halcyon days

Celebrate

2012-02-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

So I took a couple days at the end of last week and the beginning of this one to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She turned 80 last week! Doesn't she look great. A talented artistic and loving woman who raised my Mom and my Aunts in NYC all on her own. I owe her so much for all she's done for me. And I wanted to take a moment to thank my Mom* and Aunt Linda as well who helped pull everything together for a perfect family gathering.

*My very talented and artistic Mother took this incredible photo of her.

Tales of Endearment

2012-01-31T22:57:00.000-08:00

So yes, I've mentioned Tales of Endearment already but it was so good that I couldn't help but share a few more of my favorite photos and urge you to do a little exploring. Seriously! This is an incredibly amazing site and I have no idea why it took me so long to find it.

Where type dies and goes to heaven in Paris.

2012-01-25T16:39:00.000-08:00

Wow, anyone familiar with Kidimo? You should be. Something like this on the left coast, best coast, west coast would certainly make sense.

Crushing Hard

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Michelle Harper isn't the first eccentric I've swooned over. But wow, I'm currently over the moon. I came across this gal when Into the Gloss posted a Top Shelf feature on her. My immediate thought... WHO IS THAT?! And can I please spend just one day with this gal? Seriously she has to teach me some of those hair piece tricks. Oddly enough I blogged about her already but didn't know her name.*

So I did what any gal would do who just fell head over heels would do... I did a quick google search to see what else I could find and landed on Tales of Endearment **where I get to see not only more of this gorgeous creature but her home too. It doesn't always happen that one who has sartorial taste and style also happens to know a thing or two about interiors as well. A boon, to say the least.

*I NEED one of those gold wigs couldn't anyone point me in the right direction.
** This is the most sublime site. I think it will quickly become a fave. I'd head over stat.

Potrero Modern

2012-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

I thought it might be fun to tease you with some sunshine... okay no, not really. But while little Buddy had me on daily walks I was realizing how many modern structures existed in the neighborhood. If you have ever heard a San Francisco architect's laments you will know that one of them is the overwhelming zeal for the ever present and ubiquitous Victorian and how it seems like the whole of San Francisco feels like every new building should be repeating history regardless of present building practices. I won't bore you with the ever-loving details but I will share with you some fine modern specimens.

The two above were my favorite. Forget about saving best for last. The top an Aidlin Darling residence... Aidlin or Darling actually lives there but at the moment I forget which one. I toured it during the AIASF Home Tours. It is pretty much my dream house. An almost 2 bedroom with a studio in back and an artist studio in the basement. And the second, well, I'm not sure who lives there but I like it. It's form, material, color, restraint. Anyone know who lives there? Wanna give me a tour?

But some only offer a glimpse of something modern. Perhaps a clue to an interior remodel into something more open and austere leaving the exterior as is. The rest of both these homes are far more traditional than the details show here.

We even have ourselves a brand new modern library which I have yet to visit but really should. I'm sure the views out the back side of it are incredible.

Some 1960's potential. I say potential because if you were to move into one of these beauties you could do minimal upgrading/remodeling and have that new/old modern abode you always hoped for. But I do think they are quite lovely the way they are too. Especially the two above with the colorful paint jobs.

These two fell into the previous category before they had mini-facelifts. Do you see what I mean now?

These two are just a bit more than modern details. They've added a whole modern third floor right on top of their traditional home. I'll add that this is definitely the more expensive route folks. That third floor pushes you into an entire structural upgrade. Oh but what an upgrade it is if it affords you the best views in the city. The bottom of the two I've actually toured during one of the architecture tours that happen every September. It's incredible! And it has one of the details I would love to have in my home one day. An entire wall filled with shelving and books. Floor to ceiling, front to back covering three floors!

And then there is the glitzy and the massive. To be fair all three of these are either at the top of a hill or on the side of the hill that is rising so by nature they are going to look much larger than their neighbors across the street who can burrow into the hillside. But wowzers they still are large. I do have give it to the developer/builder who designed and built the bottom 2-unit (@2.5 million dollars a piece, sheesh) they did at least use decent materials. If your contractor/builder/realtor tries to sell you on granite anything people, you should know that is not a luxury material it's a cheap material that typically doesn't even look that nice and absorbs all light around it. Although in some applications it is quite nice and well done like say the exterior in nice dimensions like the bottom half of the unit above.

The middle photo went a little nutty with the slats and titanium(?) siding for my taste. And the top photo, well they could have tried to not make their home an enormous massive block. A little delineation here and there would have helped the cause. A little play on geometry? No? Okay At least you used good materials/windows.

And then we have the we're doing our own thing over here. The home on the left is interesting for the fact that it's still sitting on top of the Potrereo bedrock and I can't figure if it's two units or one with a really interesting floor plan. The second one I've always kind of loved. It's got a bit of what feels like Japanese flair. I don't know why that is I can't quite put my finger on it. Anyone know the story behind this one?

Alright this is the end of your Modern Potrero tour. Did I miss any? Thanks for coming on a walk with me.

Just because...

2012-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

Butts from Mike Mills on Vimeo.

And illustrations of butt's are funny. And I LOVE Mike Mills. Although I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree on that last one. Sorry Mike.

Mater

2012-01-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

Sure you think of Denmark when you think of design and you think of Denmark when you think of leading the world in sustainable practices. But would you gather that the Danes are guilty of both at the same time. Well if you have perused or purchased any item by Mater you would know that to be true. We all know that these two ideals don't have to separate entities but hey do you know where that chair you are sitting in comes from and who made it and what it's made of? We should all demand a little more Mater don't you think.

p.s. Mater also carries pieces designed by Space designer of Noma in the previous post.

p.p.s. Speaking of who makes our products and where they come from. How about that iphone you are holding or that imac you are tap tap tapping on. Do you love you mac products as much as I do? You should really listen to last weeks This American Life. Perhaps Apple should talk with Mater?

All photos via Mater

Meshmatics

2012-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Rick Tegelaar - Meshmatics from Oostfilm on Vimeo.
Incredible video of industrial designer Rick Tegelaar on the creation of his Meshmatics.

Thanks to handful of salt for bringing it to my attention.

Booklover

2012-01-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Being a self-professed book lover myself, I couldn't help but be smitten by these book shelves built by another lover of books.

Check out SSB-1 and the CSB-1 both by Erick Haywood over on Book/Shop.

Noma & Space CPH

2012-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article on foraging in the New Yorker* before calling it a night. More specifically it finished with René Redzepi the chef of Noma in Copenhagen. Apparently, Noma has been elected/chosen/voted by a jury of his peers (I have no idea how these things are done, obviously) Best Restaurant in the World. My first thought was... Really? There is such a thing? And then well what does the best restaurant in the world look like. True to form the actual Noma website doesn't have very many photos of the space itself but it did thankfully point me in the right direction and with a little more digging I came across Space CPH.

Wow, an incredible space with that perfect know how that (mostly) Northern Europeans have with mixing the old with the new instead of glorifying history like us Americans do far to often. And while I haven't eaten there I could see how the surroundings would compliment the fare. In fact during my stay in Copenhagen I was an incredibly poor student so going out to eat at such establishments was not an experience I had the pleasure to enjoy. I'm not complaining I wasn't starving and I was very taken care of through my professors and a Danish/American family who adopted me while I was there even though I lived in the kollegium. But I would love to return and be able to actually experience the food of Denmark through some of it's well known chefs.

If you have a moment have a look at Space CPH's porfolio. You won't be disappointed.

*thanks to my father in law who renews my subscription every year.

all photos via Space CPH

Normann Copenhagen

2012-01-12T16:44:00.000-08:00

Another incredible Danish catalogue this time from Normann Copenhagen. A brand that has chosen to promote up and coming designers instead of all the mid-century ones. A tall order in Denmark or anywhere in Scandinavia these days. All those old (mostly) guys loom so large it's a bit difficult -I would venture to guess- to step beyond their shadows.

Do yourself a favor...

2012-01-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen this yet. Go and see it! I'm pretty positive that it's going to do gangbusters at the Oscars this year. There was not one thing that I didn't like about the film... well maybe the name but hey, that's small potatoes. And ummm.... I kinda want to learn how to tap now. Oh and that dog is soooo Asta.

Thanks to Viv who turned me on to it.

p.s. I almost forgot there is even a quick snippet of the wildly popular Bradbury Building as well as some other well known Los Angeles locales.

Playing Favorites

2012-01-09T09:03:00.000-08:00

Darling Michelle of M-Dash asked me to partake in her favorite dress project. I thought it might be the perfect opportunity to start a new series? What do you think? Thanks for the inspiration Michelle! Head on over as she provides links to all the other gals who contributed as well.

p.s. This dress is definitely a contender for #BOOBSWEEK

Match Made on Plywood

2012-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

I have some fun late Friday afternoon news that was just delivered to me. Hub Strategy and The Utility Collective have gotten together to collaborate on PLYprints for Sea Shepherd. My favorite part is the story (of course!) of how it happened.

“Last year Hub, as a holiday gift to clients, did a series of T-shirts that were inspired by the efforts of Sea Shepherd,” said Eric Pfeiffer, co- founder of The Utility Collective “ They gave me one of these T-shirts and I really loved the design. Part of our mission at The Utility Collective is to give back on every product we create so it was natural for us to get involved and develop the prints with Hub.

With each purchase $10 is donated to Sea Shepherd.

psst... That piece on the left, that's the Mister's artwork. Oh Heck, I love all those kids don't miss the illustrations by Jason, Jen, and Ben too.

wo& wé collection

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

I came across the wo & wé collection and couldn't help but wonder if it could cure me of an unattainable desire for a Serge Mouille. Actually they remind me of a cross-breed between Serge, a Potence, and a Laurel Lamp.

Bravos: Tomorrow Night

2012-01-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

I'm going to see this guy speak tomorrow night with our very own Philip Wood of Citizen Citizen. Are you coming? You should it's free.

You can gather more information about Nacho Carbonell and the other exhibitors including Patricia Urquiola and Jaime Hayon Over Here. See you tomorrow night.

What Santa Brought me...

2012-01-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

Okay not really but Wow! Talk about dream home.

Spotted via Architizer

Hungarian Hottie Indeed

2012-01-02T21:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to do a better tribute than Mondoblogo so I might as well send you there. I can only hope to be as prolific as the dear Eva Zeisel. Wow, what a life!

I know another talented Hungarian hottie my Belle Mere and the Mister for that matter. Can Mister's be hotties?

photos via Mondoblogo I'm gonna have to get my mits on that book.
Agnes of iiiispired did another lovely tribute.

New Years Greetings

2011-12-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

Well, I up and disappeared on you without wishing you a Happy Holiday. Sorry about that. What can I say, life happens. I hope everyone is feeling refreshed and renewed. Can you believe it's about to be 2012?! I feel like life is whizzing past at lightning speed.

Refinery 29 asked me to share my New Years resolutions along with some other talented folks and I happily obliged. Have a look over here to see everyones. It's based on my yearly read (should be more) of Bruce Mau's Incomplete Manifesto for Growth. I'm focusing on three big ones this year.

16. Collaborate.The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.

33. Take field trips.The bandwidth of the world is greater than that of your TV set, or the Internet, or even a totally immersive, interactive, dynamically rendered, object-oriented, real-time, computer graphic–simulated environment.

40. Avoid fields.Jump fences. Disciplinary boundaries and regulatory regimes are attempts to control the wilding of creative life. They are often understandable efforts to order what are manifold, complex, evolutionary processes. Our job is to jump the fences and cross the fields.

Photo via Bruce Mau Design

Maira, Food & The Holidays

2011-12-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

I know we are all about to take off to be with our friends and family if we haven't done so already. And inevitiably we'll be sitting around the table sharing. Food and dining and all it's rituals have always been a passion of mine so even though I know this has made the rounds a month or so ago I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take a break and watch it again. I do love that Maira and I both love hats. (I know it's silly but you can't help but draw correlations between you and those you adore)

Foolscap Studio

2011-12-19T23:10:00.000-08:00

Incredible work by Foolscap Studio. I'll give you one guess where it is. Yep, Melbourne. I feel like someone is telling me I'm supposed to move there or something. The studio is run by the ever talented Adele Winteridge and originally spotted on the Design Files. Lucy rocks it no?

Above

Project 01 - The Pond
Project 02 - Tiny Cafe
Project 03 - Plantation

Joint Gifts

2011-12-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

The Mister and I have for many years said to each other we'll get a joint gift for each other for the holiday. There's just one problem with this. We NEVER do it. The point of course is to purchase something that improves the interior that has a higher price tag that we wouldn't go out on our own. That and well we have enough stuff! Perhaps we'll go for a lighting splurge this year? Now, how do we hold ourselves to it?

All credits can be found on my Pinterest.

Warm Metals

2011-12-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

Ever since I accidentally came across Carl Aübock via an saved ebay search I've enjoyed spotting all the warm metals popping up everywhere ever since. I'm sure I was picking up on these vintage metals of brass and bronze before that but at that point it was truly conscious. I say vintage metals because for the most part you really don't see them except in vintage objects or furniture. Chrome and Steel have been the prevailing choice in design for quite some time now so it's a relief to see the warmth of brass and bronze come to the fore recently.

I'm sure I'm leaving out many many other examples but if off the top of your head you think of more would you mind leaving a comment. Thanks.

photo credits

01 Carl Aübock via Mondo Cane via T magazine
02 Futagami via Mjölk
03 Commune Crate
04 Alma Allen
05 Azadeh Shladovsky via YHBHS

Guesswork

2011-12-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

I'm not so big on creating gift guides. Hell, I can barely pull it together for my own dear friends and family let alone do a lovely little guide like so many of you manage to do. But I really did enjoy the guides over on Tomboy Style.

I
II
III
IV
V

14 Feet: Healdsburg

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Last stop, 14 feet an adorable little shop owned by Mike and Marne. Mike was darling and oh so nice and while we didn't get to meet Marne we felt her presence in the space. She is the one responsible for all the vignettes, styling and the witty pricetags according to Mike.

And while it seems everyone and their mother owns a little vintage shop these days their collection is one that is truly extraordinary. With quite a few original finds. My faves were the metal parts bins above, the sweet little Holiday Nisser and thw white Turkish chair on the lower right all the way down the post. I'm also sooooo stealing that arrow installation as soon as I figure out how they implanted them securely in the wall.

p.s. They also have a couple of warehouses of storage so expect the collection to rotate quite often.

Enjoying the scenery: Healdsburg

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Walking around Healdsburg it was obviously fall but the kind of autumn that only a Northern California winery town can give you. I mean they have rainbow trees up there people. Oh and incredible vineyards where all the leaves are starting to change in row after gorgeous row. And that cute mustache sign is just thrown in for good measure because I liked it.
Here's the list of restaurants we went to. ALL were beyond delicious.

Day one
Lunch: Ravenous -It looks like some ridiculous quaint little house but the food and service are impeccable.
Dinner: Barndiva -The Mister and I have wanted to go here for YEARS and it did not disappoint.

Day two
Lunch: Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar -We regretfully gorged ourselves at lunch but we couldn't help it everything was so incredibly good. But perhaps when you are going to Cyrus for dinner one should use a little restraint. Oh and their bloody mary. Delish!
Dinner: Cyrus -We were both a little nervous it wouldn't live up the our original visit. It's hard to get a glowing review twice. But man oh man. Just as incredible as the first time and my birthday desert was the most amazing thing. I'm still trying to figure if I can draw that up for you. But I'll have to use my memory since I didn't take a photo. Sometimes you just need to experience life and not be obsessed with recording it.

Tomorrow will be the final post on a special little shop.

House Tour: Refinery29

2011-12-07T11:05:00.001-08:00

Sheba*and I are playing dress-up with Angela and Molly over on Refinery 29 today. Come on over an say hi.

*Our neighbor's very photogenic Brittany that crashed the photo shoot. Don't you love her Christmas pearls? She wears them every year.

Trouble - The best kind

2011-12-06T23:14:00.001-08:00

I pretty much have the best husband in the world. Wait!!! I just said husband?! A word I never use because it just sounds so weird in my mouth. All wrong and... a word I associate with women who feel the need to show off to other women that they are married. (as in my husband this... and my husband that...) Okay I'm not going to freak because it came naturally and perhaps that means I've stepped into some sort of comfort zone of being a married lady. And moving on. That's a good thing, right?

Okay back to the Mister. This IS MY BIRTHDAY GIFT! Seriously one of the best Mister's a gal could ask for. And I'm in serious trouble. I've got to allow myself only so many hours a week with this collection of incredible magazine book goodness. Should I go backwards or forwards first? Or, perhaps a better way to phrase that is should I start with the very first publication or the latest and then move one way or the other. I'm thinking of starting at the beginning which would be from 1928 - 1939.

Holing up in Healdsburg

2011-12-06T11:02:00.001-08:00

The Mister took me to Healdsburg for my birthday and it really couldn't be more delightful. In fact I think a disappearing act for a couple of days right at the beginning of December is just what the doctor ordered. Unlike my dear friend Celia I don't get excited about the Holidays. It's not that I get all bah humbug but it just stresses me the hell out. So many engagements you can't say no to (I would be perfectly happy with one outing a week and no more) and then there is the fact that nearly everyone in my family is born between the end of November and mid-January. So I think the get out of town route will have to become a family tradition.

We stayed at H2 which was really quite lovely. It was so well designed (except for a couple stylistic exceptions. That wavy roof?! I don't care if it is green. And the lobby could really use some help furniture and cosy-wise. Sorry this is the designer in me I can't help but pick apart some of the elements.) But really overall quite well done and it's a LEED Gold certified building.

My favored spot was our room. Not only was it quite roomy but oh so pared down and modern with huge beautiful bathrooms. I'm pretty sure the tile work was by Heath Ceramics too. Nice detail of the local maps in the bathroom. There was also a little Ace Hotel Palm Springs vibe to them. The clever illustrations in the rooms are by Kathy Aoki and the spoon water sculpture outside is by Ned Khan.

Oh and one more thing... it surely doesn't hurt to have a Serious bar downstairs in fact I think it should be mandatory at every hotel we stay at. Spoonbar is perfection. In fact it was a huge reason we stayed at H2 so a big Thanks is in order to an old friend Scott Beatty.

And as usual, I took waaaay to many photos so expect a few more throughout the week. xo K

Happy Birthday to Me

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's my Birthday today so I think I'll take a couple days off. See you next week.

photo credit: So two nights ago I searched desperately moving from blog to blog to blog trying to find the ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHER of this photo. And while some may say I'm adding to the loop by posting it here, I'm here to say to all of you with Pinterest accounts and Tumblrs you really NEED TO CREDIT the artist NOT JUST WHERE YOU FOUND IT! Sheesh, okay I'm done with my rant. And if any of you know who the actual photographer is please tell me. I would be truly thankful.

Melancholia

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

I'm dying to see this film. Have any of you seen it yet? Lars von Trier said something to the effect that Justine, Kirsten Dunst's character, suffers from a melancholy and it's very much a tribute to his own depression. I find this infinitely interesting as I've suffered from it myself on and off through the years (My Grandmother always asks me if "I'm happy" and I find this such an inane question. There seems to be more to life than happiness. No?) and I somehow can find comfort in something like disappearing into the sea on a moonlit night. Don't worry, I'm not going to walk down to the ocean on the next full moon but I do understand her solace at the end of the world in some very strange way.

By the way the website for the film is really beautifully put together. Have a look.

Studio Mama

2011-11-29T15:03:00.001-08:00

So I've known about Studio Mama for awhile but when a dear friend recently sent me her way to check out her trustle tables I was stunned by how much her portfolio has grown over the past few years. To be be perfectly honest if my portfolio kept heading in this direction I would be beyond ecstatic. A little this and a little that makes a gal happy... Or at least makes this gal happy.

I've included some of my favorite pieces from her portfolio...

The Beach Chalet above.
The Branch Out trustles
And her genius 1x1 Range

I also discovered something else. Nina Tolstrup is responsible for some of my favorite city guides. Guides I found while walking down some itty bitty side street in Copenhagen and into some itty bitty publisher on a rainy cold day. I had no idea! What a fun find.

Thanks Silvia for reacquainting me with Nina's work. And as a p.s. Silvia was in Copenhagen the year before I was from the same school and the only person from that school that year too. Funny, no?

p.p.s. This week seems to have a Danish theme already. So completely not planned. Just like last week's Los Angeles theme.

photo credits:
Beach Chalet - Nina Tolstrup
Branch Out - Hector Serrano
1x1 - Richard Davies

A Danish Winter

2011-11-28T16:18:00.001-08:00

Incredible styling no? I have to admit that most stylists I've come across I've yet to understand their contribution to a shoot. I just feel that shooting an individual's home (which is the only kind of shoot in all fairness I've been involved with) is much more interesting when it's left the way the individuals live in it...granted a cleaned up version of such but also not too cleaned up. I prefer the Selby's version of doing such things. Or any of the many other individuals that have braved the interior shooting world as of late.

Of course this is different when say shooting a fantasy like fashion shoot or a catalogue like above then styling certainly has it's place and this is where it really shines. I came across Gubi's catalogue while doing some furniture research about a month ago. I love how moody the shots are and they reminded me of that true Danish winter. Just different shades of gray...different shades of moody gray.

Some old things...

2011-11-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

Remember awhile back when I was working on a little side project. Well darling Liana of Apartment Therapy and Amourette took a gawk and said hey would you like to do a little DIY on Apartment Therapy? Well, how could I say no? Thanks Liana! If you want to see the step by step click on through.

The Bronx

2011-11-22T12:14:00.001-08:00

Charged with coming up with the Holiday Cocktail this year the Mister and I (well mostly the Mister, I just taste-tested and gave my opinion, good job I have no?) took inspiration from this old booklet we found at Belle Mere's house. Aren't those illustrations gorgeous? We had to tweak the recipe a bit more to our liking though. Here's what we did.

-2oz. Old Tom Gin (or whatever gin you prefer)
-1oz Sweet Vermouth (we like Antica)
-1/2 oz Dry Vermouth -1/2 squeezed Orange (we use Organic Valencia)
Shake it up (or stir) and serve in chilled glass and garnish with an orange peel and cherry (we use Luxardo Maraschino cherries and not that fluorescent variety)

Sunday...

2011-11-21T17:18:00.001-08:00

So sorry, the fun post didn't happen today... not my fault but it got delayed until Friday. So instead I send you rainbows from yesterday looking out from the rear deck. Apparently the pot of gold is either inside that church (which recently painted it's steeple blue! What is the matter with them?) or right smack in the middle of downtown. Who found it? And do you want to take me out to dinner?

What are all you lovelies doing for Thanksgiving? I'm thinking of posting a Holiday cocktail tomorrow. It usually falls to us to come up with one and I think the Mister has perfected it. Stand by.

Heath & Geoff

2011-11-18T12:29:00.001-08:00

So I surely missed the opening but I'm hoping to make it there before it closes. Just love me some Geoff McFetridge. (gaah will you check out that painting at the end of the table.) And what a genius collaboration no? And I'm going to wonder out loud a little bit here... Heath, you are a bay area company with deep roots so why do you keep having all the awesome shows in LA?! Just sayin, I'm an LA lover and all but I'm starting to feel like the forgotten ex-wife up here. That is if I were speaking for the Bay Area, which I'm not;)

p.s. I have a fun post planned for Monday!

photos via Heath, Poketo and Geoff.

Salon of Beauty

2011-11-17T13:55:00.001-08:00

I fully realize that this will be all over the blogosphere before I know it but I couldn't help but re-post as it was love at first sight with Ana Serrano's installation Salon of Beauty as soon as I read about it via the ever talented Alissa Walker. Head on over to read all about it and WATCH that video! Hmmm, I've got a bit of Los Angeles theme this week. What can I say a piece of my heart will always reside there.

all photos via Ana Serrano

Reyner Banham

2011-11-14T23:28:00.001-08:00

Reyner Banham and his book Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies got me through my thesis when I returned home to Los Angeles from Denmark. He was my only remaining support. I kid but well... not so much but that's a longer story than I'd like to tell here.

All I can say is if you are an Angeleno it's a must read and if you aren't and you are one of the many that sneer at or dismiss Los Angeles, it's a must read.

I had no idea there was footage relating to the book. What a great find!
via modcinema*

A little green Monday

2011-11-14T16:46:00.001-08:00

A few new plantings around the house. The sugar mold and cacti aren't new but it took me awhile to figure that a cactus and not a succulent worked best.

I'm not sure what that leafed cactus is (anyone?) but they are growing like weeds! 4 to 5 inches since I got them. I hope I don't have to re-plant any time soon.

And then there is the terrarium, I just got tired of not being able to see anything in there so I switched from a rainforest type planting to a bog type planting. We'll see how it goes. It's always an experiment.

Wha?!

2011-11-11T13:37:00.001-08:00

Alright, alright. No need to yell. Heee, Happy Friday everyone.

(perhaps a funny holiday gift for the boss?)

via Steady Print Shop

Bitter Sweet

2011-11-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

This post is a little bitter sweet as this was one of the walks I would take Buddy on. He left us last Sunday to move on to a real trainer. I loved to take him to the enclosed dog park and then the little boat launch where he was scared but intrigued by the seaweed, carried around the empty mussel shells like a prize left by the seagulls especially for him, and overall complexed and confused by the water but again so curious about it. He was so adorable to watch as he obviously loved this spot. I loved that the little beast got me outside on walks.

The walk was around one of the enclosed dog parks and moved around the water inlet at 3rd street. A loop of contrasts modern and new and on land on the on one side and original, a bit hippie and on water on the other. I've always romanticized living on a houseboat like Anais Nin in Paris or like sweet Pia Jane Pijkerk in Amsterdam but I'm not sure my imaginings would add up to reality (part of that is they are right by the sewer treatment plant and well... it stinks! I hope they are fixing that.) here in San Francisco But I love their originality and personality and I wish their were more. I'm pretty sure these are the only houseboats in San Francisco.

The antlers kill me. And do you see the sweet bird in the second photo?

I can't help but love the freeways as a little reminder of Los Angeles.

One of the apartment buildings seems to have free, what are those things? canoes? Oh whatever, just unlock the gate take it to the boat launch and get in the water!

I thought that green was oh so perfect and I love the mural/tilework on the back side of the sewage treatment plant. (Now if they could only get rid of the smell) The flora in the area is incredible too and with the added benefit of restoring Mission Creek to it's original pristine beginnings.

Zero One

2011-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Came across Zero 01 the other day....umm they are on their 7th issue? How am I missing these things? Just busy I guess. Incredible interviews, incredible photographs, oh so lovely to see Mondo-blogo's place.... ah hem Patrick Parrish and Patrick we want to know more about Jessica!

all photos via 01

A contemporary interior in Rio: Guest Post Jorge Soares

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

A contemporary interior in Rio

Since I moved back to Rio I've been complaining about how I miss being around brand new design displayed in contemporary spaces. Kelly heard a lot about that - our friendship been born and nurtured inside LIMN in all its glory. And there I was again bitching about that with my friends at 021, where I go to see what's new from time to time. Then Ricardo just pointed to Luiza by his side and asked if I wanted to take photos of her home, and she smiled agreeing. Now that's another reason why I visit the shop: they are the nicest people. And so I found myself a couple of days later on my way to Barra Da Tijuca, a neighborhood on the western part of Rio a bit bigger than the city of San Francisco, along the coast of a 28 miles long beach. It began being developed in the 1970's and is the place of tall spaced buildings, luxurious shopping centers and car-driven lifestile. A far cry from my usual walkabouts. That's just what I wanted this time. Fresh views.

Luiza Bottino lives there with her husband Leonardo Conrado, just a block away from the beach and with a wide slice of blue water view. She is a lawyer who fell in love with design, left her job to go to design school and found herself nestled at 021 in a very short time. She favors clean lines, lots of light and lack of clutter. Her home has some excellent Brazilian contemporary design, and I will mention some examples. The two armchairs at the veranda ( by Pedro Mendes), the yellow table nearby (by Marcelo Ligieri), the two wooden armchairs at this table (by Paulo Alves). Inside the room, the dining table is by Studio Schuster, the white bench is by Flavio Borsato and Mauricio Lamosa, the two yellow side tables by Jader de Almeida. I spent a glorious morning there - thanks, Luiza.

All photos and content by Jorge Soares

Thank you for seeing me

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well, hello again.... well last week was kind of a pathetic return wasn't it. I promise I have good reasons for being absent for which I'll share soon. I'm a little superstitious and would hate to jinx the good luck of a certain offer.

But during my incredibly busy week last week I was catching up on my podcasts as I worked away. One of them being DnA (Design and Architecture) a radio show out of Los Angeles. (It's fantastic you should seriously check it out, seriously! Frances Anderton is it.) Well, while listening I heard Kat Fowler speak about her project "thank you for seeing me" on kickstarter. A project I was too late to donate towards but one I was instantly attracted to for a few reasons. One, I've always thought Los Angeles (yes that hunking big city with a massive car culture) would be a great city to ride your bike in. In fact I did ride to work for a whole year. But to tell you the truth that car culture makes it pretty scary. It's not much better in San Francisco and we have a few more hills. But with all the tension between drivers and riders I always thought it was too polarized and wondered how could we create a fun smart campaign that makes you laugh a little and brings people together instead of further apart.

"Thank you for seeing me" does just that. It says HEY, that big car you drive could really hurt me so thanks for being aware that I'm here. Instead of the opposite which is soooo easy to fall into.... which goes a little something like this. "Hey Mother*&^%*** you almost f*#@%ing killed me you piece of sh*$! You know something you want to say to that bus driver that almost ran you over (seriously I was pinned between the bus and the curb) and then the guy that gets off the bus says "you know you should really be more careful" You know, if something like that happened to you, you might be a little hostile. But on the other end I've gotten pretty angry at other bicyclists that don't have lights on at night or run red lights. Because where would I be if I ran over you and it was YOUR fault and I was thrown in jail or you were killed or or or... you see where this all goes. So a little courtesy on the road would be oh soooo nice. Don't you think? Head on over and check it out.

In other bicycle news Mikael of Copenhagen Cycle Chic has gone and created an index of the top 20 most bike-friendly cities. Pretty smart no? What a great way to get cities to strive for a place on the list and improve their cities standing. To be honest I'm actually surprised San Francisco made the list.

logo via TYFSM
Photos via Copenhagen Cycle Chic (p.s. I have NOT tried that umbrella move, I mean coffee in one hand yes but an umbrella?! That thing catches wind. Wow!)

p.s. Get ready for a super super guest post from Jorge tomorrow.

Andy and Edie

2011-10-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

The Mister and I are Andy and Edie for the day. What are you all dressing up as? Happy Halloween.
It's amazing what you can find on the interwebs.

Eating Design?

2011-10-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

I've become so enamored with Marije Vogelzang and her work ever since Sight Unseen ran this little interview with her. The funny thing was that I was already familiar with her work but because I saw a project here, and a project there, I really didn't really comprehend her oeuvre. Seeing them all together made little fireworks go off in that brain of mine. Her work expresses all the elements I'm so passionate about. Food, how people view it, eat it, share it, where they eat it, and with whom but all along a narrative while designing every element of the experience.

The photo above and below broke food in to color blocks and applied qualifiers according to those colors for a pop-up cafe. The purpose was to get you to think differently about the food you were eating.

What's more fun than chocolate? Chocolate walls? Go ahead and lick them. Chocolate cups? Chocolate Mustaches? Chocolate Tattoos? Love!

Marshmallows made with real rain. Iceberg marshmallows or global warming in your cup?

Sugar-spoon to stir your coffee?

And this last one everyone at the table including the servers are enveloped in a white tablecloth at once equalizing everyone and connecting everyone. I find this particular dinner especially interesting. How would you act and eat if you were suddenly connected to your neighbor? Would you share more easily? Smile more easily? I've personally found sitting down at the table is very much an equalizer anyway. Marjie also provided scissors so that everyone could customize their opening so they didn't feel trapped in the design... so smart!

What do think of her work? Would you be interested in attending a food event that challenges your current thoughts on food and design? I would be really interested in hearing your thoughts!

Also while researching Marije Vogelzang and her work I came across First Person Magazine as they interviewd her for their upcoming issue Radical Foods. I haven't personally checked it out but I'm very intrigued. And if you are in the Bay Area please come to the dinner they have arranged. I'm going as are some friends of mine.

*all photos are via Marije Vogelzang

Huntington Gardens

2011-10-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Mister and I went to visit my Belle Mere for her birthday and took her to Huntington Gardens. This was partially because I enjoy taking her to places she wouldn't venture on her own and partially selfish as I had never been either even though I lived literally around the corner for years. My Grandmother would ask me every time she spoke to me "Have you gone to Huntington Gardens?" To which I replied "No, Grandma" with an eye roll thrown in for good measure. I figured it was some silly little Japanese garden that looked the same as all the Japanese gardens I've ever seen. Wow, was I wrong. Sorry Grandma.

The property is so immense that it will have to be a place that I continue to visit as it is just too much to take in on one visit. Not to mention all the exhibits at the separate structures on the property that we didn't get to. I was particularly drawn to the desert plants, and cacti. They were so incredible I felt transported to another world. If you live in the Los Angeles area I highly recommend going don't wait like I did. That last photo at the end I included just so you could gather the scale of these prickly beasts. Extraordinary!

Breaks, Projects, Work...

2011-10-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

Well the Universe may be expanding but I felt the need to contract for a bit. When you are on the interwebs sooooo much and constantly coming across all this amazingly talented work but find yourself lacking the time to attack it yourself... one just needs to take a couple steps back. There are only so many hours in a day you know.

Then last night the Mister says... "Umm... When are you going to blog again?" (Can I just add that he was almost always against this blogging thing so it's a little funny coming from him) And quite frankly I was missing the sharing but was finding it hard to fit it into my schedule again. Work has been constant crunch time. And well little Buddy takes quite a bit of time too. So here I am again pouring out my heart to you and sharing snippets of a new project. It's a small project but I'll share the whole of it soon. I missed you and I hope you missed me too. xo

The Universe is expanding....

2011-10-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

6df Galaxy Survey fly through from ICRAR on Vimeo.

Of course we've known that since the 1920's but a couple of smart fellows (Astrophysicists) independently realized that it was expanding at an ever increasing rate (And won the Nobel prize for their efforts) and that it has to do with dark energy. I heard all of this on my way to yoga this morning and it captured my imagination like science and nature so often did for me when I was a kid. It was really lovely to float along in that child like wonder this am so I thought I'd share it with you too. I looked to see if I could find a visualization of this expansion thinking I might find a diagram or a photograph but I found this amazing animation instead.

Rhombins

2011-09-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

The Utility Collective's new Rhombins are so damn cute. For your desk, or the kitchen, or perhaps even your jewels by the bed. My only complaint is I want to attach them to my walls after watching this video they put together. That and I kind of want them in fluorescent colors and shades of gray. What do you say guys?

This talented gal...

2011-09-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying my dear friend Silvia's new furniture adventures. We went to architecture school together and she came back and helped me with my thesis project. Only really good friends do such things! And as you know I have a love affair with furniture so you can see why I'm so enthused to watch her portfolio grow.

photography and furniture: Silvia Song

I know how to cook

2011-09-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

I kept seeing this book at certain design stores for a couple years now. But, I hadn't heard about it from anyone yet. No one had blogged about it, nor reviewed it. At least none that I knew of but, I kept finding myself being pulled to it. Of course A LOT of that had something to do with it's aesthetics. It has everything you would want in a well done book. Elegant and readable graphics and type, beautiful illustrations, and clean well styled photographs. But, were the recipes any good?I finally gave in and picked up a copy from an old gift card I had.

Well so far so good and I love that there is an entire section on eggs. I think I'll work my way through that section first. I've already made oeufs cocotte and when you are busy busy cooking can be a great get away from work. We all have to eat right!

Anyone else tried out this beast of a book?

What are you all doing this weekend?

Ay yai yai yai, Ay yai yai

2011-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Forgive this little fashion interruption but I'm positively drooling over Heidi Merrick's Spring 2012 collection. And since it's our San Francisco Summer it makes perfect sense to want to acquire each and every piece right now! Not to mention that I have a little soft spot for Heidi's work since it was one of her dresses I chose to get married in. But really WOW, this season is positively vibrating and am I wrong to feel a little bit of that Isabel Marant sexy vibe thing going on here too?

Of course her model Abigail Spencer is a boon and perfect ambassador for the brand. Does she look familiar to you.... think Hot Teacher and Mad Men. Does that jog your mind? Go Heidi GO!

La Tulipe Noire

2011-09-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

I realized lately that Buddy bears a resemblance to a few illustrated cuties like that little guy in the Mon Oncle poster. And Peperone of Caperino and Peperone fame below. Which made me want to draw up a little illustrated version (when I ever find the time) of my little Tulipe Noire* (aka Buddy) So, perhaps you are wondering why I'm calling him the Black Tulip? Well, we think he might be possibly a Dutch Tulip Hound otherwise known as a Markiesje. The names supposedly stems from the Marquise de Pompadour (chief mistress to Louis the XV and the namesake of that famous hairdo) who supposedly never went anywhere without her little black pooch.

A. Looks out the window hoping I'll let him out, Check.
B. Peering into the Monocle shop.... well if peeing on a stack of them counts, Check again.

Buddy's new spot is under the Nelson Bench. I saw him lying there and started to shoot some photos. I then told him they really weren't cute enough could he turn up the cute quotient to which he did his best by stretching his sleepy self closer and lying on his back with his head on the legs of the bench and his bat ears out to full effect. This of course makes him such a good hearing dog candidate.

C. Sitting on the expensive furniture every chance he gets. Check
D. If I let him out of the crate while driving. (Only on very short distances) He'll most certainly try to drive. Final Check.

*The name La Tulipe Noire is what Julia and Paul Child Christened their new black sedan bought in the States and shipped to France.

Bhering Chocolate Factory: Guest Post Jorge Soares

2011-09-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since we've had a guest post from the ever talented Jorge Soares. And one that's close to my heart in that I do love to see a building have many many lives. There is also something a little bit creepy a la Charlie and the Chocolate Factory about it's well worn exterior...

There is a new exciting neighborhood happening in Rio. The abandonned area surrounding the docks at the Port of Rio de Janeiro is being revamped into a mix of arts, work and residencial spaces. Empty warehouses are getting a new life, small buildings from the turn of the 19th C. to the 20th C. are being restored. It will take some time, but by the Olympic Games the place will already be the coolest in town. The old chocolate and candy Bhering factory is already booming. Inside the wide spaces made of german iron and around big pieces of left over machinery a diverse group of artists have made themselves comfortable. We are visiting now the studio shared by the art couple Denise Terra and Jorge Vasconcelos. Here Denise creates her pvc tubes sculptures, transforms old books using textiles, hardware and lots of etceteras. Jorge also has a photography studio next door, and here we can see some of his photographs next to his suspended bathtubs. It is a magical place, even their little kitchen is a jewell. Lots to see, and I'll be back.

all photos and content by Jorge Soares

Jim Darling

2011-09-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

I came across Jim Darling's work who knows where but I fell for it immediately. What a smart idea. How many of us have taken that token shot out the plane. Or daydreamed while staring out that little oval window? Not to mention that since my Dad is a pilot I immediately thought of him. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. xoPortfolio: Jim DarlingPhotography: Over & Under

Reka One

2011-09-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

My Sis was in town and we thought it would be fun to take her to 941 Gallery since the entire show was by Aussies and her step-mum (not mine;) is Australian. Did you follow that? Yea we have a complicated family what can I say.

It was a nutty crowd and a fun time and we even found a sweet little piece the Mister and I both fell for. So it was such a treat to find the process photos and back story on the artist's blog. Check out James Reka's work here. And read about the cans here and here.

photography by James Reka

Alex Palecko

2011-09-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

I met Alex through a friend of a friend (as these things often go) who told me I had to meet him and see his work. It took us awhile but we finally made the connection last week. And can I tell you how great it is to come across another super talented guy who again is NICE with absolutely no ego. It really is so refreshing. Keen to see his works in person, they did not disappoint. Perhaps you've seen them already? If you've been to Fourbarrel on Valencia in San Francisco you have. The record shelf behind the counter, that's Alex. I asked Alex how they came to be or if there was a story behind them...

"With all of the projects I do at Fourbarrel the process begins with a need to resolve a spatial issue - in this case, too much vinyl. The music played in the cafe is what sets the day's tempo and overall jest. Jeremy Tooker, the owner of Fourbarrel Coffee, asked me to elevate this audial element to a visual and spatial one. The design intent was to make a shrine-like monument where the density of vinyl is dramatized by setting back the mitered vg fir top and side from the cabinet grid."

Alright the first photo admittedly is a gratuitous 'I heart those light fixtures' photo. They really couldn't be more perfect. And if you know me, you know I think everyone gets the lighting/light fixtures wrong. Alex informed me they were designed by Seth Quest.

A detail shot of the Fourbarrel Record Shelves.

Fourbarrel Roastery shelving: How do they function?

"This 7 x 5 grid of cubbies organizes the outgoing wholesale orders for each day. it is an important step of the process linking the production of orders to the daily delivery. "

The Fourbarrel Roasters Desk which I could easily see in nearly any entryway with all it's useful shelving cubbies. I would never lose my keys again. Okay, that's not true. But I would lose them less.

I even got a little peek into his covetable workshop. Which had me wondering why I don't know more wood workers in the city. I know it's a bit difficult with space and rents but surely there is a larger community I don't know about. Right?

Alex graduated from CCA's architecture program and began apprenticing under "DK" Hodges, master builder. He has been taking on small scale architectural design / build projects for two years now.

Thanks again Alex, it was such a pleasure to meet you.

Alex Palecko's portfolio

Ryan Ward

2011-09-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a friend about his botched framing job the other day. He had to return the piece I think at least three times and have them redo it. This of course brought me to a previous conclusion. I am always underwhelmed when I take a piece to be framed. I'm never impressed and nearly always shocked by the price tag. Not that the price probably doesn't add up to the labor involved but I never feel it justifies the job done.

That is until I came across Ryan Ward of United Measures on the design files. Incredible! I've never seen framing this lovely. The choice of wood. The incredible stains. The detailed (and sometimes flourescent) joinery. No wonder he has a wait list! Too bad he lives so very far away in the land of Australia. I'll give you one guess as to which city.... uh huh that's right, Melbourne.

She does it again..

2011-09-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Ashley was in town a few weeks ago to teach at CCA's Young Artist Studio. She called to have coffee but unfortunately I was on my way out of town. So wish I could have seen this in person. Gorgeous! The scale and the fact that 10 to 13 year olds created these pieces from her instruction sends it right over the top.

YHBHS + LAMA

2011-09-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

I cannot wait to see this exhibit! Congratulations David, what an honor to be working with such a fantastical collection. I'd love to know more about the guy behind the collection.

If you are in Los Angeles it is a must see. Here are some details from YHBHS...

"Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) and You Have Been Here Sometime (YHBHS) will partner together to produce a special interior showcase for LAMA’s Pacific Standard Time exhibit Collecting in Los Angeles 1945 – 1980. This 3 week exhibit explores the collecting practices of Richard Dorso, a native Californian, who at age 101 left behind a unique art collection spanning much of the 20th century. The exhibit will conclude with an auction of the entire collection on October 9, 2011."

Auction: October 9, 2011; 12pm Noon (PST) Pacific Standard Time Exhibition
Preview: September 19 – October 8, 2011. Open daily 10am – 6pm Auction, Exhibit.
Preview Location: 16145 Hart St. Van Nuys, CA 91406

Trials and Tribulations

2011-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

So we've had Buddy now for a month and I would say out of that month 3 weeks were pretty difficult. The Mister was not handling it well. He still isn't but he's getting better at it. The thing is I do understand most of the Mister's complaints. Our house has been upended. For two designers having to remove all rugs, cover furniture with blankets and put in a BABY GATE is not easy. The Mister is also a bit of a neat freak so the hair everywhere is a little disconcerting. So you can see I do see his point of view.

I was doing fine with Buddy. He was a lot of work which was challenging but I was doing okay when he made a mistake and took a pee on the office floor or the bathroom floor or back on the office floor. Then I lost it. Yes, my patience snapped when he lifted his leg to pee on some design books one night and then a whole stack of Monocle magazines the next night. How did I end up with a dog with no respect for books or design! I know, I know, he's a dog. I was taking him out every 2 hours on the regular so how did this little shit have to pee so much and why did he save it for my design tomes?! Not to mention losing my patience probably set us back training wise as he was not listening to me days afterward just making me more frustrated.

But for the past week or so I think we have turned a corner as he seems to relieve himself outside. Thank God! And he's learning quickly. Hopefully soon we can go for walks without him pulling and accidents in the house are a long forgotten memory. There have been a couple hiccups such as he learned to shake his crate enough to rattle him self out of it (locks will be installed) but all he did was climb up to sleep on my side of the bed with all that freedom he had while we were gone. It could have been a chewed up shoe and garbage everywhere disaster. Oh and he's developed a fear of the mail slot and the mail that comes through it so running to the front door to alert me that someone is there is not working out so well. This by the way is one of the things he needs to learn to become a hearing dog. But mostly now he just makes me coo at how cute he is. He is the best snuggler and I'm tuning into his needs a little better. After a few quick panics as to "where is Buddy" I kept finding him under the Eames chair in between the legs and the wall. I put a towel down and he's made it his second little bed. Looks incredibly uncomfortable to me (and hopelessly cute) but he chose it.

25 days

2011-08-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

So a dear old friend asked if I would help out a friend of his (Sara Young) that was embarking on a journey to meet individuals across the country in 15 cities spending 25 days in each one. It sounded like such an incredible project how could I say no? To explore a city through the eyes of it's inhabitants is a treat I've always treasured in my travels so I thought it was my turn to return the favor. To read her version of the evening head on over to 25 days. (can I say her review of the night is incredibly glowing and really so sweet and made me a wee bit uncomfortable as I just don't see myself that way. Thanks Sara!)

I just had one difficulty... Sara the gal I was to meet asked me to take her to my favorite place. Really? Wow... hmm. What the HELL is my favorite place! This question is made more difficult seeing that I often have a love/hate relationship with this city. I'm no longer the ebullient twenty something in lust with San Francisco and filled with romantic notions of her new found (and might I add chosen) home. Should it be architecturally significant? Should it be emotionally significant? Personal history significant? The questions kept coming and I was no closer to an answer... then once I could finally break through all the superfical questions I came upon the... Where do I really enjoy myself everytime I visit. While there are quite a few of those I also added... where would Sara be able to see what I see as a true cross section of San Francisco. Perhaps that is not what she asked me but well... I guess I can't help but put myself in her shoes. So I broke the rules a little bit and chose two.

First stop was 941 Geary. While the White Walls/Shooting Gallery were my first choice purely because they had been around longer and I had been there more often but they weren't having a show and 941 Geary was and essentially it's the same crowd (and the same owner the one and only Justin Giarla) which to be honest is half as much fun as the shows.We of course brought a few beers and brown bagged it as we walked around the gallery to view the show. Nothing ever pretentious at these galleries, just a good time had by all and incredible incredible talent to be seen.

Second stop Bix. Why Bix... well why not. Bix is one of the reasons why people love to dine out in this town. The Martinis, the jazz, the walk down the alley to then step in through a couple of dark doors that open to a luminous volumnious space. To feel like you stepped back in time to a place where people care about the way they dress (I've always loved to dress up and it bums me out to see people at the Opera in their Birkenstocks and ripped jeans.) And that painting of the ballerina kissing the clown makes my heart sing everytime.

So at the end of it all, I did notice a few things. There are quite a few things that I love about this little/big town which I too often overlook. And that first question of whether it should be architecturally significant or not well, they aren't some of the cities new architectural gems taking us at least into this century (I have no problem stating that San Franciso has a little addiction with it's history which it should be proud of but when that pride stands in the way of growth and letting the future in we all cease to grow and become our better selves.) but they have a few classic characteristics.

Both are entered through an alley and both open up into large glowing spaces from dark narrow streets. Both are built with real honest to goodness brick something us Californians can be a bit nostalgic for since it is now a no, no. Bricks and seismic activity are not the best of friends which gives each space both a permanence in their years and yet an inherent ephemeral character through their structure. Alright I'm obviously getting a bit romantic and far too nostalgic for my comfort zone but well there it is.

Thanks Sara for allowing me the chance to take a second look at this city I live in and for inviting me to be apart of your project.

project: 25 days
maps drawn by yours truly
photos are screen shots from mapjack (soooo much better than google street view, check it out! unfortunately it's still only in a few limited cities)

Archizines

2011-08-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know there were this many Archizines out there? Yep, neither did I there's a whole lot more over here.

Vuokko

2011-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've always had a fondness for Scandinavian design but have been partial to the Danes since that is where I chose to live for a year during school. But the Finn's held a certain fascination from the time my Architectural History Professor in Denmark said we would be walking across the lake to visit Alvar Aalto's Summer home. This was happening in April so you can imagine how perplexing this might have been for a gal who's grown up in California and Florida her whole life. How was it possible that this lake would be frozen enough in late Spring to walk on?!

I think anyone who could live in this frozen tundra and be creative perplexed me. That and their impossible to pronounce names (to my english speaking ear anyways) reminded me of illustrated fictional characters from childrens books. Besides the roster of well known architects and their homes I was privy to tour I discovered a couple of textile/fashion design houses. The iconic Marimekko of course and on my own I dicovered the contemporary Ivana Helsinki. So of course when I came across Vuokko in my most recent Apartamento (seriously get your hands on this issue!)I was instantly smitten.

Her style, her way of thinking and designing, and of course that gorgeous home of hers designed by her husband, Antti Nurmesniemi.

That gorgeous green sofa and piles of pillows made from her textiles. Oh and her glasses;) I LOVE her glasses.

Photography: Kaarle Hurtig

Wednesday night is alright

2011-08-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

I forgot my camera last night so I hope you don't mind some iphone shots of the Cuesa event at the Ferry Building taken by my lovely and generous date Melissa of CCS architecture. If you haven't been to one of Cuesa's cocktail events can I just say the price soooo justifies the event. Highly organized (nothing worse then a poorly organized event) you'll be able to taste several cocktails in miniature (which is important if you want to walk out of there instead of stumble) Each bar or restaurant is sponsored by a spirit and they have the challenge to present it to you in a creative a delicious cocktail. A great way to get a few new cocktails to try at home under your belt.

I know who my girl crush is!

2011-08-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Meg and Andrea for putting together such a Rad Zine based on their even radder (yes I made that word up but really it's the word rad we're talking about here obviously infinitely malleable) blog GAGC.Can't wait until my copy drops through my mail-slot.

p.s. LOVE their logo too by the way.

A great example...

2011-08-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

I was doing a little spring cleaning and deciding to get rid of piles of magazines about the house... as I was paging through my old Dwell's I came across this house/home in Singapore that I had fallen so hard for. I still love it! I love the contrast between the front historical facade and the rear modern one. This happens so often here in San Francisco too with our strict code on historical structures. And that Kitchen with that impossibly large dining table and open to above. That Kitchen! I must have that kitchen. And that enormous rear door, I'll take that too. Alright just give me the whole house already. I'm moving in!

via Dwell

True South Brewery

2011-08-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!

Remember that lovely office space I posted about not that long ago. Dianna Snape, the photographer of that space has captured some incredible spaces. I personally gravitated towards this humble brewery. But I'm still perusing her portfolio. Lot's to love.

Arthur Bispo do Rosário

2011-08-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

In case you missed this incredibly talented artist's work over on Album Carioca I thought I'd repost it here. His body of work had an instant emotional connection for me.

His life, kind of tragic... well by my standards perhaps not his. While I think his work speaks for itself I do wonder if we have as a society an unhealthy fascination with unstable and eccentric artists. And on the other hand perhaps his refusal to blend with society allowed him a wonderful wonderful way of viewing the world which he shares with us. Ahhh.... fell into my own trap didn't I, romanticizing the ill of mind. But who am I to judge what is the illnesses the of mind.

via Album Carioca
photos via Imaginario Poetico

Sea Ranch: the surrounds

2011-08-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Looking back from the bluff to where we were staying. It was foggy most mornings but cleared up by midday. The fog can sometimes get to me in the summers in San Francisco (which is why you must plan short getaways all summer long) but here it just felt moody and romantic.

The Sea Ranch Lodge was literally a couple minutes walk from the condo. It was surely part of what made the stay so lovely because as much as I love to cook it's nice to know you can go somewhere special for dinner and so close.
They currently have plans to remodel. I hope they find a way to keep those fantastic mailboxes and those exit signs! (below)

Our first day we walked the beaches. Something about combing for creatures at the sea's edge just makes me feel like a kid all over again. Not to mention endless inspiration in shapes, colors and forms.

Seriously! Could someone make me a ring or necklace that look just like these barnacles and mussels? I'd also like a dress of seaweed please.

We finished our walk by climbing out on some rocks for a picnic. We were on one rock and some harbor seals were out on the other. We watched them and they watched us.

All the gorgeous flora.

The Sea Ranch Chapel.

Our last day we had our picnic above the beaches just off the trails.

We can't wait to return.

Unit #9 - part two

2011-08-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Kitchen had everything we needed. Even a french press! We could have cooked a world class meal in there. I also love the mish mash of everything hanging on the wall.

The dining room with on of Moore's models at the end of the table. These really made me miss my models from school I no longer have because of an unfortunate incident.

The view from above looking down on the window seats. I could have sat there all day and night and watched the sun and then the stars and never left. The Mister felt the same.

The bedroom we slept in was walled in glass on both sides I woke up several times to just stare at the moon on the sea and anxiously awaited the sun's return. Even though every morning was foggy it usually burned off by mid-day.

The loft bedroom above.

And one more shot from above since it's difficult to see but all the "working" parts of the house were encased in volumes, the kitchen, the bathrooms, etc. I was trying capture that here as I'm standing above the kitchen but, I'm not so sure I did that so well.

I guess this means you'll have to travel there and see it for yourself. It sleeps comfortably 4 adults and would be perfect for a family or group of friends too. Sea Ranch Escapes handles the rentals and it's literally a 2 minute walk from the door.

Unit #9 - part one

2011-08-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so per usual I took far too many photos and the editing process is always overwhelming. So we'll have to do this in parts, Hope you don't mind. Here are the first few images of the Moore Condo we stayed in at Sea Ranch right at sundown. It was this beautiful golden color every evening and we rushed back to watch every day. Seriously, if we never left the place we would have been completely content. Another trip up there is already on our minds, only question is when.

3 years and counting...

2011-08-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

So the Mister and I took off for the weekend and celebrated our 3 year anniversary at Sea Ranch. It's so incredibly lovely up there and we were in desperate need of quality alone time as our work schedules and additional activities have had us not seeing much of each other lately. We spent many hours hiking the beaches, having picnics with the Harbor Seals, running into old friends, touring a maginificent new modern home (more on that later), and watching the sun drop in to the sea (actually the fog but the sea sounds nicer) every evening before heading our for dinner. It was glorious.

We stayed in Charles Moore's condo #9 and I took loads of photos so I'll be sharing them later this week. But today is the actual day of our Anniversary so Happy Day Mister! I'm so incredibly lucky to have such a caring, generous and supportive Mister like you!

Drawn to Devour

2011-08-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

A fun discovery this past Sunday from a darling couple who came to the bloody mary class was that of a friend of theirs Dan, of Drawn to Devour. Aren't his watercolors delightful. I especially love the humorous plays on the receipts and menus.

Personally, I'm a gin drinker too.

The pieces showing space I'm particularly drawn to as well but well you knew that. I love me some Plow and I haven't been to the Beast and the Hare but with a dish like that I think I'll have to plan a trip stat.

Have you met..

2011-08-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Buddy, our new house guest? Probably not since we just met him Saturday. And yes house guest is the appropriate term as he won't being staying with us permanently because when he graduates he'll be moving in with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

We thought being foster parents for the Hearing Dog Program would be a good way to get our feet wet and see if we were cut out for co-habitating with a little pooch. Currently we are underwater as it feels like a 2 year old child just moved in with us needing constant supervision. Eep! But I'll try to give updates now and again as to how we're all doing in case any of you all are interested in being a foster parent too.

And of course if you are interested please send any and all questions my way as they are looking for people to provide foster homes.

Thanks!

2011-08-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

So this little phrase just hit that perfect note for yesterday and I just feel so thankful!
Thankful for my lovely friends who made the effort to come out for the show. (and those that sent their well-wishes)
Thankful for all the new faces (and kindred bloody mary lovers;) that I met.
Thankful to work with such a kind and courteous crew at 18 Reasons.
Thankful for Sean from Punk Domestics who did a bang up job running the show

And most of all thankful for the Mister for his support in every way from hanging the show, to juggling the new puppy action and allowing for a post brunch with friends, to just being behind me every step of the way. I love you babe. xo

via palabras

Last Call

2011-07-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

So it's here, this weekend!
And the darling folks at Refinery 29 gave everyone a sneak preview. Head on over to view a few before the show.

Otherwise head on over here to get your tickets. Want in for the member price? Sure you do. Leave a comment with a way for me to contact you and the first three people will get the secret passcode.

Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad

2011-07-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just fell for these understated and smart frames for objects. Seems perfect for all of natures sculptures you find upon your path by Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad.

via 2 or 3 things

Tacklebox

2011-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm completely geeking on Tacklebox's process photos on the new Aesop shoppe in NYC.

via Tacklebox

Bragging Rights

2011-07-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

So as long as the subject isn't yourself I'm pretty sure a little bragging is completely just and socially exceptable. Surely you remember this gorgeous home originally brought to you by my very dear and talented friend Jorge right here on halcyon days. Well another dear friend passed it along to those talented gals at Rue and Ta Da here it is in the latest issue. Go check it out.

It looks Gorgeous thanks to Jorge's art director eye channeled through some super talented photographers. And of course darling Luciano who has done a stellar job at restoring one of many of my favorite beauties in Rio. Congrats to all involved.

Alex Garcia

2011-07-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo, I up an disappeared on you again. What can I say, this summer I've certainly joined the circus and my main act is juggling, which I might add I'm not so great at if you couldn't tell. I guess is doesn't help that I've gotten sick a couple of times already which has put a bit of a damper on things too that and I've been finishing up the last minute details for my show which is THIS weekend! Eep!

Good thing there are artists like Alex Garcia to brighten your day or weekend for that matter. I came across his work this past weekend not once but twice. First at the re-opening of Thermidor there were a couple of stately pieces that seamlessly fused with the scale of the space. Then again at Propeller in Hayes Valley as the Mister and I were shopping for his brother's birthday gift we found a few of a more manageable size.

He's a local artist with an architecture background. You wouldn't have guessed would you? The pieces are expertly crafted from wood scraps, some hand stained woods, and what looks like some reclaimed wood as well and at least the ones I came across were hung within thin steels frames. Check out more of his work here or if you are in San Francisco stop by Thermidor for a cocktail and a bite.

Chamberlain Javens Office

2011-07-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine this being your office? I can. Office envy to the maximum degree. Between working on designing someone else's office and feeling a great need to redesign my own so that it works more efficiently. I'm in office overload in the best possible way.

This is Ella's office (to be clear the office she works for, Chamberlain Javens) an architect in Melbourne. (Anyone else in the blog world think Melbourne is off the map for creatives, do they all move there? Are they all born there? If Melbourne were an American City what would it be?) The office also had a hand in designing it. Read more about it here.

Photographs by Dianna Snape

Around the House

2011-07-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

A.What's on my night-stand/reading table.

B. Rasmus' new home on the Platner chair. Although sometimes I wake up to find him passed out like this which makes me think he's making trips to his old home hanging above the bar.

David Bailey's Box of Pin-ups

2011-07-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

I've had this in my ebay watch list since my favorite illustrator said it was the inspiration for her book Watkin's box of pin-ups. I've been waiting years in vain for her book to arrive in the states but still no word of it. Anyone in Sweden want to help me acquire it?

Well for the first time a couple of days ago David Baily's box of pin-ups, the original inspiration, turned up in my inbox and I was instantly delighted and extremely disappointed since one look at that price tag meant this Box of Pin-ups will Never find a place on my shelves. On the the other hand I was elated to have a peek at the infamous box. Perhaps one of you dear readers have deeper pockets than I and would like to invite me over for a full viewing?

Sea Ranch

2011-07-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Our anniversary is around the corner so I booked us a stay in Charles Moore's condo at Sea Ranch. I've never been and only know it from long ago architectural history classes. Have you been? Do you have any suggestions on what to do and see?
Please please share. Thank-you!

Illustration: MLTW (Moore, Lyndon, Turnbull, and Whitaker), gifted to SFMOMA by William Turnbull.

And some weekend links...
Mjölk's shop is ready and open
Kinfolk is finally live
And Pompoon has struck an interest;)

Bureau for Architecture and Design

2011-07-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Alright you Angeleno's I'm tired of you flaunting all your design weeks in front of me! Seriously how many design events can one city have in a summer!

The photos above are just teaser photos from the Bureau of Architecture and Design of their exhibit going up. According to Mohamed Sharif...

The mess you see is a cluster of 16" square 3d tiles that form battery powered mobiles. They will form an ambient, slow moving meshwork behind a screen onto which we'll project looped films of LA and Tokyo at Pecha Kucha for Little Tokyo Design Week.

The exhibit will be through Sunday from 4pm until late. For a schedule about all the goings on go HERE.

So if you are in town can you please GO and send me some better photos and even better yet a video I want to see these things move!

Around the House

2011-07-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

A. What I learned recently was our light fixture above the dining table was a Jørn Utzon.
B. I'm thinking of getting rid of my collection of light cages
C. A new handbag and my old iphone
D. There has been some painting going on around the house. Yes, I paint from the Knoll sofa over a Nelson bench over the Roses rug
E. Can I really get rid of them? Their functionality is so elegant
F. Gorgeous and cheap wire sculpture from Flora Grubb.

Come have a drink with me!

2011-07-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I LOVE a good Bloody Mary. But in recent years it's been an awful lot of fun to see the cocktail culture and the diy pickling culture cross breed. Not many cocktails can have so many variations and still be called the same drink. I thought it might be fun to start collecting them on paper. And now I've finally gotten up enough courage to show them too. Thanks to the Mister and my dear friend Melissa Werner for not just the nudge but for shoving me off that cliff.

They will be up for a one day show at 18 Reasons on July 31st along with a class led by Sean Timberlake of Punk Domestics to give us a few different renditions of this classic brunch beverage. You can purchase tickets HERE.

Bedroom Blues

2011-07-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason I have yet to get a handle on designing our bedroom. It should be so easy but I never like ANY sheets or bedding companies. I want dark and sultry and everyone wants whites, lights or sunny. And if you can't get the bed right you surely can't move on to anything else. Thus we've been stuck in a holding pattern in the bedroom.

Recently I've really been thinking about quilts not just because they have been popping up nearly everywhere but because my Mom has picked it up as her craft in recent years. There's just one problem... even though I can appreciate the art of quilting I have modern tastes so finding something (yes again like above) that peaks my interest is difficult. These quilts by building block seem in to be in the right direction.

And that last photo is of some tile work in Brasilia I took while I was there. Mom suggested making this into a quilt. My first thought was no but if the blues were indigo dyed fabrics and I swapped out the doves for either a different color or a different shape perhaps it could work after all. Thoughts?

building block found via Rena Tom

Maurizio Zucchi

2011-07-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo so I did have some lovely time off although I have to say it was a mixed blessing because for a lot of the time I was taking care of myself and staying in bed after a scary visit to the E.R. Not exactly what I had planned I tell ya! But, I am feeling worlds better and really couldn't wait to share this unbelievable home.

I was seriously stunned when I came across these photographs. It was an instant "I have to live here, this is MY home" moment. Move over Maurizio as I'm not sure how you crawled inside my brain and created my dream home all the way over there in Italy.

The abundance of sculptural cactus
Several of the light fixtures on my must have list.
Wire sculpture shelving.
Those bent wood chairs. (anyone know who makes those?)
That coffee table and the loads of books covering it.

via Agnes of iiiinspired. She finds the most delightful places and spaces.

On Holiday

2011-06-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

I'm going to take a little Holiday from Blogland. I'm sure you noticed I petered out last week and I thought about it and realized I just need some time to re-boot. I need to do and be inspired by other things than those I find on the magical interwebs. Like actual real live people and maybe some outdoor action. It is Summer after all. So toodles and see you in a week or maybe two;)

photography: Chris Shipman

Speaking about Rio...

2011-06-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that the Storefront for Art and Architecture has been kicking it for some time now in a serious way but these photos they posted of their latest exhibit blew me away. It also had me thinking, why don't we have a non-profit like this here in San Francisco? Los Angeles has the Materials and Applications outdoor exhibition space (not the same I know but similar) but I don't think we have anything that supports built environments. Perhaps I'm wrong? Do you know of one? Hmm....

photography: Brett Beyer

Luciano Cavalcanti de Albuquerque: Guest Post Jorge Soares

2011-06-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

It's a little late but it is certainly still Monday. Here is another one of Jorge's gorgeous posts. Forgive me I'm still running behind. The photos below are breathtaking don't you think? Thanks Luciano (and Jorge) for sharing your beautiful home.

Luciano lives in a loft above his shop, Ateliê Belmonte, in Lapa. (To get an idea of the Lapa neighborhood take a look on Jorge's blog here. It was one of my favorite neighborhoods when we were visiting, I loved all the crumbling old buildings with trees growing out of them but I think I would love them even more with adoring owners such as Luciano. With just one caveat of course, I get an invite at least once. -Kelly) There was a time, not too long ago, when this would be unthinkable. The old charming buldings were crumbling, the shops were just dirty warehouses of piled up junk and no sophisticated person would dream of facing the deserted dark streets at night. Not now, my dears. Young people from all over the world jump from nightclubs to sidewalk bars all week long and mid-century furniture dealers show their goods inside restored places. The area that used to be a favorite neighborhood for the homes of Viscounts and Barons - yeah, we used to have Emperors, you know - now has some cool gentlemen and ladies walking the cobblestone streets again.

all photos and content by Jorge Soares

under the weather

2011-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've caught a little bug. A stomach bug and in my opinion the worst kind. Everyone keeps saying "at least you'll be a few pounds lighter" but I haven't eaten in the past few days because my body has decided to violently get rid of it when I do and I'm STARVING.

So please forgive me but that also means I'm exhausted so Jorge's post will be up this Monday instead of today. Next week you can dream about balmy breezes and Rio's finest all work week instead of of the weekend.

photo: Carl Kleiner

Design Bitches

2011-06-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

I came across Design Bitches (yes, you read that right) via Scout Regalia (thanks guys). They are a multi-disciplinary architecture firm and while I'm not showing some of their larger works I really loved the whimsey of this project. It made me smile, like their name does. Check out the rest of their portfolio, I think we'll be hearing more about these gals in the future and what a relief as I think we could all use a little more design with a sense of humor.

Von Tundra

2011-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Since working out of the home office I'm beginning to recognize just how inefficient the use of space is. While it was fine for the occasional "bringing home work" it needs a serious upgrade for full time use.

So you can imagine when I saw this space a few neural sparks began to fly. I do realize that it's a printers studio (in an adorable side garage) but the variety and multitude of storage is sure to have a place for everything so everything can be in it's place. Something I surely struggle with. Looks like the next project is the office.

You can see more of Dan Anderson and Chris Held's work at Von Tundra.
photography: Darryl James

Pretty Vacant

2011-06-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Oh it's nothing really... just heaven. Or where I wish to be right this very moment. Especially since the San Francisco summer is officially here.

A girlfriend started posting photos of herself and friends on FB and after a certain point I had to demand. "Okay, where the hell are you guys!" Can you hear the jealousy in that question?
Pretty Vacant Properties, she said. Pretty much heaven, she also said.

Pretty Genius Robert Stone, I say! I'm taking a cue from you... and also booking a stay as soon as possible.

Embrace Failure

2011-06-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Milton Glaser – on the fear of failure. from Berghs' Exhibition '11 on Vimeo.

Oh dear, Milton looks awfully frightening in this screen capture. But what he has to say is less so. The Bergh's school of Communication asked leaders in their field to discuss the subject "Fear of Failure." While most harkened back to when they were young or presenting as a student (something that I think pales in comparison to presenting to the planning commission by the way) Milton Glaser discussed it on a more insightful level and dug a little deeper for all of us.

via Creative Review

Oh and some links I've been enjoying as of late...
A note on design
destined to design
pennyweight

happy weekend! xoxx