The Designer's Notebook

2011-02-07T21:37:00.001-08:00

2011-01-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

2010-12-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

2010-12-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas is Coming!!! Let the lovely KATE BUSH tell you about it.

2010-12-20T22:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas is in the air and in every song. What do you want from Santa this year?

2010-12-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

Designing with lots of vintage and a little new. You like?

2010-12-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

2010-12-12T21:48:00.000-08:00

Inspiration Board

2010-11-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

A little FUNK to get that turkey goodness rolling off.

2010-11-26T22:17:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!

2010-11-24T21:57:00.000-08:00

Can you spot the Prouve?

2010-10-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN GHOULS!

2010-10-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

The labyrinth of tunnels beneath Waterloo station in London will be converted into a large-scale evocation of Dante's Inferno this October. Visitors will explore a unique interpretation of the nine circles of hell through the vision of Lazarides artists plus additional contributions from outside the normal roster including: Conor Harrington, Vhils, George Osodi, Antony Micallef, Doug Foster, Todd James, Paul Insect, Mark Jenkins, Boogie, Ian Francis, Polly Morgan, Jonathan Yeo, Zak Ové and many more ... Interaction with the works will be encouraged as part of this multi-sensory experience.

Hell's Half Acre will be open for viewing from 12th to 17th October, 6pm till 11pm Tuesday to Thursday, with extended hours over the weekend. Entry to the exhibition will be free, but as space is limited you will need to book ahead.

Shoes News

2010-10-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

Fantastic (with jeans or simple black/navy dress for that flirty date...no shorts please!)

Fantastic (for the right event and with simple black/cream dress since shoes will be talking)

FAIL (deco-nightmare)

FAIL...in a really BIG way. (who? why?)

Go to Hell

2010-10-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

"In the hot, expansive Karakum desert in Turkmenistan, near the 350 person village of Derweze, is a hole 328 feet wide that has been on fire, continuously, for 38 years. Known as the Darvaza Gas Crater or the "Gates of Hell" by locals, the crater can be seen glowing for miles around.
The hole is the outcome not of nature but of an industrial accident. In 1971 a Soviet drilling rig accidentally punched into a massive underground natural gas cavern, causing the ground to collapse and the entire drilling rig to fall in. Having punctured a pocket of gas, poisonous fumes began leaking from the hole at an alarming rate. To head off a potential environmental catastrophe, the Soviets set the hole alight. The crater hasn't stopped burning since."

2010-10-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

Being its October and all, we couldn't help but show you this image of some adorable children doing a dress rehearsal for their Halloween outfits this year. Sweeter than any candy we know.

2010-09-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FALL FROM RANDY FRANKS STUDIO

2010-09-07T10:24:00.001-07:00

It’s a bunch of cuties eating peanut butter. It’s ridiculous! Who’d want to watch this? Me…I do. My heart just melted. God…I’m such a lover.

Shoes News: for the ladies

2010-09-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

As designers, we see good and bad design everyplace we look, and nothing is more obvious than fashion- especially woman's shoes. Since we see so many, we here at RFS think its time we highlight some of the good AND bad.

Lets start this off on the right foot :\

Fantastic

Fail

They walk

2010-09-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

American firm Choi + Shine Architects designed these conceptual electricity pylons shaped like human figures to march across the Icelandic landscape.

Each pylon would be assembled from modular parts, which could be adapted into various positions to given the impression the the statues are walking, climbing or crouching.

The 30-metre tall statues would be supported on concrete footings and are an alteration of the steel frame used by existing pylons.

This design transforms mundane electrical pylons into statues on the Icelandic landscape.
Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a series of towers that are powerful, solemn and variable. These iconic pylon-figures will become monuments in the landscape. Seeing the pylon- figures will become an unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity.

The pylon-figures can be configured to respond to their environment with appropriate gestures. As the carried electrical lines ascend a hill, the pylon-figures change posture, imitating a climbing person. Over long spans, the pylon-figure stretches to gain increased height, crouches for increased strength or strains under the weight of the wires.

In addition, the pylon-figures can also be arranged to create a sense of place through deliberate expression. Subtle alterations in the hands and head combined with repositioning of the main body parts in the x, y and z-axis, allow for a rich variety of expressions. The pylon-figures can be placed in pairs, walking in the same direction or opposite directions, glancing at each other as they pass by or kneeling respectively, head bowed at a town.

Despite the large number of possible forms, each pylon-figure is made from the same major assembled parts (torso, fore arm, upper leg, hand etc.) and uses a library of pre-assembled joints between these parts to create the pylon-figures’ appearance. This design allows for many variations in form and height while the pylon-figures’ cost is kept low through identical production, simple assembly and construction.

The pylon-figures are designed to provide supports for the conductors, ground wires and other cables all within required clearances. These clearances are maintained in the various shown positions. The towers are largely self-supporting, sitting on concrete footings, perhaps with the addition of guy wires, depending on requirements of the loading wires.

Like the statues of Easter Island, it is envisioned that these one hundred and fifty foot tall, modern caryatids will take on a quiet authority, belonging to their landscape yet serving the people, silently transporting electricity across all terrain, day and night, sunshine or snow.

Emergency Exit

2010-09-03T23:18:00.000-07:00

Venice Architecture Biennale 2010: visitors to the Polish pavilion at this year’s Venice Architectural Biennale launch themselves off a pile of birdcages into a sea of artificial clouds. Hot!

Called Emergency Exit, the installation by Agnieszka Kurant and Aleksandra Wasilkowska consists of empty metal cages stacked up to form the jumping platform, smoke machines and a neon sign spelling out ‘Emergency Exit’.

Here’s some more information from the designers:

Emergency Exit.
Agnieszka Kurant and Aleksandra Wasilkowska
Polish Pavilion at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice
‘A neon Emergency Exit sign hangs on the facade of the Polish Pavilion. Inside, a surreal structure made of hundreds of reclaimed bird cages hides a path to its summit.
It is lit from within, suggesting a night landscape, a fantastical de-materialized world containing an object and an action. You climb the seemingly precarious structure. At the height of the summit you look down into a churning sea of clouds. Your breath catches, your pulse quickens; you look down, then out, and then leap blindly into the void. . .

The installation Emergency Exit by artist Agnieszka Kurant and architect Aleksandra Wasilkowska seeks to go beyond the logic of urban reality through the creation of ‘urban portable holes’: in-between spaces, places of uncertainty and doubt, of time-space discontinuity, such as abandoned or unfinished buildings, sites of catastrophe or accidents, illegal markets, rooftops and tunnels. The title refers ironically to the health and safety regulations in buildings and urban space that seek to plan, control risk and eliminate the accidental and unexpected.

The installation is constructed from an aggregate of metal cages, more commonly used to contain birds and prevent flight, to create a new fictional sport within the urban context. The design makes reference to the forms of decaying sports monuments, such as the ski jump in Mokotów, Warsaw—a surrealistic icon of socialist era architecture thatis now in ruins. During a test phase, visitors will be able to climb to the top of the structure and jump out into artificially generated clouds, representing ultimate freedom and urban escapism. The Polish Pavilion acts as a laboratory within which Emergency Exit engages with the public directly to provoke, inspire and excite the collective body. These actions will be documented and then presented within the Pavilion.

Kurant and Wasilkowska interpret the city as an unpredictable, complex system whose collective understanding is composed of intersecting real and imaginary spaces changed through extremely rare events. Nine out of ten things that influence our behaviour and thinking are invisible or intangible. Factors such as myths, rumours and legends overlay themselves onto the physical environment to create an urban morphology of augmented landscapes. At the same time, spontaneity and risk exist as human characteristics that can work against a rational layer of control within the urban fabric. Both invisible phenomena and social actions can change the dynamic of a street, borough, or even the entire city. Architects and planners are therefore unable to precisely anticipate all the needs and transformations of the city. If a rigid and deterministic master plan is unable to integrate emergent needs and changes then the whole city looses its equilibrium.

Emergency Exit is conceived as a hybrid machine for the transfer to other realities, perforating the system of the city. It is a portable hole to the unknown; a catalyst for different, contradictory emotions and needs. Through the transfer, people fill in the gaps with their own emotions, ideas and desires. Kurant and Wasilkowska see the moment of jumping as an exit from the modernist paradigm in architecture where emotional, affective space was ignored and considered an obsolete ornament. The activity materialises the need and desire to lose control, to free oneself both physically and metaphorically from the current system; from a dominant paradigm, logic or state. To get out of here.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi restoration by OMA

2010-09-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

Venice Architecture Biennale 2010: Dutch firm OMA have unveiled their design for the renovation of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi in Venice.

Located by the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, the building dates from 1506 and has been used as a trading post and customs house.

OMA’s restoration will convert the building into a department store with a cultural program.

Two sides of the roof will be removed to create a public terrace with views over the Grand Canal that can be used for events and screenings.

The scheme was unveiled at the Venice Architecture Biennale, where Rem Koolhaas has been awarded the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement

Here’s some more information from OMA:

OMA to restore Fondaco dei Tedeschi, landmark building in Venice
OMA today unveils its design for the major restoration and redefinition of one of Venice’s largest and most iconic buildings: the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, a property owned by the Benetton family, adjacent to the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.

First constructed in 1228, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi began as a trading post for German merchants and became a customs house under Napoleon in 1806. Its use as a post office has diminished in recent years, leaving much of the building unused and inaccessible for the first time in centuries. The latest evolution of the Fondaco will create a thriving contemporary trading post in the form of a culturally-programmed department store.

The Fondaco dei Tedeschi, twice rebuilt completely, with its current configuration dating from 1506, has undergone many radical transformations since then. To accommodate new uses, its towers have been removed, courtyard covered with glass, structure rebuilt, façade restored, and new windows added, among many other interventions. For the Fondaco, preservation is a history of change.

Commissioned by the Benetton family’s property group, OMA has designed a range of architectural modifications and developed a cultural program to reactivate the building as a vital public space, from top to bottom. A terrace with rare views of the Grand Canal will be created by removing two sides of the existing roof, leaving the building’s profile intact while unlocking exciting potential for the Fondaco dei Tedeschi as a major destination and vantage point for tourists and Venetians alike. The rooftop, together with the courtyard below, will become a public venue for events including exhibitions and film screenings. A year-round cultural program will be aimed at locals and tourists – the 20 million who visit the city each year, as well as the 900,000 who come specifically for the Biennales and festivals.

The new Fondaco dei Tedeschi, as both prestige department store and public event space, aims to reestablish the historic Venetian connection between culture and commerce. The Benetton family has always demonstrated this twin spirit, uniting the innovative and international with profoundly local, Venetian roots.
New entrances to the Fondaco will be created from the Campo San Bartolomeo and the Rialto to encourage circulation, escalators will be added to create a new public route through the building, rooms will be consolidated in a way that respects the Fondaco’s structure, while crucial historic elements like the corner rooms will remain untouched. Historic aspects of the building, lost for centuries, will be resurrected: the walls of the gallerias will once again become a surface for frescoes, reappearing in a contemporary form.
OMA’s renovation scheme – both ambitious and subtle – continues the Fondaco dei Tedeschi’s tradition of vitality and adaptation. Venice will acquire a landmark department store that will become a shared civic facility and a crucial element in the cultural fabric of the city.

2010-08-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Helga wanted to get her back.

OMG!

2010-08-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Nothing says sexy like an audible entrance. Anywhere you go with dutch clogs, you are greeted with a dropped jaw and an attentive audience. Handpainted, your clogs will always impress with their raw authenticity, and when crowds gaze in cultural ignorance at your stylish footwear, you can tell them about their Netherlandish roots. Stylish AND international; an instant slay for any right minded man or woman. Wearing dutch clogs turns the average human being into a loaded gun filled with sex bullets.

PLUS roller clogs makes you eligible for the X-games, which is a completely unexplored world of sexy.

Buy some here!

Denim on Denim

2010-08-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Our friend Edwin kept to his element for the shoot of his SS11 presentation, the latest in the brand’s non-conforming, independent spirited lookbooks. The ‘models’, Edwin guys’ friends and family, were photographed wearing the next spring collection in their natural habitat, allowing for a relaxed and casual lifestyle to come through. The photographs were not retouched, leaving the imperfections of life and dust present – a clear reference to the philosophy behind the brand’s core product-denim. Keeping it real, that’s the way we like it… take a look.

We at the studio think opposites attract!

2010-08-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

Eclectic Deluxe!

2010-08-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

Who said Randy does not like white?

2010-08-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

To you, with love...

2010-08-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

2010-08-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

Viva La Fiesta!!

from the Randy Franks Studio!!!

My pet monster

2010-08-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Teach those little rugrats to pick up after themselves by giving a simple toy chest an anthropomorphic identity. Toy Guardian is monster on wheels, hungry and ready to eat up all your toys but don’t worry, he’ll only keep them until you need them again. What a great way to teach kids (and adults like me) some important life skills. Not to mention this thing is uber cute and I want one!

The Toy Guardian is a 2010 IDEA Design Winner.

Designer: Tzung-Yu Lu

Hot stems!

2010-08-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

I’m in love with the Two Leg Coffee Table. The Corian table top has always been a favorite of mine in kitchens because it reminds me of milk. I adore the way the oak legs intimately meet into the table surface too. Although the description says two legs, I still see four – just not in the traditional sense. By increasing the surface area of the main support legs, you get stability.

Sharp shooter

2010-08-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to this lovely, organic chair. I say organic because of the aesthetic of the whole thing. Look at it! Or rather, look at them, there’s more than one. This is the “Zeren Chair” designed by Njegos Lakic of Belgrade. The Zeren Chair is characterized by it’s low weight, thin structure, and high hardness. Each of these chairs is made of magnesium and wood and magic. It reminds me rather of something the master surrealist artist H.R. Giger would make. A lot less scary, though, thank goodness.

These chairs would look severely amazing in something like a modern art gallery, modern collectable toy store, design office, anything like that. Probably not for your living room… unless you’re really hardcore.

An all-around wicked and beautiful looking chair, I must say

2010-08-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day for equality here in in California, lets keep our ~~fingers~~ paws crossed that it is the beginning of equality for the nation.

Drinking in the rain!

2010-08-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

CITY RAIN concrete glass is made of high water-absorption concrete with idea of wet street and glass window, the ingenious combination of two kinds of hard materials – glass and concrete with low contrast gray and simple lines presents a unique taste for the glass.

How urban!

Little Miss Muffet sat at a table...

2010-08-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

This right here is the daddy of the spider tables. Actually the “Daddy Long Legs” table, designed and made by Elvis Tomljenovic and Samir Secerkadic. Just yesterday I happened upon a playground playset made of metal, make to look just like a gigantic spider itself. I asked myself, “self, have you seen a table in just this fashion?” I did not think so. And what do you know! One comes across my plate this very next day!

This DLLegs table is made for the dining room or the office and is made of solid oak with a glass table top.

Finally the tallest of spiders has his own table

2010-07-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

"I just broke a nail...better call my tile-setter"

Heath meet Heath (tile week)

2010-07-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

There is no suitable introduction on how we feel about Heath ceramics. Randy cherishes all the Heath that owns. Now the team at Heath have teamed up with the people at Dwell Studio, and made a pretty good line of tile that we approve of. We are not generally ever thrilled with what Dwell does since their designs can be a bit repetitive and predictable, but this actually has good character and composition.

Q-bert?

How we love thee... (tile week)

2010-07-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

We at the studio love to work with tile in a myriad of ways. It really is a form of art that is not bond by any rules. Its array of textures and hues make its possibilities endless, and we love using them, as you can tell.

Pomona Tile Brochure (tile week )

2010-07-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

Pomona Tile did colabs with a bunch of famous designers of the time. Here is a scan of a pre-George Nelson brochure including the work Saul Bass.
I wish I had this book.

David Lynch’s Box

2010-07-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

The man who is best known as a director is also a visual artist dabbling in painting, photography, illustrations and builds lamps and boxes for friends on the weekends. He recently shared a couple photos of his handy work, including the beautiful keepsake box shown above. Love it!

Rough Aalto

2010-07-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these awesomely beat up Alvar Aalto stools. I like to imagine that these stools came from an online liquidation auction of a Finnish reform school, because the probable real story--someone bought them for $1 one Saturday morning, then spent the rest of the weekend artfully tagging them with vintage pocket knives--makes me feel really lazy.

IDEAS!!

Abitacolo Bed/Play Thing By Bruno Munari

2010-07-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

I know it kind of looks like it belongs in the laundry room, but isn't that part of its charm? Also, each one comes with a personalized license plate?

Bruno Munari designed Abitacolo [Italian for "cockpit"], a bed/play/study/storage structure for kids, for the retail fixture manufacturer Robots [!] in 1972. I thought it was lost to the ages, but I just found out yesterday that Robots still makes and sells Abitacolo in Europe.

TILE TIME!!!!

2010-07-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Its tile week!! Today is the first day in a series of posts dedicated to the amazing world of tile. I cant tell you how many hours I have spent staring at tile patterns and colors...its an illness I'm sure of it. An illness filled with love.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Little Samba

2010-07-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

THIS is how its done!

Tartan: Part 2

2010-07-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

Tartan Round-Up

With all this tartan talk, I’ve begun noticing tartan everywhere! And although a little plaid goes a long way, here are a few of my favorites!

[image above: long plaid chain necklace $19.99, tartan tape shade $128, audrey wallpaper £35. antique tartan print $120, henning sofa $3,998, ralph lauren chair $649, set of 6 coasters $14. 95, converse sneakers $44.80, brockhampton knob $2.95, laugharne blanket £71.00]

[image above: vintage plaid stamp sign $75]

[image above: tartan dessert plates $48, computer case $107.50, plates memo tray $9.99, tartan baubles bracelet $28 matteo scarf $60, tartan playing cards £5.99, plaid steamer truck $84.59, plaid locket $26.00 throw blanket $70]

Ilene "Cinderella" Woods (1929-2010)

2010-07-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

The L.A. Times is reporting the passing of Ilene Woods, the voice of Walt Disney’s Cinderella (1950). She died Thursday at age 81. According to the Times obit:

As a favor to songwriters Mack David and Jerry Livingston, she made demo recordings of Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes and So This is Love in 1948. The songwriters made their pitch to Walt Disney, who had already auditioned more than 300 singers and wasn’t satisfied with any voices. When he heard Woods, he asked her to audition and she got the role.

Woods was declared a Disney Legend in 2003. Without a doubt, her voice will live on forever. RIP sweet Cinderella.

Book for your Book

2010-07-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

This morning i’ve got mac products on the brain. normally i’m pretty  simple when it comes to lugging my laptop around (throw in bag, shove 2  scarves on either side to keep it from slamming into things) but when i  saw these cool “book covers” for your laptop i was  instantly intrigued.  

made of distressed leather, each “bookbook” is unique and is designed with dual zippers with leather pulls that look like bookmarks on first glance. you can keep your macbook charged while it’s protected because of the dual zippers (zip them to one side and leave a small space for your cord to plug in) or zip it up and carry it with you. i absolutely LOVE the idea of hiding your computer (something i never like looking at, despite its sleek design) inside of a book that looks like its been around for ages. for me, this is the perfect way to house something that looks a little too sleek and modern to match the rest of my house. click here for more information on bookbook and to place an order ($79.99). i need one.

2010-07-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

2010-07-02T00:43:00.000-07:00

Today I’m rounding up 35+ of my favorite pendant lamps in a wide range of styles, from modern and retro to country and romantic- all under $100. i hope you’ll enjoy the selection!

[images above, clockwise from top left: maskros pendant $89.99, garland light $90, copper cage pendant ~~$90~~ $129 (sorry guys, i missed that the shade was separate), minx pendant $55.80, metal etch pendant shade $48 (combine with this lamp kit $10), melon mini light $49.49, e27
pendant $99, barn warehouse pendant $85, kartell suspension lamp $106 ($6 over, but worth the extra few bucks)]

[images above, clockwise from top left: capsule lights $75, p445 pendant $100, deep bowl pendant $75, radial shade pendant $85, string lights $84, fillsta pendant $29.99, midsummer light $92, mibo small pendant shade $80, knappa $29.99]

[images above, clockwise from top left: mibo pendants $80, kulla $49.99, lyon light $85, ball jar pendant $95, future lamp $69.95, brasa pendant $49.99]

um....yeah...sorry.

2010-07-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Portfolio

2010-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is some art team member Xavier is working on inspired by the amazing Mary Blair and animation story board art in general. Hope you like.

2010-07-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

image above by julia rothman

If you’re thinking of a Scottish textile, chances are you’re thinking about tartan. The design was originally based on a simple two-color check, but today you can find an enormous variety of tartan patterns. So pour yourself a glass of scotch (OK – so it’s only 10am and we don’t live on the Mad Men set – but a girl can dream.), and let’s delve into tartan!

Difference between plaid and tartan?
Here’s the million dollar question. And it seems like nothing gets historians arguing quite like tartan! Here’s the basics: historically – plaid referred to a material/garment, while tartan was that checked pattern that we all know and love. A plaid was actually a large long shawl – usually 10 x 5 feet – the kilt was known as the belted plaid. Later the word ‘plaid’ came to mean any fabric that had a tartan pattern.

 sir james macdonald (1741 – 1765) and sir alexander macdonald  (1744 – 1810) by william mosman in about 1749, national  galleries of scotland

Clan Tartans
The 18th century painting above of the Macdonald boys is often used to illustrate the point that the association of tartan patterns with a particular family was a 19th century invention rather than an ancient tradition. The boys are wearing three different tartan patterns. (By the way, note the date of 1749 on the painting, we’re coming back to that!) Historians believe that tartans had an association with the location in which they were produced rather than the particular family who chose to wear them. But because the tartans with similar color ranges would have been found in the same location (due to the use of local dyes) those living in close proximity would have worn the same colors and patterns. (So for example, tartans in the west of Scotland were produced in blue, black and green and worn by the MacLeod, MacNeil, and the MacDonalds, while tartans in the north-east used blue or black and green stripe on a red ground and were worn by the local families such as Macintosh, Robertson, and MacGillivary.)

an incident in the rebellion of 1745, david morier

Tartan and Rebellion
In 1746 the English defeated the tartan-clad Scots at the Battle of Culloden. As part of an effort to assimilate the Scottish Highlands and thwart their ability to revolt, the Act of Proscription made the wearing of tartan illegal. (This section was referred to as The Dress Act) Remember I told you to note the date of the MacDonald boys painting? It was painted in 1749, during the time that wearing tartan in Scotland was prohibited by the Parliament.)

george iv by sir david wilkie, 1829

The laws were repealed on July 1, 1782, and in 1822 George the IV wore tartan on his visit to Scotland – it was the first visit by a British monarch since Charles II in 1650. The visit was contrived to strengthen the bond between Scotland and the British king. The novelist Sir Walter Scott organized the ceremonial events – the highlight was the “Highland Ball” where all guests were required to wear Highland costumes. It was a tartan fest – and suddenly tartan was a must-wear item.

the balmoral tartan designed by prince albert intended to be worn by only the royal family

Living with Tartan
When you think of tartans making the leap from clothing to home textiles, two words should come to mind – Queen Victoria. Well, and maybe two more – Prince Albert. Although Victoria was Queen, Albert certainly wore the pants in the relationship. Victoria pretty much did whatever he thought was best. And we can say one thing for Albert, he knew how to manage money. Victoria was the first monarch who never needed to borrow money from Parliament.

balmoral castle in 1956, the new york public library

The couple became so smitten with the Highlands after a trip to Scotland that they purchased the estate of Balmoral Castle in 1847 sight unseen. Albert enlarged the castle and redesigned its interior – in the Scottish Baronial style. He even designed a Balmoral tartan (which is still in use today as the royal tartan) – and tartan was the textile of choice in the castle interior decoration.

above: balmoral castle’s drawing room in 1863, then in 1983.

Balmoral became a favorite summer home of the Queen (although not of her entourage who complained of the cold!) and it is still a royal summer residence.

master h.g.e. gladstone in 1862 by camille silvy (1834-1910) from the v&a museum

Queen Victoria said that she wished to make tartan desirable throughout the world and she certainly did her part to make it a lucrative export. All that tartan certainly did trickle down. Master Gladstone’s tartan (called a Scotch suit) above was a direct result of the Queen’s influence in the vogue for all things Scottish!

above left: duke of windsor photographed by lord lichfield via the windsor style; above right: part of the sotheby’s sale in 1997 – the rothesay hunting tartan lounge suit made in 1897 for his father george v, then tailored to fit the duke of windsor

Edward VIII might have given up the throne for divorcee Wallis Simpson, but this great-grandson of Queen Victoria certainly wasn’t about to give up his tartan. The catalog for the Sotheby’s Duke and Duchess of Windsor auction highlights the tartan lounge suit that was thought to belong to King George in 1897. King George apparently wore the tartan suit to tea after hunting. The Duke credited his father’s retrofitted tartan suit as the catalyst for tartan vogue in the 1950s!

the Duke and Duchess dance as one of the couple’s many pugs looks on via the windsor style

elizabeth II with (from  left) princess anne, prince philip, prince andrew and prince charles via  britannica  online encyclopedia

During World War II, in order to escape the London blitz, the future Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose spent quite a bit of time at Balmoral Castle. And to this day, Queen Elizabeth II frequently wears tartan when visiting Balmoral.

I couldn’t resist closing out our look at tartan with this image of the Draper kitchen from Mad Men (For an insight into set decoration, see behind the scenes of Mad Men).

A MAD TEA PARTY

2010-06-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

WARNING: This animated video may offend some of our readers. I am not posting it to debate politics, but to show how the clever folks at College Humor.com mashed a Disney classic with current social commentary. And besides, it’s funny.

2010-06-02T00:39:00.000-07:00

My favorite color is shiny!
-XL

2010-05-15T11:21:00.001-07:00

Under Pressure!
Live @ The Bowie Ball

A mixed party is the best kind of party, and that’s exactly what it was like at Bowie Ball 2010, hosted by Le Poisson Rouge and the red-wigged and fabulous Deryck Todd (whose adoring parents were selling T-shirts in the front bar).

It seemed like everyone dressed as something—sparkly magenta eyeshadow, one-legged leotards, feathers, the list goes on. For those folks who didn’t have the time or energy, there was an elevated stage where numerous makeup and hair artistes molded eager hip kids into glam rock gods, goddesses, and every demi-god in between.

Performers included Kevin Aviance, Michael Formika Jones, neon glam duo the Kiki Twins, and trans virtuoso Our Lady J. A gay-in-spirit, Bridget Everett, did not disappoint fans by unleashing her powerful voice and bosoms.

All the performances were amazingly high-energy, especially uncanny Bowie lookalike Reni Lane, but also Keanan Duffty (of Slinky Vagabond) and the eternally youthful-looking Michael Cavadias with his accompanying band. In our great enjoyment of the whole evening, we forgot to grab a set list and don’t have a record of the songs. But chances are if there’s a Bowie song you love, we heard it.

2010-05-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!!!

Pretty Ugly!

2010-05-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

They say we have no memory for pain. I’ve heard this as an explanation as to why women continue to deliver children naturally, although I’m inclined to believe this is more due to the pleasurable memories of making babies rather than amnesia of their birth. Though it’s true that our bodies won’t allow us to re-experience a broken bone or torn muscle through sheer will, our state of mind in the wake of pain is something we don’t soon forget. Losing your virginity can be so painful for people it puts them off sex for a period. The pain of losing a friend, lover, or family member causes grief and emotional damage that we may carry with us our entire lives. In the same vein, reliving the ignorance and intolerance of our youth and early education can recall a very particular pain, that we’d hope had been forgotten.

I think enough proverbial ink has been spilled on Miss California, and her decision to not only share her ‘ideals’ at the Miss USA pageant, but also to steadfastly claim she has no regrets, and I’d like to say it doesn’t bother me. Another pretty, stupid, girl from a conservative family who thinks that everything Ma, Pa, and her minister have told her is the gospel truth. Hell, Britney Spears, who owes her entire comeback and career to the gays, was a Bush supporter to the bitter end, and if she’d be conscious for any of the previous election would probably have supported McCain. We know that sometimes the pretty Barbie dolls we put up on pedestals don’t always think we deserve to play with Ken the same way.

What bothered me is not that it’s 2010 and people outside of politics and religion still find venues and opportunities to espouse ‘traditional values,’ but that so much attention is given to someone on this topic whose only claim to fame is her ability to not look ridiculous in heels and a bikini, sit still for 90 minutes while her teeth are whitened and her hair is bleached, and pretend that a shiny tiara gives her license to be a spokesperson for the American family. Like the popular girl in high school, who drove the nicest car, and whose daddy owned a lot of guns, we look to these people because we can’t take our eyes off them, but when they open their mouths we find them to be just as disappointing and vapid as all the tragic beauties we’d seen before.

We may not have a memory for pain, but you can never forget how it feels when your Catholic school teacher, priest, friend, coach, director, or whomever talks about homosexuality as a sin, and for the first time in middle school you realize that means you. We grow, we accept, and we surround ourselves with like-minded people who accept us for who we are, but it only takes one empty-headed blond to make you feel like you’re on the playground again, wondering why Erin doesn’t think you should play with the girls anymore, and should go play football with the boys. As if!

If my friend's can endure a dislocated hip and pelvis, a scalded foot, neck pain, and a variety of other sex-related injuries, and continue dating, it seems there are some pleasures that are definitely worth the pain. Losing someone you love, as Adam Lambert so eloquently sang, “If I can’t have you, I don’t want nobody baby,” can take much longer to overcome, but the courage to do so is what will eventually allow us to triumph over ignorance and intolerance.

So, I’m happy for Miss California’s 15 minutes to run out, because they will, and soon, if not already. If anything I hope she bolstered our cause here in CA and all over the country, because when we do achieve equal rights, it will be an unparalleled pleasure that we won’t ever forget.

2010-03-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

Monastic Living

This wonderfully serene space is actually the wing of a monastery, converted for private use by the owner, an artist, who was careful to respect the integrity of the historical architecture and character of the old monastery in its renovation. The result is a light-filled home that, while spartan in decor, has an atmosphere filled with contented calm — perfect for cultivating creativity

2010-03-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

I hope your mondey has a quite pause before the bustle of the week ahead

2010-02-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines day from the Randy Franks Studio!

Thank you for all the comments and interest in our blog.

2010-02-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Lee Alexander McQueen

1969 - 2010

2010-01-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

Every person needs a little push every now and then. New Year Resolutions offer excellent opportunities for self-improvement. And what person doesn’t want to function at his best? Here’s a list of 10 Things You Can Live Without for a healthier, more fulfilling 2010.

10. Reality TV.Dude. It’s killing your brain. Just admit it. Cut out as much reality TV as you can in 2010 and you’ll be happier for it in the end. Need something to do? Read a book. Remember those?

9. Self pity.No explanation needed.

8. Celebrity Gossip.How many hours did you spend last year surfing empty, socially irresponsible gossip sites? Think about what Celebrity Gossip contributed to your life 2009 and you’ll quickly realize how much of a sucker you’ve been for drinking the Kool-Aid. Kate Gosselin mania? Is that the best you can do? You’re such a smart, gorgeous man — resolve to fill your brain with information worthy of you in 2010.

7. Facebook.Resolve to spend more time living in the real world, instead of settling for a virtual life of poking, liking, and uncreative commenting. Cutting down on “social networking” means your productivity will increase at work, which means your boss will like you more, which means you’ll be happier and healthier when end of year bonus time comes around. Wasting time online doesn’t really make for a good CV bullet point, you know?

6. Sugars and High Fructose Corn Syrup.Read the label of any processed product you purchase regularly, and cut out anything containing HFCS including Heinz Ketchup, Cool Whip, PowerBars, and Nutri-Grain Granola Bars. Here’s a longer list that will shock you. The jury is still out on whether HFCS is more dangerous than Sugar, but we don’t care. Here’s some advice: consume less of both and you’ll definitely lose weight. Done and done.

5. Factory Farmed Meat.Here’s some advice, read Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and his follow-up “Food Rules.” The overarching theme is simple: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Easy right? Well it turns out that eating locally grown/farmed foods is not only good for you, it is also more humane to the animals and overall better for the environment. Trust us, you don’t need the growth hormones, food coloring, and moral questioning in that farm-fished salmon or $1 cheeseburger. Spend more money on your food now, and save money on doctor visits later.

4. Drunk Dialing/Texting.And you know who you are. Lucky for you there’s an app for that. iPhone offers two services “The Bad Decision Blocker” and “Don’t Dial” that will ban “trouble” contacts before a night of going out. You won’t be able to call the numbers during the time they are blocked, even if you delete the applications. That’s how secure they are. If you don’t’ own an iPhone, just delete that trick’s number. He’ll never now.

3. Bourgeois Coffee Drinks.Spending $4+ on fancy coffee drinks, multiple times a day is not only financially irresponsible, it’s borderline unhealthy. Guess what? Your body doesn’t need to be pumped full of over-priced, socially irresponsible caffeine every 4 hours. Try making your own fair-trade coffee at home or at work and then switch to Green or White tea in the afternoon. Your sleep will improve and your anxiety will decrease. A win-win

2. Bar Hook-Ups. Ask yourself this question. How many times did that guy you picked up at Mr. Black on Saturday night stick around long enough to form a healthy, long-term, fulfilling sexual romantic relationship with you? Exactly. Time to change your dating strategy or else you’ll end up being that lonely old man-child at the bar sipping cheap whisky, complaining about how unfair life is.

1. Smoking.You gotta give it up man. And we count ourselves in on this list. There’s nothing good about smoking. Stop rationalizing your self-destruction and fetishizing the 60’s and quit for good. You teeth will be whiter. Your skin will be firmer. Your lungs will breathe easier. And your sex drive will improve. The benefits of quitting always outweigh the perils of the puff.

2010-01-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

Mind, Body, and Seoul
Pictures a friend sent of their trip to Korea

Starbucks everywhere!

And all this time i though it was in Nashville!

I like the names of the gay bars in the Itaewon area

2010-01-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

Timeless Beauty

2010-01-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday - Klaus Nomi!

in honor of his birthday- today- January 24-

Klaus Nomi (January 24, 1944 - August 6, 1983), was a German countertenor noted for his wide vocal range and an unusual, otherworldly stage persona.Nomi was known for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and a highly stylized signature hairdo which flaunted a receding hairline. His songs were equally unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classical music opera to covers of 1960s pop standards. He is perhaps best remembered by the general public as being one of David Bowie's backing singers during a 1979 performance on Saturday Night Live.Nomi was one of the first celebrities to contract AIDS. He died in 1983 at the age of 39 as a result of complications from the disease.

Happy Birthday, KLAUS NOMI...We miss you.

2010-01-13T08:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Edmund White!

Today is the birthday of Edmund White. It’s a good time to reflect on the courage of one of America’s great writers. Courage is not a word often used when describing today’s American writers, but Mr. White is different. We learned from his recently published memoir, that the sixties were a time of tremendous struggle for him. In this day of yuppie writers, it’s almost impossible to imagine a writer struggling so long to be published.

Edmund White’s great breakthrough was, of course, A Boy’s Own Story. It took courage to write A Boy’s Own Story. It was one of the first literary novels to present a gay boy as anything other than sick. It is a sweet irony that this courageous tome went on to become the first gay-themed New York Times Bestseller. Many believe A Boy’s Own Story is the Great American Queer Novel. For me, A Boy’s Own Story –alone–doesn’t quite rise to this level. But when taken together with its two sequels–Beautiful Room is Empty and Farewell Symphony–this trilogy perfectly represents The Great American Queer Novel–epic in sweep, historical and deeply personal.

If Edmund White had written only these three novels, he would be one of America’s great writers–gay or straight. But Mr. White didn’t stop here. He has written several more novels–including some historical fiction. He has written an award-winning biography of Proust and a highly entertaining biography of Rimbaud.

One of my favorite Edmund White books is his memoir, My Lives. Rather than presenting a chronological history of his life, Mr. White made the interesting decision to divide the book into different “Lives.” The two chapters that deal the most frankly with sexuality are: “My Hustlers” and “My Master.” Mr. White appears to have no interest in justifying his behavior. He is neither an apologist nor a propagandist. The writing is matter of fact, fascinating–occasionally humorous. Mr. White could have easily omitted these chapters from the book. After all, how many Princeton professors write about this sort of thing? But Mr. White once again made the courageous choice.

While we’re on the subject of courage, I should mention Mr. White’s recent play, Terre Haute. There are a lot of reasons great American novelists rarely try their hand at playwriting. For one thing, their record as a whole hasn’t been too good. Henry James’s one and only play was a notorious flop. Hemingway’s one and only play never got off the ground. And F. Scott Fitzgerald’s one and only play bombed in a “Broadway Bound” Atlantic City try-out. Plus, it can be painful. It’s a tough thing to submit your writing to a producer and a director, actors and finally an audience who may or may not get it.

I didn’t get a chance to see Mr. White’s play when it was produced in New York, but I did recently read it. And I was struck by two things. First, the quality of the dialogue. And second, the humor. As you probably know, the play is a series of conversations between a man who seems a lot like Timothy McVeigh and a writer who seems a lot like Gore Vidal. Mr. White gives the Gore Vidal stand-in a Yale education and he even has him quoting Norman Mailer(!) but the similarities with Gore Vidal are obvious. This character also gets all the good lines. Like his response when asked if he slept well: “I always sleep well. I leave nothing to chance. I’ve taken a ten-milligram valium every night of my life.”

It’s nice to see one of America’s great writers taking a stab at playwriting. And succeeding. I hope he will continue to write plays. I understand he is working on a sequel to City Boy. Will he also be writing some more fiction? Or perhaps another quality biography? Whatever his next project, I’m sure it will be courageous.

2010-01-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

All the best in 2010 from the Randy Franks Studio.

2009-12-14T22:17:00.000-08:00

2009-12-14T22:09:00.001-08:00

Frou-Frou cakes!

If i where a cake...

2009-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Abandoned Chateau

I would still live there if I could...all it needs is a little fresh paint and some dusting.

2009-12-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

ARTSEEN: Fahad El Jaoudi's show "Collision"

The art scene in Paris is something to behold. Everyday something new and fascinating are lining their galleries, and must be seen.

In particular, I was not aware of the gallery, e.l Bannwarth, but also a young artist worth watching: Fahd El Jaoudi. Check out the Paris Artseen Fahd El Jaoudi article (number X in the Paris Artseen series, and the first of the 2009-2010 school year season!) which is up online at EyePreferParis:
http://www.ipreferparis.net/2009/09/paris-artseen-fahd-el-jaoudi.html
or
http://www.ipreferparis.net/paris-artseen/

The picture posted here is a detail from the piece entitled "le diable n'apparait qu'à celui qui le craint" (2009). Fahd El Jaoudi's current show, "Collision", continues until Dec 39 2009.
At: Galerie e.l Bannwarth / 68 rue Julien Lacroix, 20th arr. Métro: Belleville or Couronnes (Ring the bell to be let in through the red gate). Open Tues-Saturday, 14h-19h or by appointment Tel: +33 (0)1 40 33 60 17 http://www.galeriebannwarth.com/

2009-11-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

OSCAR WILDE DIED FOR YOUR SINS TODAY

literary and gay icon Oscar Wilde, (Oscar fingal o'flahertie wills Wilde) died today~ November 30th, 1900.

Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest "celebrities" of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Oscar also wrote such classics as PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, and his version of SALOME.

As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned for two years' hard labour after being convicted of homosexual relationships, described as "gross indecency" with other men.

Wilde's sexual orientation has variously been considered bisexual or gay. He had significant sexual relationships with (in chronological order) Frank Miles (probable), Constance Lloyd (Wilde's wife), Robbie Ross, and most notoriously with Lord Alfred Douglas (known as "Bosie"). Wilde also had numerous sexual encounters with young working-class men, who were often male prostitutes.

Wilde made a complaint of criminal libel against the Marquess of Queensberry, (bosie's father) based on the calling card incident, (he was sent a card with the writings~ for Oscar Wilde, posing sodomite, spelled incorrectly) and the Marquess was arrested but later freed on bail. The libel trial became a cause célèbre as salacious details of Wilde's private life with Alfred Taylor and Lord Alfred Douglas began to appear in the press. A team of detectives, with the help of the actor Charles Brookfield, had directed Queensberry's lawyers (led by Edward Carson QC) to the world of the Victorian underground. Here Wilde's association with blackmailers and male prostitutes, crossdressers and homosexual brothels was recorded, and various persons involved were interviewed, some being coerced to appear as witnesses.

After spending two years of hard labor in prison, Oscar was a broken man. his career, destroyed, his family and lovers disowned him. Oscar spent his last years in the Hôtel d'Alsace, now known as L'Hôtel, in Paris, where it is said he was notorious and uninhibited about enjoying the pleasures he had be denied in England.upon his deathbed, oscar's last words were, ' either this wallpaper or i have got to go."

Wilde was buried in the Cimetière de Bagneux outside Paris but was later moved to Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. His tomb in Père Lachaise was designed by sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein, at the request of Robert Ross, who also asked for a small compartment to be made for his own ashes. Ross's ashes were transferred to the tomb in 1950.

Oscar Wilde's epitaph reads:

ALIEN TEARS WILL FILL FOR HIM

PITY'S LONG-BROKEN ERN,

FOR HIS MOURNERS WILL BE OUTCAST MEN,

AND OUTCASTS ALWAYS MOURN.

R.I.P. dear Oscar.

History lesson provided by the supper talented Rick Castro, owner of the Antebellum Gallery. http://www.antebellum.us.ms/

Tre Chic!

2009-11-27T01:32:00.001-08:00

Inside what was once a 19th century water tower, Swiss-Italian architect Monica Donati has created an unusual apartment, which, though small (it's 80 square metres in size) more than makes up for the lack of space with its spectacular 360° views across Paris. To the east, the Eiffel Tower. To the south, the Champs de Mars. To the west, the Invalides, the Pantheon and Notre Dame. To the north, the Grand Palais, Arc de Triomphe and Montmartre. Here Monica lives happily in her fantastic space perched up in the clouds, away from the noise of everyday life.

Fashion Brand Lollipops!

2009-11-20T14:52:00.000-08:00

Lollipops are available in a number of colors and flavors, particularly fruit flavors. Unfortunately, no one knows exactly when the lollipop was created, but we do know that it is one of the most popular candies in existence. No matter what the history of lollipop is, in the 21st Century, the era of automation, it is possible to create lollipops using the fashion logos of the most luxurious brands, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, CHANEL and GUCCI. Overkill? I think so.

Wii Spray

2009-11-20T14:43:00.001-08:00

What can we say about Wii's new Spray program? Wii want one!!!

Mumuth Music Theater

2009-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Mumuth Music Theater, located in Graz, Austria

Now THAT is a staircase!

Office Pod

2009-11-12T14:26:00.000-08:00

With the world changing and more people telecommuting and/or working from home OfficePOD is offering up a very cool solution to separating work-life from home-life.

Web Design Sketchbook

2009-11-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

Before a website can progress from concept to illuminated pixels, it needs to be rendered the old-fashioned way—with pencil and paper. To save time and improve appearance during the process, the Web Design Sketchbook comes printed with blank web browsers and internet advertisement windows. That way, web designers can quickly depict their vision in a more finalized fashion, and hopefully win some more clients in the process.
The sketchbook was designed by Are Sundnes of Paranaiv. It's currently only available with a Mac-specific Firefox window, aptly assuming that most web designers work on Macs.The book contains 60 pages. 45 with normal browser windows and 15 of web ad formats.

Garden Garage

2009-11-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

A west London resident, combining the garden and parking space together, has developed a unique design to deal with the loss of front garden areas to car parking space in urban environments. The minimalist contemporary garden not just provides ample space to park your vehicle underneath it, but also helps in maintaining the exterior aesthetics of your dwelling.

2009-10-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

May all you cool-ghouls find a treat or two on this festive day. -RFS Team

2009-10-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

BLACK HOMES

Perhaps its that Halloween is quickly approaching, or it's my innate interest in the macabre, but i have always had a deep love for homes or buildings painted black. I really like the way that a monochromatic exterior plays down the details of woodwork and other kinds of trim on older homes. Of course, all-black looks great on more contemporary structures, too! If only people stop the notion that a home can only be White or light, with dark trim at the most. I think these examples show that there is nothing wrong with going all the way.

More about this Peacock home later!

The LIFE

2009-10-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Mystery + Beauty surround the Bohemian Chic Lifestyle. Don't be afraid to express your soft romantic side and create beauty in home decor. Whether it be a city loft by the river or a downtown brownstone, we all need a little { pretty } in our hectic urban lives. So, if you love culture + fashion + design, come embrace a little bit of the sweet lifestyle.

Lounge Elegantly. The Glamour of a vintage settee or boudoir lounge is a must have for the Vanity Fair Lifestyle. Choose muted hues & graceful curves to express the softer side of bohemian life. Like this Spencer Chaise from Jayson Home & Garden upholstered in creme linen and burlap with a dusty light burnt oak finish.

A little Bohemian: A little Green.

"Little Uma" {picture directly above} is a carved french 19th century Rococo-style settee with it's original turquoise patina. What makes her special and why I love the design house of Chair Couture, is their philosophy & passion to recycle French antiques and reupholster in bold modern or vintage flavored fabrics. What you get is a fabulous reinterpretation of bohemian whimsy + high fashion urban glam.

For the love of vanity fair ~ comes Marianne. This fabulous French country bed, Circa 1930, comes with it's original gray-green patina + upholstered in one-of-a-kind "dandelion field" fabric.About Margaret:The fabulous designer behind Chair Couture, "Margaret Elman indulges in the ultimate recycling program by finding one-of-a-kind French and Italian antique chairs and beds, then reupholstering them in eye-popping prints." {the goods: *top picture ~chip: carved French settee, circa 1920 with original gilt patina + covered in a bold, stripe velvet by Designer's Guild through Osborne & Little}. All images courtesy of Chair Couture.

Be Eclectic with fresh + flirty chairs. From French inspired petite frames or feminine cowhide chic, grab those unique finds from your local boutique retailer and bring it back home. {left chair: from jayson home & garden}.

Accent bohemian style with rustic antlers + vintage lighting ~ Nothing's off limits. The Vanity of Case: mix it up with antique chests or reproductions and don't be afraid of a little glamour with chrome or metallic finishes. The Whitman Chest of Drawers, perfect for the bohemian traveler, comes with steel drawer front panels and urban cool leather pulls {the accent goods: all above from my favorite boutique retailer in Chicago ~ Jayson Home & Garden}.

2009-10-11T15:43:00.000-07:00

You Gave Me Brave – Oct. 24 – Nov. 21 – L.A.

S1F Gallery presents:
You Gave Me Brave
Curated by Young Chung

October 24 – November 21, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 24th, 6 – 9 PM

Gallery Hours: Friday, 6 – 9 PM & Saturday, 12 – 5 PM and by Appointment
S1F Gallery
2404 Wilshire Boulevard #1F (Entrance on Park View)
Los Angeles, CA 90057
http://www.s1fgallery.net/
213.387.7759

2009-08-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

Claire Morgan

I don't know how many of you have seen the work of Claire Morgan, but her art is an incredible and ambitious feat. She is an installation artist who specializes in what I believe is fishing wire, rigging planes and cubes from bones, rotten meat, strawberries and gnats. Often times she exhibits taxidermy animals which makes me want to draw a comparison with Cai Guo Qiang's 99 wolves crashing into a plexi-glass wall titled, "Head On"; but this relation seems all too literal and are outweighed by conceptual differences. Where Qiang's installations are more humorous and social, Claire Morgan's are far more contemplative, like fleeting figments of mortality. Based in London.

2009-08-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Munsell Hue Test

The Munsell Hue Test attempts to survey how good your color vision is. The lower the score, the better your vision. The analysis afterwards, will show where your hue discrimination lies, a useful design tool. You can also compare your results to age demographics at the end! Ironically, concentrating on such an exam for a prolonged period of time on a computer screen feels rather detrimental to your vision. Oh well, I scored a 12, compare your results! Post them in the comments.
http://www.spectralcolor.com/game/huetest_kiosk

2009-08-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

'Objectified' Returns To L.A.

The documentary film by Gary Hustwit, about the visionaries and the designers behind some of the products that we see today comes back to Los Angeles for a screening and a talk after. It is a complex discourse between designer, manufacturer and consumer in a sentimental, thought-provoking and often times humorous way. If you have not had a chance to see 'Objectified' I strongly recommend you do! And if you have not had a chance to see the other films by Gary Hustwits pick up his other documentary called 'Helvetica'.

Wednesday, August 12, 8pm
Laemmle’s Royal Theatre
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Los Angeles CA, 90025
Post-film Q&A with Gary Hustwit

Tickets can be purchased here.

2009-05-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Barbie Who?

Barbie's townhouse has nothing on these amazing (slightly creepy) modern doll houses by Bozart and Mod pod. Remember, these are doll houses!

Um....

Creepy?

Is it wrong that I want this chair...in my size?

2009-04-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Designer Notebook is one year old today! Happy Birthday Blog!

2009-03-06T16:42:00.000-08:00

The Glass House

My dear friend Arlena has recently visited Philip Johnson's famous Glass House in Connecticut, and sent me these up-close pictures that are just dreamy.

In the late 1940s, a group of influential architects educated at Harvard University moved to New Canaan, Connecticut. They chose the location for its proximity to Manhattan and because they were able to buy large, inexpensive plots of land to build on. New Canaan has since become famous for its collection of modern homes and the most recognized is the Glass House built by Philip Johnson. Johnson spent much of his life at the property and called it his “50 year diary”. The title “Glass House” refers not only to the glass home he built there but also to the other structures and sculptures on the 47 acre estate. With his partner David Whitney, Johnson played hosted many artists here, including Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. After his death in 2005, the Glass House was turned over to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and in June of 2007 it was opened to the public.

Visits to the Glass House must be booked well in advance. Although photographs are not allowed on the regular 90 minute tours which are $25/person, they are encouraged on the last tour of the day which is 2 hours and $40/person.

Windex anyone?

2008-11-18T11:30:00.001-08:00

Now your house can really glow!

What if we could light our homes with glowing wallpaper rather than having to rely on electric lights? Swedish designer Camilla Diedrich has asked this exact question, and in response, created a stunning line of luminescent wallpaper that is lit by fiber optics. Her Nature Ray Charles Wallpaper features a delicate assortment of floral motifs that shine through in lucid lines, adding a touch of energy-efficient ambiance to any room.

2008-11-18T11:23:00.001-08:00

Now that's just CUTE!!

If you’re a fan of modern prefab architecture and you’re raising rugrats, now you can get your little ones on the prefab mod action with the Mini Modern Prefab Playshed. Part Case-Study home, part play-house, the Mini Modern Prefab proves that kid’s design can be fun and sophisticated at the same time. Architect Ryan Grey Smith, known for his adult-sized Modern-Shed is bringing prefab to preschoolers with his Modern Play Shed, a smaller but no-less awesome version of his original design. Better than any treehouse or playhouse we’ve ever seen, it comes fully loaded with a sloped shed roof, dutch doors, 12 windows, and more.

2008-11-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

The wall that wasn't!

Frequent passerby in the neighborhood of Santa Margarita, Spain may find themselves a bit lost when they can’t seem to find the white wall they just passed by. Appearing at first as a simple sheet of folded paper, this beautiful white-walled building features a facade of panels that open in brilliant pops of color. Designed by Romera y Ruiz Arquitectos, “Ocho casas inscritas y tres patios” is a sustainably constructed social housing complex with a facade that changes according to the wishes of its inhabitants!

2008-09-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Does this MOON come with accessories?

A group of Russian designers have created and started manufacturing these moon shaped light boxes, and sells them as "Your Personal Moon".

2008-09-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Can I just say how much I love Santa Barbara? It never ceases to amaze me. Every turn you see something beautiful, like this shot of the mission on a normal Tuesday afternoon. They call Santa Barbara The Riviera of the West, but I think its safe to say that we just call it paradise.

2008-09-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Portfolio

Here is a Randy Franks Studio project that sits in the heart of Santa Barbara. It is located across from the Santa Barbara Mission and rose gardens. This home showcases Randy's strong ability to transform any space into something beautiful and elegant, all while coordinating with the homes architectural personality.

2008-09-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

Microcostas

http://www.guallart.com/01projects/microcostas/default.htm

2008-09-17T19:14:00.003-07:00

Wall Seating

When you really don’t have room for furniture.

http://www.burojet.com

2008-09-17T19:14:00.002-07:00

Miniot

http://www.miniot.com