blue thursday: enjoying the view

Aloha!- sometimes you just have to heed the call of the island- I somehow have found myself spontaneously booking and running away for a really quick trip back to Hawaii. Posting may be a bit spotty- but I'll be back over the weekend. Just a reminder that if you're in LA, next week (thursday) is the Blog Out Loud event at Patio Culture. More details here! Be right back- the beach is calling...

continent pillows

Travel the world without leaving your sofa! Love the simple graphic-ness of these continent silos- made via batik process- Set of 3 available here.

mundane aesthetic: watermelon

hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend- Does that mean it's officially summer now? I'm so ready...

I (finally) got the hook up(s)

Awhile back, I mentioned I was looking for some sort of wall hook/coat rack to my entry situation. Well- I finally got round to figuring out a solution. It was surprisingly quite a mental journey. I started out with the intention of having just a one-piece wall mounted coat rack. I looked around the local stores and ended up purchasing this one from Umbra. However, I still wanted something above it because the wall is so high and it just felt empty. I had a small picture ledge from IKEA left over from another project, and figured I could use that. However, it just looked kind of awkward when I placed it above the Umbra piece. Then, I spotted this great DIY idea over at DesignSponge and was totally inspired. I thought about returning the Umbra piece and using a plain piece of wood as a backer and putting a couple random hooks together instead. I also was thinking to do some sort of modern paint or paper treatment- perhaps just paint half the wood white, or use grid paper... So, I was all set on doing that- went and returned the original wall hook, and was starting to look for individual hooks to try. But then I spotted these "hook up" hooks by Three by Three Seattle- and everything changed- again. I thought to myself- y'know- all I really need are three of these guys and I can call it a day. They were modern, clean, already white- and only $3.99. The original wall coat rack I got was $29.99- and I would have had to find at least 3 other random hooks for the DIY idea. That would take awhile to scout and be a major hunt- and when all completed could've ended up costing the same if not more- So I decided to scrap the DIY idea and just go with the "hook ups." It turned out to be just what I needed and I'm happy as a clam (and the total was only $12, since the ledge I already had). The ledge worked out great above and I was able to find a place for some random art pieces that hadn't found a home yet. Yay!(Whoa- Sorry- that was totally a way too long story for such a simple result! Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions)

TGIF video break: Chanel No 5

Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie) + Audrey Tautou + Chanel No 5. yes please.
(more here and here)

Blog Out Loud

Calling all of you LA based peeps, whatcha doing Thursday, June 4th, 2009? (that's in two weeks) I've been kindly asked to participate in a creative blogging discussion panel that's called "Blog Out Loud". It's being organized by Megan Arquette from Beach Bungalow 8, and Rebecca Orlov from Loving.Living.Small. If you've been thinking about starting your own blog, or interested in networking with other local bloggers, or just looking to hang out with nice peeps and mingle- this should be a fun event! Other people on the panel include Richele Silva from Richie Design, Audrey Woollen from Parcel Post (and Urbanic) and Megan and Rebecca. Oh yeah, little ol' me will be there too- (I'll be the only guy on the panel... wait... what just happened here? hehe) so if you're a local happy mundane-r- please come down and say hi! It's going to be at the awesome Patio Culture in Venice from 7:30 to 9:00pm. RSVP is needed since it's kind of a small space- so RSVP early!

Check out all the info and to RSVP here. There's also a fun blog started here.
Hope to see you there!

Target Up & Up

Wait- what's this?- really? Just read this release from Reuters- Target is changing their private label brand packaging to now be called "Up&Up"- Over at the My Private Brand blog, there's a bunch more shots of the rebranding and more info of this new look. I haven't really noticed these new rebranded products filtering in yet at my local Target, but now I definitely am going to keep an eye out- I kinda liked the original really basic packaging with the bullseye logo, but I guess the new look isn't bad either. what do you think of the new design? do you think it will make an impact or difference? (images via MyPrivateBrand blog)

parakeet pillow at west elm

aww... who doesn't love a little parakeet? ... or two... or eight... hand screened on silk, from west elm.

Oliver bath collection by Veratex

Saw this while walking through The Great Indoors- Neutrals with pops of yellow-y golds and oranges- love the chocolate uneven stripes too- great summer-y color inspiration! Available here.

martha crafts on sale

If you've been itching to do some crafting, (perhaps this long weekend?) swing by Michaels- Martha Crafts are on sale now through this Saturday May 23, 2009-

orange peel candles

what a genius idea! could be DIY inspiration for your next outdoor shindig? (although not sure how you'd get the peel to stay like that...)- Anyway, the genius behind it is David Steinurzel, for the "design for a dollar" exhibit from Pratt at ICFF- check out more student ideas at AT's coverage of this year's ICFF. (via AT)

painted sections on fence

Spotted this in the June 09 Dwell- Great detail from the wall of a Polish country house designed by Peter Kuczia. Love how only small sections of the wood fence are painted in bright contrast colors. Could be a fun way to dress up and add some interest to a fence in your yard. (original photo by Tomek Pikula from June 2009 Dwell)

blue tuesday: fish prints and sprayed rocks and shells

Aside from the pretty cover, the June 09 issue of Martha Stewart Living also has this incredible craft section with "Fish Prints and Shells" and "Pebbles sprayed on Paper." I have always loved those fish prints. There's a store in Hawaii that I always go into that has these amazing ones that this japanese artist creates. However, this DIY tutorial uses rubber fishes (who knew they had those?) and you do them on rice paper. So pretty. The photography by Ditte Isager is so gorgeous for this editorial. I totally want to try out the sprayed shell/pebbles thing NOW. Tutorials here and here. (all images via Martha Stewart Living June 2009)

Green Summer: Martha Stewart Living June 2009

I'm totally inspired by the June 2009 cover for Martha Stewart Living. The bright green colors looks so fresh! I would never usually think of it as a "summer" color- but it totally works with the wood and white and feels right for the season. You can see the rest of the house here.

slice of kleenex? Kleenex "perfect slice of summer"

Fancy a slice? Saw this tissue box during the weekly Target run today- OMG. Kudos to the Kleenex packaging design people- so much fun and so cute! Apparently just limited edition for the summer. Also comes in orange wedge and lime wedge, but the watermelon was my favorite! Have you seen these at your local store?

mundane aesthetic: super lazy sunday

hope you all had a good weekend. Pepé did...

Oi Va Voi "everytime"

happy saturday- Y'all know I love me some shredding. This video shreds too! har har...
I wonder how long it took to make this...

Oi Va Voi "Everytime" from Katarzyna Kijek on Vimeo.

wooden cutlery

perfect for a picnic or outdoor dining! available here.

Table of Contents by Paul Isabella

ooh- me likey- love the inlay detail and asymmetrical shape! (via AT)

the egg has landed

omg. my Egg just landed!! It finally went on sale. I couldn't resist. happy days...

Naive Graphics

I'm sure many of you, myself included, are influenced by the mid-century greats, such as Alexander Girard, Charley Harper, Saul Bass, Paul Rand, etc... There's a great new book out by Gestalten that documents what they are calling "Naive" graphics. There's a great quote the book sites: "The naive is a childlikeness, where it is no longer expected." Friedrich von Schiller"

Basically, the book curates an amazing collection of current graphic work from young designers that are rediscovering their techniques and themes, using silk screening, hand lettering, woodcutting, folk art, and classic typography.
All the color combinations are so inspiring! This is a must have for your collection, and reminds us that no matter what the style or era, good design is good design, and timeless.

blue friday: aqua & cream planters

beautiful coastal color inspiration- from Pier 1

UPDATE: I just stopped by my local Pier 1- and these puppies are already on sale! Reg. $25 for the set of 2- now only $18.68

cocktail tray

lovely Kippis illustrated tray from Marimekko. Available here.

wool sea urchins by Taschide

I think I've seen my future, and it needs to involve one (or more) of these knitted wool sea urchins by Taschide. Check out more of their awesome creations here.

adler salt/pepper shaker packaging

I already mentioned the Jonathan Adler whale salt and pepper shakers, and their incredible packaging- and now there's more! Check out these other ones! I love the retro-styling. So much fun! These should be out beginning of June from Jonathan Adler.

Wallspace Paul Smith

Always love seeing other people's inspirations- Wallpaper has a new feature on their site called "Wallspace", that is "part pinboard, part gallery"- current "curator" is Paul Smith- check it out here.

half pint glass creamer

available at fred flare.

green pots

love these Green Pots as shown in today's LA Times. Made from all natural rice hull and can be composted. Great summer-y colors too! (via) Available here.

Mon Oncle house!

Mon Oncle is one of my all time fave style movies. Up until now, I didn't know you could actually see the Mon Oncle House in person! Apparently, it was recreated in 2007 in Paris.OMG. need to go to Paris so I can move right in. pronto. More pics here. (via NotCot.org, via deco-design)

TGIF video break: Get Fresh at the Weekend

Woo hoo! happy friday!- it's time to "get fresh at the weekend!"
Viva 1986!


(and another one cuz the fun kept going in 1987)

"Heteroptera" book by Cornelia Hesse-Honegger

While in Seattle a few weeks ago, a friend brought me to "Half-Priced Books" (which Id never been to before.) I was strangely drawn to this one book, called "Heteroptera- The beautiful and the Other..."

Normally, most bug/insect related things creep me out. However, this book totally takes a different perspective at it. The official blurb from Amazon reads:

"Since 1987, drawing and painting directly from nature, Cornelia Hesse-Honegger has fought a one-woman campaign against the scientific establishment to show that artificial radioactivity, whether at high or low levels of fallout, is mutilating the insect and plant life that relate directly to genetic damage sustained by humans living under the same conditions. Following the path of the fallout from the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in the Ukraine in 1986, she has collected bug and leaf specimens from sites in Sweden, Switzerland, and around the Chernobyl power plant itself. She has also studied insect and plant life around Sellafield in England, and at Three Mile Island in the United States. In every case, she has produced exquisite watercolors and drawings which record the malformations and growths she has found in meticulous detail, and the beauty of her art work only makes our understanding of the damage more acute..."

The book is pretty thick and there are a ton of images. I haven't had a chance to sit down and thoroughly read through her essays- but honestly, it's all about the stunning illustrations. Here are a few more detail shots from inside the book. I got mine for $19.99 at Half Price Books, and you could probably find it used somewhere- but if you happen to pass by it- definitely pick it up- it's just incredible.

broken embraces

i am a huge fan of almodovar films. His next one, Broken Embraces, looks to be another classic winner. can't wait! (more at his blog) Here's the teaser trailer:


UPDATE! Click here for seven scenes from the movie!

Rex Ray Sm'art' car

OMG. Michael at Chronicle books spotted this Smart car all done up in Rex Ray! totally genius and awesome! See more pics here. (via Chronicle Books Blog)

garden configuration and new plant

I checked out the Spring Garden Show the other weekend- One of the exhibits that really caught my eye was this "victory garden." It was created by Annie Hall, who teaches at Saddleback College, with the help of her horticulture and design students. I love how all the raised boxes are at different angles and how they divided up the space and included the pathway. I also like how they integrated pots inside the flower beds. It all feels fresh and modern. Also, while at the show, I picked up one of these plants. "Ceropegia Linearis" or also known as "string of hearts".It was so pretty and delicate, and I love the dark colors. I still need to find a proper container for it. I'm just worried now that I'm going to quickly kill it. Anyone have one of these? Any tips?

antoine + manuel for BD Barcelona

Love Love Love this modern sideboard (called "Cabinet tout va bien") for BD Barcelona by French graphic design gurus, antoine+manuel. more images and details here. (via)

Stan Bitters: Environmental Ceramics

While at the Ace Hotel Palm Springs, one of the highlights were these large textural murals that are on each of the buildings. These awesome pieces were done by California artist, Stan Bitters. Modernism Magazine had a great feature on him awhile back (that I blogged on AT:LA), and recently, I came across his book, Environmental Ceramics.
The book documents the variety of pieces Stan created during the 60s and 70s, but what I really enjoyed are the photos of his creative process. There's tons of "behind the scenes" and "work in progress" shots that showcase just how massive many of his pieces are, and how detailed the design work. Check out these incredible bird houses! He made lots of pieces that were integrated into fountains, pools, gardens, and interior and exterior walls. The book was originally published in the mid seventies, but it's now been reprinted, and you can even get a signed copy of your own directly from his website here.
Check out more on his website.

An Ode to Blueprint

I really enjoyed Blueprint magazine. So sad that it's life was cut short. Having worked on a design driven magazine myself that also died too soon, this video is a nice tribute to all the work that goes into one. So cool that they were able to document some of it! (via SPD)

Blueprint from SPD Videos on Vimeo.

crayon rocks

I've had this torn out and lying around for awhile. The April 2009 issue of Cookie magazine featured these super cool Crayon Rocks. I wish I had these as a kid. It would have saved many a fit of frustration every time one of my Crayolas broke. Available here and here.

Palmetto Egg Chair (again)

Last year, I was obsessing over this Palmetto Egg Chair that Pottery Barn offered. The Pottery Barn store at South Coast Plaza actually had a floor model and every time I would go by it, I would go and sit in it and dream about it on my patio. Then one day I noticed it was on sale! I wavered back and forth whether to get it. Even though on sale, it was still quite a bit of money. One day, I came really close to just getting it. I went in, but then chickend out and walked away, thinking I would do one more round around the mall and then come back. By the time I came back- IT WAS GONE!? I was so sad. But then I figured, it was a sign. I wasn't meant to have it. Fast forward to this year. They brought it back again! Argh! This time, the SCP Pottery Barn isn't carrying a floor model. So I look at it online. All the time. It haunts me. taunts me...

Galleta Meadows "Creature desert" at Borrego Springs

Last weekend I went to check out the modern tour in Borrego Springs. While driving around, I suddenly came across these sculptures! Very unexpected, but so cool! Apparently they are by Ricardo Breceda, from Perris, CA. Dennis Avery, the land owner of Galleta Meadows Estates, envisioned the idea of adding "free standing art" to his property. The sculptures are scattered throughout the area, and include dinosaurs, mammoths, sloths, and more. Additional sculpture are planned to be put in as well. If you ever find yourself passing through Borrego, look out for them. Here is the website. You can check out a gallery of detailed images of each of the sculptures, and you can download a map to where they are all located.

chew on this

Remember Lucky? Lucky comes and visits the office every now and then. Pepé generally comes with me every day. Since Lucky is a pretty sweet dog, we thought they could be friends. Unfortunately they are not BFF. It's not that Pepé doesn't try, it's more that Lucky just doesn't really want anything to do with Pepé. They don't fight or anything. So that's good. Lucky just tolerates him, and pretty much keeps to himself. I guess dog relationships are as finicky as human ones. But every now and then, you get a few moments of pleasant co-existence.

Kings Highway Restaurant at Ace Hotel Palm Springs

I was in Palm Springs last weekend, and was finally able to check out the Ace Hotel in person. Last time I was there, I wasn't able to go inside as construction was still going on, but this time, everything was open. I blogged about the rooms here, which are great, but the rest of the grounds, including the lobby, were equally well done. I didn't actually stay there, but I did check out the restaurant. I've actually eaten in that space before the Ace took over the hotel, and it was a Denny's back then- so to remember that and to see it now- what a transformation!- It's the perfect blend of desert rustic, natural raw edges, yet totally modern, and still paying homage to it's mid century roots. They just did it right- all the way down to the field journal style menu (which were even written with old school typewriter font)- The food is light, refreshing, and really really yummy. Perfect dining for a desert getaway. Here's a few pics of some of the food we had- Poached Salmon & Green Bean salad with tomato and basil dressing, and smoked trout flatbread- which had a base of white bean puree and wilted greens. yum!! It was so yummy, that I went back the second night! This time, tried the spaghettini, which had prosciutto and lemon, and the Chermoula marinated tuna, that had citrus tumeric couscous underneath. Also had the Jicama and kumquat salad. Of course couldn't pass up desert, sticky date pudding with ice cream! and I already mentioned the simple bottles for water and tea. Another thing I loved was the use of simple dish towels as napkins. They were just white with an aqua stripe down the middle. The one thing I regret not being able to photograph was Linda, this older campy, eclectic, and totally fabulous lady that greets everyone and sits them at the table. Her outfits alone are worth a visit, and apparently she sings too- (sadly we weren't able to witness a performance.)
EDIT: OMG! click here to see!!.
A definite recommendation next time you're in Palm Springs. Click here to see my flickr set. Click here for more info.