Coolness!

This cool company in Brazil takes now banned giant banner signs and turns them into very cool bags! They also use leftover cotton to line the inside. I think they're about $40 each. Very cool. Reuse, reduce, recycle (in style!)

Check then out here: http://do-not-touch.com/index.html

A totally awesome place to store things

Alexander Taylor (a British dude) designed this really cool storage unit thing. It comes in different sizes and colors (white, green and grey). Unfortunately, this "Punch Unit" is made in England and the price is not "design within reach."

I wonder if one can make this themselves....it seems like if you could find a slightly perforated slab of wood somewhere, you could cut it into whatever size you wanted, and then just make a box-like thing? Ahh, heck! Who am I kidding? If you want to buy this, check out the Established & Sons website. But I warn you, it will cost you a pretty penny!!

Mayday, mayday!! (I'm not talking about the movie Titanic!)

This awesome lamp, called the May Day lamp, was designed by Konstantin Grcic for Flos. It's very cool and it only costs about $100. That's not too bad considering it's kind of waterproof and super, super functional. You can take it outside while you are out looking for burglars in your backyard, or if you are using it look inside the hood your car and going "hmmm." Or you can use it for inside the house, and move it from room to room whenever you want light in case you only have one light or something. See! The possibilities are endless!

I think you should run out and get one NOW! Run, don't walk!

http://www.konstantin-grcic.com/

Oh, and if you have a moment, check out this girl's flick pictures featuring the Mayday lamp! Very, ummm, interesting!!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2204004278_bdb7b9721b.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/97453801%40N00/2204004278/&usg=__v8smmSbh9AzjpctrAG9H98GGa-k=&h=353&w=500&sz=75&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=_LTQgHlZRBsQZM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmayday%2Blamp%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

OMG!!!

Wow! OMG! Holy moly! This is the coolest thing I've seen in a looooong time. This French guy named Fabrice Berrux is my hero for designing the most clever medicine cabinet in the entire world! In the universe!! In the galaxy! I am still not over it. I might have to take a "time out" to regain my composure.

Anyway, the Pharmacie Box (by the French comapny Perigot) is truly breath-taking. I think my heart is still beating funny. The bad thing for us North Americans is that it's not available on this continent. Yes, one has to travel to Asia or Europe to acquire this beautiful mastery of bathroom accessories. Oh yeah, it's also pretty expensive at about $300.

If someone knows I am wrong and can figure out where to buy this in the U.S., I will definitely have the editors of Cheese Lovers International send you not one but TWO pounds of the secret favorite cheese of the editors.

DROOOOOL!!!

http://www.perigot.fr/en/THERMAL-4/BOX-55/PHARMACIE-BOX-SBGE002.htm

How to make your fridge look cool

If you have a fridge with a metal door, this is something cool for you! (My fridge is not made of steel, but could be put on other metal surfaces, such as an electrical panel). I love functional pieces like this, especially for those with limited storage space. Also, if you want a timer for you oven, but can't find one, just use this instead!

Here the website: http://www.modestudio.co.uk/products-mode-fridge-clock.php?g=fridge-clock

A very cool light

I've been on the lookout for a cool light for a looooong time. Either cool lights are too expensive or they are not cool enough. I was also interested in finding an environmentally friendly light at the same time. And guess what? I found one! Ask and you shall receive...Introducing the Capsule light!*

Available here: http://www.mioculture.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=3&idproduct=1

*The light was introduced a long time ago. It's just fun to say "introducing..."

Holy crap! Check out this 3 in 1 chair!!!

There are times in life when one comes upon true genius. The editors of Cheese Lovers International had such a moment when stumbling upon a design by Nils Holger Moormann. Ordinarily we, being inherently verbose, would try to come up with words to describe this piece of truly remarkable furniture, but this time we will let the picture do the talking.

Check out this link as well: http://www.moormann.de/en/moebel/seating/bookinist.html

A calendar that makes you look forward to tomorrow!

I've been trying to find this cool calendar by Enzo Mari for sale on the world wide web, but the only place I can find it is at this cool store in Paris called FR66 (which the editors of Cheese Lovers International have visited). This calendar is soo, like, totally awesome. If anyone can find it, let us know. As a show of appreciation, we will reward you with a 1/4 pound of our favorite cheese.

A must-have executive chair

This V.I.P. chair was designed by the Dutch Marcel Wanders for the World Expo 2000 in Hanover, and is completely upholstered with a woollen, felt-like textile. It is quite possible the most comfortable "executive" type chair I've ever sat it. It's only about $2,000! Ha! As if! One day I will cast my eyes upon this chair again, but until then, it is enough that I know such a cool chair exists.

If I ever become rich and have my own office, this would by chair of choice for the conference room in which meeting participants will eat ice cream while deciding on important matters of the day.

WOW! The best video I've ever seen!! EVER!!!

I've seen a lot of music videos in my day; Some were good, some were excellent. Most were totally lame. BUT yesterday (or the day before) I came upon this video on youtube, which features His Royal Hotness, Gael Garcia Bernal. The video, titled "Quiere Que me Quieras" --- which means "I Want You to Love Me" in English, is the best, most amazing music video on the entire planet!! I'm not even kidding.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKZAWvs9qpY

Gael is really bringing Mexico to the international stage of excellence in art, film and music. He is what I call a "transformational artist," one who surpasses and even crosses international borders to reveal an emerging mastery of art, in more areas than one. His inspirational films include, but are not limited to: Y Tu Mama Tambien, El Crimen Del Padra Amaro, Amorres Perros, Babel, La Mala Educacion (Bad Education). I can't wait to see his new movie, Rudo Y Cursi!

Incidentally, I saw him in the East Village about 6 years ago, holding hands with some random girl. My friend and I were about two feet away from him, walking side by side, and we FROZE! What does one do when in the presence of such remarkable beings? If I could go back in time, I would say to His Royal Hotness, Gael Garcia Bernal, "Hola! You are super hot! By the way, can you please give me Natalie Portman's phone number?"

A genius idea

Whoever designed these hangable chairs is a genius! I don't like the style of the chairs too much, but still, this is pretty awesome. If you have a studio, this is perfect. Most people have anywhere from 4 to 6 dining chairs, but only use 1-2 at a time. This is very inefficient use of space. I just solved your space saving problem! Too bad I can't figure out who made these chairs.

A genius idea

Something else I wish I could have

This awesome table can double as a desk, dinner table or work space. It's very cleverly designed, and it's made with recycled and earth-friendly materials. The only thing is it costs over $2,000. That's a bit much, but I guess sometimes eco-friendly stuff costs more to produce.

Anyway, the table also comes in red. Maybe I can volunteer to work at this company (Um Project) and get this table as part of my payment. I can sweep their floors full-time or answer phones. I don't mind. I can also organize or file or go on coffee errands (like the girl in Devil Wears Prada).

Who knew bunk beds could be cool?

When I was a kid, I had bunk bed. It was brown and ugly. I guess I can only chalk that up to being a product of the 1980s (which seems as though it was a bad time for fashion and design -- but not for music), but truly my bunk bed was oppressive. Thankfully, times have changed! Kids today can have hope! They can live their lives and be free of offensive and unimaginative furniture! Kids have it soo good these days.

Anyway, I saw this from the BKLYN Designs fair going on this weekend in DUMBO! I hope to check it out.

Umm, excuse me, where do I put my coat?

I came upon this beat coat rack (by Colin O'Dowd) the other day, and thought it looked pretty cool. I actually have one just like this, but I can't seem to find a suitable place to hang it on the wall. Too bad for me! Mine was also about $50 cheaper.

One of the coolest apartments I have ever seen

Although we at Cheese Lovers International are design afficionados, we are humble enough to admit that when it comes to simply putting together the coolest of spaces, we are still light years away. So when I came across this, I was in a state of awe that lasted for at least 10 minutes. Check it out here:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/04/sneak-peek-caroline-gomez.html

Who is Caroline Gomez? I think she's a genius! Look at her magnificent use of color. I must put google to work!

For lovers of Penguin books!!!

OMG! These bookshelves/occasional tables are simply magnificent!! I can't believe how beautiful a bookshelf can be! Or how majestic an occasional table can make you feel. AND if you happen to have a lot of Penguin (the publisher) books, you MUST buy these immediately!! Here is where to buy them! Do it NOW!

www.twentytwentyone.com

Cheese snobbery!

Cheese snobs: a group of people who believe that good cheese can only from Europe, specifically France. They think American cheese can never be formidable or worthy of their attention. They have probably never tried delicious northern California cheese. And they scoff at the idea that something as pure and sweet as macaroni and cheese can't taste...scrumptuous!

To these charlatans I say "WHATEVER"! Cheese snobs are ruining the sometimes ill-refined palatte of the novice cheese eater. True, there are some "cheese products" that would serve humanity best if they were banned from the planet (like Kraft singles), but this does not mean the world is not big enough for various forms of cheese. For example, I have tried Mexican cheese, and eventhough everytime I eat it I get really sick, this does not mean that it is not actually a worthy and even delectable. After all, who am I to say what is good cheese and bad? I am not the cheese hegemon! Or the cheese police inspector! (Though that position sounds fun).

So, I say, to all you cheese snobs out there. Have an open heart! Try to break free from your imperialist notions of cheese! Take a trip out to Vermont or northern California! While your delicate sensibilities may not warm to this, surely your love of the divine master (cheese) will pull you there...

another really great, cool looking radio

I know I said the Tivoli Model One radio is the best in the world, but this Vita Audio R1 DAB/FM one might be approaching second place. I haven't actually listened to the sound quality yet, but the reviews are pretty good. The thing that grabbed me was how cool it looks. They cost anywhere from $180 - $200 (which seems like an average price for the well-designed higher end radios) and apparently they are very high in demand. I like the red one the best!

http://www.vitaaudio.com/index.php

A really cool place to hang your weary coat

I've been looking for a really cool place to hang my coats (instead of hanging them up in the closet right away because I'm too lazy), and by golly, I've found one! I was in the MOMA Design Store when I stumbled upon this Treehooked coat rack, and only later did I realize that one of its designers is Jan Habraken, a guy I used to play futbol with! The world is indeed a small place. You never know who your neighbors are, or who you're working out with when you're at the gym. For all you know you could be buying bread next to the woman who just won a million dollars! Or that the guy walking his cute little daschund could be, like, a world famous painter or something! Anyway, I feel honored that I know someone who designed something this cool.

http://www.janhabraken.com/treehooked.html

Cheese Lovers International NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Hello, fellow cheese lover!

Just for fun, I entered this competition on www.apartmenttherapy.com for a chance to win a $2,000 gift certificate to Room and Board. Please vote for our apartment! And please forward to as many people as you can. Here is the link:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/small-cool-2009-ratmongers-view-of-brooklyn-little-division-15-081403

You only have until 5PM Eastern time on Friday (April 10th) to vote! Vote now!! Please!

The only annoying thing is you have to sign in as a user in order to vote, but it seriously only takes like 35 seconds! And I promise you won't get emails from Apartment Therapy (unless of course you want to!) Just make sure you don't click to get subscribed to any email lists.

Please forward and forward! I need a few couch! (My current one is kind of making weird noises).

Thank you!!

Cheese Lovers International, Editor in Chief

Be still my heart!

This awesome chair, called the Palms II chair, is made by a company called Vioski (based and made in Southern California). I can imagine myself lounging on this beautiful creation while reading a great book (like "Alex & Me" by Eileen Pepperberg). The only thing is it's pretty darn expensive at $2,800!! Yikes. This is kind of design out of reach, but it might be worth it. I believe it's on par with the Eames lounge chair and ottoman.

Your bed will look cool if you get this...

Wow, this bedspread is AWESOME! Why is everything cool soo expensive? It's just not right! http://www.orlakiely.com/uk/

A DIY coffee table? Hmmmm

If you have an extra skateboard lying around somewhere, take the wheels off the board, get some wood and saw it so you can make a three-legged table (without a top). Then get a round piece of glass and attach the wheels on the three-legged table so that the wheels can support the glass. Omg -- that sounds soo easy. If anyone has an extra skateboard, give it to me so I can build this. It should only take me about 15 minutes or so?

Or if you'd rather just spend $1,795 plus tax and delivery on the Three Sixty Table, go to http://www.thefutureperfect.com/detail.php?id=8 and buy it! But that's just the lazier way to go if you ask me. (Future Perfect is located in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY).

This totally is a cool coffee table, though, and I think it would look super cool in the right kind of place. It's made by a company called Studio Mauerer Hendrichs. That sounds German innit?

Also, this table is good for cheese lovers since it's kind of like a lazy maid (or whatever it's called) that spins food around. You could probably fit, like, 20 different cheeses on here. If I had this cool Three Sixty Table, I would eat way more cheese than I do now. I would even have a party so that people could sample my favorite cheese in the world. That which shines like a beacon of hope in dark times! That which makes life a true gift! That which causes my soul to smile and bask in glorious wonder!!

Gruyère de Comté

Last night I was lucky enough to have discovered a delicacy called Gruyère de Comté. Gruyère de Comté has been around since the 12th century! Even before the time of Henry VIII! Even before the invention of existentialism or democracy!

One can only deduce from the extraordinary fact that cheese that has been around this long must be delicious. And it is! Comté is unpasteurized with a texture that is relatively hard and flexible, and the taste is mild, slightly sweet, and a bit on the nutty side. A cheese this refined must be eaten with only the most elegant of wine and paired with some delicious bread. I can picture it now: the scene is a nice winter lodge in the French alps, there is a fire roasting five feet away from you, it's snowing and there is smell of rich mahogany in the air. The feel of the supple leather couch you are lounging on is soft and smooth from all the years of wear and tear, and it fits your aching soul like a little league glove owned by your great uncle, Marcus. Suddenly a lovely gentleman dressed in a well-fitting server's uniform walks up to you and says, "May I interest you in more Comté, and while I'm at it, may I top off your pinot noir?"

"Yes, please, mon seigneur. Please don't forget to alert the concierge that I will having an early night, and to make sure my usual brandy is waiting for me when I retire...."

A green ipod dock

This is probably the coolest looking ipod dock I've seen (except for the Scandyna model), and it's pretty green too. The company that makes these little docks (http://www.versaudio.com/) recycles your old ipod dock and uses wood from sustainable forests.

I don't think the sound is the best it could be, but I'm sure Vers Audio is working on that. I would've bought one, but I kind of like the Tivoli Model One's sound quality a better. Anyway, the Vers 2x goes great with minimalist interiors, and it kind of looks retro-ish too. Me definitely likey!

What IS that? You ask, I answer!

These little contraptions are, like, totally awesome. They look like weird LED lights or something, but they are actually a speakers! Made by LG, these portable bluetooth speakers are easily connected to mp3 players, cell phones and your PC or Mac. Not only that but the swivel design allows users to twist them into a variety of positions, while LED lights blink in a unique rhythm, magnifying the design experience.

I think it might be a little more cool, though, if someone designed speakers that are like giant canvases that you can paint on. So, if someone comes over your house to admire your art work, and they are about 5 inches away from the image on your canvas, you can hit "play" on your hidden ipod dock or something and scare the bejesus out of them! HAHAHAHAHA! A great song to play would be "My Humps" by Black Eyed Peas or "Thriller" by that one weirdo.

The Encyclopedia Britannica of Cheese

This is an excellent book, and anyone who loves cheese or wants to learn more about the world's greatest invention should read this. The intro says it all:

"Cheese is a mysterious, passion-inspiring, mind-boggling force of nature that leaves in its wake a sensual afterglow and longings for more. Arguably the world's most popular food, cheese nourishes the body, energizes the spirit, and satisfies hunger on all levels. It waits quietly in the wings to be noticed yet demands attention once on stage. It sustains, it teases, it begs an encore. As well it should. For cheese is one of humankind's greatest treasures."

I wish I had this!

Wow! This bomb ass side table by Christoph Boeninger is totally sweet. If I had a more industrial looking house, I would totally get this. It comes in black and is available at the MOMA Design Store. Me likey!!

A very cool small little clock

Wow, this clock is awesome. It's very cute and stylish at the same time - almost playful. Who says a home must look serious and boring? Not moi! If only I knew who makes this clock. If anyone knows, I will reward you by treating you to my favorite cheese!

UPDATE: The clock is made by Riki Watanabe and is called the Riki Desk Clock. My cheese offer no longer stands!