I mentioned earlier this year that I'm really into overlapping colors lately, so when I saw the Colorways iPhone 4 case, I was instantly in love. The case is made from three separate pieces that overlap in the middle. Case-Mate was nice enough to send one my way to try out and my one observation was that having a white iPhone is a must. The effect isn't even close to the same with a black one. They do send along a white piece of paper that you could use with a black phone, but I can't see that being a good long term solution.  That being said, if you have a white iPhone and like colors, this may be the one for you.

Colorways iPhone 4 case $30

Brooklyn-based artist Vince Contarino has climbed to the top of my "favorite painters" list pretty quickly.  Check out his portfolio and see which of his pieces speak to you!

LINK: www.vincecontarino.com

[via DFM]

More pics after the jump!

I've been looking at these blocks on Etsy for a couple days now, and I honestly can't believe that someone hasn't bought them yet. Tempted as I am to get them for myself, I thought I would do the nice thing and put this out there for my readers. These amazing vintage wood blocks are honestly some of the coolest blocks I have ever seen. I absolutely love the colors and the inset triangle of white and yellow. A mere $20 will get you an amazing 9 block set. Someone get this before my hand is forced.

nautical signal code flag pattern blocks $

20

DwellStudio has been on fire lately!  Apparently 2011 was their year, because just about every week they seem to be adding new products or, at the very least, announcing new products.  They've even expanded to include decorative objects, like these gorgeous ceramic vases.  Check out all their new collections here and let us know what catches your eye!

Vases from DwellStudio

Damn you Portlandia for making me never want to post anything bird related ever again. I defy you, and challenge you to not fall in love with this cheeky bird print by June Craft.

Cheeky Bird Print $8

Be still my heart. I posted about the fabulous work by Singapore based Studio Juju earlier in the year, but their new work definitely deserves a follow-up post. I've completely fallen for their Wobble and Mushrooms bowls. Made of lathe formed maples with powder coated aluminum lids, these simple containers are absolute eye candy. I want one of each of them pretty please.

Studio Juju

Lots more pretty pictures after the jump.

via Pinterest

OooOooo.... I love a good swing arm sconce, there's no denying that, but the really awesome ones tend to be out-of-control expensive.  So, when I spotted the Crane Light with its $99 price tag, I flipped my lid.  Gorgeous and reasonably priced?  SOLD.

Crane Light by Andrew Neyer available from YES: $99

[via Design Milk]

More pretty pics after the jump!

Ever since they announced that Man Men season 5 would be postponed until early 2012, I've been struggling to fill the void that's been left in my life.  So, it is with eagerness (and slight desperation) that I share these suh-weet posters by Cape Town-based design studio Radio.

Hurry up and get here, 2012!

LINK: www.madebyradio.com

[via Swiss Legacy]

I love finding Etsy shops where the artist is based outside of the united states. Eszter Schall is a graphic designer from Budakeszi, Hungary who brings a wonder folk art feeling to her prints. Her pieces are affordable, and full of whimsy and delight. Besides these wonderful prints, Eszter also has a blog devoted to her less folk inspired, but equally wonderful wedding invitations.

Eszter Schall :: I love Lawrence Etsy shop

Eszter Schall Wedding invitations

Admittedly one of the biggest perks of blogging is getting invited to fantastic press events. A few weeks ago Scion was kind enough to fly myself and several other lifestyle bloggers down to Manhattan Beach to take a peek at their new car. During the whirlwind trip I found myself talking to the singer from Devo, surfing, driving the smallest car I've ever been in, and best of all, checking out some famous SoCal Case Study houses.

Read on for the whole story, and more pictures...

First off the car. Those that know me, know that I am a bit of a car nut. In fact I've been described as having car ADD, rarely keeping one for more than a year. My personal taste leans towards european sports cars, so I admit I wasn't overly enthusiastic about driving a sub 10' Scion IQ. I did get a little more excited when I learned that Aston Martin rebranded the IQ in Europe as a luxury micro compact. Branding aside the IQ was a surprisingly comfortable and solid car for the size. Even 6' 4" Tyler from Plastolux seemed pretty comfortable in it.

Scion is an interesting brand, and puts a surprisingly large amount of effort into supporting the arts, and more grassroots style advertising. For this event they had pulled together a wide swath of lifestyle bloggers, so it was interesting to get to meet other people "in the industry". I even had the chance to make be "real life" friends with some facebook friends I've had for a while, like the lovely Erin Loechner from Design For Mankind. I have a total design crush on her...

During our dinner Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo spoke to us. I'm admittedly not that big of a Devo guy, but I did recognize him as that awkward artist from Yo Gabba Gabba! Turns out her really is an incredibly accomplished musician (outside of Devo) and artist. Go figure.

Between surfing sessions, Tyler and I rented a car to search out some of the iconic Case Study houses. We didn't have appointments for the Stahl house (Case Study #22) but the son was gracious enough to let us peek through the gate. It was AMAZING! From the street, it doesn't look like anything at all, but as soon as you poke your head through the gate you get that amazing view that Shulman captured so well.

Our next stop was the Eames Case Study house #8. It's been on my bucket list for a long long time to go and check that house out, so it was incredible to be there. They are in the process of moving the majority of the interior to LACMA for an upcoming exhibit, but the place still looked amazingly intact and original. In fact if you have ever seen the classic Eames film "Lucia Chase Vignette" it looked like nothing had changed at all in 40+ years since it was filmed.

You can see my whole Eames House photo set here....

and more pictures from the Scion IQ event here.

Don't call it an artichoke, this natural wood veneer pendant light is all pinecone!  Consisting of 56 "plates", each light ships flat and is available in four finishes: maple, beech, antiaris, and kaya.  Designed by Pavel Eekra, 2011.

Crimean Pinecone Light by Pavel Eekra: contact for purchasing info

I have absolutely no idea what I was looking for when I stumbled across these interior shots, but when I saw them I was awestruck. I especially like the stark white interior mixed in with the warm walnut table and brick accents. Located right next to the London bridge, you can rent this three bedroom apt for £2,250 a week.  Who's in?

Lot's more photo's after the jump.

Photos by Dominic French

The last couple nights the temperatures have started to cool off finally. Of course with the hint of fall in the air the first thing that my mind turns to is sitting around a fire pit on a cool night. This Cast Iron Fire pit from Design Within Reach caught my eye. It's Danish roots show through immediately. It's shape isn't all looks though, there are some clever things going on in there that make the fire burn even more efficiently. And did I mention there is a grill top option for it? Yep. Perfection.

Cast Iron Fire Bowl from DWR $465

or here for $400

These gorgeous desktop organizers are handmade by Irish designer Karolin Felix and are available in a variety of finishes.  You can buy the complete set or individual pieces (like this simpleblock pencil holder).  I love the idea of using the paper clip holders as small planters, like Karolin shows in the product photos!  Pretty clever.

Zen Garden Desktop Series: $20 - $175

[via Noodle n Thread]

Looking for something a little bit different in a wall clock? This Twemco Perpetual wall clock takes some obvious cues from the wrist watch world and incorporates an easy to read date at the top. The combination of white with red and black accents is classic and would fit right in any modern interior.

Twemco Perpetual Wall Clock

Whether you're a fan of big, bold color (like me!) or prefer things a little more on the subdued side, these salad bowls offer something for everyone.  And their large size is perfectly suited for end-of-season BBQs or mid-winter parties!  Nice.

Available from French Bull in avocado/turquoise, orange/pink, or black/white: $24

Sometimes it's the small simple things in life that make us happy. This Star stainless steel vegetable peeler from Zena Swiss sure has a lot of people talking. Word on the street is that you will never want to use another peeler again. So what does all this potato peeling bliss cost? Six dollars. Yes, just six. Skip a latte, peel a smile.

Star Peeler $6.

For the color inclined, check out the equally fantastic, color endowed Rapid Peeler.

OK people, I'm looking for some opinions. Headboards. Yay or nay?

I honestly have never really been a fan of them, and besides the MANDAL headboard from Ikea ($149) I can't think of a good looking one. I want to hear from you. Do you have one? Do you like them? Do they serve a purpose? I can see the appeal of ones with integrated storage, or clever lighting like this one from moreheadboards.com, but I've got to admit I'm coming up short on finding any sort of inspiring photo's.

Headboarders, hit me with you best shot.

Julia Kostreva's original illustrations and watercolor paintings look mighty fine as pillows, don't you think?  I'm kind of enamored with the "Knit" pattern - you can't go wrong with a pop of yellow, I say!

Pillows by Julia Kostreva: $38 - $41

P.S. Check out more of her design and illustration work here.

Anyone else find irony in the fact that the braille alphabet looks absolutely stunning? Especially once it gets a little help from Edu Barba. This fantastic signed A3 sized print is available for a mere $18 plus shipping. That is if Edu ever gets off his vacation.

Braille Alphabet N.1. $18