Vintage for a good price

We’ve been thinking a lot about our workspace lately. About moving and having a dream office. To that end, the question arises: what is the ultimate desk? Lately, we’ve been thinking vintage (or at least retro). The problem ultimately resides in the fact that back in the day they didn’t have 2 monitors. Or even one for that matter, so the desks aren’t really functional.

Which brings us to this beaut: the classic sawhorse table. Historically, a makeshift design by shops using what they had on-hand: wood and sawhorses. We like this particular one (from Terrain) because of the raw iron and the cool abstract pattern of the sawhorse legs.

Though we are one-track-minded about our office space, this would also make a great dining room table.

Oh, and the price ain’t bad either…

$695

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The Fish Hotel...why would they want to check out?

Don’t you ever think it might be nice to have a pet that doesn’t require you to constantly be picking up their waste? Don’t get me wrong – we love our dog and cats, but sometimes I wish having a little friend was as easy as the goldfish of yesteryear…

But having an old school goldfish bowl is, well, boring.

This aquarium allows your fish to share your taste in aesthetics. Styled like a modern home, it actually looks pretty cool so you can feel good about having the goldfish (or beta…or whatever) floating about your well-designed house. But wait, there’s more. The modern “facade” is actually detachable so you can paint it…or add wood paneling…or glitter…AND you can even stack a couple or few of these and set up your own little Fish Pl. Loft Apartments.

Doorman not included.

$33

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Built to withstand laziness and procrastination

I hate doing laundry. OK, so it’s not that bad, hate is a strong word, but I am prone to procrastinating it as long as I possibly can. Which means I end up having baskets – or worse, Wall-E like piles – strewn about in my closet and bedroom.

Enter these laundry carts. The best part: they’re big. But even more, these are manufactured by the SAME COMPANY that has been supplying them for hotels, restaurants and even the U.S. government for a long time. Meaning? Built to last. Built for wear. If their reinforced wood frames, rubber rims, steel frame and canvas baskets can withstand those environments, surely a lazy dirty guy like myself is no task, no task at all.

$130-$230

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Tabletop fireplace adds mood to any room

OK. So maybe the title is a little megalomaniacal, but seriously how cool would it be to have a fireplace…when you don’t have a fireplace?

This little sucker will do the trick. Made from 18/10 stainless steel with a slate base, it’s two buners burn paraffin lamp oil. It will provide light as well as heat. The base is 10″ x 14″, making it easy to bring a new “fireplace” into even the smallest New York (or Paris…) apartment.

If you are into designers, this was designed by Gido Wahrmann for Carl Mertens.

$390…

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Re-use old wine barrels

OK. So it’s a little wonky. But it will look great on your Thanksgiving table. And it’s green. Why? Well that requires a little info about wine barrels…

To the best of our knowledge, the only truly sustainable wine barrels are the French ones. The French realized long ago (remember, they’ve been making wine for 700 years so they have a bit of a headstart) that if they just sawed through their oak forests, before long they would be out. Which means no more new barrels… which means less tasty wine… which ultimately means more depressed Frenchmen. So…they developed a system for farming oak for their barrels that is sustainable.

But, many wineries only use barrels for a few years. The new style of winemaking (popular in the “New World“) utilizes a lot of new oak that’s highly toasted to maximize extraction and integration of oak flavors in the wine. But each year the barrels lose significant flavor. Most wineries will have some kind of rotation to ensure that any given vintage has sat in barrels that are at most 1, 2, 3 or years old. However, once barrels hit that post-3 year point, they really don’t have much of the vanilla, cinnamon, toast and other flavors that newer barrels exude.

So, in the end, there are a bunch of barrels out there that are made from high quality hardwood oak – but are wine stained and virtually worthless for anything else save winery furniture.

And now, candle holders.

P.S. – a stave is one of the single pieces of wood in a barrel.

P.P.S. – to get a handle on new vs. old world styles, see the movie Mondovino

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