At Half-Mast

When I walked past the new Frank Gehry-designed building in Chelsea, I thought that it wasn't yet finished. Turns out that I'm wrong. Despite the fact that the office building looks like the top half was chopped off, the structure is set to open in a month. The 10-floor building, known as "The Sails," is located near the Hudson River and doesn't quite fit in with all the grungy old warehouses in this art gallery area. Still, when I spied one of the fritted glass windows cracked and lying on the sidewalk for removal, I was tempted to snatch it and hang it on my apartment wall. (I did try to pick it up, but it must have weighed about 300 lbs.) (Image via NY Sun)

Split Personalities

Last week, I wrote about ugly stemware that you just flip over, depending on the type of drink you desire. I just read an article about flatware that has the same split personality: an updated version of the "spork." Unlike the original spork, which was a spoon with tines at its top, the new spork features a spoon at one end and a fork at the other. The two-headed monster would make a perfect companion to the dual Champagne/Martini glass. Now, they just have to invent a dinner table that turns into a bathtub when you flip it over. (Images via New York Times, Pier 1)

Design Disasters

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the world's ugliest glassware! Courtesy of Pier 1, this "dual stemware" is ideal for "our fast-paced city life and multi-tasking." You just flip the glass over, depending on whether you want Champagne or a Martini. Described as "mouth-blown," these mutant glasses are on sale for a bargain-basement $8. Oh, here's the clincher: hand-wash only. Wouldn't want to break these design disasters. (Image via Pier 1)

Apple Store=Ground Zero Memorial?

Are reflecting pools all the rage when it comes to current architectural design? A lot of people are doing backflips over the design of the new Apple Store on Fifth Avenue. As well, the winning design for the Ground Zero memorial features reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood. However, if we ever see the memorial blueprints become a reality remains to be seen.

(Images via New York Sun, New York Magazine)