I have this one, which I like very much. It is coated in enamel, so it is easier to clean and doesn't get that funky water stained look a lot of metal teapots get, it whistles, and brews a good amount of water.

I have had this Le Creuset for years. It looks nice on the stove and is heavy duty.

http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/products/guide.php?product_id=215

I have an electric water boiler that I love - many companies make them, they have a base that the pitcher sits on & it is detachable, the water heats up in about a minute and you can use it for tea, french press coffee, instant noodles, anything. I drink a lot of tea and could not live without it!

i am always promoting this site b/c i love fitz and su !!

alessi makes some interesting kettles (electric and regular)
bodo sperlein has a gorgeous white tea pot and cups
mono has a glass pot thats nice and delicate
stelton sells an arne jacobsen kettle....

whatever you do, don't buy the one designed by aldo rossi.

otl aicher writes about it in his book "the world as design." for those who have not read it, i highly recommend this book of essays that is on many aspects of design. aicher says in his essay " the non-useful useful object":

"this kettle by aldo rossi is the kettliest kettle ever, it is the platonic idea of the kettle. but it doesn't actually pour, you have to incline a cylindrical kettle through 90 degrees to empty it completely. and even here your hand has to make a movement that cannot come from the wrist alone, you have to lift your elbow as well. with rossi's kettle you have to stand up and raise it above your shoulder to reach the 120 degree inclination that is the least you need to empty it.

and on top of this the kettle has an unfixed centre of gravity. when it is lifted it moves into the corner and makes the kettle difficult to lift at precisely then moment it is almost empty.

but why would you want to pour when the kettle is so beautiful."

does bernardo gomez pimienta's collection of kitchenware have a tea kettle in it? i remember a lecture he gave after his departure from ten architectos in which he focused his talks on his industrial designing.

bodum: http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/group_lines.asp?MD=2&GID=77&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=ANDPCXECULPF8LAFN37VDM4AX76XBPP9

the Greg Lynn one's a bit spendy but, hay, the're numbered.

that's not a teapot, that's the plant from little shop of horrors.

HAHAHA
nice JG.

-n 0010

some cool sites...

Does anyone know any more industrial design-y stores or online sites where i can find products?
they dont have to be modern design, but just well designed products for use in the house...

bodu is a good place for price and design!

also any specific electric water kettles that are good? thanks!

check the jasper morrison one at mossonline.com
electric

thanks for all of the posts.

please keep the suggestions coming. maybe i can procrastinate again until the last minute, not find one and look like a complete moron. thank god she loves.

i'm leaning towards a kettle you heat up on a stove. after badgering her with random and vague questions, i think she'll get more use out of it.