Take 5: An Artful Bookend, Kinetic Clock, Miniature Tea Set + 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. Social Media Consultant Maivy Tran returns this week for our Take 5 series.

More of an eye-catching display rather than something to organize your current or finished reads, this piece is a playful blend of function and art. Featuring a silver steel frame and a mango wood ball, its sloped design allows the ball to slide down to keep your books and magazines neatly in place! It’s currently sold out on Stacked Homes (for the best price I’ve seen it at), but you can sign up for notifications to be the first to know when it’s back!

Part kinetic sculpture, part functional timepiece, the ClockClock 24 is now available in a striking shade of royal blue, officially dubbed ‘Dada Blue.’ Humans since 1982 collaborated with Kit Kemp for this limited edition of just 100 pieces, and it’s more than a mere collector’s item. A ‘mesmerizing ode to the passage of time,’ this piece transforms time into something tactile, dynamic, and endlessly captivating. Each of its 24 individual clocks dances through an ever-shifting choreography, moving from chaotic, whirring spins to moments of precise synchronization – before briefly uniting to display the time. Hypnotic and meditative, it’s the kind of piece I could sit and watch all day long.

I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only one with that one designated chair – the one where clothes that are too clean for the laundry, but not quite fresh enough for the closet, end up in limbo. The “Wash Less” chair by Natuzzi is a genius collaboration with Whirlpool and designer Fabio Novembre. More than just a place to hang your semi-worn clothes, it’s a statement piece that combines sleek design with sustainable living. Crafted from flocked steel and covered in Ecoplen, a fabric that conserves water and energy, it has self-cleaning properties that keep bacteria, mold, and viruses at bay. Finally, a solution to our dreaded clothes piles, one that helps you rethink your washing habits – saving the planet, and your room, one outfit at a time!

A post shared by Hamish Bassett (@tinypotsmelbourne)

A cup of tea makes everything better – even more so when it’s miniature-sized! This tiny tea set by Hamish Bassett of Tiny Pots Melbourne is quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve seen in a while, and after scrolling his page one late night, I’m convinced I need it. This particular set is currently on view at Unassigned Gallery as part of the Exhibition for Ants 2.0 (alongside other tiny artworks), though sadly, it’s already been purchased by a lucky buyer. Restocks are often announced here, so follow along to snag your own!

It might be shocking to say I haven’t traveled since pre-COVID, but this new collaboration has me itching to book a flight, just for an excuse to upgrade my luggage! As someone who typically gravitates towards all things black, this limited-edition Adobe Brown colorway feels like the perfect middle ground. It’s rich and luxurious, neutral with a twist that feels safe yet striking. If you want to step out of your comfort zone without going too far, this shade is a winner. Beyond aesthetics, Monos’ Hybrid line blends the toughness of aluminum with the lightness of polycarbonate, making it as resilient as it is refined – and ready to handle whatever the journey throws your way.

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As the Social Media Consultant, Maivy is always dreaming up new ideas to curate content. If she's not glued to her phone, she’s probably at the dog park with her pup Koda, training at the gym, or trying the latest food/drink trends! See the BTS of her life over on Instagram.

You can follow Maivy Tran on Instagram. Read all of Maivy Tran's posts.

Social Media Consultant Maivy Tran shares current favorites including a solution to the 'clothes chair,' hypnotic clocks, miniature tea sets, + more.

Design Milk Associate Editor Aria Lee joins Take 5 sharing delectable cakes, Mondrian-esque stained glass, a shoe collaboration + more!

Our Senior Contributing Editor Vy Yang shares her current obsessions (including UNO and cat furniture – even though she's a dog person).

Editor-in-Chief Caroline Williamson returns for our Take 5 series, featuring a Tomo Campbell painting, new Girard book, and colorful notebooks.