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!