Bad surprises: tax audits, your guy’s new gal is your sister, your crush bats for the wrong team.

Good surprises: finding a ten in your pocket, a dish-free sink, housewares from Modern-Twist.

Designer Kat Nouri’s design-savvy line adds a touch of the (pleasantly) unexpected to form and function.

Coasters double as place cards. The PJ Pocket Pillow looks like a simple headrest, but you can remove the lid and store jammies inside. Tiny hide boxes are perfect for stashing jewelry and Xanax. Easy-to-clean place mats and runners made of recycled polyurethane gussy up the table with nature-inspired drawings.

Nouri donates a portion of profits to One Percent for the Planet, an alliance of companies that promote responsible environmental business practices.

A twist ending everyone can appreciate.

Available at Nest, 2300 Fillmore Street, at Clay Street (415-292-6199); Rose and Radish, 460 Gough Street, between Grove and Ivy Streets (415-864-4988); online at velocityartanddesign.com. To see styles, go to modern-twist.com.