Latest news with #Simplehuman
Fast Company
06-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
This Simplehuman tequila isn't a gimmick—it shows the full range of agave the brand is upcycling into sponges
Design-minded home goods brand Simplehuman recently released a product that's a little out of its wheelhouse—a limited-edition tequila with distillery Nosotros. It may be the company's first foray into spirits, but the brand already knows how to work with the Weber blue agave that made the tequila. The agave fibers on Simplehuman's Soapwell sponge begin their life cycle by being pressed into Nosotros tequila at the company's distillery in Tequila, Mexico. Nosotros then supplies its leftover agave fibers to Simplehuman. The $100 Nosotros x Simplehuman Blanco tequila is made out of that same agave, and was released to mark a year that Simplehuman has been spinning the fibers into sponges. Simplehuman CEO Frank Yang says the company approached the tequila the same way it does any product—and notes that the agave-sourcing partnership shows off the 'less is more' approach that guides both brands. 'We're trying to create cool things that exist in the world that people would miss if we weren't doing this,' Yang says. High proof, high performance The story of how tequila ingredients became a kitchen product isn't too complicated. It starts with Yang's fondness for tequila. While on vacation in Mexico in 2022, he joined a tequila-making class and learned how agave is used to make the spirit. 'They were telling me how the fiber is really tough,' he says, noting that after the juice was extracted, 'it seemed like they were throwing the [pulp] away.' The Simplehuman R&D team was both skeptical and excited. It was a tricky process, working with jimadores (farmers who harvest agave plants in Mexico) to handpick specific fibers amid the gunky pulp. But after about eight months, they realized it was a solution that could help create a soft sponge that could also scrub without scratching pots and pans. 'High performance is the most important,' he says. Besides the agave fibers, the sponge's differentiator is a round reservoir—the sponge's eponymous soap well. '[The soap] seeps down to the sponge so it doesn't just wash away,' Yang says. The circular well is positioned to match where soap comes out of a Simplehuman soap dispenser, and also has a hard outer ring that can offer a deeper scrub for stubborn residue. A tequila influenced by terrain Nosotros approaches tequila like wine—each spirit taking on unique characteristics based on the land where its agave grows. The Nosotros x Simplehuman bottle of additive-free Blanco tequila is not made differently than Nosotros's other bottles of Blanco, but is a particular vintage. Nosotros cofounder Carlos Soto describes this specific Simplehuman vintage as mineral-forward. 'A lot of times with our Blanco, we've had the highlands carry a lot of it—more fruity notes and that cooked agave sweetness,' he says. He's referring to the Mexican highlands of Arasco, Jalisco, where 50% of the agave for Nosotros tequila comes from. The other 50% comes from the city of Tequila, located in the lowlands of Jalisco, and comes across as more dominant in this vintage. 'Lowlands usually have a lot more shade. . . . They tend to have soil that is very rich,' Soto says. 'They become a little bit more peppery, more earthy.' The approach that Nosotros takes of utilizing these two agaves not only provides a more balanced taste across its line of additive-free products, but also reduces stress on the environment. 'The farms that we work with are able to rotate crops a little bit more just because we're only using 50% from each,' Soto says. 'It really protects the soil, which keeps the quality of the agave.' The amount of agave required to yield one bottle of tequila produces enough fibers to make more than 2,000 sponges. Giving agave fibers a second life Soto says he thinks of Nosotros as an agave company, and he is always searching for ways to utilize agave fibers. Even before the Simplehuman partnership, Nosotros used fibers to create the labels on all of its bottles, and often recycles the fibers as fertilizer. But the company still regularly has a surplus. 'We struggle to allocate [the remaining fibers] sometimes,' Soto says. 'We don't want to just throw it in a landfill.' Simplehuman is Nosotros's first agave brand partner, and it sees more opportunity to work with other brands to give agave a second life. 'There's so much tequila being produced right now, Soto says. 'There are more fibers than people who are taking it.' The company is in the early stages of creating a bigger market for products that can be made out of agave fibers like bricks, single-use cups, plates, and even glassware. Other tequila brands are also finding creative ways to eliminate the waste of agave fibers. Cazadores uses them, among other ingredients, as fuel to power its distillation process. Jose Cuervo has upcycled agave fibers to manufacture some out-of-the-box products including guitars and surfboards.
Buzz Feed
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
25 Target Products That'll Organize Every Room And Space In Your Apartment
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Repeat mantra after me: "A mess is just storage waiting to happen." 1. A wall rack if your MasterChef kitchen setup doesn't have a MasterChef amount of built-in storage. If keeping all your cooking tools in a drawer is simply a nonstarter, this sturdy hook holder presents a chic storage option so you can show off your vintage measuring cups. Target Just make sure to mount the rack on studs (or at least use wall anchors) if you plan to hang heavy pots and pans — drywall alone will not be up to the task. Promising review:"I've been wanting one for years and had even looked into making one, but can't beat the price of these! I used shorter screws as I was attaching them under the cabinets and had no issues! Love the vintage cottagecore vibes." — Amanis 2. A desk organizer set since all offices need a dose of stylish organization — whether you're in the corner office or at the living coffee room table. might need even more panache at the living room table since everyone will see it. 👀 This desk set includes a desk organizer, pen case, note holder, business card tray, and clip holder. Promising review:"My office looks perfect with all my new rose gold accessories! Love them!" — Kc17 3. A posh and neutral cleaning caddy to channel your inner beige-fluencer. With its wooden handle grip and brushed steel body, this rust-resistant caddy will see you through many a cleaning sesh and has capacity for days! 4. A stainless-steel compost bin by Simplehuman that can keep your countertops clean and scrap-free (not to mention pretty dapper). If you already compost, this will be a slam dunk! If not, this may convince you to. 😉 Target Promising review:"We could not have asked for a better compost container. It is very attractive, fits perfectly onto the side of our stainless steel trash bin, and does a terrific job of containing odor, etc. One of the best features is the magnetic lid that will stay open so that you can drop in your compostables as you cook dinner. You will be thrilled you purchased this great resource in order to resource your land!" — KoffeeQueen 5. A six-piece drawer organizer to take your over-stuffed drawers from bleh to bliss. 🧘✨ With all kinds of sizes, shapes, and capacities to choose from, you'll be able to origami any drawer into a state of order. Target Promising review:"They work for what I used them for; they are nice and very hard plastic. I used them for my desk and I kind of wish you were able to make your own bundle. I could have used more of the smaller square ones than the large ones." — Senia 6. A rolling fridge caddy for those of us with free-floating condiments that have concealed one too many rotting produce bags. With built-in wheels and adjustable dividers, a fridge clean out won't be nearly as dreaded as it used to. Target Promising review:"I purchased this fridge organizer to replace a Lazy Susan I was using to store my condiments. The moveable dividers made this a better choice. It has wheels to move the shelf in and out of the fridge. Great investment!" — Deb O 7. A rust-resistant, matte-black shower caddy because... rust? Can't say we're big fans of it in the restroom. Keep it uninvited to the party and free the ledge of your tub from any more accumulating product bottles with this chic and secure caddy. Target Promising review:"Love it! I've had mine for over a year, and it has not rusted at all and holds everything I need it to. I really love that it has the holes to be able to flip my products upside down for easy access — literally no need to even pick them up." — Kayl 8. A hinged bamboo organizer for those of us who need countertop storage in our storage. This handy bit of bathroom decor looks terrific and helps maximize storage for beauty products. Target 9. Or a bamboo shelf and cabinet for the ones who really need to add some storage to the bathroom. This cute little number mixes a heck of a lot of shelf space with a large open storage cabinet featuring a slatted door that's perfect for stacking TP or any other bathroom items you don't always want to stare at. Target Promising review:"This is so nice and sturdy!! And so simple to put together! And beautiful!!! I want to buy one for every room!" — Roach 10. A three-tier wire drawer organizer to stow away anything and everything that can fit into a larger bathroom cabinet. Think hair brushes, bath bombs, Epsom salts — you name it! The easy sliding drawers won't rust over time, and you'll keep your a.m. routine shorter and much sweeter when you're not digging around crowded drawers. Target Promising review:"The drawers pull out so smoothly, and the shelf stays put on my desk perfectly!" — Megan 11. A storage bench, which is just as beautiful as it is practical. If you're tired of blankets piling up in bedside chairs — not to mention messing up your freshly made bed by sitting on it to put your shoes on — solve both problems and give your room the dash of cozy elegance it deserves. Target 12. A mirror entryway organizer to help you get out the door without the 7+ trips it takes to get keys, wallet, cell phone, and sneak a quick 'fit check in before you head to work. With its sleek, wall-mounted design and integrated shelf and hooks, you'll be out the door in a flash and wondering where all your clutter went. Target Promising review:"This is perfect in my entryway! I love that we can put our keys and whatever else we don't want to forget on the way out the door. Perfect size." — Shields112 13. A jewelry organizer so you can accessorize in real-time without having to go through your entire jewelry collection each time. Also, it's great for being a quick catchall after a long night out and a quick makeup removal before bed. Target 14. A super cute utility cart because with it, you can upgrade even the drabbest office into an administrative palace! This elegant storage solution boasts smooth casters, plenty of storage, and frankly, is BEE-AUTIFUL! Target Promising review:"Love these utility metal carts. They're multifunctional and hold quite a lot of things as well." — C Price: $40 (available in three colors) 15. A pair of zipper storage cubes if you're in the mood for some serious clutter-busting. These fabric storage cubes are perfect for stashing spare sheets or off-season clothing, and their see-through zipper windows make sure you won't have to dig through every single bin to find that one thing you were looking for. Target Promising review: "Wonderful storage solution! This is exactly what I've been looking for. The fabric is nice and thick, and they're well-made (love the window to see inside). The small size is perfect for storing my winter clothing. Some have mentioned that the interior metal frame slides, but if they're full, they don't slide. Very affordable since you're getting a pair for the price you pay. I will definitely buy more for other family members." — KTpa 16. A monitor stand with a drawer for when both your workspace and your neck muscles are begging for an upgrade. This sleek bamboo and steel riser not only puts you in a better posture to work for extended periods, but it also helps tidy up your work desk to keep things clutter-free and focus-friendly. Target Promising review:"Helps with desk clutter. This came exactly as pictured and worked well to quell the desk clutter I had. It is a little pricier than some of the other options out there, but it looks the best and isn't see-through. I put my charging cables inside to hide the cables when not in use, so I wanted something to fully hide them. There is a half circle in the front and a full circle cutout in the back, so you can easily route a cable in/out. My first one of these actually had a crack in the drawer, but Target was quick to offer an exchange." — Gypsy 17. An under-the-bed storage bag in case that set of off-season sheets just can't seem to find a great place to live in your closet. The best news is, with the see-through front panel you'll never have to guess what's what in your storage. Target Promising review:"I'm using this to store bedding directly under the guest bed to save some space. This works really well. I appreciate that it's soft-sided to help it fit under the low bed frame." — Jennifer 18. A woven wastebasket because every bathroom needs a little trash bin, so why not make it this gorgeous little number instead of the standard can? Featuring a lovely textured pattern and an all-important lid (bathroom refuse is rarely beautiful), this basket will brighten up any WC it finds itself in. Target 19. An eight-cube organizer since regular old bookshelf storage is just a What if you want to show some stuff but hide the rest?? Pick up one of these organizers, and decide for yourself what to stow and what to show. Target Promising review:"Very easy to build. Sturdy and works well with the collapsible drawers. We put one in every other one so we could display a few things. Well worth the price." — Sherri H 20. A cable management box with a built-in surge protector so your limited home office space isn't letting tangled cords live in it rent-free — not on my watch. Great for desks, media consoles, or anywhere where several electronics are in play. With five outlets and two no-show wire cutouts, what are you waiting for? Target Promising review: 'I absolutely love having outlets and cord organization all in the same place. This works perfectly under my desk to plug in all my electronics, and it looks way better than having cords dangling everywhere. ' — serena9 Price: $29.99 21. And a 28-pack of cable clips to wrangle all your smaller cords like charging cables for phones/tablets, laptop chargers, or wired connections like a laptop and mouse. Use their adhesive backing to stick them anywhere, and say goodbye to the cord jumble. Target Promising review: ' I love that these clips stay in place and my cords aren't all over the floor. I can direct the cords without them getting caught under the desk or table edge. Like that, you can even stick on the side of your desk or nightstand!' — Annie Price: $14.99 22. A rustic bathroom etagere that can hold all those vibe-y hand towels, candles, and little planters your dream bathroom longs to be adorned with. With sturdy construction and adjustable feet (for all the Virgos already mentally leveling each shelf), this posh addition makes itself at home in any bathroom — be it shiplap walls or subway tile. Target Promising review:"Is just like the picture. Easy to put together by one person with little experience. Sturdy." — Snow angel Price: $74.98 (originally $189.99) 23. A freestanding wardrobe rack for folks who love their clothes so much they can't bear to have them out of sight! Or, you know, if there's no closet in your apartment. 😜 This chic brushed metal and wood grain option offers both style and substance with secure hardware and ample space. Feel free to accessorize the spare shelves with some greenery! Target Promising review: "Great product. This product is perfect for a small walk-in closet; clothing and accessories are visible at arm's reach. The installation is fairly easy and should take no more than a couple of hours. I recommend this product as it is a far less expensive solution than spending in the high hundreds for a custom closet install." — JohnSDSF Price: $120 24. A gorgeous file storage box if you'd rather tuck away your important paperwork in something that could pass for a decorative basket instead of a larger filing cabinet. With a sumptuous woven exterior and a deeply sleek look, you'll be printing things out just to have something to store in it. Target Promising review: 'I was looking everywhere for a system that could hold coupons and mail that still looked nice being out in my house. Most of what I found was either really geared toward an office setting or was mesh metal. I am so glad I could find this. It sits right in my entryway and hides all my coupons or mail that I don't want sitting out for my guests to see. It doesn't come with hanging file folders, but I bought a box of those to pair with this, and they fit great. I'm planning on keeping restaurant menus, schedules, whatever I want, filed away but still at the ready so I don't have to dig it out of my office. The lid comes off all the way, so if you are using this often, that may be annoying for some people. It is fine for my purposes.' — Jay Price: $25 25. And a 28-liter plastic storage bin so that you can utilize absolutely all of the storage space in your home — think in the garage or the hard-to-reach shelf at the top of a closet — without letting your precious items get dusty. This bin is modular, stackable, and the built-in handles make moving them around easy as pie. Target Promising review:"Best investment. Omg, the best purchase ever! Used it to store my hair brushes and blow-dryer. Since I am handicapped, I need to adapt and make it easier for me. Everything fit and stored perfectly. It's the little things for me." — Target Customer Price: $8 The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
CNN
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
24 home finds from this year's HGTV Smart Home we're currently eyeing, starting at $30
HGTV Smart Home 2025 home finds quick picks Colorful smart speaker: Amazon Echo Pop Minimalist bed frame: Article Basi Bed Frame Playable wall art: Archtwain Wall Games Playable Football Decor The HGTV Smart Home 2025 is officially move-in ready, and the fully furnished San Antonio abode features all the bells and whistles you'd hope to see, plus some unexpected surprises (cold plunge anybody?). But the excitement doesn't just end with a new house. This year's HGTV Smart Home Sweepstakes winner will also be walking away with a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid SUV and $100,000 in cash. Are you wondering what to expect inside and outside the home? Honestly, we don't blame you. We got a sneak peek at this year's smart home and pulled together some of our favorite products, which includes some items we love and have tested, like the Samsung Frame TV, so you can shop the actual picks for yourself even if you don't win the sweepstakes. To see how everything came together, check out this tour of the home given by this year's HGTV Smart Home designer Poonam Moore. You have until May 23 to enter the Sweepstakes — good luck! Samsung 43-Inch The Frame We've reviewed both the 2021 version of this TV and the 2024 version (which is featured in the home), so we can't say we're surprised that it's earned a spot in this year's smart home. With its beautiful design and large gallery of artwork that can be displayed when it's not in use, Samsung's The Frame TV has continued to impress us with how effortlessly it transforms blank walls and spaces. Read our review Simplehuman Rechargeable Sensor Soap Pump CNN Underscored's home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel has this rechargeable dispenser from Simplehuman, which she uses for both hand soap and hand sanitizer. We love that the design eliminates the need to touch anything, which is especially useful when you're handling things like raw meat. Zstarr Motorized Smart Blind for Window With Remote Control With these motorized smart blinds, having to manually close your window blinds is a thing of the past. Ozarke Rusee Smart Table With Speaker Far from your standard end table, the Rusee smart table from Ozarke doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and even has a built-in wireless charger, so you can juice up your devices in style. We love the table's simple, modern design, which is perfect for the minimalist at heart. Amazon Echo Pop Also making an appearance in this year's smart home? The Amazon Echo Pop, which we love for its budget-friendly price and color selection. We also couldn't help but notice that the Echo Pop isn't the only Amazon device in the home. The clockless version of our favorite budget-speaker, the 5th Generation Echo Dot, is also our review Amazon Fire HD 8 With the Amazon Fire HD 8, you can browse the internet or dive into a new book with the touch of a finger. We reviewed an older version of the tablet in 2020 and found it to be well worth the price. BroadLink IR/RF Smart Home Hub This smart home hub can be used to control shades, light switches and more within your home. The best part? It's compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can set up voice prompts. Huupe Smart Mini Basketball Hoop Game Console It's easy to see why this basketball hoop game console caught the eye of CNN Underscored senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus. Complete with shot and distance tracking, so you can keep a tab on your stats, the Huupe Mini gives you access to tons of subscription-free games, all while letting you stream your favorite music and shows. Chiltern Velvet Tufted Sofa Everyone's dream sofa looks different, but regardless of where you imagine kicking your feet up, there's no denying the comfiness factor of this velvet, tufted sofa from Chiltern. Four Hands Cairo Chair We couldn't take our eyes off of this upholstered chair from Four Hands, which features wraparound arms and a loose seat cushion. We love that the chair comes in four neutral colors to complement any style. Article Harmon Checkerboard Side Table We love a good piece of multi-functional furniture, like Article's Harmon Checkerboard Side Table. The wooden tabletop flips over to reveal a checkerboard and a hidden storage space underneath where you can stash game pieces or other knickknacks. Avant 76-Inch Metal Articulating Floor Lamp With Fabric Shade Floor lamps help pull a room together, and we couldn't be more obsessed with this decor pick. It works perfectly in a modern home, like this one, thanks to its unique silhouette and burnished finishing. OneFortyThree Tablet Stand Having a tablet stand nearby comes in handy when you need to prop up your iPad or Kindle. We love how design-forward this made-to-order tablet stand is, with its curved shape and rounded brass feet. Fire Cold Plunge 3.0 Interested in reaping the benefits of cold plunging? This year's smart home features the Fire Cold Plunge 3.0, which has medical-grade lining, ambient lighting in the form of LED lights and slip-proof flooring, so you can go in and out of the tub with confidence. AllModern Padua Nightstand As AllModern's Padua Nightstand proves, your bedside table does not have to be boring. The drawer space gives you plenty of room to stash your book, blue-light glasses, nighttime snacks, sleep mask and more, while its top gives you a spot to place your water bottle. Article Basi Bed Frame When it comes to bed frames, simple ones can make just as much of a statement in the bedroom. I love the look of this minimalist frame which, depending on the vibes you're going for, can be pushed up against the wall or paired with a nice headboard. Pottery Barn Bouclé Pillow Cover Patel said the interior designers she's interviewed have always recommended switching up your pillow covers if you're looking for a quick way to freshen up your space for less. She likes this one from Pottery Barn, which is used in the living room and has a boucle side and a solid flax side. Lavauk Mango Wood Fruit Bowl Another one of Patel's picks is this handmade, wooden fruit bowl, which appears in the kitchen of the smart home and can also double as decor. Archtwain Wall Games Playable Football Decor We can't imagine a cooler piece of wall art for a gaming room than this handcrafted piece. When mounted, it's an incredible statement piece soccer fans are sure to love. When you pull it down from the wall, it transforms into a fun tabletop-style game for loads of family fun. Ruggable Outdoor Offset Stripe Black Rug Ruggable's stylish selection of interchangeable and machine-washable rugs is part of what makes the brand so popular. Case in point: Kraus has several Ruggable rugs throughout her apartment. The deck area outside features this striped one, which helps to cozy up the space. Ozarke Floating Shoe Shelf If you thought the soccer wall art was cool, you'll love this unique floating shoe shelf from Ozarke, which Patel thinks is a great piece of decor for shoe lovers. Plus, with Father's Day coming up, she thinks it would make a unique gift for Dad as well. Aerlo Ceramic Candle Holder Set Patel loves the look of this candle holder set from Amazon, which she described as 'a unique, easy piece of decor that will make your place look fancy.' This set appears in the kitchen, but we can see it working in other parts of the home, like a bedroom or the living room, as well. Dupray Air Purifier If you're concerned about the level of dust and other pollutants in your home, an air purifier is a great buy. This one from Amazon doubles as a planter or an accent table (depending on the version you get), which is what makes it particularly cool in our eyes. It offers real-time air quality monitoring and has fans that can automatically adjust their speed level. Hiendure 12-Inch Brass Clothes Hanger Patel loves the functionality of these types of clothes racks, since they give you a place to hang your items when you need it but can fold away when not in use. Though this hanger is used in the laundry room, depending on your needs it can be used in other spaces, too, including outdoors. Where is the HGTV Smart Home 2025 located? Where is the HGTV Smart Home 2025 located? This year's HGTV Smart Home is located in San Antonio, Texas. What happens if you win HGTV Smart Home? What happens if you win HGTV Smart Home? In addition to winning the HGTV Smart Home 2025, this year's HGTV Smart Home Sweepstakes winner will also walk away with a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid SUV and $100,000 in cash. How does HGTV notify you if you win? How does HGTV notify you if you win? For specific information on when the winner of this year's HGTV Smart Home will be chosen and how they will be contacted, please visit and review the rules. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, associate lifestyle editor Rachel Dennis, alongside home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel and senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus, curated a list of some of the best home finds featured in this year's HGTV Smart Home.
