j3 zine #1 now available

happy friday folks! I recently mentioned a little pet project of mine, and I'm excited to announce that it's now available online! Click here to go to the mini-site. (BTW, we're including a free handy dandy notepad to the first 100 orders.) Thanks for checking it out and for all your support!

TGIF videobreak: 12345...

TGIF!! (Special thanks to my friend Amy for today's TGIF videobreak.)

Metropolitan Home: December 2009

Flipping through the very last issue of Metropolitan Home (December 2009) was truly bittersweet. At least they are leaving us with one editorial that I'm so inspired by, the home of Marc and Melissa Palazzo. I've actually been fortunate enough to meet these to fellow Orange County (OC REPREZENT!) residents and their talents speak for themselves in their amazing home. I'm totally loving their fresh color palette and mix of modern and vintage. It's my idea of "So Cal cool". It totally speaks to me and is what I'd like my future house to be when it grows up. Check out more shots here. (photos by John Ellis) P.S. I'll miss you Met Home!

vintage tile woodcuts at CB2

It's all about texture! Love these mosaic panels made from pieces of reclaimed and recycled vintage textile design woodcut blocks. I'm thinking it would look great in an entryway, and I like how they have it shown in a living room (with a sleeper couch) too- Could also be fun inspiration for a DIY idea... available from CB2

happy 103 birthday Eva!

It's Eva Zeisel's 103 birthday! amazing. More on her here. My favorite piece of hers is the Century Sauce boat, still available here.

TGIF video break: 15 to 20

The Phenomenal Handclap Band

Ackerman Modern

Earlier this year, I mentioned the incredible exhibit currently at the Mingei in San Diego, featuring the work of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. Well, it's funny how things can happen, and just how wonderful this little world called the "blogshpere" can be. After that post, I received an unexpected surprise email from the Ackerman's daughter, Laura, and to make a long story short- I ended being lucky enough to actually meet and spend time with the Ackerman's. Fast forward a few months, and I'm proud to present to you, AckermanModern.com - the official site for the mid-century modern works of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. It's been such an honor having the opportunity to help bring this couple's endearing work to the web, allowing a whole new world to discover, enjoy, and be inspired by.I encourage you to take some time to read their story and see the wide range of work this amazing couple have created. At the heart of it all is a beautiful love story that continues today, 61 years later. There's a great quote from a recent article about them in American Craft Magazine, that sort of sums up their design approach: "They designed for people like themselves who were on a budget yet wanted to live with beautiful, well designed things." And really, isn't that what it's all about? Also, if you've been considering a trip down to San Diego soon, please please do not miss the exhibition. It closes in January 2010 so it will only be up for another month or so. You will not regret it! Check out more here.

Marcel Wanders for Target

I'm sure many of you have heard that Marcel Wanders is doing Target's Holiday collection this year. I've already started seeing pieces in my local Target! Here's a link to the online inspiration book that Marcel did that shows how the collection came about. Looks like they had a good time creating it! (via Imedagoze)

giant wood rocks by Vicente Guallart

Whoa- you all know my love for wood rocks (and here). Check out these gigantic ones by architect Vicente Guallart. Part of the new Keelung Maritime Plaza in Taipei, Taiwan. (via Monocle)

unexpected fall colors

Now that Halloween is over, seems like everyone is fast forwarding to Christmas already! However, the latest November 09 issue of Martha Stewart Living offers an unexpected color palette that can transition Thanksgiving into the Christmas holiday season. Love these two images, with the silvery muted pumpkins, (some made of fabrics!) and the purple/lavender hues mixed with naturals. Feels fresh and festive, but also warm and comforting. (photos by Don Freeman for MSL)

coin storage

I'm really liking this "coin storage" piece. Simple, minimal, but not too "design-y". The wood for the base adds a nice warm touch. Available here.

Zoetrope: All Story- Rex Ray edition

If you're a big Rex Ray fan (like I am) picked up the Fall 2009 issue of Zoetrope: All Story, which was guest designed by Rex Ray! In between all the short stories, are piece of his amazing art. Rex Ray has a background in the magazine world, and he uses magazines in his artwork, so he mentions in the irony of kind of going "full circle" designing this issue. Anyway- lots of pages of great eye candy and interesting stories as well. (after your done reading the issue, I'm thinking some of the pages could look great framed!...) More info here.

happy halloween!

Happy Howl-o-ween! from a very scary blue monster Pepé! (Actually, from a very annoyed Pepé who has a dad that dresses him up in silly costumes! hehe)

put your stamp on it

Great idea for DIY artwork, as seen in the Nov/Dec 09 Inside Out mag. Frame up some stamps! Love the look of the enlarged ones- (photo by Sam McAdam, styling by David Harrison via Inside Out)

pumpkin centerpiece- part 2- PoP Pumpkins!

As you know, I've been trying to figure out what to do with some pumpkins for this year's fall centerpiece. I ended up going all around the world and back again. Originally I wanted to do something with paint brush strokes... I envisioned some sort of color gradation- however- I realized that because the pumpkins have ridges, brush strokes weren't going to look that great... so... I moved on from that idea. Then I was going to do something all in grays tones (which I still love the idea of, but maybe next year...) Then I had this idea for fluorescent yellow. Not sure where that came from- but all the neon pop that's out there right now really grabbed me- So I thought, I'll just grab some neon paint and paint the pumpkins! Well- I ended up getting some neon poster paint and applied a coat to a small pumpkin. FAIL. The paint wasn't really sticking like I thought it would, and it wasn't very opaque. Basically it just looked gross. Like a big fat loogie on top. Bleah. So I figured maybe I needed to prime it- That's when the ever trusted "spray paint bandits" took over- I primed the area I wanted to paint, and then used a coat of fluorescent yellow spray paint after, and finally the color really popped. Then I found some tan "camouflage" spray paint, which is described as "ultra matte" (and in reality, it's ultra cool!), and did another one in the same way- I used some thin crepe paper drafting tape for the largest pumpkin, and just did a random pattern and sprayed the whole thing with white spray primer, then removed the tape- Voila! the 2009 pumpkin centerpiece! It's probably a bit more "pop" than what you'd expect traditionally for "fall"- but then, I guess I'm not exactly the most "traditional" guy, hehe- (BTW, The mushrooms were these marble ones I got a few years back from a trip to Yucca Valley. ) Are any of you also doing something "non traditional" for your Fall decor?

reflect mirror

these are some kind of awesome. I bet they'd be a fun DIY project too- however, they're also available here. (via Swissmiss)

Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight

Finally had a chance to see the documentary Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight that was on Sundance Channel. So Inspiring and wonderful. If you haven't seen it- please look out for it-

MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM AND DELIGHT: Movie Trailer - For more funny movies, click here

TGIF video break: The Spell

song stuck in my head for the day- "The Spell" by Alphabeat. Get up and dance 90's style!

TGIF- Vogue Australia Nov/Dec 2009

I love the feeling of coming home from a hard day and finding a new magazine with a gorgeous cover waiting in my mailbox. Makes me forget all the days woes. Such was the case the other night when I got the new Vogue Living (Australia). Just look at that cover! Soo soothing and makes me look forward to the weekend! Also in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue is a preview of Kelly Wearstler's new book, with some more shots of her new digs. They are so wacky and mishmash with 80's and unexpected colors. I'm strangely really obsessed with it all. (Speaking of which- have you seen the new Viceroy Miami that she just completed? check it out here and we'll discuss in a separate post.)

Have a great weekend and hope to see some of you at the sale I'll be at this weekend! (all images via Vogue Living Australia)

October 24 2009- Designer Tag Sale

Whatcha doing Saturday? Well, if you're in the mood for some fun decor shopping and you live in OC (and even if you don't!)- COME ON DOWN!! Two Vanessa-s (Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise and Vanessa Kogevinas), along with Jolene Ballard and Amanda Malson from Domicile, are hosting a super fun Designer Tag Sale that's sure to have tons of goodies- and you know what? I'll be there too! My friend Gary from Refabclinic and I will be there with some fun happy vintage things and a bunch of other great interior designers- so come on down and say hi! Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10am-2pm-
The address is here- 466 East 18th St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
NOTE: there is a $10 entry fee-
check out the blog for scoop/details, other participants, and more info- hope to see you there!

j3 Zine #1

I don't really talk much about my day job here, however, I'm super excited about a personal project we just completed. I wanted to share with you a sneak peek! It's called the "J3 Z1: At your Leisure"- It's the first of (hopefully) what will become a limited edition series. A few more images here.
More details coming soon!...

mundane aesthetic: leftovers

cous-cous + izze peach soda

Off the Wall Mini Flower Pot

I'm thinking these could add quite the nice accent to a wall. I could see mixing them in with other photos or artwork. I love how small they are and all the colors! Designed by Thelermont Hupton, they're powdercoated metal. $22 each, available here.

Kate Spade Aoyama

Kate Spade recently opened a new store in Aoyama, Japan. They commissioned artist Rebecca Ward to do some amazing installations. She used rolls of fluorescent tape to create these incredible stripe patterns. The whole store looks so chic and fun. I always love how they mix in mid century antiques in their displays. How awesome is this shot of their bags and boxes all stacked up?! All the bright happy colors is putting a big smile on my face! (All Images via Kate Spade Facebook- and here. by the way, if you're on FB, friend me! or follow my twitter.)

Paper Magazine October 2009

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm completely drawn to this cover of the October 2009 Paper Magazine. Love the weird bright pops of color in the flowers, the neutral background, their new stencil logo, the offset white blocks with type inside, and Brandon Flower's styling (shot by Elizabeth Peyton)- it all just works together and feels so fresh! Read the article here.

Calvin Klein Luster Wash rugs

ooh... If I could afford these "Luster Wash" rugs from Calvin Klein Home, I think I'd stick them on the wall as art, than on the floor- so subtle and sophisticated...

TGIF video break #2: stina persson for Replay

oooh so pretty! (via Trust Your Style)

TGIF video break: justice/let love rule

made me laugh. clever concept- wait til about 1:30 in...

Justice / Lenny Kravitz "Let Love Rule" from Alanedit on Vimeo.

studiopatró

Simple but chic designs of tea towels and napkins from Studiopatró. I'm eye-ing the "slate" and "willow" colorways... Check out more here.

steven meisel Oct 2009 Vogue italia

I know I don't usually post too much about fashion on this blog, (I do follow it for my day job), but sometimes you just can't deny the fabulousness of a true fashion moment. Case in point- sooo loving the super stylin' glamor of this editorial piece from Steven Meisel in the October 09 Vogue Italia, featuring Daphne Guinness and Tyson Ballou. It's mysterious, moody, and oh so marvelous.(more images here via Beauty Confessional)

Emmo Home now at South Coast Plaza!

OC local store post!- I blogged about Emmo Home awhile back. Over the weekend- I was excited to find out they now have a temporary showroom in über fabulous South Coast Plaza! They still have their original location (just down the street)- but this new space will give them much better visibility and exposure to a wider audience. The other location will probably act as a showroom for more of their larger furniture pieces. There's lots of fun stuff in stock and it's just in time for the holiday gift shopping season (I'm especially loving all the Banana Family line by A di Alessi pieces, and also those great Anything Design scissors.) They're located on the second floor of the Crate & Barrel/Macy's Home wing- across the bridge- in the corner space that Simon Pierce previously resided in. Please support your local modern design shop! Definitely check it out next time you're there and say Hi! Tell them Happy Mundane sent ya!