Almost a year ago we posted about a wind turbine that Philippe Starck had been working on. The object was to make it attractive and affordable. Unfortunately it looked like it was going to be unavailable as there has been no mention of anyone actually building it. Now it looks like the designer wind turbine might actually be more than vaporware. While the details are still pretty sketchy, it appears that the UK branch of Pramac will be producing the turbine, and according to their website it should be "available soon". There is even rumor of a new three blade vertical axis ‘Darrieus’ style turbine (shown left). We just hope that something actually gets made, and that it is close to the original rumored price of $800 – $1,200.

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This swanky desk lamp would look great in any minimal or contemporary office space. It certainly has an 80s feel, though. Something from the set of American Psycho, perhaps?

About:
Three strips of bright white LED bulbs provide all the energy efficient light you need for your tasks at hand: reading, brainstorming, composing, surfing or social networking on your computer or checking your PDA. The base glows vivid blue for mood and a modern, memorable ambiance. Plugs into an electrical outlet.

Optic Desk Lamp available from Chiasso: $78

It's hard to find a good hanging pot. Most of them come off looking like some 70's macrame´ project. This new one Plant Pod from Perch happens to not only be good looking, but very functional as well. It features an interior planter with drainage holes, and an outer dish to contain it all. And everything is hung up using a natural leather cord. Like all Perch goodies this pot is made with low-fire ceramic, non-toxic glaze; natural leather cord tanned with vegetable-based dyes.

Available from Branch Home for $98

...

I really don't know what to say. Ten arbitrary bonus points to the first person to identify all the 'parts'.  

Actual Name: M-Chair by T.M. Schmid for STRALA, 2007

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Bloom is a UK based company started by four dads who were looking to bring fresh design to the world of baby products. The Alma crib is certainly fresh. Made of wood and stainless steel, it's almost a kick back to the days before every baby item was made of plastic. The small overall footprint (19" x 35") makes it great for smaller houses/apts or even for a grandparents/second home. Not only is it small and good looking, but it also fold up to be just 9" wide. Dual mattress heights allow it to accommodate from kids from birth to 2 years. The price is $400 which isn't cheap, but is actually a lot cheaper than most of the other "designer" cribs out there.

Available from Giggle.com

I got the new 2010 IKEA catalog over the weekend, which is always an adventure. There are a ton of great new items as well as new, lower prices on some old standbys. The catalog is available online if you haven't received the hard copy yet. I'm fond of the Stockholm Figur rug (pictured/pg 236) as well as a few of the new vases and candle holders. Go check it out and share some of your favorite new pieces with us!

2010 IKEA Catalog

People have been waiting a long time for prefab to revolutionize the modern housing industry by making a modern architecturally designed home affordable. Unfortunately until now most of the modern prefab homes have been as expense to build as traditional construction. That's not to say that affordable modern prefab can't be done, just that no one (besides perhaps Rocio Romero) has done it.

Luckily there is a new kid on the block looking to shake things up. Clearspace modular homes was started to "offer affordable high-quality modern prefab housing that is sustainably focused and inspired by mid-century modern architecture and design". Sound pretty good right? It is. While they are still in the process of building their first house, base model pricing is expected to be $110- $115 a square foot, which is affordable by any standard. They have several different model to offer ranging from 400 sq/ft to over 1,500, sq/ft.

Clearspace Modular Homes.

I really enjoy these mixed-media collages from artist Leah Giberson. What begins as a digital photo of mundane suburban landscapes soon becomes something more meaningful and telling. From digital printouts, Leah works back into the print with paint and embroidery thread, and in the process discovers the essential elements and structure of each image.

Giberson explains, "The lines between the "fact" of the photographic image and the "fiction" of the paint are blurred at times, but not denied. I am not trying to hide the process, but rather, I am investigating where fact and fiction meet and how they influence and inform one another, creating a new and arguably truer story."

A comment on the facade of suburban life, perhaps. However you interpret Leah's work, you'll agree that her technique and style are well executed and unique.

Limited edition prints available from the Leah Giberson Etsy shop: $30 - $175

Last weekend we were down in Palm Springs for our third Fiesta Movement mission. Ironically we went down there looking for some Eichler homes only to find that Eichler never did any developments there. It was still an amazing trip though, we stayed at the beautiful Chase Hotel and saw plenty of gorgeous MCM homes. Most of the residential development in the 50's was done by the Alexander construction company, and you can read about it here.

More info on Palm Springs via the Eichler network

The Chase Hotel

Oh dear. Those Italians really know how to woo a girl. These modern glass tiles from Italian company EVIT are really something else. Can you just imagine a bathroom covered in those bubble tiles in clear/white? What a [gorgeous] statement that would be. Check out the full line - over 65 colors in all shapes, sizes, and sheens. www.evit-srl.it

[availability in the US is not apparent, but contact EVIT directly for purchasing inquiries]

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If you are lucky enough to be restoring a mid century modern home you know the frustration of trying to source some of the things that like original lighting and drawer pulls. My good friend Baz over at Atomic Indy recently went through such an endeavor and happily stumbled across Rejuvenation, an online store that focuses on "classic american lighting and hardware". To share his excitement he is giving away $300 of goodies to rejuvenation. All you have to do is leave a comment on his site about what you would get with it. Believe me, the odds of winning are WAY better than Vegas and the prize much better. I actually received a sample of drawer pulls a while ago and I can vouch for the quality of them.

Head over to Atomic Indy for all the details, and let us know if you win!

These delightful letterpress prints from Etsy shop Lulu Dee are so cheery and playful with their mid-century vibe. Each 11x14 print is hand printed on a Vandercook proof press and is available signed and numbered as part of a limited edition.

About:
Lulu Dee is the brainchild of Laura Bachman Carignan, a graphic designer based out of Portland, Oregon. Over the past year she has been honing her letterpress skills, the results of which, you'll agree, are fantastic! Laura currently lives in a 1952 mid-century modern ranch house with her husband and their beagle and tabby cat.

Mod letterpress prints from Lulu Dee: $8 - $35

The first thing I thought when I saw these Cabanne modular spaces was that they looked an awful lot like those cheap portable carports with a rainscreen put on them. I say that as a good thing though, because I love the idea of an inexpensive and attractive semi-portable source of shade. The Cabanne was designed by architectural firm Bestetti Associati in collaboration with furniture manufacture Paola Lenit, and is a "modular system, allowing for endless possible architectural solutions tailored to the spaces, the situations, the requirements”.

Made of steel and iroko wood (similar to a teak) the structure is probably neither affordable or portable, but what if you were to add a rainscreen to affordable steel carport? It could be a nice little outdoor space for not a lot of work or money.

Loving these watches from Swedish designer David Ericsson - that copper one is a real looker!

About:
VOID Watches is a new, independent boutique watch brand launched in 2008 as the single vision of Swedish designer David Ericsson. VOID Watches has a unique take on watch design using simple yet expressive shapes, giving our watches an almost architectural expression. Just like a great building is designed to fit its environment, all VOID Watches are made to sit perfectly on your wrist.

Available from voidwatches.com - €129
[worldwide shipping is included in the price]

Jolby, a collaborative Illustration and Design studio made up of Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols, has no shortage of imagination or talent. While they have some great stuff on their Etsy shop (shown above) I am particularly looking forward to their new zine that they will be releasing early in August. According to them the zine includes;

... a heap of random nonsense ranging from one-eyed centaurs, moustached Englishmen, a sasquatch with a drinking problem, and gallons of caffeine. Captured in their first zine, this new body of work, created through their modern illustration style, invites us to explore the everyday thoughts and shenanigans of the artists.

If you are lucky enough to live in Portland, make sure you check out their show opening Aug 7th at Artful Goods. If you're not in Portland, you will have to content yourself with their Etsy goods.

A sneak preview of their new zine after the jump.

Illustrations on Etsy from $25 and up.

Zine photography by Ashley Forrette

Blame it on the hours spent reading The Boxcar Children as a little kid, but the idea of living in an old shipping container is fascinating, especially if it looks like one of these structures from IC Green, Inc. From 320 square foot studios to 2400 square foot homes, these container dwellings are excellently designed and score major points in sustainability. Aside from the recycled shipping container bones, the insides boast their own green features: radiant flooring, green (living) roof, dual flush toilets, etc. I have to say it: ingenuity at its best!

About:
IC Green is the next breakthrough in housing and sustainable green structures. Designed to be architecturally pleasing yet affordable, IC Green manufactures and pre-assembles a wide-range of structures from small backyard cabanas and office space to expansive residences.

IC Green combines the skills and design excellence from our in-house architects and builders to deliver you a fully engineered, affordable and high-quality product that exceeds most finishes of many high-end custom homes.

Learn more at icgreen.net.

West Elm has some great new assortment of random wooden objects. The birds are my favorite, and while they are not quite as good looking as the Eames house bird, they are certainly a whole lot cheaper. Made of sheesham wood, these attractive accessories range between $16 - $59.

Available from West Elm.

It's not too early to get next year's calendar, is it? If it's not (or when the time is right), consider the new offset printed calendar from Egg Press! This beautiful calendar consists of 12 colorful pages, printed front and back, with a jewel case stand included. Printed in Portland, Oregon on recycled content paper with soy-based inks.

2010 Calendar from Egg Press - $16

These lights from Softboiled are made from bent metal and then hand-dipped in colored plastic. A unique idea that I can't help but think would be a great DIY project (provided you could find yourself a vat of plastic to dip things in)!

Available from Softboiled: $75 - $85

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The family and I are heading down to Palm Springs today to check out all the amazing MCM architecture. Make sure you follow us on Twitter later today for a live tour of all our great finds.Any thing we absolutely need to see or do while in Palm Springs?