2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

The Good Clip Art

I've always been a big stickler against using clip art; it's usually bad and I could do a better job myself. Until I found some Dover Clip Art books at my local Barnes & Nobel. These books come with a CD and are chalk full of beautiful, organic and detailed designs; most of which I wouldn't have the patience to do myself. And ranging from $7-$16 they're quite affordable, and a good deal for the amount of content you get. Subject matter ranges in everything from Elegant Floral Designs to Mythological and Fantastic Creatures to Vintage Advertising Illustrations. Just when I think I've found all the books I'd ever need, I find a new Dover book that I must have. If only used for inspiration, these books have added a fun new element to my artwork.

A Very Fun Find

I recently acquired a new laptop and to keep my new prized possession safe, I promptly began my search for a laptop bag. I want something funky and not stuffy. I travel a lot so I don't want my bag to scream "hey, there is an expensive piece of equipment in this bag, please swipe me". Instead I want something cool and nondescript. Something that other designers could appreciate as unique and desirable.

So, I googled "funky laptop bags" and fell upon a website that I love, aimeemichele. Much to my surprise, she has fabulous bags to tote my computer around and even better, her prices are fantastic. She has other cool items too. On this website, you can find anything from beanies to fingerless gloves and checkbook covers. All of her items are handmade, so no two things are exactly alike, which is a bonus of course to people like me who like to stand apart from the rest.

After a bit more research on her website, I discovered that she is based in San Luis Obispo, California. A town which happens to hold a special place in my heart, who doesn't have fond memories of their college town? Anyone who is creating from a little slice of heaven, like SLO must be cool. She flexible with her payments, it seems as though she accepts just about any type of payment and she is very prompt with her replies to questions.

Check out this site if you are looking for unique gift items or if you need a funky something to spice up your life.

My Marrakesh (blog) - The Story of An American Family Setting Up Home in Morocco

By: Holly Becker, decor8
Care to travel to Morocco for a bit? Visit my new friend Maryam, an American transplant in Marrakesh, who started blogging about her experience living in a foreign land. Fascinating! My Marrakesh tells, "The bemused tales of an American family's quest to design, build, and decorate a guest house in Morocco. Life, culture, style, shopping. And a couple of belly dancers thrown in there for good measure...."

I find the subject matter she posts quite fascinating, since she is embarking on a major project (guest house construction), while working full-time and raising a family. Her personal journey documents her life there, along with a good dose of  shopping and style sprinkled in. My Marrakesh is designed to take the reader into the life of an expat making her way in North Africa, and what a tale she tells!

I first fell in love with Morocco when I read about it in an issue of Travel + Leisure magazine when I was only 18 years old. Marrakesh is an amazing design destination that has inspired artists and designers all over the world.

Maryam blogs on a regular basis, her posts friendly and engaging, as she talks about her life on new soil. She hopes readers will provide advice and opinions as she makes important decor and gardening decisions for her family's guest house, the Persian Garden Pavillions. You'll see the whole process unfold before your eyes - from the day the concrete is first poured to the moment her first guest arrives.

Read (and bookmark!) Maryam's Morrocan adventures here and enjoy!

(image from my marrakesh)

Something New, Something Old

I have to confess, the only design I've been looking at lately is that of dresses, gloves, shoes, and corsets. Yes, I'm getting married in a couple weeks, and neither I nor my fiancee know what we're going to wear. I started out thinking I wanted something simple and practical, something I could wear again; but something that also went against tradition and stood out. And the more dresses I look at, the more I can feel myself getting sucked into the bridal vortex, where you fall for all the tradition and bliss; and decide to get a wedding dress and not just any dress. I still do not want to wear white, but I'll probably go for ivory.

I also find myself looking at dresses that have my basic design preference for furniture and household items: Black and White. Dresses that are very simple, stream-lined, and black and white. Dresses that have, dare I say it, Modern Design. But my preference in accessories stays the same: faux antique. I say faux because they're not really antique, just kind of old-timey. Which is where the gloves come in; some how I think they are both different and new, and a bit old-timey.

At any rate, I'm confident all will work out, I will look fabulous, and it will all be over before I know it. Here is the dress I might just get...

New pieces from Skram

New pieces from Skram! Created by Jacob Marks for Skram, a collection of solid wood furniture that merges unparalleled workmanship with spare but approachable modern design. The furniture is practical, keeping function in the forefront while maintaining a dramatic visual and tactile presence. Skram is well-suited for a variety of spaces, from hospitality to commercial and residential applications.

Light up with Luzifer

I love the new pieces from Luzifer Lamps. Wood veneer bent and twisted to create beautiful lighting with a soft glow. 2Modern now offers the Nut Pendant Lamp and the Cactus Lamp. Choose from several fabulous colors. Great for residential or commercial spaces.

Ringin' In The New Year

I was introduced to Etsy.com earlier this year and I am totally obsessed. There are so many underground designers on this website looking to expose us all to something a little less mainstream and a lot more affordable... I usually go straight to the art section to get my hands on original works but this year when I was doing some Christmas shopping I decided to venture into the jewelry category.
I have some funky fresh friends who would undoubtedly appreciate some original and unique acutriments to adorn their body with. I have absolutely fallen for one particular designer at tigerlillyshop.com. The designer, Allison Fomich makes unbelievable rings that are japanese inspired and made of a thin plastic. Although these rings are VERY fragile, they are so cool. Reserve these rings for special times...no washing dishes, no changing the oil in your car... you catch my drift. When you order, be prepared with a ring size. Rings aren't the only thing that you can find on tigerlillyshop. There are cool earrings, pendants and wallets. Everything is fabulous, so if you are not already signed up with Etsy, get it together and get shopping. You money goes a long way on this website.
Allison was kind enough to hook us up with her sister's site on Etsy too. Check out yabettasupadont for more unique pieces that will surely get you compliments. Just like Allison's pieces, Maria's are wearable art. I just bought my friend a sparkly yellow cuff that I may have a hard time giving up. Again, the pieces in this "store" are absolutely affordable and undeniably unique. Check it out.

all images are provided by tigerlillyshop and yabettasupadont on etsy.com

MIO

MIO is a design company dedicated to creating the most sustainable and innovative design experiences in the market. MIO was founded by the Salm brothers (Isaac, the numbers guy and Jaime, the design guy) with the objective of combining business rigor with environmentally and socially progressive design. I am crazy about some of thier lighting: L Lamp, LXL Lamp, Shroom Light, Bendant Lamp & Capsule Lamp.

too many choices

I admit I'm square when it comes to my kids and wanting to preserve things from the rugelach generation -- that is sadly fading -- I just think that in making everything so hip, it is our responsibilty to  ask ourselves what is really best for children. Kids think that they want a million choices, but what the hell do they know. So much random stimuli: the new animated movies like, Cars + Happy Feet are maddening -- there’s such an over-abundance of technical innovation in animation -- but there’s no storyline + point to all that labor… they’re more for/about the adults + they wind up not being suitable for children after all.

Of course, creativity and choices are important, but we too often pander to kids' expectations that every second be titillating -- we are setting them up for a lower threshold for boredom down the line. Yes, I try and buy my daughters organic produce, take them to hip-hop dance class (!) and design furniture for them, but still, I am in favor of balancing such things with subtlety and even boredom. A lot of good comes from having to invent your way out of boredom. Our generation doesn't have to be so in love with ourselves that everything be hip.

 

Domino (online) Glams Up!

By: Holly Becker, decor8

Domino magazine has revamped their website and it looks great. Don't miss it! Lots to read, a bulletin board to locate other design fanatics, and just all around great content. Don't miss their blogs, my personal favorite feature of the site. Enjoy!

(image from domino)