Archive for January, 2007

1.31.07Stella Im Hultberg

Christine wrote about Stella’s work here on decor8 in early August, 2006. Somehow, the post cannot be found (although blogger shows it was published). Anyway, I wanted to post this again since Stella recently added new color prints and I think they’re just gorgeous. At $20, you can collect several. They can be found right here. Here’s the original post from August ’06 written by Miss Christine below (who now writes for the Boston Weekly Dig). Enjoy!

The ink sketches and watercolour paintings by Stella Im Hultberg perfectly exude the sad, sophisticated energy of the postmodern ingenue. Women pout with seductively disillusioned lips; limb-entwined couples wait in silence for a sadder truth. Every character is shadowed, stained, and soiled with glamour.

Stella broadcasts art updates at her art livejournal, and her daily report covers all sorts of life’s delight from green tea soba salad to a mottled seashell collection.

In addition to the prints for sale on momomoogie, she boasts a design collection of wallets and shirts at art-collective-vinyl-wallet company Poketo.

In Stella’s world, the city self-reflects with beauty and sorrow alike. Your thoughts on Stella?

(images from Stella Im Hultberg)

1.31.07Alicia Bock Photography

Alicia Bock photography captivates me. I love her style, composition, and color palette. Most of all, I love her eye, the ability she has to see something beautiful in things you may otherwise overlook as you’re out strolling around.

All of her photos are magical; transporting you back to simpler times. Your 1st family trip to the amusement park, peering up at the massive ferris wheel, a mixture of excitement and fear because today was the day you’d ride it with your father (I speak from experience!). A wide open field where you ran until you collapsed with your first love, both of you promising ‘forever + ever’ as you tumbled and giggled beneath the summer sky.

Psst: She ships to international buyers, too!

Her work fits in so nicely with the naturalist look, doesn’t it?

(images from alicia bock)

1.31.07Top Design – Are You In?

The votes are in, you want to dish about Top Design after the show, so look for a weekly post here on decor8 starting tonight where you can rant and rave, praise and protect, and have some fun mingling with others to talk about each episode. Tonight is the much anticipated premiere! Yeah! Here’s a sneak peek of episode 1.

Psst: Tim Gunn is part of the mix, at least for tonight. I know, I know… How amazing is that? You have to click on over to the Bravo website and watch Tim chatting it up with Jonathan Adler, you’ll love it! I was so excited to see Tim surface again, I couldn’t wait until the next Project Runway to hear his voice, love that guy!

(image from bravo)

1.31.07Luxury Lab Linens *New*

I was thrilled when Caressa Allen, designer and owner of Luxury Lab in California, wrote in about her new line of bedding. She describes her linens as “clothing for your home” and “art for your bed”. I’d describe this bedding as one part sugar, one part spice.

I love this somewhat seductive bad girl/boy bedding for many reasons, but one that stands out is that most of these patterns would appeal to men, so if you’re a couple, you won’t strip your other half of his manhood with another sweet floral pattern. Duvet sets (complete with two shams) run at around $285.- complete.

Luxury Lab is fun, flirty, sexy (but subtle), and much thought was put into the design process, materials, and staying as environmentally friendly as possible. I mean, even a girl with crossbones on her shams has a conscience.

Thanks Caressa for introducing us to your rockin’ line!

Psst: I did my homework and discovered that Ana of OhMyGooshness recently interviewed Caressa. Get the full scoop here. Great job, Ana!

(images from luxury lab)

1.31.07West Elm Heyward Sofa – Review

Here’s a quick review of a great sofa I spotted at West Elm over the weekend. It’s called the Heyward and I’m keen on the textured tweed oatmeal ($799.-), back cushions, and the clean lines — what a great piece. It’s not only extremely comfortable, but gorgeous and very sturdy to boot.

(image from west elm)

1.30.07Furniture Galleries at Domino

Have you visited the Domino galleries lately? Be sure to catch their latest guide to chests of drawers. I just love the image below, seeing a dresser in an entryway, decked out in a pretty color (like teal), adorned with beautiful things… Well it sort of makes me weak. Having all of those deep drawers is also very handy for storage. You can neatly tuck away slippers, mittens, and outdoor gear, to office supplies, tools, wrapping paper, and sheets of tissue paper.

You see, I’ve always wanted to have an entryway since becoming a bonafide adult, an entry like the ones in my family home as a child. Ever since abandoning the nest at 19, I’ve had either long narrow hallways to welcome me, or doors that opened directly into the living space. Never a halfway point between the outside world and the living space – never a neat little entryway to call my own. That welcoming space (only complete with fresh cut flowers, a little chair, and a dresser) is where greetings are exchanged and kisses on the cheeks are given to welcome or bid adieu. It’s the one space that I miss, and desire, the most.

1.30.07Jen Renninger Illustrator + Designer

Jen Renninger wrote in about her illustrative work and I was aglow. What talent! As a freelance editorial illustrator and long time closet designer, Jen has been working on her own collection of pillows, prints, and home accessories to compliment her illustration business. I can’t wait to see her home collection because I love her style and color palette already. Her website will be up and running in a week or so (bookmark it), but here’s a sneak peak of some of her illustrative work, to whet your appetite for what is to come. This lady is one to watch.

(images from jen renninger)

1.30.07MIT OCW (OpenCourseWare)

I’ve wanted to write about this for awhile, but couldn’t figure out how to merge the topic with decorating and design… So I’ve decided to just post about it anyway because I think it’s a great resource to tap into. Especially with so many of you either working in the business world or owning your own business, I’m sure you can find topics that interest you. Anyway, Boston’s own MIT set up MIT OCW, a free and open educational resource for people all over the world who want to pull up a seat and learn. After extensive research on it (including conversations with those who have taken a few OCW courses), I can’t say enough to promote this avenue of learning. It’s great.

There are lots of great business courses, and courses on Architecture (including urban planning), and even special programs that may prove helpful to those of you interested in product development, like Prototypes to Products, a course that covers topics from prototyping techniques to materials selection, design-for-manufacturing, field-testing, and project management. There’s even a course on Pricing, a subject on the minds of so many business owners these days.

Visit MIT OCW for more information. But beware: There are lots of details to digest, so give yourself time to browse the site.

(image from mit ocw)