Take 5: A Lamp With a Story, Keeping Count, Marina Abramovic + More

1. Last Order Clear Table Lamp by Michael Anastassiades for FLOS

Lighting with an interesting backstory, Last Order’s cordless design is derived from a table light originally created for the Four Seasons restaurant in New York City. Designer Michael Anastassiades’ rechargeable, portable lamp diffuses light through a cylindrical transparent solid crystal base that’s topped with a simple cover. Its shape definitely brings to mind the architecture of ancient columns, albeit in a much more streamlined, less fussy manner. Last Order’s top cover comes in several metal and color finishes to fit your style: stainless steel, brass, satin copper, and matte green. I’m partial to the Polished Satin because it brings added warmth to a space with its bronze-like tone. On its own, Last Order’s usage can last between 6 and 24 hours. It charges via a USB-C that’s also a 3-step dimmer. Choose from 100% intensity, 50% intensity, and 3% intensity for “Night shift” mode.

2. Marina Abramović: A Visual Biography

Marina Abramović changed the face of performance art through her courageous, groundbreaking ways, and she approached the creation of this retrospective tome in much the same way. The artist spent 17 months answering any question asked through a series of candid interviews led by her friend, Katya Tylevich. The result is a definitive guide to Abramovic’s extraordinary life and work that combines new interviews, never before seen images, and unearthed ephemera. More than 600 pages from her own archives put on display how life and work have always been forever intertwined.

3. Nudge Counter by Nanu

We count things every day, from how many yoga poses we can pull off in a session to rows of knitting completed. Nudge Counter is a handmade tabletop tally counter that can track the big stuff and the small stuff – from days spent sober to how many kids visited your door on Halloween (yes, I do that). The interaction experienced with Nudge is a satisfactory one, hearing and feeling the click as you flip the numbers makes it tactile. A substantial piece, it’s made from a forged heavy-weight brass housing with a mineral glass lens and is worthy of a lifetime warranty. The brass itself has been treated to keep Nudge fingerprint- and tarnish-free.

4. F690 COSTON Backpack by FREITAG

I always travel with a backpack as my carry-on item, and that’s not a job for a flimsy bag. FREITAG has been on my radar for more than 20 years, beginning with the brand’s had-to-have messenger bags of the early 2000s. Everything they make is up to the task at hand, with recycled and discarded materials used in their construction. The F690 COSTON is a medium size backpack with extra padding for heavy loads and sore backs – I could definitely have used this in school. The zippered main compartment is made using spun-dyed, PFC-free fabric consisting of recycled PET (R-PET) and a water-repellent TPU coating. Discarded truck tarps make up parts of the bag as well, including the zippered front pouch and a key loop inside. A padded laptop space and adjustable shoulder straps from B-stock car seat belts help to keep your big investment safe, while reflective recycled truck contour markings add visibility for your personal safety. The F690 COSTON backpack is available in a wide range of colors, but it’s seen above in patine white.

5. Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater by DREO

When you live in a house that’s 124 years old, some areas get a bit chillier than others. In my case, it’s the west-facing primary bedroom that could benefit from a bit of help. I’ve had this ceramic space heater since last winter and couldn’t love it more. My favorite aspects are how softly it runs, with your choice of five quiet mode options, and that it oscillates 70 degrees to heat a space more evenly The low noise is thanks to Dreo’s proprietary ObliqueAirlow Technology, which reduces the sound of the airflow as it travels through the fan. Programmable with a 1-95°F digital thermostat and a 1-12 hour off timer, the Solaris Slim H3 gives you tons of control over your indoor environment and includes overheat and tip-over protection. It’s easy to move around with a handle on the back, and because it’s so compact at 16-inches tall, it can be stashed out of the way when not in use – a great choice for smaller spaces. Last, but certainly not least, is the included remote. No one wants to get out of bed or pull off a throw blanket when you’re cozy, and this allows you to control the heater from up to 26 feet away! It’s hibernation-ready.

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Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

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