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Hidden Hotspot
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Bluelines
Posted by Lisa & RenaA couple of weeks ago, I left Rena alone at Rare Device in the cold and windy San Francisco and headed for one of my favorite spots in the world: California's Mojave Desert.
I flew into Palm Springs (which is a treat itself) and met my aunt and uncle, who live about 50 miles outside of Palm Springs, near Joshua Tree National Forest, in the town of 29 Palms.
A sign entering 29 Palms
29 Palms is a bit of a sleepy town, and that’s what I like about it. I have returned time and time again for its clear, clean air, gorgeous sparse desert landscape, and mountain vistas. There isn’t a whole lot to do there besides hike around Joshua Tree, but this activity alone makes the trip worth it.
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most special places in the world -- there is nothing else like it on the planet. (In fact, sometimes walking around the park you feel like you might be on another planet).
The famous Joshua trees of Joshua Tree
Before my aunt and uncle retired there last year, I stayed twice at the lovely 29 Palms Inn, a rustic, affordable, and beautiful accommodation in town, near the entrance to Joshua Tree Park.
Besides hiking in the park, there is some great antiquing and thrift store shopping in nearby Yucca Valley. And any kid will enjoy a visit to Pioneer Town, a cool movie set where they used to shoot western TV shows and films. If you like driving around and taking photos of old signs, the expanse between 29 Palms and Yucca Valley are chock full.
An abandoned homestead
Low on pretense and cost, high on hidden charm, gorgeous desert views and fantastic weather (especially in the fall and spring), 29 Palms is truly out of this world.
visit a museum this saturday for free
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: shelterrific
Here’s a timely way to enrich yourself without spending anything at all. Thanks to Smithsonian, you can visit one of hundreds of museums and culture venues nationwide for absolutely free. They’ve designated tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, 2008 as Museum Day. Visit the Museum Day site to download your free general admission card — you can use the site to search for participating museums near you, too. Get your card here.
Posi+ive Chair by Jittasak Narknisorn
09/10/2008, 13:13 | Original Site: Home Design| Decorating Home | Interior Design | Furniture InspirationDesigned by Jittasak Narknisorn and selected as a winner of the One Good Chair competition, the Posi+ive Chair is a comfortable and sleek chair. Narknisorn created the concept for the Posi+ive chair by playing with folded paper, discovering a design that would be ergonomically comfortable and stackable at the end of the day.
This design is minimize waste material and allowed the plywood to form curves and bend in more directions to create a nice shape with more ergonomic support. It is made of plywood with stainless steel legs and a wool felt cushion, punctuated with plus-sign holes for a stylish little embellishment. - Via
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Posi+ive Chair by Jittasak Narknisorn
The many colors of house-hunting
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Hue
Nondescript white-walled room. Totally forgettable.
Really dated kitchen in desperate need of a make-over.
Love, love, loved the colors in this house. We were ready to move in, and I didn't even have the desire to change their paint choices. This house wasn't staged, but really tastefully done by the owners. After peeking in an office cabinet, I discovered someone living there works as a color consultant.
Testing the authenticity of a staged "bed" that turns out was just cardboard boxes draped in fabric. Aren't these walls just screaming for chromatic assistance? A distinctly unsuccessful staging, I hate to say.Sometimes, stagers will go further, advising refinishing floors or painting walls. I've got to tell you, it made a huge difference as we were strolling through our 15th house of the day.
Soft yellow walls and muted sophisticated accent colors (check out the throw pillows, rug, even the golden bowl on the table) really made this room appealing. The touch of green helped round out the palette. This was another favorite house, but alas, an offer was already in on it.
Those properties with unique, rich or even just understated colors on the walls certainly made the place feel more homey and more personal. Loved the pumpkin.
There's something so sterile about an empty, white walled house. This fireplace wall would have looked much better with an accent color to ground it in the space.
I'm not big on black counter-tops, as they are hard on the eyes, ergonomically. Not enough contrast between the work surface and items on top. But I loved how the stager took cues from the existing palette to bring in black and white plates in the empty cabinets and pulled in touches of bright blue here and there. I couldn't get enough of the sunshine streaming through the window-just like a cat, I suppose...I noticed it in new apartment complexes, as well. They advertised "designer colors" and would point out accent walls in the model unit that were either standard, or not included. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera when we toured the complex, so I can't show you the cool hall and unit colors. In any case, evidently, the general public has become much more color and design savvy, for the salespeople to emphasize color so much.
So, that's just a little taste of our adventure out west. For the time being, I think we will settle for a rental while we continue the quest for our house. I'd like to hear from those of you who have gone house-hunting in the past: how important were the wall colors in your impression of a property? Did it make a difference in the end when you bought something?
Happy Spring!!
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: absolutely beautiful things
The Abundant Table
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: designer's library
Alright ready. I know, I know. I always seem to be on semi-permanent hiatus from my blog. Well I got ton of things on my mind, namely getting my website updated. I believe, as of today, the index page is still announcing the NSS in May 2008. Nice. I should point out that on page 90 of Craft Inc, I wrote that you should "Update your site frequently with news or new products." And clearly, I am leading by example. I also tell people to always have their business cards on them, yet I am always writing my contact information on the backsides of other people's business cards when I meet them. I'm awesome like that.
Ironically, next week you'll find me on as a guest blogger on design*sponge. Obviously, have the time and energy to blog, just not on my own blog.
As for the above cookbook, "The Abundant Table: Recipes from the Bishop's Ranch Kitchen", which I illustrated, is finally out. So far I've made the pancakes (hey, I'm starting off easy) and they are delicious! I can't wait to try out the rest of their healthy recipes. And I have to say that Laura Crookston Deleot, the graphic designer, did a wonderful job! Such a pleasure working with her. Here are a couple of images from the book:
(the inside cover)
(introductory section)
Biker Dog
05/16/2008, 08:22 | Original Site: k style
Hey kstylers,Just had to share photojournalists latest doggie shot. This was a vender at the Art n Bloom show in Medford and he had a "closet" full of biker dogwear for sale. I love the sunglasses. Talk about a "hip" dog. Things are very busy in my life right now. Waterboy is off to Annapolis Naval Academy for a national water polo tournament, the photojournalist's longtime girlfriend is arriving permamently from Mexico on Saturday and we have boxes piled up everywhere for the move in two weeks. So be patient. Will be fun showing the new house and decorating projects. We just need to get through the next few weeks. Hope all is well with you. talk soon, k
WIRED NextFest - Chicago
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Hatch: The Design Public® BloIf you are in the Chicago area and/or are a design/innovation/tech junkie, the WIRED NextFest event in Chicago’s Millennium Park may be right up your alley. From what I have seen the event has a lot of groundbreaking design work that could potentially foreshadow what we’ll be seeing and using in the not so distant future. Some of the highlights include “advances in sustainable design, next generation healthcare, interactive art and games, and humanoid robotics.”
A few pieces to wet your whistle:
“Don’t just sit - Hoverit”…
“Don’t just sit - Hoverit” is the slogan of a two-person British design team who proclaim this chair to be “the first in a series of magnetic hover furniture.” The design visually reminds me of a mix between the hover board scene from Back to the Future and a dental chair, but the Hoverit team says the experience is “more like floating than sitting.” Hmmm. I would hope so since the plastic doesn’t look too inviting. If the plastic scares you away, the designers say the magnetic forces beneath the persons body weight makes for a different feel than what we find in normal “earth-bound” rigid plastic chairs. I’ll believe it when I hover it (hahaha).
Then there is the HumanCar:
We go from Back to the Future (dental style) to The Flintstones. The “HumanCar” is touted as being an eco-loving carpooler’s dream come true. Four seats and a roof provide a measure of comfort, and four rowing handles (for human-powered battery charging) provide the power. I guess this is better than Fred’s foot powered car, yeah?
The WIRED NextFest event begins September 27th and ends October 12th. For all the details go to www.wirednextfest.com
Bone Inlay Furniture
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: absolutely beautiful things
Kinsey Marable
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
Rare-book dealer Kinsey Marable assisted Oprah with her vast library of classic editions. Her cozy reading room (details shown above) happens to be featured in a special literary-inspired issue of O at Home, and I won't spoil the surprise for those who haven't seen it, but I thought it would be interesting to re-post an image of Marable's Virginia home (House Beautiful circa 1990s, below).The book dealer and Oprah must be kindred spirits because soft greens combined with rich reds and that sink-in comfort look dominate both rooms. Although the mogul's personal library is a bit more formal. Have to love her malachite boxes and numerous volumes bound in red.
Above, books recommended by Marable; image via his business site.Bridget A. Otto Thursday
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Landfair Furniture (Blog)Unfortunately, he says, the execution of the design was not very good. Take the relationship -- or lack of it -- between the living room and adjoining TV/office space, which was accessed from a hall around the corner from the living room.I love to read about the design process and the problem resolution. The clients are happy and have handed out NORDBY DESIGN STUDIO cards to all their friends.
NORDBY DESIGN STUDIO
The team: Jon and Julie Nordby
Years in business: Jon has been an architect for 20 years. Julie has been an interior designer for five.
Specialty: The ability to bring the perspectives of both an interior designer and an architect to the job.
Contact: 9900 S.W. Greenburg Road, Suite 285; 503-968-8906; nordbydesignstudio.com
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
too much work
03/17/2008, 02:08 | Original Site: red.house
: : so sorry folks. I've been absent for too long. work has been taking up too much of my time. this week I hope things will be back to normal. and I have an exciting visit from my cousin, aunt and uncle to look forward to.too busy at work, but still important to take breaks here and there, and my friend's wedding is giving me a reason to distract myself with browsing wedding blogs and photography sites. there's so much emotion captured in wedding photos. I like the first one, a simple backyard party. and the second with bold and colorful decorations. .julie harris. seem to be capturing the right moments.
Guest Blogging this week
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: designer's libraryIf you're looking for me this week, I'm guest blogging the whole week on design*sponge--and writing more posts there than I have in the past three months combined I might add!
Also, I've gotten some inquiries on this: if you're wondering where to buy Craft Inc. because it's apparently sold out at Chronicle Books and Amazon, here are some other retailers that currently still have them in stock (for now): Reform School and Fred Flare.
I also don't know when they are expecting to receive more books but I'm sure it will be soon!
So Sylvie
08/26/2008, 17:10 | Original Site: katiedid
Not only is her shop beautiful, but so is she. She has had a bit of hardship lately, which you can read about here. I hope you will join me in your support and well wishes by visiting her blog.
Sylvie is letting some of her very special pieces go on Craig's List so you might want to check things out here.
This etagere is one of the beauties being sold.
I wish I had gotten a chance to visit her shop in person, but I hope Sylvie will be starting a new chapter where her talents will flourish!
Wishing all good things for Sylvie and her family!
Auroville, Pondicherry
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
My door obssession in Pondicherry, when I didn't have a digital camera, scanned from old photographs:-) 
The history of Pondicherry can be traced back to 1672 when the French bought this port town from an India King. The French connection grew when Sri Aurobindo an Indian scholar & mystic set up an ashram here in 1926. Mira Alfassa his French-born spiritual companion, also known as 'The Mother' established Auroville in the sixties.
Image of Matrimandir in Auroville.Auroville is a series of self-supporting communities in villages which are very close to Pondicherry. Auroville's New Age ideal drew many Indians & Westerners including French architect Roger Anger who was the chief architect of the township of Auroville.
Featured here are a couple of homes from Auroville.
A fusion of natural & modern home of Frenchman Jean Legrand & wife Joy.
Natural light streaming in through the circular shapes on the ceiling and that is echoed by the natural rocks & granite slabs in Legrand's bathroom.
Love the angular and circular shapes of the kitchen & dining area, which has been designed keeping the light in mind.Home of designer William Netter, an American Spiritualist and Sri Aurobindo follower.
The white-tiled kitchen with simple modern lines and ample natural light.
The design here is Minimalist with areas designated for different purposes. Here is the space for praying with 'The Mother's' and Sri Aurobindo's photographs with a votive candle burning in the centre and his work space.
A house designed by French architect Roger Anger for Christine Devin & her husband in 1976 in a design resembling toadstool shapes.
Beautifully designed circular bedroom with movable slats to adjust light & air flow. Love the red-oxide smooth flooring and a simple portrait of the Mother on the wall.
Locally made paper lantern and couple of floor cushions & wooden chest adorn the dining area. I absolutely love the shape of the windows ( reminds me of railway train windows:-)The township at Auroville is heaven for architects from India & abroad trying to create something different, something new. You can read more about the various styles of architecture in Auroville here.
(images from Indian Interiors- Taschen & Auroville.org)
the peach named alesia
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
alesia marie was born on september 22 at 2:10 am ~ 5 lbs 11 oz and 18" long. both mama & baby are very happy and healthy. thanks to everyone for all your stunning kindness & support through this momentous life changing event.
aygo happy graphics
02/08/2008, 19:54 | Original Site: red.house
: : I love graphics like this! [and I think it has inspired me to do a new motif.]even better, it's been applied to .aygo., the car. my friend .louise. owns an .aygo., they're so cute, and so tiny. maybe she'll let me apply my graphics to her car?
via .print&pattern. graphics work by .studiokanna.
etta designs & sustainable interiors
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
the term 'sustainable interiors' can be misleading because it describes only part of the picture. claiming that a project or renovation is green, sustainable or eco-friendly, may seem like a wonderful thing to boast but it alone doesn't define a space. an interior space also needs to have functionality, beauty, comfort, and good space planning ~ as all good design requires. the vast majority of projects claiming to be green aren't 100% eco-friendly, especialy since they're often found within existing non-green architecture. but integrating green design techniques and knowing where to go to help boost the eco-friendly factor in interiors projects is the key stone to making a shift from wasteful to wonderful in interior design. that's why i just adore finding people like rachel winokur & her firm eTTa designs.
rachel winokur runs eTTa deisgns, an l.a. based interior design firm with a focus on interior design for residential & commercial applications including stunning eco-friendly solutions. rachel is the founder and lead designer of eTTa designs which handles the entire design process including concept, budget, space planning, selecting and purchasing finishes, furnishings & equipment, project management, and installation. 
in her own home she's stayed green largely due to using vintage pieces instead of buying new. for larger projects here's how she stays green:the reuse people's warehouse is a terrific place to buy building materials at a fraction of the cost of new. for commercial projects, check with the city to find out who they require you to use. {for the eco-friendly nail salon we completed recently, we were instructed to use consolidated disposal services.}
planning the design ~ use what's already there. it's important to embrace the existing conditions and make as few structural changes as possible {as long as it makes sense to the project}. this creates less waste and can also decrease the cost and energy usage. for the nail salon, we kept the existing window and door openings and added new metal frames to give it a fresh and clean look, added clerestory windows for cross-ventilation with clerestory windows in the back, and added fluted glass for privacy. we re-used an existing exterior light fixture which was cleaned up and re-installed with a flourescent bulb. to remove existing paint and stains from a fixture you wish to re-use, try soyclean's paint stripper. we also discovered a wonderful concrete floor hiding underneath the wall-to-wall carpet. to remove remaining carpet adhesive, use something like franmar's bean-e-doo and enhance the concrete finish with a product from eco-procote.
new materials ~ when selecting new materials and finishes, consider not only the manufacturer's 'green' claim, but also the product's life cycle and who manufactures it and where. for example, recyclable glass tile from sandhill industries is not only made of 100% recycled glass, the energy used to make it is less than 1/2 that required to make ceramic tile and 1/4 that of cast glass tile.choosing the right green product usually requires weighing the pros and cons just like with any product. for example, at $29/SF, the sandhill glass tile may sound expensive, but consider covering a smaller area with this special tile or use it more generously and hold back on something else. also consider the associated savings with benefits of 'green' products, like health, durability, sustainability and curb appeal.
for more delights along the same lines, rachel has a nice blog based on her green design philosophy & savvy, called eTTa bits.
Reading guide!
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: desire to inspire
So it's Labor Day long weekend in North America. No such luck here but that won't stop me sharing new blogs with you. Any excuse for a reading guide! You know the drill - some are new, some are new to me, some I've been reading for quite some time, some aren't in English and all have loads of eye candy! I'm not jealous that it's a long weekend in another country .... I'm still on holidays :) WINKS next week I promise.
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Cool Stuff: New Pillows from Henry Road
04/11/2008, 21:33 | Original Site: More Ways to Waste Tim
I'm just loving these bright new pillows from Henry Road. If you're not already in a summer state of mind, the latest hand-drawn and -printed designs from Henry Road founder Paula Smail will definitely put your there.Take a look:
Blossom Pillow in Crimson (also available in Sage and Teal), $75
Patch Pillow in Aqua, Tangerine, and Black, $85
Fleur Pillow in Sage (also in Teal and Passion), $75
Leaves Pillow in Teal (also in Sage), $95
In other news, Henry Road has a great new collection of bags as well, and will soon be opening its very own store in Los Angeles.See all of the offerings in Henry Road's online store.
(Thanks for the tip, Vanessa!)
