There's that old song that says "it never rains in southern california..." so when it does rain (like it did here recently) it's always refreshing for me. I think my favorite time though, is right after it rains. Cold, grey, and but also crisp, fresh, and clean...
ok, not really, but they are in the fireplace. I spotted this interesting idea for what to do with a fireplace you're not using on the cover of the February 2007 Vogue Living (Australia). They placed various bouquets of flowers in different vases inside, which added a nice springtime burst of color. Another fireplace option I saw in the same issue was this:
They filled it up completely with cut pieces of wood. I love the circular end grain pattern it gives. I wish I had a fireplace...
It's a blue munday. yay. yipee. To cheery up and get the week started, here's a lovely blue bedside vingette. This could be a great DIY project if you happen to have an old wood side table that needs some lovin'. Painting only the outsides in a high gloss turquoise, and adding a little collection of turquoise bits on top looks so fresh. I love how they paired it with the vintage-y seafoam background wallpaper (with the chinois medallions) This was taken from Los Angeles home of Robert Willson and David Serrano, from the March 2007 House and Garden... which I notice has changed their masthead logo (again)... There's also a great colorstory trends feature inside so pick up the issue if you happen by a newstand...
Over the weekend, saw this post on INV/ALT design on D*S, which featured these fun plates/platters that used recycled dishware, but it also led me to the "snap cups" that she (Angela Schwab) makes. She takes the "mix and match" concept to a whole other level! Each set comes with extra snaps and epoxy, so you can snap them anywhere, and there's all kinds of attatchments that snap to it. More info here, and get them here.
I'm sure many of you have seen Love is Blind's "bird on a wire" window blind (such a clever name by the way)- However, they just released these other two designs- "bottles" and "plants"- I really love these two! Would also be great for those that use blinds to cover up bookshelves or closets. Available at Bodie and Fou in mid April 2007.
It feels like ages since I've actually been able to post a blue monday on a monday! (sigh) But since today feels like a monday, (even though it's tuesday) I've put together a few of the blue things that I've been seeing a lot of lately. It seems like the trend this time around is for a light warmer blue. Inspired more by sea-glass tones, which includes every shade of soft blue greens, like turquoise, aqua, and add a touch of rich peacock/indian ocean blues...
Clockwise from top left: Angela Adams rug, Loolo- molehill pillows, flocked pillow from Pier 1 Imports, "Elsa" vases from Crate & Barrel
clockwise from left: Fold bar pillow, Target Global Bazaar silk pillow, Lauren Saunders Fusion pillow
clockwise from left: glass vases and "waves" duvet cover, both from West Elm, Arne Jacobson Swan chair from DWR, Silhouette Ocean collection by Dwell
I was watching the "watch what happens" shows on bravotv.com. Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan are hilarious. But what was really interesting was that in Part 3, in a weird cross-promotional phonecall, one of the "real housewives of orange county" cast called in, and was talking with them. Jonathan announced to her that he is opening a store in Orange County- Woo hoo! Any OC happymundaners, where do you think he'd open it? My bet is Fashion Island, since they recently opened Kate Spade, although South Coast is probably chomping at the bit to get it too... anyways... see the clip here. Also, if you saw last week's preview for Top Design, I know a lot of people were asking- what was up with Kelly Wearstler's crimped hair?! That should be interesting... They talk a little about that in the part 4 clip.
by 8:00am , it's pretty bright...
by 10:00am, the sun starts to move a little...
AT:NY recently posted these beautiful curtains, but I think I still prefer mine...
I did find a few other random things with red though...
Do you have a lot of red in your home? Anyways, hope you have a happy Vday with someone you love.
Since I missed Blue Monday, it's Blue tuesday (again).... I swung by Kmart last night, and saw this little collection of blue-themed pillows. Kinda vintage-y, but modern and graphic at the same time. Lately, Kmart has been putting out really fun dishtowels, and they continue to do so. I love the retro looks of the fruit and color blocks- and the one with the flowers would be great for easter time... 
Also spotted were these very Jonathan Adler-esque bathroom accessories from the Martha Collection. I think these could work great individually, but as a set, they seem a little hokey. They also had matching raised dot towels too... 
Over the weekend I spotted an article about the new Trina Turk store in NYC that opened last December. Trina Turk, known for her laid back and lovely "California-chic" style, has two amazing stores here in So Cal, both of which were designed by Kelly Wearstler, so I found it very interesting that she chose Jonathan Adler to do the NY store. I wonder if there is any weirdness between Kelly and Jonathan, since I do see some similarities between the two, but at the same time, there are a ton of differences.
I'm sure they're BFF since they're both on Top Design now. Regardless, the NY store looks amazing with lots of fun and color. Apparently, Trina gave Jonathan the direction of "hipster, 1970's, kind of crafty..." and I think they totally achieved that and more. It's a great extension of what he did for the Parker. The only thing that is a little funny is how much JA product he put in there, but then, I guess, it wouldn't be JA without his own stuff. I love it all. I found these pics of the store on JA's website. There is a rumour that she is considering opening a store here in Orange County! That would be fun! If there are any HappyMundane NYC'ers, I'd love to hear your first-hand review of the store if you've been there! I can't wait to check it out in person myself...
Mocoloco featured this amazing artist last week, and I'm still in awe of it. These delicate trees are cut out of toiletpaper rolls!! Yuken Teruya also cuts trees out of paper bags, varying from high end designers to McDonalds takeout bags. See more pieces here, here, and here.
I love the cover of the Jan/Feb 2007 ID magazine (the design one, not the British one). The collage featured is by ID Magazine's art director, Kobi Benezri. I love all the random elements laid out together- Especially the orange floppy disk. I can't remember the last time I used one of those...wow... sign of the times... Would make a great DIY art piece...
So as I mentioned yesterday, I went to Palm Springs last weekend. I met up with Em, who co-edits It's(K)notWood, and also has just started her own blog, supercozy. She has posted some great pics of the hotel she stayed at, The Parker Palm Springs, which I'm sure most of you know, was designed by HM hero Jonathan Adler. It was her first time there, and if any of you haven't been yet, it's definitely worth a look-see, for drinks... or just general cavorting... cuz... a little weekend cavorting is always a good thing.
A little more than I would normally pay, but it was so cool I couldn't pass it up. 
The mushrooms are made of carved marble. And the owl is paper maché from Mexico. C'mon- you just can't pass up a paper maché owl now can you? and in blue? sold!!
I love berries... (these were from Henry's Market- they are so plump!)
Simple pleasures indeed. One thing I always end up doing though, is mixing my cereals. In many ways, I find the mixed up concoction better than just the original mix I had bought. Once my cereal supply gets low, I end up adding in a new one and I usually find myself buying a different kind (I guess I get cereal-bored easily). I then mix the two (or three) all up and end up with this. 
Do any of you do this?
Designed by Demakersvan, a dutch team, this cool lace fence is going into production in India, according to a great post I just read over at dezeen. The lace fence was a big hit in last year's Milan show. I love how you can turn something like strong steel wire, and still make it delicate and beautiful. I love the contrast. I also love how brilliant it is that they saw past the function of a chain link fence, and saw the potential beauty of the visual pattern that is actually similar to lace. It's also so nice to see some of these great concept pieces you read about in design mags/blogs actually become reality. I wish they'd put some up here in Irvine though... read more here and here.
Saw this in the February 2007 Real Simple "products of the month" (I posted a summary of the issue on ATLA today) I'm not sure exactly when would be the best time to use one of these... but that doesn't stop me from still desperately wanting a pack. I guess it could be great for your car, or if you're on a camping/hiking trip, out and about. Kinda coolness though don'tcha think?
I spotted this in the Pottery Barn catalog- ok my friends- I need your help - what do you call these things (the metal disc things that have the starburst hole patterns)? metal vents/grating/steamer/thing with holes bit...ugh...???? I'm totally drawing a blank as to what they're called- but I love that they painted them white and mixed them with oblong platters and plates. You could probably take the concept even less traditional and mix in other objects whose shape and form you like and still unite them through a single color. Have any of you put something unexpected on your walls like this? (I'm still trying to figure out what those pieces are called!.. argh!!..)
I really love these incredible watercolor paintings by George Dombek. The buckets and cans one is my favorite, but I also really love the one with the upside down kettles. They remind me of people heads or muppets for some reason. He has other beautiful works on his site.
I thought this was a really nice DIY idea for a table, featured in the latest Rachael Ray Magazine. They asked designer Angela Adams for a table centerpiece idea, and she painted a branch and put little birds on it. I like how everything is pretty white, making the branch really striking and then they just added simple red accents to coordinate. You could probably glue on other things besides birds too.. buttons, silk flowers, butterflies... lego action figures? (I'd probably paint mine blue though.. hehe)
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