Dedicated to inspiring designers, inventors & the creative spirit in all of us.

Small spaces can engender the best of designs. So many designs have been centered around tight quarters, but not like this. A company called Spiral Cellars has found a niche market servicing the wealthy wine aficionado. 

Using a cut-out hole in the floor beneath common areas in the home, these guys create spiral staircases that lead to small depths; so small in fact, that you can do no more than grab a bottle of wine. A cool factor, indeed, to have such a cool hidden cellar, but at what cost? Plenty, I am sure.

Having seen many induction stovetops, I was excited to see the Caso portable induction plate. This version, priced right and portable, makes induction cooking possible for anyone. Though this hot plate can reach temperatures of up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t be intimidated. Its built-in safety features include the ability to sense pans on its glass top surface. It also has a 180-minute timer and 10 precise power levels. Well designed and beautifully functional.

This advice for how to better render is a good set of guidelines. I, like others who have read this and posted, do not agree with the last one, though. ”Always cheat” is a bad way of saying reference what is around you. Underlays and references to scale and style are not cheating, so the wording threw me for a loop. But overall, it’s a good article.

Geometric package designs for snacks are coming from all directions. Doritos has had a conceptual design overhaul, making a play on its famous triangular snack shape. 

Impact extrusion is used to create this new Coke can redesign. Looks cool, I just hope it feels cool and can match the structural integrity of the current can.

Harnessing energy through the action of a rocking chair is a clever way to illuminate a reading light. The Murakami Chair does just that, and even has an OLED lamp that knows when it is needed and when to store energy for later use.

Combination gadgets never get old, and here are some new ones to make kitchen tasks a little easier.

Designed to cut through pizza and then flip sideways to dish it up with a flick of the wrist, this pizza cutter and spatula looks like it could even work its way through a dessert or two.

Grilled cheese and soup never look so good as when they are sharing the same plate. This combo bowl and plate set is the perfect size for any soup & sandwich.

Combining a strainer and measuring cup, this fat separator helps to keep the flavor of gravy, soups and stock without the fat. Non-slip grip and see-through design are always useful when working in the kitchen.

Grater, herb scoop, peeler, zester and knife all in one — this combo knife set does it all. Saving drawer space is smart design, and by using this tool, you can ditch those four other tools and save some valuable space.

This 5-in-1 utensil set combines a scraper, strainer, spreader, spoon and server made from reclaimed nylon. It even locks together for storing flat and has a 450-degree melting point.

Simple ideas are the best, and this is an example of one – a reusable lid for plastic bags. Buy in bulk, or cut open a bagged package of food and then use this to snap it closed without a twist tie or chip clip. Copoc Bag Clips can be used on big bags of M & M’s, bulk grains, sugar; the possibilities are endless.

Here are a few ways to store and pour things from the kitchen including brown sugar, milk and tea. Some unique, some clever, some functional; but all double walled in design.

bottle inside of a glass blow molded utter milk decanter, wine glass in a bottle double walled coffee mug tornado in a glass brown sugar castor double walled cruets double walled tea press champagne flutes stackable double walled glasses

This design is an award winner from Japan’s Ryoji Takahashi that offers a new look and feel to shredding. The tube-like paper shredder can be held over a waste basket and is less obtrusive than the traditional rectangular electric paper shredder. Seems to be a desk-friendly redesign; now we have to wait until it comes to the States.

With Halloween right around the seasonal calendar, a lot of people are going to begin designing their own costumes. I have found a few creative costumes for your enjoyment and inspiration — some cute, some scary, and some just really clever.  

Construction machinery  dinosaur with a cage   baby monster  baby Nacho Libre  chicken crossing the road  Indiana Jones video game monster  iPhone vending machine  Bumblebee