I'm super excited to be heading to Cali for the weekend to spend some time with the misses. I'll be in LA tonight, and then tomorrow we're going to Palm Springs to catch some end of Coachella madness. We are staying at the Ace hotel, and looking forward to putting in some serious hours poolside, even if it's supposed to be over 100 degrees. While I'm sure I'll be too lazy to blog about the stay, I'm sure you can catch some photo action on Instagram. Follow @creede for all the action. Speaking of photo's, I stole the fantastic one above from here.
Any advice for LA or PS? Hit me up in the comments.
I have a 10 day trip to Paris coming up at the end of the month, and I have spent the last couple of days frantically looking for the perfect piece of luggage to take with me. This Klein 24" deluxe leather bag has absolutely stolen my heart, and while ultimately I didn't end up picking it up, I will own one someday soon. In the meantime, you can check out some of my other favorites on Pinterest, including a number of fantastic (and affordable) Masonry bags.
So what did I end up getting? Price, size, practicality and style made the East German Garment bag (below) the best choice for me. I'll let you know how that works out.
The classic task lamp just got a major face lift thanks to Crate&Barrel. Available in 5 up-to-the-minute hues (as well as tried-and-true silver), these lights are right up my alley. What do you say? Is there room in your life for a bright fuchsia office light? How about lime?
It's been quite a while since Inhabit released any new wall flat designs, so I was surprised to see that they have not only one, but three new styles: Drift, Hive, andLuna. I've always been intrigued by these 3D wall tiles and especially love the new Luna pattern. Have any of you installed Inhabit Wall Flats in your home? How do they hold up?
There is no shortage of "exclusive" members only shopping sites that promise deep discounts. Gilt and Rue La La are two of my favorites. The one thing that is sometimes lacking is a good steady stream of products that I'm actually interested in. I'm hoping that is going to change in 2 days. Fab.com is an upcoming design online sale site with prices on some of your favorite items up to 70% off retail. Their official launch is just two days away, but if you want to get in early on the action you can sign up here. As with most of these sites, membership is free, but by invitation only. While you wait for all the great sales, make sure you check out their inspiration wall. There is some good stuff in there.
I received an email from yet another fantastic Australian designer a few weeks ago. Kristian Aus recently designed a number of coat racks and pendant lights for a new Australian brand called UNDER. With the exception of wooden Dottie Coat Rack all of the items are made of cleverly bent powder coated steel and are available in several colors.
I love the design of this beautiful chair, coffee table and screen from ITOKI Design. But what I love almost even more, is the story behind the material used.
In the 50's and 60's, Japan embarked on a nationwide effort to plant cedar trees for use in the domestic building industry. With new technologies and alternate materials, the need for cedar has declined precipitously, leaving these artificial cedar forests abandoned and decaying. Rather than clear and waste this once precious resource, the Japanese government has issued a mandate to make use of cedar in innovative ways. In Hida, a special process has been developed to compress by one third, the otherwise soft and weak cedar into sustainable strong boards. Itoki Design has partnered with Hida to imagine new and thoughtful products from this ancient yet reinvigorated material.
Back in 2008 Larry entered our Affordable Modern Kitchen contest. It looks like he has more tricks up his sleeve than making beautiful inexpensive kitchens. He does chairs too!
The Deca lounge chair was fabricated over the last 5 weeks as a student project at CCS. The chair is felted wool on foam over a plywood shell. The cushions for the piece are down filled and were sewn by my patient wife Mandi. The chair is mounted to a solid stainless steel base with rosewood feet and rear stretcher bar.
I love seeing the process that goes into furniture making, and you can see a great series of photo's at Larry's website.
Atelier Takagi represents the functional and aesthetic ideals of artist and designer Jonah Takagi. Conceived as an outlet for an over active imagination, AtelierTakagi is a multi-disciplinary design studio and workshop producing objects that require closer examination, that inspire and inform and re-contextualize our surroundings. Ultimately, we strive to make beautiful things.
Based on the New Basics table shown above, I would say they are doing a good job of making beautiful things. I love the simple straight forward materials with the pop of color from the powdercoated steel.
I recently ran across Matthew's collage-styled illustrations on Society6 and I can't get them out of my head. I suppose the only solution is to buy a print or two... Right?
I have a few weaknesses in life, felt, bentwood furniture, and my until now unconfessed obsession with headphones. I currently have a half dozen kicking around the house, and it looks like I'm going to have a couple more. Urbanears get's all the details just right. Available in a rainbow of solid colors, fabric covered cord, microphone with iPhone controls, and even a clever "zound plug" that lets you share with friends. All that for just $60. Swoon.
As I mentioned last week, we have been tempted with affordable modern prefab homes for years now. Most of the options you see are well done on the modern side of things, but come up short when it comes to being affordable. These Marmol Radziner designed prefab homes in Santa Monica seem to err on the other side. That is to say, they aren't the best looking, but at least they are affordable. 20 manufactured homes ranging in size from 384 to 1,200 square feet are being placed in Santa Monica. Individual prices range from $25,000 to $72,000. With a sub $100 a square foot price these really show the potential that prefab could bring to the market. I'm just not quite sure how everyone keeps missing the middle ground. See the slightly underwhelming pictures after the jump.
Jetsongreen has a great write up full of links and details on the project.
I know that's a mouthful, but it is what it is: a 2011 letterpress calendar coaster set. Each coaster is hand printed on a vintage letterpress and features a monthly calendar on one side and a rad design on the other. The set includes 13 coasters (one for each month, plus the "2011 cover" coaster). A pretty sweet idea, if you ask me!
I had the opportunity to watch this great documentary film over the weekend and thought: "Oh, goodness. If there was ever a film made for GrassrootsModern readers, this is it!" And you know what? I mean it. The Cool School is a fantastic (and endlessly interesting) look into the birth of the modern art movement in Los Angeles during the mid-50s to late-60s. If you're interested in art, modernism, or the history of LA, your homework assignment is to watch it this week!
I've been following Luke's work for a while now, but when I saw this recent test illustration he completed, I just had to share! Luke's intent was to "capture how alarmingly different the Guggenheim Museum looked when it landed in the boxy landscape of late 50's New York." I'd say he succeeded! Be sure to check out the rest of his portfolio right here.
I'm not an interior designer. I wish I had some sort of formal education, but instead I just go by gut feelings. That's why I love it when fantastic interior designers like Michelle Wentworth share simple, effective rules that can make our homes better places. Enter Mo + Mo Living.
Mo+Mo Living combines the pared back aesthetic of modern minimalism with a considered way of living. By sharing ideas, design, and resources we hope to inspire our readers to live more simply and to create and find beauty in the everyday. We believe in considered living and that the everyday experience is enhanced by thoughtful choices; having fewer things, investing in well-made products, simplifying our environment, surrounding ourselves with beauty, eating clean and fair food.
Full of great photo's and advice Mo + Mo Living is a must read website for any modern lover, especially those fond of minimalism. Make sure you check out their blog too.
Designer Jon Jackson fell in love with L.A. and then, as it goes, fell out of love and needed a way to break things off. The obvious solution? A series of five 10 x 23 foot billboards displaying his intentions to leave the City of Angels once and for all. Check out the whole series, including images of the actual billboards, right here.
What do you get when you combine a grey merino throw from CB2 with my favorite chair? Just my favorite Christmas present I got this year, that's all. While I got some wonderful gifts from chocolate to cheese, the one that killed it was from my dear mother. She got her craft on and added a little personalization to an already stellar throw. Perfection. In fact I'm off to go snuggle some more with my new blanky.
Show off your Eames love with this water-resistant canvas bag featuring their iconic Starburst design. Sized just right for a small laptop, the interior also sports a snazzy surprise of its own: a bold cotton lining featuring Ray Eames' Dots pattern! Available in red, khaki, and charcoal.
I'm super excited to be heading to Cali for the weekend to spend some time with the misses. I'll be in LA tonight, and then tomorrow we're going to Palm Springs to catch some end of Coachella madness. We are staying at the Ace hotel, and looking forward to putting in some serious hours poolside, even if it's supposed to be over 100 degrees. While I'm sure I'll be too lazy to blog about the stay, I'm sure you can catch some photo action on Instagram. Follow @creede for all the action. Speaking of photo's, I stole the fantastic one above from here.
I have a 10 day trip to Paris coming up at the end of the month, and I have spent the last couple of days frantically looking for the perfect piece of luggage to take with me. This 
The classic task lamp just got a major face lift thanks to Crate&Barrel. Available in 5 up-to-the-minute hues (as well as tried-and-true silver), these lights are right up my alley. What do you say? Is there room in your life for a bright fuchsia office light? How about lime?
It's been quite a while since Inhabit released any new wall flat designs, so I was surprised to see that they have not only one, but three new styles: 
I received an email from yet another fantastic Australian designer a few weeks ago. Kristian Aus recently designed a number of coat racks and pendant lights for a new Australian brand called 
I love the design of this beautiful chair, coffee table and screen from 
Back in 2008 
About:
I recently ran across Matthew's collage-styled illustrations on Society6 and I can't get them out of my head. I suppose the only solution is to buy a print or two... Right?
Hello headphone heaven! 
As I 
I know that's a mouthful, but it is what it is: a 2011 letterpress calendar coaster set. Each coaster is hand printed on a vintage letterpress and features a monthly calendar on one side and a rad design on the other. The set includes 13 coasters (one for each month, plus the "2011 cover" coaster). A pretty sweet idea, if you ask me!
I had the opportunity to watch this great documentary film over the weekend and thought: "Oh, goodness. If there was ever a film made for GrassrootsModern readers, this is it!" And you know what? I mean it. 
I've been following Luke's 
I'm not an interior designer. I wish I had some sort of formal education, but instead I just go by gut feelings. That's why I love it when fantastic interior designers like 
What do you get when you combine a 
Show off your Eames love with this water-resistant canvas bag featuring their iconic Starburst design. Sized just right for a small laptop, the interior also sports a snazzy surprise of its own: a bold cotton lining featuring Ray Eames' Dots pattern! Available in red, khaki, and charcoal.