Modern Customizable Bedding from Inmod

I think the last exciting thing to happen to modern bedding was the introduction of Amenity's exquisite and covetable nature-inspired duvets, which were at once so simple and so fresh that it was almost like seeing a bed for the very first time.

Inmod has recently launched a collection of customizable duvet covers that I have to declare just as exciting. In fact, dare I say, it's the most brilliant thing I have ever seen. As of now, they offer 13 different designs that take their cue from a lot of popular textile motiffs (cherry blossoms, abstract shapes) and then gives the buyer complete control over all detailing. As an example, you can choose the color of the cherry blossom embroidery and a separate color for the stem--the design itself then goes on the background color of your choice. Swoon!



Their design tool is really very user friendly, showing each customized change as you make it, and also simulating how your design will look in a room setting. I fiddled around with a few different combinations to try to figure out pricing and found that it varies based on the fabric (the choices are cotton, a linen and cotton blend, silk dupioni and a silk taffetta). Naturally cotton was the most inexpensive with most designs being just under $200 and so on until the last fabric (silk taffetta) which was usually well over $400. It is definitely very comparable to other modern bedding designers...and all with the added glamour of being your very own creation.

Inmod's new duvets are a very innovative and just superbly executed addition to modern bedding--in fact, I urge you to rush over and play with it yourself. Enjoy!

Spotlight on Dawn Okoro

Lately all the things I love come from the unexpected place of Texas.

Houston's Greener Grass Design showcases all my current design obsessions and Fort Worth-based Calhoun's bluesy rock has been looping' round in my CD Player for days. Now there's another Texan to love; Dawn Okoro 's abstract portraits blow me away with their intensity and use of color. Check her out here, and if you are in Texas, she's currently exhibiting at the Premier Altier in Austin.

Vintage Fabrics at Design for Delight

While not endowed with any talent whatsoever when it comes to sewing, etc, I have done a few DIY projects with fabrics these past few months, including re-upholsturing old dining room chairs and the Marimekko panel and curtains I posted about earlier. Sadly, when I was last scouring for fabric I hadn't yet come upon Design for Delight, a Dutch store that has a beautiful collection of authentic fabrics from the 60's and 70's (all at our fingertips with International Shipping). With over 300 designs, their variety is staggering and few things have the space-energizing quality of a large-scale print from the 70's. Pricing varies wildly but, as vintage fabrics go, they are often a bargain and I think Design for Delight is a definite bookmark for other textile lovers, if only for the inpiration. You can check out the whole collection here--below are my favorites.

Fighting the Sea by Kit Malo

Please enjoy this amazing print by Kit Malo that I just bought at BlueFlip Art. It's called Fighting the Sea.

Gifts from Inspire Co.

Afraid of writing too much about things that are "cutesy", I tend to banish anything overly precious to the seldom updated category "A bit of whimsy to brighten up your day". But when I want to embrace cuteness, one of my very favorite places online for the truly delightful is Inspire Co. which is run by Amy Powers and features items as varied as vintage card games and bunny figurines alongside tiaras and charm bracelets. It's a store so sweet it could give you a toothache and I always revel in Amy's celebration of all things whimsical and dainty.

Inspire co. is specifically a gift store, but unlike most gift stores, sells the sort of thing you would actually want for yourself--and yet there are so many unique treasures that you will quite look forward to giving them away--for the gushing and the gratitude of course. I peeked in to her shop this morning, and here are some things I loved--new items are added all the time.

My favorite find: these yellow felt tulips.




Button collages; clever and also adorable.




Beautifully rusted vintage keys.



And some really Gorgeous button brooches.

Some Picks from Kitsch 22

Some more art and design from the English!

I get pretty excited when I come across a store I have never seen before--doubly more excited when a quick google search doesn't find it popping up any other design blog. So here is (hopefully) a first peek at Kitsch 22, which I was happy to stumble upon last night. Kistch 22 really isn't very kitschy at all, but does have some great picks in the form of modern and retro accessories.

My favorite new find was the stunning Tidy Garden light shade from Lush Designs (shown above). The cut-out plant shapes have some of the same charming quality of what I love in the Su Blackwell art posted below. You can actually control the light output somewhat by pulling the shapes in or out. The shadows created must be so dramatic and very beautiful. It would be a lovely detail in a bedroom or other quiet place.

Their lighting collection also has some of Mibo's great retro-inspired shades.




And these very pretty Moonflower lights--if I was brave enough (and if my boyfriend didn't object) I would love to drape one strand around the top of our four-poster bed.


Kitsch22 also has a really great pillow section--with very few of the usual suspects and a lot of graphic prints. If you are a big fan of Marimekko like me, you may recognize the black and white pillow as part of the iconic Tuuli fabric.





My last few picks from Kitsch22--some very fun clocks, Russian doll money banks and (finally something kitschy!) tomato squeeze bottles.





Kitch22 is not set up in a way that allows me to link to each product individually, but do check out their site--there are many more fun finds. For shipping outside of the UK, just shoot them an e-mail.

Su Blackwells Book Sculptures

I recently discovered the amazing work of Su Blackwell via the Madschen Weis Way. She makes these fantastic sculptures dramatizing the stories that inspire her in old books--using the books themselves--to create what she calls three-dimensional theatre. The effect is both whimsical and tecnically complex--you can see how precise her cutting is in the "Alice in Wonderland" piece above.

From her Artist Statement: "We can no longer physically read the book, so in that way it is made redundant; and yet on another level it has taken on a new life and is telling a different story." It's very surreal, striking work; particularly when placed in wooden boxes lit from above.

If you are lucky enough to live in or visit London, you could actually own one of these beautiful pieces--they are at the gift section of Selfridges and also at the Victoria and Albert Museum. And you can see more of the sculptures here.

Akemi Tanaka's Futaba Coffee Table

Hi all,

I have so little time for posting today, which may be a good thing since I can't be as long winded, but I really wanted to talk about this brilliant piece by Akemi Tanaka who I saw a few days ago on Small Space Big Style. As a coffee table, the Futaba is already a stunning piece but it also opens up into upholstered seating. It's a bit hard to see in the pictures, but it has a really comfortable sloping back-- the base indents slightly so that both sides fit perfectly together. The wood is actually bamboo plywood, so it's also very eco-friendly. It's just a geniusly designed piece for a small space, and also very beautiful. You can learn more about Akemi here, and the Futaba is for sale at Inmod (for close to 5k).



I will post about some really cool handmade art, a little later in the day.

Sonia Covertible Sofa at Chiasso

Last year I suffered through a long and frustrating search for a sleeper sofa. Personally, I am not sure that there is really an exciting modern sofabed at any price level, so my budget wasn't really the issue. Chiasso which had one of the better convertible sofas (the aero ), has just added a new one to their spring line that I do rather like. And, goodness! it actually has arms, which already makes it a catch. Like the aero, it only comes in white, although this seems like more of a cream color and the price is super low, just $800. I think overall it might be a good choice, but still not a very exciting one. The best idea for those of us with lots of friends and family out of town may be to buy a regular sofa (like the yummy Bantam ) and accommodate our loved ones with an air mattress.

Onward and Upward

Hi all!

Sorry for my long absence! I have been having some serious computer drama, and my poor little laptop finally went kaput last week. I did backup all my files but lost my extensive product bookmarks--doh!

Luckily, my new Toshiba laptop has finally arrived. If you are in the market for a new PC, I do recommend you check out Toshiba's Satellite series. It's only been a few hours but so far I am pretty satisfied.

Anyway, blogging will resume as always, and I am sure those bookmarks will pile themselves up quickly enough.

Posters at Programmable Press

I really love the colors and shapes in these abstract art posters at Programmable Press. $35 each

(Also just a heads up that he only has a few left of the first one.)

K Studio: It rains! pillow

If Kstudio wasn't already by far, my favorite modern pillows designer, this new pillow "Rain" would have done it. It makes me smile.

What I like about Kstudio is what while gorgeus flowers and birds are well-represented by most modern textiles, and Jonathan Adler does the clever-fruit-and-animal circuit, the lovely ladies of KStudio are just inspired by people :o)

$132 at Branch Home.

Legare Furniture

Legare is a very innovative modular furniture design company that specializes in office furniture, and was, much to my surprise, recently added to the 2modern catalog. They sell basic desks, corner desks and "bridges" which can be combined and arranged for different uses. Their pieces are actually starting to grow on me--for all it's usefulness, I wasn't sure they were particularly attractive. And the thought of putting together these elaborate customizable desks brought back many an Ikea nightmare. But if, as they claim "In just 3 minutes, you can build an entire system with no tools, no screws or bolts and best of all, no hard labor" it can a real option if you want to create a specific home office configuration. And in the home settings of the product photos, they even look somewhat cool. You can check out the rest of their collection here.

Re-Found Objects

I have been meaning to do a store profile on British shop Re-Found Objects for a while, but in the meantime, this is more of a mini-profile of their really charming experience gifts. In a very wise move, the Re-Found Objects gifts section avoids soap and candle sets to focus instead on these super clever Fun-in- a-box packages that include all the ingredients for a great time.

The Mulled Wine Jelly gift box contains the recipe for the Jelly, along with cinnamon sticks, cloves and this gorgeus vintage jelly mould.


"Fireside" has a handmade toasting fork, long matches in a very authentic metal container, and--of course!--marshmallows.



This is the "Gardener" gift box and my favorite part is the beautiful vintage hand tool--it reminds me of the one my grandmother always uses in Dominican Republic. The set also includes a Gardener's Chronicle and Notebook, plant tags and an insect repellant candle--more or less all you need to get acquainted with your garden.



I love these, of course, because they are so clever. But I also think they would be genuinely enjoyed by the recipient. It would be even more thoughtful if you adapted the idea into your own experience gift box (Re-Found Objects has so many lovely things that you are likely to find any ingredient you could possibly need). You can see the rest of their experience gifts here. They range from $30-$50. Enjoy!

almonte

Mod Who? Kartell Gnome-Attila

So I am cruising along around ModLiving.com, doing my usual morning design prowl. Admiring the ever-cool Eiffel side chair and lusting after some Blu Dot Shelving as I do almost daily, when my eye wanders to this completely unexpected little gnome. Huh? Does not compute. I was really so surprised to see such a kitschy piece among my beloved design classics. I look a little closer to find it's actually made by super sexy Italian Design firm Kartell--and gasp, looking even closer, the designer is Phillipe Starck.

I can actually really enjoy kistch--but not when it's over $300 for one little stool. And not when it's actually brand new. What is fun about the vintage gnome pieces I always enjoy at garage sales, is first how ubiquitous and beloved they once were--what's the point really, if it was made not out of sincerity but to be clever? Those old gnomes are visibly worn down, the bright colors have faded and cracked to reach that quality that is so aesthetically pleasing for all lovers of vintage furniture. What 's the point if it just came from the factory?

Lastly, gnomes are fun because they are silly. I am not sure that you can so purposely set out to be silly--it's a very silly thing to do.

Am I being too harsh? What do you think?

almonte

Vintage Danish Lamp from Ebay

Of the many vintage Danish modern lamps now up for bids on Ebay, this one is probably my favorite. I love the simplicity of the signature tall shade and teak wood base. It's currently $20--that's really a steal! If you are in the market for this classic style, the auction does end in a few days. Bid away here.

The Marais AC Chair (at DWR)

These very handsome powder coated steel chairs are new at DWR--and being described as the classic French Cafe chair. My local cafe has humble wooden chairs, which are charming, but far less dramatic. These are actually designed for public use and super hardy (what with being made of steel and all) with rubber encasings over the legs to avoid damaging the floor. But what I really want is a couple around my patio table.

($188 here) almonte

A Pick-Me-Up

This edition of "A bit of whimsy to brighten up your day" is all Etsy, all the time.





Vintage Mushroom Plaques by Kentucky Artist Arla Alexander. Just $7.50, here.




This is Henry. He is a little handmade donkey with lilac skin and jade colored eyes. $8.50 here.



A very cool idea! Etsy seller dimadesigns loves the abstract shape of these doilies and has several of them framed in her shop. This particular one is $25 here.

Arounna Khounnoraj's Sculpture

While wandering around the Bookhou site, earlier today, I found some pictures of the artwork of Arounna Khounnoraj. Arounna is half of Bookhou (her husband, John Booth is the other half) and along with textile design, she has the most amazing sculpture installations.

This is part of "Anemone" where she used Paper rice forms to recreate the look of sea plants.




These are made from copper wire and salt.



My favorite pieces were from the installation "Cohabitate".




You can see more of Arounna's sculpture here. (Also, do check out the paintings of her husband, John.)

WeeGee Floor Lamp

WeeGee is bringing something a little bit different to the modern lighting market in the form of these tripod floor lamps. Rather than the usual minimalist white, the shades come in a wide variety of subtle prints (over a dozen) that come to life beautifully when lit. I find them so striking and have actually been considering ditching my $10 Ikea paper light sculptures and investing in one for my living room.

The lamps are available at Design Public, 2Modern and Velocity. I mention all three because they each have some different patterns to choose from; the different styles range from $225-$275. If I do end up buying one, it will definitely be the lovely floral one pictured above.

Bookhou Tea Towels

If you have a less than attractive kitchen, like me, you are always trying to find textiles or other elements to bring a little bit of drama, or charm where none can otherwise be found. I LOVE these tea towel designs by Bookhou. They are very simple, whimsical and beautifully drawn. And they are the kind of small item than can lift a space in the tiniest way. And they are only about $10, available right here.

Stores We Love: Greener Grass Design - Part 2

As promised, a little more beauty from Greener Grass Design.



The most beautiful wine rack ever made? Quite possibly. I am just wild about the form of this piece. It uses the shape of a knot to incorporate 6 wine bottles and one larger champagne bottle in a way that is both beautiful and space-saving. This feels like the sort of piece that really belongs in a fancy kitchen (which I have none of) but it's so elegant and practical, that I may have to invest in one. It is available for $96 right here.

And to round up this look at Greener Grass Design, a beautiful salt and pepper set made of china and cork.


Adorable bubble-shaped coasters.


A little Toikka bird.


And the most beautifully detailed vase there ever was.


As usual, I only skimmed the surface so click over to Greener Grass Design for more great work.

Stores We Love: Greener Grass Design - Lighting

If I was ever to have a store, it would be Greener Grass Design.

This Houston-based online store has a very well curated collection of housewares, textiles, lighting, and even clothing, all with a focus on the well-designed, the beautiful, and the functional. I really appreciate their sense of humour about having such a noble mission while living in Houston, which isn't particulalry know for any of these qualities. From their site:

"Out of Houston's shortcomings, pollution, suburban sprawl, beige strip malls, bland landscape, comes the desire to filter beauty out of the muck and mundane."

With values so well-aligned with my own, it's no wonder I completely adore their store. You should check it out for yourself, but here are some of my current picks.


I love the softness created by this milk bottle light. Designed by Tejo Remy, and available here.



This lamp is just the coolest; Suck UK designed it using a Mason Jar equipped with a solar cell, a rechargeable battery and some LED lights. The Lamp charges during the day, when exposed to sunlight, and at night glows like a lovely ball of sunshine. It's very well-designed and super beautiful. Only $48 right here.

More picks from Greener Grass Design coming up in a little while.

Greener Grass Design-- Things to Carry

Today's focus is on Greener Grass Design, another of my favorite stores. But before we get to the regular design, I wanted to highlight their really cool collection of bags and wallets.

These vinyl wallets are my favorites. They were made as a way to promote artists, and naturally, they are completely original and unique--not to mention practical. ($20)






Greener Grass Design also has a great line of these coin purses. Each $16.




And lastly, some really striking laptop bags. I would love to have this green one. $94 here.




There are more picks from Greener Grass Design, coming up! almonte

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