Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

Partnerships are often fraught with tension and disagreements (see: marriage), and familial ties can complicate things even further.  However, the design partnership between two brothers proves that two highly talented (and related) individuals can harmoniously coexist and work together as seen in the Toio Floor Lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (available at Moss for $1,212).  Designed in 1962, the Toio is an adjustable floor lamp with an enameled steel base, nickel-plated brass stem, and a 300 watt incandescent bulb.  Available in both red and black, the Toio exhibits an industrial simplicity that continues to transcend time, looking every bit as relevant today as it did almost five decades ago.

Lighting, Loft

We find it rather irksome when people reference going 360° when they really mean to say 180°.  And though most times it seems “doing a 180″ is often a positive step associated with change and moving forward, the Lomography Spinner 360° Panoramic Camera (available at Lomography for $145) proves that going full circle can be the best thing that’s ever happened to anybody.  With a rubber band drive and fully manual controls (no batteries required), the Spinner 360° uses standard 35mm film that takes up to eight full 360° panoramic photos on 36 exposure film.  Simply grasp the Spinner in one hand, pull the cord, and once you release it, the Spinner will spin on its own axis and capture imagery that is both playful and evocative, regardless of how you shoot.  Manual long exposures and sunny/cloudy aperture settings allow users to flex their creative shooting muscles and experiment to their heart’s content (a common trait within the Lomography product family).

Cameras, Gear

The argument is typically gas vs. charcoal, but the Grillery Standard by Grillworks (available at Grillworks for $2,475) evokes the ethos of campfire grilling, albeit with some more serious hardware, by focusing on the simplicity and primal beauty of grilling that can only be achieved with wood.  A wheel allows you to adjust the height of the 20″ wide x 19″ deep single grill surface based on the intensity of the flames from the burning wood.  Rendered juices also run along v-slanted channels for collection so you can baste your meat or use for the base of sauces.  This American-made wood burning grill uniquely satisfies those backyard grilling aficionados who, when it comes to mastery of their outdoor cooking festivities this summer, desire a little (if not a lot) more control over every conceivable detail, all the way down to the type of wood that goes into fueling their fire.

Grilling, Loft, Outdoors

We have fond memories of spending birthdays at a certain establishment featuring an abundance of pizza and an oversized mouse as a mascot.  And in particular, we recall just how much we loved playing air hockey and hearing the clickety clack of the puck as it made its cacophonous and often arbitrary way across the air hockey table .  And while the thought of getting a full size air hockey table has its appeal, the cost of one tends to diminish the realization of such musings.  Well at least you can relive some of your birthday memories with the Mini Air Hockey Table (available at fredflare.com for $30) on a smaller scale (and without the mouse).  Just pop in eight AA batteries to get the mini fan going, and with two paddles and two pucks, you’ll be hearing the clickety clack of pucks a flying in no time.

games, Loft

From what we’ve observed, when it comes to packing a bag for even something as quick as a weekend getaway, (some) women believe they need shoes for just about every possible scenario (with a bag dedicated towards that end alone not being uncommon).  It’s a good thing that (most) men have a knack for packing light and for those of us that appreciate being a little more agile while traveling, there’s not a more suitably designed weekend duffel than the Herschel Novel Duffel Bag (available at Herschel for $75).  A separate built-in shoe compartment keeps your footwear safely stowed away from the rest of your gear while a removable and padded shoulder strap keeps the Novel securely and comfortably resting on your shoulders.  Available in three colors (editor’s choice: white), the Novel Duffel Bag is simply but purposefully constructed with the end user’s ease of use in mind (and in our estimation, this one’s for the guys).

Accessories, Bags, Style

While most crossover vehicles don’t stir up a strong sense of automotive desire, the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque (price TBA) manages to do so with relative ease and aplomb.  And so it’s no surprise that Land Rover is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a preview of its smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient vehicle ever produced.  Though smaller than the Land Rover LR2, the Evoque will be priced above it, but below the Range Rover Sport.  Available in both a four-door and two-door version, the Evoque features a rakish silhouette and an aggressively determined front fascia.  We don’t have much else in terms of details, but we’re looking forward to its official unveiling during the Paris auto show in late September.

Automobiles, Gear

While we generally don’t recommend sporting a basket on your bicycle, sometimes necessity trumps style.  But then again, why compromise?  Get the best of both worlds with the Bent Basket by Faris Elmasu (available at bentbasket.com for $180).  Conceived by a local San Francisco designer and avid cyclist, the Bent Basket is skillfully formed by vacuum-molding five layers of wood veneer into its unique and beautifully light design.  Integrated nylon straps keep your stuff from hitting the pavement and an aluminum frame keeps the whole thing attached to your bicycle frame.  And just in case you needed to know, the maximum carrying weight, according to Elmasu, is a 12 pack of beer (just enough to get your next summer party started off right).

Bicycle Accessories, Gear

You may not have a sweet tooth, but there’s a strong chance somebody that you know (and perhaps want to impress) does.  And last we checked, summertime means it’s prime ice cream season and while you could run out to the local store and grab a pint, take control over what goes into your next scoop with the Cuisinart Classic Ice Cream Maker (available at Sur La Table for $50).  Without the need for ice, salt (or chemicals for that matter), this fully automatic ice cream maker simply requires a few natural ingredients of your choice and then with just a flip of the switch, you’re just a few minutes away from a home made ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet of your own design.  Available in five colors, the Cuisinart Classic Ice Cream Maker even comes with a matching scooper, something that you and your ice cream-craving guests will appreciate when it’s time to start, well, scooping.

Kitchen, Loft

Beer is good.  Cold beer is better.  So make sure your beer is at its chilled best by pouring your next brew into a PAVINA Beer Glass by BODUM (available at BODUM for $20).  With a 12 oz capacity, each PAVINA Beer Glass is made of heat and scratch resistant glass (Borosilicate) that’s not only stronger than traditional glassware, but also weighs less (not to mention being both dishwasher and microwave safe).  And with its double wall, insulated glass, the PAVINA keeps your beer cold without the mess of condensation or need for a coaster (your coffee table will thank you).

Kitchen, Loft

Looking back on the sartorial trends from our days in junior high and high school (keeping in mind this was the transition period from the late 80s to the early 90s), there are very few things we wore back then that we’d wear today.  One of the few exceptions would be a pair of Sebago Docksides (available at Sebago for $90)—like a daily driver, shoes that we trusted would get us from point A to point B without mishap.  These handsewn boat shoes are constructed from a single piece of leather which are accented by rawhide leather laces looped through non-corrosive brass eyelets.  Available in 14 colors, Docksides have a slip-resistant, non-marking rubber sole that keeps you from sliding away (in case you actually happen to be on a boat or a dock), and for those who have the wherewithal, Docksides are even available in a “Midnight Wheat” patent leather version that we find inexplicably appealing (clearly, not the sort of Docksides we wore in high school).

Accessories, Shoes, Style