We've written about Olli & Lime and their fabulous baby and kid collections before. Now it looks like they're taking this fun, retro aesthetic into new territory with the introduction of a kitchen collection. Available in 2 styles, George and Charlie, the collection consists of napkins, tea towels, aprons, and table runners. Currently available for pre-order; ships March 31st.
Spring is the season to get your green thumb on. While there are an endless number of great containers to put your plant in, I am really liking this idea of using a previously loved book and converting it to a new home for a plant. The details of exactly how to pull it off are a little vague, but I'm sure a few of our readers that are handy with a whole saw could pull it off. If you do, report back and let us know how it goes!
In 1951, American/Japanese artist and designer Isamu Noguchi started to designthe Akari Light Sculptures, a total of over 100 hand-made Shoji-paper models for table lights, standard lamps or ceiling luminaires. For the name of this lighting series he chose the word "akari", the Japanese terms for brightness, light. Vitra Design Museum Collection.
"The light of Akari is like the light of the sun filtered through the paper of shoji. The harshness of electricity is thus transformed through the magic of paper backto the light of our origin - the sun - so that its warmth may continue to fill our rooms at night." (Isamu Noguchi)
So, these aren't the cheapest lights in the world, but they're not the most expensive either. And if you've got an insatiable appetite for felt, they may just be worth the small splurge. The Felt Shade series is comprised of a floor lamp and a hanging pendant. With their organic shape and highly tactile appearance, I think these lights would bring a unique warmth to any space.
Felt Shade Lights by Tom Dixon available from YLighting: $305 Pendant / $480 Floor Lamp
In a dull Sham Wow world it's nice to see a dish towel that actually deserves a WOW! These Swedish Dish Towels are actually as good looking as they are useful. Made from earth friendly materials, 70% cellulose, and 30% cotton they are durable, and machine washable. Best of all is the price. One 8" x 7" dish towel is a modest $7.
Swedish Dish Towel from Sprout Home for $7.
JHill Design is a small design studio based out of Boston, featuring the works and creations of designer Jennifer Hill. Her current collection, entitled "Places I Have Never Been”, revolves around the drawings of many an imaginary vacation. This collection is comprised of limited edition prints, note cards, and calendars.
My favorite part of the collection is the "A Toast to.." prints, featuring dates, facts, quotes, and imagery inspired by locations from around the world. I think A Toast to Mexico and A Toast to England are particularly cool looking. Check out all the Toast prints here, including a few individual states.
Toast Prints from JHill Design: $20
I continue to be delighted by the variety of new wallpaper options that are available. Hygge & West is a new brand that Design Public is now carrying. Designed by NY based Julie Rothman, it is exactly what wallpaper should be, fun, unique and affordable.
Hygge & West available from Design Public for $105.
*angelic OOs and AHs* Did you hear that? That's the sound of a new CB2 outdoor collection! This year they've introduced a lot of new chairs, accessories, and outdoor "art". A few of my favorite items are pictured above. I really love the angles of the Sawyer Chair and the bright, glossy orange of the Tweet Bird Feeder. As always, these items are priced to please. Check out the whole collection here and report back with a few of your favorites!
Pictured:
1. Tweet Bird Feeder - $29.95
2. Maze Wall Hanging - $129
3. Igloo Chair - $149
4. Sawyer Chair - $249
5. Alpha Sculpture - $69.95
6. Swell Chair - $599
Our front door of our house opens up to our kitchen and our white rubber floors. We quickly found out that we needed some sort of runner to keep the floors clean. We currently have some boring brown Flor tiles, but I'm loving these plastic carpets from Brita Sweden. Available in a cheerful Scandinavian array of colors and patterns, these may be just the thing to infuse a little life into our white kitchen. Best of all is the modest $138 price.
Brita Sweden carpet available from the Scandinavian Design Center for $138.
I know the whole chalkboard wall trend is a little played out, but I couldn't help but think this version was pretty clever. Just mix a little water-based white emulsion with the chalkboard paint to get different shades, and voila! You're ready to paint your own giant, perpetual wall calendar! What do you think? Have you seen any other unique applications of chalkboard paint?
Image/Idea: LivingEtc
What happens when you grow up with a father who is an architectural photographer in the 50's. You become an architect and design beautiful furniture. Such is the story of Stoller Works.
Influenced by the works of Le Corbusier and Breuer as a child Evan Stoller makes beautifully crafted tables and benches in addition to designing buildings. Based out of New York, Stoller Works is making some beautiful furniture. Check out their website and flickr page for more photos.
This one goes out to all the sci-fi/horror/fantasy nerds that are hiding amongst us. Chop Shop presents two silk screened posters, each with 149 icons of Horror/Fantasy or Sci-Fi referencing generations of monsters, aliens, robots, and futuristic vehicles. A true test of knowledge for all the Sci-Fi buffs or Horror/Fantasty fans. Anyone who sees this will have a hard time resisting the urge to figure them all out! Limited edition of 50; 3 colors screened on a 14x34" sheet of 80lb paper.
149 Icons posters available from Chop Shop: $50
[OR, check out their print set offer: both of the above posters plus your choice of a smaller letterpress print: $95]
It wasn't too long ago that I posted about John Lautner, but somehow I managed to miss this amazing documentary about him. Infinite Space : The Architecture of John Lautner is available on DVD for $20.
The Roshni Light appeals to the 'rustic modern' aesthetic that seems to be a newly developing trend. With a wood base, two stainless-steel extension rods, wire clamps and a 16-foot electric chord, this light can be used as a side lamp, floor lamp or hanging lamp. It's minimal and urban and rural and modern all at the same time. Overall, quite lovely. Designed by The Home Port Collections.
Roshni Light by The Home Port Collections available from Velocity Art & Design: $150
I'm adding this idea to the list of things that I wish I would have thought of first. Designed by graphic designer and illustrator Igor “Rogix” Udushlivy the Jacket + Bookmark project takes classic book titles and creates a new jacket for them with a bookmark that is integrated into the design. Unfortunately this is one of those fabulous ideas that will never really be produced. Looks like a DIY project may be in order.
Check out icoeye.com for more from Igor.
These awesome, handmade cards are created (and stitched!) right here in Utah. I love the modern design collection, which includes everything from the ubiquitous Eames Lounger to theProuve Standard Chair. The McCobb Desk even makes an appearance! It seems Stitched has a genuine love for modern design! If you'd like to snag a few of your faves to send out to fellow design nerds (or hoard for yourself) don't hesitate. Stitched cards are only $6.
Modern Cards from Stitched: $6
My friend is selling his gorgeous Federal Heights/ Avenues Mid Century Modern home located on 291 Virginia St. Priced at just over $200 a square foot, the $700,000 price tag isn't exactly "affordable" like a lot of the content we feature here on GRM. That being said, this home is absolutely amazing and is located in one of my favorite areas in Salt Lake City.
Built in 1962 this home has a some great MCM architectural features and has been tastefully remodeled and updated in 2006. If you or someone you know is in the market for a high end classic modern home in SLC, make sure you let them know about this gem. For those not in the market, just follow the link below and enjoy the eye candy.
Kerry Beary's work is full of swanky pads, equally swanky people, and their swanky pets. That's a lot of swank, folks. Check out her Etsy shop to score an original painting or a high quality giclee, you choose!
See more at www.kerrybeary.com
Original Paintings: $500 - $725
Limited Edition Prints: $15 - $60
I'm loving these crazy looking little critters from Bholu. A little more about Bholu;
Bholu products are brought to life by traditional artisans from rural and urban communities in India. Each piece is individually hand embroidered or handwoven using ancient techniques, giving each product its own unique and original personality.
I take it those ancient techniques involve a needle and thread? Apparently all that artisian labor doesn't come cheap as is evident by the $48 price tag. Still they are cute...
Bholu stuffed critters available from Design Public for $48.
Chilewich recently introduced a line of modern pet mats in their signature basketweave material. From the picture, it looks like it would only work for smaller dog bowls. Still, I love the retro/bone shape and little puppy cutout! The cost for protecting your floors in style? Only $35! Available in 5 colors: chestnut, lemon, mango, lime, and platinum.
