persian rug with duct tape

I am so fascinated by this rug spotted on a post on AT:NY- i LOVE the concept of the fluorescent and multi color strips juxtaposed with the ornate pattern. They apparently were melted onto the rug! By Studio Bertjan.

Takashi Iwasaki

I spotted saw this fantastic embroidered illustration in the July 2008 issue of British Elle Decoration. It's by Takashi Iwasaki. Check out his website for the rest of his seriously amazing work.

Design*Sponge!

As you might know, in addition to Happy Mundane, I also edit It's (k)not Wood with my friend Em. We're thrilled to be guest blogging over at Design*Sponge this week! Check us out here. (thanks Grace!)

TGIF: video break #2 Paris When it Sizzles

Oy. I'm traveling again today, unfortunately not to Paris, but I leave you with another little clip to start your weekend with and hope it's filled with "...monsters, spies, international jewel thieves, schoolmarms?, sex pots, beatniks, and Audrey Hepburn and William Holden..."

TGIF: video break- Nick Knight

directed by Nick Knight / music by Massive Attack

Lydia Pearson's home in Vogue Living Australia

How gorgeous is this cover? It's from the March/April 2008 issue, but I think it's so perfect for June! I love the mix of brights and neutrals. Interesting to note, the only thing pink in the room is the rug, but it makes such a big statement and really makes the entire place feel fresh doesn't it? Interesting how just one thing can totally make a room. I also love the unexpected hits of olives, muted greys/greens/yellow/ochres and the various wood tones.
(photo by Petrina Tinslay for Vogue Living Australia)

Lego Forks

Here's something for kids, but maybe also the kid in us? I love this Lego-ish cutlery- would be great for a picnic wouldn't it? (and who doesn't love a happy face on their fork?) They're from Trebimbi, and come in several colors (obviously we love the blue ones...) (via Cookie Magazine)

Target "Southern Influences" collection

So have you seen the latest collection at Target? It's called "Southern Influences". Back in January, I posted about how excited I was about the Global Bazaar starburst mirror, but then how disappointed I was when I actually saw it- Well this new Southern Influences collection has another attempt at an affordable Starburst mirror, and I'm happy to say they've redeemed themselves. This one is actually really nice and if I didn't already have a starburst type sculpture, I would totally consider getting this one. Here's a close up. Anyway- I'm not really sure why it's called "Southern Influences", but I did like a few things in this group. In particular... They had a total Jonathan Adler-esque ceramic horse sculpture that is cute - although I'm not too keen on the cream color- but perhaps you could repaint it? It's not on the website, but it was $14.99. Have you seen this collection? Did you see anything you liked?

Blue Munday: blue bird teapot

I am completely charmed by this little teapot. (by TerraKeramik)

Tumi Ishi upate!

So remember the Tumi Ishi wooden blocks I posted about awhile back? While at this year's ICFF, in the Umbra booth, I spied these!! They were only prototypes, but they are going to be called "Pile-On" and should be launched in October 2008 as part of Umbra's U+ collection. These were designed by Muomoru Mamoru Fukui- who apparently is part of A4, who produced the original. (thanks lacrymus!)

TGIF: video break- Serge vs. Julien

happy friday!

Julien Doré - Les Limites (3ème version)
Uploaded by Rasoukine62

Bowl of goodies

Over the weekend, I stopped by my local IKEA to see if they had that IKEA book (sadly, they did not... but I'm still looking...) I left with a little bowl of goodies. Some new napkins, and the best part, this SOMMAR chopping board that comes with a knife. So handy for picnics and outdoor entertaining! Plus, it was on sale at my local IKEA (Costa Mesa) for only $2.99!!

mundane aesthetic: "Daily Dose of Imagery"

This site is sooo awesome. Sam Javanrouh takes amazing images. Check out his site here. (image by Sam Javanrouh)

The Middletons Plate Set by Marco Cibola for Poketo

I mentioned this on AT:LA awhile back, but how awesome are these plates from Marco Cibola for Poketo?! I recently received two (Thanks Angie!) and they will definitely become new additions to the wall-o-art. I love all the textures and details within the shapes. Definite "starting point" inspiration for a room...

Dentyne Ice

Lookee here!- what is this super cool container you ask? Is it a new piece from Muji? Is it something from IKEA? Why no. It's actually the new container for Dentyne Ice Arctic Chill 60pc jars. Total impulse buy while walking down the aisles at Target. I took off the wrapper and was pleasantly surprised to see the simple shape. It's a great size too- not too small, not too big. Love the smoked grey lid that has two openings, a small one and a large one. I'm thinking could be great to re-use afterwards in the bathroom or even in the kitchen... hm...

Strawberry Whipped Sensation!

Whoo Hoo! It's time for Summer frozen treats! I've said before, I'm not master of the kitchen. However, I will full heartedly bust it out (if it appears easy enough), especially if it involves nummy-ness, like Oreos, Strawberries, and Whipped Topping... Over the weekend, I had the chance to try making the Strawberry Whipped Sensation that I was drooling over awhile back. OMG kids, its sooo good. But first, I must preface, I had to do a little... improvising. The recipe called for a 9x 5 inch loaf pan. Um... didn't have one. So while at the store I picked up two smaller loaf pans (the same kind/size that those Sarah Lee Pound cake ones come in.) And then the recipe called for 8 oreo cookie sandwiches. At the store, they only had the large pack, which just seemed waay too many Oreos... So I just picked up the smaller "snack pack" which had the mini-oreos. This was probably my downfall from perfection because I had to guesstimate how many mini-oreos make up one big Oreo?... I also cheated a little and bought a pack of frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones (I did buy one pack of fresh strawberries for garnish, but I figured the inside mixture ones would be mashed up anyways- plus they were cheaper). For the crust part, well, I think I put in too many little oreos because combined with the suggested 1 teaspoon of butter, didn't really hold up as well and was a little too crumbly. Long story short- I put it all together, divided it into two pans, and froze it all. Even though it was a little crumbly on the bottom, it was still delicious. It tasted like strawberry ice cream!- I think the combination of the CoolWhip and condensed milk does the trick. I finished off the first part, (on the blue plate)- the second half of it I put on a white plate, looks more like the picture dontcha think? That was gone pretty much as soon as I took it out of the freezer the next day.(this is a shot of the second one the next day)
Anyway- highly recommend this receipe and think it could spawn some fun and yummy variations... did anyone else try it yet?(shot of the second one like, 5 minutes later...)
Here's the link again to the original recipe.

blue munday: koi blue pillows

Following up on the whole China Blue thing, I love this Koi print outdoor pillow from Pottery Barn. If I had enough room for a big ol' cabanna lounge- This would be right there...

Why not?

I am in love with this image from a house tour of artist/designer J. Morgan Puett that was recently featured in the New York Times.

"Ms. Puett sees the refrigerator as just as valid a territory for thoughtful arrangement as any other part of the house. "It's a really fun game," she said. "It makes moving through the banalities of life stimulating."

Why not put a beautiful glass container in the fridge? (Although not so sure about the whole leaving an exposed chicken leg out...)

going nuts

New obsession. Love pistachios. Love chips. Therefore, Love these True North Pistachio crisps! Got them at Target. They were practically gone before I even got home.
yum....

TGIF: video break The Ting Tings

TGIF. dance around and bang a drum!
The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name"

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (New)
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989