The Cleverest Awards 2019: 50 Products We Don't Want to Live Without

Lindsey Mather

Last year, our first-ever Cleverest Awards sent us down many an internet rabbit hole on a search for designs that brilliantly fuse form and function. Let us tell you, we did not come up empty-handed. As we said when we announced the winners, the common thread among all of our discoveries was us exclaiming, “Why didn't we think of that?!”

In that regard, the Cleverest Awards 2019 is no different. All 50 winners are crazy-beautiful, can’t-live-without-it useful, and most likely innovative in yet another way. However, we did change a few things this year. First of all, to keep it fresh, we only looked at designs that had debuted within the last two years. Second, we divided our winners into five categories—Living Room, Bedroom + Bath, Kitchen, Entryway, and Outdoor—to make navigating our selections a cinch. (You can thank us later.) Without further ado, we introduce the Cleverest Awards 2019 . . .

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Living Room Products That Do It All (and Then Some)

The Cleverest Living Room Products of 2019

Déjà-Vu Booth by Giacopini What do you want in a room divider: Style? For sure. A mirror? Why not! Lighting? Tell me more. The Déjà-Vu modular system designed by Manuel Barbieri of MM Company offers all these options and then some for a superfunctional design wherever you need it. giacopini.design
Déjà-Vu Booth by Giacopini
What do you want in a room divider: Style? For sure. A mirror? Why not! Lighting? Tell me more. The Déjà-Vu modular system designed by Manuel Barbieri of MM Company offers all these options and then some for a superfunctional design wherever you need it. giacopini.design
Photo by Fabrizio Scarpa
Press Sofa by Studio Truly Truly Imagine if you could arrange your couch cushions in more ways than just flipping the one that’s stained. Well, Australian designers Joel and Kate Booy of Truly Truly created this modular sofa for Das Haus that lets you do just that. Pressure from the wooden frame causes the cushions to squeeze out in exaggerated curves, creating interesting shapes and softness based on their position. Remove the pillows altogether and the sofa becomes a lounger, with the wood that spans the back acting as a table. studiotrulytruly.com
Press Sofa by Studio Truly Truly
Imagine if you could arrange your couch cushions in more ways than just flipping the one that’s stained. Well, Australian designers Joel and Kate Booy of Truly Truly created this modular sofa for Das Haus that lets you do just that. Pressure from the wooden frame causes the cushions to squeeze out in exaggerated curves, creating interesting shapes and softness based on their position. Remove the pillows altogether and the sofa becomes a lounger, with the wood that spans the back acting as a table. studiotrulytruly.com
Photo courtesy of Studio Truly Truly
Sanora Table Collection by Ben Barber Attention detail-oriented decor lovers: These coffee and side tables were literally designed with alterations in mind. Pick your preferred dimensions and your favorite color, and Ben Barber will cut your dream two-tiered, powder-coated table from aluminum. Even better: The pieces come flat-packed for easier transport up to your apartment. From $2,405, benbarberstudio.com
Sanora Table Collection by Ben Barber
Attention detail-oriented decor lovers: These coffee and side tables were literally designed with alterations in mind. Pick your preferred dimensions and your favorite color, and Ben Barber will cut your dream two-tiered, powder-coated table from aluminum. Even better: The pieces come flat-packed for easier transport up to your apartment. From $2,405, benbarberstudio.com
Photo courtesy of Ben Barber
( | Sit, Set Chair by Campagna You know when you finally settle into a chair with a glass of wine after a long day, then realize there isn’t a table within arm’s reach to set down your glass? Ugh. You could anxiously balance it on the chair’s armrest, or you could get this handmade seat that comes with an elegant built-in table for all of your leisure accessories—book, reading glasses, that glass of wine . . . you know the drill. From $6,750, campagna.cc
( | Sit, Set Chair by Campagna
You know when you finally settle into a chair with a glass of wine after a long day, then realize there isn’t a table within arm’s reach to set down your glass? Ugh. You could anxiously balance it on the chair’s armrest, or you could get this handmade seat that comes with an elegant built-in table for all of your leisure accessories—book, reading glasses, that glass of wine . . . you know the drill. From $6,750, campagna.cc
Photo by Charlie Schuck
Discus Surface Mount by In Common With x Domicile An adjustable wall sconce is truly a small-space hero. Pointed up, it gives off soft, ambient light. Angled down, it emits directional light for reading or finishing that project you didn’t mean to leave till the evening. This particular fixture is extra heroic because of its brass disc mount, which reflects that light in the best possible way. From $560, domicile.market
Discus Surface Mount by In Common With x Domicile
An adjustable wall sconce is truly a small-space hero. Pointed up, it gives off soft, ambient light. Angled down, it emits directional light for reading or finishing that project you didn’t mean to leave till the evening. This particular fixture is extra heroic because of its brass disc mount, which reflects that light in the best possible way. From $560, domicile.market
Photo courtesy of Domicile
RGB Wall-Mounted Furniture System by Diez Office for Burgbad Most wall-mounted storage is of the very basic or very industrial variety. Not the RBG system. Made from extruded aluminum profiles, tinted-glass sidewalls, and attachable shelves and drawers, its hangable pieces will make your knickknacks look like they’re floating in a sea of color. The modular system allows for layering, too, so you can create all sorts of color palettes. Oh, and the whole thing is expandable, simple to transport, and easy to assemble. diezoffice.com
RGB Wall-Mounted Furniture System by Diez Office for Burgbad
Most wall-mounted storage is of the very basic or very industrial variety. Not the RBG system. Made from extruded aluminum profiles, tinted-glass sidewalls, and attachable shelves and drawers, its hangable pieces will make your knickknacks look like they’re floating in a sea of color. The modular system allows for layering, too, so you can create all sorts of color palettes. Oh, and the whole thing is expandable, simple to transport, and easy to assemble. diezoffice.com
Photo courtesy of Diez Office
Arc Coffee Table by Woud Remember being a kid and thinking that the coolest houses came with a trick door in the bookcase that revealed a secret room? Well, this coffee table, which magically opens up to a storage bin, is basically the real-life, small-space dweller’s version of that. $899, aplusrstore.com
Arc Coffee Table by Woud
Remember being a kid and thinking that the coolest houses came with a trick door in the bookcase that revealed a secret room? Well, this coffee table, which magically opens up to a storage bin, is basically the real-life, small-space dweller’s version of that. $899, aplusrstore.com
Photo courtesy of Woud
Lola Folding Partition by Bodo Sperlein for Schoenbuch With its sturdy MDF construction and customizable shelves and hooks, this room divider is more like an intimate dressing room than just a simple partition for your open-plan apartment. Craft your own with three, four, or five panels lacquered in your choice of dozens of finishes. schoenbuch.com
Lola Folding Partition by Bodo Sperlein for Schoenbuch
With its sturdy MDF construction and customizable shelves and hooks, this room divider is more like an intimate dressing room than just a simple partition for your open-plan apartment. Craft your own with three, four, or five panels lacquered in your choice of dozens of finishes. schoenbuch.com
Photo courtesy of Schoenbuch
Lynea Lamp 40” by Humanhome Plug-in sconces are a renter’s best friend, but we still wish the cords would disappear. Humanhome’s wall lamp takes on that challenge with a seamless design that conceals the wire in a linear aluminum tube anchored at the outlet. Now, rather than an annoyance, the cord is an intentional design element. $320, humanhome.co
Lynea Lamp 40” by Humanhome
Plug-in sconces are a renter’s best friend, but we still wish the cords would disappear. Humanhome’s wall lamp takes on that challenge with a seamless design that conceals the wire in a linear aluminum tube anchored at the outlet. Now, rather than an annoyance, the cord is an intentional design element. $320, humanhome.co
Photo courtesy of Humanhome
Clamp Tray by Navet Sthlm Tiny apartments have tiny countertops—and typically zero space for an additional surface. That’s why these clamp-on trays are a must-have for every spatially challenged home. Attach one to your kitchen counter to keep those pantry items you always need on hand, or to your makeshift desk for a convenient place to put a giant mug of coffee. From $82, trouva.com
Clamp Tray by Navet Sthlm
Tiny apartments have tiny countertops—and typically zero space for an additional surface. That’s why these clamp-on trays are a must-have for every spatially challenged home. Attach one to your kitchen counter to keep those pantry items you always need on hand, or to your makeshift desk for a convenient place to put a giant mug of coffee. From $82, trouva.com
Photo by Viktor Sjödin
Pages Adjustable Chair by Vanguard Industries Inc. A bit like those thick, pillowlike toddler books, this chair has layers of cushion arranged in a big stack. Simply flip the “pages” and the height of the seat and width of the backrest change, along with the colorway of the chair. Plus, you can customize the cushion material; the options range from bright felts to fluffy faux furs. kickstarter.com
Pages Adjustable Chair by Vanguard Industries Inc.
A bit like those thick, pillowlike toddler books, this chair has layers of cushion arranged in a big stack. Simply flip the “pages” and the height of the seat and width of the backrest change, along with the colorway of the chair. Plus, you can customize the cushion material; the options range from bright felts to fluffy faux furs. kickstarter.com
Photo courtesy of Vanguard Industries Inc.
Hempcrete Vessels by Yasmin Bawa The hippies were right: Hemp is the super plant we should have been using all along. Like live greenery, industrial hemp absorbs carbon dioxide, and binds it permanently to whatever material it’s manufactured with. Which means Yasmin Bawa’s collection of ceramics—made from a mix of hemp and natural clay—will be reducing your home’s carbon footprint even more than the plants housed inside them. The “hempcrete” material is also vapor-permeable, so the vessels don’t need a drainage hole to keep your plants happy. yasminbawa.com
Hempcrete Vessels by Yasmin Bawa
The hippies were right: Hemp is the super plant we should have been using all along. Like live greenery, industrial hemp absorbs carbon dioxide, and binds it permanently to whatever material it’s manufactured with. Which means Yasmin Bawa’s collection of ceramics—made from a mix of hemp and natural clay—will be reducing your home’s carbon footprint even more than the plants housed inside them. The “hempcrete” material is also vapor-permeable, so the vessels don’t need a drainage hole to keep your plants happy. yasminbawa.com
Photo courtesy of Yasmin Bawa
ECH 3 Modular Candleholder by UAU Project These days, 3D printing has become less of a tech nerd’s hobby and more of an everyday solution to building things with a super low impact on our planet. How’s that? By using PLA filament—a printing material that is 100 percent biodegradable and made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. UAU Project uses the highest-grade PLA in its range of vibrant 3D-printed decor, our favorite of which is this modular Memphis-inspired candlestick. $48, uaushop.eu

ECH 3 Modular Candleholder by UAU Project

These days, 3D printing has become less of a tech nerd’s hobby and more of an everyday solution to building things with a super low impact on our planet. How’s that? By using PLA filament—a printing material that is 100 percent biodegradable and made from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. UAU Project uses the highest-grade PLA in its range of vibrant 3D-printed decor, our favorite of which is this modular Memphis-inspired candlestick. $48, uaushop.eu

Photo courtesy of UAU Project
Stacking Bench by Shawn Maximo for Tortuga Part bench, part stacking shelf, this piece is perfect if you need a piece of furniture to do multiple jobs. Leather straps tie the benches together to make a tiered storage unit or keep cushions in place when you need extra seating. Available this summer. From $428, tortugaliving.com
Stacking Bench by Shawn Maximo for Tortuga
Part bench, part stacking shelf, this piece is perfect if you need a piece of furniture to do multiple jobs. Leather straps tie the benches together to make a tiered storage unit or keep cushions in place when you need extra seating. Available this summer. From $428, tortugaliving.com
Photo courtesy of Tortuga
Catssup Cat Furniture System by Studio Ryte Every cat owner knows that no elevated surface is safe from their furry friend—a cat will jump and climb to the top of your apartment by way of any and all tables and shelves, knocking down your vases, picture frames, and perfectly styled knickknacks along the way. That’s why these go-anywhere platform designs are so genius: Your surfaces are spared those surprise crash landings, and your cat gets the view from above she craves. catssup.com
Catssup Cat Furniture System by Studio Ryte
Every cat owner knows that no elevated surface is safe from their furry friend—a cat will jump and climb to the top of your apartment by way of any and all tables and shelves, knocking down your vases, picture frames, and perfectly styled knickknacks along the way. That’s why these go-anywhere platform designs are so genius: Your surfaces are spared those surprise crash landings, and your cat gets the view from above she craves. catssup.com
Photo courtesy of Studio Ryte
Beosound Edge Speaker by Bang & Olufsen This speaker is pretty much magical. Imagined by lighting designer Michael Anastassiades, the Beosound Edge has a touch-sensitive control interface and automatically changes acoustic performance to fine-tune the sound and clarity at all volume levels. Mount it on the wall or keep it on the floor—the speaker rolls back into position as you pull or push the aluminum ring to adjust the volume. Get a 360-degree listening experience with this all-in-one wireless speaker and minimalist design object. $3,500, store.moma.org
Beosound Edge Speaker by Bang & Olufsen
This speaker is pretty much magical. Imagined by lighting designer Michael Anastassiades, the Beosound Edge has a touch-sensitive control interface and automatically changes acoustic performance to fine-tune the sound and clarity at all volume levels. Mount it on the wall or keep it on the floor—the speaker rolls back into position as you pull or push the aluminum ring to adjust the volume. Get a 360-degree listening experience with this all-in-one wireless speaker and minimalist design object. $3,500, store.moma.org
Photo courtesy of Bang & Olufsen
Modernist Chair and Footstool by Punch The Clock Footstools are great for kicking back, but they take up precious floor space. If you want one, there’s nothing you can do about that fact. Unless, of course, your chair is designed to store a footstool beneath it, hiding it when it’s not in use. Consider this Gerrit Rietveld–inspired plywood chair a really, really, really chic alternative to the La-Z-Boy. $420 each, punch-the-clock.com
Modernist Chair and Footstool by Punch The Clock
Footstools are great for kicking back, but they take up precious floor space. If you want one, there’s nothing you can do about that fact. Unless, of course, your chair is designed to store a footstool beneath it, hiding it when it’s not in use. Consider this Gerrit Rietveld–inspired plywood chair a really, really, really chic alternative to the La-Z-Boy. $420 each, punch-the-clock.com
Photo courtesy of Punch The Clock
Portale by Kate Crowley-Gilbert and Adriana Jaroslavsky Why have a boring old door when you could have a vibrant work of art to serve the purpose instead? Made from hand-dyed strings, this customizable piece lets light pass through while providing some privacy (and a ton of personality). katecrowbert.com
Portale by Kate Crowley-Gilbert and Adriana Jaroslavsky
Why have a boring old door when you could have a vibrant work of art to serve the purpose instead? Made from hand-dyed strings, this customizable piece lets light pass through while providing some privacy (and a ton of personality). katecrowbert.com
Photo courtesy of Kate Crowley-Gilbert
Recess Modular Drawer by Earnest Studio The possibilities are almost endless with this modular drawer system. Inspired by Shaker furniture, the individual drawers can be stacked vertically or horizontally, atop a set of legs or on the floor. Because changing it up might just be our favorite weekend activity. earnestly.org
Recess Modular Drawer by Earnest Studio
The possibilities are almost endless with this modular drawer system. Inspired by Shaker furniture, the individual drawers can be stacked vertically or horizontally, atop a set of legs or on the floor. Because changing it up might just be our favorite weekend activity. earnestly.org
Photo courtesy of Earnest Studio
Tape Sofa by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso It’s stressful to buy a new sofa, but it’s fun to build your own with modular pieces like those in the Tape collection. Each seat and table includes a strip of polyurethane tape to bond it together with the other pieces. Now, crafting your perfect seating arrangement can be as entertaining as playing with Legos. moroso.it
Tape Sofa by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso
It’s stressful to buy a new sofa, but it’s fun to build your own with modular pieces like those in the Tape collection. Each seat and table includes a strip of polyurethane tape to bond it together with the other pieces. Now, crafting your perfect seating arrangement can be as entertaining as playing with Legos. moroso.it
Photo courtesy of Moroso
Ocean Plastic Knobs by Spark & Burnish It’s hard to believe these pretty, marble-like cabinet knobs are actually constructed from the most depressing of materials: ocean plastic. Yes, that forever trash that’s been piling up in oceans and on beaches has been reimagined as luxury hardware by Vert Design for Spark & Burnish; the proceeds are donated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, so it’s a win-win for both you and the ocean. sparkandburnish.com.au
Ocean Plastic Knobs by Spark & Burnish
It’s hard to believe these pretty, marble-like cabinet knobs are actually constructed from the most depressing of materials: ocean plastic. Yes, that forever trash that’s been piling up in oceans and on beaches has been reimagined as luxury hardware by Vert Design for Spark & Burnish; the proceeds are donated to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, so it’s a win-win for both you and the ocean. sparkandburnish.com.au
Photo courtesy of Spark & Burnish
The Grand Complication Cabinet by Sebastian ErraZuriz When you look at furniture all day long like we do, it becomes almost impossible to be wowed by a design. This cabinet, which transforms like a fan from a compact box to a massive cabinet system, is one of those rare pieces that stopped us in our tracks. meetsebastian.com
The Grand Complication Cabinet by Sebastian ErraZuriz
When you look at furniture all day long like we do, it becomes almost impossible to be wowed by a design. This cabinet, which transforms like a fan from a compact box to a massive cabinet system, is one of those rare pieces that stopped us in our tracks. meetsebastian.com
Photo courtesy of Sebastian Errazuriz
SYMFONISK by Sonos x IKEA This go-anywhere speaker is what happens when top experts in sound systems and affordable home furnishings come together. Mount it on the wall for a multifunctional ledge or set it vertically on a shelf (it’ll blend right in with your books). The speaker is also the smallest one Sonos has ever made, ideal if you want great sound but nothing too obtrusive. Available in August. $99, sonos.com
SYMFONISK by Sonos x IKEA
This go-anywhere speaker is what happens when top experts in sound systems and affordable home furnishings come together. Mount it on the wall for a multifunctional ledge or set it vertically on a shelf (it’ll blend right in with your books). The speaker is also the smallest one Sonos has ever made, ideal if you want great sound but nothing too obtrusive. Available in August. $99, sonos.com
Photo courtesy of IKEA
Grafeiphobia Collection by Geoffrey Pascal Anyone who has tried the freelance life knows that working from home is not as glamorous as it sounds. Typing away from your bed or sofa quickly leads to back pain, and the trendy desk chair you bought is certainly not ergonomically correct either. But French designer Geoffrey Pascal set out to solve this dilemma with a collection of colorful furniture designed to emulate NASA’s Neutral Body Posture (your weight is evenly distributed throughout parts of your body, not downward on your lower back). If it’s good enough for astronauts, it’s good enough for us. geoffreypascal.com
Grafeiphobia Collection by Geoffrey Pascal
Anyone who has tried the freelance life knows that working from home is not as glamorous as it sounds. Typing away from your bed or sofa quickly leads to back pain, and the trendy desk chair you bought is certainly not ergonomically correct either. But French designer Geoffrey Pascal set out to solve this dilemma with a collection of colorful furniture designed to emulate NASA’s Neutral Body Posture (your weight is evenly distributed throughout parts of your body, not downward on your lower back). If it’s good enough for astronauts, it’s good enough for us. geoffreypascal.com
Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Pascal

Bedroom + Bath Products That'll Make Mornings So Much Better

The Cleverest Bedroom + Bath Products of 2019

Breeze Comforter by Buffy Sustainability meets good sleep. The latest comforter from natural home decor brand Buffy is made entirely of eucalyptus fabric, which is naturally softer and more earth-friendly than cotton, and equals fully biodegradable bedding. Minds. Blown. The comforter’s waved stitch pattern gives the product better structure and just looks, well, breezy. From $170, buffy.co
Breeze Comforter by Buffy
Sustainability meets good sleep. The latest comforter from natural home decor brand Buffy is made entirely of eucalyptus fabric, which is naturally softer and more earth-friendly than cotton, and equals fully biodegradable bedding. Minds. Blown. The comforter’s waved stitch pattern gives the product better structure and just looks, well, breezy. From $170, buffy.co
Photo courtesy of Buffy
Toilet Paper Holder by Emiel Remmelts & Noortje de Keijzer Bathrooms often have limited options for fun decor details. Designers Emiel Remmelts and Noortje de Keijzer sought to give us a much-needed punch of joy, color, and functionality with none other than a toilet paper holder design. The powder-coated steel creation also happens to be just the right size for a candle, a set of matches, or tiny vase of flowers—because why not cheer up this little part of your home? From $95, noortjedekeijzer.com
Toilet Paper Holder by Emiel Remmelts & Noortje de Keijzer
Bathrooms often have limited options for fun decor details. Designers Emiel Remmelts and Noortje de Keijzer sought to give us a much-needed punch of joy, color, and functionality with none other than a toilet paper holder design. The powder-coated steel creation also happens to be just the right size for a candle, a set of matches, or tiny vase of flowers—because why not cheer up this little part of your home? From $95, noortjedekeijzer.com
Photo courtesy of Noortje de Keijzer
Tiny Home Bed by Yesul Jang Sure, you could shove a bunch of storage containers under your bed and get an extra long duvet to cover the evidence. Or you could get the Tiny Home Bed. Ideal for compact apartments, this raised bed comes with simple pleated curtains to hide the spacious shelving underneath.yesuljang.com
Tiny Home Bed by Yesul Jang
Sure, you could shove a bunch of storage containers under your bed and get an extra long duvet to cover the evidence. Or you could get the Tiny Home Bed. Ideal for compact apartments, this raised bed comes with simple pleated curtains to hide the spacious shelving underneath.yesuljang.com
Photo courtesy of Yesul Jang
Petunia Lighted Makeup Mirror by Amiro If you’ve ever walked out of the house and realized your makeup looks awful in the light of day, chalk it up to your bathroom lighting. Outfitted with Purelux LED technology—the same stuff responsible for illuminating the screens of smartphones—this tabletop mirror simulates sunlight, allowing you to preview how your face will look outside before you head out. $55, amazon.com
Petunia Lighted Makeup Mirror by Amiro
If you’ve ever walked out of the house and realized your makeup looks awful in the light of day, chalk it up to your bathroom lighting. Outfitted with Purelux LED technology—the same stuff responsible for illuminating the screens of smartphones—this tabletop mirror simulates sunlight, allowing you to preview how your face will look outside before you head out. $55, amazon.com
Photo courtesy of Amiro
Wardrobe by Emiel Remmelts One of the simplest upgrades you can make to your closet is matching hangers. One step further: a bar that matches those hangers. Made to order per meter, Emiel Remmelts’s colorful Wardrobe is so pretty you’ll want to install it out in the open for all to see. emielremmelts.com
Wardrobe by Emiel Remmelts
One of the simplest upgrades you can make to your closet is matching hangers. One step further: a bar that matches those hangers. Made to order per meter, Emiel Remmelts’s colorful Wardrobe is so pretty you’ll want to install it out in the open for all to see. emielremmelts.com
Photo courtesy of Emiel Remmelts
Usetool Toothbrush by Jiyoun Kim Studio for Usetool Company This toothbrush holder is so much more than storage. It’s also a sterilizer, cleaning and drying the accompanying toothbrush between uses, and a clock, timing your three minutes of brushing. usetoolcompany.com
Usetool Toothbrush by Jiyoun Kim Studio for Usetool Company
This toothbrush holder is so much more than storage. It’s also a sterilizer, cleaning and drying the accompanying toothbrush between uses, and a clock, timing your three minutes of brushing. usetoolcompany.com
Photo courtesy of Usetool Company
Multiply Wireless Charger and Table Mirror by Ato Design Studio Ato Design Studio thought about where you’re always near your phone—at your desk, in bed, in the bathroom while you’re zhuzhing yourself up—and put two and two together. Now you can charge your phone and check yourself out at the same time. We love how the primary-colored base can be paired with different-shaped mirrors (a triangle, a circle, or a rectangle). atodesignstudio.com
Multiply Wireless Charger and Table Mirror by Ato Design Studio
Ato Design Studio thought about where you’re always near your phone—at your desk, in bed, in the bathroom while you’re zhuzhing yourself up—and put two and two together. Now you can charge your phone and check yourself out at the same time. We love how the primary-colored base can be paired with different-shaped mirrors (a triangle, a circle, or a rectangle). atodesignstudio.com
Ato Design Studio
Luxy Light Therapy Lamp by Circadian Optics Guys, this little device is the very first USB-powered light therapy lamp, which means it can come with you where you need it most: at work (when winter blues can feel worse than ever), and on vacation (when jet lag can be very real). $30, circadianoptics.com
Luxy Light Therapy Lamp by Circadian Optics
Guys, this little device is the very first USB-powered light therapy lamp, which means it can come with you where you need it most: at work (when winter blues can feel worse than ever), and on vacation (when jet lag can be very real). $30, circadianoptics.com
Photo courtesy of Circadian Optics

Kitchen Products for Seamless Breakfasts, Dinner Parties, and Every Meal in Between

The Cleverest Kitchen Products of 2019

__ Hour Glass Cocktail Glasses by Mamo__ Whether you’re in the mood for a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey, these glasses have you covered—their colorful bases are actually hold two ounces of liquid. $28 each, comingsoonnewyork.com
__ Hour Glass Cocktail Glasses by Mamo__
Whether you’re in the mood for a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey, these glasses have you covered—their colorful bases are actually hold two ounces of liquid. $28 each, comingsoonnewyork.com
Photo courtesy of Coming Soon
June Oven by June It’s officially impossible to mess up dinner. With a tap of the touchscreen, set this countertop smart oven to cook one of more than 100 items to your preferred doneness, then just walk away—seriously! The oven handles everything for you (it’s a convection oven, air fryer, dehydrator, slow cooker, broiler, toaster, and warming drawer in one) and will notify you on your phone when it’s time to dig in. $599, juneoven.com
June Oven by June
It’s officially impossible to mess up dinner. With a tap of the touchscreen, set this countertop smart oven to cook one of more than 100 items to your preferred doneness, then just walk away—seriously! The oven handles everything for you (it’s a convection oven, air fryer, dehydrator, slow cooker, broiler, toaster, and warming drawer in one) and will notify you on your phone when it’s time to dig in. $599, juneoven.com
Photo courtesy of June
Brew Bottle by Soma Why should you have to choose between a hot and a cold coffee to-go cup? You can brew either right into this double-walled glass bottle, which comes with a stainless steel filter. $40, food52.com
Brew Bottle by Soma
Why should you have to choose between a hot and a cold coffee to-go cup? You can brew either right into this double-walled glass bottle, which comes with a stainless steel filter. $40, food52.com
Photo courtesy of Soma
Butter Easy by Debra Matt Stop trying to convince yourself that scrunching the paper wrapper around a half-stick of butter is an OK storage technique. The three-part silicone Butter Easy includes a proper airtight cover for that unused segment, plus a sealable sleeve for easily dispensing the portion the recipe calls for. $6, store.moma.org
Butter Easy by Debra Matt
Stop trying to convince yourself that scrunching the paper wrapper around a half-stick of butter is an OK storage technique. The three-part silicone Butter Easy includes a proper airtight cover for that unused segment, plus a sealable sleeve for easily dispensing the portion the recipe calls for. $6, store.moma.org
Photo courtesy of MoMa Design Store
Modern 2-in-1 Silicone Candle Holder Trio by Blomus Some nights call for elegant pillar candles, others for low-key tea lights. These two-sided vessels can hold either, and they’re stackable for easy storage (or for when you want an extra dramatic tablescape). $34 for three, food52.com
Modern 2-in-1 Silicone Candle Holder Trio by Blomus
Some nights call for elegant pillar candles, others for low-key tea lights. These two-sided vessels can hold either, and they’re stackable for easy storage (or for when you want an extra dramatic tablescape). $34 for three, food52.com
Photo courtesy of Blomus
Knork Eco Cutlery by Knork Metal cutlery is better than plastic, but it’s a literal burden to carry around. Knork’s plant-based Eco collection, on the other hand, is super lightweight, plus the fork has a beveled edge that eliminates the need for a knife. Best of all, the compostable cutlery is miraculously dishwasher-safe. $17 for eight-piece set plus carrying case, knork.net
Knork Eco Cutlery by Knork
Metal cutlery is better than plastic, but it’s a literal burden to carry around. Knork’s plant-based Eco collection, on the other hand, is super lightweight, plus the fork has a beveled edge that eliminates the need for a knife. Best of all, the compostable cutlery is miraculously dishwasher-safe. $17 for eight-piece set plus carrying case, knork.net
Photo courtesy of Knork
Noon Bento Box by Shane Schneck For the ultimate elevated desk lunch, there’s this two-in-one bento box. A shallow dish rests inside the main bowl, so you can enjoy multiple courses while you answer those emails. $20, ommo.com
Noon Bento Box by Shane Schneck
For the ultimate elevated desk lunch, there’s this two-in-one bento box. A shallow dish rests inside the main bowl, so you can enjoy multiple courses while you answer those emails. $20, ommo.com
Photo courtesy of Shane Schneck
Five Two Silicone Straws by Food52 We’re all for the switch to reusable straws, but sipping iced coffee out of something that was just floating around a (probably germ-filled) bag will never not gross us out. Food52 clearly felt our pain, because its silicone straws come with matching cases, which the straws neatly fold into. Attach one to your key ring and live your life plastic- and worry-free. $25 for ten straws, four squeegees, and four carrying cases, food52.com
Five Two Silicone Straws by Food52
We’re all for the switch to reusable straws, but sipping iced coffee out of something that was just floating around a (probably germ-filled) bag will never not gross us out. Food52 clearly felt our pain, because its silicone straws come with matching cases, which the straws neatly fold into. Attach one to your key ring and live your life plastic- and worry-free. $25 for ten straws, four squeegees, and four carrying cases, food52.com
Photo by Rocky Luten for Food52

Entryway Products Made to Maximize Your Teensy Hallway

The Cleverest Entryway Products of 2019

Slim Archway Mirror by Bower Studios Don’t be surprised if your friends keep walking right into this mirror. At first glance, it appears to be an opening to another room—a genius design trick for teeny-tiny rental apartments. $2,950, bower-studios.com
Slim Archway Mirror by Bower Studios
Don’t be surprised if your friends keep walking right into this mirror. At first glance, it appears to be an opening to another room—a genius design trick for teeny-tiny rental apartments. $2,950, bower-studios.com
Photo courtesy of Bower Studios
Artek Kiulu Bench by Koichi Futatsumata A standard bench in your entryway would only serve as a dumping ground for your keys, bag, and other everyday grab-and-go items. But this design comes with spacious storage bins on either end, so those essentials can be tossed out of sight for that clutterless life you’ve been meaning to have. artek.fi
Artek Kiulu Bench by Koichi Futatsumata
A standard bench in your entryway would only serve as a dumping ground for your keys, bag, and other everyday grab-and-go items. But this design comes with spacious storage bins on either end, so those essentials can be tossed out of sight for that clutterless life you’ve been meaning to have. artek.fi
Photo courtesy of Artek
Just Cant Valet by Another Human Even though this slice of powder-coated metal takes up almost no space, it manages to provide a landing spot for your phone, a hook for your keys, a notch for your bag, and a mirror to check your hair before you head out the door. $2,950, 1stdibs.com
Just Cant Valet by Another Human
Even though this slice of powder-coated metal takes up almost no space, it manages to provide a landing spot for your phone, a hook for your keys, a notch for your bag, and a mirror to check your hair before you head out the door. $2,950, 1stdibs.com
Photo courtesy of Another Human
Ü Coat Rack by Studio Matérial Screw together three of these sculptural acrylic resin hooks and turn an otherwise useless corner into a handy spot for storing coats and hats. $168, fracas-online.com
Ü Coat Rack by Studio Matérial
Screw together three of these sculptural acrylic resin hooks and turn an otherwise useless corner into a handy spot for storing coats and hats. $168, fracas-online.com
Photo courtesy of Studio Matérial
Costellation Shelf by Formae For double-checking your lipstick on the way out and tossing your purse on the way in. $56, formaecollection.com
Costellation Shelf by Formae
For double-checking your lipstick on the way out and tossing your purse on the way in. $56, formaecollection.com
Photo courtesy of Formae

Outdoor Products for Trips to the Backyard and Beyond

The Cleverest Outdoor Products of 2019

Tung Skånsk Form by Malmö Upcycling Service Modular furniture meets the great outdoors. Not only can these scrap concrete blocks be rearranged endless different ways, they can handle being out in the elements (a.k.a. on your patio). malmoupcyclingservice.com
Tung Skånsk Form by Malmö Upcycling Service
Modular furniture meets the great outdoors. Not only can these scrap concrete blocks be rearranged endless different ways, they can handle being out in the elements (a.k.a. on your patio). malmoupcyclingservice.com
Photo by Malin Falck
Globe 12" Solar Lantern by Allsop (Soji Tyvek Prints in Stella Batik) As if a solar-powered outdoor lantern wasn’t genius enough, Allsop recently released a collection of the lights made with Tyvek material, which allows the company to dye and punch patterns into the lanterns for its most original designs yet. $38, allsopgarden.com
Globe 12" Solar Lantern by Allsop (Soji Tyvek Prints in Stella Batik)
As if a solar-powered outdoor lantern wasn’t genius enough, Allsop recently released a collection of the lights made with Tyvek material, which allows the company to dye and punch patterns into the lanterns for its most original designs yet. $38, allsopgarden.com
Photo courtesy of Allsop
IGT Slim by Snow Peak A dining table one minute, a stove and prep surface the next, this collapsible teak surface is a must for camping trips or even just a day at the beach. $485, snowpeak.com
IGT Slim by Snow Peak
A dining table one minute, a stove and prep surface the next, this collapsible teak surface is a must for camping trips or even just a day at the beach. $485, snowpeak.com
Photo courtesy of Snow Peak
Nu Chia by Studio Orange This sculptural terra-cotta vessel is like a Chia Pet from the ’80s, but chic and for growing microgreens. Need we say more? Fine, we will: It acts as a flower vase, too. Price upon request, studioorange.design
Nu Chia by Studio Orange
This sculptural terra-cotta vessel is like a Chia Pet from the ’80s, but chic and for growing microgreens. Need we say more? Fine, we will: It acts as a flower vase, too. Price upon request, studioorange.design
Photo courtesy of Studio Orange
Solar Battery Charger by Yolk Don’t be that person who needs to charge their phone behind the bar at the restaurant. Get ahead of the game with this incredibly thin and incredibly light solar charger, which is compatible with almost any device that recharges via USB and can power up while you’re out and about. The panel opens into two, for when you need more power to charge larger devices, and easily hangs from a backpack or bag. Plus, the pieces are water-resistant and connect together with simple magnets, so you don’t need to be precious about it. $225, poketo.com
Solar Battery Charger by Yolk
Don’t be that person who needs to charge their phone behind the bar at the restaurant. Get ahead of the game with this incredibly thin and incredibly light solar charger, which is compatible with almost any device that recharges via USB and can power up while you’re out and about. The panel opens into two, for when you need more power to charge larger devices, and easily hangs from a backpack or bag. Plus, the pieces are water-resistant and connect together with simple magnets, so you don’t need to be precious about it. $225, poketo.com
Photo courtesy of Yolk

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

Latest Stories

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David Perdue is a longtime businessman who served as CEO of Dollar General in the mid-2000s, where he worked diligently to source more products from China. According to his financial disclosures, he is worth between $15 million and $43 million.As Michela Tindera writes at Forbes, Kelly Loeffler and her husband Jeffrey Sprecher own a big stake in International Exchange, a financial clearinghouse company that Sprecher founded and where he remains CEO and chairman. (That company also owns the New York Stock Exchange, where Sprecher is again chairman.) After closely examining Loeffler's financial disclosure forms and other information, Tindera estimates that the couple is worth at least $800 million, and likely over $1 billion — or roughly quadruple the wealth of the second-richest member of Congress, Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah).Here's how the pandemic profiteering worked. 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  • Venezuela's Guaido rightful leader despite assembly vote, Chile says

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  • US Supreme Court asked to block Biden win in Pennsylvania

    Republicans attempting to undo President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to take up their lawsuit, three days after it was thrown out by the highest court in the battleground state. In the request to the U.S. Supreme Court, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of northwestern Pennsylvania and the other plaintiffs are asking the court to prevent the state from certifying any contests from the Nov. 3 election, and undo any certifications already made, such as Biden’s victory. Biden beat President Donald Trump by more than 80,000 votes in Pennsylvania, a state Trump had won in 2016.

  • Trump family urges U.S. appeals court to move marketing scam lawsuit to arbitration

    A lawyer for Donald Trump on Tuesday urged a federal appeals court to halt a lawsuit accusing the U.S. president of exploiting his family name to promote a marketing scam targeting poor and working-class people. The lawyer, Thomas McCarthy, told the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan the plaintiffs were "done in by the allegations of their own complaint," and that their proposed class action concerning the multi-level marketing company American Communications Network belonged in arbitration. Four plaintiffs, including a hospice worker, accused Trump, his adult children Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka and an affiliate of their family company of promoting ACN in exchange for millions of dollars in secret payments from 2005 to 2015.

  • Project Veritas’ CNN Sting Uncovers Explosive News That Tucker Carlson Is Racist

    All day, Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe has been hyping the huge revelations the group would be releasing from their latest stunt. In a dramatic video posted Tuesday morning, the conservative activist could be seen unmuting himself and informing CNN chief Jeff Zucker, “We’ve been listening to your CNN calls for basically two months and recording everything. Just wanted to ask you some questions, if you have a minute.”“Do you still feel you are the most trusted name in news?” he asked. “Because I have to say from what I’ve been hearing on these phone calls, I don’t know about that. I mean, we’ve got a lot of recordings that indicate you’re not really that independent of a journalist.”“Thank you for your comments,” Zucker replied, dryly. “So everybody, in light of that, I think what we’ll do is we’ll set up a new system and we’ll be back with you, we’ll do the rest of the call a little bit later.”So what were the supposedly shocking comments O’Keefe uncovered? According to his group’s Tuesday night release, the most damning thing anyone on CNN’s editorial team did was accuse Fox News’ Tucker Carlson of being a racist.“I think it’s unavoidable that you have to talk about the naked racism of Tucker Carlson,” a man Project Veritas identified as CNN digital VP of global programming Marcus Mabry says in one tape. “Because that’s really what drove this anti-diversity push, you know, Trump watches Tucker Carlson's show and then reacts. And just as sort of the white supremacy hour they have on Fox News every night.”Not exactly news for anyone who watches Carlson’s nightly show, including some of his own Fox News colleagues who said as much earlier this year.Without mentioning Project Veritas, Carlson attacked Mabry directly on that show Tuesday night for “lecturing” media companies about the value of diversity. The host laughed out loud at the notion that “there’s a lot of work to do” to make newsrooms more diverse.CNN’s PR Twitter account, meanwhile, responded to Project Veritas with this message: “Legal experts say this may be a felony. We‘ve referred it to law enforcement,” though it’s unclear what laws the group may have broken.Later, that same account revealed that Mabry was not even the staffer who made those comments about Carlson. “James & Tucker, the voice you ID’d tonight as ‘Marcus Mabry’ is actually GA resident & CNN General Counsel David Vigilante. We’re certain you’ll want to correct the record and apologize to the Black executive for assuming he was the voice raising concerns over white supremacy.” The other big revelation from Project Veritas appeared to be that Zucker did not want his staff to “normalize” President Donald Trump’s delusional claims about the election.“This is a president who knows he’s losing, who knows he’s in trouble, is sick, maybe is on the aftereffects of steroids or not, I don’t know,” Zucker said. “But he is acting erratically and desperately, and we need to not normalize that.”“You know, this is what we've come to expect for the last three and a half years, four years, but it clearly is exacerbated by the time that we're in and the issues that he’s [Trump] dealing with,” he added. “I think that we cannot just let it be normalized. He is all over the place and acting erratically, and I think we need to lean into that.”It appears that for Project Veritas, pointing out the reality unfolding in front of Americans’ eyes, whether on Fox News or in the White House, is proof of CNN’s supposed bias. But if anything, their big sting is likely to endear Zucker to those who still like to blame him for elevating Trump during the 2016 campaign.Seth Meyers Brutally Mocks Sidney Powell, the Trump Lawyer ‘Too Insane’ for Tucker CarlsonRead more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

  • ‘I can’t begin to explain the level of anger I have right now over this’: Georgia election official speaks out about threats against staff

    On Tuesday Gabriel Sterling of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office spoke forcefully against post-election threats and rhetoric directed at election staff.

  • Over 50 arrested, 27 firearms seized and $359,000 confiscated in BSO gang operation

    A three-week deputy operation has led to over 50 arrests and more than $300,000 of illicit money being confiscated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

  • China #MeToo case heads to court after 2-year delay

    Zhou Xiaoxuan’s says her prestigious internship with Chinese state TV soured after a popular host forcibly kissed her. Outraged, Zhou took the previously taboo step of filing a lawsuit in 2018, joining the global #MeToo movement against sexual harassment. Zhou waited two years for a hearing, while the host fought back by filing a defamation lawsuit.

  • Vice President-elect Kamala Harris reportedly choosing Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff

    The Georgetown Law graduate who also served as chief of staff to President Clinton will join at least two other Black women who are set to hold senior roles in Harris’ office. Earlier this week President-elect Joe Biden made headlines when he announced that he had hired an all-female senior communications team. Now it’s being reported that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is furthering this unprecedented pro-woman administration with her eyes set on Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff.

  • Trump threatens to veto defense spending bill if Congress doesn't revoke unrelated social media shield

    President Trump threatened to veto a $740 billion defense spending bill if it doesn't repeal Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, an unrelated provision that grants broad legal immunity to social media and other internet sites. Unless the "dangerous and unfair Section 230" is "completely terminated," Trump said on Twitter, he will "unequivocally veto" the legislation. Section 230, which shields social media companies from legal liability for user content posted on their sites, is considered a foundational provision of the internet.Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act with bipartisan support for 59 years in a row, and "presidents from both parties have always signed them, even after issuing veto threats," The Wall Street Journal notes. "The Senate version passed 86-14, and the House version passed 295-125, more than the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a potential veto." Negotiators are currently working out the differences so the legislation can be cleared in the next few weeks. Trump has already threatened to veto this same bill over a provision to rename military bases honoring Confederate officers.There is bipartisan support to reform Section 230, though each party objects to different ways it affects social media. Democrats say Facebook, Twitter, and other sites should do more to weed out disinformation and dangerous content, while Trump has complained baselessly that the sites censor conservatives. The NDAA authorizes $740 billion in Pentagon and Energy Department spending, including a 3 percent raise for U.S. troops, and guides Pentagon policy decisions.Besides passing the NDAA, Congress hopes to push through a spending bill to keep the government running and a COVID-19 relief package before adjourning for the year.More stories from theweek.com Our parents warned us the internet would break our brains. It broke theirs instead. Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Trevor Noah count the new ways Trump is 'undefeated at losing' Americans are choosing death over deprivation