IKEA designs a pre-fab modern house
March 14, 2012 at 8:38 am | Posted in $hit I want, design, homeownership, modernism | Leave a commentTags: architecture, cabin in the woods, design firm, house, ideabox, ikea, moden, oregon, portland, pre-fab
Holy! Dreams really do come true, IKEA — the place you can easily spend twice what you budgeted for, paired up with Portland-based architecture firm Idea Box and designed a pre-fab house. With a shotgun style floorplan, the 745 sq ft unit comes to you fully installed with a working kitchen (dishwasher, full-sized fridge, convection oven, stove top), followed by the dining room, living room, bedroom and full bath. IKEA closets, which I can attest are pretty great, line the walls of the bedroom and there’s storage in the bath. Um, can I have one? Seriously, Daryle and I often fantasize about our cabin in the woods. But everything is so expensive or a fixer-upper, and who has time for that? How about a pre-fab in the woods for around 80K? IKEA really does make it easy, except we’d have to have land to put it on, plumbing and electric. Hmm, this dream is sounding more complicated. It’s still in the back of my head of a maybe-possibility. Wouldn’t that be great?
Aquadettes: California, Synchronized Swimming, and Mary Jane
March 1, 2012 at 6:06 pm | Posted in California, design, modernism, One of the most amazing things I've ever seen | 1 CommentTags: aquadettes, california, costumes, los angeles, margo bauer, palm trees, senior citizens, swimming, synchronized swimming
A short documentary on Margo Bauer, a seventy-five year old woman who participates in a Southern California synchronized swimming club called Aquadettes. Many of the members have arthritis, joint replacements, and other health challenges, but together they remain active in the pool — though Bauer admits, she needs a little something extra to get her through the day. The short film playfully shows Bauer’s peers practicing their routines, beaming in delight to a slow-mo swing tune. Their overly flamboyant costumes show what humor they have today and makes me pray I will be that cool and active when I’m that age. This film is a part of a series called California is a Place. With images of characteristic palm trees on SoCal streets, my heart swooned for the West. Click here to view.
Mid-Century Christmas
December 21, 2011 at 7:21 pm | Posted in decor, life, mid-century, modernism, pregnancy | Leave a commentTags: christmas, department 56, department 56 dickens village, due date, eames lounge chair, faux fireplace, knoll sofa, mid century christmas, midwife, nativity scene, sheep skin, tinsel trees, vintage noguchi table
Greetings from December 21st — my official due date! The day has come and still no bebe. But I remain feeling really good, and surprisingly very calm too. The baby has been moving a bunch — I had my midwife appointment today and let’s just say things are moving along. I just need to be sure to keep active by walking to march this baby down.
Since I’m out of work for (pre) maternity leave, I’m sooo happy to be able to take in the holiday spirit which tends to easily fly by due to our busy lives. My sister and her (Irish!) boyfriend, Mick are staying with me which has made the season extra special as Daryle and I await the arrival of our little one.
As you probably recall, Daryle’s birthday is Christmas day. We are always so excited to get the house in order for festivities. When Daryle’s parents retired and relocated, we scored a ton of his family’s Christmas decor including his mom’s Christmas Department 56 collection. Some may call it nerdy, but the ceramic villages are so charming and beautiful. Every year, Daryle carefully sets up the towns, and decorates the scene with carolers, and snowy evergreens. I swear he loves to do it because it reminds him of playing with G.I. Joe figurines.
Department 56 over the mantel.
Our tree shimmers!
Our nativity scene. My friend commented that the figures are “almost life size” which makes me crack up. They are pretty big.
A goofy picture, but I love this thing — a faux log and fire set. When you plug it in, it makes a crackling noise. It lets off no heat, but I swear I can feel warmth from the sound.
And a new addition this year — my mom picked out two fabulous tinsel trees! We love them and so far the cats have left them alone. :)
Have you decked your halls this year?
Here’s hoping for a little bundle to share the holiday spirit with soon~~~
Katie
Rapper Ice Cube loves Mid-Century Modern
December 9, 2011 at 11:10 am | Posted in architecture, mid-century, modernism, music | 1 CommentTags: california, charles eames, ice tea, la, los angeles, mid century modern, pacific standard time, rapper, ray eames
Good morning world, my day has been made from learning about rapper, Ice Cube’s love of Mid-Century design. Particularly, Charles and Ray Eames. Ice Cube studied architectural drafting in trade school where he fell upon the Eames’ work. He explains in an interview with the Times about his love: “Back then, I didn’t know I was going to make money. So being that they put together a house in two days and used discarded materials — something about their style caught on. As I got older, I could equate it to sampling. I see that’s what we were doing, taking discarded records from the ’60s and ’70s and revamping them.” Killer.
You’ve got to watch this quicky video where Ice Cube seems completely at home in the Eames’ house. The video takes you on a tour of Ice Cubes’ favorite sites in Los Angeles and he comments that people think they know LA, and put it in a box: palm trees, sun and Hollywood. But they never actually see the city for how architecturally beautiful it really is. I couldn’t agree more. It’s a town that I always long to visit and am always sad to leave. Watch the video. It’s so good.
For more info: Pacific Standard Time
Gardens and (modern) glass Greenhouses
November 30, 2011 at 8:21 am | Posted in design, gardening, modernism, photography, vegetable | 1 CommentTags: auckland, greenhouse, moden greenhouse, new zealand, photographs, the selby
Just a few of my favorite things — The Selby photographs an Auckland, NZ couple with their modern glass greenhouse. Lovely, aren’t they? Words cannot describe how much I would adore having a greenhouse in my backyard. I could garden in the winter time! Wouldn’t that be the best? See more from the photo shoot here.
Modern and beautiful glass ornaments with succulents
November 18, 2011 at 8:28 am | Posted in $hit I want, design, gardening, modernism | 3 CommentsTags: air plant, flora grubb, glass ornament, modern, ornament, succulent
Psst, I’ve actually begun some Christmas shopping already. Usually I am so behind but with this little one on the way — right around Christmas, I want to be ready regardless if I’m at home with family or at the hospital. Yikes! I’m falling head over heels for these gorgeous glass canisters with air plants, tiny mosses, lichens, and other trimmings. They don’t even have to be used an ornament as they’d grace any area with their simplistic beauty.
They’re available at Flora Grub. And if you’re kicking yourself for not living in San Francisco — Flora Grubb as a web shop too! Wa-la.
Washington, DC Mid-century / Bauhaus style House
January 17, 2011 at 1:04 pm | Posted in architecture, DC, decor, mid-century, modernism | 1 CommentTags: bauhaus, modern architecture, washington dc modernism
Over the weekend, Daryle and I wanted to go somewhere new for dinner so we headed over to Palisades, a charming area in upper northwest DC with a quiet neighborhood vibe. Whenever we visit, we fantasize how lovely it would be to live there. The trees are very tall with tons of wooded areas, there’s low/no crime and better public schools. MacArthur Blvd. has a handful of yummy restaurants that have been there for years: a Belguin spot; a greasy old-fashioned Italian restaurant that I imagine is amazing; Kemble Park Tavern (a favorite of ours); and Bambu, a Thai restaurant which is where we ended up. I had the most delicious (detox-friendly!) salmon with red curry and green beans. Yum!
Driving there, we passed this super cool, Bauhaus-style, detached modern home that’s nestled on a hill along Arizona Avenue. “It’s perfect!” I declared. No—we aren’t looking for a new home. I quickly pulled out my iPhone to google the address and found that it was going for a whopping $1.3M. Ha! It’s fun to dream. The house looks very spacious, with expansive windows overlooking a stone terraced landscape. I have warn you, the current decor is over the top. You’ve got to check out the slideshow to see the boldly chosen wallpaper in each of the three bathrooms and the enormous oriental rugs and busy tapestries juxtaposed with modern furniture and contemporary artwork on the walls. According to the website, the architect (although unnamed) was Mies Van Der Rohe’s protege. It’s nice to be reminded that DC has some fantastic modern gems throughout the city.
Los Angeles+Mid-Century Modernism
December 10, 2010 at 9:53 am | Posted in mid-century, modernism | 2 CommentsTags: blackman cruz, egg2cake, los angeles, mid-century, modernism, papa bear chair
I’ve been hit by a major west coast modernism bug. I am such a Design*Sponge fanatic but generally shy away from not re-blogging Grace and Co.’s post’s since it’s such an awesome and popular blog, but I just can’t help myself. The furnishings in this house are bloody incredible. It was black leather Papa Bear Arm Chair and the walnut and brass bed (last photo) that really caught my eye.
Check out those pillars seperating two rooms. To-die-for.
The couple that owns the house are Kate Rivinus, a designer/owner of the shop Egg2Cake and Adam Blackman who owns one half of the opulent furniture and fine good shop called Blackman Cruz. Clicking around, I checked out Blackman Cruz’s website (eye candy everywhere) and well, that explains the house—a designer and a furniture store owner combining their vision. Simply gorgeous.
Logan Walters Wu-Note Records
October 29, 2010 at 10:51 am | Posted in design, modernism | 2 CommentsTags: blue note records, graphic design, jazz records, logan walters, reid miles
Graphic designer out of Detroit, Logan Walters began filling in his missing cover art in iTunes by designing custom covers of his own. Walters wanted his Wu-Tang collection to look like it was part of a series. After designing a bunch, Walters noticed that the albums were taking on a classic retro look—something similar to the famous Blue Note jazz albums designed by Reid Miles. The covers were so strong that Walters decided to continue the recreation of the Wu-Tang’s most famous albums through the nineties with Miles’ work in mind. The results (above, plus more here) are a classic-looking body of work with simple but bold typography along with a single image. Somethings never get old. Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy yay!
Read a full interview with Logan Walters as he talks about the process of designing the Wu album covers here.
**An exhibition of Blue Note and other classic jazz albums are on display Sunday, November 7th at Lounge of Ill on U Street. The records in the exhibit are all courtesy of my friend Neal Becton from his vintage record shop, Som Records. More information about the exhibit can be found here.**
Mid-Century Stella Artois
October 26, 2010 at 5:00 pm | Posted in mid-century, modernism | Leave a commentTags: mid-century, roman coppola, stella artois, wes anderson
And here’s a phenomenal ad for Stella Artois (my beer of choice!) co-directed by two of the most hipster-cred people in the movie-biz: Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. AHH, hearts and stars! I’m loving the mid-century interior with the conversation pit surrounded by wooden panels. Wish I was there.
Watch the ad. Come on click play, it’s so fun!
Via: The Mid-Century Modernist
Sunshine+Design- Five Months Old Today! May 23, 2012Jack Mack, My little love, you’ve had a busy month growing and exploring. You are changing so fast, whenever we are out and about people comment how big you are, but I always explain to them that you are actually right around the 50th percentile — not too big and not too small. I think [...]Sunshine Design
- Five Months Old Today! May 23, 2012
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
