Yellow Bell Pepper Design

Modern Customizable Bedding from Inmod

2007-09-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-09-05T01:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Posters at Programmable Press

2007-08-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-07-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

Around the Blogosphere

2007-06-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Via PoppyTalk: Vinyl adhesives are cool again!! Chiara Banfi's exhibition at Brasil Inspired brings a little bit of beauty back to our walls.

Via OhJoy!: Lauren Rossi deconstructs vintage furniture and makes them fantastic again. Check out more here.

Via Design Milk: Such a cool radio. Handmade with the old-school LED display. I for one, will definitely be buying one. Available soon at Furni for $88.

Art and Animation on Youtube: Fly! Peter Pan!

2007-06-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

And the fourth installment of "Art and Animation on Youtube" comes from jhyun9967 (the creator of "Ant's Happy Landings")

It's a stop-motion animation video with fantastic music called "Fly! Peter Pan!"
Check it out! Just press play.

(If you have trouble, download Flash, which is free and takes a second.)

Spotlight: Modern Kids

2007-06-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Check out the power of the modern aesthetic to transform the dowdy into the really amazing. I was recently surfing through some modern kid's stores in search of a gift, and was struck by how the clean lines and well-executed design made furniture that I would have never considered stylish--baby cribs, changing tables--to be really beautiful.

My favorite piece of updated kid's furniture is probably the Two Wide changing table (above); the indentation of the circles keep it playful but it's really a very sleek and sophisticated piece--hard to believe it's a pooping station. I also really love Ooba's Nest Crib, which uses the most gorgeus tone of maple and would make such a sweet little home for a baby. Both are available at ModernTots.

Janne Kyttanen

2007-06-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Janne Kyttanen's company Freedom of Creation, has pioneered the use of "rapid manufacturing" technology to make a fantastic collection of these elaborate lights--each made of interlocking pieces in complex patterns. My favorite is Lily (above). I love the use of the layered fabric to diffuse the light. It's really stunning and creates such a dramatic atmosphere. Lily is available at UnicaHome for $700. The rest of Janne's lighting collection is at his shop.

Art in the Home (Part 2): Ebay

2007-06-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Another resource for affordable art is of course Ebay. Since Ebay is such a humoungous marketplace, the art section can be pretty overwhelming to navigate, but if you have the patience, there is a fantastic amount of really great and sometimes even rare pieces. I am actually working on writing a "Guide to Shopping for Art on Ebay". I will be sure to post it when it's done--but in the meantime, here are some of my finds. Each are under $30.

This is an original silkscreen from British artist Doug Hack. Signed in 1984, and numbered 1/15. Currently $30 here.

An original Lithograph by Augustin Ubeda. Curretly $25 and available here.

An original intaglio print by artist Misch Kohn. Dated 1959. Available here and currently $24.

Well, that's it for today! But for tomorrow, more affordable art and a guide to shopping for original art on ebay.

Art in the Home: (Part 1) Thumbtack Press

2007-06-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

I think most of the audience for a design blog generally isn't the kind that buys mass-produced posters, but I also know a lot of my readers are in my age group (I turn 22 this summer) and so--eek--they might be doing just that! Today is all about affordable art, and some of the best resources for inexpensive original art.

One of my favorite places to find prints is Thumbtack Press, which is the collective storefront for several dozen artists. Depending on size, the prints mostly range from just $15-$25, and the artits gets about half of the profit, while Thumbtack uses the rest to pay overhead costs. I think it's a brilliant idea--artists get exposure and profit, and the consumer gets fantastic, inexpensive art. Also, the prints themselves are very high quality; Thumbtack uses an "8 color archival ink jet process on a heavy bright white stock...The final print is trimmed to size and protected in an acid-free polyurethane cover before shipment in a board-backed, water resistant envelope. "

Mandarino (above) is an illustration by Italian artist Gianluca Foli that I bought from Thumbtack Press a few months ago. It cost $20, and I framed it using a simple frame from Ikea and some inexpensive matting from my local art store. Definitely affordable art!

Some other prints available now from Thumbtack Press.

More from Gianluca. Domenique $20

From Nathan Ota. Unboxing the Blues ($25) and Alive ($30)

From Paul Ryding. Guantanamo ($25) and Guantanamo B ($25)

From Alex Noriega. Toxicity ($25) and Marina ($25)

Obviously, since there are more than SIXTY artists on Thumbtack Press, these are just a crossection of my favorites. I really recommend you check out the site; they are really a tremendous resource for great, affordable art and have a great diversity of prints. Definitely something for everyone.

Much more inexpensive art to come later today.

Stores We Love: Ona (Part 3)

2007-06-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

And lastly, some pieces from Ona's really beautiful, handcarved wood kitchenware collection. I especially love this nifty little cup rack ($10.50). I have never seen one quite like it before and I find the dangling coffee cups to be really charming and quirky.

I have to admit, I am guilty of using paper towels ocasssionally, and I do have one of these paper towel holders, but mine is stainless steel and quite nondescript. Ona's version is made of oak, and has much more character. I would gladly trade. ($10.50)

These very handsome spoons are handcarved from elm. $14 for both

Also handcarved from elm is this platter which has a sensuous, really unique shape and I love seeing the grain of the wood. And of course each is completely unique. $34 here.

Well, that's it for my favorites from Ona but you can browse their shop for yourself right here. Enjoy!

Stores We Love: Ona (Part 2)

2007-06-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

As promised, some more of my favorites from Ona.

First, some picks from their impressive collection of really inexpensive and high quality blankets; they each average around $45. I especially love this green floral throw, made of 100% wool.

I also love their pillows, which are super affordable, averaging at around $20 each (for the cover only, but they sometimes give the option to thrown in an insert for another $10) .

I will be highlighting a few things from Ona's kitchen section in a post to come.

Stores We Love: Ona (Part 1)

2007-06-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am always conflicted about whether or not I should include the pricing on the products I post about. Primarily because sometimes I start to feel suspiciously like a catalog writer (rather than a person who blogs about art and design). And secondly, because while I am really conscious of balancing great things anyone can afford with "inspiration" items that are too expensive for me and most of my audience, those high ticket items do creep in here and there...and here again. I greatly prefer the attitude of investing in pieces, but don't want to sticker-shock my readers into bumping me off their bookmarks (as I have done to other blogs myself, once or twice).

For this very reason, one of my favorite stores of all time is Ona, a Lithuanian store which, at first glance seems to be yet another cute little European boutique that, like Hygge, features a small selection of handpicked housewares. But actually, Ona has a much broader spectrum of products--ranging from really inexpensive textiles and kitchenware, to haute couture furniture and paintings for rock star wallets, and even jewelry. I find that both the window shopper in me, and the side that actually has an apartment to decorate, is happy to wander around their beautiful site, which has so much to love, and so much that is affordable. Although it is not as inexpensive as shipping products from Hygge, for example, Ona is really an international store --their website even offers pricing in three currencies (dollar, euro, lita, the lithuanian currency)--so shipping is no problem, with fairly reasonable prices.

I've decided to be fearless in posting prices today, since much of it is very affordable, and ALL of it is handmade, independent design (our very favorite kind!)

The ceramic rolling cup (above) is so surprising and imaginative, and probably my favorite thing in the whole store. $65 here.

These wooden ship sculptures are handcarved and just completely dreamy with the most amazing movement in the shape of the sails. It's impossible to believe they are really made of wood. $79-$100 here

Will I never stop posting about teapots? I promise this will be the last one for at least a week. This charming set is for the tea drinker who likes to do their tea drinking alone. $37.50 for both, here.

A wonderful handformed, ceramic duck. I love seeing the shapes of the fingers that created the piece. $17.50 here.

How clever! Not just any ole' card holder, these beauties are made from polished stainless steel, and are ideal for holding reminders etc, and would look really stunning on any desk. $23.50 here.

I have so many product picks from Ona that they won't all fit into one post--so I will follow with another one later in the day that will including some of their extremely inexpensive textiles and kitchenwares. So y'all come back!

Spotlight: Todd and Holland Tea Merchants

2007-05-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

Bill Todd takes his teas quite seriously.

Much like me, he discovered the subtlety and wonder of "real" tea, after a lifetime of drinking cups of the iced variety that were chock-full of sugar and only a hint of actual flavor. With a newfound passion for fine teas, he swore he'd never go back, and started Todd & Holland Tea Merchants, which has a storefront in Chicago, but also a really comprehensive online shop. They have a huge, HUGE selection of fine teas--probably close to 100--ranging from Jasmines to Earl Greys. Todd & Holland also has a wonderful collection of really unique tea accessories. I especially love their Chinese Yixing and cast iron teapots. They range in price from $20-$100, and have so much texture and detailing. I also really love their earthy colors. Here are some favorites.

Lastly, gorgeus and very inexpensive Magnolia Leaf Coasters ($8.75) and some very pretty tea towels. But there's much more for the tea lover at their shop. Enjoy!

A Pick-Me Up

2007-05-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

A bit of whimsy to brighten up your day.

A bright little Gecko from Hip and Zen. He's made in South Africa from recycled soda cans, and a portion of the proceeds to help children with Aids. Eco-friendly, supporting a great cause and only $20!

From NotOnTheHighStreet, a mushroom stool for your garden.

Recycled cards drom Jill Bliss; California poppies, sprouting left and right. Available at Cut and Paste.

Marimekko in my Home

2007-05-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

In some ways, my apartment is a love letter to Marimekko.

This extraordinarily prolific Finnish design company, known for their fearless use of color and pattern, has slowly made its way into every room in my home.

My favorite supplier of Marimekko fabrics in the US is Textile Arts, a store based out of Sag Harbor, New York that has a really great selection of both Marimekkos current line and some vintage classics. (They also have a lot of Ljungberhgs, the Swedish textiles company) At Textile Arts, they are always so extremely helpful and responsive to e-mail inquiries; but what makes them my favorite are their ingenious fabric wall panels. Framing fabric probably isn't a new idea, but the effect of a large scale Marimekko print on the wall is really quite striking, and their wall kits are so inexpensive and easy to use. This project is simple even for the most clumsy and feeble of DIY'ers, and requires nothing more than a staple gun and a friend.

I chose this fabric, Lehmus.

First, I really have to apologize for how incredibly dark the pictures are. My living room is actually very sunny. Hopefully, I will soon be replacing my dinky little camera with a shiny new Canon.

This is Lehmus, above my dining table.

The wall kits include wooden stretchers that have notches to fit snugly into each other, and become the frame. You just need a second pair of hands to help you stretch the fabric evenly over the frame and then staple at various points on the other side. That's it!! They include picture wire for easy hanging, and really the whole process takes about 20 minutes.

Lehmus is $60 per yard, which is about the size you need to make a wall panel, and with the wall kit, the cost was $95. I consider that a very inexpensive project, and completely customizable to your own style. In person, the panel is very beautiful. The silver stem shimmers a little bit in the sunlight and the yellow leaves seem to glow. It's really one of my favorite things in the room.

Just for fun, here is a little bit more of Marimekko in my home. This is Lumimarja. ($38 per yard)

I ordered this fabric from Textile arts with the intention of using it in some way in my tiny kitchen. We turned it into curtains using a simple curtain panel from Ikea, and--brace yourself for this one!--a combination of staples and glue. I know, a complete disgrace, but you honestly could never tell. Once again, the pictures are super dark, but it looks very pretty in person, and really brightens my kitchen up.

The next installment of "Marimekko in My Home" will feature my bathroom and bedroom. Stay tuned! Hopefully, by then I will have a better camera.

Oiva Toikka's Glass Birds

2007-05-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Finnish artist Oiva Toikka has been designing a new batch of these beautiful and widely collected glass birds every year since the 1970's, all mouth blown and so full of personality, with many of the quirks of the birds that inspired them. Toikka birds are available at various places on the web (Finnstyle and Glassbirds are some) but, if you are interested, I recommend you click over to ebay where some of them can be found for as little as $50, and you can also score a lot of his vintage models.

Etsy Pillows make the world go 'round

2007-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Here at Yellow Bell Pepper we are very wary of the mass-produced.

And not because we are snooty--in fact, we are anything but--rather because there is such a wide variety of creative people doing beautiful work that is so much more enjoyable than the blandness routinely marched out by the mass producers. The problem, of course, is that independent design can very often be prohibitively expensive which means we can't all bring home the fabulous pillows of Kstudio, and have no choice but to rely on what we actually can afford.

But then there's etsy. What I love about etsy is that much of what's out there is actually very accessible, cost-wise. And the source of each item is the crafter, focusing all of their energy on one beloved item at a time, which can then be bought by someone who will also love and appreciate it. I really love that exchange and I think that all the things we buy should have such a wholesome cycle. No political affiliations to the Republican Party (like Urban Outfitters) and no sweatshops (like Target). Just beautiful things that enrich our lives.

Ok, I'm now gonna hop off my soap box and get to talking about some cute, affordable pillows. I sat and weeded through the pillows category and found some really inexpensive gems.

Absoluut makes all her pillows with colorful vintage fabric and has a really fabulous eye for using bold prints. The pillow covers themselves are each $25, but you can also add an insert for another $10. At the moment she has over 20 different designs and they are all really fantastic, so please do check her out.

Supastarr hand screen prints all of her pillows and I love her use of nature-inspired silhouettes. ($24 each)

And my favorite, Fussy Tulips. This beautifully constructed pillow comes from Inaluxe (who also has the most GORGEUS dresses) and it's made with a vintage Maurice Kain screen printed fabric. The use of grey/red and the abstract tulip are so sophisticated. I love it! And for only $25 (for the cover).

Now go send these etsy shops some love!

Around the Blogosphere

2007-05-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Via Red House: Some completely unique tea sets from Hisaku Mizuno.

Via DesignKlub: Stunning tableware from Japanese designer Emiko Oki.

Via Ikea Hacker: An improvised home for two little doggies.

Decorative Plates by John Derian at Lille

2007-05-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

John Derian and I share a passion for antique botanical prints. I have a small (but treasured) collection of botanicals that I have lovingly cultivated from Ebay auctions and consignment shops because I am always blown away by how elaborately detailed they are. Each requiring so many hours of diligent work to complete.

Naturally, I also love these awesome decorative plates that are handmade in John's studio and are actually collages of antique botanicals. I particularly adore the pink seaweed, but since these plates are a bit pricey ($180) I will have to just admire them from afar. In case you have deeper pockets than me, they are available at Lille. Enjoy!

Miwa Koizumi

2007-05-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

I found the work of Brooklyn artist Miwa Koizumi via my new favorite blog Blogue Fonetik (in French but very easy to understand with Google translator). As I mentioned in an earlier post, I really love jellyfish for their surreal, unearthly presence, and was floored by the beauty of her plastic sculptures. Miwa created these dreamlike sea creatures entirely out of plastic water bottles she found in the trash. From her site:

I love the idea of using liquid containers to make water animals. Contained/containing, trash/not-trash, like the jelly-fish or anemone: Living/non-living

I may have to head down to Brooklyn to see it in person. You can learn more about Miwa's work here.

Ming Oil and Vinegar Set

2007-05-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Clever, eh? Dutch Design firm Jansen + Co had the ingenious idea for this oil and vinegar set in the shape of a wine glass turned upside down with the glass base becoming the stopper. It's a great use of such a beautiful shape--and practical since the glass stem is ideal for slow pouring, and it comes with a funnel for easy refills. $28 at Elsewares.

Stores We Love: Hygge

2007-05-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hygge (pronounced hooga) is Danish for "cosiness, conviviality, and general candle-lit good times".

Hygge is also a wonderful London-based online store with a well-edited collection of housewares from around Europe and a focus on handmade, really unique design. (For those of us in the US, they have very reasonable shipping.) There so many pieces I really love from Hygge; here are some favorites.

I am actively saving up to buy this stunning, voluptous decanter.

I love these laser-cut tablemats and coasters from German designer Sarah Finn. The detailing is really fantastic.

Also by Sarah Finn, these beautiful Candlesticks made from walnut.

A pensive bear. Handmade in Finland (of birch wood).

And finally some lovely vases from Anne Black's Seam collection.

There is much, much more to love at Hygge. (I didn't even include any of their wonderful textiles.) All available here.

(If you are wondering about those little porcelain bowls up top, they are Mizuyo Yamashita's beautiful handmade flora bowls. Currently out of stock but I still had to share. Hopefully, they will be back soon!)

Art and Animation on Youtube: Ant's Happy Landings

2007-04-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

I confess I am not sure if anybody is actually watching these, but I continue on my crusade to find art on Youtube. (Perhaps if you watch this video you might like to leave little note?)

"Ant's Happy Landings" is a very moving stop-motion animation about the life of a lonely ant in the city, by a Korean(??) videoartist who I only know as jhyun9967. It's pretty extraordinary stuff so please click play to watch.

If you have any trouble just download flash, which is free and takes a second.

Spotlight: VivaTerra Live Edge Dining Table

2007-04-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

This is quite the dining table. The VivaTerra Live Edge table is carved out from a single tree (half becomes the table top, and half are the legs) and then more or less left alone, with all the organic movement and texture of it's source, the tree. It's such a simple way to use wood, and one that really highlights its beauty. Available at Viva Terra and (as you can guess) is really expensive but completely unique, made from sustainable wood, and generally a very cool piece.

Spotlight: Tiffani Taylor's Ceramic Pottery

2007-04-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

And the little birds and nests march on.

For the last few years, a great deal of modern accessories designers have been inspired by a very cute-fied nature. Yet, despite how almost generic this theme has become, I am still able to fall so in love with the work of Tiffani Taylor, a young designer whose brilliant line of ceramic pottery--all handpainted by Tiffani herself-- is definitely very cute. I find all her pieces very romantic with an almost old-fashioned sense of color. I love the dramatic lines of her tea sets and the way her rather traditional table lamp ($295) is perked up by a little bird.

Tiffani is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a lot of her ceramic pottery is available at their online shop and some more of it is at her website. Enjoy!

New from West Elm

2007-04-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

There are some great things happening at West Elm! I get so many catalogues these days that I am sort of wishing they would all get banned. But last week when the West Elm catalogue made its way over, I was pleasantly surprised with some affordable finds.

I really like these wall blocks; the colors are so airy and the illustrations almost seem to glow. ($50 for all 3)

This runner is just $99! Definitely a pretty groovy deal, and the bigger sizes won't break the bank either. I love the bird silhouettes and the combination of forest green with brown.

This lamp is probably my favorite West Elm find. The trumpet base is really striking and I LOVE the wood grain pattern on the shade.

And finally this duvet cover, which has managed to find a shade of taupe that is both calming and bright. And the embroidery is very delicate and subtle. ($119 twin/$139 full)

Enjoy!

Anne Maury

2007-04-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

These are some of my very favorite paintings from French artist Anne Maury, whose work I have been really excited about since I found it a few weeks ago. Unfurtunately, her entire site and all of her press is in French (I need a translator s'il vous plait!) so I haven't been able to actually learn anything about her. But she has an extensive gallery of really vibrant and provocative abstracts, illustrations and engravings at Artmajeur. All available for sale, and some of it is really affordable, starting at around 70 euros ($90) which makes her amazing, original work very likely to find a spot on one of my walls. You can see more of her collection right here.

Midcentury Modern on Ebay

2007-04-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

And to make amends for my earlier post, some really fantastic vintage mid-century modern furniture from ebay.

To bid on these gorgeus pieces click here:

Sofa

Desk

Credenza

A Pick-Me Up

2007-04-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

A little bit of whimsy to brighten up your Wednesday.

A wooden airplane that puts all those high tech remote-controlled gizmos to shame. Available at romp.

Some sweet yellow tulips, falling in love at Paper Cloud.

A little whale pin made by Moth and Squirrel (and availabe at Blue Bottle Art Gallery) to adorn your spring jacket

Some picks from UO

2007-04-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I am sort of impressed by some new pieces (or new to me anyway) in Urban Outfitter's furniture line.

First I have to say that I think it's hard sometimes to find the balance when you appreciate design but are young (like me) without the ability to really invest in pieces. When in this predicament I mostly champion craigslist as the best resource for furniture, but I do occassionally peek over to places like UO who do budget style and sometimes even do it well. While I can't speak to its quality or durability, I really do like this mid-century"style" sofa. Gosh darn it, it's really rather attractive and at only $480, also really affordable. I feel similarly about the companion piece, this side table ($120)which has an aluminon top--an unexpected detail that makes it a bit more interesting. Both are available with an extra shipping charge at Urban Outfitter's.

Well, that's my blog of shame. And now for back to our regular programming of unique, independent design.

Spotlight: Robert Lang's Origami

2007-04-03T06:13:00.000-07:00

I was recently reading a profile in The New Yorker about Robert Lang, a physicist turned master origami artist (origamist?) and I visited his website to check out the paper wonders for myself. I was actually quite amazed by how intricate and detailed they are. I wouldn't even know where to begin such a thing, and I love how kind of dainty and alive the human figurines look. And believe it or not, with the exception of the party scene, they are each folded from a single square of paper. My personal favorite is that lonely guitarist.

Karenina Fabrizzi

2007-03-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

I came across the wonderful work of Barcelona artist Karenina Fabrizzi (via Silk Felt Soil) and was struck by the organic quality of her mixed media paintings. They rather remind me of cells examined under a microscope. See more of Karenina's work here.

Art and Animation on Youtube: Nina Simone

2007-03-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is a real treat for all lovers of jazz. Nina Simone's absolutely magical and beautiful 1962 live performance of "I love you Porgy". Just press play.

(If you have any trouble, just download Flash which is free and takes a second)

In Great Company

2007-03-06T06:02:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to the lovely Holly of decor8 who mentioned this little Pepper in a roundup of new design blogs last night. Since we are as of yet still not appearing in Google (grr) it's been pretty lonely around here. So welcome to all decor8 readers!

Also, I learned from Holly's post that Rocket St George has joined the blogosphere. This UK shop (with international shipping), is run by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George and has for a while now been one of my favorite sources of really innovative European design. T heir new blog is just as fantastic with some more great finds from across the pond.

Currently, two of my favorite pieces in Jane and Lucy's shop are these truly stunning wall paper panels that are hand printed and designed to be hung in a long dramatic line-- really elevating wall paper to art. Just amazingly beautiful.

Thank you once again to Holly!

To new readers, please drop us a comment to say hello.

A Pick-Me Up

2007-03-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

A bit of whimsy to brighten up your Monday...

A very sweet little bird from Lisa Congdon.

A linen poppy stretched fabric wall hanging from Poppy Cotton (made of a rare vintage fabric by Alfred Shaheen).

A mural kit from Decoradar,including all the elements needed to paint your very own orange grove.

Spotlight: Innermost Lighting

2007-03-04T23:45:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago when I visited the New England Aquarium with friends, we spent much of our stay in the lowest level transfixed to the several tanks housing gigantic jellyfish, gliding about in a most spectral way and generally being awesome. The Bigoli light designed by Phay Halsackda and the Kaboom and Kapow lights by Tina Leung (both designers for the phenomenal UK group Innermost) have really managed to capture some of that quality. And I love how fun and interactive they can be; as the the 2Jane site suggests "give any of the weightless mesh loops a playful tug and watch then pop back into place. Kapow!"

Definitely art as design and one of the coolest pieces I have seen for some time. The Bigoli Light is on backorder, but all 3 can be found at 2Jane (for $246, $125, $75 respectively) Kaboom!

Spotlight: Dovetail Porcelain Tableware

2007-03-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

Check out the remarkable porcelain work of Margaret and Josh Smith at their Etsy Store, Dovetail Studios. Each piece is built entirely by hand, and the drawings are individually screenprinted. I really love their almost wobbly, imperfect shape (badge of honor of the handmade!!!) and the contrast of the black graphics against the white.. Doing some quick googling of my new favorite etsy shop, I found their main website (which has the rest of their collections) and also this really cool flickr slideshow of their ceramic making process.
The mug is $28, the tumbler is $22 and the platter is $36. Probably a splurge for some of us, but I think it's well worth it for lovely, unique work made by human hands.

Art and Animation on Youtube: "The Dead" by Billy Collins

2007-03-04T02:51:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this really, really fantastic animation of Billy Collins (whom I love) reading his poem The Dead. Just press play.

(If you have any trouble, download Flash which is free and takes a second)

Around the Blogosphere

2007-03-03T02:30:00.000-08:00

Via Another Shade of grey: Some really striking insect illustrations from Printman's etsy shop.

Via SFGirlbyBay: The elusive flannel blankets of David Fussenegger. Available at Soft Turtle and Modernseed.

Via A bird in the Hand: Lisa Congdon will be exhibiting at Rare Device this spring! Not that I need any excuses to go home to New York, but I will be sure to drop by and see it.

It's So Easy Being Green: Serving Trays by Bambu

2007-03-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

This here site being often about "buying stuff", I really wanted to include a regular feature on the great work happening in sustainable design (although I'm sure the great folks at TreeHugger have this topic expertly covered!!).

B amboo is definitely one of the most promising and popular materials used by the green movement, and it has been adapted into some really great textiles, and flooring, and an infinite variety of homewares. These stunning tray sets are part of a collection of 100% organic bamboo pieces at Branch Home (one of my favorite green design stores) made by Bambu. I'm quite in love with these lovely trays--and they're rather inexpensive, ranging from $14 to $40 for the largest one.

Future "It's So Easy Being Green" posts will include much more on bamboo textiles as a remarkable improvement over cotton.

YBP beta

2007-03-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

This place is so shiny and new. I am almost reluctant to muss it up by writing!

I am starting a blog because I wanted to have an incentive to write every single day. And also because I want to share the art and design that I love and find inspiring.

For me, the yellow bell pepper is just about magic. It is both my favorite pizza topping and salad ingredient; dipped raw into hummus, it is my all time favorite snack. What I love about it is the crisp flavor, but I think that even to look at it--all dramatic shape and grand yellow-- is a delight. In this blog I seek out design as fresh, bold and soulful as a yellow bell pepper.

Here we like modern, and vintage. And we love handmade. But what we really love is having lots of friendly readers. So thank so much for visiting...please stay a while!

(The armchair is from Etsy's Rainy Prints, available here)