Ikea sent us their "new for Summer 2009" catalog today... our picks were all lighting, clockwise from top left; the 5-stick SOLIG solar cell LED light chain, SOLIG solar-operated half globes, battery-operated mushroom shaped SOLIG lighting and the battery powered cylindrical SOLIG lantern (up to 60 hrs with 3x AAA).

+ ikea.com

Want to put clear ice in your Whisky? Now you don’t have to buy bagged ice, or get an expensive icemaker. You can make clear ice in the comfort of your own home! All you have to do is to pour water into the Polar Ice Tray, and place it in the fridge to enjoy crystal clear ice.

You use the clear ice not only because it is aesthetically pleasing, but also because the ice is free from impurities, air bubbles, and free radicals. Check the water quality of melted clear ice; it is close to that of pure water. This ice will not alter the flavor of your drink.

The components of the Polar Ice Tray are designed to require no external mechanics or power sources. Using the patented layer-by-layer ice formation method, it becomes possible to separate the “pure ice” from the “white ice” into distinct layers.

In order to attract consumer attention, we tried to design an outstanding look for the Polar Ice Tray. Concurrently, we wished for the aesthetic design of this product to reflect its purity, simplicity, and connection with nature. This is why we chose to base its design on the pebble, smooth and simple, and commonly found upon the banks of lakes and rivers. It effectively reflects our nature-inspired product, and the philosophy of making the most of what exists in the natural world.

The mold currently to make 3D ice sculpture is one of an Inukshuk, chosen for its symbolism of friendship and welcome. The inukshuk is a traditional sculptural form used by the Inuit who live in the Arctic Circle of Canada. They are usually made from raw stones, originally meant for means of communication and survival. Because they are sculptures of welcome, they have also been chosen to be the official emblem of the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver.

So you’ve got a hankering to pour paint all over expensive cars, do you? Today’s your lucky day! Unless of course you were hoping for more than a video of a car painting a picture with its wheels and gallons and gallons of paint. This post shows exactly what you’ve got to do to successfully create hype for a new project using a giant canvas, a remote controlled wheel paint splatter car, and Andy Warhol just for fun.

The BMW Z4. The official page for which has just gone live today, is coming to a release party near you. Or you to it. Something like that. Check it out:

A public art installation at Grand Central Terminal. In on half of Vanderbilt Hall: BMW painted art cars from four of the worlds most well-respected artists; Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. In the other half, a 30′ x 40′ section of a football-field sized painting by artist Robin Rhode.

Conceptual enough for you?

Rhode controlled the painting by remotely activating the spray of the paint on the tires of the car as it drove a choreographed path across the canvas. Gross, huh? If you’re interested in the car itself, read below, see the video, or check out the BMW homesite.

More info on Art Daily and BMW

Designer: BMW Motors

Plastic with a mirror surface. What more do you want? That’s all I want in life, is a mirror surface on at least one out of every three items I own in life. So I’ll need one of these. It’s the “360° Lamp” designed by Pavel Sidorenko for Adensen Furniture. It’s plastic with a mirror surface. Deja vu. “This lamp will fill your home with soft calming light.” Several designs, original laser engraving. Available with one to four patterns. And there’s a weird part!

Literally, literally, the “superfluous circle” from the center of the lamp is said to be excellent for marking books. Bookmarker of metal magic!

Designer: Pavel Sidorenko for Adensen Furniture

The entries are pouring in for this month's 1 Hour Design Challenge: Business Card Hacks, where designers and makers are invited to create ingenious items out of ordinary business cards. The concept above, "Seed Card," is a twice-ingenious design. The business card is part seed paper, part paper. You tear off the seed paper part and plant it in some soil, then use the remaining portion of the card as a plant flag with the card holder's info on one side and the flower type on the back. Says designer Greenman, "We typically use flowers to think of, or remind others of us, so I thought it was appropriate." Nice.

View all the 1 Hour Design Challenge Business Card Hacks right here, and upload your own. The 5 top designs will win 1000 free business cards from our sponsor, UPrinting.com.

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