Design We Like is a blog series highlighting everyday items that complement the aesthetic sensibility of Turkel Design. By sharing these selections from our team, we hope to reveal more about our own design thinking: understated beauty, clean lines, high-quality materials, and work that is built to last. Durable rather than delicate, timeless rather than trendy, these are the essentials that are too well-designed to keep hidden in a drawer. There’s no sponsored content here—it’s a place for us to celebrate the things that we believe would fit in a Turkel Design home.
Autumn is back-to-school season, when vacations give way to more intellectual pursuits. To make this transition more pleasurable, look to Japanese designers, who create some of the highest quality items to support your academic pursuits—or your professional ones (because, even if you graduated years ago, fall always feels like back-to-school season).
Whether you’re deciding on a major, prepping your thesis defense, or looking to revitalize your collection of office supplies, our team of architects and design aficionados recommends this list of favorite items:
The Write Stuff
If you’re feeling screen fatigue, why not put down your laptop and reacquaint yourself with the joy of old-school notetaking? Start with the amazing Ohto multifunction pen with three-in-one flexibility: black ink, red ink, and a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil (all architect-approved colors). Load up the 0.5 mm sleeve with some blue lead for an additional option. This lightweight pen has a low center of gravity and textured grip that create a comfortable hand feel, making it a pleasure to use.
For a little splurge, this beautiful wooden pen case is a must-have. The handcrafted tube comes in three gorgeous natural woods (beech, walnut, and cherry) and holds three or four of your favorite writing tools. Its elegant design is sure to make you the envy of your study group.
Eraser Ahead
Not all erasers are created equal—and nothing is worse than a telltale smudge and pink rubber shavings to remind you of your mistake. Luckily, the Slendy makes for a much cleaner erasure. If you don’t own one yet, now is the time to rectify that. Small, stealthy, and refillable, it turns every error into a happy accident.
Pack It In
The Japanese haven’t fully cornered the market on back-to-school design. The designers at U.S.-based Away recently improved on their already-excellent backpacks with the Everywhere. This version not only retains the amazing laptop sleeve, hidden passport pocket, and essential key lanyard, but it is even easier to use, whether you’re schlepping between classes or staging a sit-in at the library. We love its clamshell design, which allows you to rifle through your bag without unpacking the last item on our list…
Fuel for Thought
An early morning (or late night) study sesh is incomplete without an insulated mug. Forget the bulky, overhyped Stanley cup—for one thing, the official position of Turkel Design’s Canadian cofounders, Joel and Meelena Turkel, is that there is only one true Stanley Cup.
Furthermore, the Zojirushi cup, another brilliant Japanese import, sets the standard. Made from stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, it boasts sleek design and easy-to-clean removable parts. A one-thumb flip-open feature allows you to hydrate while leaving your other hand free to take notes or swipe your library card.
Now you have everything you need to crack the books in style—whether you’re headed back to the classroom or are more of a lifelong learner.
Get in Touch
The items listed here reflect the design thinking our team uses to create elegant, modern custom homes. We guide our clients through a refined, systems-driven process to design the home that best fits their lifestyle.
Please contact us to discuss how you want to live.
