Eye Eclectic

Paris

2011-07-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

A friend just told me she is headed to Paris in the fall and I keep thinking that sounds lovely......

It makes me want to grab a striped top, scarf, sunglasses, lean slacks, some pretty ballet flats and GO!

Source: google.com via Courtney on Pinterest

Well Played

2011-07-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake and The Roots
History of Rap- Part 2

The rap songs in this medley are:
0:03 The Breaks -- Kurtis Blow
0:12 The Message -- Grandmaster Flash
0:25 Express Yourself -- N.W.A.
0:31 Bring The Noise -- Public Enemy
0:36 It Takes Two -- Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
0:53 Push It -- Salt-N-Pepa
1:07 Ice Ice Baby -- Vanilla Ice
1:17 The Choice Is Yours -- Black Sheep
1:26 Insane in the Brain -- Cypress Hill
1:36 Let Me Clear My Throat -- DJ Kool ft. Biz Markie & Doug E. Fresh
1:53 Party Up -- DMX
2:02 Hot In Here -- Nelly
2:17 In Da Club -- 50 Cent
2:34 Hey Ya -- Outkast
2:48 A Milli -- Lil Wayne
2:54 All I Do Is Win -- DJ Khaled ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain & Snoop Dogg
3:06 Teach Me How To Dougie -- Cali Swag District
3:22 BMF -- Rick Ross ft. Styles P
3:44 Just a Friend -- Biz Markie
4:42 The Breaks -- Kurtis Blow (again)

Tiger in a Jar

2011-07-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

All recipes should be this beautiful

beet cake from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

Music

2011-06-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

Documentaries on my List

2011-06-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham New York Trailer from Gavin McWait on Vimeo.

Page One

Coast Modern

Coast Modern Film Trailer from Coast Modern on Vimeo.

Vidal Sassoon

No one said this would be easy

2010-05-19T19:33:00.001-07:00

Gross Guest Bathroom Floor (Requires Smell-O-Vision)

The last time I visited this place was April 2nd. Still not getting any better at updating which may have to do with actual updates in real life. You see home improvements don't happen on their own and I have become a bit of a weekend warrior trying to pack in as many projects as possible. I don't mean to brag, but I have gotten pretty good with a power drill. Since April 2nd, I have been busy mowing the lawn weekly (a very new, but healthy additive to my life). I also learned about removing 50+ year old bushes from around my home. Luckily, my neighbor recently taught me the proper way to pickax at stumps. She even joined in on the ritual which I am highly thankful for such a kind neighbor. The calluses on my hands are still healing. I am also thankful for the gentleman I hired to remove the 50+ year old stumps with his very impressive machine. If you need a certified stump remover I've got the guy. I will gladly share his info with you.

I have plans for this yard, but it is a multi-year plan. I always feel good when I read The Brick House updates on improving the exterior of an old home. I feel some solidarity with this couple as I can understand everything described from laments to victories. I however don't think I can take on painting the exterior on my home. I am currently visiting all my possible options which may also have to happen on a multi-year plan. Only time will tell. I did get some mulch recently and I am hoping to at least cover up the massive holes left by the stumps and give the yard some semblance of trying.

On the inside, things are progressing. I have someone working on removing the smelly guest bathroom floor (don't ask it is gross). I recently painted one of the guest rooms which was inspired by a room designed by Christiane Lemieux. I hope to be able to update on this soon. I am hunting down the look for less at this very moment. In the last few weeks I have hung blinds so I no longer live in a fishbowl. I am now working to remove all the wallpaper from my kitchen and guest bathroom. I will need to secure someone to fix said walls and then I will be ready to paint them and possibly hang some curtains. It feels good to write this down and possibly hold myself too it. Hopefully more updates soon. I have lots to share.

Ranch House

2010-04-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

I said I was going to write about updating my ranch home in 2010. It is April and I have not made any entries. I need to rectify this situation. Work is happening. Change may be coming at a slower pace then I expected. I am learning the same hard lesson the rest of the country is learning "change does not come easy." It seems this house updating has created a bit of a recession in my bank account, but I digress. I will say that those broken down windows you see in this picture are no longer there. I now have airtight, double hung windows that will keep the outdoor elements where they belong outside. Since the 180 day winter (that NEVER happens here) is over it is time to start thinking about cleaning up the outside. Not sure where this journey will take me or at what rate this will be accomplished, but I am ready for the next battle. I am thinking Palm Springs Modern for my inspiration. Let the summer commence.

Broken Bells- Vaporize

2010-01-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

Broken Bells: James Mercer (the Shins) & Danger Mouse collaboration. I love the sound of a Hammond Organ. The Album officially out March 2010.

Portland or "I want to go to there"

2010-01-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

I have this town on the brain lately. The Frugal Traveler's coverage of the food cart scene might have something to do with it. I think I have some research and maybe a ticket to book in the near future.

A few places to get me started with my research (in random order):

Frugal Portland

Food Carts Portland

Ace Hotel: Portland

Design*Sponge Portland, Oregon City Guide

This is Naive: Lo-Fi Portland

NYTIMES: Saved By Design in Portland

Old China Town

Voodoo Doughnut

Little T American Baker

Give Pizza A Chance

Clyde Common

Willamette Valley

Patricia Green Cellars

Toast to 2010

2009-12-31T09:42:00.000-08:00

I completely deserted this little place marker of all the things that catch my eye in 2009. I hope in 2010 I am able to get back into documenting all the wonderful things that interest me including mid-century design as well as the 1954 gem of a home I snagged this year complete with wood paneled rooms, original bathrooms, and a vast yard that will keep me very busy come this spring. Hopefully I will document some of the updates I will be making while working to keep the original aesthetic of the home. This here is a photo of my rotating aluminum tree that I could not wait to put up this year and the beautiful bank of windows in the living room. So a toast to a new year and new beginnings in 2010 with plans to visit here more often.

Monocle has opened a shop

2009-02-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Perhaps is it bad timing, but the magazine for very expensive tastes has opened a shop in London with plans to open another in the United States in L.A.

Story in the New York Times travel section.

Blossom Dearie

2009-02-11T18:29:00.000-08:00

We lost a beautifully unique voice this past weekend. I thought it only fitting with the sentiment of LOVE in the air (and let's face it we could all use a little LOVE right now--no matter how cynical you may lean). Sit back, relax and listen to a little Dearie against the backdrop of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

These are some lovely lyrics about love. Wouldn't you agree?

If you've never been in love
And you're longing for the happiness it brings
Try your wings

If you're hungry for the sound
Of a lover saying sentimental things
Try your wings

Even the tiniest bluebird
Has to leave its nest to fly
What a bluebird can do
You can do too, if you try

If you've always had a dream
But you've been afraid that it would not come true, hitherto
Fall in love and you will find
That it's just what you've been dreaming of

A first love never comes twice
So take this tender advice
When it comes, try your wings
And fly to the one you love

If you've always had a dream
But you've been afraid that it would not come true, hitherto
Fall in love and you will find
That it's just what you've been dreaming of

A first love never comes twice
So take this tender advice
When it comes, try your wings
And fly to the one you love

Thank you Blossom for some beautiful music

I would like to "speak easy"

2008-12-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

(photo from Esquire's Best Bar's in America)

A speakeasy refers to a patron's manner of ordering alcohol without raising suspicion — a bartender would tell a patron to be quiet and "speak easy". I am always on the lookout for unique places to visit in other cities. Bourbon and Branch in San Francisco has been added to my list of must stops. Besides passing a few hours in this establishment I would not mind taking their classes on Cocktails 101, Rum, and Absinthe at their Beverage Academy.

(Photo of Russell's Room from Chow's coverage of the Tenderloin district)

Written up here.

Might have to hit Dottie's True Blue Cafe too.

I want some muscle

2008-11-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

I know this is not environmentally correct nor do I have any need to have a muscle car in my life, but I love the look of the Challenger SRT8. I spotted a creme one on the road the other day and I can't stop thinking about it. I want to drive like Bullitt for a day!

Everybody has a story

2008-11-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

More info here.

Yes We Can!!

2008-11-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

Via Funky 16 Corners

The work of real MAD Men

2008-10-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Mad Men: Smoke gets in your eyes

The New York Public library (NYPL) is currently hosting a retrospective of cigarette advertisements from the 1920's -1950's called Not a Cough in a Car Load: Images Used by Tobacco Companies to Hide the Hazards of Smoking. The purpose of the exhibit is to "tell—principally through advertising images—the story of how, between the late 1920s and the early 1950s, tobacco companies used deceptive and often patently false claims in an effort to reassure the public of the safety of their products."

If you can't visit the exhibit in person check out the catalog of images online.

Makes me want to watch Thank you for smoking again

Via ResourceShelf

Serenbe

2008-10-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Inn at Serenbe front gate

A few weeks back I had some time to waste while a waited for the dealership to fix a known defect on my vehicle for a ridiculous amount of money. I am still bitter! So with time to waste (and some hostility toward an era in which warranties or quality no longer exist) I resorted to reading the "magazines" in the waiting room that were really just advertising and marketing supplements for local businesses. I was trapped so I flipped through the glossy when I came across a three page story (I mean advert) for the restaurant the hil on the Hill 30 minutes south of metro Atlanta with much of the ingredients coming from the community farm.

I had never heard of this restaurant or the 900 acre community called Serenbe nestled within a rather large green space called the Chattahoochee Hill Country which is owned by individuals working to promote a sustainable development within a vast preserve. The Serenbe community boasts about their homes built on the land without mass grading, a biological wastewater treatment system, vast green space, organic farm and restaurants supplied by the locally grown produce. I am intrigued to check out this community for myself.

Hopefully this place will live up to all the things it boasts and does not have a manufactured feeling. I signed up for their restaurants weekly menu updates and the offerings sound very tasty. I look forward to learning more.

The Farmhouse at Serenbe

Restaurants at Serenbe

Our Health

2008-09-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Healthiest Nation - Move

The video was developed by BrightHouse, inc.

Learn more about the Healthiest Nation initiative

Personal Style

2008-08-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Photo from New York Times

Iris Apfel was recently named on to Vanity Fair's 2008 International Best-Dressed list. A woman that knows what she likes in her choice of accessories, colors, clothing, mix of fabrics and the cut of her modern coif. Apfel has a bold style that is all her own. In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute had a retrospective on her style entitled Rara Avis: Selections from the Iris Barrel Apfel Collection.

A true original--I love a woman with a style all her own.

Loved her look

2008-08-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Photos from the Associated Press (taken on October 6, 1996)

Summer's in the south are pretty unbearable. When you actually make it to August you just start to wondering how many more days until October and the fall? I have hit my wall and I am ready to wear fall clothing and to start seeing the leaves changing.

I love a fall wardrobe since the crisp air allows dressing without having to take into account the terrible heat and sweating. It makes me think of the wonderfully simple and classic clothing that Caroline Bessette-Kennedy was always photographed wearing when she entered the national stage as the wife of John F. Kennedy, Jr. I am sure she learned a thing or two about classic minimalism as a publicist at Calvin Klein. Some of her ensembles also seemed to take some notes from her departed mother-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy. She was striking with that Bergdorf blonde hair and fire red lipstick. It would have been nice to see her today and see how the look would have grown, but she is no longer here and we find other stylish women to watch. I still loved watching the style and fashion of Caroline and still covet these simple fashion choices.

The Hills Cinematography

2008-08-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Songs about buildings and food painstakingly spliced together this montage of exterior shots that have become a staple of The Hills.

Say what you will about The Hills such as it is fake, contrived or just a waste of time. Taking all the derogative comments into account (which are true) I still enjoy checking out the sleek photography of Hisham Abed. He made the reality show look and feel more like a movie first with Laguna Beach and then with the Hills. In a New York Times article in May 2006 Abed explained that he used a color tone of red and orange to signify the romance within Laguna Beach, but changed to blue and silver to express the tension on the Hills. The scenes are set through the photography and editing without ever having to use a confessional interview to tell the story. In a nutshell the show is just a pretty postcard albeit lacking any reality. The fourth season starts Monday August 18th.

Goodbye Summer & Hello Fall

2008-08-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Jeff Lewis Commonwealth home via realestatestalker

I am going to miss Jeff Lewis and his crew as well as the weekly wrap-ups from Scented Glossy Magazine. No one does it better than Ms. SGM. I would sign up for her Kanye 411 course in a heartbeat. Seriously if you have not read her rundown on Flipping Out or Housewives of New York you are completely missing out. Reading SGM is like listening to a best girlfriend talk about your favorite shows with lots of unadulterated glee!! I only hope that SGM will also be watching Rachel Zoe Project this fall and the sure to be amazing The Cho Show.

Jacqueline Kennedy's tour of the White House

2008-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy which originally aired on February 14th 1962 is available for your viewing pleasure online at the Mad Men website.

Happy Birthday Indeed!!

2008-07-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

I like coming home from work to a pile of boxes with gifts for me!

I can't believe this was in there!!!

This birthday bounty ROCKS!
I have many a thank you to make...

Eva Zeisel on 1st Dibs

2008-07-30T18:39:00.001-07:00

This photo is from a 2006 retrospective of Eva Zeisel's work at the Pratt Manhattan gallery entitled Eva Zeisel at 100: A Lifetime of Masterwork in Design.

Checkout a great online glossy article on Eva at 1st Dibs in the Creators section. 1st Dibs spotlights a great wealth of artist, designers and talent. It is all worth a long look.

Mad Men

2008-07-27T18:54:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to watching Mad Men. Last season I often forgot to turn on AMC, but this season I am going to try to never miss an episode. Loved this quote from Michael Kors on the program:

"Mad Men" is undeniably stylish—those super graphic titles, the Bernard Herrmann-esque score, the lighting…and then, obviously, I mean, the clothes. The show is like your terribly chic friend who was valedictorian. It gets you on every level."

Maggie Gyllenhaal

2008-07-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

I have been loving the looks Maggie Gyllenhaal has been sporting for the Dark Knight. I feel like she is definitely channeling Katherine Hepburn whether by accident or on purpose. She just looks so smart and sophisticated. I am so happy to see a leading lady that shows off more than a pretty party dress. Her clothes give her power and I hope more actresses follow suit.

Warner Brothers still from the Dark Knight

Dries Van Noten dress at the Dark Knight New York Premiere

I love this whole look from her appearance on the daily show from the necklace wrapped around her wrist to the dress, shoes, belt and her perfect bob. She makes me want it all!

Flash of Genius

2008-07-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

Dr. Robert Kearns was the inventor of the first intermittent wiper with an electric motor, but spent his lifetime fighting to get his invention back. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for this man every time he saw a car on a rainy day. According to the Washington Post "In his final years, he drove around in two aging vehicles: a 1978 Ford pickup and a 1965 Chrysler. Neither had intermittent wipers." Looking forward to seeing this film in October.

A Custom Handbag

2008-07-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

I recently came across the website called Freddy & Ma where you can create a custom handbag. The site allows you choose the style of the bag, fabric (~375 fabrics), leather accent color, and the hardware. Have fun playing purse designer. The prices are a bit high, but you are getting a somewhat custom bag that you had a hand in designing.

My favorite bags are the ones for evening (Hazel, Tessa Envelope, and Jiovanna). I only wish they offered a hobo style bag in there everyday options. I would also like to see the interior of these bags to see what pockets and fabric options are available. The site does have customer service assistance for building the perfect bag so I am sure these questions could be easily answered.

If you want a deal on a bag there are some bags available in the sale section of the site. It is a neat idea and I plan to keep my eye on this site as options expand. Freddy & Ma also offers customized home accessories such as pillows and plates.

More Information:
An interview with the Brother and Sister team behind Freddy & Ma
Also check out Freddy & Ma's blog to see all the places where they have been spotlighted. I wonder how I missed this until now?

Do you own Your Stuff?

2008-07-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Via Kung Fu Rodeo

This past weekend, I went to see Pixar's Wall-E and it was the first time in a very long time that I didn't feel like I wasted $10 on admission. This film is just so wonderful from visuals to storyline to message. I was prompted to give the film a chance when I saw the promotional postcards incorporating the propaganda images created during World War II and designs that came out of 1960's geometric futurism.

Grain Edit posted some more information on the artist, Eric Tan, and his terrific images to promote the film. I especially love The Future is Now! poster.

In the film people are forced off earth on a permanent vacation because the mounds of garbage they bought from Buy O Large and discarded has taken over the earth. In this theme of waste is this story about Mr. Jalopy the leader of the Maker's Movement. The mantra is to reuse and repair rather than discarding and buying more. A very interesting idea in the week Apple sold 1 million of another generation of their electronic empire and as I contemplate upgrading my IPod. Check out Mr Jalopy's biggest IPod ever and his blog to learn more about ways to stop being apart of the throw-away culture and take part in making things.

More information on Maker Movement:
Make Magazine
Maker Faire

Duffy

2008-07-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

When I heard the single "mercy" last year I found it to be a bit overproduced and didn't give it much of a second thought. Until I heard some interviews with Duffy last week on a couple of NPR shows. I was really taken by her smart personality. She was engaging and easily spoke off the cuff with the interviewer. I actually enjoyed her in studio "Mercy" performance on WFUV stripped down with a soul clap. I do wish the single sounded more like this and they kept the original video with the Northern Soul dancing (UK version). Duffy developed the songs with different collaborators including Bernard Butler, Jimmy Hogarth, and Steve Booker. I think Warwick Avenue is my favorite off the album.

I liked some of Duffy's mentions during the interview including UnChained Melody (Righteous Brothers produced by Phil Spector); Scott Walker, Classics and collectibles; Joy Division; and the Detroit Cobras (the band she would love to tour with cause "they're crazy"). She even knew the recipe to her favorite dish, Moules Mariniere, which I have to agree is one of my favorites too with red or white sauce.

The WFUV interviewer allowed Duffy to play DJ and pick the song to go out on and she picked Clarence Carter's Slip Away unfortunately they didn't play the full song just of a couple verses. I have to say I was impressed with both of her interviews and will have to give her a second listen.

**Oh and if the Detroit Cobras come to your town go see them.

Interviews with Duffy:
Duffy makes the classic sound special again on WFUV with Rita Houston
Duffy on the World Cafe with David Dye

Marais AC Chair

2008-07-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

Xavier Pauchard's Marais AC Chair is both handsome and comfortable. I had the pleasure of sitting in this chair at a local restaurant a month ago. I always assumed that the chair could not possibly be comfortable, but it was so nice and I don't recall ever feeling my ass go numb (a definite PLUS!). I would love to have a group of these chairs on my patio, but the price per chair is nothing to cough at in this economy so I don't expect to get one or more anytime soon. Unless a vintage one shows up at the local antique market for a steal.

As for the meal I had it was amazing! Hands down the best meal I have consumed in a long time. The chef, mixologist, and staff have an amazing love and knowledge for food, spirits, wine, conversation (our waiter had great advice and stories), and obviously design. You may want to know the name of this wonderful place, but I have been asked not to repeat the name of the restaurant by my dinner partner. It is greedy, but the place is just too good and we don't want to be denied another terrific meal so we are doing our part to keep this wonderful place on the down low.

See the problem is that new restaurant's in Atlanta tend to become unbearable when a buzz gets going and the word "hip" gets attached. Of course those people searching for hip will probably continue to try to get into the latest hotel bar and restaurant that seems to be the trend in this town. Which is fine by me as long as we can enjoy another lovely meal without the "hip" quotient.

**For more information on the Marais AC and other Tolix Furniture DESIGNwatcher has a great profile.

Oh My God - Ida Maria

2008-07-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Ida Maria
More videos here

Eva Zeisel

2008-07-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Eva Zeisel is a remarkable woman, designer, and ceramist that created the very first all white china set in the United States that was more about shapes and curves than decoration. Her work is well known for the curving forms. I found this short video from Todd Oldham with a quick look at her work.

Her personal story of how she ended up in the United States is something out of a novel. Go listen to her interview with NPR back in 2005. She sounds so sweet and humble when she states after sipping a drink from her own teacup "the handle could be bigger."

Raising the Curve: Designer Eva Zeisel

Eye Eclectic Simplified

2008-06-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

A visual representation of Eye Eclectic via Wordle. I could play with these beautiful word clouds all day!

The Watson Twins

2008-06-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

I loved the melodies of the Watson Twins when they were backing up Jenny Lewis on "Rabbit Fur Coat." An album full of sarcastically biting lyrics on songs like Rise Up with Fists and Run, Devil, Run backed up by these beautiful melodies and lovely voices.

I am very excited the Watson Twins are back with another album entitled Fire Songs. I especially love How am I to be which could be a dead ringer for a new single from Dusty Springfield. It definitely sounds like an album I will enjoy listening to on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels

2008-06-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

If you like soul music and you have never heard of the Numero Group then you need to get yourself acquainted. I am not talking about the soul music you have heard on the radio. I am talking about the soul music issued on small mom and pop labels with very small pressings. The records that make collectors and DJ's just itch to find. The Numero Group works to uncover these forgotten recordings. Their collection is vast and growing. The latest compilation is from Atlanta's backyard from the labels owned by Jesse Jones on the Tragar and Note Lables

"Lost for thirty years among the kudzu and Coke bottles of central Georgia, the Tragar & Note labels are the latest Numero Group unearthings to join our landmark Eccentric Soul series. Spread out over two discs, Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels is a ridiculously thorough survey of Jesse Jones' twin labels that operated out of Atlanta between 1968-1977. Ranging from southern to northern soul, classic R&B to modern, dancers to romancers, the 50 track collection chronicles nearly every sub-genre of popular black music being made at the time.

Researched with leading Georgia soul expert Brian Poust, the accompanying 32 page booklet features a dozen unpublished photos, memorabilia, label scans, and a 7000 word essay that gives a rich overview of not just these two labels, but the Atlanta soul scene as a whole."

If you are interested in learning more about the Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note labels listen to this interview on Just Off The Radar.

Design Spotlight: Eames Lounge Chair

2008-06-21T08:54:00.001-07:00

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman made of interlocking molded-plywood with a Brazilian rosewood veneer frame and black leather was released in 1956. The inspiration for the chair was the comfortable feel of a well worn catcher's mitt. The final product grew out of Charles and Ray Eames pursuit to produce designs that both worked and looked good. The most recognizable and iconic chair that often decorates movies, television shows and commercials has been produced by Herman Miller for over 50 years.

Charles became interested in working with molding plywood after he and Eero Saarinen won "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" in 1940 from the museum of Modern Art for their chairs and tables. In 1942, Charles and Ray Eames developed molded-plywood leg splints for the U.S. Navy's wounded serviceman. The Eames product development on such a huge scale (~150,000 splints) for the Navy undoubtedly strengthened their abilities and spearheaded them to incorporate the resource into their lounge chair.

Of course, the Eames lounge chair and ottoman was not released until 1956 which was a full 16 years down the road from when Charles won his first award for working with molded plywood. Over those years Charles and Ray experimented with their personally designed machine they called the Kazam! for molding the plywood. Through their experimentation the team finalized on a chair made of three pieces of molded plywood. Various products came out of the molding plywood including chairs with wood or metal legs, table, and screen.

Today the Eames lounger and ottoman is available in various leather colors including black, ivory, tan, or chocolate on cherry, walnut, or a palisander frame. Depending on the materials chosen the chair is price is between $3,599.00 - $4,499.00 according to the licensed dealer Design Within Reach.

A few books about the work of Charles and Ray Eames:

Charles and Ray Eames By Naomi Stungo and Judith Carmel Arthur

Charles and Ray Eames: Designers of the Twentieth Century By Pat Kirkham

The Eames Lounge Chair: An Icon of Modern Design By Eidelberg et al.

Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design By John Berry

The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention By Donald Albrecht

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A Design Spotlight

2008-06-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

I started writing here in order to document the things that inspire me. I have decided to begin a design spotlight in order to develop my own knowledge of the designers and their work. I thought I would do this on a weekly basis, but who am I kidding? I just don't have that kind of time! So I am writing this with the aim to promise myself to write a monthly design spotlight and see how this pans out.

My very first design spotlight is on the Eames Lounger. Charles and Ray Eames were a fascinating couple and recently have been honored with their own stamp series lauding their work. I am completely enamored of the synergy that came out of their collaboration.

The spotlight includes a short bibliography to further delve into the man and woman behind the work because there are plenty of amazing writers that can explain the whole story in great detail. I hope this will push me to learn more about them and other great designers.

Wishbone

2008-06-13T16:19:00.001-07:00

The wishbone necklace by Jennifer Meyer peaked a friends interest. She quickly lost her interest when she saw the whopping price tag of $700! It is nice, but not that nice!! I mean sure any Hollywood starlit can drop that amount of cash on something that dangles around the neck, but we live in the real world with real budgets.

So what is any fashionable and budget conscious girl to do? Search Etsy! There are some great and unique wishbone charm necklaces available on Etsy. I think the one in the photo with blackened sterling silver is my favorite wishbone by ecdesignstudio. I have to say though searching and roaming on Etsy is addictive. I never know what great crafter, designer, collector, or artist I am going to stumble across next.

Yasha Butler Ceramics

2008-06-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

I picked up these lovely earrings at the Indie Craft Experience (ICE) outdoor market last Saturday. Yes, this past weekend a ton of great designers braved record breaking heat to show off their wonderful creations. It was just plain scorching, but well worth the trip.

These beautiful porcelain earrings are by designer Yasha Butler. She had bowls, dishes, necklaces, and earrings. I love the simplicity within her work and the use of a ceramic to make her amorphic jewelry.

If these earrings spark your interest please check out her etsy shop. Yasha only has a handful of pieces up now, but I hope she will continue to add her wonderful creations to the shop. I am looking forward to wearing these earrings often.

Caught My Eye

2008-05-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Felt Pebbles-- I am happy to know I am not the only one feeling this way. (via Reclaiming Miss Havisham)

Slate's coverage on procrastination. I need to find some time to read this.

Wired's tribute to the air hostess.

Habitually Chic loving on Kansas City. It was my home once for a short time and I can relate to loving this city.

Where did the posts go?

2008-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Style Bytes

I got hooked on a blog and now it seems to have ceased or at least taken a vacation.

See back in January Decorno asked: What if the Satorialist only photographed himself?...And was a girl...this is what it would be like: Style Bytes.

I was hooked on this site from that moment. Style Bytes according to the bio is a 25 year old woman living in Oslo, Norway named Agathe. The daily photos of her outfits with a mix of H&M, thrift stores and designer jeans were what I think Lucky magazine tried to achieve with their cute outfit of the day. Although Agathe's outfits should never be described as cute. Her style choices seem influenced by a mix of the runway, magazine editorials, blogs and her own unique vision.

Agathe also seemed down to earth because the outfits were crafted on a budget. She did not hit all the big boutiques. She works as a secretary with style on an allowance and I could relate. Some days she hit the thrift stores on the way home from work and on Saturdays she had the weekly ritual of hitting the flea markets. She always shared all her great finds and usually spent her last dollar on the spoils. There were some style options that I don't think I would have accepted if I had not seen it on her such as fringe shirts, gladiator strap sandals with stockings, butterfly belt, patchwork skirt, and fringe boots. She just made it all work. Man do I want my own fringe boots now!!

She's just cool and knows how to showcase her style. It had become my daily thing to see how she mixed and matched her outfit. She made me want to step up my game and it was just fun to see someone else enjoying their own personal style and on a mere mortals salary.

So now the sad part. She seems to have stopped blogging. On April 24th, Agathe took off on a weekend trip for Stockholm and has not posted since. I keep hoping she will resume blogging. I had not realized how much I enjoyed these style updates until they were gone. It looks like I am not the only one that got hooked on her posts. DAMN I miss the style!

Why didn't I think of that?

2008-05-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession. It is weird, but I am drawn to this simple design. The one above is available at Miss Print and the one below is Ray and Charles Eames studio. I just love the way it looks. I can't explain it.

At one time I thought it might be interesting to paint this image on our dining room wall. I talked myself out of that idea. I thought my adult dining room could end up looking more like a dorm room or worse folk art (no offense). Kinda like when you see a celebrity dressed really badly on the red carpet, but then you think about being in their shoes for a moment and (for a split second) can see how they had that unfortunate moment with the stylist who said and made them actually believe "you look wonderful. You will turn heads" and they believed it. I then feel sorry for the celebrity cause you can tell that it only dawns on them on the red carpet how ridiculous they look and they have to grin and bare it!

I can Soooo relate not that I have ever been shopping with a stylist, but I have been sucked in by good music, air conditioning and elongating mirrors in a fitting room that I buy that ridiculous item at the store that is not quite the same when I put it back on in my stale bedroom without any music the next day--but I digress.

So as much as I LOVE this design I still have done nothing with it cause I don't want to be so literal.

~And a while back I came across this image and I was so mad (why didn't I think of this) cause in the early 90's (when everyone was doing it) my friends wanted to get tattoos together, but I just couldn't think of anything that meant that much to me or would stay with me long enough to brand on my body (did I mention I HATE needles--Last week while the nurse was drawing my blood I think she was afraid --for good reason-- she had a fainter on her hands). If I was going to get a tattoo I knew it would have to be some kind of a design (no ridiculous rosebuds), but I was so afraid I would really hate it down the road. Spending the rest of my life with a horrendous tattoo that would eventually fade and morph with age. A lovely thought.

Although now that I have been drawn to mid twentieth century design for so long it would not have been so bad if I had a 16 year old tattoo of this Eames design.

Oh well my catholic parents are probably happier I did not brand myself!

Caught My Eye

2008-05-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

I think I have vacations and summer entertaining on the brain...

Would love to visit Palm Springs during the annual modernism week and stay at the newly renovated modernist Rendezvous Motel. (via Retro to Go)

Want a set of of Marais AC chairs for my patio. I sat in one Friday night and have to say it was both handsome and comfortable. The chairs are available through a few shops including Conran Shop, Design Within Reach, and even Pottery Barn. Design Watcher has a great rundown on the Marais AC and other tolix chairs.

Also wanting this Weber Performer Grill with the propane tank and storage for charcoal.

Love homes comprised of finds from flea markets ( via A Cup of Jo and Cookie Magazine).

Caught My Eye

2008-05-04T11:51:00.001-07:00

Circular sunglasses with tortoise shell frames from Christian Dior vintage (via Retro to Go)

Opening of Ninainvorm's Shop Announcement on Etsy as seen on SFgirlbybay. Love these dishes-- very Zeisel!

Also seen on SFgirlbybay was the Maker Faire. I wish I could have been there.

Heath Ceramics auction as seen on Design*Sponge. Next time I am out there I need to visit their Historic Sausalito factory for a tour.

Also seen on Design*Sponge this week was MissPrint. Love this design it is very similar to the Ray Eames design.

These amazing posters by Swiss graphic designer Donald Brun and this Sabena ad on Yummy Fresh Grain.

Excited to check out the new Portishead album with mentions on stereogum for their performance at Coachella and on NPR's All Things Considered discussion about the third album.

Profile on the first Female photographer for National Geographic, Annie Griffiths Belt on NPR's weekend edition talking about her new book: A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel: My Journey in Photographs.

Caught my eye

2008-04-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

George Lois designed magazine covers Esquire magazine from 1962- 1972 profiled in the New York Times.

Color Story on Happy Mundane --loving the grey and yellow together.

A blog dedicated to factory record sleeves.

An evening with Angela Adams on Aphro Chic.

Rex Ray prints on Ebay via Shelterrific.

Yee Haw Industries and their posters for the Ponderosa Stomp via Poppytalk on Design* Sponge.

Photographer Gregory Crewdson

2008-04-27T06:35:00.000-07:00

CBS Sunday morning profiled the photographic work of Gregory Crewdson. His photographs are shot in a series of highly staged scenes on par with a film shoot. According to Crewdson his career in photography started when he signed up for a photography class to be near a particular girl and became hooked on photography.

His work can be viewed through a number of published books and exhibits at galleries in New York, London, Los Angeles. Crewdson's musical experience, before becoming a photographer, as a member of the power pop band The Speedies is an interesting caveat to his career.

The Speedies "Let Me Take Your Photo" (1979)

Caught My Eye

2008-04-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

A long list of things that caught my eye this week

The Lab from Velocity Art and Design with Matte Stephens looked like a lot of fun. (Via Shelterrific, Brainiac on Art). I LOVE the 3D paper sculpture owl and bear monster. I would like to have one of my very own!

The amazing visual work of Pascal Blanchet spotlighted on Yummy Fresh Grain Feed.

Brooklyn Modern on Design Sponge and Bluelines.

Lou Dorfman's "gastrotypographicalassemblage" wall spotlighted on Oh Joy!

Love this house shown on Retro Renovation.

Cinema Treasures, the ultimate guide to classic movie theaters (via Librarian In Black). 345 theaters are listed for Georgia, but sadly many are closed or demolished. Atlanta does thankfully still have the Fox theater which was saved from demolition in 1975. Need to add this to my to do list when I visit other cities.

Terry Hall designed V-Neck sweater from Fred Perry (via Retro to Go).

Record Store Day (via NPR, NYTimes). A map of the record stores still available in NYC.

Subway Crush on the New York Subway.

Gnarls Barkley promoting their latest album (via NPR, SNL). The new album means getting to see their latest video creations --Run, Smiley Faces

A blog dedicated to food cartoons with faces. (Via Pop Candy)

Sweat Equity story from the NYTimes on Decorno.

Interview with Scott Douglas about his book Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian. He also mentions the details of his library inspired wedding.

Caught My Eye

2008-04-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Detroit Public Schools Book Depository captured on Sweet Juniper and on display in the upcoming issue of Harper's magazine. Go check out all the photos and the tale behind the photos. Another Personal Story about Detroit found on Bryant Park Project (BPP) on NPR. I would like to see this city put an end to the decay and work to regain the luster it once possessed.

This look spotted on the street by Fashionista. Love checking out the style of the everyday person as found on the satorialist, face hunter, and pike/pine to name a few. Individual style is so much more interesting than a Hollywood starlight put together by stylists and sponsors.

Before the Music Dies documentary

Ian Fleming and James Bond- For Your Eyes Only at the Imperial War museum in London mentioned on Retro to Go

Muxtape featured on NPR's Bryant Park Project (BPP). Who doesn't want to play DJ?

Barbarella remake is happening. Hmm not sure what to make of this. We will see.

Apartment Therapy's new book featuring many design loving people including sfgirlbythebay, Happy Mundane, and a collection of others showing off their unique design solutions.

Finn Juhl Couch shown on Reference Library.

Amy Adams and Meryl Streep are bringing the Julie/Julia Project to life.

Caught My Eye

2008-04-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

American Furnishings mentioned on Brown Turtleneck Sweater and in(side) the loop.

Winifred Grace Jewelry available right here in Atlanta at Belvedere! (via Daily Dose) Adding her jewelry to my wish list right now! If you click on the Belvedere link check out the other amazing jewelry collections available too. I love the delicate collection available by Kothari.

Wish I could attend the "Pop Goes the Revolution: French Cinema and May '68" mentioned on Retro To Go.

Bjork's Wanderlust music video directed by Encyclopedia Pictura (via BestWeekEVER and many others). BWE gives a rundown of the video. In the first few seconds of the video, I felt like I was watching an adaptation of the Where the Wild Things Are which is coming out on film in 2009 from Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers.

The release of issue 3 of the Inspiration eZine entitled "Nooks and Crannies: Inspiration for the Home" from Design for Mankind.

Don't read this if you are on a diet!

2008-04-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

The women behind the blog Cupcakes Take the Cake were on the Martha Stewart show for cupcake week. I never grow tired of the cupcake phenomenon. I realize the cupcake love has peaked many times over. I think this picture explains the nostalgia for cupcakes in a nutshell. I can totally relate.

Of course for the sake of the waist I try to stay away from the shops specializing in cupcakes, but I do know they exist around town and I have given in to the temptation at times. For instance- if you are ever near Aurora coffee shop in Atlanta stop in for a SugarMama cupcake experience and get a killer chocolate cupcake (which I believe has hints of nutmeg and espresso). It completely killed me! I still have many other cupcakes to taste around Atlanta so maybe I will have another weak moment down the road.

If you are in Atlanta here are some great cupcake options:
Atlanta Cupcake Factory
Bagel Palace Deli & Bakery (seriously cupcakes as big as your head!)
Belly General Store
Cupcake Dreams (available for special order)
Little Cake Bakery
Matty Cakes
Star Provisions
Sugar Mama's Cupcakery (available at Aurora coffee)
Sweet Pockets Cupcakes
West Egg Cafe

If you just want to look at some cupcakes:
Martha Stewart's Cutest Cupcake Contest
Flickr Atlanta Cupcakes
Flickr Cupcakes
Trophy Cupcakes

Photo from another time I gave in- Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank

Caught My Eye

2008-03-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

ReadyMade offering a paperless magazine and online for free this month

Brooklyn Flea mention on Apartment Therapy and New York magazine

The Armory Show (March 28th-30th) ended today

Mention of Mid-20th Century homes and the photographers that documented these homes on The Year in Pictures.

The Adidas Story in Claymation

Starting your Etsy business guide available on Modish

Carla Bruni Sarkozy turning heads in Dior mentioned on All the Best and GlamChic. More coverage and photos available in the UK press (Telegraph).

Koolhaas Houselife

2008-03-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

A documentary of everyday life in a prize winning home through the eyes of the housekeeper. The 10 year old home, Maison à Bordeaux, was designed for a man bound to a wheelchair by award winning architect Rem Koolhaas. The Film seems to explore what it is like care for an architects vision.

The owner requested a home that would "show no visible evidence of his disability." Here is an excerpt from the blog Stories About Houses explaining how this home was commissioned:

"A wealthy married couple with three children lived in a very old and beautiful house in Bordeaux in France. For many years this family was thinking about building a new home, planning how it could be and wondering who the architect would be. Suddenly, the husband had a car accident and almost lost his life. Now he needs a wheelchair. The old beautiful house and the medieval city of Bordeaux had now become a prison for him. The family started to think about their new house again but this time in a very different way."

More coverage on the Documentary here and here.

"A girl with eclectic taste"

2008-03-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is how the interviewer, Terry Gross, aptly surmised the musical sound of Zooey Deschanel. Terry's interview with Zooey about her collaboration with singer/songwriter M Ward, She and Him Volume One, was spotlighted on NPR's Fresh Air. Zooey's eclectic influences include jazz, country, and girl groups of the 50's & 60's. I highly recommend taking the time to hear Terry's interview (no one does it better) with Zooey about her work with M Ward.

After the interview listen to the available music clips. I especially love the crestfallen feeling the duo infuse on their cover of Smokey Robinson's "you really got a hold on me." This is the kind of album I would definitely want to see on the jukebox at my favorite bar or wind down to on a Sunday evening.

Found Objects: Fortune

2008-03-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

Fortune August 1930

My friend was lucky enough to discover a stack of Fortune magazines from the 1930's thru 1950's at an outdoor flea market we hit over the weekend. The cover shown above was in the pile which was a terrific bonus for my friend since she collects vintage typewriters. The cover art is amazing with the graphic art deco drawings. These covers will look wonderful on a wall as a collection.

Fortune was founded by TIME co-founder Henry Luce in February 1930, four months after the Wall Street crash of 1929 that marked the Great Depression. The articles are eerily familiar discussing a changing business climate and wondering where the economy was headed.

A few links about vintage Fortune Magazine:

Fortune in Thumbnails
Fortune: The Art of Covering Business
1930's Cover Art

Caught My Eye

2008-03-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

This interview with Matte Stephens and his interview with Irving Harper

Inside a Black Apple (Emily Martin) on Martha Stewart

Entertaining Idea--Screen on the Green

She & Him at SXSW

Vintage furniture

Spring Brights

Vinyl never really will go out of style

Apparently Drew Barrymore's office has been featured in the April issue of Domino Magazine, but you knew that already.

City of the Future

2008-03-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

In January, The History Channel created a contest called City of the Future: A Design and Engineering Challenge. "The theme of the contest is for participants to develop visions of their city 100 years from now. These visions are presented through a written statement, a 3-dimensional construct that was assembled within a 3-hour period during Phase I of the competition and accompanying visuals."

The architectural firm EDAW created a vision for Atlanta's growth over the next 100 years which made it a winner with the panel of judges. If you live in Atlanta then you are aware of the many obstacles currently facing the city including localized flooding problems, an ongoing overhaul of the entire sewage system, a traffic crunch, inefficient transit system and a drought. This makes EDAW design concept an utmost hopeful vision and worth a look.

Other design teams won competitions in San Francisco and Washington. Online voters on the History Channel Web site will decide which of the three plans is the nation's best. The voting ends April 28, and the winner will be announced May 5 on the "Cities of the Underworld" show.

Oh and Richard Meier offers his take on the three finalists too!

2008-03-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

Picture via Robert Loerezel on Flickr

Went to the Earl last night to see Charles Walker and the Dynamites perform. I was pleasantly surprised to see the band Cordero as the opening act. I enjoyed the music and loved the dress (above) worn by the front woman Ani Cordero. The dress had the ruffle of a Flamenco dancers dress, but the length and structure of the skirt reminded me of the 80's (take on the 50's) revival going on right now with the ballooning (some call it bubble) of the fabric at the hem. Even more interesting was the pop art fabric used. The design on the fabric reminded me of Roy Lichtenstein with the look of the backgrounds in old comic books like Dick Tracy. I just loved her look and the band. It was refreshingly fun and reminded me of how much I enjoy female led bands. They often have the best contrast of soft and strong.

Speaking of female leads, Ani made a dedication with the song Matadora to Cristna Sanchez, the female bullfighter (Torero) that retired in 1999 due to male prejudice against women. It seems male bullfighters refused to fight on the same bill (the lyrics are available on the bands website). The music was thoroughly enjoyable and there were couples in the audience dancing forms of the salsa.

Community Trumps Developer

2008-02-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

Amazing News--The Buckhead library will not be torn down to build a parking lot. It seems the two commissioners previously skipping to demolish the unique structure in exchange for 24 million dollars from the developers received opposition from their constituents unwilling to sell out.

An article in the local paper, a few days ago, touched on the greater issue surrounding razing the Buckhead library which essentially queried “When do a city's civic values trump its commercial interests?” The author pointed to the need to not lose the unique structures and ambiance available in this city in the name of "progress." I am pleased to learn that I am not alone in the need to save some of the authentic "texture" still standing in a city rushing to throw up the latest prefab mixed use development.

Thankfully in this situation the civic value won out.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Love songs befitting today reminding me of loved ones I lost too soon and others I am still lucky enough to have around. Wishing you a day to appreciate the loved ones in your life ---may that be family, friends, children, a spouse or a partner. Happy Valentine's Day

Atlanta, where every day is opening day

2008-02-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects (photo via firm's website)

"Atlanta, where everyday is an opening day" is a marketing theme meant to parlay the message that this city is dedicated to "Optimism, Opportunity, and Openness. " What the motto fails to explain is that these three O's actually describe the developers in this city not the dwellers.

It is a long story how Atlanta became a developers playground, but now they are going too far with their plans. The developers aspire to model a part of town called Buckhead after Rodeo Drive which they tout as "the streets of Buckhead." This was bad enough, but now they are bent on making sure the building pictured above comes tumbling down since it sits on a prime piece of real estate for the Rodeo Drive they have envisioned.

They are currently offering the city/county 24 million dollars (upping the ante from their previous offer of 18 million) to allow them to raze this unique piece of architecture which has won accolades outside the city. This makes me wonder is it really the modern building which WILL outshine their lackluster, unimaginative buildings of sameness that bother them? Or is it what the building actually holds, a library. A place not about turning a profit, but focused on welcoming people from all walks of life no matter their age or social status. It is a community center that meets the needs of everyone not just the wealthy.

The developers reasons for razing this unique piece of architecture seems to be about turning a profit, disdain for unique architecture, and possibly a thinly veiled way to make sure the library community moves out (or underground, "two floors above a parking garage") to make room for the pocketbooks ready to spend their cash on a pseudo Rodeo Drive. Take a nice long, look at what Atlanta had to offer because if you stick around long enough there will be another opening day around the corner, but now hopefully know what another opening day in Atlanta really means.

If you would like to voice an objection to razing the Buckhead library to build a parking lot:

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Comments@co.fulton.ga.us

Contact Information for the Fulton county commissioners

Todd Oldham & Charley Harper

2008-02-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

CBS Sunday morning ran their interview with Todd Oldham about how he came to spend 5 years of his life archiving the work of Charley Harper (before Harper's death in June 2007). Oldham talked about his admiration for Harper as both an artist and ultimately a friend. How lucky Oldham was to discover Harper and forge a relationship with the artist before he died. Oldham refers to himself as a "Harperologist." A transcript of Oldham's interview can be found here. Oldham revealed in the interview that he also kept a video journal of his conversations with Harper. It would be interesting to see this documentation in addition to the book and catalog of work.

On a side note: I am excited to see what Oldham does as creative director (appointed Oct 2007) at Old Navy as he strives to make the brand more modern. Supposedly changes will start to appear this month and continue with monthly collections, but we will not start seeing the full impact of his influence until June. Sounds like Oldham is going to make shopping at Old Navy more of an experience than just picking up those tank tops.

Eero Saarinen Exhibit

2008-02-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

This past summer I was hoping to get a firsthand look at Cranbrook's museum and collections, but I only toured the grounds since it was closed for the labor day weekend. I am more than thrilled to learn a retrospective of one of Cranbrook's star pupils, Eero Saarinen, has opened in Atlanta. Eero's father, Eliel, began teaching at Cranbrook Academy of Art when Eero was 13 years old. I can't even imagine what it was like to grow up at the Cranbrook.

There is nothing better then to walk inside one of Eero's buildings or to get your hands on one of his tulip chairs. How could you not love the TWA terminal at JFK International Airport, St. Louis Gateway Arch, or how the tulip chair changed the view that a chair must have four legs. Eero's designs are simply iconic. I am so thankful for Eero's designs and delighted to see a showcase of his work.

Modern Inspired

2008-01-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

Modern homes for the birds. (via)

It can't be as well made (walnut veneer and engineered wood?) as the danish modern originals, but it is nice to see Crate and Barrel making furniture that replicates some modern classics. CB calls it a media center hutch. It could also work as a bar, buffet, credenza or a bookshelf. If you end up using the cabinet in the dining room why not throw in the Eva's Classic Century Dinnerware.

Why?

2008-01-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

Would you tear down this Mid-Century beauty? (via here and here)

Eames Stamp

2008-01-20T17:18:00.001-08:00

Eames Demetrios recently announced on flickr that 16 stamps will be released this summer celebrating the work of Charles and Ray Eames. Images included in the series include the crosspatch design, stackable plastic side chairs, Eames House (Case Study #8), lounge and ottoman, La Chaise, house of cards, LCW chair, Aluminum chair, Cover of Arts and Architecture (May 1943), wire chair, storage unit, bent plywood, the film tops, Hang-it-all, and LTR table. What a great reason to send a letter.

The Library of Congress and Flickr

2008-01-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

(circa 1943, LoC on Flickr 1930's-1940's photoset)

The Library of congress has created an account on Flickr and obviously people are excited about the project. LoC has uploaded 3,100 images so far and have over 1 million images available to upload. An exciting endeavor to definitely keep an eye on!

Julius Shulman, Iconic Mid-Century Architectural Photographer

2008-01-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is Julius Shulman's photograph of Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #22 which overlooks the Hollywood Hills. This photograph has become one of the most widely published images in the history of architecture. According to Shulman the two women in the photo were girlfriends of two of the architects working with Koenig on the house.

There are a number of resources available covering Julius Shulman's photographic career. Here are just a few to learn about the man and his work:

The J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles California houses an archive of his work. The museum boasts a collection of over 260,000 images and has used the catalog to produce various exhibits of his work. Shulman's work is as well known as the modern architecture which he photographed including building by

The publisher, Taschen, has produced two amazing works which chronicle the photographic career of Julius Shulman:

Julius Shulman, Modernism Rediscovered (3 vols.)
This 3 book set has over 300 photos selected by Shulman to include in the book
Julius Shulman: Architecture and It's Photography
The west coast modern architecture from the 1930's through the 1960's.

An interview with Shulman in which he explains the importance of photographing people inhabiting the architecture to show the functionality of the space.

The online image collection at The University of Southern California (USC) provides a quick overview of Shulman's more famous works.

Charley Harper

2008-01-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

"Birdie" work by Charley Harper

I love the catalog of drawings available in the publication Charley Harper: An Illustrated life. His images are simple, colorful, and amazingly beautiful. Todd Oldham explains the attraction to Harper's work. Many have expounded on the beauty of this book much better than I ever could so here are some entries about the man, his work and the book (A write-up in Cincinnati paper after his death, wikipedia, and this Harper tribute are just a few words on an amazing man and his work).

I saw this table runner and it got me thinking there must be a line of fabric. Silly question I thought, but a couple of quick searches did not unearth a treasure trove of fabrics. These images would look amazing on curtains, blankets or stretched over a large canvas. The closest I came to a harper fabric was found in this DIY project here.

I will have to get that table runner, but I would love the option to see his works translated to fabric. It would make me smile wide to have his work decorating my home. I will have to save up for this splurge.

Thanks Charley for leaving us such amazing illustrations!

You never know when LOVE will strike

2007-07-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

I love rummaging the antique market for something I never knew I had to have. I scan the market with my small bit of cash and the hope that I can strike up a deal. It is a risky proposition since I may find an amazing piece only to discover it is completely out of my price range. Even though I may get my heart broken I continue to search the markets for inspiration. I learn more from the knowledgeable dealers than I could ever get from a book.

My latest discovery is a 8 piece demitasse which includes a coffee pot, sugar bowl, creamer, six cups and saucers. There are two extra saucers which means this set has lost two cups. The coffee pot has a slight chip in the spout. The dishes are stamped with Rosenthal, Studio Line, and Germany. The pot, sugar bowl, creamer and cups have glazed interiors with a matte exterior of etched flowers which remind me of Wedgwood. I was stopped in my tracks when I came upon this imperfect set. Since I made it home with my discovery I have begun my search to find out more about this beautiful set.

Although I have not been able to locate a photo of this exact set I do believe it was designed by Bjørn Wiinblad the Danish artist, designer, and painter. There are various examples of his work for Rosenthal's Studio Line collection. It seems that Jonathan Adler is a fan of Wiinblad too.

Sprinkles

2007-05-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

This past week Marketplace ran a story concerning when a brand goes national it often loses the uniqueness that made it wonderful in the first place. The story spotlighted, Sprinkles, the cupcake boutique in Beverly Hills that is now in Newport Beach, Dallas, Pheonix and possibly coming to a location near you.

The story asserted Sprinkles success comes from a combination of nostalgia and design. People love to eat the cupcake because it reminds them of their childhood, but they flock to the Sprinkles store and pay $3.25 for a cupcake for the experience. The Beverly Hills store is the winner of the 2006 AIA Los Angeles Restaurant Design Awards: Jury Prize and People's Choice Award. It is not surprising that this well thought out store would win these accolades. Take a look inside at the blond cabinets, concrete floors, the Bertoia bent metal side chairs that match the storefront, and the use of light to create a clean, minimalist display. The cupcakes are identified by color ID tags which are essentially colorful combinations of the pop art icon, the target. On the back wall the colored targets can be deciphered by the eye appealing color ID chart. Once selections are made the cupcakes are presented in little gift boxes to enjoy now or later. It is a truly well thought out design from store down to the smallest details in the cupcake.

Hopefully Sprinkles will take the Marketplace story to heart and not over expand or sell out their design concept to make profits. The story alluded to the Krispy Kreme expansion debacle a few years ago. Sprinkles needs to take their expansion with precision and remain true to the elements that keep people flocking to their stores. It is the experience more than anything that keeps people coming back for more.

One's trash is anothers treasure

2007-04-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

I have heard the stories from many about how they found this amazing vintage piece that would go for thousands on Ebay thrown on the side of the road. I have also heard about those lucky ones hitting a thrift store just as some choice pieces of Franciscan Starburst dishes were put out on the floor. These stories have always kept me going hoping one day such luck might happen upon me. Sadly I have never had such luck.

Although I have experienced this a few times with my significant other. He is an avid record collector and he has happened upon a mint 45 here and there that were considered to be the Lochness Monster of the vinly world (often talked about with great glee, but no one with real personal contact with the actual rarity).

This past week he made another great find. On our way back from the grocery store he spotted the iconic DCM chair tossed into a heap of household remnants. As we passed the pile he yelled to "stop the car" and "back up." He jumped out of the car and rescued the DCM from the trash with a huge smile of victory. It has a small imperfection that will need to be fixed where the shock mount has become dislodged, but this we can hopefully repair easily.

The chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames after they experimented with molded plywood to make leg splints for the United States Navy during World War II. The couple’s innovations with plywood led them to develop the DCM chair designed to fit the natural shape of the human body seated. The Herman Miller Company has been producing the chair since 1946 with natural, face veneers and polished chrome-plated 4-leg base. It is an icon of the Eames collaboration and a happy addition to our home. One person’s trash is our fantastic treasure.

Design Done Right

2007-04-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

I used to buy the magazine Wallpaper*. It was fun to jet set with the editorials to beautiful places and think of staying at the uber designed hotels or wear those perfect clothes on a personal jet. It was an enjoyable farce. I bought the magazine to ogle with the editors while we both knew it was not very possible in the real world. The problem was that as time went on it seemed the edtors were making a joke at the readers expense. Issue after issue the spreads became more over the top and the joke got out of hand. I even began to wonder if they even like well designed things or they just like pretending to like them. So I stopped buying Wallpaper*.

I am excited the creator of Wallpaper* has started a new magazine called Monocle. I am very impressed by the cleverly named magazine that seems to be extremely well thought out. The design of the website is minimal with just five sections A, B, C, D, and E (Affairs, Business, Culture, Design, and Edit). It blows my mind when I see design that is perfectly simple because it is so rare. There are elements of of the website design, photos and the videos that remind me of Powers of Ten and other designs by Charles and Ray Eames.

The cover story for each section of the magazine has a video to accompany the piece. Take for instance the D section (Design) is about how the Sprinkles stores were designed. I wish other magazines would think about adding videos to their website similar to Monocle. I know many have added blogging, but I think a voice in the form of a podcast or video could really add dimension to many magazines. On a side note, I heard a few months back that Atlanta will have a Sprinkles shop soon. As much as the price tag for these little cakes can be frieghtening I know I will be in line opening day just to be inside this wonderfully designed shop from the cakes to the store. Not that you ever had to twist my arm to enjoy a cupcake. I would love to try their holiday cupcake for St. Patrick's day made with Baileys Irish creme. I am psyched to see it all come to together in this little shop.

I will have to add a subscription to Monocle and a cupcake from Sprinkles to my must have list. Maybe even enjoy them together!

For the LOVE of Teak

2007-04-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have a small obsession with teak. I didn't realize how much I was drawn to teak until I started to notice the theme popping up all around my home. I love the warmth that eminates from this material that looks even more powerful contrasted by cool colors. Teak is synonymous with Danish Modern of the 1950's and 1960's mid-century furniture. It is a sturdy material with a real presence. The material can add a sleek, modern touch to any room.

The teak color scheme may be popular in vintage furniture, but conglomerates in the mass market still have not caught on. You can always find the the same old mahogany, espresso, blonde, white, or black color selections. Oh teak may show up in patio furniture, but for the most part it is not available in the mass market productions. West Elm did recently start offering a color selection similar to teak called acorn in a few items. For the most part teak is still more widely available in vintage furniture which can add the uniqueness to your home hard to find in today's market of same, same, and same!

Palm Springs Modernism Week

2007-02-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

The seventh annual Modernism week is going on right now in Palm Springs California (Feb. 16-25). The recent edition of Palm Springs Life is focused on Modernism. In 2006, Palm Springs was deemed one of dozen distinctive destinations in the United States for the high concentration of mid-century architecture by the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Thanks to these preservation efforts buildings still stand today by such great architects as William Cody, Albert Frey, John Lautner, Richard Neutra, Rudolf Schindler, Donald Wexler, and E. Stewart Williams. To find More information on the communities preservation efforts and modern buildings take a look at the Palm Springs Modern Committee Website. (photo from the book Albert Frey, Architect by Joseph Rosa)

Nature in Extreme Close-up

2007-02-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

There is unexpected beauty in things all around us. The black and white photos by Karl Blossfeldt are an excellent example of the abstract beauty found in nature. His photos of plants in extreme close-up are breathtaking and displayed the organic beauty of nature with his artful composition. Blossfeldt had the talent to capture the layers of texture often missed by the naked eye. A catalog of Blossfeldt's photos are available in the books Art Forms in the Plant World: 120 full page photographs and Natural Art Forms. His prints can also be viewed in a compilation by Taschen publishers. If you want original prints the antique botanical print dealer, Panteek, is just one resource offering Blossfeldt prints.

Displaying Karl Blossfeldt’s botanical photos in a series on a wall would add power to his prints and a wonderful visual detail to any room. Investing in some frames and these books are the only cost to adding an artful display to a room. Of course, you may be able to do this one better by taking your own photos of nature or other things in extreme close-up. The digital age has made it extremely possible for you to be your own artist. When a house guest asks you about the artist you can tell them a little about the photos and your influence from Karl Blossfeldt.

Cork, Cork Everywhere!!

2007-02-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

When you mention the word "cork" a wine stopper may be the first thing that springs to mind. There are many other wonderful uses for cork including lamps, lampshades, bowls, floors, and paper to name a few.

Years ago I walked into, Belvedere, a local designer shop of twentieth century furniture with a twist. The owner and designer, Julia Carr-Bayler, has an innate ability to apply new elements to her finds that enhance the items. Carr-Bayler's exhibited her design eye with a pair of teak lamps beautifully accented by cork shades. These breathtaking shades were thinly shaved slices of cork that elegantly displayed the grain of the wood. It turned out the shades were out of my price range, but I have since been captivated by the use of cork as a design element. Next time you are looking to incoporate something different into your decorating think cork.

(Cork circle table lamp shown above is from the Murray Feiss Geo Collection)

A modern home in Atlanta

2007-02-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

A modern Atlanta home that seems to be, at the very least, influenced by John Lautner and Eero Saarinen. This home is even more breathtaking in person with the cascading roof, waterfalls, and an endless pool. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be on the inside or even better yet to wake up each morning in this home. It is a real dream come true. This architecture brings a smile to my face and butterflies in my stomach every time I pass it.