10 of Our Favorite Things at the International Home + Housewares Show 2018
Mill has a series of Wi-Fi connected heaters that allow you to control them from all over the world with their app. Whether you forgot to turn it off, or want to make sure your space is nice and toasty when you get home, Wi-Fi enabled heaters seem like a nifty convenience. The heaters are also pretty sleek and futuristic looking, but their minimalist design doesn’t detract from your décor. Mill’s series of Wi-Fi enabled heaters run the entire gamut: from wall mounted heaters, to small space heaters—fan based, electrical, or oil, you should be able to find what works for your situation. The app allows you to set temperatures and set schedules
[caption id="attachment_25056" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Image via OpcomFarm.com[/caption] OPCOM Farm OPCOM Farm is all about indoor hydroponics system that range from the small, to the industrial-sized. If you’ve ever envisioned an indoor garden capable of supplying fruits and vegetables year-round, OPCOM Farm might have solution that works for you. There are out of the way wall mounted GrowFrames, which also has a stand so you can keep it on your counter if you wish. Their GrowWall is larger, but it sits against the wall and is surprisingly space-saving. There are even more countertop options, such as the stackable GrowBox2 which allows you to have a small vegetable garden right on your counter. Each of these systems have automatic watering and lighting modes, and come with planting kits so you can start gardening out of the box. [caption id="attachment_25057" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Image courtesy Sobro[/caption] Sobro Smart Furniture Sobro have established themselves as makers of sleek, high-end coffee and side tables with smart functionality. Are you tired of running extension cords from behind your couches? Sobro has you covered with USB charging ports and easily accessible outlets. There is a built-in refrigerator, for cold beverages available to you without having to get up from your seat. Included speakers and LED lights that sync to the music that is being played round out the smart functionalities. This all comes in a sleek and attractive presentation: tempered glass top, gorgeous style, and three different finishes to choose from. Sobro even currently has an Indiegogo campaign for their smart side table, a smaller but functionally similar version of their coffee table. Student Design Competition Student design is always on display at IH+HS as well, and we got a chance to walk through the competition area and check out the innovations.Two items that got our attention at this year’s Student Design competition were both placed second, but with completely different and interesting ideas. [caption id="attachment_25053" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Image courtesy IHHS[/caption] AromeCaleb Blankenbaker of University of Illinois at Chicago was recognized for his Arome coffee bean roaster, making roasting coffee beans at home “as easy as brewing the coffee.” Inspired by do-it-yourself home roasters who hack air pop popcorn poppers to roast their beans, Arome takes that idea and puts it into an attractive product. With a smartphone app to precisely control the roast, and an attractive design, Arome is something I hope to see come to stores.
[caption id="attachment_25054" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Image courtesy IHHS[/caption] BotanyAlso placing second was Andrew Ferrier’s Botany Child-Proof Cannabis Container. This attractive container is a way to safely store secure your cannabis while keeping it fresh. It has a programmable combination to keep out children while being airtight. You can control the humidity levels for maximum freshness, and it's also incredibly sleek and stylish.
Contributing author Antal Bokor