On target.

• Position: What's New? Small Appliances, Tools, And Gadgets - The Kettle, appliance; cookware from Michael Graves Design Collection - Brief Article - Product Announcement

* What are the two biggest annoyances when it comes to electric kettles designed to heat water? That's easy--the cord is always in the way and that white flaky stuff that forms on the metal is gross. Well, The Kettle ($40) from Philips Domestic Appliances & Personal Care, Stamford, Conn., has its electrical cord attached to the removable base, and the anti-scale filter improves the taste of the water (and is removable and washable). Sold exclusively at Target stores, it has a bell signal that rings as soon as the water has reached a boil (which takes a mere two minutes), an automatic shut-off which kicks in after boiling or if empty, and two-sided water windows (it holds up to 10 cups).

Besides Philips, another exclusive to Target is the Michael Graves Design Collection from the 1999 recipient of the National Medal of Arts (as presented by Pres. Bill Clinton). Although renowned for his architectural work on Disney's corporate headquarters (and World Swan and Dolphin hotels), Graves' home products carry such labels as Steuben, FAO Schwarz, and Alessi. His Target collection provides an inspired balance of form and function, which is not only sensible and sublime, but practical as well as whimsical.

His eight-piece cookwear set--which...