When a talented designer is involved, the most basic household items can become ultra-stylish. That’s what happened when designer P.Waiwiriya got creative with everyday clothes pins. (You know — the kind that never get used for laundry but always hold your bag of tortilla chips closed?)
This week, we’re giving you the chance to win two sets of these whimsical clips available through the Museum of Modern Art’s MoMA Store – 32 clips total. The sparrows come in four bright colors and are just too cute to stash away in your laundry room. For a chance to win, answer this week’s question before 12/11c, Monday, May 3. Be sure to provide a valid email address so we can contact you if you win.
This week we want to know, what everyday item needs a style makeover? Toilet bowl brushes? Laundry baskets? Gardening tools? You have until 12/11c Monday to answer. Click for official rules.
Twisties! I get so sick of twisties and those plastic green square bread bag holders. They should use something w/ some style, like tying twine in a little bow…or a polk-a-dot ribbon!
I think toilet brushes need a makeover. There has to be a better way of keeping them clean and storing them.
The kitty litter box and all its glory.
trash cans !!
All such great ideas, and all merit addressing by some inventive designer's brain! My personal preference would be to do something about those huge, bulky oven mitts. I'm a small person, and when I pull something out of the oven, I look like two gloves wearing a woman! thanks.
Electrical outlet face plates. I just painted one of our bathrooms this beautiful blue with a metallic finish and we have mirrors in antique-y silver frames. It would look so good if the light switch and outlet face plates coordinated with the frames, but instead, they're ugly, off-white, bland pieces of crap. Even if I could find an attractive face plate for the switch (not just color-matched or one with cheesy palm trees), there's not going to be one for the outlet. I think designers would appreciate the option to make something so prominent in homes more attractive.
tv remote controls… they always end up laying around the living room. Why can't they look more like a work of art or sculpture?
I would like to see a toilet brush strong enough to not scratch the bowl, be able to reach under the rim and not bend after a few uses. The long plastic bristles, after getting bent, do not perform well at all!
I would also like to see laundry baskets look more like furniture that would fit into a bedroom or bathroom setting. Many different styles and colors. Not to stand out like a sore thumb! Who wants to hide dirty, stinky clothes, in a wicker basket, in the clean clothes closet!?!
I would enjoy gardening more if gloves lasted longer, would not make your hands sweat, keep your hands clean, and would be a combination of rubber and strong, but breathable fabric all the same color…preferably dark green. Blending in is best to not attrack stinging and biting insects. What ever happened to the sweet smelling Avon mosquito repellent that really worked…untill the formula changed?!?!
I'm going to say mop. It could come in cool colors!
Toilet brushes and plungers! There needs to be some way to hide these necessities!
How fun would it be to be able to buy patterned or colored toilet paper? It would totally make bathrooms more interesting! I would buy a damask print toilet paper in a heartbeat! Same with paper towels! Enough with the silly clip art patterns! Let's see some interesting modern looks!
I would have to say laundry baskets! I spend way to much time in the laundry room (3 kids will do that) and the laundry baskets are not even that effecient! Make them beautiful please….
My quest would be the UGLY toilet brush…..even in the little plastic holder we all know what's lurking there! And really ? they don't do the best job now do they? they get some of the gunk! but also find a way to splash and ugh! get on the Cleaning Helper! So I vote for the Toilet Brush!
LOVE the Clothespins! How cute are they!
Recycling centers. That'd be nice to see redone.
TOASTERS….and COFFEE MAKERS
I think the laundry basket needs some improvement.
Brooms, Mops, and Dustpans. They never seem to do a great job, look terrible, and are hard to store. I like with Swiffer has done to make the function better but I hate that their items produce waste. Would love to see something new with great form AND function!
Shower caddies. Hanging from the shower head they swing about, they rust get grimy and just sit there. This is a definite cry for help in the all-critical start to a day. Colr, functionality, cleanup all need to be considered. How about a nice flower shape or tuscan bronze?
Washer and dryer! All the affordable ones are just plain white!
I want something stylish to hold the items around the sink – gloves, sponge, soap. Couldn't they be covered up but handy?
Storage drawers. Unless you spend a fortune, you cannot get decent looking storage shelves, drawers, etc. Those plastic ones are very useful, but they have no style!
pot holders; i use them every day and they are either too square or clunky boxing mits… why not ovals in easier to use composite material?
i think a caddy to hold all girls hair stuff for the bathroom. Put them in with the brushes and bins are not handy, besides they get tangeled. I like to see a nice storage box made.
U.N.I.Q.U.E.