Lanterna, Duck Umbrella, Falter Pen—5 European gems 🌞 #73

Welcome to this week’s installment of what’s hot in brands and products.

Quick one today.

I’m running a split-screen weekend: one tab for trip-planning with Sina for next week (solid 10/10), while also wrestling a tax declaration (solid 0/10). If you hear distant swearing, that’s just me vs. Form 37B.

But products first, paperwork later.

If you’re new around here: Every week, I share 5 of the coolest products from Europe I’ve discovered in the past 7 days.

I scout, you explore. Let’s get to it!

With love 🌞
Jakob

P.S.: Missed the last edition? The hardgraft Holdall Weekender bag was last week’s most-clicked piece.

Know someone who’d love this? Share it with them in one click.

Devon-based embroidery artist Victoria Rose Richards stitches aerial seascapes that feel like a drone shot you can hang. This 6-inch hoop is all turquoise shallows, sandy gradients, and the kind of quiet you only get when your phone’s on airplane mode. (It’s sold, of course—but follow her for upcoming releases.) Take it as a mood, or as a prompt to finally book that beach (like I’m doing right now).

Escape to the stitched beach

Don’t be fooled by the first impression. Lanterna is one of those lights that just… fits anywhere. (Milan penthouse, Merano kitchen, French bistro, Berlin hallway—you name it.) Designed by Dimorestudio in 2015, it mixes matte black metal with oxidized brass, a parchment shade, and that ruby cotton cord that’s intentionally on show—like a little couture seam. Minimal? Yes. Boring? Never.

Switch on the Milan glam

A pen you assemble yourself—in four steps. Falter 2D (by designer Albert Ebenbichler with ATOdesign) is equal parts ballpoint, ruler, and desk totem. It ships as a flat “2D” kit, then folds into a satisfyingly industrial writer once you bolt it together. Made entirely in Italy and built for people who like their stationery with a side of tinkering.

Build tonight, write tomorrow (or also tonight, it doesn’t take that long to build)

I went deep on umbrellas-as-merch for clients (yes, really) and re-discovered Original Duckhead – you’ve probably seen them in museum gift shops. The Matisse print version keeps it fun while the specs stay serious: canopy made from 9 recycled bottles, wind-resistant frame, automatic open, 32 cm packed, 400 g. Autumn rain?

Accept the quest, bring the duck.

Soft-touch cover, 160 pages of Fedrigoni Arena 90 gsm, opens flat to 180°, and each face is a different color—Ofelia is the kind of Spanish notebook that makes even a grocery list look like design school homework. Labobratori is a small bindery brand from Spain; you’ll spot the craft in the edges and the exposed thread. (If you’re into color therapy, this is a daily dose.)

Buy here and color-block your notes

No affiliate products this week (or any week). But I occasionally shout out the tools I rely on—today that’s beehiiv. A link tap keeps me caffeinated…

beehiiv is the one platform that does everything for your newsletter. And they do mean everything:

If you’ve got a newsletter (or even just the idea for one), beehiiv is the ultimate no-brainer.

Start for free on the absolute best platform for newsletters. No credit card required.