Tim Baute gives the chandelier a modern minimalist update with Seven Up.  Keeping a similar shape as a traditional chandelier, this one takes on a completely new look with its minimalist design. What really strikes me about this chandelier is that its working parts are what make up its design. The electricity cables, essential for its function, are what make up the majority of its shape.  At the end of each is a five watt light bulb, nothing fancy but exactly what it needs to function.  Completely different than what first comes to mind when I think chandelier, but nonetheless impressive.  See more from Tim Baute here.

I may get made fun of for this one, but I don’t care. This year, you can take your holiday decorating to another level with this string of lights designed for use with your laptop. Cool, right?

To address what I know you are probably thinking:

Do you need to have lights on your laptop?
Of course not, at least I’m pretty sure not. But I am a huge Christmas dork and frankly I think this is pretty damn cool.

Couldn’t you put any strand of lights on top of your laptop?
Sure you could, but these are much cooler. These plug right into your USB port and in seconds your laptop is looking festive.

Anything else? Ask away and I’ll be sure to answer. Oh, and you can get them here.

Who likes Art Deco?! If you didn’t catch it in the Times today, here’s the news.  Until January 5^th get yourself over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a gallery full of French Art Deco furnishings.  The collection has been arranged by Jared Gross, one of the museum’s associate curators, and contains nearly 150 objects. This is about 75% of the museum French Art Deco collection and the most EVER exhibited at one time. Seriously, how awesome are those green chairs?

So check it out and report back!

Calendars seem to be a popular holiday gift, and this is the time of year people seem to be popping up everywhere selling them. This one caught my eye partly because it looks cool and also because it’s interactive.  The Puzzle Calendar is made of colorful building blocks that can be rearranged to change the look of your calendar each month. There are also pieces made for special days like birthdays and holidays.  And it kind of looks like legos which is also pretty cool too in my opinion. Available here for a pretty reasonable $12.50.

I posted about this earlier today over on my facebook page.  Yup, these are gingerbread houses, but they are no regular desert. The two pictured here (one even has modern classic furniture inside!) are part of a collection of ten submissions from some of the finest architecture and design firms in Vancouver. There’s a week long bidding battle to get one and today is the last day so go place your bid now!

All of the proceeds will be donated to Architecture for Humanity, a nonprofit design service committed to building a more sustainable future though professional design. The winning design will be celebrate at the Gingerbread Gala (sounds fun!) tomorrow night at the Museum of Vancouver.

Who knew a carpet could made from wood? This wooden carpet by Elisa Strozyk changes the way we think of carpet. Attracting plenty of attention (I saw this today over at Cool Hunting), the wooden carpet was also included in the Future Map 2009 exhibit of 25 of London’s most talented emerging designers at Hoxton Square Projects.

See more from Elisa Strozyk here.