Saturday, November 26, 2011

Post-Black Friday 2011

Well, Black Friday has come and gone... Cyber Monday is on the horizon.

Did you score some big deals?

I still think that Alabama should be on the list for crazy Black Friday states... these folks go bananas!

bf stats infographic 800x2114 Crazy for Black Friday Deals

Friday, November 25, 2011

Friday Find - Bathtub or Armchair?

Yes, it's another wild bathtub on the blog...

This tub comes from Thomas Linssen and Studio Thol. The first time I saw the tub, I was completely enamored with the shape and form of the tub around the wooden frame... Make sure you're paying close attention.



See how the bathtub(a marble composite) is actually formed around the frame? Awesome, huh?


This is where the tub really gets it's shape. Linnsen explains that chairs are ergonomic and shaped his bathtub to follow the lines of the human body rather than just to hold the most water.

I must admit, I've been in some uncomfortable bathtubs. I like the idea of a tub that was designed specifically to be comfortable.



The frame looks startlingly like a deck chair to me... Would look great in a rustic setting!




Of course, everything has a lead time and a price. According to Studio Thol, you can have one of these with about 2 months advance notice for a cool  €12000($16,200 USD).

What do you think?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Industrial Lighting- Trendy or Timeless?

Lighting has taken so many twists and turns over the past couple of years. Perhaps one of the surprises of those shifts has been the wide-ranging use of former commercial and industrial lighting in very lived in areas of homes.

Part of me thinks that we are staring down the barrel of a fleeting trend but something says that since these fixtures have been around for a long time already(some upwards of 100 years) that they have no intention of going anywhere.

Where do you fall in the lighting discussion? Are these types of fixtures trendy or timeless?


A notch goes in to the "pros" column simply because I like re-purposing an item that is safe to do so. It should go without saying that wiring and such should be updated to current regulations and specifications- there are people who build children's beds with shipping pallets so I felt like the safety discussion should be included.





I think they look great in the photographed setting and would certainly be a fantastic conversation piece. While we can't see them "in action", it looks like they'd provide targeted task lighting without interfering with nearby rooms.

So now it's your turn? Would you have them? 

Are they here to stay or already headed out?


Source: Raul Candales for Elle Decor Spain

Monday, November 21, 2011

Martha Stewart and Faux Taxidermy

I love Martha Stewart. She's so much more than the queen of mean that people portray her to be. All of her recipes are tasty and all of her crafts are difficult enough that you need to further invest in tools from her specifically branded treasure chest.

It's a brilliant business model. The Martha brand has been pure genius(except for those years when she was in K-Mart. I'd never gone there otherwise).

Now there's this:


And this:


What?!

Really, a footstool? Scary and cheesy.

Martha... Call me, dear. I can help.


*Shouts to Moggit for finding this... I was mortified. You can buy these gems here.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday Inspiration - They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Modern kitchens have always appealed to me(even though it's not my personal style). I really like how the elements can be simple and complicated at the same time with lots of moving parts and hidden storage spaces.

This kitchen is from the Italian design firm Snaidero. Interestingly, the designer who perfected the Venus line(shown) is Paolo Pininfarina. Car nuts may recognize that name... his father, Sergio, is the head of the design firm that is known worldwide for their designs of Maserati and Ferrari automobiles.





Pretty wild, huh? Gotta say, I love the stainless steel!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

History of the Hottest Holiday Toys

Hate to break it to everyone, but Thanksgiving(and Black Friday) is next week. Yikes!

Black Friday is always a fun time to grab a cup of coffee and watch the wild shoppers fight over that last VCR... they still do that, right?

Take a look at the hot toy from years gone by... Part of me wishes it was 1985 all over again!

Are you taking the Black Friday plunge this year? What's on your shopping list?

Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday Find - Pantone Christmas Ornaments

Just when you thought that the colors of your Christmas ornaments weren't the exact color you were looking for...


Created by the Studio Badini Createam for Selab, these PMS ornaments are available from Seletti, but only across the pond from us. Those of us in the United States will have to wait until at least Christmas of 2012 to have them grace our holiday decor.

The ornaments are available in 10 PMS Pantone colors and are just over 3" in diameter and made of glass. 

I predict this will be a hot seller once they arrive stateside. 






Not completely sure what I'd do with them, but I like them. What color are you doing your Christmas tree this year?

Saturday, November 12, 2011

GreenWashed: The Truth About 95% of so-called Green Products

Everyone knows my opinion on "green-washing." Too often, the greening of design and products is little more than a buzz-word or gimmick.

Make sure you're reading the fine print!


Saturday, November 5, 2011

How Maple Syrup is Made...

People that make syrup are real craftsmen(and women). We just finished up the local syrup sop a couple of weeks ago!

I'm a pig when it comes to Maple Candy... Yummm....

How Maple Syrup Is Made Infographic
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...