Conversation pieces don’t have to be huge paintings or unique sculptures. Traditionally, that’s what they are – a group of great artwork that triggers people to talk. Today, it can be anything interesting enough to trigger a conversation. It could be a quirky rug or an awesome entertainment center. Here are ten objects that I think will make for good conversation. Ah, the perfect antidote to the awkwardness of small talk!
Space Invaders Towel
This classic arcade game is celebrating its 30th year. Why not hang an anniversary towel or two in your bathroom and relive those Atari moments? Expect your guests to start talking “Missile Command” and “Breakout” once they exit your loo too. [via]
Batphone
Shout out “It’s the Commissioner!” when the red light blinks. In the old Batman series, Commissioner Gordon would call this hot line when he had a task for the Caped Crusaders. The red light blinks and the phone beeps with incoming calls. How you place a call though, I’m not sure how. But isn’t it cool? Holy mackerel, Batman! [via]
Porcupine Grater
“If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!” This grater is so cute you’d want to keep it as a constant pet on your dining table. Pet it with a block of cheese, and prepare for an overwhelming amount of grated mozzarella. [via]
Nighstcape Shade
If Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey were too grossed out seeing Ugly Naked Guy through their balcony window, this is something they could have used! Block out any unappealing view with this gorgeous shade! Or if you just want to feel oh-so-cosmopolitan in your apartment, this is perfect too. Available in Helsinki and Tokyo views. Paris and Stockholm coming soon. How about Las Vegas? [via]
Hamburger Lunchbox
Hey Juno, I’ve got something for you. I know you love your Hamburger Phone, so this is absolute perfection for you. It’s microwavable and comes with three compartments. Then again, you’re probably to cool to carry this around. Fo shizz. [via]
Livingstone Cushions
“What? You haven’t heard the news yet? Have you been living under a rock!?!” Now you can go and answer with “D-uhhhh! Yah!” Tell them you haven’t heard the latest on Britney Spears because you’ve been enjoying living and sleeping under, above and between these 100% virgin wool and hypoallergenic pillow rocks. [via]
Frozen Smiles
Freak out your guests with these frozen denture impressions. Serve them in a glass of sparkling clear soda and make them reminisce about their grandparents. Would make for April Fools’ Day pranks and Halloween tricks. [via]
Bibliochaise
Bookworms will never get out of this chair! It can hold up to five meters of books. I’d love to have one, fill it with Sweet Valley books and call it my Calico Drive chair. Or I’d simply get all my good-looking books (because we do judge books by their covers) and prettify this Bibliochaise with their awesome spines. [via]
Love Pillows
There’ll be no shortage of loving with this tandem of Love Pillows. Great for setting the mood in the masters’ bedroom and reminding yourself why you’re together in the first place. Uh, right? And pillow fights are ♥ anyway. Might also trigger pheromone action when placed in the hands of potential lovers. [via]
Pacman Coasters
We opened with Atari and we end with Atari. While your guests are still raving about those Space Invaders towels, let them rest their Frozen Smiles-filled glasses on these awesome coasters. Too geeky? Not at all – they’re totally retro and will make for great small talk. Who hasn’t played Pacman after all? But if the person you’re with has no idea who Pacman is, then you can educate them in the importance of power pellets and bouncing cherries. [via]
So, which ones do you think will get your guests talking the most? 😉
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Sidney
February 20, 2008 at 2:51 pm (16 years ago)Amazing what people invent… I guess all made in China? 😉
Tessa
February 20, 2008 at 3:01 pm (16 years ago)I love the Hamburger Phone, reminds me of Juno’s quirkiness. I love the quips by the way, Toni. It’s great to know that there’s someone I’m acquainted with who’s really familiar with the film. The best friend’s wacked out ain’t she? Hahaha, take care!
tin
February 20, 2008 at 3:12 pm (16 years ago)those denture impressions are soooo cute!! ha ha. i’ll definitely buy them to give family/friends a good laugh… and scare!
maan
February 20, 2008 at 3:56 pm (16 years ago)i luuuurve everything! where can they be ordered? as if i will, but i just wanna know
bea santiago
February 20, 2008 at 4:32 pm (16 years ago)oh dearie, i love posts like these from you
the things i would love to have
Batphone
Porcupine Grater (and get one for my Mom too 😉
***Nighstcape Shade (maybe have other designs made too)
Hamburger Lunchbox (for the office 😉
***Livingstone Cushions
***Bibliochaise (priceless!)
***Love Pillows
***Pacman Coasters (Mark would love these!)
also, come to think of it, most of these things you can ***have them made (pasadya) diba???
i also want a scrabble pillow set (i’ll e-mail it to you, you can post it for me, hehe)
Christianne
February 20, 2008 at 6:42 pm (16 years ago)I’ll take one Stockholm nightshade, and if they’re planning to make one for New York I’ll take one of those too for the days when I’m sick of Stockholm 😉
I love the Pacman coasters! and the stone cushions for the living room. The book chair… hmm pwede siguro if the books you’re planning to put in are all the same size and shape, but otherwise it would look a bit untidy.
This one I really want to have! http://www.flickr.com/photos/keso/2262459574/
empress maruja
February 20, 2008 at 10:24 pm (16 years ago)Congratulations! Your blog is nominated for Pinoy Blog Superstar for January 2008. Click this link for more information!
Best of luck!
mari
February 21, 2008 at 7:16 am (16 years ago)i love the livingstone cushion living room showcase. haha! i’d love to bury myself in all its fluffiness.
Dr Emer
February 21, 2008 at 10:34 am (16 years ago)Everything will certainly be a good ice-breaker anytime, Toni.
Re: BatPhone – only incoming calls from the Dark Knight are allowed. Absolutely no outgoing calls. You don’t call Batman, he calls you. If you want him, just flash the old trusted Bat Signal on the roof. — from a DC comic fanatic
PS. alaska na naman ang keyword ko. *LOL*
Jayme
February 21, 2008 at 11:00 am (16 years ago)The Bibliochaise is so cool!
Thanks for the tip, maybe I can ask the neighborhood furniture store to copy this.
Linnor
February 21, 2008 at 6:43 pm (16 years ago)i love those livingstone cushions! 😀
Junnie
February 22, 2008 at 12:24 am (16 years ago)all in all mga $ 1,500 if you order them…hahahah, di na lang…i’d rather live under a real rock
but definitely all of them are good conversation pieces…I tried to compute vis a vis a large painting, mas mura pa rin yung painting
dyanie
February 22, 2008 at 12:47 pm (16 years ago)I looove those LOVE pillows! and those hamburger lunchbox! lalagyan palang, kakatakam na! haha! 😉 meron kaya ng mga yan dito sa pinas? makahanap nga.. hihihi 😉
Gracey
February 23, 2008 at 9:34 pm (16 years ago)I think the hamburger lunchbox is a must-have! Hahaha. I’m a real sucker for cute things. Those cushions are interesting but they won’t fit in my interior. 😀
Gracey
February 24, 2008 at 1:55 am (16 years ago)Adorable talaga! It may sound strange but we don’t own a microwave! 😀
Hiro
February 25, 2008 at 8:22 pm (16 years ago)another batch of cute things.. kakainis, wala naman mabilhan dito sa manila