Ahh prefab, why must you always tempt us with affordable modern architecture?
The latest eye candy I stumbled across is this attractive modern prefab cabin by a Canadian company called Karoleena. This beauty will only set you back $129,000 which sounds great until you realize that it doesn't include site work, transportation and that it is only 630 square feet small. Still, $200 a square foot isn't bad, it's just not any better than a custom architect designed home.
Jan Skácelík is a graphic designer / photographer / composer from the Czech Republic whose MCM-style prints caught my eye. (He also has a fantastic apartment that I posted about here. Oh, and an awesome blog, too!) I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite, but I figured the Star Wars fans among us would get a kick out of the prints above. Check out more of his work on Etsy or Flickr.
I absolutely love the idea of a community of modern homes. When you add in environmentally responsible and affordable I almost get all tingly with excitement. That is exactly what is going on 3 miles east of downtown Austin. The SOL Austin community of 40 homes range from 1,000 to 1,800 square feet and prices start at $190,000. Not surprisingly it looks like half the homes are already sold. Despite the fact that I'm very jealous of Austin modernists right now, it is encouraging to see attractive modern green homes being built that don't break the budget.
It's nearly Spring and this melamine dining collection from Living Factory would make a fine picnic basket staple, if I do say so. The Retro Collection includes a set of forks, spoons, or tumblers in four mod colors: pistachio, burnt orange, cream, and grey-black. What it lacks, strangely, is a set of plates.
This is a split eames-style screen comparison of two classic charles eames directed film montages, produced 14 years apart. in comparing the key eames image scenes of the manufacturing of products, between the classic mgm hollywood film - "the spirit of st. louis" in which charles filmed the plane assembly montage, and the 1970 eames office film - "fiberglass chairs", we see the eames office love for certain imagery....the mgm film is the one on the left and fiberglass chair is the one on the right.
These solid acacia bookends from Umbra are something of an optical illusion: the three bottles are actually attached to each other! Sneaky pants, I say. With the tallest bottle measuring in at just over 10 inches tall, these bookends definitely make a statement.
Ah, the power of triangles! These cardboard stools hold up to 1720 lbs thanks to the famously strong shape. With those kind of abilities, this is one occasional seating option to definitely consider! Available in white or multicolor and in two heights: 13" or 16.5".
I love simple kids toys, especially wood ones. Despite the fact that Richard Upchurch's Voice Recorders happen to have their fair share of electronics, they are still simple and straight forward.
The Voice Recorder with Pitch Control Knob has a red record button that you hold down while recording. When finished recording release the red button and press the black playback button. Upon playback turn the knob to adjust the speed/ pitch for endless fun and laughs! The record time is just over 30 seconds.
I'm loving these light blue and yellow magnetic kitchen timers from House 8810. For me they are equal parts nostalgia and modern. I shouldn't be too surprised, because I love just about everything from Kikkerland.
I only have one question: Is it available in an adult size?
About: Hut-Hut Kids is a playful reinterpretation of the rocking horse. Available in 5 FSC Certified sustainable materials (Bamboo, Black Locust, Black Walnut, Cork and Maple) or in 100% Recycled sustainable resin in 5 candy-bright colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue and Pink.
I've had a not so secret obsession with Airstream trailers for a long time now, and it's projects like this one by California architect Matthew Hofmann that motivate me to get my own. Matthew and his girlfriend completely remodeled this 1970's airstream into a mobile live + work space. It's currently parked on a beautiful view property on the southern coast of California.
$100 finders fee to the first person that can find me a really cheap airstream in Utah that I could buy. Emphasis on the really cheap part. :)
Oh goodness. I just love these cheerful illustrations from graphic designer/illustrator Helen Dardik! Everything about them puts a smile on my face, from the wonderful whimsy to the spot-on color choices. Her impressive portfolio even stretches beyond illustration to include pattern design, paintings, and toys. If you fancy her style, check out her Etsy shop for prints and original paintings.
I'm fascinated by husband wife design team, Charles and Ray Eames being my favorite. I have no idea how Lucienne & Robin Day have slipped under my radar. This amazing husband wife post war design team is like the english equivelent of Charles and Ray. Learn more about them from this fantastic excerpt of the Design Onscreen film "Contemporary Days: The Designs of Lucienne & Robin Day"
The En Suspend Clock by Pascal Tarabay may be the ultimate combination of form and function. Seriously, a wall clock and wall hook in one? Well played, Tarabay. Well played.
The separation shelf is a shelf designed for couples that live together. It is built of a 2.5 meter oak lumber with grooves every 10 centimeters and four metal supporters. In regular mode the supporters are inserted into the groves, and serves both as hangers as well as book supports that divides the shelf into different areas. When the couple separates, the supporters are used as working tools which can break the shelf into two parts each partner takes his/her share (that is not necessarily equal) of the common property.
Doomed marital bliss aside, I think it's a fantastic simple and attractive shelf. More pics after the jump.
These star grid posters by Mark Brooks are fantastic, if not headache-inducing (stare at them too long and your eyes go all wonky... or maybe that's just me). In fact, his entire portfolio is fantastic and worth a gander. Check him out on Behance, too.
Even though I grew up in rural Utah, I'm definitely a city guy. Perhaps that's my attraction to the City Towel from EVRT. Then again, maybe it's just because it looks fantastic.
About:
A hand drawn urban city scene with warm gray lines and scattered lime green rooftops, on a 100% cotton light cream towel. Printed with non-toxic water based inks. This color version is a one time run.
About a year ago, Chilewich released a line of bone-shaped pet mats for dogs, but it looks like they've finally got something for cat lovers! I love the mod fish shape (and am half-tempted to get one for my dog). Like the previous mat, these are available in eight colors: chestnut, lemon, mango, lime, platinum, carbon, glacier and wheat.
If there's one thing you can always count on from West Elm, it's their collection of white ceramics. The shapes change slightly each year or maybe they add a touch of texture, but they're always beautiful, affordable, and available! I love this new collection of mod textured vases especially, but they also have their Pure collection for those who prefer the smooth variety. While you're at it, check out all their vase collections right here.
My dad is big into knives, and keeps every kitchen knife he has fanatically sharp. While I love to cook, and have an assortment of Wusthof and J.A. Henckles knives in my drawer, I can honestly say that I have never really been too excited about a particular knife. That is, until yesterday when UPS delivered my new Kyocera ceramic knife. I bought it from GIlt a while ago, and let's be honest. I only got it because it was orange. First thing I noticed taking it out of the package is that the blade is actually white, something that's hard to see in the pictures. The second thing I noticed, is that it is wicked sharp. I mean, really really sharp. Apparently ceramic knives hold their edge much longer than steel knives, and when it does dull, you can send it back to Kyocera and for $10 they return it to you as sharp as the day you bought it. Color me impressed.
Ahh prefab, why must you always tempt us with affordable modern architecture?
I absolutely love the idea of a community of modern homes. When you add in environmentally responsible and affordable I almost get all tingly with excitement. That is exactly what is going on 3 miles east of downtown Austin. The 
It's nearly Spring and this melamine dining collection from Living Factory would make a fine picnic basket staple, if I do say so. The Retro Collection includes a set of 
These solid acacia bookends from Umbra are something of an optical illusion: the three bottles are actually attached to each other! Sneaky pants, I say. With the tallest bottle measuring in at just over 10 inches tall, these bookends definitely make a statement. 
Ah, the power of triangles! These cardboard stools hold up to 1720 lbs thanks to the famously strong shape. With those kind of abilities, this is one occasional seating option to definitely consider! Available in white or multicolor and in two heights: 13" or 16.5".
I love simple kids toys, especially wood ones. Despite the fact that 
I'm loving these 
I only have one question: Is it available in an adult size?
I've had a not so secret obsession with 
Oh goodness. I just love these cheerful illustrations from graphic designer/illustrator Helen Dardik! Everything about them puts a smile on my face, from the wonderful whimsy to the spot-on color choices. Her impressive 
The En Suspend Clock by Pascal Tarabay may be the ultimate combination of form and function. Seriously, a wall clock and wall hook in one? Well played, Tarabay. Well played.
I could have used a couple of these last year. 
These 
Even though I grew up in rural Utah, I'm definitely a city guy. Perhaps that's my attraction to the 
About a year ago, Chilewich released a line of 
If there's one thing you can always count on from West Elm, it's their collection of white ceramics. The shapes change slightly each year or maybe they add a touch of texture, but they're always beautiful, affordable, and available! I love this new collection of 
My dad is big into knives, and keeps every kitchen knife he has fanatically sharp. While I love to cook, and have an assortment of