Manual

Manual designs products for slow living. Founded by designer Craighton Berman.

09/07/2026

Checking in on the Stool N°1 shorties at Side Practice Coffee — the best lil “garden apartment” coffee shop in Chicago.

09/06/2026

A batch of bar height Stool N°1 headed to Drip Collective™ — thanks to Fulton Market’s finest for the continued support. 🙏

09/05/2026

Checking back in on the Collective Benches I made for Drip Collective™ about a year ago. Seeing how your products age is both an exciting and humbling experience as a designer. The patina that comes from time and use is a beautiful thing—but it also reveals the details you may not have resolved perfectly. The design is no longer an “ideal” vision in your head or “fresh” from the studio, but now it’s a part of real life. Objects are only “perfect” once, but hopefully they’re “imperfect” forever.

08/30/2026

Semi-Manual System pre-order updates:
1️⃣ All “Dripper Stack” pre-orders have shipped.
2️⃣ The final piece—the glass carafe—has landed in LA and will be en route to Chicago this week. I should have it in my studio within a few weeks, and will be shipping immediately in the order that purchases were made.
3️⃣ Pre-order pricing will be increasing in the next week or so—order soon if you want to lock in that nice price.
🆗 Thanks for your patience and thanks for supporting a very small business. I can’t wait to get these in your homes and get you brewing that sweet, sweet coffee.

08/27/2026

You’ve heard of cold brew coffee, but do you cold brew tea? Putting the new cold brew accessory sample to the test with some lovely black tea from Spirit Tea You may recognize the carafe from the Semi-Manual System for the Moccamaster coffee maker. For those waiting on a preorder: the glass arrived at the port this week and will be making its way to Chicago next week!

08/25/2026

Today’s fancy lil beverage was a Hōjicha milk tea. Hōjicha is a a traditional Japanese green tea that is roasted over charcoal which gives it a nutty and toasted flavor. I brewed it double strength and then poured over ice, added oat milk and Demerara syrup (1:1.5 turbinado sugar to water). A little “dairy” and sugar help tame the bitter nature of the roasted tea, while the earthy notes keep the drink grounded and away from the cloyingly sweet realm.

08/22/2026

Sneak peek at a new cold brew accessory, coming later this Fall.

08/16/2026

Last week I was on vacation with my family, walking around Asheville NC, hitting record stores and local shops, when we stumbled into Dobra Tea in Asheville, NC Little did I know I walked into a legit tea room with dozens of styles of traditional tea on the menu: I loved my high mountain oolong, the shoe-free floor pillow zone, and the gluten free snacks for the celiac member of my family. In addition to some great meals, beautiful hikes and a totally hippie-style drum circle—Asheville is truly a gem of Appalachia.

08/03/2026

Out of office until August 14 👋

08/02/2026

Semi-Manual System pre-order updates!
1️⃣ Corks are here, Hario drippers are here, bracket restock will be here early next week
2️⃣ “Dripper Stack” pre-orders will start shipping around August 15
3️⃣ The glass carafe is en route from the manufacturer and is supposed to arrive early September
4️⃣ Pre-order pricing will increase to standard pricing once I am fully in-stock and I get through the hundreds of preorders—order soon if you want to lock in that discount.
🆒 Thanks for your patience and thanks for supporting a very small business. I can’t wait to get these in your homes and get you brewing coffee.

Address

4432 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL
60625

Telephone

+13128700799

Website

http://www.manual.is/

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