McIntosh MXA60

Prosumer audio components shrunk into a shelf-sized unit

A favorite of audiophiles everywhere, McIntosh has been known for its top-of-the-line amplifiers and stereo equipment for over 60 years. We recently got the chance to spend some time with the MXA60 integrated audio system, released to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary. As with all of their products, the system’s looks alone won us over instantly. With a glass face, metal casing and anodized aluminum …

Luxe Home Swap

Five elite homes in unexpected places and an exclusive offer for CH readers

Even the most opulent hotels can’t replace the comforts of home, where decor and amenities truly speak to your interests. While plenty of alternatives exist in the form of apartment swapping and rental sites, few tailor their offerings to the style-minded and are as affordable as the membership-based Luxe Home Swap. The site allows users to browse thousands of homes from around the world to …

Usefulness in Small Things

A study of everyday objects

Simple but telling, a visual taxonomy of price tags on the cover of “Usefulness in Small Things” cleverly sets the tone for the book, pointing out the subtle differences in a well-designed, but widely overlooked bit of industrial design. This meditation on little objects is the work of Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, co-founders of London design studio Industrial Facility, whose interest in the relationship …