I have a ton of friends that enjoy the occasional cigar and some are cigar enthusiast.  So let me introduce the Brass Cigar Stand with Ashtray ($160). It's a simple yet elegant piece that's perfect for the gentleman cigar smoker.  It's made from solid brass and weighs about 3 pounds. The interior of the ashtray is blasted with quartz crystal to contrast the machined brass and the entire piece is finished in lacquer. The piece is 4.5" long, 2" tall and 2.5" wide. It has a leather bottom by Frank Clegg Leatherworks to protect desks or tables the stand is placed on.

Here is an invention that can change everything about your commute. It can change the various things that can strain us while riding like hills, heat and sprawling distances. A group of bike enthusiast from New York have created the Smart Wheel by FlyKly Bikes ($550 Suggested price). This is a motorized bike wheel that fits almost any bike, instantly turning a regular old bike into an electric one.

The Smart Wheel is a pedal assist which means it helps you ride your bike effortlessly. The motor turns on when you start pedaling and begins accelerating to your desired speed. It stops when you stop. It saves you time by getting you to your destination faster and gets you there without losing your breath or breaking a sweat. This electronic rear bike wheel can take you on a 30 mph ride and last you for up to 30 miles on one charge.

We want to make cities more livable, and make them more people -- not car -- friendly, says Klansek.

 It's other features are security and we all need that. You can remotely lock the motor and track it in case someone with grubby fingers wants it. It also offers a FlyKly App to control and monitor the Smart Wheel. It also offers many other features like support and social connectivity and safety. It can also charge a phone and power lights on the bike.  You can even control the top speed for the wheel.



The New York-based team is currently raising funds to mass produce their invention on Kickstarter.

As of now, $493,256 has been pledged by 1,857 backers. They’ve got 10 days remaining in the funding period and expect to need at least $100,000 more to begin mass production by spring of next year.




Source: huffingtonpost, elitedaily

Thibaut Malet is the 24 year old from Montreal QC, Canada that designed these beautiful oak and beech wood handlebar's. They are not only minimal but also functional.  Who wouldn't want a slick looking wooden handlebar for their road bike.  The other thing that caught my attention was the packaging.  Each handlebar comes in a minimal box with all the shavings from the wood of the handlebar so nothing is wasted.

I think design should optimize space and minimize the use of materials, from his packaging to his final function, this is why I try to conceive simple objects, easy to dismantle, and mobile.

There currently is a store but it looks like he might be out at this time. I wasn't able to find a price either but check out his website to see his other projects.  Also I'm sure you can email him if your interested in purchasing his handlebars.

Caras Lonut photos are where digital and surreal landscapes come together to make these beautiful surreal photos. These are just a few of his photo's but you can see much more over on 500px.  Lonut also offers all kinds of workshops and tutorials on his website.



Source: So Super Awesome

This Pyramid House was designed by Mexican architect Juan Carlos Ramos and as you can tell it's like a modern version of an Egyptian pyramid. This stylish pyramid shaped house features large windows, a small balcony, and integrated garage as well as an optional pool. It also has a library at the top of the pyramid. Would you want to live in a house like this?

Welcome to Playlist-55! I know today is Halloween so if your sick of the Halloween music how about something different.  In this installment we have music by Teen Daze, Phantogram, Coastal Cities and more...

Click Play and have at it! If you want to check out any of the other Playlist then click on Archived Playlist in this post or on the right hand side of this blog or in the menu.


Cover art by: Damion Schweizer

Tracklist

Our desks are where we spend a lot of time and sometimes space can be an issue with those with larger speakers. So how about some speakers that are an ideal combination of attractive design and fantastic sound as well as size. The Timbre Speakers ($125), machined from a single piece of solid alder wood and stainless steel, they have a long-lasting construction that actually contributes to the sound. The stainless steel sheet along the front acts as the diaphragm and suspension of the speaker, thanks to an attached voice coil. This results in a full sound across the entire range that's perfect for whatever music helps you make you tackle that to-do list.

Check out there Kickstarter Campaign



Source: Runningfarmlabs.com 

German design studio DING3000 has developed the "Concept 1865", an e-velocipede, in collaboration with BASF. The ready-to-ride prototype features an electric drive and is made almost entirely of modern BASF plastics. Only the brake, axles and motor are still made of metal. 24 different polymer applications, such as bearing-less all-plastic pedals made of 'ultra-son' and puncture-proof tires made of 'infinergy' — a closed cell expanded thermoplastic polyurethane — are featured in the construction of the 'concept 1865'. The seat of the concept 1865 is detachable and holds the battery for the electric drive. The tires also have integrated LED's and inlaid optical wave-guides are concealed in the forks of the bike.


Images by © refael krotez

Source: Designboom

This home in Mexico City was built around a courtyard to bring in more natural light and to give it a more view able interior due to the lack of exterior views. Taller Hector Barroso is the designer of this home in the capital's Santa Fe neighborhood. This two-story structure also has a penthouse on the roof.  The outer part of the house is mostly natural grey stone clads with some pine slats that wrap part of the lower walls around the entrance. The interior of the home is a modern feel with a minimalist type feel.  You can read more about the home on dezeen.com.



Photography by Yoshihiro Koitani