number lamp

Saw this "Memento" lamp in the February 2007 Japanese Elle Deco. It reminds me of the number cups I posted awhile back. These are by Tonerico. I love the lace-like quality of the shadows. I remember I saw it before in ID magazine, but it was nice to see it again. Not sure where you can get one domestically, but I guess you could contact the website for more info... numbers are cool....

Umbra concept store opening

Umbra has been a brand I find consistently produces fun, affordable, modern products for everyday living. Based off my last poll, it looks like many of you Happy Mundane-rs are residing in lovely Canada. For any in Toronto, looks like you'll be the first to get to experience the new Umbra concept store that will open this spring! It will be a huge 7000 square foot two story space wraped in translucent pink cladding, designed by John Shnier Architects and Figure 3. In addition to showcasing all of the Umbra products, it will also have a bookstore and serve as a venue for design events. It will be located in the Queen & John Streets area, so if anyone gets to see it, you'll have to let me know what it's like when it opens!

IKEA "Asker" container

Stopped by my local IKEA yesterday, to see if they had any signage or announcement about them starting to charge for bags, which I posted about on Apartmenttherapy last week. Anyway- For the past few months, I've been eyeing these ASKER pots. The picture on the packaging shows them as a flower pot for herbs and they also can be used for utensil holders. They work with the ASKER wall organizing system. They also come in a ledge version too, which I could see as being very handy in the kitchen- or even a bathroom- or work space. I couldn't find it on the US site, but they are on the UK site. Luckily, they are definitely in store (in the kitchen cabinet area)- and available in two sizes- I just love them though. I don't know what I'd do with them yet so I haven't purchased one, but the possibilities are endless don't ya think? Do any of you have one? What do you use it for?

bloom light sockets

Love these light sockets that Style-files posted today... They're by designer Mina Wu. I wish they'd make them for the US. Although, I guess if you were crafty with some paint pens, this could be a great DIY idea to add a little interest around your switchplate... just make sure you don't stick your finger (or anything IN the socket!)

Blue Munday: Kylie

Those of you lucky enough to live here in SoCal were reminded of why we live here: the fantastic weather! It was the perfect weekend to be outside... go to the beach, the pool, or just walk around in the sunshine. Speaking of which, it looks like this photo could have been shot on a beautiful weekend like we had. I give you the little (in size) but amazing, popstar Kylie Minogue. She is going to be the new spokesmodel for H&M's summer swimwear line and this is one of the promo shots. I love how it perfectly conjures up all sorts of ocean-y, water-y, clear blue-sky inspirations... and here's a few more things I've found that continue the aqua blues I mentioned recently.Top image, clockwise from left: turquoise vases from Jayson home, Loolo Ocean pillow,sky servers at Crate&Barrel
Bottom image, clockwise from left: coral vase from Anthropologie, glass Jellyfish paperweight at Zgallerie, striped umbrella by Brellabar via Blueprint #3, Dodu bed by BluDot

And finally, here's a classic Kylie number to get your Munday movin'...

lap desks

When it's not sitting on a real table, I have been placing my trusty laptop on a bent plywood bed tray. Sort of like this one.It's served me fine, but then last night I spied this little guy and just had to snatch it up. As you know I'm a faux-bois woodgrain fanatic, so of course I had to have it!It's from Target's Woolrich Kids collection. I can't seem to find it on their website, but it's $19.99 in store. Yet again, the kids department comes through with über coolness. (Or rather, I'm having a hard time "growing up!") Do you guys have a lap desk? and if so, what do you use?

Happy Mundane Birthday!!

Wow. Today is March 2, 2007. Exactly one year ago today, I posted my first Happy Mundane post. What a wacky/wonderful year it's been!

I started this blog as an offshoot to It's(k)notwood. There, we only post things that are faux bois, so I just needed an additional outlet. I wanted to have a place to document the happy things that I could see and also to appreciate some "mundane" things I think sometimes get overlooked.

To me, it's not really about where you live, it's how you live. Whether it's at a hip little boutique or at a "big box store", in the city or suburbia, or even in your very own home... in the sink... with a pile of dishes, there's beauty and value and good design all around you. It just take a second to stop and look.

I'm so thankful and honored that you've have taken the time to actually click over and check out and support my mundane musings this past year. My recent "where are you" posts have blown me away at the vast distances and locations you all are from. The interweb is the coolest! And it's been so great to connect with you, even if I've never physically met you. Humble thanks again for stopping by, and I hope you continue to visit!

mundane aesthetic: after the rain

There's that old song that says "it never rains in southern california..." so when it does rain (like it did here recently) it's always refreshing for me. I think my favorite time though, is right after it rains. Cold, grey, and but also crisp, fresh, and clean...

flowers on fire!

ok, not really, but they are in the fireplace. I spotted this interesting idea for what to do with a fireplace you're not using on the cover of the February 2007 Vogue Living (Australia). They placed various bouquets of flowers in different vases inside, which added a nice springtime burst of color. Another fireplace option I saw in the same issue was this:They filled it up completely with cut pieces of wood. I love the circular end grain pattern it gives. I wish I had a fireplace...

Blue monday: bed side vingette

It's a blue munday. yay. yipee. To cheery up and get the week started, here's a lovely blue bedside vingette. This could be a great DIY project if you happen to have an old wood side table that needs some lovin'. Painting only the outsides in a high gloss turquoise, and adding a little collection of turquoise bits on top looks so fresh. I love how they paired it with the vintage-y seafoam background wallpaper (with the chinois medallions) This was taken from Los Angeles home of Robert Willson and David Serrano, from the March 2007 House and Garden... which I notice has changed their masthead logo (again)... There's also a great colorstory trends feature inside so pick up the issue if you happen by a newstand...

Snap Cups

Over the weekend, saw this post on INV/ALT design on D*S, which featured these fun plates/platters that used recycled dishware, but it also led me to the "snap cups" that she (Angela Schwab) makes. She takes the "mix and match" concept to a whole other level! Each set comes with extra snaps and epoxy, so you can snap them anywhere, and there's all kinds of attatchments that snap to it. More info here, and get them here.

TGIF: cupcakes!

Happy friday to everyone. It's been a long week for me (even though it was short) and friday couldn't have come sooner for me. Time for cupcakes! I picked some up this morning from Mrs. Beasley's. I devoured one already... but I know you probably need one too- so you can have either mocha, mint chocolate chip, or blueberry...
(more posts this weekend...)

Butterflies Attack!

I don't have many (if any) butterflies in my home, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate their beauty. (Although, as I've mentioned, don't look toooo close at them!...) Anyway- the other day I noticed that the Isaac Mizrahi collection at Target has brought out a new design for their bedding collection. A pretty graphic pattern of scattered butterflies paired with a nice mossy green polka dot print.
And if you happen to have your bed in the same room as you eat, you could use these somewhat matching (but still goregous) dinnerware set from Anthropologie.

Bodie and Fou: bottles and plants

I'm sure many of you have seen Love is Blind's "bird on a wire" window blind (such a clever name by the way)- However, they just released these other two designs- "bottles" and "plants"- I really love these two! Would also be great for those that use blinds to cover up bookshelves or closets. Available at Bodie and Fou in mid April 2007.

Blue Tuesday: "see" blue

It feels like ages since I've actually been able to post a blue monday on a monday! (sigh) But since today feels like a monday, (even though it's tuesday) I've put together a few of the blue things that I've been seeing a lot of lately. It seems like the trend this time around is for a light warmer blue. Inspired more by sea-glass tones, which includes every shade of soft blue greens, like turquoise, aqua, and add a touch of rich peacock/indian ocean blues...

First off is the cover of the latest Domino magazine, shown above. I love the side chair paired up against that light blue wall. The following are more items that flow with this scheme...

Clockwise from top left: Angela Adams rug, Loolo- molehill pillows, flocked pillow from Pier 1 Imports, "Elsa" vases from Crate & Barrelclockwise from left: Fold bar pillow, Target Global Bazaar silk pillow, Lauren Saunders Fusion pillow
clockwise from left: glass vases and "waves" duvet cover, both from West Elm, Arne Jacobson Swan chair from DWR, Silhouette Ocean collection by Dwell

RealSimple: Fav household products & OMOP

RealSimple.com recently put up some new topics to their website, including this piece on their top 20 Favorite Household Products. One of these is also one of my personal favorites: the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. (cue sound of applause) Can I get an Amen?! When this thing came out a few years ago, I remember seeing the commercial and going- it just looks like a sponge? who cares? What intrigued me was that it said you just needed to add water. So one day I tried it out. And my cleaning world was changed forever. Apparently, the magic ingredient is the mildly abrasive melamine foam. It worked amazing on my vinyl floors and counters. I have been waiting for them to come out with a floor mop version, and lo and behold- the other day at Target, I saw they do have one!Another thing I saw while in the cleaning aisle, is that Method has come out with a new mop of its own. Called the Omop, it had really cool packaging and an interesting handle. Looks like they had a few different options for different types of floors. It looks great and as with other Method Home products, doesn't use harsh chemicals. It utilizes microfiber pads, so you can simply wash and reuse. I'm going back to get one and will give you an official HM report on how it works.

Have any of you used either of these mops? (the Magic Eraser or Omop?) Would love to hear your experiences!
UPDATE: I just noticed that NotCot and my ATLA cohort Gregory have posts on the Omop. Check them out! I'll have my own review this weekend.

JA coming to the OC!

I was watching the "watch what happens" shows on bravotv.com. Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan are hilarious. But what was really interesting was that in Part 3, in a weird cross-promotional phonecall, one of the "real housewives of orange county" cast called in, and was talking with them. Jonathan announced to her that he is opening a store in Orange County- Woo hoo! Any OC happymundaners, where do you think he'd open it? My bet is Fashion Island, since they recently opened Kate Spade, although South Coast is probably chomping at the bit to get it too... anyways... see the clip here. Also, if you saw last week's preview for Top Design, I know a lot of people were asking- what was up with Kelly Wearstler's crimped hair?! That should be interesting... They talk a little about that in the part 4 clip.

Sunny Saturday

It's a gorgeous sunny Saturday today here in OC. Speaking of sunny, I love this fantastic piece of yellow objects by Michael Cooper, which I found via DearAda's blog- which also has other really great finds and eye candy to check out!

mundane aesthetic: more tree shadows

Happy Friday! It's been one of those slow mornings where I find myself sitting at my table and just staring at the window. The shadows from my tree outside continues to fascinate me. Here are some more shots at various times in the morning (from super early to later). The first one is at 6:45am... I like how only half the window has light and shadow...by 8:00am , it's pretty bright...by 10:00am, the sun starts to move a little...AT:NY recently posted these beautiful curtains, but I think I still prefer mine...

Lots going on this weekend to share, so check back Sunday for a few more mundane musings...
Have a great weekend!

little friday

Yeah, it's still Thursday, but I'm trying to think of it as "little friday"! I spotted this on the center divider in dead-stop traffic yesterday. Nice to see someone was happy.