adagio

to you, a clawfoot bathtub is too feminine and a clean-line modern bathtub is not special enough. you're hard to please; you just can't seem to find that extraordinary tub that will look perfect in your dream bathroom. don't give up just yet. give Adagio's wood bathtub a try. the rich colours of the wood and the dramatic shape definitely generate the 'wow' effect. better yet, this tub looks good in both modern and classic bathrooms.

LG steam washing machines

this is what a collaboration of top-of-the-line technology and cutting-edge interior style looks like. LG and Designers Guild teamed up to create these limited edition Steam Direct washing machine. Tricia Guild, the founder of Designers Guild, says that consumers are demanding more unique design outside of the traditional fabric and wallcoverings. so these appliances get an makeover. these eye-catching machines come in 4 prints to match Dersigners Guild's fabric: Sevilla (above), Cloisonne (below right), Imperial Flower (below middle), and Ribailagua (below left).

technology-wise, it's a world first using a Dual Spray system to spray hot steam and water on fabric continuously to improve washing performance. and of course the efficiency is expected. besides the eco-friendly features like less water and engergy usage, best of all, the Refresh feature eliminates the need for ironing.

Imperial Flower, Sevilla and Ribailagua will be available @ Harrods and John Lewis from June 2006 and Cloisonne from October 2006 for approximately 1300 – 1500GBP.

sinko

if you care about every little decorating details in your home like i do, this product will make you happy. designed by Olof Hansson, this sinkplug is beautiful and functional. the whole thing is made of stainless steel - it weighs almost a kilogram! also the dome-shaped surface forms a complete seal; you can be sure that it'll stay put in your sink. it fits almost all sink and bathtub drains with a diametre up to 82mm. available for 419KR @ Scandinavian Design.

*according to reader Lara, Sinko has a second use because of its stainless steel. after cutting smelly things like onions and garlic, you remove all odor by 'washing' your hands with it. thanks for the great tip, Lara!*

liquid crystal privacy door

if you have tried on the anything in Prada's flagship store in Soho, Manhattan, or if you have visited Bar89 on Mercer St. (shown), you would know about these fancy doors. besides the fact that Prada was too busy that night, i was just too poor to even try on any clothes in the store. didn't get to see the doors but that was the first time i heard about these liquid crystal doors through my friends. i will not go into the technical details; i'll just simply describe what they can do. the door is transparent but becomes opaque when the room is occupied (the switch is turned to on). if you're interested to know more about it, check out SwitchLite and Priva-Lite.

eva solo bbq

you love barbecuing but don't have enough space on your tiny apartment balcony, or the looks of the barbecues just don't go with your style and your beautiful backyard. then this is for you. Tools' Claus Jensen & Henrik Holbak created this simple and functional barbecue for Eva Solo. it's pleasing to the eye and its flat lid turns it into a nice side table on the patio so you won't have to hide the grill away after use. unlike others using enamelled, chrome or nickel-plated parts, it's made exclusively in stainless steel so it will last longer. easy to empty ashes with its portable coal bucket. available @ Unica for $560US. smart and sleek accessories are available: grill tweezers, skewers, spatula, grill starter, stainless steel cooking dome, durable fabric cover, and table legs to turn the lid into a tabletop. check here for their prices.

rain sky e

created by Sieger Design for Dornbracht, RainSky E is beautiful to look at and wonderful to listen to. most importantly, it would provide you with unforgettable showering experience. the system has modes such as rain curtain, body spray, head spray, fine mist spray, and 3 types of rain synchronizing with coloured lights. it fulfills the needs of a strong and energizing rain upon awakening and relaxing and soothing shower before bedtime. however, too bad for North Americans. apparently this design cannot be used as a plumbing device or shower system in North America since it doesn't meet the codes.

erika

i remember that one year Ikea's marketing campaign was 'think vertical.' it is definitely a good advice for today's limited space. Nils Holger Moormann's Erika has a great concept that makes urban living easier. if you don't have enough cupboard storage in your apartment, give Erika a chance to show you the creative and flexible storage. if you constantly move from a small apartment to another, Erika provides a good 'home to go' solution. with your arrangement and its stylish colour and finish, the system may also be a great wall decoration. available @ Kustermann. play the flash file below or refresh the page to see Erika in motion.

fpd34

another stunning product from the ongoing collaboration of Smeg and Piano Design. this fridge-freezer will amaze you in every way! its sleek exterior is available in 7 Japanese inspired colours - pale blue, blue, light yellow, dark yellow, cream, red, and turquoise. the high-quality stainless steel interior is illuminated by 3 neon lights. unlike traditional fridges that have to be positioned against a wall, with its hidden grill and castors, FPD34 can be positione anywhere in a space. the sculpted handle makes an audible 'click clack' sound when you open the door. the frige compartment has a stainless steel wine rack, 4 hygienic safety glass shelves, and 4 shelves on the door side. you can adjust temperature with a blue-etched l.e.d. display. the freezer has its own internal door; the bottom basket tilts forward for easy access. on top of all these, of course it operates efficiently and has an 'A' energy rating.

mixing bowl

this stylish mixing bowl is a product of the innovative Dutch design brand Royal VKB. with readable scale, it allows you to mix and measure in the same bowl. now that measuring cup and mixing bowl becomes one, you can save some space in the kitchen and during the food preparation; best of all, you have one less dirty dish to clean. available in 2 sizes (1l. and 2.5l.).

clear

saw this study of Elium Studio awhile ago but recently reminded by reading the current issue of Dwell magazine... 'don't lie. you've always wanted to be able to sit back and watch your fluffy white bread turn a golden, crunchy brown right before your eyes. well, now you can, thanks to Elium's Clear toaster, which reveals the magical transformation in all its glories. the decision of how toasted you'd like your toast is now all yours. you can also easily decide when it's time to clean your appliance.'

hug

just like salt and pepper together make food more tasty, different people make the world more beautiful. the design company Mint's bold use of black and white suggests that we are all brothers and sisters on this planet. the rethinking of a salt and pepper set on this level, as well the clever geometric aspect of the design and the inherent ergonomic and storage benefits that it provides all contribute to the designs universal appeal. available for $25US @ Follow Function.

cupple

not only this product has a cute name, designer Chaiyut Plypetch also makes it an innovative storage storage solution for mugs. if you are like me drinking coffee and tea all the time (yes, i'm a caffeine addict), this would be an ideal set for you. the mug's handle interlocks with the rubber wall mounted holder. after you finish washing them, just store them on the holder to dry. you won't need to open any cupboard door to find your mugs anymore. available for $49US @ Generate.

light delight

remember the chromotherapy showerhead? now you are able to get taps with lights from many places. however, Equa System's Light Delight is a bit different. its colour varies according to the temperature of the water. it turns from blue to red as the water temperture goes up. it's more exciting and it's definitely safer for people who often accidentally get burns from hot water.

ibar

this is a cool submission from reader and Austrian innovation blogger Hannes Treichl. "iBar is a system for the interactive design of any bar-counter. integrated video-projectors can project any content on the milky bar-surface. the intelligent tracking system of iBar detects all objects touching the surface. this input is used to let the projected content interact dynamically with the movements on the counter. objects can be illuminated at their position or virtual objects can be 'touched' with the fingers." check out the video.

beveled round sink

organic decorative elements can be really cool. here's a great example. Stone Forest's Aaisn-influenced sink brings your bathroom both calmness and style. the rough exterior finish looks natural, humble, and quiet; smooth and polished interior finish shows off the natural glitters. just like how we define 'inner beauty.' a great reminder when you wash your face every morning, eh? available in black granite (top), blue/gray granite, beige granite, crema marfil, , multi-colour Onyx, honey onyx, and white onyx. crema marfil, white onyx (below), and honey onyx are also available with polished exterior.

peony (mother's day gift)

this is the prettiest bath sponge i've ever seen! this is definitely a nice addition to any woman's showering/bathing experience. instead of a normal, boring mesh sponge, pamper your mom with this bath peony; i bet she'll feel even more feminine and beautiful after using it. made of polyvinyl acetate. you can find this at Zone for $10.00CDN.

pop art toaster (mother's day gift)

make breakfast for your mom and add a splash of fun with the removable stainless steel stencil plates that come with this cute toaster. why not brand cakes, hearts, snowflakes, flowers, smiley faces, or the phrase "Luv U" into your toasts to surprise your mom? with toasts like these, guys can probably get away without writing cards this year. available in red or white cool-touch plastic. $40.00US @ Urban Outfitters.

pullman pedestal

constructed of 2 layers of 3/8" laminated glass, Vitaform's pullman pedestal encircles the company's standard round sink. this design creates a look that's mature, sleek and a bit mysterious. this is definitely a good pick for modernizing your bathroom. available in 12 colours with polished or frosted finishes.

electric aga cooker

Aga Range's retro-looking cooker has an outstanding efficiency. its electricity consumption is as little as a waffle iron. it steadily transfers the heat from its core into the ovens and the hotplates. the roasting and baking ovens stay warm and are ready 24 hours a day; thus, there are no switches and dials. the high level of insulation within the outer casing and beneath the hotplate covers ensures its economical fuel usage. 15 glossy enamel colours available.

aquagate

inspired by Stonehenge in England, this fabulous shower is created by designer Matteo Thun for Villeroy & Boch. it has many functions that will provide you a luxurious shower/steam bath experience. the middle console has touch screens on both the inside and the outside so you can control the system when you're in/out of the shower. it features a MP3 player for you to listen to your favorite music while revitalizing. it also features aroma and light therapy, rain shower or a Scottish shower, and pup-up seating.

the middle console is available in teak, limestone, and champagne -metallic aluminum. you can choose to place the shower free-standing or against a wall. 2 sizes are available.