Everyday Things That Aren’t Every Day

There is a design maxim to transcend the ordinary.  The idea is to transform ordinary items from their predictable form into an innovative, unfamiliar form.  I’ve always been drawn to everyday items with extraordinary design.  I love that simple household items—commonplace things people use on a regular basis—can be made to look like something unique and special.  As product design firm, Kikkerland Designs, puts it “even the most utilitarian gadget becomes a delightful discovery”.  I’m reminded of these delightful surprises in the midst of holiday gift shopping.
In today’s post, I’d like to share some examples of everyday items that aren’t every day.  I admit I’ve collected more of these items than I actually use.  I like to sprinkle them throughout my home to replace everyday items.  I love the clever designs and the bright pops of color.  But having them all displayed at the same time would be too kitschy and visually jarring for me—definitely a case of “too much of a good thing”.
A majority of the items I’ve come across are for the kitchen probably because there are more functional items in this area of the home.  I couldn’t resist this spoon rest, called “Betty’s”, designed by Wishlist for US-based Monkey Business.  Monkey Business collaborates with the leading product designers from Israel to “create useful objects with a smile”.
This sponge holder, called “Mr Sponge”, is by PELEG DESIGN from Israel.  This design studio encourages the viewer “to discover that beyond the products’ functionality there is a surprising game of enchantment and humor”. 
Moving on to entertaining.  Who would have thought to make ice cubes in the shape of guitars?  Apparently, designer Liz Goulet Dubois from US-based Fred Studio did.  These groovy guitar ice cubes are promoted as “Cool Jazz”.
This next item is my favorite.  Honestly, these salt and pepper shakers don’t hold much but those little birds hanging from that little tree are just so bright and cheerful.  They add instant character to the dinner table.  This item, from Italian design firm A. di Alessi, was designed by S. Giovannoni with R. Takeda in collaboration with the National Palace Museum of Taiwan.
Bath items seem to be another popular subject.  This bath sponge adds character and personality to a space that’s typically very utilitarian.  It was designed and made by Pylones, a French design firm.
Is there anything more mundane than a nail brush?  But look what US-based Kikkerland did with this one.  It’s the cutest little whale!
The office, whether at home or at work, is another area with lots of functional items.  Here’s an interesting take on a memo holder.  He’s called “Morris” and designed by Studio Yaacov Kaufman for Monkey Business.  These days we’re more likely to record a note on our phones but it’s always handy to have paper and pen nearby.
This Ninja flash drive is the coolest one I’ve ever seen.  It’s made by Bone Collection from Taiwan.  Interestingly, this product received the Red Dot Design Award in 2011.  Red Dot Award is an international design competition for product design, communication design and design concepts. It’s always fun to see what products have been recognized by this prestigious award.
In the category of general household items, this high-heeled shoe from Fred is the perfect door stopper.
Most of the unusual functional items in this post were found in gift and museum shops.  But another great source is vintage and antique shops.  Here’s an example of a recent vintage purchase that adds personality to the boring job of keeping track of my sunglasses…

… or my eyeglasses.
Art and gift galleries are another source for unusual functional items.  This sunflower pin cushion was designed and made by Linda Bell from North Carolina.  It’s shown with a cute little snail tape measure from OTOTO, a design firm from Israel.  I like this quote from the OTOTO website “The OTOTO team believes humor to be an important part of their design process. They try to infuse that whimsy and playfulness into every product, alongside its functionality.”
Here’s another example of combining whimsy, playfulness and functionality.  You may recall potter Sandy Culp’s “Blueberries: Teapot” from a recent post on the Georgia Pottery Invitational Perspectives show (see Admiring Evidence of Process).  Amazingly, it’s a functional teapot which you open by lifting the center leaf and you pour through the stem spout.
I hope today’s post has sparked a few ideas for injecting a little fun into your everyday things.

More Info

The items featured in the post were collected over a number of years so I’m unable to link to them.  But I have included the names of the design firms and artists to help you find these or similar items.  Here’s a summarized list linked to their websites.  I’ve also included links to their Amazon storefronts where I could find them.
. Monkey Business website or their Amazon storefront.
. PELEG DESIGN website or their Amazon storefront.
. Fred and Friends website or their Amazon storefront.
. Pylones website.
. Kikkerland website or their Amazon storefront.
. Bone Collection website or on their Amazon storefront.
. Alessi website or their Amazon storefront.
. Linda Bell exhibits at ArtWorks Gallery and Gifts in Hiawassee, North Carolina, USA.
. OTOTO website or on their Amazon storefront.
. Sandy Culp is a potter based in Georgia, USA.
Learn more about Red Dot product design awards on the Red Dot Award website.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Look for everyday things with an unexpected twist.
2. Think about adding an extraordinary household item in your home.
3. Consider giving a unique and special everyday item this holiday season.