Top Design...

I'm so excited to watch design heroes, Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler on Top Design tonight! (hopefully I can stay up!) It will be nice to see Todd Oldham on TV again too. There's some preview clips floating around YouTube, if you haven't already seen them- here and here- So far from the clips, the one thing that already annoys me is that theme song! but the rest of it looks interesting- It will be neat to see where they shoot as well, since it was filmed in LA. Speaking of Jonathan Adler, have you seen the interviews with Tim Gunn on the Bravo site? There's 6 of them and they are hillarious! But there was a phrase that Jonathan said that I found quite brilliant- he said "...start with a classical foundation, and end it with playful punctuation." That is so true, and I think are words to live by for any type of design challenge you may face. You can get more info and insights at the great BloggingTopDesign blog. So who's going to watch Top Design tonight?

a dozen egg vases

These totally "crack" me up... (har har har...)

Corporate logo redos

Last night, a common plight for most so cali folk and all who live in suburbia, I had to refuel my gas tank. I was running on fumes, so I stopped at the closest station that happened to be a Chevron. I suddenly noticed that their logo changed. I'm sure this is probably old news, but it hadn't struck me until now. It's weird. They added these gradients and I guess it makes it look like ribbons or something. My question is... um... why? What was wrong with the old one? To me, the old Chevron logo is a classic one. Iconic, simplistic, and highly memorable. I could understand slightly modifying the typeface, but the logo itself now seems kind of...muddy? with the new gradients. Granted, its 2007. Capabilities have come a long way, and with everything going digital, reproducing these gradients probably isn't a big deal. Clients are constantly coming to art directors and graphic designers to "redo" their image. Often times, a logo/brand mark is the first step. But I've always been of the school that changing an already established logo isn't necessarily always.. necessary. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. In this case, I happen to think this logo change wasn't. But that's just my mundane observation. After a little digging, I found several blogs have been discussing this. here and here are two. What do you guys think?

Anyways... this weekend, I also noticed another company has recently changed their logo, El Pollo Loco. (love their twice grilled burrito by the way) This redesign I'm not really bothered by, although personally the "El" seems kinda after-thought-ish. Anyways, I guess much like your home or your wardrobe, a little change and refreshing can be needed, and big multi million/billion corporations are apparently not exempt.

Garfield

walmart update 1.2007

So, some interesting things at Walmart.com for Spring 2007. They've got some pieces in the Black and White scheme that still feels strong in decorland:

I like this "Trees" tabletop set (online only, 4 place setting and includes a runner)...or this "Moonlight Tranquility" 16 piece dinnerset
They have apparently channeled their inner classic Jonathan Adler and offer this ceramic table lamp (nice that they kept the shade brown) (UPDATE: I just looked on the site again and it's kinda funny, at least they're admitting it, as the description reads " Recalling the work of today's most sought-after ceramicists...",) and 3 piece vase set (which is on sale! $27 for the whole set of three! I may need these...)And finally, this "Lauryn" Sateen bedding set could be an affordable option if you're looking for something a little more glamourous.

I haven't had a chance to stop by in person and see if any of these are in-store, but I'll report back if/when I do...

mundane aesthetic: oahu 1.07

Yikes! I've been tagged?!

Yikes! There's a tagging outbreak over the blogsphere and now Scrappygirl has tagged me! Last August, Mary Jo at Trust Your Style tagged me to reveal random info about myself. But if anyone is still curious, here are 5 more things you may not already know about me:

1. I don't know how to drive stick shift.

2. I don't like coconut.

3. I don't like raw ginger- but I love gingerbread, and like ginger tea (but it has to have honey.)

4. I like creating a special concoction of ketchup and soy sauce to dip my gyoza or chinese dumplings in.

5. The last pet I had was a goldfish that lived for several years after killing all of its potential friends I tried to bring to it. I guess it wanted to be alone. I currently don't have any pets, but am currently considering a dog or a cat.

Ok, so now to spread the tagging, (hehe) I am going to tag my fellow ATLA editors, Richele, Gregory, and Vanessa. Each have their own personal blogs with lots of fun things to read and look.

I'm also going to tag my It's(k)notwood co-editor Em, who has just recently started her own visually inspiring personal blog, SuperCozy!

Weekend stuff

Happy FRIDAY!!! It's a busy day today but I'm so glad its friday. Have to run to another meeting- but here are a few things I saw today that you might be interested in. Over at Apartmenttherapy LA(sorry, just have to plug), a few of us LA editors decided that since so many readers open up their homes to us, we'd share some of our artwork collections with our readers. Click here to check out some of my favorite art pieces in my house, as well as my fellow editors Richele, and Gregory- who have some fantastic pieces. Also- yesterday, there was this amazing amazing feature on ATNY about artist Mary Temple. Also my always in-the-know friends at Shelterrific busted the news that my all time favorite MUJI is opening in NY! All I can say is. OMG.OMG. OMG.
I'll be posting over the weekend as well, so check back when you get a sec and enjoy the rest of your day!

Jing fly swatter

Saw this on Stylehive today, isn't this the most beautiful fly swatter?

Martin + Osa

Have you heard of Martin + Osa? It's American Eagle's latest concept brand. More high-end, and geared toward an older customer than AE. They only have a few stores, and recently opened a one here in Fashion Island, Newport Beach. Interesting concept... sort of take a little Nike + J.Crew + Patagonia... and mix it all up. It's very active outdoor-ish-travel and explore the world while kayaking or hiking sort of vibe, but still looking fashionable... the women's clothing looks more interesting than the mens, but the quality seems nice. Pricepoint a bit high, but not tooo obnoxious. Their marketing collateral and overall image looks fantastic and spot on. I really love the logo and packaging. Anyways, I bought a candle there. They stuck it in this neat tyvek pouch, as opposed to wrapping it, and then sent me on my way with this little bag. What I loved even more was another unexpected suprise: inside the bag had this printed card that just said "adventure." Even though I'm not really their target customer (I'd rather eat cupcakes and go to sleep) I again, appreciate these details. As far as "adventure", today I will dream of fantasy escapes... while I take my nap... (at least I have a very active imagination...hehe)

Blue Tuesday: mason jars

Whenever I go on a plane, that's generally the only time I get to read In-Style magazine. (by the way, did you know Instyle has a home design blog? by Martha McCully, who was a judge in the DesignStar show on HGTV). In the February issue, they had a section about different areas to set up an office, and I was immediately attracted to these vintage blue mason jars (apparently from Paula Rubenstein for $55-70 each?). I know many people use jars to hold things, but the blue ones looked so fresh and happy. Now I am on a mission to find some on my next thrift store/estate sale excursion... aren't they nice though?

Jones Organics cap

Have you tried Jones Organic Teas? Jones, the company that is famous for those soda bottles that have people's photos, now makes organic teas. I had the peach flavored one. It was yummy. But what I found really intersting was underneath the cap. I know there are several companies that put little sayings and things underneath their caps, and I really appreciate the subtle little suprise. Underneath the Jones Organics one I had, was a neat little camera icon. I don't know if each one has something different, but I really liked this little camera icon. Does anyone know if they all have that? or is there something different on other ones?

Olle Eksell: swedish graphic designer

Recently purchased this amazing book of Olle Eksell, a swedish graphic designer. I picked it up at the Giant Robot store in Silverlake. I just love all the illustrations, but its from PIE books (who always put out great design books) so it's all in Japanese. However, the pictures speak for themselves. Aside from his numerous illustrations for advertising and whatnot- he also designed some beautiful textiles, and continues to do so today. I made another short flip-through video so you can see how packed the little book is. The ISBN number is : ISBN-89444-547. It's also available here.

Sophie Ellis Bextor: Catch You

This video is all over the blogsphere, and I have to agree with them that there's something really striking about it. Aside from being a Sophie Ellis Bextor fan (I am a pop culture junkie if you haven't figured that out) I love the simplicity, and how powerful the color red can be. And actually I wouldn't mind running around Venice right about now (minus the red dress, thankyouverymuch.) Happy friday- I'll have some additional posts over the weekend-

Met home: Todd Oldham

I posted this on AT:LA today. I love the feature on Todd Oldham's house in the February 07 Metropolitan Home. I especially love the wall of Charley Harper bird prints. I also love the fact that he put his flat screen tv on the picture rail/shelf thing, and it totally blends in with the other paintings he put on there. Such a clever way of disguising the normally obtrusive television. His colors are so fun, and I love that he has paintings from Megan Whitmarsh, and a Gamma-Go club/log pillow! I'm really looking forward to the Charley Harper book coming out later in May. It will be edited by Todd. You can pre-order now!

lisa solomon paint chips

I just am in LOVE with this piece from Lisa Solomon. Jan over at Poppytalk did a great interview with her for Design*sponge. If you're not familiar with her work, you have to check it out- her blog is listed on my links to the right.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that more pieces of hers in this series are available at The Beholder. I love them all- (Wish I could get them all!) Hurry!

Aloha Airlines

Currently spending my last day in da islands. I've now jumped over to the Big Island of Hawaii from Oahu. While awaiting my island hopper, I couldn't help but enjoy the oversized blow ups all throughout the terminal. Aloha Airlines must be celebrating their anniversary because they had these huge photos of classic Aloha... The 70's were HOT!

weekend question: where are you?

hello happy mundane friends! I've asked this before, and it was so neat to see the answers- and since it's a new year, I thought it would be nice to touch base again. So if you would be so kind... where are you reading this from? Please reply in the comments! I'm in Irvine, CA. Where are YOU?

(BTW, The image above is from the latest Pottery Barn catalog. I liked how they blew up and tiled a black and white satellite image of a city as artwork. It would be neat if you could find an ariel view of the town you were in and maybe put a small colored graphic dot over where you are actually located. Talk about "local" art!)

15 seconds

as opposed to "15 minutes"? did anyone happen to catch tonight's Small Space Big Style on HGTV? I was on this episode's last segement. I guess my head will be popping up sporadically for the rest of the season, Thursdays at 6:30pm... Since I'm currently out of town, I couldn't watch it?!

Nid Kelly

Saw this cool robot by Nid Kelly in last December's Australian Vogue Living. I love that she makes robots out of ceramic and puts these "domestic" prints to them. Too bad I missed this exhibition.

Cool places...

I'm off for a little break to visit some "cool places" from now until next tuesday- so posting may be sporadic, but I should still have some internet access. For now, do another little 80's dance with me. It's okay... No one's looking...

my new friend sucks.

Step 458,001 of the house healing was to get a new vacuum cleaner. Oy. Sooo many choices out there now huh? With all the hype around the Dyson, I was very intersted in what that was all about. My house only has two rooms with carpet, and the rest is bare floor. I currently have a cheapie upright, but was considering perhaps a canister type vac. Plus, I have stairs. with carpet. I hate cleaning my stairs. It's such a pain. So the canister concept seemed very appealing, and Dyson does not offer a cannister. Plus, the whole bagless thing, is still kinda messy. Anyways, after some research, I decided against a Dyson, and really really was loving the idea of a Miele. Now, I know Miele are really expensive. I saw an ad in the paper for this place that was having this vacuum clearance sale, so I went to check it out this weekend. Unfortunately they didn't have much of anything, but I did get a demo on the Miele. I loved the aqua color of the model that was there, and it really seemed like a solid and top of the line machine. However, there was just no way I could spend $1000+ on a vacuum. I mean, look how easily I've avoided housework, that forced me into the need for "healing" in the first place. It would be a waste. So... with mission sadly unaccomplished, I left the store. Across the street happened to be a new shopping center, with a Sears, so I figured why not look there. Sure enough, they had a great little model, on sale for only $329.00- It's the Kenmore 25813 progressive Canister Vacuum with Variable Power. I actually love the rusty-orange "Sedona" color too. It's got all the needed attatchments, plus adjustable steel arm- AND what I really love is how they've adapted it for stair cleaning, with this locking arm thing that helps keep it from moving. They've got this great small adapter head that is perfect for my stairs, not too big, not too small. It's also got the Hepa Filter and it has a little light that at the tip for those dark under the couch places. I've been vacuuming all day now. It's my new friend!

What kind of vaccum do you guys use? Are you happy with it? Has anyone found an advantage to a canister vs. upright?

New...

I'm so happy today. Despite yesterday's sadness blog format issues, the sun has come out, and everything is new and shiny. Over the break, as part of my "healing", I picked up a new and much needed dining table, and got rid of two chairs I had loved to death.. literally... they were all ripped and torn, so I've been looking for a replacement. Anyways- today I got them! I opted for these great Blok cube stools from CB2- These cubes were really not what I would have thought I would have purchased. However, they bring something unexpected and very modern to my house, which is a good thing. My dining area is pretty small, and these cubes will take up less space and still provide great seating options. Plus I love the pale "bayou" blue. (but you figured that already huh?) They're quite tall in person. I will post real pics later. By the way, when I ordered my stools, the lady at CB2 said that their new catalog comes out on the 16th!

Also, a new pillow from the ever fabulous Lauren Saunders arrived today as well. I've posted about Lauren's amazing textile work before. Isn't it gorgeous? Lauren's stuff can be found here in LA at Silho Furniture, and she just informed me that she'll soon have some pieces at Room&Board! Please check them out. These beauties are crafted with such quality that they are definitely worth the investment. They are so lush and sexy, but really, they're like art. Soft sculpture , if you will. Ok, I will stop gushing. Anyways- I love that "new" feeling with fresh items in your home, so I leave you with a some "new life" from a little classic d'mode. (uh... I still dance like that... shuddup. )


and another oldie but "New" via the ever fresh stylings of Gwen & Nodoubt:

Designed Drains

The Style Files posted these great drain covers by Joana Ozorio de Almedida Meroz, called "Drain Eye-Catchers. and yes- they are definitely eye-catching!

ugh. issues.

Ok... D.R.A.M.A. well, as you might have noticed, my blogger template has been altered slightly. I had to change it completely and that was soooo nervewrecking. It's not as coolness as it once was, but I think this will be better and easier in the long run. (sigh) I had recently switched over to the "new Blogger Beta", and because my existing template wasn't an official "Blogger" template, it screwed up the ability to post comments. Since I'm no programming genius (pathetic is more like it) I switched to an existing template and modified it with the juvenile HTML coding I know. Anywayz, I'm going to keep tweaking it, but for now, I think we're functional again. Apologies to all who have tried to comment on any posts in the past few days. It should be working now. I know the "moment is lost", but if you could be so kind and re-comment, if you had tried to put a comment, I'll feel so much better knowing that I'm not in a cyber black hole all by myself!...

mundane aesthetic: voyeur view

Are there any Happy Mundane readers living in Hawaii?

Kmart: flora dinnerware

Stopped by Kmart last week, and noticed they had some lovely new dinnerware, from good ol' Martha. I was particularily attracted to these two sets of flora themed designs. These chocolate brown line branchy drawings looked almost black, and I also really liked this pretty blue sponge-y leaf print. It felt so very... french countryside-ish... kinda. but modern....rustic?

Both 16 piece sets are only $39.99!

Mag watch January 2007

I'm loving so may of the new magazine covers this month. First off is the fantastic cover of the February 2007 Dwell. Love the multi colors going on in the shelf. I wish my bookshelf could be so colorfully organized. The whole issue is actually a great read, centered around "the Craft of design" and has a neat article about the people behind Etsy. Next is Real Simple. It really should have been one of my "blue monday/tuesday" posts. I love the aqua color, and it totally caught my eye on the newstand. Also, love the cover of the December 06 World of Interiors. Hm... can you can guess why?. Unfortunately, as much as I love just about everything Jack and Kate Spade, the rest of the photos of their home didn't make a big impact for me. I just really love the cover shot. Modern, but with character... and those colors!! I love the yellow details especially on the artwork, and the two tones of grey for the wall vs. the ceiling are genius. Oh and speaking of which, did you see the last page of the British Elle Decoration? Just as I've started to wean myself of my grey obsession from last summer, "...they keep bringing me back!" Finally, if you subscribe to Wallpaper, you would have received the limited edition cover by design guru Dieter Rams, who is most famous for his work for Braun. Designboom has a great post on him. I just love how simple it is, and it's such a throwback to those classic covers circa late 50's early 60's. Lots to look out for on your newstand! Have you guys seen anything else you're loving?

Iconic Bowls

How gorgeous and graphic are these glass bowls by Sally Mccubbin? (via Mocoloco)

square eggs Part 2: they do exist!

Thank you to everyone that commented about the square eggs post. Super special thanks go to Zara who gave me the link to this video about egg molds. Well, I ordered an egg-cuber and it came to my office and last night I finally was able to test it out. O.M.G. It TOTALLY works!!! I documented the process:1. Boil your egg. (note my schazzy use of the Scoop&Strain. So handy I tell you.)
2. Once your egg is boiled, peel it and, IMPORTANT: while it's still warm, stick it in the egg cuber thing, and close the lid, and screw it down. The egg will get smooshed into the form.

3. Once it's in the form, put it in a bowl of cool water. Let it sit for a few minutes. I waited for about 10 minutes.4. Then I unscrewed it, pushed it out from the bottom. and voila!! A square EGG!! (It kinda looks like a slab of butter in the pic huh?)
Unfortunately, I don't think I kept turning my egg or something, because the yolk didn't stay in the center when I opened it. Does anyone have any tips on how to keep the yolk centered?

Happy New Year! 2007!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007! So, how was your holiday? Here are a few pics of how my home ended up being decorated for the holidays. I didn't do as much as I would have liked to, but I did get to clean up a bit. I'm still in the process of "healing", but much progress has been made. This year's decor revolved around lots of white and sparkly lights, with my happy colored accents that I've been slowly collecting over the years...
I can't believe it's now 2007! Where did the year go? 2006 has been such a weird but overall wonderful year for my happy mundane life. First off, this blog got started in March, and I was able to meet all of you fellow happy mundane-rs. So much has happened since then! I just want to thank all of you that take the time to check in here. I wish all of you the best in the coming year and look forward to sharing more of my mundane musings!