When it appeared stacked high in bins in six colors, Ikea’s Vallo watering can immediately drew admiration from designers.

It resembles a flower itself, blossoming upward. The cleverness of its single shape—proven in its stackability--is as impressive as the Vernor Panton plastic chair or (even more to the point) William Sawaya’s Calla chair for Heller. The Calla takes its name and the inspiration for its shape from the lily.

The Vallo impresses other designers in the way it derives from a single tool (or mold). It is holistic—a single concept, which is understood only in three dimensions, moving around it. Photos do not do it justice: The upward sweep of the spout, like a heron or bittern in an Audubon print, or a coyote baying at the moon, contrasts with the plunging arc of the handle, shaped like the high heel of a woman’s shoe. The handle is a complete tube, while the pouring spout is open—the reverse of most vessals of this sort. It has already won prizes in Sweden. Monika Mulder, the designer has done plastic furniture for Ikea as well. Svenske Form magazine declared it "A fun watering can that is playful in its shape and color and well worth the money. Despite the rational manufacturing method, the designer has succeeded in creating a functional watering can. The spout is open so that the flow of water is visible and the watering can is slim with high sides to deter spillage."