octopus

Did you know there are around 300 recognized octopus species? Luckily, there are plenty of octopi in the ocean of interior design to go around, too. The De La Espada Double Octopus Chandelier ($1,995), with its globe body and bulb-tipped legs, is a fabulous example of all of the spirited octopus-motif items I have in store for you. See the rest when you read more

Not only do your pets have a dominant hand, but researchers think that octopuses do too! In a month-long observational project, UK scientists are testing their theory that intelligent creatures have a dominant arm (in this case, tentacle) used to feed and investigate. Researchers will record which tentacle the Octopuses use to pick up objects, hoping to reduce stress levels in captivity. Huh – what does picking up things have to do with stress levels, you ask? Claire Little, a marine life expert at the Sea Life Center in the UK explains:

We hope the study will help the overall well-being of octopuses. They are very susceptible to stress so if they do have a favorite side to be fed on, it could reduce risk to them.

The fun part is that visitors to the Center will get to participate in the study by jotting down on a diagram which arm was used to pick up objects such as balls and Lego bricks, while staff will continue the observation at feeding time and overnight. Who knew that cleaning up could be therapeutic? Now if I could just get North to pick up his toys . . .

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If you can believe it, there just might be a connection between an Octopus's beak and better artificial limbs for humans! I've noticed an upswing in sea life inspiring new inventions recently, and this one is no exception. If you think of how seemingly uncomfortable artificial limbs are now – hard all the way through causing abrasions on amputated limbs – then the octopus may be able to help with a solution to the problem.

The trick to an octopus munching on huge, bone-filled fishies is the tough-as-nails beak. But how the heck can it have a beak with no bones, and keep from hurting itself? That's the question that researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara think they have figured out: The octopus beak gradates from super hard to squishy soft as it meets other tissue. So, if you think of an X-acto knife sticking out of a bowl of Jello, only the knife gets softer the closer it gets to the bottom of the bowl, then you'll sort of get the idea. If artificial limbs had softer consistencies where they connected to limbs and were bone tough at the tips to withstand damage then it would help make amputees' lives more comfortable. Who knew that sea creatures could be so helpful to us land dwellers!?

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The Octopus Chair (price unlisted), fashioned from pairs of recycled jeans and polystyrene balls, is a multi-shape beanbag and a cross "between a chair and a lounge sculpture," allowing you "to adapt your seating to your interior." In some cases of weird furniture, I am willing to suspend my inclination towards normalcy in favor of something that is "weird" yet still cool and "artsy." But dear Mr. Octopus, I do not like you, find you cool or artsy, or care that you can transform into multi-shapes. You simply aren't good-looking enough to pass my test with swimming colors or to ever sea my living room. I hope this news doesn't break your third heart.