Hey Dudes, I’m running late for a flight so I have to bid you adieu for a few days with little more than a reminder of what some planes look like sometimes:
But none to worry, Erin will be here tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday we have an extra special magical guest post, so you should only be crying tears of joy.
PS for more info on the 3′ plane made of used keys, go here.
As you can imagine, the largest decor undertaking in my house right now is la bambino’s room. In fact, I was more stressed about how to decorate it then I was about whether he’d be a boy or a girl (I figured I had no control over that). Over the last few months I’ve already picked up quite a few prints that will eventually form the little dude’s first cluster art wall. Don’t you just think he’s going to be so excited to come home to all this:
Since he’s going to be born in the year of the tiger (as was his father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and great grandmother) I thought we should pay homage with a few pieces of tiger art. Note: THIS ROOM IS NOT TIGER THEMED, just tiger friendly. This print, rock candy, was found by Erin and purchased by me in approximately 2.2 seconds.
Continuing the tiger non-theme I also grabbed this year of the tiger print from the same shop.
And finally, I picked up Tiger Phone from the Two Rabbits Studios booth at the Renegade Craft Fair.
In fact, all the remaining prints were picked up at renegade. If you have one happening in your area, I highly suggest you go.
Because I am having a wee little baby, I thought I should get a few little-kid friendly prints too. Not just a bunch of insane tigers. I grabbed this beep beep bike print from Tad Carpenter.
This 2-part pink monster is also by Tad Carpenter, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on his site and I think he’s sold out.
And because I bought so much at his booth, Tad threw this tiny bird print in for zero dollars. Thanks, Tad!
Having stocked up on some baby goodies, I felt like I could return to my crazy art comfort zone. I bought this Will Bryant print at the Public School booth.
And finally, because babies go goo goo ga ga over black and white prints, stimulating their little brains straight into mensa, I picked up this crazy eye print for the little dude.
Don’t be scared if you feel like some of these don’t go together, remember we have several walls to work with here. Anything that doesn’t make the baby’s room cut will land in my office, but overall I’m feeling good. I think he’s just going to swoon when he comes home!
While sifting through the New York Times slideshows yesterday, I came across a room from this slideshow that made my heart skip a beat:
The object of my love and affection?
The Patrick Townsend Orbit Light. At only $300 I feel like I could give it a really good home if only the internet would put the black one up for sale. All I can seem to find is white and grey.
On a side note, I realized that yesterday I did not link to either of the NYT slideshows I wrote about (thank you btw for all the amazing feedback, you dudes rock!) You can read about the yurt here and the sleepy time boring pad here.
See you dudes Monday!
Welcome to the flip side of our decadent, 10-day vacay. I missed you all dearly, but I have to admit that I did quite enjoy an extra hour to sit on my ass every evening during my sabbatical. In honor of my recent episode of R & R, I’m bringing you several chairs that I would have loved to park my fanny on over the last two weeks.
Artist Dejana Kabilo covers chairs in hair for her Pretty Pretty Heads series.
While this may not be most ideal for holidays by the fire, and there’s a reasonable chance that I would end up in the kitty emergency room after Laser decided to make these locks her Christmas Dinner, I still wouldn’t shy away from placing one of Dejana’s creepy seats in my home. Here are a few more:
Only slightly more practical are these chairs from design powerhouse, Lucy and Bart:
Prey-tell, do you suppose that is foam insulation spray wrapped around the legs of that otherwise sad chair? How do you suppose they create the wonderful shades of turquoise? I’m guessing airbrush. What do you think the probability is of me recreating this dapper look for my house?
And on the opposite end of the design spectrum from L & B’s voluptuous seats:
The slim and sexy seating of Vladimir Tselser. I see these as the counter-part to the perspective chair by Pharrell Williams.
The Troll Chair by lop furniture is possibly the most holiday-fire-side-chat friendly of the bunch, and the exposed structure on the underbelly is lovely, but those legs seem like a cop-out. Of course, the day this baby lands on Craigslist is the same day I get slapped with the world’s largest traffic fine for racing across town to grab it. Afterall, legs are replacable.
So, there you have it, my first post of 2010. I still have family in town so I’m still on a bit of a mental vaycay, but we here at DC headquarters have big plans for the year, so pick your poison from the above and scoot on up to the screen: it’s going to be a life-changing year to remember. Probably.
Ho Ho Ho, we’re climbing the gift guide charts here at DC headquarters: today we’ve made it to the under $500 category. I’m hoping and preying that any of you taking notes have me on your list. I mean, those $25 gifts were nice, but don’t you really want to show me how much you care? As Erin says, recession-schmession. At least, I think she’s said that.
You know I love gold. and black. and gold and black together. So, basically, I’ll be happy when you hand me any of these:
Love / Hate Convertible Chain Shades, $252
Suspiciously similar to D & G DXG Camcorder, $150
Lowrider Headphones, $128 (keeping my fingers crossed that you can find them in black. or just all gold. yes, all gold sounds good)
Loop Candelabra, $123 (I’ve been dreaming of owning one of these ever since Erin did This post)
Right out of my personal wish list: Pantone Color Bridge Set, $119
Ceramic Bubbles Candle Holder by Jaime Hayon, 387….. Euros (whont, whont)
Life Size Grazing Sheep, $448 (totally, completely, 100% worth the price) (seriously)
Equus Pedestal Bowl, $450 I wanted it for my table last year and, yes, I want it for my table again this year.
Humbert Throw by Missoni Home, $375
Park Planters, $100 You really should go to their site to check these out… most of the sculptures depict things you don’t want to see in the park. Think George Michael. Got it?
Copenhagen Terrariums, $145 – $195 Perhaps these come with a handy guide explaining how to keep plants alive inside a sealed container unlike my vintage terrarium with, ahem, dead plants nestled under the plastic.
Braided Mixed Metal Chain Necklace, $120
Paper Cut art, $300
So there you go. 500 gifts for 500 dollars. I mean, a few gifts for 500 dollars. Whateves. It really doesn’t even matter at this point since tomorrow I’ll be bringing you the ultimate, most mind blowing Christmas gift of your scene loving life. Buckle Up.
OMG it is day two of our holiday gift guide extravaganza not to be missed by young and old alike (working title). I have to admit: all this web shopping has, as my grandfather would have said, taken the starch right out of me. What does that even mean? I always assumed it had something to do with carbs giving you fuel, but I really don’t even know. What I do know is this: 1. I’m rambling 2. I’m tired (see #1) and 3. I’ve got the best damn gifts $50 can buy listed on this mofo right here today.
my-oh-my what do we have here?
Clockwise from upper left:
Swine Flu Hanky, $28
Inside My Head Vase, $39
Sinking Ship Candle Holder, $39 (welcome on my table anytime)
S-XL cake dish, $36 (also welcome anytime… don’t you just love the shapes it makes!!!???)
Trio Herb Pot, $48
For the techy… and some other random people:
wall mountable phone / pda charging system, $30
USB Greenhouse, $43 (yes, this terrarium is charged by your computer. get one.)
Cable Tie, $30
Flying Sofa Brooch, $40
For your littlest gift recipient:
Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet, $40
Ok, I know I’ve been silent sam up until this point, but we really need to talk about the alphabet set. It’s insane. Here’s a description from the site:
These lovely blocks contain many carefully engraved illustrations of the equipment, training, and activities that a budding mad scientist will require, combined with a clever alphabetic introduction to the concept depicted.
Each block measures 1 3/8 inches square and depicts six mad science concepts and the appropriate letters. The set includes all 26 letters of the alphabet on five blocks (six illustrations per block).
And here’s a listing of the images that accompany the letters:
A – Appendages, B – Bioengineering, C – Caffeine, D – Dirigible, E – Experiment, F – Freeze ray, G – Goggles, H – Henchmen, I – Invention, J – Jargon, K – Potassium, L – Laser, M – Maniacal, N – Nanotechnology, O – Organs, P – Peasants (with Pitchforks), Q – Quantum physics, R – Robot, S – Self-experimentation, T – Tentacles, U – Underground Lair, V – Virus, W – Wrench, X – X-Ray, Y – You, the Mad Scientist of Tomorrow, Z – Zombies
Recycled Socktopus, $30
Foxy Hip Hop Tee, $18 (ok, it’s waaay under $50, just buy two or something)
Plug In Figures, $28
For the blank-walled-friend on your list, might I suggest a gift from 20×200? Here are 2 of my favorite $50 prints still available:
(left) Nonsensical Infographic No. 1, $50 (I’m mildly obsessed with this one)
(right) Residential Web, $50
And a few choice accessories for your bff or gff or whateverff
embroidered geometryart necklace, $50
scale necklace, $48
world links necklace, $60 (so we’re a little over, just use the left-over cash from the t-shirt I posted, ok?)
maximum fringe necklace, $59 (totally worth the extra $9)
And if you dudes are just biting your nails trying to decide what to get Erin, let me tell you, she’s got one thing and one thing only on her list: Mortimer Bust Candle, $30. Erin is worth $30, right?
Were these gifts just not rich enough for your blood? No worries, Erin will be back tomorrow with gifts under $100 and I’ll be back on Thursday with my personal Christmas list gifts under $500; Friday we’ll have a super secret surprise guide, so, check that out too.
You know what we love around here? Love letters. You know what we love even more? When said love letters include an offer for our dearest darling readers. Last week the lovely gents at G Select, purveyors of awesome men’s care products, wrote us with a preview of their newest endeavor: a web store chalk full of awesome home goods. The note got better with the offer of a contest. G Select is giving one of our commenters a fine fine prize from their new shop. Let’s take a look at the goodies that they carry and I’ll announce the prize at the end of this post.
There are 2 key things I look for in home decor: 1. quirky-ness. I love an item that makes me giggle. Or think. Or both. and 2. Clean lines. No fuss please. I’m happy to say that the goodies in G Selects shop kill on both counts. Clockwise from top left:
Hippo Door Mat (psst, they also have a rabbit version)
Ballfinger Floor Lamp in White
Bloom My Buddy Vase
There’s tons on this well stocked site, but the section that caught my eye was appropriately labeled to die for
Oh, I wish they could give all of this away. To me. Here’s what we’ve got, clockwise from top left:
Thomas Eyck Yellow / Purple blanket
Thomas Eyke Red Lime Black Small Blanket
Don’t worry, for our discerning male readers, you can still get all spiffy clean with their well-packaged men’s care line, GESSATO
And now, for the fun part, our give-away:
G Select is giving one of our readers a Tam Tam stool in their choice of color: indigo, red, jade, black, white, or orange.
Leave a comment to be automatically entered to win. You have one week to enter, deadline is midnight central time next Monday (August 17th). I’ll then activate the random number generator and beep boop beep boop: The winner will be announced in my post next Tuesday. How easy is that?
I know it’s starting to become a little passe but I just don’t ever want to get over white walls and bright decor. Here are some of my faves that I’ve seen recently:
via light locations
Oh, if only my house had the kind of quirky architectural detail needed for crisp, white walls. Thank you very much 1984 for all your south austin residential blandness.
In other news, is anyone watching this new NYC Prep show? I just don’t even know where to start with those kids.
After watching every single episode of America’s Top Model during my sick time this week, I decided it was time to reintegrate myself into the working world with a little intellectual stimulation. After visiting some of my favorite blogs, I cruised on over to the New York Times Life and Style pages. Baby steps, people, baby steps.
Anyhoodle, my mushy brain was jerked back into action after reading Amy Lau’s (shown below checking her pulse) tips for shopping sensibly during the recession
Ms. Lau is an interior designer in New York and co-chair of the annual sculpture objects and functional art fair, which, admittedly, is supposed to be pretty badass.
I think running around with all those high-society artsy-types may have clouded Lau’s vision a bit, as she seems blissfully unaware that a recession-minded shopper may not want to spend $900 on a watch suspended in a resin purse. Go Figure.
On the right is Yeni Mao’s Porcelain Siamese Bird Vase for $250, on the left, our aforementioned artbag (it’s a lamp, too!) for $900
This is all well and good and if someone would like to buy a $900 purse/lamp/broken watch, please be my guest. But if you are going to write an article about a $900 purse/lamp/broken watch, please do not include any of the following:
“Just because something has a higher value or a big name doesn’t mean that it’s more special,” she said. When carefully selected, affordable pieces can offer as much sculptural appeal as big-ticket ones.
To make her point, Ms. Lau went shopping in Manhattan and online for everyday objects that deliver a visual punch.
Let’s see what else she found!
On the far right: a leaded-crystal Paro Double Wind Goblet by Achille Castiglioni for $150. According the the article: When one side is filled with liquid, the rim of the other acts as the base. It is “pure sculpture,” she said. “You can just imagine the conversations people will have about it.”
Seriously? So, we’re suggesting that I forego my family’s grocery shopping this week so that I may invite, what appears to be, the most conversationally-challenged guests over to discuss a crappy glass that has a hold-your-liquid side and a hold-the-glass-up side? Someone needs to get new friends.
Also shown above: Michael Geertsen’s Closely Separated Vase for $225 (I actually really like this vase, but probably wouldn’t suggest it for anyone who’s looking to save their pennies) and Piet Houtenbos $55 Hand Grenade Oil Lamp. Again, like it, but not suggesting it.
What is this? I can’t believe I’m showing this picture on our beautiful blog. Ok, according to my notes, it’s a brass Lehti tray by maria Jauhiainen. It’s $800.
I believe this is a picture of several ceramic lamps (clarify yourself NYT caption!) by Danielle Pianezzola. These recession-friendly lamps range in price from $2,555 to $2,970.
Did I tell you about the time I found an arc lamp on the side of the road? Maybe they should have interviewed me for this article.
For those of you wanting to combat the recession by retreating to your cabin in the woods to write your manifesto, please remember that you will need this set of 3 graphite writing instruments for $198. You want to be taken seriously, don’t you?
Hmm, well, it looks like I’ve reached the end of Ms. Lau’s list. Let’s do some math to see how much money we’ve saved by taking the designer’s advice:
Turn it either way! Wine goblet= $150
My Tray looks like those leaves in the yard Tray = $800
Holy Cra-lamp: $2,555 (I went for the least expensive one)
headless birdy vase: $250
take down the man writing instruments: $198
cute yellow vase: $225
would look better in gold grenade: $55
purse / lamp thingy: $900
Add it all up, and, look! We’ve only spent $5,133. For a similar amount, I had considered putting down hardwoods in my house, or getting a jump start on the kitchen remodel. I might have even started up a little college fund for our yet-to-be conceived kiddos. Thank god the New York Times had Amy Lau intervene on their behalf, now I can have all these really great “conversation pieces not tchotchkes” instead of doing something really stupid with my money.
Today’s post has lots of gold, the dirtiest lamps you’ll ever see, and very little writing. Let’s do this:
See! What did I tell you? At Your Command Lamps by Daniel Loves Objects
Bookcase From his Of Wars Wits & Power Series
These Bookshelves remind me of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies.
I will give you a million dollars if you can guess what this is. A humidifier! Hello! I really don’t need one of those here in Texas, but if Daniel ever comes up with a dehumidifier in gold, I will be first in line to checkout.
Daniel Loves Objects has lots of great goodies, you should go check them all out, I just chose to share the ones that were my favorite color.
