mundane aesthetic: drive-thru

In line at the drive-thru

Trippin' on collections and deflated balloons

So I have to travel off again today- work has me going up to the lovely state of Washington, (which I visited just a few weeks ago- hello again Seattle!) In the meantime, the lovely Jan over at Poppytalk was so kind to do a little post on some of my collections as part of her "Collecting" series. Click on over here to see them (thanks Jan!)I'm a little tired, as my flight is suuuper early, so I'm feeling a little deflated- which brings to mind the amazing work of Susie MacMurray who I found via Designers Block. Susie makes these incredible pieces out of deflated balloons! Amazing. Check out more of Susie's work here
I'll probably post a few things over the weekend as I'm sure there will be tons of fun things for me to see in Seattle! Have a good one!

WYWO:season 3- the guest bedroom

So, as mentioned at the end of tuesday's post, here is the guest bedroom of the parentals. It's super tiny. I tried to get a good shot, but it's so tiny, I couldn't even do that. All sorts of random going on there. It's like this is the room where all unwanted or unused things go to die. As you can see, the bed pretty much dominates everything. I tried to move it around, but it pretty much has to be where it is. So, unfortunately, I can't get rid of it. My parents said they want to have a queen size bed in there for guests, and also another consideration- it has to be somewhat the same height because many of my parent's friends are older and don't want to crouch all the way down (ie. cool modern platform bed.) So... basically that means, I can't touch the bed. So what to do?... Well, one thing to point out is that this room is visible if you're sitting in the living room. So, if the door is open, you will see inside. Therefore, the color scheme should sort of transition or match what's going on outside of it. The way the house is set up, if you pass the guest bedroom, you then enter the kitchen and family room area. My first inspiration was from this post over at AT:Chicago. The colors are so spot on with what I did for the rest of the house! But what I really loved was the dark chocolate brown wall, which I think will do well in the guest bedroom. I think it actually makes the room feel bigger. It "visually makes the wall recede." (I just had scary flashbacks of a certain someone who "pops up" on a show from time to time.) Luckily, this room is so small, it shouldn't take too long to give it a little facelift... stay tuned...

Sitting Chairs

Via Mocoloco:
OMG. so cool. so cute. I'm hoping to get to NY in May, hopefully I can catch this exhibit. More here.

Blue vintage jars and vases

Oy. It's shaping up to be a Crazy week and it's only Tuesday. I've got to travel for work on Friday, which means lots of preparation until then, and lots of running around-head in five places at once- type of mental chaos. So... let's just take a few seconds to stop and look at some pretty shall we?

I love this image from the most recent Body+Soul magazine. Love the idea of just grouping all these blue vases together in a tray. I'd probably opt for a cleaner more modern tray, like maybe a clean white laquered one, but the overall effect is still beautiful. Love how they put in a few sprigs of baby's breath(Thanks to Kathy who pointed out those are not baby's breath but rather Queen Ann's Lace flowers, and I also realized they threw in some fern cuttings too). Also love this idea for all you winos out there (you know who you are) of making this cork trivet type thing.By the way, my parentals are out of town (again), and if you've been following my blog for awhile, you know what that means. Another episode of "While you were out!"- This time, I'm tackling the teeny tiny downstairs guest bedroom. It's really small and basically just has a queen bed and room for a table. That's it. Here's a refresher of the first episode, the living room, and the more recent family room. Here's a link to all of it at once. I'll post a new post with the scary before shot, stay tuned.

Koolhaas Houselife movie

I posted this on AT:LA this afternoon, but you got to check out these amazing trailers to this movie caled Koolhaas Houselife. See the trailers and read more about it here. (via Unbeige, via Daily Dose of Architecture)

blue munday: Security Envelope beads and art

I've always had a secret admiration for the patterns on security envelopes. That must be an interesting job to design those. Anyway, Gretchen over at Junk Mail Gems blog has made some brilliant pieces from them. Check out this great collage she made with some of the patterns she's collected:And even more impressive- look at these beautiful hand rolled paper beads!! They look almost like asian or ethnic pottery! Purchasing info via her site.
(via Superuse)

Contempt. 1963

Contempt. Jean Luc Godard 1963

Japanese parasol inspired lampshade!

Check out these cool pendant lamps from a Japanese boutique hotel. They remind me of those beautiful paper parasols, but modified to a modern drum shade pendant light... I wonder if you couldn't DIY your own version using some dowels and paper to wrap around an existing drum shade?... hm... The hotel is called Hotel Screen Kyoto. More info and pics here.

I would die.

OMG. Just going through some archive posts over at Martha Stewart's blog. I think I would have a heart attack and die at all the pretty if I could get inside this room. My head would explode. I mean.
Seriously. Read more here.
(images via Martha Stewart)

Waterless Carwash?

Ok, it's not really waterless, since it uses water, but I guess the point is that you don't have to bust out the hose for this. I'm really intrigued by this product by Lucky Earth. Check out this video of it.


Next time I'm at Whole Foods, I'm going to pick up a bottle and try it out. Full report coming soon... Has anyone else tried this? More info and another video at their website.

Real Simple Blog-o-rama! Simply Stated

If you've been following this blog for awhile, Real Simple magazine get mentioned here quite frequently. Well, it's so exciting to see that they're really pulling out the big guns with their latest section of their website called Simply Stated. They have some great bloggers at the helm! We have Holly from Decor8 handling the Home decor section, and Jennifer from Hostess with the Mostess doing Celebrations! (thanks for adding me to your blog roll!) Congrats girls!

There's other sections including technology, life and Soul, beauty and style, food, and I always enjoy reading Kristin Van Ogtrop's section (managing editor for Real Simple) called Adventures in Chaos. Anyway- check out Simply Stated over at Real Simple.

Motel 6 new prototype Phoenix

I'm posting this on Apartmenttherapy today, but wanted to mention it here too:

I love hotels. And being the happy mundane guy, I don't always have to stay in the fancy ones. Lately I've been enjoying just staying in more "normal" ones. They're cheaper, usually offer more ammenities, and as long as it's clean and the beds are good- I'm not that picky.

Now, having just read this article on Unbeige, I'm actually quite excited about this: Motel 6 (I'm not sure I've ever actually stayed in one...) has just unveiled a new prototype called "Phoenix". It looks pretty cool! It's sort of a cross between Ace Hotel Seattle mixed with a little Standard, a little Dwell Magazine, and a little of some of the boutique hotels I've seen in european design mags. It's bright and happy and I like the little retro booth-like sitting area. It will be interesting to see how the public will react to it. Read more about it here. (via Unbeige and ACCOR)

stefan bucher monsters

via unbeige

Happy Friday video break: Little Bit...

Lykke Li "Little Bit"

Beer Can Butterflies by Paul Villinski

When I was in college... I did an art project with cola cans that I cut up into devil and angel shapes. I thought I was cool. Artist Paul Villinski just blew my coolness waaaaay out of the water. He has made this series of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G butterfly installation sculptures out of 108 beer cans. He hand cuts each one from found beer cans in New York and New Orleans, and then they are suspended with wires so they can move around. Just stunning. Check out more of his work at his website. He's exhibiting at this weekend's CA Boom Show in Santa Monica, so definitely check it out if you're attending! (images by Annie Wells/LA Times and Paul Villinski's website)

Push + Pull concrete planters

So in my ongoing quest for planters, I came across these fun concrete planters by Japanese company, Push+Pull. I love that they are like mini buildings! One even has pipes that stick out (I'm assuming for drainage.) They're actually pretty small, which makes them perfect for my little patio garden. My favorite is the one that looks like a mini mansion complete with balconies! Brings new meaning to "roof top" garden!... Available here.

Magnetic Cork Pin Cushion + Desk set

Magnetic + Cork + round ball + Pin cusion... = must have.
available here.

oh and this too! (by Hiroshi Yamasaki) Love the great color blocking...

March to March calendar by Nat Russell

This is fantastic. I used to be one of those people that loved sending christmas cards and couldn't wait to get them out- then I also loved calendars and picking a new one out early. Now I'm old and lazy and end up sending my christmas cards in January (er... did I even send cards this year?) Anyway- if you're anything like me- then this calendar by Nat Russell is for you! He also says he is often late for things, so he's come up with this fun "Always late in 2008 but just in time for 2009" calendar. It begins next week on March 16th 2008 and ends on the 15th of March 2009! Click here for more details on how to get one. (via Coolhunting)

Inspired Styles book

Recently I was waiting for a meeting for one of my clients, and while hanging out in their studio, saw this book Inspired Styles. It's published by Assouline, and was a joint effort by Kravet and Lee Jofa Fabrics. I'd seen the cover before, but never had a chance to look inside- but once I did- whoa- It totally blew me away. Now, who doesn't love a mood board right? Well, they've sort of taken the moodboard concept but arranged it into these beautiful groupings. Basically the book is a collection of images by 17 popular interior designers, like Kelly Wearstler, Thomas O'Brien, Candice Olsen, Barbara Barry, just to name a few (I think everyone involved in the book has done a collection for one of the companies associated). Anyhoo- mixed in through the pages, they have these fabric/color/mood arrangements that correspond with each designer. These arrangements are soooo beautiful- here are a few:Based off the credits in the book, looks like they were styled by Philip Shubin and Jeffrey Miller, and photographed by Barbel Miebach. They truly have "inspired" styling and actually are my favorite parts of the entire book- however the rest of the interiors shown are gorgeous and sophisticated. Anyway- it's a great visual treat- But don't just take my word for it... you can actually check out a big interactive preview (you can flip through the pages) of it online here! I'd say it's a definite must for your library.

French New Wave Tuesday

Feeling a little 60's French New Wave inspiration today.

Alphaville, Jean Luc Goddard (1965)


original trailer


Kelly Osbourne, One Word (2005)

blue munday: birds, cloches, and white

Happy munday. It's been a gorgeous couple of days weather wise here in sunny So Cal, but mentally it's been a bit draining and dissappointing. Alas, life goes on, and thankfully because of blogging, not everything is lost! anyhoo... love this spread in the latest Living Etc. The blue bird in the white on white box frame is so cool. Also love the table setting with the mismatched chairs and lights. I also have decided I must get me some of those glass dome/cloche things I've been seeing so much of lately. A fresh way to highlight a smal collection as well as protect it!

Herb Ladder by Menu

I'm trying to focus on the positive now, and one of the things that makes me happy is thumbing through magazines! Stopped by the local Japanese bookstore and picked up the latest Real Simple/Japan- First off- Who knew they had a Japanese version of Real Simple?! More on that later- One thing that I fell in love with is this Herb Ladder by Menu. I've mentioned before about my ongoing quest for modern planters, and this one has so many possibilities! I then saw that it's also featured in the recent Living Etc. So, of course, I assume that you can only get one from Europe, but after a little googling, I found a supplier right here in lil' ol Irvine!! Emmo Home! So many new discoveries today!!

Anyway- the Herb ladder is a great space saver, and it has the added function of having night lights inside the dishes, so they can also be used as candles. I'm not really sure how that works, but I love the double usage idea and that you can display them on a table too. I would assume you could plant other things besides herbs as well... Available here. $53.90

still sad...

What have I done to deserve this?



(not back up enough i guess...) ugh. Go back up some stuff right now my friends...

sad.

so... its almost 1:00am in the morning... it technically is saturday. I have been up all night trying to figure out what happened to my sad computer. This afternoon it died. and it hasn't been fun. I know, it's all about backup. and well... i have some things backed up. but not all. and so I'm sad. so. very. sad. I've been running all sorts of diagnostics, installers, re-installers, disk warriors... (sigh)... outlook is currently grim. I'm writing this on a different computer. light a candle for me my friends...

(drawing by Julia Icenogle at The Bagel-Juice Lion) Check out her other cute pieces!

TGIF video: Superchicken vs. The Easter Bunny

"...you knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred."

collections

The latest O at Home magazine has this editorial piece on designer's collections. I love that they featured Maira Kalman (love her) and also love the weird bird pieces of Tom Filicia. Being a packrat myself, I have a ton of collections too all throughout my place. My latest one was just installed over the weekend. I picked up one of these shelf-y thingy's and put it amongst the paintings and art that line my stairwell. Now my Jonathan Adler pieces I got last fall have a home!Here are some other collections I have going on...

Toys in my orange case....More toys in my library downstairs...White vases on top of the shelving in the downstairs bedroom...(I have more but I don't want to scare anyone at how much crap stuff I keep, hehe)

If you enjoy looking at collections, Poppytalk has been doing a fantastic series of collection roundups of other bloggers- check 'em out here (look on the left sidebar tab)...

star wars vs. saul bass

"If Star Wars was filmed two decades earlier and Saul Bass did the opening title sequence, it might look like this..."

(via Core 77)

Airborne?

Wow. I'm kind of sad and shocked. Seriously, I've been using Airborne for the past few years and it could be just luck, or maybe nothing, but I feel like it works for me. I mean, I know it's really just Vitamin C and some other herb things, and I know it doesn't "get rid of a cold in an hour-" but I feel it helps it pass faster too. I'm sure it's just more a mental thing as well- Maybe it really isn't doing anything at all- Apparently there's big controversy over it and the company is going to have to pay $$$$ for it- like 23 million dollars... Watch the link here. Read it here. Have any of you used Airborne? A lot of people are sick right now- what are you using to fight against it?

bowl of aqua eggs!

This image is of a Easter table spread from the March 08 Better Homes and Garden (I can't believe it's already Easter time! Easter is in March this year right?) The bowl of aqua dyed eggs makes me happy.

blue munday: china blue + "moonlight vases" at Crate and Barrel

Mmmmmm.... doesn't this image look so yummy? It's from the February 08 Martha Stewart Living and it's got me 1) hungry and 2) inspired about all the China blue things in decor world right now. It feels really fresh right now and kind of goes with all sorts of colors. Perhaps it's the new chocolate brown? Anyway, keeping in theme, I'm also loving this set of vases at Crate & Barrel. Called "Moonlight vases," I like the modern twist they did with the traditional Japanese motifs. I just wish they sold them individually...