Some excellent news for fans of classic BRAUN utilitarian items. It looks as though BRAUN watches and alarm clocks are coming back to U.S. shores. Some notes from the press release give a bit more info: “Braun’s decision to re-issue its collection, including some of the LCD watches from the 1970s, met with the approval of Dietrich Lubs, co-designer with Dieter Rams. Lubs credits the watches’ independent and functionally-oriented designs for the continued relevance of the Braun timepiece collection, about thirty years after its initial introduction.” Various styles available now from Amazon.

More as we get it. For now, enjoy these looks after the click.

Coming this May from Phaidon, is an extraordinary look at the history of the modern office chair. A Taxonomy of Office Chairs by Jonathan Olivares delves into the past of the utility seat that in the modern world has gained cult-like status. The book catalogs not only the models and makes but also looks at the “unique elements” of each. As Olivares explains it, “I wanted to find something that on one hand has a rich technical history, and on he other hand is related to the human body in an intimate way. The office chair is that perfect synthesis.”

Most interesting is the fact that Knoll funded the research project which took more than three years and 4,000 chairs to complete.

Available from Amazon.

Photography: Selectism.com

More looks inside The Taxonomy of Office Chairs book after the click.

Made in Holland, the Miniot iPad 2 Smart Covers beautifully use wood to give your tablet a fresh look. The styling is incredible on these. Choose from various woods to make the iPad all yours. The wood cover folds and interlocks as the Apple Smart Cover does. It allows for multiple stand and display configurations. This is cover is getting serious love right now…

More looks after the click.

Canada gets some special Mack action through the Lark shop. “Vancouver’s very own, Lark has teamed up with classic outerwear greats Mackintosh to produce these two amazing looking coats for the spring/summer 2011 season. There are two styles; the Dunkled coat, which is a 3/4 length coated linen in dark indigo color, and the Soridain jacket, which is a hooded parka-style jacket in red cotton.” (8485)

More looks after the click.

Today we preview one of our favorite brogues to come out later this year. For Autumn/Winter 2011 Thom Browne presents a brown premium leather version of the classic shoe featuring a Crepe outer sole, leather mid sole, and his iconic tricolor branding on the heel. We like the matte finish of the shoe and overall details.

Photography: Selectism

Take a further look at the shoes after the jump.

Here’s a serious upgrade to your university adidas-sandal-loafer-sandal. Bottega Veneta looks to take you forward with their perfect “Celeste Cuir Sandal” – available in blue or red. “Cuir leather is an unusually hard and durable leather and this slip-on is designed to last forever – the perfect mix of design and usability.”

We’re picking up the craft game here for a minute. Here’s another one of a kind wallet from a site known as Deli Sandwich. Love the name. “I made a wallet this weekend. I had the idea kicking around for some time to make a slim wallet out of one piece of leather. I also felt like my current wallet was reaching George Costanza status… It’s cut from veggie tanned leather, double needle hand sewn, waxed, and burnished.”

Available from Garbstore, the Sunny Sports Yacht Print Sneaker is made in Japan with canvas upper on rubber sole. A simple shoe, aside from bold graphic, the sneaker has Summer printed all over it. I’m into these.

More images follow.

Clown Shoes beers are about humility and humor. Founder Gregg Berman shares on the brand website that the whole idea blossomed sort of by accident. He was a beer nerd, avidly reading Beer Advocate, and now the rest is malted in hops history.

Clown Shoes is sharing the Hoppy Feet Black India Pale Ale with visitors to the New England Real Ale eXhibition in Somerville, MA this weekend. Make sure to swing by the festival if you happen to be in the area.

Aside from insteresting brews, Clown Shoes also has a knack for solid labels. A selection of the best after the jump.

Consider this part of our ongoing efforts to spruce up our kitchen as well as our wardrobes. We’re usually stumped for things to say when talking about tableware, do we go on about minimalism, clean lines and all that jazz? Actually, in true Luther Vandross fashion, we feel bits like this make a house a home. And, like Luther, we do like our food, so the prettier the plates, the better. (Spoon & Tamago)