Douglas + Bec

Douglas + Bec is one of the most beautiful shops I've had the pleasure to come across. I'm not ordering anything of course since it's halfway across the world although if you wanted to you could. What is particularly interesting is that Douglas + Bec represent other's design while designing and building their own. And that, that I can get behind. Nice Solid Work.

Michael Boyd

Listening to DnA this week I heard from Frances Anderton ( I just love her) about Michael Boyd's exhibit at Ed Cella Art & Architecture gallery. It wasn't the images that pulled me in after all, it's radio after all but a few things he had to say about his work that made me rush to the website to find out more.

His chairs draw not only on timeless classics but archetypes and even society's most rudimentary pieces through out history. Which reminded me of when my dear friend Jorge was taking photos of the archaic stools the guards were sitting on while I was photographing Niemeyer's big beautiful modern buildings in Brasilia. One a symbol of modernity another, the other the most primitive example of a chair.

Michael mentioned that...

"It's about renewal instead of what's new"

and that the chairs were an "Analogue experiment for a digital age"

When Frances asked if he was worried that some might find the chairs derivative, since you can plainly see the influences of Rietveld, Breuer, FLW, among others. He said.

"Editing is a viable form of creation at this point"

And the thing is I think he's right. As soon as I see something new, something I haven't seem before, the next thing I know I have come across it's doppelganger from half a century ago. This even goes with my own designs. It begs the question of whether sometimes it might be better to not be so informed? Or should you go about it the way Michael has and own up to the many variations and iterations on a theme. Is there no more new at this point? Or is the new strictly virtual?

Hopefully I'll be able to make it down to Los Angeles in order to see the exhibit before it's gone. I certainly hope so. And I've heard the catalogue is beautifully designed with "patterns" or instructives on how to build the chairs yourself. I've got to get one of those!

Made in USA

It seems that MUJI and HUGE magazine have teamed up to showcase American Made goods. Funny isn't it? On a couple of levels. One is I've run as far as one can from a lot of these products. At least the sartorial side of them anyway. I wanted in no way to be seen as anything near preppy, conservative and East Coast. And while I still feel that way about most items I do find my way leaning towards some very clean basics these days and I've always had a love for pieces that become more beautful with age. 

The other side of this is Japan's love for American made products. Some have even taken our heritage brands and redone them better (and more expensive) in Japan. And here we are not appreciating what we've always done well. Obviously that  is changing. Our still lagging economy is recognizing that keeping manufacturing here in the States is something we should strive for and nearly every metropolis boasts local businesses that are keeping it local. Brands like The Utility Collective are betting that you'll support them for just this reason. And why not? SFmade is supporting those that even keep it within city limits subscribing to the doctrine that a diverse workforce creates a vibrant city. I agree.

Made Right Here  shines a spotlight on those... well I'll let them explain it.

The show is called Made Right Here. It’s our desire to not only show how it’s made, not only where it’s made, but to also show the people who make it. We want to tell their stories. We also asked them to show Joe and I how to make one of their signature items. We made six pairs of carpenter jeans at Pointer. We made a chambray western shirt at Imogene + Willie, and we made belts and buckles with Billy Moore.
I say we made… really, we tried and failed to make all these things. This is part of the story, too. These people are craftspeople who’ve dedicated their lives to mastering a skill, a skill that is really tough to do.

Do we need outsiders to show us what we do well? What do you think about manufacturing in this country? Too broken to fix? Or not at all it has a new lease on life? I've done a bit of research on it specifically in regards to furniture and it's just so incredibly difficult for American designers to work with manufacturers here in the US as compared to say Italy who fosters relationships with it's designers. What about China? I'm sure you have all heard about the Apple debacle already. But it also sounds like they just do it so much better than we do when it comes to certain things. Obviously, they are not without fault either on so many levels. What is the responsible direction to head from here? I'd love your thoughts.

Fat & Juicy

I was approached a few weeks ago in regards to my Bloody Marys that appeared on Refinery 29 by and up and coming Bloody Mary mix company with the incredible moniker Fat & Juicy.

Pretty much a dream job. Hello universe more of these please. Thanks to a very enthusiastic John Glenn from Fat & Juicy for engaging and supporting my work. And Thanks to Refinery 29 (Angela and Katie especially;) for putting it out there so that individuals like John happen to see it all the way across the country. I swear the internet is so awesome sometimes.

p.s. San Franciscans, we'll have Fat & Juicy coming to Bevmo soon. Everyone else use this handy little locator on the Fat & Juicy site.

BOOBS!

I saw these earlier this week and for the life of me I can't remember where but they put a huge smile on my face when I really needed it. Thank-you Wary Meyers. This week has been a rough one folks and I'm so glad to call it over. I think I might even play hooky in the sunshine for the rest of the afternoon. Because when do we have 75º days in full blazing glory like today?

Speaking of sunshine head on over to the ever talented East Side Bride and check out my mini-weekend tour of Palm Springs. 

Oh and pick up your boobs over here. Now the question is which one(s) Black, White, or Zombie?

xo K

Sunny and Delicious

Darling Celia asked if I would share my margarita recipe. How could I say no to request like that? And hey good timing on our part no? We had our first warm and sunny day in what seems like months. Head on over for the rest of the details. 


Illustration by moi.

Hats Off

Just doing a little research. How do you take care of your hats? Where do you store them? On a hook, on a wall, on a shelf, or in a hat box?

While there seems to be a variety of hat stands there also seems to be a variety or suggestions on their how-to care. Did you know that you should brush your hat? They sell special brushes just for that purpose. Who knew?

If you are a wearer of hats I would love to hear from you. Tell me what you know.

UPDATE: Max Wastler of All Plaid Out just sent me this. Whoa! I think I might have to call those guys. 

Photos by moi at Goorin Brothers and Cable Car Clothiers.

Shishi Yamazaki

This makes me soooo happy. Thanks GAGC! It also reminds me I'm still in need of a serious (maybe all girls?) dance party.

Around the House

Everything is blooming so surely it's spring but it's awfully cold and rainy still at least here in the city anyway. Here's hoping for a few days of sunshine this weekend. Happy Friday. 

The Captain's Home

I asked Jorge recently if I could see some photos of his work as an Art Director on films in Brazil. I hear about it all the time but I hadn't once been privy to the final outcome. So he sent me his latest but for obvious legal reasons I can't share them with you. He did however take photos of the wonderful house in which the film was  staged. Here's a little back story, you'll just have to imagine what it looked like. Besides photos of the 1960's abode and original furniture are a gift in itself.

The Captain's home. It is the year of 1968, and he is just moving here with all his memorabilia collected during a life at sea. Or is it all a lie? He will hold court here, telling tales and charming the hell out the simple folks who live in this small seaside community. The house was built by Zanine Caldas (check him out!) in the sixties, and as in all his projects he used demolition materials and integrated the project to the natural topography of the terrain. He never used landfills or altered the landscape.

You do remember Jorge don't you. He's the one responsible for all those incredible guest posts last year. Some of the best posts on this blog if we're being dead honest.
 

Field Trip: Building Resources

At the end of last week I took a field trip to Building Resources in search of some old Victorian metal work for a client. I came up empty handed but I never leave that place uninspired. It's such a great place to stop in from time to time just to see what's there. You never know what will turn up.
 

Easter Weekend

Instead of an Easter egg hunt the Mister and I went on a wild posting of his work around the neighborhood. I played photographer.

I made Tartine's Quiche and drank cheap champagne. I struggle with baked goods. I love to cook but baking throws me for a loop. But being someone who doesn't give up the first (or third) time I think I made some head way this time. I still burned myself. (Damn you tart pans! I need a pie pan.) but I got a seriously flaky crust and I think I'll add more swiss chard next time.

I'm finally going to do something with these arrows. Stand by.

p.s. A few White House Easter photos. Make sure you make it to that last photo, it's fantastic.
p.p.s. Don't you just Love Ira Glass.

Cmmwlth

I've been a bit obsessed with these two for weeks... well maybe months. Incredible work. Incredible, Beautiful, Conceptual work. I hope to see more and hear more. You?

Anouck Griffioen

One of my first posts for this blog was of Anouck Griffioen's work. I found her via Flickr... not exactly sure how. Perhaps she commented or favorited one of my photos? Either way it was love at first sight. I was drawing gorgeous gals myself on my lunch hour as a break from city codes, details, and trips to the building department and I've always had a an affinity for fashion, models, photography etc. One could say I was obsessed really in my teenage years. My family was in shambles and I dreamed of escaping to that world where beauties like Cindy, Christie, and Linda roamed in their native habitat.

But Wow, her scale is just incredible. I fell in love with her progress photos and her studio space. It all represented an alternate reality for me. Perhaps one I would have chosen if I knew it existed when I was younger.

Every once in awhile I do seek out of the artists or studios I have featured years ago to see what they are up to and if it makes sense to post more recent work. Obviously the blog has shifted towards my current reality of design and architecture more than fashion and art but I do love to post something in this realm every once in awhile. Her work has also taken a slight turn to include environments, patterns, and obscured individuals but that grand beautiful larger than life scale has remained. Lovely! Happy Friday.

p.s. What I wouldn't do for that top piece!

Henrybuilt you lush

As you you know I've been a fan of Henrybuilt for years. (and their lower priced line Viola Park is a gem) I still haven't had the opportunity to work with them but hopefully it's not too far on the horizon and I love keeping tabs on what they are doing next.

The system illustrates our ability to produce custom products with a high-level of engineering sophistication and the feel of hand-crafted furniture, a combination that sets us apart in the luxury kitchen system market where most product is cold and technical.

The system can be configured in a variety of ways, to store any number of bottles at a precise angle and can be used for either room-temperature storage or for longer-term storage in a conditioned environment.  Each system is built by hand to order.

I immediately thought of my dear friend Susy and her love of wines. I envision it lining one whole wall in her kitchen. What a great solution for a quick and easy construction in a restaurant or wine bar, no? I know those construction deadlines are killers.

Hedi Slimane

An incredible talent this one is no? I pulled these down from his diary months ago. I believe it's from the Moca exhibition but I'm not sure since there weren't any words attached with them. Has anyone seen it in person? I just thought it was an interesting way to show an exhibition of work. I'd love to see it in a home following one wall through the entire space. Family photographs? Artwork all to a specified size? Or built around your current collection? Hmmmm... Hedi, let's talk furniture design. shall we?

p.s. Forgive me for my absence I've been juggling a few different jobs and the blog ended up out the window once again.