Archive for August, 2007
- 8.31.07DesignMyRoom
- 8.31.07Kindergallery *New* Online Gallery for Kids
- 8.30.07Ink Shop
- 8.30.07Erin Ruth Gift Wrap
- 8.30.07One Girl
- 8.29.07Blue Bell Bazaar
- 8.29.07notNeutral *New* Pillows
- 8.29.07Urban Outfitters *New* Fall ’07
Jesse from Swatchbox Technologies told me about a new site they’ve launched called DesignMyRoom that allows you to decorate a room virtually using either your own photo or one of the rooms in their library. I haven’t tested it yet since I family here for a few days, and then friends coming in from Montreal so I’ve been running around crazy, but if you’re bored at work today perhaps you can test it out and report in on what you think. I’d love to know. :)
It works like this. You first upload a photo of your own room or select an empty room from their website. Then you decorate it by adding paint, flooring, furniture, etc. You can resize, move, and rotate objects as you see fit. Then you can opt to share it with the community at DesignMyRoom for feedback. Beyond that, I’m not really sure what other features this site offers, but I’m interested in testing the waters next week when I’m back at my desk. It looks pretty cool! Thanks Jesse for the headsup!
(image from designmyroom)
Fiona wrote to me today about her online art gallery for children called Kindergallery. Fiona splits her time between her home in Sydney and Berlin and sources for her art in Australia, Europe, and in the U.S., hand selecting what catches her eye that she thinks would make a beautiful addition to a kid’s space.
Her goal is to find art that children can grow with, works that will inspire the imagination and become a part of their visual vocabulary as they grow and develop. From original paintings to high quality prints, box art, and wall decals suitable for display in the modern home, there truly is something for every budget. I think these new works from Isak are the best, not only are they colorful and affordable, but I love the clean, modern design and the adorable animals. Kindergallery also carries work from Gr?goire Ganter, Lorena Siminovich, Superoboturbo, Meredith Gaston, and more!
I’m so happy to hear about this great gallery for kids, thank you Fiona for opening your doors to the world – I’m sure parents everywhere will love your new store!
(images from kindergallery)
The Ink Designer, or Ink Shop, is one of the best local guys on etsy in my opinion. This Boston boy (by way of Hong Kong) flat out rocks it.
Wing Ngan, the man behind the ink, is super creative and fun. He grew up in Hong Kong but relocated to Boston when he was 16 years old. He told me that he grew up watching lots of Japanese cartoons and comics, which have had a real influence on his work. By day, he works as a graphic designer at Ink Design on Newbury Street in Boston and by night, creates gocco prints, which he says, “Make me feel more alive.”
I love Wing’s modern design aesthetic, his bright graphics really pop off the page. (sigh) Finally, prints on etsy that you can give to yourself or your man friend because these are extremely gender friendly. I can see so many toy/action figure collectors out there that would find these prints completely irresistible. I have a small collection of Japanese toys, so even I qualify here. Great work, Wing!
(images from ink shop)
I’m excited to share the launch of reader Erin Ruth’s new collection of couture gift wrap, available October 1, 2007 (bookmark alert!). Each paper is available as oversized 24″ x 36″sheets (great for gifts or craft projects) or rolls (2 sheets per roll) and printed on 80# text paper with a silk finish for an ultra-luxurious feel.
The paper is high quality, in fact it doesn’t even crack when creased. If NYC had a signature gift wrap, I think it would be any of the papers by Erin Ruth. It just has that New York attitude, sophisticated, stylish, timeless. I can see tastemaker Kate Spade wrapping her presents in these patterns, especially Hannah, a darling black and white houndstooth.
I’m blogging this a month in advance of her store launch because a lot of shop owners read decor8 and Erin is looking for wholesale vendors nationwide as well as online retailers. She’s looking for any help we can give her for this budding business.
And for readers, i
f you’d like to order something you see now, Erin will gladly take your order via email: contact AT erinruth.com, just tell her you saw her on decor8. Thanks Erin for telling us about your new gift wrap company – best wishes for a happy launch!(images from erin ruth)
This aussie crafter creates some of the prettiest things in limited batches, making them even more special. One Girl is so talented, I’m always watching her store for new things because I think some of these would make the best gifts.
(image from one girl)
Blue Bell Bazaar has lots of funky finds for entertaining in her shop, Gosia just sent along some of her recent goodies and I couldn’t resist posting them. I love this vintage tray so much, I may have to break down and buy it because it’s just darling and the color is perfection.
Thank you Gosia for the updates!
(image from blue bell bazaar)
notNeutral is so L.A. with their bright colors and modern graphics, which is why I think they appeal to us no matter where we live – just owning one gives us a crack at having a little California sunshine in our own home.
And we’re in luck because when most companies are rolling out deep, rich colors in their collections for Fall, notNeutral is in eternal summer mode launching bright, hot colors and hand screened graphics in their latest designs on 14 x 18 pillows with down inserts. Aren’t these the best?
(images from notNeutral)
Urban Outfitters just added a ton of cute things for Fall over on their newly redesigned website (so much easier to navigate now), you have to check it out.
Lots of great deals and sure, most of it is geared towards the college crowd, but there’s nothing wrong with scoring a few things to mix in with your more grown up decor. And gifts, let me tell you that some of these things would be darling as gifts, especially the iGrowbot. Did you see the new clocks (owley, koala, and pengy) designed by Eleanor Grosch? This lady is all over the place!
Does anyone own any of their furniture and care to comment? I’m looking for a few reviews, as I’d love to see how well it holds up.
(images from uo)
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