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.