Wishing all you lovely blogger friends a very happy and bright Diwali! The 'Festival of Light' where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.
Sorry for the late post, have just about found some quiet time to sit down and assimilate all the festivity around me:-) Today I am going to share the festivities in our home....Welcome!A simple rangoli made with white poster colours greet you at our doorstep. My favourite Frangipani flowers in terracotta bowl.Traditional brass peacock lamps at the entrance.Tealight candles in 'Chai' glasses add light and festivity to our dining table which is dressed in it's colourful best;-) Also seen here are some traditional Indian Sweets.Flowers & candles...what more can you ask for:-)
Waiting to burst some sparkly fire crackers with my family:-)

Happy Diwali and thanks for all the encouragement, suggestions, appreciations and love that all of you have shown me during the last couple of days.

Thanks Everyone!!! Have a great Diwali!

I wish I were in one of these gorgeous small towns in Italy. These book is for sale at Anthropologie.


Source: Craving Anthropologie

Namba Parks is a really amazing piece of architecture, a place where you’ll spend half your time shopping and the other half admiring the design. It stands where Osaka’s baseball stadium used to be until 2003, and consists of a 30-floor skyscraper, Parks Tower, and 120-tenant shopping mall which includes many restaurants and a cinema. The eight floors of terraced gardens, boutique stores, big brands and trendy dining have been an instant hit in shopping-mad Osaka. In addition to providing a highly visible green component in a city where nature is sparse, the sloping park connects to the street, welcoming passers-by to enjoy its groves of trees, clusters of rocks, cliffs, lawn, streams, waterfalls, ponds and outdoor terraces.

Beneath the park, a canyon carves an experiential path through specialty retail, entertainment and dining venues. Namba Parks creates a new natural experience for Osaka that celebrates the interaction of people, culture and recreation. The project was so successful that Namba Parks construction is already underway for an extension - almost doubling the facility and due for completion in the middle of 2007. Finally this project is so amazing, that personally I would include it as the 8th wonder of the world. - Namba Parks on Wikipedia & Namba Parks website + Images at higher resolution - 1, 2

Post from: Interior Design, Home & House Design, Furniture

I just got a couple of new catalogs today, and a few things caught my eye. They happened to be red....you know, like a stop sign... so I just had to stop and stare.

I think I posted this awhile back in the white (which I just ordered for my Dining Room). I thought the red was great too...so here it is! From Wisteria, Coconut Chandelier in Coral, $649.00

Wisteria's Gilded Stool would work almost anywhere. "$219

This little Red Tibetan Side Table is a steal at $89! Also from Wisteria.

Rattan Top Side Table from Wisteria, $289.

Gump's San Francisco came through with some beautiful things. This Red Openwork Chair is a mere $395. A pair on either side of a foyer table perhaps?

This Cathay Console from Gump's is on sale for $499.99.

I love this Chippendale Outdoor Bench. So fun in red! Gump's $995.

These red foo dogs from CB2 are a bit of a change from the turquoise blue we have been seeing so much of lately. Interesting item for CB2! $49.95 for the pair. Polyresin...hmmm.

Skew Barstools from CB2 range in price from $99.95 to $129.00. This color is called "lobster". Also available in white. Hard choice.

Hancock Bookcase from CB2 for $199. The red makes it, I think.

CB2 Briar Wingback Chair. Smashing in red. $699.

Just a quick look. There's more where that came from! Happy hunting.

I've been obsessing over Pippa Holt's London apartment since it appeared in the March/April 2008 issue of Australian Vogue Living. I know you've all probably seen it but I just love how she has mixed modern with old and thrown in collections of treasured things including some Australiana to remind her of home. This image above is currently on my inspiration board for my new kitchen as I am going to have a wall in the new kitchen wallpapered in this paper. If you haven't already seen this article click HERE as there are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!!

I was featured in the Wall Street Journal yesterday in a cool little article called "Crafty Hobbyists Create New Careers Using the Web". Though in the article it seems current, I actually started that wedding invitation business with a partner many moons ago...like 9 years ago and sold it about 3 years ago!

And I was also in another article back in February in the Washington Post and Entrepreneur.com that I forgot to mention. It was an article called "The Benefits of Pregnancy". I like how she used the term "blindsided" to describe my pregnancy (my tactful parents had a better word to describe it) --which just means that when you're crazy busy running your own business (and trying to go to grad school at the same time) you sometimes forget to take a certain daily dose of a certain something that stops surprises like this from happening. So take note women business owners! And seriously, I don't know what possessed me to think I could run a business and finish architecture school at the same time. Sometimes I overestimate my abilities to multi-task. Just a little bit. And I also have to point out that contrary to the article, I do not own a "craft store" (it might have been confused with the wedding invitation retail shop I used to own). I do have a studio in Berkeley, but please don't come knocking on my door looking to buy foam stamps or glue guns. Though I may part with my beadazzler for the right price.

it’s been a busy week here at d*s and today ac and i are heading off to savannah for a much needed break and a little wedding-location scouting. i’ll be blogging from savannah on monday and tuesday so stay tuned for some photos of the places we’re checking out while down in georgia. in the meantime, i’ll be posting a link to the good morning america segment i filmed as soon as it’s up, along with the date and time it will air on tv! i better run and finish packing so i’ll see you all on monday from sunny savannah. until then, here’s a summary of this week’s highlights. [image above: graham and brown wallpaper: $60 per roll at design public]

• thank you to TIME magazine for including d*s in their “the design 100″ list for design!
• d*s under $100 roundups at domino: decorating essentials and eco-friendly home products
• this weekend: the first ever brooklyn flea and the d*s collective
• 2008 d*s reader survey and alena hennessy print prizes!
• new york magazine shop-a-matic: design*sponge 100-product roundup
• new sneak peek: skinny laminx
• new before and afters: chair love (6 chair makeovers), natalie’s lamp, joanna and marc-peter’s amsterdam home
• new diy projects: subscription card art, bridget’s wood veneer lamp, kate’s leaning shelf
• new city guide: dublin design guide
• new in the kitchen with: mod green pod beet risotto
• new d*s guest blog: elka from popsugar
• interior inspiration: wonderful white
• interior inspiration: alma and nancy’s joshua tree home
• new: porcelain paper plates by virginia sin
• new: orla kiely stationery
• new: cave dwellers print by rachell sumpter
• new: textiles from anna drastik
• new: karen karlstrom pillows
• packaging by palatal collective
• wedding invites: white lettering on dark brown
• eco-friendly: bedding from plover organic

A few people we think you will like.

You may or may not know Bluelines has some pretty creative and helpful friends in the blogosphere.

The Bride's Guide has charming and original ideas for brides-to-be.

While Dinner Tonight can save you from buying that frozen pizza with fresh and simple (we swear) dinner ideas every day. Yes, every day.

Finally, Did you think that Martha Stewart making Cherry Mojitos with the Google guys would happen on an average Wednesday? You can read about that and many more adventures on The Martha Blog.

Good news! If you do not yet have your tickets to the Dwell on Design 2008 exhibition in Los Angeles, our friends at Dwell are now offering free passes to Hatch readers (free entrance to the exhibition only).

To get the goods you’ll need this code: BDODEC.

To register, follow this link: http://www.dwell.com/peopleplaces/conferences/17691009.html. All the details about the event can be found here. Enjoy!

I got tagged last week by Megan of Beach Bungalow 8. It takes me awhile, but I eventually find the time (see "to do list"). Thanks Megan!

So here goes:
1) What did you do ten years ago?

I was living in Sacramento, CA here:

I posted about Anna Whitford back in January. I decided to visit her website to see of any update or addition on her products. What a delight to find these gorgeous vintage inspired Floral Clip Purses. Aren't they beautiful and classic?

Has anyone else noticed the progression of Hillary Clinton's outfit colors as the primaries progress?

image source

“Hillary Clinton’s biggest criticism is how harsh she is,� said Mary Lou Andre, president of Organization by Design Inc., a professional image consulting firm in Needham. “I think by wearing certain feminine colors, she will connect with voters. I think the public knows she can do the job. It’s her likability that’s the issue.�(source)

Evidently a way to appear more accessible, she wore red in Texas, ginger in South Dakota and buttercream in West Virginia. It certainly sets her apart from all of those somber dark gray, black and navy blue suits out there in on the campaign trail. I am fascinated by how far color psychology can penetrate into marketing strategies. Just look at most official uniforms- navy blue is favored because the message it sends says: authority, dependability, and strength.
A Washington Post article dubbed her, "Clinton-the-human-color-wheel". But it's a smart way to set herself apart, to communicate more of her message through the colors she wears.

What do you think? Is it chauvinistic to focus on Hillary's clothes, or do we do the same for her male counter-parts? Do you think what the politicians are wearing have any bearing on their appeal as candidates?

I am particularly fond of viewing photos of Design Public products in action…like folks swinging on a Fatboy Headdemock, or modeling with their Vitra Nelson Clock, or dressing up their OFFI My Pet Lamp. In this case, the “action shot du jour” is of four legged friend Mr. Buddy scratching his little heart out on a Marmalade pet care Sweet Lounge Cat Bed and sitting on a Hepper Wave Pet Bed. Obviously, Mr. Buddy’s owner, Anthony, has done a might fine job of pampering his purry pal.

Name: Anthony and Mr. Buddy (the cat)

Where do you live? Seattle, WA

What do you do? Director of Development

DP Purchase/s: Marmalade pet care Sweet Lounge Pet Bed, Hepper Wave Pet Bed, Hepper Nest Pet Bed, Weegee Floor Lamp.

What’s your favorite DP product and why? All the cat goodies. Mr. Buddy (our cat) can’t live without them! All the items in pet stores are bland.

How would you describe your design style? Retro modern

Sites/blogs you visit daily: velonews.com, yahoo.com, nytimes.com

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? Don’t shave your legs with goosebumps (I’m a cyclist and yes we shave our legs!)

Tell us about your home, office, workspace, or favorite nook and cranny. New modern dwelling built by elemental architecture (elementalarchitecture.com)

What’s your favorite color or material? White

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Silver

If you could redo any space, past or present, what would it be? The “Biblioteca Nacional” in Buenos Aries. Great buuilding that needs a little love

Any favorite design ideas? Old spaces revamped with an acute design sense for interiors

Any design pet peeves? “Euro” Modern, overstuffed couches and “knick-knacks.”

Do you collect anything? Tell us of your treasures….Any prized possessions? Not really a collector, but I own lots of fancy race bikes that I’d die (or get fat) with out.

Favorite member of the A-Team: Their black and red van.

Movies you can watch over and over: Anything that DOES NOT include Tom Hanks and/or Julia Roberts.

Four places you would rather be right now: In Phuket, Thailand at Twin Palms resort; Winthrop Washington hiking in the woods; Italy watching the “Giro D’Italia” bike race; Stumptown coffee shop with my wife.

Thanks Anthony and Mr. Buddy!

Your turn! We can’t wait to see your photo of your friend sitting on your Orange22 Botanist Bench, or an incredible spread set our on your Blu Dot Strut Table. Join our “Design Public Peepsâ€� Flickr group and upload a photo showing how you use your Design Public purchases.

Yeehaw! The DP Outlet is open once again! I know these are sweet words to the eyes of many a Bay Area customer so enjoy it while it lasts…

Here’s the full scoop:

*All items are returned merchandise and are sold “as-is.� The majority of the pieces are like new but if there are any flaws to an item we have made a note about the condition of the piece under the item title.

*All Outlet sales are final. No cancellations, returns, or exchanges on Outlet purchases.

*Products are available for pickup only from our office in San Francisco, CA (see map). You will be given an opportunity during checkout to choose a pickup time. No shipments or shipping arrangements.

Check out all of the mind-boggling sales!

Alda Pereira is based in Vancouver and she is an unbelievably talented interior designer. I adore her style - refined modern with bold hits of colour, graphic artwork, and to-die-for furnishings. It's young and hip and simply fabulous. And I love it. LOVE IT.

I haven't put together a retro post in ages. Today my laziness stops. Today I give you what you crave - retro good and bad. Scans are from Woman's Day All Colour Book of Home Decorating & Design, Edited by Babette Hayes, Octopus Australia, 1977. I promise you won't have to wait so long for your next fix. Don't forget to click on the images to enjoy a larger serve of retroliciousness.

Alan Campbell

Domino, August 2008

Don't miss designer, David Netto's article about the incomparable fabric design icon, Alan Campbell in Domino's August issue. You are bound to know Alan Campbell's fabrics, but David Netto let's us in on the man. And as his godson, he knows a thing or two.

Alan Campbell fabrics in the Parish Hadley famous 1970's peacock blue room.

Domino, August 2008

Postmodernism was originally a reaction to modernism. Largely influenced by the Western European disillusionment induced by World War II, postmodernism tends to refer to a cultural, intellectual, or artistic state lacking a clear central hierarchy or organizing principle and embodying extreme complexity, contradiction, ambiguity, diversity, interconnectedness or interreferentiality, in a way that is often indistinguishable from a parody of itself. The home entitled Bunny Lane is what I would call true postmodern architecture. With a mix of style and no central aesthetic principles, it is a home that encompasses two unique homes under the roof of a third. It is wildly unique with lots of contradiction and ambiguity and breaks the boundaries of residential architecture as we knew them to be. Bravo to Architecture & Hygiene for this fabulous design.