Take 5: Modern Stripes, Modern Toothbrushes, UNO + More
Twice a month we’re inviting one of the Design Milk team members to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we love and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Senior Contributing Editor Vy Yang joins this week for our Take 5 series.
1. Colours of Arley
Interior designers, please help me out here: what’s the secret sauce behind Colours of Arley’s stripes? Is it the way they mix the most unexpected hues? The perfect stripe width? Whatever it is, I’m fully obsessed. This London-based brand, launched in 2022, has quickly gained a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. Their modern interpretation of the classic stripe pattern has me itching to order everything they make. And if you’re feeling fancy, they offer bespoke customization where you can create your own stripe pattern, choosing from thousands of color combos, three stripe sizes, and seven fabric types. I’m dying to create custom cushions for our patio furniture, but with so many options, I’m stuck in indecision… not the worst problem to have, right? Which combo would you pick? (Side note: this featured photo of Colours of Arley’s lounge cushions was taken at Casa Lawa, an experiential stay with “artist in residence” programming and events with the local community that is now on my travel list.)
2. Trask Toothbrushes
Isn’t it wild that we can put a rover on Mars but still struggle to perfect the humble toothbrush? I’ve recently ditched my electric toothbrush (which always seems to lose its charge right when I need it most, not to mention the gunk build-up – yikes!) in favor of the old-school manual version. But honestly, why do they all have to look so… boring? Enter Trask – and let me tell you, you’re getting the inside scoop because this brand hasn’t even launched yet! Founders Marjorie and Kimberly had one mission: to make your oral care as chic as your decor. Their toothbrushes thoughtfully take care of your dental hygiene, with a curved-up head that avoids contact with any surfaces and a flat back design that keeps the toothbrush from rolling off the surface. An included brush cover also doubles as a brush rest. And the finishes? We’re talking stripes, tortoise, and solid colors that actually match your bathroom aesthetic. I’m hooked!
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3. Anya Molyviatis
Weaving is an art I haven’t yet tried (though I’ve dabbled in botanical drawings, watercolors, and ceramics). Until the day comes when I take up weaving, I’ll happily admire today’s artists like Anya Molyviatis. Her mastery of color is mesmerizing – pairing unexpected hues to create gradients and shapes that evoke so much emotion. Anya’s latest exhibition, Submerge, at the SCAD Museum of Art, lives up to its name. Even through my phone screen, I feel like I’m being drawn into the depths of her stunning work. It blows my mind people can see – and make – colors in the world like this. If you’re in the Savannah area, make sure to catch it in person – it runs until November 25. Go see it for me, will you?
4. Gray Malin x UNO
If you only keep one game in your house, let it be UNO. You simply can’t beat its universal appeal – toddlers, teens, and grandparents all get in on the fun. We have the vintage design at home, but the new collaboration between UNO and photographer Gray Malin might just tempt me to upgrade. Malin, known for his vibrant aerial shots of tropical locales, is the first photographer featured in the game’s Artiste Series, and the result is as fun as it is beautiful. Palm trees and beach scenes on your UNO cards? Yes, please.
5. Mau Pets’ Nami Cat Wall
Now, I’m a die-hard dog person, which is why I’m slightly confused by my sudden obsession with cats. After cat-sitting for a friend and visiting homes with the sweetest felines, I find myself daydreaming about adopting one of my own. While I haven’t made any moves just yet (do I really need another thing to keep alive?), I’ve already started visualizing a cat-friendly home. And wow, have I been missing out – cat furniture is stunning. Take the Nami wall shelf from Mau Pets, for example. With its sculptural form, Nami (meaning “wave” in Japanese) offers the perfect perch for a cat to lounge in style. I don’t even have a cat yet, but when I do, this is going straight to the top of my wish list.