Archive for February, 2006

2.28.06ID Chicago

despite that it’s in a cardboard box, the top looks quite nice

TIP: If you’re not into fun and games, maybe you can simply frame these cards. Purchase a unique frame with multiple windows for photos and place your favorite Maharam images inside instead of photos.

(photo from id chicago)

2.28.06Graham + Brown

Individually hand painted acrylic on canvas starting at $25 can be yours at Graham & Brown. Offering an extensive range of art from artists and designers, along with thier own in-house design studio, they churn out a range of unique canvases that will add that extra pizzazz to your space. It is possible to have a creative decor on a budget. It may not be by-way-of [insert fine art gallery here], but budget shoppers need not sacrifice stylish interiors!

(images are all from Graham + Brown)

2.28.06Environment 337

Mmmm… Yummy

Environment 337 treats to snack on! Served up fresh out of Brooklyn, these fun tea towels, modern soap, and wooden rocking horse won’t disappoint. Get to snackin’!

or how about some super fresh mibo lamps and fun prints – aren’t these too cute?

Here’s

(all photos from Environment 337)

2.28.06Acme

Your accessories speak volumes about you. Your attention to detail. Your great sense (or not) of style. Why carry around a BIC when you can sign your next John Hancock with a flashy pen designed by Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Marco Zanini, Michele De Lucchi and others at Acme. Good pens, neatly arranged in a snappy pencil pot on your desk, add some flair to your workspace, too. They’re quite a decorative element, even a Lotta Jansdotter tote hanging casually over your chair adds flair to your space, at least in my opinion.

For some swanky pens, Acme is your place. Known as “The Swatch of the pen business”, you’ll have no problem selecting from their collection of over a hundred designs. Great business card cases, cuff links, pencil pots, and other accessories are offered by hip little Acme, too.

Target

(all photos from acme)

2.28.06Deadly Squire

Tim is a punk rocker. Anna, a painter. Together, husband and wife duo, Tim and Anna Harrington, launched Deadly Squire, a distinctive collection of products for the home that you can purchase online at the ever-fabulous Design Public.

I want that cutie dog!

(photos above from deadly squire)

2.28.06Gift Shopping…

Museums and art schools often have the best gift shops. I found a few below that I enjoyed and hope you will, too!

Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI, the

The Store@Cranbrook Art Museum, features products designed by Cranbrook Academy Alumni or Artists in Residence (look for the (*) symbol while shopping), Carl Milles‘ sculptures, Eliel Saarinen’s architecture, paper products, books, items for children, prints and clothing. All proceeds support the Cranbrook Art Museum. Cranbrook alumni include Ray and Charles Eames and Ruth Adler Schnee. The store also accepts international orders for those of you that aren’t located here in the states. Pick up the Eames Poster Print ‘Wire Chairs with Bird’ or the ‘Built NY Wine Tote’ designed by alums John Swartz and Aaron Lown. The ‘Shuey Postcard Collection’ is great for framing and the ‘bla bla Vegetable Rattle Set’ will help keep the kiddies occupied (we hope) while you’re cooking up dinner.

MFA store in Boston, look for Pantone dinnerware, French Fashion thank you notes, Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy magnents and glass from Boston area artist Josh Simpson.

SCAD online with Working Class Concepts trivet trays, Pamela Wiley pillows, Irene McCollam ceramics, Tiffani Taylor’s pottery (cute drawer pulls, pitcher and vase), along with fine art like this lovely mixed media painting on a wood panel by Carrie Christian and Woodie Webber. I *heart* SCAD!

Design Museum London
MoMA – Don’t miss their CC+ collection!
MET Museum Store
Smithsonian Store
RISD Store
The Museum Shop at the Art Institute of Chicago

(photo credits: top grouping from The Store@Cranbrook Art Museum, next grouping from the MFA store in Boston, followed by photos from SCAD online)

2.28.06coffee + cre8tive [feb 28 '06]

Hornbill loved his green-vine house in the top of the mango tree. “The jungle is peaceful here”, said Hornbill, biting on a mango seed. “We all live together quietly, as friends should.”

Today, I’m inpsired by this wallpaper print from Wook Kim, because it reminds me of Hornbill in his jungle, how I imagined him back then, living amongst the lush vines in tropical serenity. Sometimes, that’s the life we all crave, to escape, to be alone, breathe in the natural world around us, live together quietly with others, just as friends should. Then, reality hits. We have bills to pay, people to please, and deadlines to meet. Sometimes, we need to simply ‘step away from the drama’ and reflect on the simpler times. Times when our lives were less complicated, when our only concern was whether we’d arrive at the bus stop late, unable to grab a seat in the back with our friends.

I enjoy sprinkling inspiration around my space, little things that I relate to, seasoning my home with items that ground me again, pull me back to center. You must relate to this. It can be a print, a book, a cherished present from a friend.

Pause for a moment, take 5 minutes, turn down the news, shut off the ‘noise’ and just think about one place in your life when you recall feeling completely uncomplicated.

Doesn’t that feel nice?

Sitting atop my mothers lap, wearing my favorite shiny black patent leather shoes and pink gingham dress, my warm brown banana curls cascading around my face… listening intently for the thousandth time as she retold the tale of Hornbill. That’s completely uncomplicated.

(photo above from wook kim)