Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is perhaps one of the most important names in international architecture. At 101 he might just be the oldest practicing architect ever. I've got a special place in my heart for Brazilian architecture, and Niemeyer is the builder of it.
Here's a great little retrospective on the work of John Lautner, architect of the famed Chemosphere. Enjoy!
[Thanks, Andrew!]
Having spare change is not a big problem for me as I rarely pay for anything with cash these days, but if you are the kind of person that usually ends up with some extra coinage in your pocket this coin storage may be heaven sent. Designed to hold your keys and whatever other random items you keep in your pocket, and be a coin bank to store those unwanted pennies it's the best of both worlds. Available in white or black with a wood bottom.
If you've been looking around for some affordable artwork, consider these fun, 60s-style mod illustrations from Spanish designer Blanca Gómez. Blanca sells her digital illustrations through her Etsy shop Cosas Minimas for about $30. If several prints strike your fancy, consider taking advantage of this offer: a set of 4 for $75!
Shop:
blancucha.etsy.com
Portfolio:
www.cosasminimas.com
I love it when people think outside of the box. For instance, why does a smoke detector have to attach right to the ceiling? What if it was a attractive orb that could be snapped onto a pendant light? Snapalarm does just that. Winner of a Red Dot design award, this is the first smoke detector I have seen that completely breaks free of the typical design. Available in black or white to fit in with your decor. So is a wart on a lamp cord better looking than a wart on your ceiling?
I like when you find a "kids toy" that appeals just as much to adults, if not more. In fact, I'm half tempted to add this to my own Christmas list - forget coffee table books, I'll take this as a coffee table toy!
About:
Infinitely restackable, Dado cubes give kids a chance to learn about building, balance, volume and color gradation in an ever-changing format. The cubes catch the interests of a very wide age range, plus, whatever form they take, these are great left lying around as a modernist sculpture. They're even a fun size-match challenge to put away. Adults will find themselves reshaping their, ahem, abstract vision of utopia long after the kids have gone to bed.
Available in pink or blue.
I can't wait to see this! Coast Modern is an independent documentary about the rise of modernist architecture on the West Coast. I haven't been able to determine a specific release date, but it is tentatively scheduled for release this fall.
About:
Filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome will take us on a journey from Los Angeles to Vancouver; from 1922 up to the present exploring modernist architecture on the West Coast. A core group of architects embraced the Coast with its particular geography and values and they have left behind a legacy of beautiful and inspired dwellings. Today, architects have picked up the thread and they continue to explore and celebrate the principles established by their predecessors.
Intimate interviews and unprecedented access to architects in the film include Arthur Erickson (Vancouver), Fred Bassetti (Seattle), Hernik Bull (Berkley), Michael Folonis (Santa Monica), Dion Neutra (Los Angeles) -son and partner of Modernist pioneer Richard Neutra- , Barbara Bestor (LA) and others. Legendary photographer Julius Shulman will also be featured along with the photographs that brought world attention to the work that has been done in Southern California. They will all share their insight into the Modernist Movement, and its relevance in our lives today.
More:
Viola Park. What sounds like a cheesy movie title about a retirement home romance, is really a new line of cabinetry from the brilliant labs of Henrybuilt. I think it would be safe to say that the majority of our readers agree that Henrybuilt makes some absolutely beautiful cabinetry. I even loosely based my kitchen design off of some photo's from their site. I also think that those same readers would agree that Henrybuilt is priced way out of their grasp. 
Enter Viola Park. Priced somewhere between Ikea and Henrybuilt, Viola Park combines the stunning clean looks and quality construction of Henrybuilt with a price point that is not completely unattainable. Sure, you'll still probably spend $10k on cabinetry for a decent sized kitchen but it just might be worth it.
I have a thing for high end audio equipment, especially anything that involves tube amps. Shown above is a beautiful prototype tube amp that was designed by Koichi Futatsumata of CASE-REAL for a Japanese electronics manufacture Elekit. While I haven't been able to ferret out any pricing yet, or even find out if this thing has gone into production, I have my fingers crossed. If if is anything like the rest of Elekits DIY tube amp kits, it promises to deliver great sound at a comparatively inexpensive price.
If anyone has more info, please let me know.
Fabulous Stationery always has a great assortment of modern designs and their new holiday cards don't disappoint! Like all of their cards, the holiday line is available in multiple colorways and is 100% personalized! Enter your own custom greeting or message for unique and memorable note cards this year!
Check out the full line of modern holiday cards here.
Personalized note cards from Fabulous Stationery: $45 for 20 cards/envelopes
The arts and architecture have always been heavily connected, and this Saturday that tradition continues. As part of the DOCOMOMO's US Tour day Salt Lake Modern is hosting an evening of Arts and Architecture in this beautiful home designed by John Sugden. John Bell, the current owner of the howe will be displaying his art and will be talking about how living in a mid-century home has changed the way he paints.
If you are looking for something to do tomorrow, make sure you check DOCOMOMO's website to see if there are any local chapters next to you.
For the Utah crowd, see Utahmodern.org or the SLModern Facebook page for more details.
GO! Pet Design's bowls and feeders are not only aesthetically pleasing, they're also eco-conscious. Whether you choose the Driftwood Bowl (handmade in Brooklyn out of locally reclaimed wood) or the Upcycle Elevated Bowl (made from reclaimed PVC pipe) you can feel even better about feeding Fido. If you've got the skills, you may even want to try creating your own version of the Driftwood.
Even though it's been almost two years since we moved into our new house we still have a lot of white wall space to fill on our walls. Whenever I see a photo like this one from Surface Flik, it makes me want to go right out and buy a nice big wall decal. The $85 for this tree decal seems like a bargain for how much visual interest it would add to my white walls, and of course since they are vinyl decals I would have the piece of mind of knowing they were easy to remove if it just didn't work.
Has any bought any large vinyl wall decals? Do you love it or hate it?
The perfect toy for your jet setting darling! The "home on the go" dollhouse is a compact little camper consisting of 13 colorful wood blocks. With over 1300 ways to arrange them, this toy lets your little one's imagination run wild! Gorgeous colors, versatile pieces and lots of creativity. Also includes 2 small felt blanket/rug/bed/landing strip pieces plus large felt roof/driveway/rug/carry-all. Wrap it up and away you go!
Available in warm or cool color palettes.
I first posted about 33 Stewart Avenue over two years ago when we first got one of their lovely prints. That print now sits over our fireplace and is a great conversation piece and one of our favorite pieces of art.
It's been a while since I have checked out 33 Stewart Avenue, and it looks like they have been busy over the last two years. They have added tons of great new prints with that same bold vectorized style, and have started printing on paper and wood in addition to their usual canvas prints.
These beautiful, eco-conscious wood toys from Idaho-based shop Little Sapling Toys are a breath of fresh air. Unlike the many plastic, battery-operated, whirling, flashing, and buzzing toys that saturate the market, these handmade toys will last generations.
About
Our family designs, crafts and tests quality wood toys from our new home in Boise, Idaho. Our goals are to make toys that will be beautiful to look at, fun to play with and cherished for generations. We hope these toys will be passed from our children to theirs. The wood used for our toys is either reclaimed or FSC Certified hardwood and is sanded satin-smooth. We use a local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish to bring out the natural beauty of the woods. Our teethers are left bare.
All the paper products and packaging Little Sapling Toys uses is recycled and recyclable. We plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold. We also participate in Idaho Green Power Program to offset our business and personal energy usage.
Wood Toys from Little Sapling Toys [Free worldwide shipping!]: $8 - $49
In Store Designer is a new video blog that has recently been started by Eric Meeks. Eric used to run a blog called Modern Self that had some great content, as well as some amazing DIY tips. His apartment was a semi-finalist on Apartmenttherapy's Smallest Coolest contest back in 2007. Needless to say, I'm expecting big things from Eric this time around. Hopefully he'll stick with it for the long run. I would love to see a steady stream of quality design video's. The first one is up on his new site, check it out and let us know what you think.
This simple, modern letterpress calendar is the newest addition from LA-based shop The Paper Thieves. Each month takes center stage in a beautiful, hand-cut walnut base. Swap out the cards as the months pass. Letterpress printed with black ink on Crane's cotton Lettra paper.
I love the simple yet bold scandinavian designs, and Bantie has some wonderful ones.
The Swedish company Bantie was founded in 2007 by Ulrika Gyllstad och Wilhelmina Wiese. The name comes from Ulrika’s favourite aunt Bantie who used to have a shop selling exquisite fabrics and exclusive lingerie.
For those handy with a sewing machine, the Scandinavian design center has cotton satin fabric available starting at just over $60 a meter. While that may not be cheap, it could be worth it if you are looking for just the right fabric. For those less handy in the sewing dept, cushion covers are available starting at $65.
Available from Scandinavian Design Center $65 - $85.
Ribbons of steel distribute magazines and the weekly news in three classic colors: red, silver, and black. Ships flat, assembles in minutes. Designed by Eva Peace, Sweden.
Helmet Stand available from PID.se: $87
