Swiss company Naef Spiele acquired the license to Bauhaus designs in the 60’s and has been using them ever since to create a range of wooden items incorporating the ‘form follows function’ principles of the legendary school. This particular set, originally designed in 1923 by Josef Hartwig, replaces the usual chess pieces with a series of cylinders, tubes, crosses and blocks. Hand crafted in Switzerland the price tag is on the heavy side but a piece of design history rarely comes cheap.  Quintessentia has it. -ld

A beautiful chess set that will sit well on your side table. People will ask questions. “Kiki de Montparnasse and Aruliden have collaborated in the creation of a uniquely luxurious chess set that combines strategy and sensuality…. Thirty-two individual pieces with matte and gloss finishes hold court on a handmade walnut game board. The exquisite set is made of the highest quality materials and packaged with distinct elegance.” Sets yo back $10,000. (twbe)

More looks after the click.

These beautiful cased screwdrivers from Torpedo fill two bills: looks and function. “Aluminum and stainless steel screwdriver set. 8 micro phillips and flathead screwdriver heads are stored inside shaft. Super grip. Assorted colors.” Kikkerland has them but those with with a Sears in town should be able to find comparable options.

One essential element of summer travel is your toiletry bag. It may be even more important than a regular change of undergarments and more versatile. You probably stuff it with toothpaste, brushes, and shaving kits, but as I learned during my last return from Los Angeles, carrying too much shaving cream will get you the full pat down treatment (no joke). REN Skincare solves the travel dilemma with their “Perfect Shave Set” made up of small essentials that will give you face the perfect finish it deserves by pre-cleansing your skin with a variety of “clean bio” natural oils before you take the blade to face. The High Glide Cooling Shave Cream does well in lubricating the blade during shave – something most foams and gels cannot achieve.

Check out REN’s Perfect Shave Set. It’s worth a test run at home or during your Summer travels.

There’s no denying a well designed bench gets our hearts pumping. That’s why we’re grateful to our friends at Retro to Go for alerting us to the Tolt Furniture Set from Extremis. Now available at Nest, the set was designed by Michael Young. The short benches have wonderful curved edges and are made of robinia wood. More hightech Corian is used on the table top. Mixing traditional and new material to great effect, the set is perfect for homes with a bit of mixed decor. 

We have seen lots of merchandise with the Colette mascots in the past including clothing, bags, Bearbricks and now they bring the Caperino & Peperone Candle Set. The box set consists of overall 3 candles – Stromboli, Paris and Tokyo.

The set is now available in the Colette online store for 50 Euros.