techy, but I like: Neverlate 7-Day Alarmclock. (It’s an alarmclock that you can set for seven different wake up times. which is utterly useful. And it’s appealingly lowtech, so to set you turn one knob to the day, and the second knob to the time.) And InfoGlobe Caller Id. (It’s a neon globe that flashes who’s calling so that you can glance and see it across the room, yet it’s low-lit enough that it’s not invasive.)
Megan – is that the Swiffer WetJet or just Swiffer Wet (wet cloths, no sprayer) in particular? They also make those scented dry cloths that are nice.
I have these vintage Pyrex serving bowls that are great. The patterns are dated, but the bowls are still attractive, and perfect for cooking frozen vegetables in the microwave (which is usually actually healthier than eating fresh vegetables, since they’re frozen a few hours after picking, whereas “fresh” produce is usually in transit and on the shelf for a few days). The bowls are white inside and various colors outside. They’re round and stackable, with glass lids that have little handles that match the bowl’s handles in shape. The lids have internal rims that keep them from sliding off the bowls easily, and can be used with either side up. It’s easy to pour excess liquid out, as long as you’re using potholders, because the handles on the bowl also form little spouts, and the lids don’t seal to them there… that also means the bowls are vented.
I also really like Method’s line of cleaning products, and their packaging, which I believe is by Karim Rashid.
I’ll let you know if I can think of anything better. :)
(My bookshelf gnome makes me happy every time I look at him, but he’s not really useful in any way.)
Miranda, I use the Swiffer Wet, but the Swiffer WetJet sounds like it definitely has appeal. Do you use it?
Miranda, I use the Swiffer Wet, but the Swiffer WetJet sounds like it definitely has appeal. Do you use it?
Oh this is hard! My hard drive. Yikes I can’t believe I said that…
It’s the Apple box that sits next to my monitor. It looks like it might hold a sandwich it.
Oh this is hard! My hard drive. Yikes I can’t believe I said that…
It’s the Apple box that sits next to my monitor. It looks like it might hold a sandwich in there. Also, the Karim Rashid dust buster from Dirt Devil. Sweet! Sometimes when I am feeling particularly evil I will goad Owen to attack it.