SKÅDIS Container (White)

This container is a great addition for any pegboard. I's great as a pen or crayon holder as it stays in place safely thanks to the well-designed back hooks. It holds tons of stuff and vertically, away from my table, and I can use it with markers, pens, pencils, crayons (these would stain the inside a bit) among other things. Great quality plastic.   

DESIGNER  Eva Lilja Löwenhielm

 

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SKÅDIS Clip

These clips are almost flat and hook into any Skadis pegboard easily. I don't find them as useful as other hooks and Skadis accessories as these are designed mostly to hold paper. That being the case aren't as versatile, or at least to me, as other hugs and clips. However, they are still great to have important pieces of paper on display: bills to pay, or photos, or leaflets for an event, or your own painting or drawing, inspiration images for your inspiration board, postcards received, and so on. 

 

DESIGNER  Eva Lilja Löwenhielm

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IKEA 365+ Square Food Storage Basket (14x14x10 cm)

These square baskets are cut and have a wonderful clean design. They look like part of the Risatorp line due to its mix of white epoxied mesh and bamboo lids. I love the way they look, that they can be stacked, and that the lid seals the container perfectly. aled. Handwash only, of course. You cannot put anything liquid in it and I personally would not store food in them. Wiping them with a damp cloth is enough. Every single IKEA 365+ product storage that I bought about 10 years ago, I still have it in good conditions. So I expect the same from these mini baskets.

 

DESIGNER Unknown

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BLOMNING Coffee & Tea Tin (11x7x20 cm)

This tin box is really beautiful, classy and elegant. It looks expensive. It's meant to be used for tea and coffee storage, but I give mine different uses: crafts storage, sugar storage, tea bags storage, fabric scraps storage. Whatever small I need to store. This box is stackable and is complemented by a shorter version that can be put on. Hand-wash only.

 

DESIGNER Mikael Axelsson

 

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Kaslaider Silicone Bear Stand-up Pencil Case (Large)

This is a really cute vertical pencil case made of super-soft silicone. The design is really whimsical and the case feels expensive. It's well made and well finished (from the printing details, to the zip, to the inner erasers holder, to the opener chain detail). I wanted this covered case to put some pointy tools inside, like small palette knives, metallic clay tools, dot makers and so on. It can hold quite a big of stuff and protects my fingers from getting hurt as it would happen if I left some of the tools I put inside in the open. Good value for money and this model is way cheaper than other silicone animal pencil holders. The only let-down is the smell of the silicone; although not strong, it's a bit odd. No fancy packaging but I wasn't expecting that for the price.

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SMARRA Box with Lid (Natural, 30x30x23 cm)

I was delaying the purchase of this basket due to the price but, after having this in my wish list for over two years, I thought it was time to take the plunge.  

 

The basket is made of woven bamboo (a product I  love) coated in translucent lacquer. It looks organic, beautiful and elegant. I was able to put all my sewing materials inside, with plenty of space still left. It's also perfect to store phone charges, cables and small electric items inside, and any sort of crafty materials.

After having this at home, there are several things that I'd like to mention before you purchase this basket:

1. The colour in the photos and the one you get is different, as the former is a bit more caramel-ish. It's lighter than other bamboo products I've purchased from Ikea. 
   
2. This box is really large, so its volume might overwhelm the decor of a small room. It looks great inside cube furniture or on large shelves, though. 
3. Despite its size and good looks, this isn't a solid basket. It woven loosely and has no internal reinforcements. I reinforced the bottom and the lid with some drawer mat leftovers,which are rigid by light. I wouldn't be storing anything heavy inside for this very reason. Volume doesn't always equal strength. 
4. The lid doesn't lock securely, so it easily goes off if you stumble upon the basket. 

Overall, this is a lovely good-looking large decorative basket that you can use to store light stuff and hide clutter from view. However, it isn't sturdy. I find this product overpriced due to everything I've said.

DESIGNER IKEA of Sweden

 

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RISATORP Desk Organiser (White, 50x16x17 cm)

I was after this Risatorp desk organiser for months. First, it was a bit too pricey, then it wasn't delivered to my postcode. I was really excite when I was able to get it. 

 

I felt an immediate attraction towards this piece and design. The killer minimalist white epoxy and caramel bamboo colour combo, the mesh, the simplicity, the originality, the roundness, the floating legs. My eyes still spark when I look at it. 

 

It's longer and heavier than I expected or the product photos make you think. You'd need a long large desk for this organiser to look right on your desk. Otherwise, you might want to place it on the top of a shelf. The inside is compartmented, so this allows you to devote different spaces to different stuff.  I've put some of my crayons in recycled glass containers, a small pen holder with my most used markers and pencils, a small  square tissue box, a tiny tin box with my meds, hand cream, and a few other things, and there is still room for little items. 

Assembly was easy overall, but I had difficulty screwing one of the legs strait. 

DESIGNERS A-M Nilsson & A Wallgren.

ASSEMBLY LEAFLET 

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RISATORP Basket with Compartments (White, 33x24x23 cm)

Another stunner in the Risatorp basket world. This is a large basket with an inner bamboo divider and handle. It's made of the same materials as the other baskets in the line in the wonderful  Skandy style that I love. 

 

This basket is quite heavy, but it can be easy transported by the handle. The divider is great to keep different things separate. Like other Risatorp baskets I own, it's versatile. I've used it as bathroom toiletries container; one side for hair products, the other for cosmetics. I've used it as art desk organiser; I kept it on the floor with some basic painting tools and a water bottle. I've also used it to store socks and stockings, one on each compartment. Ditto for my workdays bras & panties, to have them at hand when I dress for work in the morning. I think this is perfect for a picnic or to carry small items of food and drinks to a foodie get-together. 

The inner wooden pieces have to be assembled. I found the positioning and screwing of them easy if you 'plug' the two wooden pieces to the handle bar before you position it inside. 

 

DESIGNER Wiebke Braasch.

ASSEMBLY LEAFLET

 

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RISATORP Square Basket (White, 25x26x18 cm)

This is the first Risatorp basket that came to the market and the first one I bought. I have several already and they are a must at home. This basket looks small but accommodates tons of stuff, and it's easy to store anywhere. If you want to keep it outside,  looks great and stylish. I've given this basket different uses, from my office to my laundry, from my kitchen to my bedroom and currently sit in my bathroom.  The mesh body makes it light, and the bamboo handle makes carrying stuff inside a breeze. This is an Ikea classic  design, easily recognizable, and has has been imitated by big stores (Target and Kmart for example).

 

DESIGNER Wiebke Braasch

 

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RISATORP Rectangular Basket (White, 27x42x23 cm)

I love the Risatorp baskets line, and this model is the most useful of the many models I have. This has proven to be the most versatile, the one with most capacity and the easiest one to store. I've moved this around my place many times and and I've given it different uses. As  storage for my laundry cleaning products on top of my washing machine. I've used it as shower "caddy" to put all my most used daily toiletries. I've used it as sockets and stockings 'drawer'. I've used it as stationary storage.  

This basket is great. It looks good in my studio/office, laundry, bathroom and kitchen. It hasn't broken or deteriorated despite the weight I've put inside. It's easy to move around thanks to the sturdy handles. It's easy to clean. The rectangular narrow shape makes it easy to use in small spaces, and it's easy to stack too. I've had it for several years and still looks as new. In one word, this is a must at home and I have a couple o them.  

DESIGNER Wiebke Braasch

 

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RÅSKOG Small Trolley (white) with NORRÅVA Lid (28x38x61 cm)

I have two taller larger Raskog trolleys, which I love, but I needed something smaller (this is 61 cms tall instead of 77 cms) to tuck it under my desk when not in use, and to place it beside during my painting sessions without obtruding the area.  

The  antique-white epoxy coating is beautiful and goes perfectly with the Norrava bamboo lid. Besides, the epoxy coating  is easy to clean from paint splashes and stains.

 

Despite its small size and lightness, this trolley holds a lot of stuff. I place my brushes holders on the top shelf when painting, which I remove when not in use and place the bamboo lid. It's true that the lid protrudes a cm or so over the edge, something that didn't happen with older models. Yet, I don't see this as a big issue. On the shelves underneath I keep different painting media I often use (gesso, basic paints, palette ceramic plates, wipes, painting tools, gels, etc.). Although I use this unit for my painting needs, this trolley is perfect for kitchen and bathroom storage when the space available is limited.  

The trolley is easy to assemble thanks to the very clear instructions leaflet. The castors are great quality and roll beautifully in all directions; they can be locked in case you want to use it as non-movable storage unit.

 

DESIGNERS Nike Karlsson & Ellen Hallström. 

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 

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SuckUK Tin Food Truck Lunch Box

I love tin boxes for everything: for tea, pulses, sewing,  crafts, office supplies, stationery, makeup or for any storage purpose. I find them more sustainable and durable than plastic, and way prettier. I didn't buy this box for my lunches at all, but to store some small items. SuckUp has the coolest looking boxes out there.

 

I've had this fancy tin lunch box in my Amazon wish-list for over 3 years because, although I love the design, the price has been ridiculously high (max of $60 and minimum of $40). Yet, patience paid off, and the box was finally sold during a flash sale at a fair $23, which is the lowest price I've ever seen it. "Seasons came and changed the time". The huntress was ready. "Bang Bang, I shot you down." After the flash sale the box went up to $48. "Bang Bang, you hit the ground." I thought I deserved a tiara or something.

 

The box is good-quality tin and the design is gorgeous, with all the details of the food truck printed; even the bottom is printed. The box is really spacious, more than the product page photos make you think. Would your lunch fit in? I think if you don't put the drink inside, yes. Perhaps a sandwich or two with some small chocolate bars an one or two small pieces of fruit. Yet, you can use the box for myriad other storage purposes.

 

The door opens like a food truck's does, upwards. But, right there, there is an issue. The latch and locking system are badly designed or just defective because, when the tin is unlocked, the cover protrudes up and does not rest down properly at all (see my photos). Even when it's locked, the door does not rest down completely. To close the door, you have to push the latch down and, at the same time, push the door cover inwards. This is not that practical, quite annoying and it does not always work. At this stage, ain't sure whether this is a design fault or just part of a faulty batch. "Bang Bang, that awful sound."

The handle is less sturdy than other tin's handles I own and it does not stand erect or can be tucked away inside the upper latches.  

Furthermore, I was expecting the product to come in a fancy package to match the fancy price and branding. However, it arrived inside a generic brown box. A repurposed return? "Bang Bang, I hit the ground." 

Now the big questions. 

> Did the box disappoint me upon arrival? Yes, for the reasons mentioned above. "And 'till this day sometimes I cry."

> Did I think it was worth the waiting time? Perhaps not. Bang, Bang.

> Do I think that the usual high price is justified? Totally NOT. Bang, Bang. The price I paid for it is fair and what I think the product should be sold for.

>  Do I recommend the purchase? Yes, if the locking system worked and the price was less than $25. If you fancy it, check it out in a offline shop so that you can verify that the latch is working properly 

 

"Now he's gone. I don't know why." He has been returned, that's why.

 

(NB/ My Amazon review is obviously less Bang-Bangy for obvious reasons).

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