Pack Rack

Simply said, I want! The Pack Rack, a jewelry or light clothing rack made from sustainable woods and plastic animals from The Future Perfect.

Let There be Light

This winter has brought so much rain and stormy weather, I literally have had to keep my lights on all day. In turn this starts tempting me to change out some lighting around the house and hang some new lampshades, just to mix things up. My friend Krysta sent me a link to these Skull lampshades from textile designer Amy Aardvark that just make me smile. Printed on organic fair-trade cotton, these shades might just bring some much-needed sunshine into any home. Available from the wonderful Hidden Art Shop.

Steamy & Modern

Every winter when it gets cold and dry I make an effort to find a humidifier that is pleasant to look at as well as functional in offering some comfort but have never been able to find one that doesn't look like a prop from a hospital room. The Middle Colors Humidifier from designer Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi is a beautiful tear-drop shaped vessel that will produce moisture and ultra-sonic steam for up to ten consecutive hours and do it in such style, I would keep this out all year long! Available in small and large sizes from the good folks over at Gizmine in a palette of colors that are delicious to the eye as well as kind to the pocketbook.

Ponyrider

I recently came upon this wonderful Australian homewares company called Ponyrider and fell in love immediately with their wall dots and typographic pillows made out of beautiful birch linens. All the products have a rustic simplicity and great graphics. Shown from the top: Sliced Player cushion cover, Players Welcome cushion cover, Bambi Nights Wall Dot and the Bambi Nights cushion cover.

Behind the Type Curtain

Target continually tempts me with items I never thought I would need. From their online shop, I found this great typographic shower curtain and matching towels. Now if only I didn't have vintage green and yellow tile in my bathroom, these would be a great option. Not available in store, online only.

Getting Grilled

Come summertime, there's no way I use my stove or oven for anything other than making coffee since I have no AC in my kitchen. Everything gets cooked outside on my gas grill. Lately though, I have been missing the taste of real charcoal and was considering getting a small BBQ and then I saw this mini picnic Fyrkat grill from Bodum. Finally a BBQ that speaks good design! They come in an array of stylish colors and at $49.95, a great pop of color for your outdoor cooking area or beach party.

& Then I Found It

I’ve been wanting to update/change-out my throw pillows on the couch for awhile but hadn’t found anything that caught my eye until I spotted these Ampersand Pillows ($45) from House Industries Eames Fonts & Objects collection. A great use of typography that creates a modern and organic pattern.

Head Trip

I admit that I am a lightweight when it comes to hard liquor, red wine being my choice of spirits but seeing this Crystal Head Vodka bottle may change my mind. Even if I never drink it, my occasional guest might enjoy tasting vodka from this crystal skull bottle. Produced by Dan Aykroyd, which makes it even stranger.

Punctuated

Living in a house that is almost 90 years old means lots of things don’t exactly work the way they were intended to, such as doors swinging closed on their own. The Stoppy doorstop which looks like a cartoon apostrophe and comes in a rainbow of colors is a wonderful way to keep pesky doors open with style. $6.99, available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Office Max and the Container Store.

Measurement Totems

A wonderful typographic ode to the yardstick, on steroids. Whether you have growing children in the house or simply love typographic objects as much as I do, these MeasureMe Sticks from Studio 1AM are simply fab. I could see it mounted in my studio and also guess I could check the slow process of shrinking as I get older and older which has already started.

ABCs of Xmas

Being the typophile that I am, there's no resisting decorating my little tree this year with these typographic ornaments from of all places, Ballard Designs. Measuring 2.5", these vintage looking ceramic ornaments come in a set of 26 letters of the alphabet. I'd prefer if you could order extra letters to actually spell out something but now that I think of it, adding rub down type could work too. I sense a DIY project brewing.

Get Down with Your Inner Wizard

Whether channeling your inner wizardry or looking for an alternative and fun way to change channels, this whimsical buttonless Kymera Magic Wand universal remote must be most entertaining to use. The website design looks like an ancient tome with hidden links, worth a visit even if wanding your TV isn't your thing. I probably would end with with some kind of wrist whiplash but I'd love to try performing some magic!

Seasonal Impluses

Whenever I go to Target to stock up on household staples and cleaning supplies I try really hard to limit my impulse spending. This becomes nearly impossible during their seasonal offerings such as Halloween. I was overwhelmed with the cool choices of goods emblazoned with skulls and bones. The best part is I will use these things year-round, skulls stopped being a Halloween-only home accessory. My favorite so far are the red dish towels with a black skull applique and the green flannel skull pj bottoms which are awfully comfy. Find more choices here and at your local Target.

To Dry For

First, my apologies for neglecting my blog. It has been a difficult couple of weeks tending to my sweet cat who is very very sick and keeping the work flow going here at the studio. That being said, here's a delightful link to To Dry For and all they sell are fabulous tea towels. I've picked a few of my faves from a huge selection. A little humor and great graphics never hurts when washing the dishes. Have a splendid weekend!

Sale Me to the Moon

This Saturday here in Los Angeles Modernica will have their 20th Anniversary sale with tons of vintage and new items marked down up to 80%!! An expansive collection of modern design including George Nelson Bubble Lamps, Noguchi Tables, fiberglass chairs, Case Study beds, daybeds and units at extremely affordable prices. You can also shop the Modernica sale online 7am-7pm (limited items only). The event will also include antique dealers, fashion designers, music and Scratch Lounge. Come hungry. Mobile chefs from the Green Truck (organic on the go), Don Chow Tacos (Chinese fusion), Bool (Korean fusion) and the Morrison Mobile Coffee House will prepare the tastiest food & drinks for hungry shoppers. An 80% discount is too tempting for me to pass up, hope to find some goodies and have some fun too!

You’re Glowing!

When I first saw some of these lamp fixtures at a friend’s house, I fell in love on sight. I had seen them online but in person they are more beautiful than one could imagine. Michele Tucker of Riding High Lighting has just opened a pop-up shop online offering a wide selection of these stunningly modern and organic fixtures from Angus Hutcheson’s Angoworld line. Designed and manufactured in Thailand with a keen balance between nature and form, these fixtures are made using natural, highly renewable materials including mulberry tree bark, silk cocoons, rattan and hand cast polymers. I am especially fond of the lamps made from silk cocoons and am battling a shopping urge as I type this. See more of these organic beauties at Riding High Lighting.

Surrounded by Critters

While I await anxiously the birth of my grand-niece/nephew I can’t help myself poring over all the great modern children's furnishings and accessories. I am quite charmed by this Beastie lamp shade from Habitat, an acid etched metal shade featuring critter silhouettes dancing all around. I'd hang this anywhere, not just in a child’s room!

Dreaming of Sand

I’ve got the beach, sand, sun and the luxury of reading a stack of books with no interruptions on my mind. In 48 hours I will be on my way to a remote, tropical beach to seriously unwind and if it would fit in my luggage, this Penguin deck chair would accompany me. The Penguin classics collection of beach chairs, bags & towels certainly conjure up the lazy days of summer and reading great books like The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler.

Lamp Totems

Completely digging the tribal and urban feel of these floor lamps designed by Marc Sadler for Italian lighting manufacturer Foscarini. Made of composite materials, interwoven threads drowned in resin mimic the texture of baskets. Just stunning!

Sign Me Up

Artist Boris Bally works with recycled traffic signs re-working them into beautiful graphic home furnishings, flatware, wall art and wearable art. I love the whole idea of working with recycled materials, especially those that contain vernacular typography.