I can't get enough of the Bridge faucet from Water Décor, a stunning bit of modern design that won Most Innovate Product for the 2005 DPHA awards. The discrete knob on top of the vertical cylinder controls the water temperature, while knob on the diagonal piece controls the pressure. Water Décor sells The Bridge in a variety of finishes ranging from $988 to $1,267.

[Via Trendir]

The Friendly Vac from Friendly Robotics is a robotic vacuum cleaner like the Roomba, but with a much higher price tag. The autonomous vacuum is equipped with multi-dimensional proximity sensors and stair sensors to avoid walls, obstacles, and tragic stair accidents, can tell the difference between hard floors and carpet, and has three cleaning modes including a spot clean mode for trouble areas. The Friendly Vac's achilles heel may be its size: Unlike the diminutive Roomba, it's 13 inches tall, which will prevent it from getting under some short-legged furniture. A Trendy Home sells the Friendly Vac for $1,600.

[Via Cribcandy]

Love your home theater but just can't seem to produce enough popcorn for your guests? A1 Popcorn Machines sells a professional-grade popcorn popper with contemporary silver-and-black styling. It'll pop four ounces of popcorn at a time at about 96 ounces per hour and costs $374.

The Times Online is running a great article called Five tiny islands in a connoisseur's Caribbean in which they profile five of the sea's less-traveled islands: Dominica, Bequia, Tobago, Anguilla, and Virgin Gorda. It's impressively comprehensive, detailing each island's selling points and caveats, plus costs and travel tips. If you're planning a trip to the Caribbean any time soon, don't miss this guide.

[Via Gadling]

Erik over at Gadling points us to this New York Times article about how hip new hotels are turning off some travelers, particularly those who are there for business. While Starwood Hotels' W chain (whose furniture you can buy online) has proven so successful with young urbanites that's it's launching another trendy brand called aloft, the Times spoke with a few travelers who were less than pleased with the booming dance music in the lobbies, the funky furniture in the room, and service which is often less than stellar.

How important is style to you when choosing a hotel room?

[Via Gadling]

Out here in Iowa it's an unusual year when we don't see snow by early November, but it's a fact that the true ski season doesn't start until much later. But if you're eager to get out on the slopes, MSNBC has a guide to twelve resorts for early season snow. If you insist on natural snow, they say, your best bet is heading west, and their first destination is Alta and Snowbird in Utah, followed by spots in Wyoming, Colorado, British Columbia, and California. If you're okay with artificial snow, you'll have a bit more luck in the East, such as Killington in Vermont and Sunday River in Maine.

[Via Gadling]

While I think they may have gone overboard with the name, the Pen of the World As You Know It is a nice writing implement for the world traveler. Designed by Jac Zagoory, the Pen of the World has an enamel inlay of the world wrapped around its shaft and comes with an Atlas statuette to rest on. If you already have a favorite pen for writing about your travels, you can buy a pewter Atlas pen holder on its own, or a matching pewter business card holder. Uncommon Goods sells the Pen of the World with holder for $50, the pewter pen holder for $75, and the business card holder for $85.

[Via Gadling]

Amazon.com and Condé Nast Traveler have put together a slick Well-Traveled Wish List for the holidays. The list is a little novels-and-movies-heavy, in my opinion, but their travel book, gadget, and accessory picks are spot-on. They've got you covered for finding your way, keeping yourself occupied and in touch, and those just-in-case scenarios.

[Via Gadling]

Though may not be for everybody, I can't get enough of the Moschino watch by Yoox. Its green plaid strap and stainless steel face which could almost be mistaken for a buckle are just the right combination of funky, whimsical, and charming, and it comes at an appealing price tag of around $157.

design*sponge is reporting that Design Within Reach recently presented a challenge to Boulder architects to "create a doghouse with dimensions not exceeding 3 cubic feet, that was under $1000 and used at least some recycled or 'green' materials." Inspired by the book of the same name, the Barkitecture resulted in 11 entries which were auctioned off to benefit the Boulder Human Society. The five winning entries are on display this weekend at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.