Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts

BICYCLE

I'm loving these retro bicycles from Public Bikes. I'd love to have one, but let's be honest, I'd never ride it. For now I will just imagine myself riding down the street with a cool helmet and a basket holding a small dog.



BILL ZINDEL

I'm really loving the vintage inspired collage work of Bill Zindel...





MOD

When I was in LA just over a week ago, I stopped by MOCA to see the "The Total Look". A view in to the creative collaboration between designer Rudi Gernreich, model Peggy Moffit and photographer William Claxton. It was amazing and completely inspiring. I sneaked a few photos...


They had this totally fab film playing on the first level that had me mesmerized. I love the fashion, the modness and the music. So fab!

REFORM




 

Can I have one of everything at Reform Gallery, please?!

:: Evelyn Ackerman "Autumn Leaves" Tapestries by Era Industries
:: Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rocking Chair
:: "Discontinious II" tapestry by James Bassler
:: Arthur Umanoff Hanging Wall / Desk Unit for Elton

VINTAGE WISH LIST

Most of my vintage collections and stuff that I find I usually just come across while thrifting, cruising Ebay or Etsy, or some other resource. There are a few items I am always looking for, some of which are pretty elusive...


I've always loved this George Nelson desk. I really doubt I will even come across it in a thrift store or on Craig's List. It's more of a save-my-money-and-someday-buy-it-for-thousands kind of purchase.


I guess I have a thing for George Nelson, because if I ever found these sideboards/cabinets at a decent price I'd pee my pants and jump up and down like a school girl.


These Kaj Bojesen Zooline Monkeys make my heart flutter. I've always loved lighthearted and funny design, and these are definitely humorous! They are almost always on Ebay, but I guess I am not ready to spend $150 of one of them. So, I'm hoping someday I will come across one while thrifting or at an antique mall.


When people would ask me what item I am constantly looking for when thrifting, my standard answer used to be a Eames wood chair. That's not necessarily what I say now, but I'd still be really happy to find one. And a Kaj Franck Finel enamel mushroom bowl would be an amazing thrift find. But like the Zooline monkeys, I'm not really willing to shell out more than $30 for one.


Lately, I've had my eye on black Cathrinholm pieces, especially a tea kettle. A few months ago, there was a black tea kettle on Ebay and I decided not to bid. It "only" sold for $75 which is a steal compared to what the other pieces sell for. I missed my chance! Hopefully, another one will show up soon at a fair price.

What is on YOUR vintage wish list?

CHARLEY HARPER: A BIRD'S EYE VIEW

Earlier this morning, I walked up to the building where I took my design classes at the University of Cincinnati to check out the last day of "Charley Harper: A Bird's Eye View".


It was "a retrospective view of Charley Harper's career. Many never before seen works will be on view, beginning with his childhood and tracing a path throughout his career, providing a unique insight into the development of the icon maker we know today."


I loved seeing his process... there were many mock-ups/sketches with the finished piece next to it. I also enjoyed seeing his earlier works including paintings, pencil sketches of his time in Europe during WWII, and work by his wife.


These originals for Golden Books series were amazing to see in person. And the spot illustrations were great..


This was a wonderful exhibit that I was fortunate to see... and happy to see it at my alma mater.

NEW + MOD

I love the mix of old and new in this Barcelona apartment...





CARS

I am loving all the images of mod vintage cars on one of my favorite vintage/design blogs, the inspiring Analog/Dialog.




WISH LIST :: GINGKO FURNITURE

Right now on my wish list :: I am loving the retro furniture by Gingko. Check it out...



MID-CENTURY ARCHITECT JOHN LAUTNER


Mid-Century architect John Lautner would have been 100 last weekend. To Celebrate, the Lautner Foundation is hold several events between now and November including tours of some of his more famous homes.

You may already know some of his work, such as the Chemosphere house in the Hollywood Hills (show above). More photos here.


Many of his Southern California homes were used in movies, including several James Bond movies and The Big Lebowski. Check out the clips below...


DESIGN FAVORITES

I keep a folder on my computer desktop called "interior inspiration images." When I find an image I like on a blog or website, I drag it to the folder. I just spent some time sifting through it and picked out four favorite vintage inspired spaces. Enjoy...


I love a mix of styles and this room makes my heart flutter. The rug with the chairs with the painting with the table is uh-mazing.


Painting of waving bride, check. Saarinen inspired chairs and table, check. West German pottery vase, check. Spanish and North African tiles, check. Effortless Euro coolness, check.


Who doesn't love a good mix of kitschy wall art?!


Another mix I like is modern with tribal. It goes so well together and the room above is perfect. I love all those lightly stained wood stools and tables. And that awesome black wall lamp is making me melt.

AN INTERVIEW WITH INALUXE

I'm very excited to share a short interview with the amazing Kristina and Jason of the fabulous illustration studio INALUXE. If you aren't familiar with their work you will soon be obsessed after seeing their work below. Their über modtastic illustration work has been featured in magazines such as Real Living and Uppercase. Most recently they were invited to be a part of the Artists Portfolio of Prints, and the Year of Colour created by Kate Spade. Enjoy the interview!


Your work has such a mid-century modern feel. Was this a happy accident or did you set out to create this look?
It was all purely by accident - a 'happy accident' as you say.  I've always loved bold graphic patterns, and colour. My influences come more from artists like Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko than say mid century design or illustration. I've always been a little partial to Japanese art too - the space and composition of the work has appealed to me since the age of 10. Funny how we carry these things with us, and they are life changing in our art.


Where do you find your inspiration for your illustrations?
It's hard to say. It might be the texture on a brick wall, or the softness of an old wooden floor. Maybe it's a textile weave, such as linen. With regard to shapes -  that really just happens when I get the paint brushes and paint out. It's very much a journey, not so much a specific destination. It's a process of elimination alot of the time. Ten designs might get filtered down to one finished design.  But there's no guarantee!


Does your home also have a Mid-century modern feel to it?
Our home is a mish-mash of all eras.  It's more of an eclectic mix of objects and furniture from the early 1900s to today.  We have broad taste in terms of what appeals, and can't really seem to settle on one era or style. Sometimes it's awkward trying to make it all work, and fit into an interior space, but we get there. I think buying an object you love is just so natural - regardless of style. Having said that, we do own several mid century pieces that we just love.


Do you like being surrounded by vintage items?
Most definately! There's that wonderful history in a vintage piece. And on an aesthetic level they are just so beautiful, for so many reasons. The term "they just don't make 'em like this anymore..." comes up a lot.

Do you like thrifting?
Love it. I love looking for everything from furniture, home decor to fashion accessories. Jason always heads over to the books, and records. It's not often we come home empty handed.


What are some of your favorite things to collect?
I'm going through a ceramic porcelain phase at the moment. I don't collect any particular style, or designer - it's purely visual appeal for me, and the mix is diverse. It might be the colour, pattern, or the shape that draws me in. The only criteria is that they are small - sugar bowls, sake cups, tea cups, etc. Aside from this, it's anything goes, but I do love vintage fabric, particularly linen for its crispness.

Jason's record collection is varied, but usually he cherry picks the easy listening and country records one usually finds discarded at thrift stores. Books gerenally include older copies of literary classics - ie: anything by Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, and even Ian Flemming - how can you go past James Bond 007!

And we both love old reference books. ACES!

Thanks, Kristina and Jason! See more of their work at the INALUXE shop and on their blog.

TEMPORARY WALLPAPER

I've always rented and never owned. So I've never really had the option of painting my walls or putting up wallpaper. I don't mind white walls, but sometimes it'd be nice to mix things up, ya know?

I just came across these cool retro self-adhesive vinyl wallpapers by Tempaper. It was created with renters in mind; it's temporary and repositionable. It can be applied to any primed and painted surface, like walls, doors, interiors, tiles, mirrors, etc. Cool!

It's very retro and vintage inspired. Here are a few of my favorites from their collection...


ROBIN AND LUCIENNE DAY





 
Robin and Lucienne Day were post WWII mid-century British designers. Robin designed inexpensive furniture using inexpensive materials and Lucienne designed textiles for companies such as Heals.

The couple is often compared to Charles and Ray Eames. However, the Eames tended to work as a team and the Days mostly worked mostly independently. Robin’s furniture and Lucienne’s furnishings are very similar and harmonious. However, the Days are both influential figures in their own right.

As I am doing more and more quilting, I especially love Lucienne's textiles. They are very mid-century to me, yet the patterns and color palettes are timeless.

Learn more at the Design Museum website.