Here is a great little video put out by GM in 1956. While there is a lot of car content, there is also some awesome kitchen shots. If you want to know more about the video which has a small cult following, check out Wikipedia: Design for Dreaming.

I’m a pretty big fan, well zealot is probably more apt, of Marimekko. So, I’m rather excited to see the new Spring 2009 fabrics – which one is your favorite? I’m loving Karkuteillä by Maija Louekari (who is always my favorite Marimekko designer!)

Want more? Check them out here!

And a little BONUS for the true fanatics – Marimekko desktop wallpapers from AlwaysMod! Woot!

I always love the little online style evaluators that tell you what you style is. While none of them seem to be really 100% accurate, they are usually a good time. I didn’t even know that Ikea had one until yesterday, probably because it looks like they are pushing it more for business than the rest of their customer base. I put it through it’s paces last night and found out that I am 40% modern, 40% scandinavian and 20% country (that must be the Utah sneaking in).

What is your style?

Ikea Stylemeter

A lot has been going on over at Utahmodern.org the last couple of weeks. Tristan of Mid-Century Mod-ification felt the effects of the recession when he lost his job as an architect in a two partner firm. As luck would have it he was able to get a job doing contract work for Hunter Douglas, which has some pretty cool projects. Tristan were pulling for you and hope it turns into a full time gig!

Carina of Mid-century Modern Utah fame started up a blog and mused about Ethan Allen, shared some photo’s of a sweet MCM home in Provo and announced an opportunities for locals with a MCM home to get some professional photo’s taken for free. Any takers?

We’ve also had some more great people join our little community. If you’re in Utah, love design and haven’t signed up yet, head over there and sign up today.

I am really digging the work of Australian-born graphic designer, illustrator, and animator Clemens Habicht. His work is featured in a whole slew of music videos, film festivals, and various magazines, including Creative Review Magazine, The Bulletin, Antenna Music Video Showcase, and the MTV Australian Awards. Habicht’s signature style is a unique blend of cut paper, ink and gouache. Check out this short clip from the Edinburgh Film Festival:

More about Habicht: He is inspired by Roman Signer, Rodin drawings, flea markets, Chermayeff collages, birds, books and music. In his spare time he likes to build push bikes and kites and fish for squid. He is represented by the Jacky Winter Group.

It looks like Ikea may have some new goodies later this fall about the time we will be getting around to redoing our bathroom. The Ikea 365 collection is expanding and includes the GODMORGON and LILLÅNGEN collections for the bathroom. The collections contains some great double and single bathroom sinks, plus some really good looking cabinets.

I’m an especially big fan of the LILLÅNGEN sink and accessories. The chunky square lines have a nice look to them, and they make for some great storage solutions for all the junk that accumulates in the bathroom.

The last thing that I am excited about is the new pendant lights from the 365+ collection. The 365+ BRASA pendant is powder coated steel and it has an inner diffuser to create a soft light. It comes in black, red or white. White is my favorite.

The last new piece of lighting is the 365+ LUNTA which looks a little like a throwback to the MCM days. Pricing an all items is of course super aggressive as all Ikea goodies are.

You can see the whole collection and all the details, including pricing by looking at the new product 2009 flyer. Which is your favorite?

My sister came across this great Paul McCobb table and chair set on Etsy for $550. It seems like a smoking good deal on a classic table, although I’m sure the shipping from West Palm Beach would kill me. The set includes a planner group table, three side chairs, and one arm chair, all from approximately 1959. The set has been refinished and looks like it is in great condition. If anyone happens to pick this beauty up, let us know!

Table and 4 chairs on Deco Don’s Etsy page for $550.

Need something to go with all those great Valentine’s gifts you’re handing out?  Egg Press has some really fantastic letterpress cards, including a few ’sculpture cards’ that are die-cut so you can punch them out and reassemble them into little 3D objects! Very cool.  

Know of any other awesome stationers? Please share!

Valentine’s Day cards from Egg Press – $4.50 – $6

Thank you to GRM reader Jen of GreetQ for the heads up on the new sculpture cards!

Here are 30 great Valentine’s Day gift ideas – all for $50 or less! Which one would you want to a) give and b) receive?

Top Row, left to right: Josh Jakus Wine Pocket, Fauna Pico Pillow, 2d:3d Letter Holder, Hybrid-Home Print, Heath Ceramics Bud Vase
Bottom Row, left to right: Giclee Print by Jenn Ski, Cupcake Canisters, Clocky, QUEUE 2-tone Stick Lighter, Hug Salt + Pepper Shakers

Top Row, left to right: Bud – Mavis Vase, Around Clock, Diamond Ring, Loop Candelabra, Helvetica: Homage to a Typeface
Bottom Row, left to right: CAKE Profile Votive, Thomas Paul Coral Dinner Plates, I Love You text bowl, Juggling, Fauna Mini Animal Pillow

Top Row, left to right: Norman Copenhagen Swing Vase, Big Love Spoon by Alessi, Love Print, Hearty Mug, Objects of Design Book
Bottom Row, left to right: Simple Ring, iittala – Alvar Aalto Small White Vase, QUEUE Perfume Atomizer, i valentini figurine Alessi, Heartbreak print

Tokyo Flash has long been one of my favorite sites for unique watches. The recently have broadened their product range to include bags, clocks, hats, jewelry, t-shirts, lighting and design goods. With all those new different categories it seems like it would be hard to have a line as original as their watches, yet they seem to pull it off quite well. While the “fashion” items don’t get me too excited, all the design goods show off the classic simple japanese style. While some items like the Juke Tower look like they could be right out of a Muji store, others like the Erect calculator have a certain craziness that make it a classic Tokyo Flash piece. Due to the weak dollar pricing ranges between $50 – $200 on most items. It’s going to cost you if you want to be the cool kid on the block.

Available from Tokyo Flash from $50+