Does anyone even iron anymore? I ask because recently I was speaking with Scotch Mommy -- she's the queen of domestic musings -- and we were reflecting on how ironing is perhaps a lost homemaker art. Both of us being laden with children, husbands and mortgages, we searched our brains for evidence of ironing being part our domestic lives...and no luck. Neither of us iron. We found this to be of note because both us have the typical white and gray/blue ironing board and iron, but neither of us can remember the last time we used them. Why is that? Is it because we follow an outdated idea of what every good home should include? Despite not using it, I know I would be very uncomfortable to give either the board or the iron away... And yet, doing some surfing of the webosphere, I can see that the ironing board itself is grappling with its possible anachronism. How do I know this? Because of funny, overcooked ideas like these!
The Stow-Away
Organize.com
I love and respect a space saver, but I find myself wanting to put this thing higher on the wall, which would of course make the board too high to use. It's a nifty design; solid wood sliding cupboard door reveals a fold-down, sturdy board. But mostly I find myself asking: why? (Available for shipment to Canada, in case you're interested.)
The Sexxxy Board
CreativeTeknology.ca
Sex sells, as we all know, so why shouldn't the option to sell it be available to an ironing board? Do your chores and ye shall be rewarded with a little striptease... Yes, it's what you think -- you can iron off their skimpy coverings. I wonder if they also tan as you use the board...like a mood ring. This may actually get me ironing my underwear! (Available for shipment to Canada.)
The Earnest Effort
Amazon.com
This is nice. A real effort. It's everything a makeover should be; sleek lines, stainless steel, improved usability with that extension cord port on the leg and the hanger rack on the board, but I can't help but feel it has a bit of the masquerade about it. Like those people on makeover shows who really should have been let alone. And you really feel it when they get pushed out on stage with shiny white horse teeth and stark highlights in their hair. I could be wrong here. (Not sure about Canadian availability.)
The Clever Mod
LazyBoneUK.com
Oh those Brits. So clever. This English son is called the "Ironman" -- get it? Available in several, fetching modern colours (as well as the Union Jack, of course) this board folds down to look like a life-sized "Men" WC sign. Its claim to modernity? It's actually in the shape of a (flat) human with arms and legs you can dress up in shirts and pants, making ironing these items significantly more natural. This thing had me at the pun! And with the arms and legs to boot? I'm sold. (Not sure about Canadian distribution, but try eBay.)
The Alien
Liika Design
It's Canadian! LOVE how we're so forward. I dig the space age design but it scares me a little. That suction cup tripod makes it look a bit like an automaton tree toad. Its functionality is undeniable, however; those arms pivot and rotate to allow for a wide range of motion, so that you can suction it onto any non-porous surface in your home (in space.) And the boomerang-esque shape of the board I assume makes for a more intuitive ironing surface. Really though, all jokes aside, it's quite the interesting design.
Do these designs do anything to endear the ironing board to you? Or are you an avid ironer who thinks we should leave well-enough alone?
Top 5 Friday appears every Friday on Style Sheet.
Previously on Top 5 Friday: Decor Items I'd Like to Give a Rest
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