The Antitype

Chilean-born, UK designer Francisca Prieto's Antitype Clock and other functional typographic objects are a delight to behold. Architectural at the same time typographic, her re-interpretation of the conventional clock is inspired. It features The Antitype, a three dimensional typeface that “works with the essence of each character. Its uniqueness comes from its interaction with its environment in terms of playing with lights, reflections and shadows.”  Her Asterisk Bookend is shown at bottom right.

My Red Room

My kitchen was painted a bright red when I moved in 12 years ago and I liked it so much it’s been kept up. The added bonus is a small framed hole in the wall looking out to the living room, and when viewed from there, it looks like another framed artwork (see bottom left photo). I seem to be filling every empty space with religious icons and vintage artwork. The caliente kitchen.

Mod Pot

Thinking about getting one of these fiberglass planters for my garden, love the modern/vintage look of them. Available in twelve colors and 3 different stand height sizes at Velocity. A succulent garden could look great—looks like a possible new planting project.

The Writing on the Wall

How fantastic is this new wallpaper designed by Tracy Kendall as seen at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this past weekend in New York. She has taken words/passages from "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", set them in different fonts, cut into strips and hand-sewn them onto a wallpaper backing. The other wall coverings on her site are equally graphic & bold, such as stacked books, magazines, plates & paperbacks. It makes me think how great would it be with excerpts from Charles Bukowski or Haruki Murakami.

Images via Michael Nagle/LA Times & Poppytalk

The Scent of a Label

While searching for a new scent to wear this spring, I happened upon this unusual collection, CB I Hate Perfume and was immediately taken by the product name, bottle & label designs. They looked like something from an alchemy lab, a strange mix of fonts but somehow not "designed". Kind of a vintage handmade feel I really love. The scents are intriguing as well, At the Beach 1966 smells exactly like Zuma Beach when I was a kid, the scent of sand, Coppertone & watermelon. The perfumes & product design are the creation of scentologist Christopher Brosius. 

Sleeping in Neutra’s Bed

The iconic Neutra VDL House overlooking Silver Lake reservoir where the mid-century architect lived and worked is struggling to stay open to the public. There is an urgent campaign for funding of preservation maintenance and if you’ve never toured the residence, make time to do it now. Back in the early 70s I had the massive good fortune to spend the weekend at the house with a German artist friend who was working for Mrs. Neutra translating the writings and journals of her late husband. Mrs. Neutra was in Europe for a month, so my friend was working there and house-sitting (what a job!!). I spent hours browsing though his massive collection of books, cooking in the tiny kitchen, lounging in their furniture and playing musical beds, sleeping in a different room each night. My favorite spot was the tiny penthouse room with an outside reflecting pool facing Silver Lake. I threw down my sleeping bag thinking this was my idea of camping—in a visionary's home space. At night, it was magical with the windows open and moonlight dancing on the lake. For donations to help keep the house open, please visit the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation.

Photos: 7d7 Studio/Omar Madrigal

Spirit in the Hills

Enjoying a game at Dodger stadium this weekend was made even better with the Think Blue letters nestled in the hills overlooking the event.

Four Part Harmony

Here's a very imaginative and fresh take on typography by Mike Lemanski, a young designer from the UK. Four Part Harmony with Type, a visual representation of music with a four part harmony using typography is just one of many wonderful things to see on his site. (Via Black Eiffel)

Mellow Yellow

Procuring a decent lunch can be a challenge if like myself, you work at home and are very busy juggling multiple projects. Being a designer, this isolation is vital and the peace & comfort of working from home has countless benefits, except for feeding myself during the day. I’ve pretty much eaten my way through the menus at Urth cafe and Le Pan Quotidien (within walking distance) over the past years. Other neighborhood choices involve parking lot battles and crushing lines. So with the opening of Lemonade in my hood, my food needs have been met. Designed by Ana Henton, who clearly has a talent not only in architecture but graphics as well. It is a cafeteria-style lunch spot with wonderful fresh & savory options. I walked away with a Basque chicken stew, curried cauliflower salad, purple potato salad among other goodies. Good food in a good package!

Lemonade •  9001 Beverly Blvd. • West Hollywood, CA  • 310.247.2500

Eggcident

How fortunate it would be to fly over this bright urban art? Dutch artist Henk Hofstra installed a new environmental art project called Art Eggcident in Leeuwarden, a city in the Netherlands. Several large eggs, each 100 feet wide were spread on a large city square. The eggs will be on display for the next six months. (Via Wooster Collective)

I'll have some Eames, please

I am actually excited about postage going up soon so I can have these Eames stamps being released on June 17th by the USPS. Whether I save the sheet along with countless other literary, architectural & design stamps I have amassed over the decades or use them on the rare note or letter, they are a welcome addition to my collection. Thanks so much to flicker member eamesd’s image!