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Take 5: CAKE, Modern Stained Glass, Relaxation + More

Every other week we’re inviting one of the Design Milk team to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we use and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Senior editor Kelly Beall returns this week for our Take 5 series.

03.21.23 | By
Take 5: CAKE, Modern Stained Glass, Relaxation + More

1. Alice Oehr’s CAKE

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, artist and designer Alice Oehr’s risograph prints use color in a way that all but jumps off the page at you. She incorporates food, pattern, and everyday observations and encounters in much of her work, either by working with her hands or on a screen. Oehr’s 2021 series, CAKE, exposed me to her talents and now it’s just a matter of choosing which print to pick up for myself. (I’m leaning towards either “Black Forest Cake Slice” or “Cherry Bombe Slice”!) So far her work has appeared in books, on textiles, homewares, and large-scale installation, several group exhibitions, and two solo exhibitions: Freshly Wrapped and the aforementioned CAKE.

light-skinned man with dark hair and facial hair lays with his hands behind his head, wearing headphones connected to his smartphone with a pebble-shaped device resting on his chest

2. Sensate 2

One thing too many of us have in common is stress. Sensate 2 is a compact therapy device that can be used to freeze your vagus nerve, a key element in managing your response. Using infrasonic resonance that triggers the vagus nerve to self-regulate, Sensate 2 calms fight, flight, or freeze responses, as well as making you more resilient to future stresses. The wellness device can also improve heart rate variability and sleep quality without much effort. Use it for as little as 10 minutes a day as part of a routine, or in the moment to regain your calm during overly stressful situations.

two people enjoy a picnic on blankets

3. Camanito Blanket Rolls

There aren’t many things that remind me of the carefree days of summer like a rolled up blanket that’s ready for the beach, a picnic, or a campfire. (My first one also accompanied me to summer camp during several Augusts in the 1990s.) If you’ve ever had one like this, you already know what I’m talking about. Aside from the incredible array of colors and designs at play in Camaninto’s collection of blanket rolls, I love that each one is accompanied by a vegetable tanned leather strap for carrying on adventures. Each blanket is designed in the Bay Area, handwoven in Mexico by skilled artisans, and ready to join you for warm days and cool nights.

styled interior space with modern stained glass hanging in the window

4. Fools Glass

Stained glass is something I’ve longed to learn more about for years, especially after realizing the modern direction the work can be taken in. Fools Glass (aka Elouise) is a glass designer and maker with a background in graphic design, architecture, and interior design creating contemporary statement pieces. The perfect storm of experience to create with such a special medium. By layering texture and color – among other tricks of the trade – these incredibly beautiful stained glass pieces are brought to life. Fools Gold mainly works on a commission basis, so follow along on Instagram to see more work.

bright yellow and chrome showerhead

5. hai Infusions Smart Showerhead

Showering is the most relaxing thing I do all day, and if I can take it to the next level you can bet I’m going to do so. hai’s home hydrotherapy shower system pairs infusions with its smart shower to bring together wellness and water. I’m not a bath lover, so the idea of an experience that smells wonderful and feels luxurious is extra welcome. The infusions of vitamins and essential oils flow directly through the showerhead by way of a tablet. Simply twist the fuse at any point before or during your shower to activate the infusion into your water for a reimagined wellness experience. There’s a slew of colors available to match your bath’s vibe.

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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.