Two's a Trend: Matroyshka Measuring Cups

Worldwide Fred has updated the iconic matroyshka doll as a useful kitchen gadget. At right, Fred's M-Cups ($12.50 at perpetual kid) are a set of six plastic measuring cups that nest like the real Russian tchochkes. Anthropologie's version (left) -- a set of three Matroyshka Measuring Cups ($28) -- aim for a more traditional look, though they are dishwasher and microwave safe.

A Fork Fit for Noodles

It might look like one of those Japanese "unuseless" inventions, but the Calamete noodle fork is for real. Engineered specifically to enhance the journal of noodles from bowl to mouth, the design takes a standard fork and adds an extra short, stubby tine -- intended to simulate the thumb -- to help grab a forkful of noodles (or pasta).

$44 for a pair at Japan Trend Shop.

The LEGO Kitchen

Over the weekend, I found myself at the just-opened LEGO store at New Jersey's Garden State Plaza.

While I had a hard time pulling myself away from LEGO's ultra-cool new "Architecture" series featuring the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water, and landmark skyscrapers, I also noticed a series of new products intended to outfit your kitchen in the contours of the classic toy bricks.

Clockwise, from left: LEGO kids cutlery, minifigure cake mold, minifigure cookie cutters, rolling cookie cutter, and kitchen storage set.

Espresso Enigma

Fellina Sok-Cham's Espresso Set consists of a puzzle-like bamboo tray that holds together six slide-out saucers and porcelain espresso cups (each of which are notched to hold stainless steel espresso spoons).  While the idea of serving up a half a dozen espressos at one time doesn't seem to be the most practical, the set might also work nicely for serving (tiny) desserts. $45 at MoMA.

Building a Better Cake Server

Finnish designer Maria Kivijärvi's Magisso Cake Server takes an innovative approach to the art of cake-slicing. Press the server down vertically on the cake to make a clean cut, and then -- while squeezing the handle -- remove the slice to a plate, where it may be released by relaxing your grip. Made from stainless steel. $59.95 at Urban Butik.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Squeeze in Style

I have no idea whether designer Laurence Brabant's mouth-blown Borosilicate glass citrus juice set actually functions as a juicing tool, but it certainly looks cool. Glass juicer plus a set of four juice glasses: $58 at Basic French.

From Bamboo to Cork

Bambu, the maker of bamboo kitchen tools and serving pieces, has launched a new line of products made from another renewable material, cork.

The earthy material has been pressed into a number of modern designs for bowls, cutting boards, and serving trays. The high-density cork products are lightweight and surprisingly impervious to liquids, and, according to the company, naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Bambu claims the product line is "the world's first cork tabletop collection."

I recently gave the cork cutting boards a test drive.

Destination Seoul

Like its earlier Destination Japan collection, the MoMA store has created Destination Seoul, a collection of products created by young and emerging Korean designers. Most of the products, like these Forest Cups engraved with branch designs ($55), are typically found only in South Korea and are available exclusively at MoMA.

Below are highlights of some of the more gastronomically oriented items.

Still Life Fruit Bowl

With Barnaby Barford and André Klauser's novel Still Life Fruit Bowl, you can create a piece of art that changes according to your fruit-buying patterns. The oak frame and earthenware bowl is available for pre-order for $100 at Areaware (though it also looks like something you might try making yourself).

Orla Kiely for Target

The New York Times Home section reports on Orla Kiely for Target, a new collection of limited edition home decor products by the high-end designer. Kitchen and tabletop items festooned with bold, retro patterns include pitchers, cannisters, tumblers, mugs (pictured above) along with melamine bowls, dishes, and other serving pieces. The line will be introduced in Target stores in early February.