a better spice rack?  

knife sharpener
fastfwd,
Thank you for posting the photo of the knife sharpener. I bought a small version of this type 20 years ago for putting a perfect edge on pocket knives. I will get this unit of my kitchen knives.
I have posted a picture of the slanted version of the Eva Solo knife block (removable insides to prevent detritus). As I said I gave this unit to my sister because she has the problem of cabinets too low in her kitchen. When we were childrem my mothers job was to watch us constantly and say no when we reached for something dangerous. She did not work to get a better car, that was my fathers job.
Once again fastfwd, thanks for the photo and link to the knife sharpener.
Heath, the Peter Zumthor, maple pepper mill for Alessi is too cool. I also have this unit and the two Sottsass pieces pictured. I suppose this is similar to a person grandmother collecting salt and pepper shakers.

Yes, that spice carousel lacks sex-appeal.
But it does fulfill Heath's requirement of fast, easy dispensing, while still storing spices appropriately.
So, either build a better looking spice carousel, or consider using this thing but keeping it in the pantry & bringing it out to have at the ready while cooking, or maybe mount it inside a low cupboard.
Would you reject a homely job-candidate with the desired skill set for a prettier one that can't fulfill your requirements? (Just for the sake of argument, I've never owned or used a spice-carousel-- for all I know it doesn't even work well. But, you're rejecting it on a flimsy premise: doesn't look sexy enough.)
> Below is another "spice dispenser" I found online on some design/ prototype site, seems like a dispenser of some type is what Heath wants, ideally.
> Below that, a link to a device called the "Spice Shot", a one-handed dispenser for ground spices. Get one for each powdered-spice you use, maybe.
Not every useful tool is worthy of inclusion in the MOMA Architecture & Design collection-- I don't remember them having a toilet plunger, but that doesn't mean a toilet plunger's not the most useful tool for the specific job.
http://www.cnet.com/8301-13553_1-9965333-32.html

Its ugly, at the risk if soun...
Its ugly, at the risk if sounding effete sometimes I do sacrifice function for looks, if you met my ex you'd understand.
Seriously, I want to use less plastic in the kitchen, the spice roundabout thing has a lot of moving dial parts that could break, it would have to be imported.
I think I've worked out how to make sealed, dark, open all at once, tackle box style 'spice box', render later.
And for something completely irrelevant I stopped smoking 4 months ago cold turkey and havn't broken, does it explain my occasional ranty post? I took valium for the first week. Much calmer now...praise me!