Scaffold Bookcase

These modular scaffold bookcases by Maria Yasko can be used to store much more than books. Made from Corian, a tough but light synthetic material often used to make countertops, Yasko’s pieces come in a variety of appealing colors. How they’re connected depends on the mood of the owner with the only rule being “the more, the merrier”.

Illumi-Knob Lights Your Way

Think doorknobs are the epitome of low-tech? Think again: the Illumi-Knob may even be smarter than you! Well, at least in the middle of the night when you’re stumbling around the bedroom searching for the knob of the bedroom door. You can’t see the knob but the knob senses you, thanks to a futuristic passive infra-red sensor that can detect movement within 10 feet. Once the knob knows you’re coming (how’s that for scary?), a pair of LED rings softly light up, guiding you to the exit. Each Illumi-Knob holds 3 AAA batteries to power the sensor and its modernistic design acts to turn any standard doorknob into an easy to grasp lever.

Green Sink Above the Stink

The “Profile™ 5 with Integrated Hand Basin by Caroma looks like a weird Japanese toilet, acts like a weird Japanese toilet, yet it hails from (of all places) Australia. The Profile is a green toilet… well, it’s white, but it’s green. After one flushes, the tank is filled from the faucet mounted atop the tank. Scrub up while you can – it’s not a huge tank and you don’t want to be caught short. Would a tolet like the Profile work in the USA? Perhaps… but before worrying about hand-washing how about remembering to flush?