some things i saw this week that i liked

This issue of Differentiated Design is sponsored by Fittes. They have thought of everything when it comes to hiding things you don't want to see in your home. When I discovered their brand, my immediate reaction was "Wow, this is so obvious - I can't believe nobody has done this yet."

A fella I spoke to years back about design & career just sent me this. He has partnered with Vanish Designs, a company that makes anti-glare pop-up screen consoles and cabinets.

I think this is a genius idea - the internet is full of hide-your-tv-hacks, and this is such a simple and elegant way to do it. They have a bunch of different models and are growing fast.

Copper Tubs. I came across these by William Holland. You could use this as a plunge pool, or a hot tub, or a cold tub. I appreciate hot tubs and like using them, but they are definitely less than inspiring to look at. So it's interesting to approach it from the other angle - something less optimized but much better looking. This seems tailor-made for a vacation rental.

Apparently, copper conducts heat really well, so when you fill it with hot water, it stays hot. Downside is that it's a single-use fill, but upside is no chemicals, scum, or maintenance. Just fill it up and empty it out.

And of course, it looks incredible indoors too.

​House of Roro makes fun kids' plywood furniture with lots of personality.

I don't know if this is a good business, but I would guess it is because I keep coming across all kinds of new entrants to the market, and I experience firsthand how moms will spare no expense on the glow-up of lil bubby.

​House of Noa is another one. They've essentially yassified The Nugget and made it into more of a furniture set.

Until you have kids, you don't realize just how much they take over every inch of your house. It's honestly great, it helps you not to be such a priss.

So it just makes sense that kids' furniture companies would make things that are perfectly at home in the main living areas of homes. Everybody wins.

The windowsill in my office is constantly getting new gifts—a huge perk of the job.

Our friends Robbie & Justine popped over yesterday and told me about Chamonix. Created by a husband and wife team who opened an antique shop in 2016 in northern Rhode Island and have since built out a beautiful space both off and online.

It's one of those taste businesses; they've got it, find interesting things - lots of rugs and posters - that work well together, and grab attention in the social media age. They do new product drops every week.

​Porta Romana x Gergei Erdei. Porta Romana is a British Lighting & Furniture Studio that's been around since 1988. You'd probably recognize some of their work. Their sculpted fabric-looking collaboration with artist Gergi Erdei feels like peak Art Deco to me.

I don't think you can do much better than this.