Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Cool Stuff: Stain Cups
British designer Bethan Laura Wood's clever Stain Cups are designed to become more beautiful with each use. Wood treats the inside of each porcelain teacup so that, over time, certain areas pick up more stain than others. "The more the cups are used, the more the pattern is revealed," she explains.
The cups are £35 (about $50) each. Contact Wood directly to order, and check out more of the young designer's innovative wares right here.
(Via CribCandy.)
More eBay Finds
Russian Avant Garde Female Oil Painting
Schmid Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers
Vintage Thonet Bentwood Chair
Ib Kofod Larsen Penguin Chair
30s French Tufted Chesterfield Mohair Sofa
Modernist Marble Birds
Signed Raymor Bitossi Harlequin Lidded Jar
1970s Ingo Maurer Big Pop Art Bulb Ceiling Lamp
1940s Stylish Bauhaus Modernist Scissor Wall Lamp
Rare Pair 1950s Kalmar Stilnovo Cone Lamps
Pair Midcentury Modern Sphere Hoop Chairs
Vintage Brancusi Marble Occasional Table
Wooden Manequin Head
54-Liter Green Glass Demijohn
Long + Low Selig Sofa and Loveseat Set
Midcentury Modern Wall Sconce With Twin Metal Shade Diffusers
Rosenthal Orientalische Nachtmusik Bjorn Wiinblad
Note: These auctions all end between now and Thursday evening, April 2. Happy bidding!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Objects of Lust: New Florence Broadhurst Rugs
Thirty two years after a still-unsolved murder brutally ended her flamboyant and controversial life, Florence Broadhurst's dramatic designs are still as heart-stopping as the day she dreamt them up.
Broadhurst's intensely colorful, geometric and nature-inspired patterns are available as indulgent fabrics and luxe wallpapers, and British firm Knots Interiors came out with a line of Broadhurst rugs in 2007. Now, several more of the Australian icon's timeless designs have been reproduced as handknotted wool-and-silk rugs by the U.S.-based, high-end carpet company Woven Accents.
A few of my faves from this new collection:
Honeycomb in cornflour
Floral 300 in scarlet and ivory
Kabuki in olive and brunette
Solar in saffron and navy
Japanese Floral in tangerine
Horses Stampede in noir and steel
Siam in cream and aqua
The rugs are available for order through L.A's Woodson & Rummerfield's. (The cost: Most likely more than many of us can afford. But let's all just indulge in a collective swoon anyway, OK?)
P.S. For more on Broadhurst, pick up a copy of the gorgeous book, Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret & Extraordinary Lives.
Cool Stuff: John Kostick's Bronze Stars
John Kostick's mesmerizing Six Axis Bronze Star is a beautiful physical expression of a complex geometrical concept: The handcrafted "symmetrical non-Cartesian multiple-axis joining of beams" was inspired by a speech given by synergetic visionary Buckminster Fuller at Brandeis University.
The math, no doubt, is light years beyond my feeble abilities in that area. The beauty, however, is easy to grasp. And over time, the metal wire that forms the gracefully intersecting axes of this collapsible star will develop a rich brown patina with a subtle green undertone.
Kostick's six-point star is $60 at Canoe, or $20 for the smaller Tetraxis Bronze Star, above.
(Via Portland Spaces.)
Become a More Ways to Waste Time Sponsor!
I'm so thrilled to have welcomed several wonderful new sponsors this past month -- including Hello Victory, Modernica, Sue Augustyn Interior Design, Janus Home, Digs Inside & Out, 3 Fish Studios, and Verre New York.
The women and men behind these great small businesses help make it possible for me to spend my time looking for incredible things to show you here. So please be sure to return the favor by checking out their sites, as well as those of my fabulous longer-term sponsors at right. You're likely to find some incredible things there yourself.
And with March rapidly drawing to a close, I wanted to let any independent artisans, designers, Etsy sellers, and other retailers who may be out there reading know that I still have a few advertising spots available for April. Large (180-by-180-pixel) ads start at only $20, and are seen by nearly 50,000 visitors a month.
Interested? Click here for more details.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Whitney Smith Sample Sale
If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, be sure to stop by ceramic artist Whitney Smith's Spring Sample Sale on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Smith is making space in her studio by clearing out not-quite-perfect items -- which are 10 to 70 percent off regular retail -- prototypes, older pieces, and even some brand-new designs (her organic-modern Lichen Collection, for instance, is a particular fave of mine). The studio is located at 539 Athol Ave. at Cleveland in Oakland.
And if you're not in the area, don't despair -- Smith will be filling the "Sale" section of her Etsy shop with bargains starting on Sunday, March 29.
See more of Smith's gorgeous handmade ceramics right here.
More eBay Finds
Mexican Otomi Embroidered Queen Bedspreads in Purple, Yellow, Pink, Green, and Aqua
Red Channel Letter "L"
Original Bertoia Chair Frame
Vintage Task Work Light
Midcentury Modern Danish-Style Lounge Chairs
Letterpress "Collage of Letters and Cuts"
Original Charley Harper Serigraph
Vintage Architectural Metal Sign Letter
1950s Woman Oil Painting
Gustavberg "Eva" Cups and Saucers
Vintage Arteluce-Style Floor Lamp
Six Retro Demitasse Cups & Saucers
Wooden Boot Forms
Set of Four Eames Herman Miller Shell Chairs
Except for the "Buy It Now" Otomi bedspreads, these auctions all end between now and Sunday evening, March 29. Happy bidding!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Genevieve Dionne Ceramics
More fox love from Vancouver, British Columbia ceramist and Etsy seller Genevieve Dionne. Each piece is hand-thrown and ornamented with Dionne's hand-cut stencil designs. Above: Smoking Fox Mug, $25
Tall Fox Mug, $25
Fox Mug, $25
And in non-fox-related news, I also really like this Ghost Cup, $25, and Ghost Vase, $30.
See all of Dionne's Etsy offerings right here -- and while you're at it, be sure to check out her very cool wood burn, illustration, and collage work here.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Cool Stuff: New Kaui Rug at Urban Outfitters
Oooh -- I like this. (It's surface-dyed, flatweave cotton, which means it'll probably look like crap after about two months of being stepped on. But hey -- what do you want for $68?)
Etsy Find of the Day: Gillian Bates
I fell hard for British "designer/maker" Gillian Bates's embroidered art pieces after I saw them on the UK-based Not Mass Produced recently. Happily, I just discovered that Bates also has an Etsy shop where she sells postcard-sized reproductions of her charming and intricate stitchery-on-canvas art. Above: Marine Court With Lady
Brighton Pier
Marine Court
Eastbourne Pier
Four 99s Please!
I Love Ice Cream
Each 4-by-6-inch postcard is printed onto tactile cotton canvas and costs just $5. Generously matted, framed, and hung in a grouping of three or more, these would have a lot of impact for very little expense. (Who says you can't fill your home with interesting art when you're on a tight budget?)
Check out all of Bates's Etsy offerings right here -- and see more of her work here.
Cool Stuff: New Glass Lighting From Jonathan Adler
Luminous new lighting from Jonathan Adler: The designer's Capri Collection is crafted from richly colored glass in a range of irresistible summery shades.
I'm especially taken with the Genie and Bottle Pendants, $195 each.
The Teardrop and Bottle Lamps are 26 to nearly 34 inches tall and cost $275 apiece. (Don't ask me why I'll drop hundreds on a hardwired light fixture without batting an eye, but tend to balk at anything over $75 for a table lamp. Still, if you've got the cash, these are pretty drool-worthy.)
Check out the entire collection right here.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
More eBay Finds
Machine Age Bar Stools
New Anthropologie Round Embroidered Rug
Bauhaus Modernist Christian Dell Escolux Lamp
Antique Wooden Foundry Mold
Two Danish LYFA or Louis Poulsen Pendants
Hollywood Regency Style Chesterfield Sofa
Vintage Florence Knoll Bench
George Nelson Herman Miller End Table
Six Panel Lattice Folding Screen
Stiffel Parzinger Drum Shade Lamps
Danish Modern Teak Entry Table
Cuban "Her and Him" Movie Poster
Hans Wegner "Papa Bear" Chair and Ottoman
Machine Age Bauhaus '40s Aluminum Stapler
Eames Side Shell Rocker
Green Striped Upsala Ekeby Cup & Saucer
Midcentury Ceramic Abstract Bird
Artist-Signed Morton Wood Shoe Last With Carving
Modern Vintage Custom Sofa
Note: These auctions end between Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday night, March 26. Happy bidding!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Inspiration: Steampunk Style
Though it has its origins in the literary world, steampunk is picking up speed as a lifestyle and a subculture. The New York Times recently ran a feature and accompanying photo essay on the movement, and its visual aesthetic is making inroads into fashion, technology, and now, home design. (In fact, at this writing, there are more than 20,000 items described as "steampunk" on Etsy, and more than 2,000 tagged with the term on eBay.)
Still, steampunk is a bit of a slippery concept. SteamPunk magazine, the house organ for enthusiasts of the style, defines it thusly: "Steampunk lives in the reincarnated collective past of shadows and ignored alleys. It is a historical wunderkabinet, which promises, like Dr. Caligari's, to wake the somnambulist of the present to the dream-reality of the future. We are archaeologists of the present, reanimating a hallucinatory history." Umm, OK ... Writer Richard Morgan puts it much more succinctly: "Steampunk is the future as dreamt by the past."
Aesthetically speaking, the definition is loose enough to incorporate everything from high Victoriana to 1930s Moderne, with generous doses of fanciful futurism, vintage industrialism, Edwardian dandyism, and romantic goth thrown in for good measure. Think part gentleman's library, part mad scientist's laboratory, part tinkerer's workshop, and part elegantly decrepit Victorian parlour. Add a jigger of Cabinet of Curiosities and a dash of Memento Mori. Then haul out the clock gears and magnifying glasses, vintage labware and hourglasses, steamer trunks, antique globes, aged brass and dark woods, apothecary bottles and bell jars, surveyor's lamps and factory pendants, campaign and directiore furniture, industrial antiques, mercury glass, and odd botanical specimens. In other words, steampunk is dark and slightly strange and most definitely not cute.
Here, an armchair tour of steampunk spaces and other visual representations of the style:
Mildred's Lane, the rural Pennsylvanian home of artist and fashion designer J. Morgan Puett, is a feminine, romanticized take on steampunk.
Photo from If It's Hip, It's Here
In his Habitat Machines photo composite series, Canadian artist David Trautrimas imagines what steampunk domiciles might look like. Above: The artist's digitally enhanced Sprinkler House.
From a philosophical standpoint, steampunk endeavors to humanize the everyday technology we've come to take for granted. These ornate, customized laptops by Richard Nagy are a classic example of the "retro-futuristic" aesthetic.
Aviator goggles, corsets, and lace-up boots figure prominently in steampunk fashion. (Note: If you are, by chance, my husband, you can put your tongue back in your mouth now.)
The sets of the films The Golden Compass, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and City of Ember showcase archetypal steampunk stylings.
Photos by Caroline on Crack, via LAist
Los Angeles' Edison, a nightclub housed in a derelict power plant, sports an uber-steampunk look. (One assumes that absinthe is the libation of choice here.)
The Steampunk Tree House (designed and built right here in Oakland!) is a travelling installation that's made appearances at Burning Man and Coachella.
The offices at San Francisco game company Three Rings were designed by Oakland firm Because We Can to resemble the Nautilus in Jules Verne's steampunk classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Photos by MoiDesigner Will Wick's library at the 2008 San Francisco Decorator Showcase had a strong steampunk vibe, with its strikingly dark palette, vintage wing chairs, curious objets, and industrial lighting.
Steampunk has largely been a DIY movement, but retailers are taking note: In addition to the Restoration Hardware items I featured earlier today, it's easy to find steampunk-inspired furnishings at a variety of other brand-name stores. Anthropologie, for one, has many pieces that would work in a steampunk scheme, and Sundance and J. Peterman also offer a wealth of steampunk styles.
A selection of my faves (and while prices on many of these items are prohibitive, rest assured that you can find steampunk-y decor bargains on eBay, at your local flea market, and maybe even in Grandma's basement):
Vintage Goth Bar Cabinet, $1,895, and Elliptic Library Cabinet from Jayson Home & Garden
Vintage Postal Desk, $2,995 from Jayson Home & Garden, and Draper's Cabinet, $1,895 from Sundance
Vintage Medical Cabinet from Get Back, and Oakley Display Cabinet from Sultana
Cabriolet Leg File Cabinet from Sultana, and Whitman Chest of Drawers, $2,995 from Jayson Home & Garden
Clockwise from top left: French Settee from Woodson & Rummerfield’s; Amelie Sofa, $2,898 from Anthropologie; Velvet Double-Sided Sofa from Horchow; Leather Tufted Settee, $3,200 from English Country Antiques
Clockwise from top: Baxter Loveseat, $4,200 from Jonathan Adler; Antoinette Fainting Sofa, $575 from Urban Outfitters; Snooze Sofa from Ochre
Clockwise from top left: Conversation Chair from Sarlo; Vintage Industrial Drafting Stool, $600 from Get Back; Vintage Chair and Ottoman, $2,995, and Napoleon Dining Chair, $475, at Jayson Home & Garden; Cotswold Chair, $1,000, and Corrigan Chair, $1,998 at Anthropologie
Clockwise from top left: Industrial Two-Tier Cart, $2,200 from Get Back; Armillary Sphere Tables, $7,800 from Downtown; Campaign Side Tables; Adjustable Cast Iron and Glass Table, $18,000 from Get Back; Normandie Side Table, $625 from Plantation Home
Clockwise from top left: French Counter Balance Wall Light, $1,500 from Sarlo; Photographer’s Lamp, $265 from Jayson Home & Garden; Eureka Lamp, $65 from Sundance; Architect’s Boom Floor Lamp, $495 from Jayson Home & Garden; Transit Lamps, $170 to $330 at Velocity; Equilibrium Lamp, $695 from Sundance
Clockwise from top left: Halo Chandelier, $270 from Velocity; Jade Rise & Fall Light from Marston & Langinger; Edison Chandelier, $399 from Pottery Barn
Clockwise from top left: Greetings From the Ministry of Travel, $175 from Etsy seller Winona Cookie; Cora Mirror, $998 from Anthropologie; They Are Always Watching Print, $20 from Etsy seller Attempted Artistry; Vintage Aviator Goggles, $75 from Etsy seller Velvet Mechanism; Belljars, $14 to $35 at Paxton Gate; Shoemaker Doorstop, $18 at Anthropologie; Illumination by the Inch Candle, $25 from Sundance; 19th Century Sprockets from Hamptons Antique Galleries; Vintage Books, $40 from Jayson Home & Garden
Of course, taken literally and adopted whole-hog, the steampunk look can be dark, heavy, and cartoonish. But before I'd even heard the term, I was drawn to certain aspects of it -- namely the battered industrial objects and factory lighting that are key to the aesthetic. I think a few steampunk pieces placed in an eclectic, carefully edited space can lend a hefty dose of mystery and romance.
What's your take on the trend? Do you like it or dislike it? Would you incorporate elements of steampunk into your own home?
(P.S. If the look appeals, be sure to check out The Steampunk Home, a blog devoted exclusively to steampunk in the domestic sphere.)
Trendspotting: Resto Hardware Goes Steampunk
Out of sheer boredom, I found myself thumbing through a copy of the current Restoration Hardware catalog this weekend. Nothing against RH. It's tasteful, well-made stuff. Just a little traditional -- and, OK, boring -- for my taste.
Anyway, I was surprised to note that many of the company's new offerings (such as its Mayfair Steamer Trunks, above, and Furniture Factory Cart, below) are looking decidedly steampunk-y.
If you're not familiar with it, steampunk is a subculture with its roots in fantasy and sci-fi fiction. But rather than envisioning a bleak, dystopian future, steampunk reimagines a romantic past, melding the look of Victorian England, the Industrial Revolution, and the sort of charming contraptions that H.G. Wells might have dreamed up.
Clockwise from top left, a sampling of Resto's contribution to "steampunk style": Library Magnifier, $79; Victorian Binoculars, $99; Tabletop Telescope, $229; Porthole Mirror, $199; Barclay Sofa, $2,545; Royal Marine Tripod Floor Lamp, $1,250; Mayfair Steamer Chest, $2,295; Mayfair Steamer Cube, $995; Half-Mile Ray Search Light Floor Lamp, $695; Ship's Clock, $249
I'm intrigued by the steampunk aesthetic, but I also find it a bit heavy and masculine -- a little too Edwardian Gentleman's Club, let's say -- and perhaps a tad affected to want to replicate in a big way at home. Still, it's interesting to see a big-name retailer (especially one that's not necessarily known for following trends) jump on the steampunk train.
P.S. More -- much, much more -- on the steampunk phenomenon right here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Auctions and Openings
Another fun weekend in store for Bay Area art lovers:
* On Saturday, March 21, from 4 to 7 p.m., Oakland's Johansson Projects hosts an opening reception for Kate Eric and Marina Vendrell Renaut's joint show, Flaming Furbelows. The exhibit "explores uneasy encounters between attraction and repulsion, tenderness and terror. From inside fleshy mounds of fur and yarn, Renaut's plush and bulbous monstrosities offer up wooly orifices and suggestive pleasures. Eric's 'Bug Wars' invoke similar unsettling dioramas of violence and seduction, as otherworldly insects wage battles across landscapes of post-apocalyptic glee and Dr. Seussian wonderment. Taken together, these artists present visions of a phantasmic post-natural world, where desire warps into perverse narratives and cross-contaminated forms." Johansson Projects is located at 2300 Telegraph Ave. at 23rd St. in Uptown Oakland.
* Over in San Francisco, the exhibition party for Hilary Williams's A City With Colored Dreams runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday night at the Frankee Uno. If you haven't seen Williams's incredible, surreal silkscreen prints of the City, you must rectify that immediately. Music, snacks, and libations will be provided. Frankee Uno is located at 1221 Divisadero St. at Eddy.
* Also on Saturday night, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., San Francisco experimental-arts organization the Lab hosts its 25th annual Silent and Live Auction. More than 200 local, national, and internationally renowned artists have donated work to the event, and most of the original pieces have a starting bid of just $25. Participants include Mike Arcega, Leo Bersamina, Michelle Blade, John Casey, Ajit Chauhan, Joshua Churchill, Gail Dawson, Victor De La Rosa, Tara Lisa Foley, Matt Furie, Bryson Gill, Taro Hattori, Cynthia Ona Innis, Xylor Jane, Jeff Kao, Tom Marioni, Karla Milosevich, Paul Mullins, Trevor Paglen, Hillary Pecis, Genevieve Quick, Ed Ruscha, Casey Jex Smith, Kirk Stoller, Stephanie Syjuco, Heather Wilcoxon, and many more. There's a sliding-scale, $10 to $25 admission fee, which includes snacks and drinks. The sale continues Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m., when admission is free. The Lab is located at 2948 16th St. at Capp in the Mission District. More info here.
* Finally, although Alex Lukas's new solo show, And Another Shall Rise to Take Her Place, actually opened at SF's White Walls Gallery last weekend, it looks amazing, so I had to include it for those of you who may not have checked it out yet. The show will be up through April 3 at White Walls, 835 Larkin St. at Myrtle in San Francisco's "Tendernob" area.
More eBay Finds
OK, after a brief foray into Susan's world the other day, we're back to our regularly scheduled eBay programming. (But I promise, you won't find a Cathrineholm or Krenit bowl, Saarinen table, or vintage globe in the bunch!) Above: Conrad Buff Female Oil Portrait.
Wheat Linen Gray Painted French Twin Bed
1940s Original Fashion Illustration
Large White Murano Glass Lamps
Raymor Denmark Coffee Service
PV France Wine Goblets Champagne Glasses
Pair Murano Venetian Barbini Italian Lamps
Midcentury Gray Wool Sofa
Paul McCobb Cabinet
Vintage Flash Cards
National Time School Clock
Vintage All Wool Welsh Blanket
Cor Mandersloot Oil Portrait of a Dutch Girl
Edie Harper Framed Serigraph Up, Up & Away
Pair Hollywood Regency Sofas
Midcentury Slipper Chairs
Industrial Modern Tripod Sun Lamp
Blue Murano Glass Lamps
Paul McCobb Leather Iron Wine Rack
Note: These auctions end between today and Sunday evening, March 22. Happy bidding!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Things I Hella Love About Oakland: The Parkway Speakeasy Theater
Update: I'm reposting this entry from last year in response to the sad news this morning that Oakland's Parkway Speakeasy is going dark as of Sunday, March 22. This is my ode to the beloved "picture pub pizza" joint. Goodbye, Parkway -- you will be dearly missed.
How do I love the Parkway? Let me count the ways ...
Aside from my own bed and London's bustling Portobello Road Market early on a Saturday morning, this second-run theater-cum-art-movie house near Oakland's Lake Merritt is pretty much my favorite spot on the planet.
It's not in a fancy neighborhood by any stretch. The theater itself, a faded 1920 movie palace that has a vaguely Phoenician theme and that's been restored on the cheap, isn't particularly plush. Truth be told, it's on the funky side -- but that's part of the charm. There's just something sort of magical about the place, which has dubbed itself "the anti-multiplex."
Instead of typical theater seats, the Parkway sports couches and easy chairs. Tickets are $6 ($4 for matinees), and Wednesdays are two-for-one. Can't beat that.
The theater's tag line is "Picture, Pub, and Pizza" because in addition two two large and comfy screening spaces, there's a restaurant counter with a selection of locally brewed suds on tap, decent wines by the glass, and tasty, made-to-order salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. (It doesn't hurt that Parkway co-owner Catherine Fischer is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy.)
You buy your ticket, place your food and drinks order, grab a couch and wait for dinner to be delivered, then happily munch your way through the flick while working on that pitcher of Sierra Nevada.
Lots of hip, young, cash-strapped creative types frequent the place, and because of the couch setup and cheap eats, groups of friends tend to meet up there, which gives the Parkway a convivial, neighborhood-hangout vibe. The place is so totally chill, I could happily curl up and take a nap on one of the couches -- and almost have on many occasions.
There are no commercials or previews before the movies start. Instead, co-owner Kyle Fischer and program director Will Viharo appear onscreen for an ad-libbed and humorous monthly update. (That's them, above. The sign behind them says something along the lines of "Keep America Fat: Watch More Movies.")
The programming ranges from popcorn-fare-with-an-edge -- like Grindhouse, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's ode to Seventies exploitation cinema -- to more serious art-house selections, such as Todd Haynes' I'm Not There. (You can find the complete monthly schedule here.)
The Parkway also hosts special screenings and other events, like free documentary showings, Superbowl and Oscar bashes, Afrocentric cinema, and the Thrillville cult-movie cabaret, including the upcoming "Geeky Greek Gay Go-Go Show" featuring Jason and the Argonauts. And, of course, The Rocky Horror Picture Show unspools at midnight every Saturday.
But it almost doesn't matter what the Parkways is playing. Given pretty much any excuse at all -- like our monthly "date night"/childcare swap with friends, which is (yay!) tomorrow -- we are so there. (Walk Hard at 7; come on down and say hi if you're in the neighborhood.)
The only thing that could make this place any more awesome would be a rational all-ages policy. Aside from the Monday night "Baby Brigade" -- where new parents can bring babes-in-arms to grown-up movies -- the Parkway is normally 21 and over. The exceptions are Saturday matinees and all day Sundays, when kids are supposedly welcome.
That's great -- the problem is, the management almost always endeavors to screen R-rated movies on those days. (Hmmm -- should we take the kids to see a tragically dysfunctional family kill each other in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, or a hopeless and violently dystopian future in Blade Runner: The Final Cut this weekend?)
They also have the irksome tendency to slot the occasional kids' movie on 21-and-over days. I've seen parents with wee ones in tow turned away from showings of weekday Pixar flicks at the Parkway. Mom and Dad are understandably angered, and their tots are understandably reduced to tears.
So, Parkway powers-that-be, please get a clue and stop toying with us poor parents: Either schedule one family-friendly film on all-ages days, don't put animated kids' movies on the program on adults-only days, or just drop the all-ages charade and be 21-and-over all the time.
Still, despite this sort of stupid and pointless policy, my love for the Parkway remains undiminished.
Actually, the only two things that could make the place any more awesome are a sane all-ages schedule and regular "shout-back screenings" of Napoleon Dynamite. ("But my lips hurt real BAD!")
Whadya say, guys?
Etsy Find of the Day: New Prints from Brandi Strickland
Absolutely arresting new prints from Charlotte, North Carolina artist and Etsy seller Brandi Strickland. I especially love the prismatic bursts of vibrant color Strickland has employed in this "Dark Crystals" series, which she created for a recent gallery show in Columbus, Ohio. Above: Intuition
The Explorers
Zenith
Universe Kite
When You're Done Here
Cave Diver
Infrared
Each signed-and-numbered archival print is part of a limited edition of 100. They measure 8.5 by 11 inches and cost $30 apiece. Check out all of Strickland's Etsy offerings right here -- and see more of her work here.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Cool Stuff: Dan Golden Pillows and New Rugs
I got an email from Dan Golden a couple minutes ago letting me know that he's just about to launch a line of pillows based on his hilarious rug collection. (The "Morphine" design is so mine.)
The hand-embroidered, velvet-backed pillows measure a generous 22 by 22 inches and come with a feather insert. They're priced at about $175 each -- not cheap by any stretch, but owning one of these would make me smile every time I looked at it, and that's worth a lot. They'll be available for order starting next week at Eccola in Los Angeles and directly from the designer.
Golden is also rolling out a witty new rug collection next week. Called "The Meds," it's based on imagery from popular prescription medications woven into beautiful abstract patterns. Each design is named for what the pills do: Rise (Viagra), Calm (Paxil), Grow (Propecia), and so on.
The busy designer has a couple of other exciting new projects in the works, too, so stay tuned for news on those.
Thanks, Dan!
Objects of Lust: Dan Golden Rugs
I spotted these rugs from designer Dan Golden on the always-awesome Design Crisis yesterday, and promptly choked on my coffee.
I really don't have anything intelligent to say about them other than, "OMG, how freakin' kick-ass are these?" Above: Morphine
Keep Dogs Off Grass
So Long, Suckahs!
Financially Abundant
Crazy New Shit
The hand-tufted New Zealand wool rugs range in price from $2,880 to $12,960. So yeah -- keep dreamin'.
See the entire collection right here.
Guest Post: Susan's eBay Finds
More Ways to Waste Time reader Susan Schulz posted a comment the other day gently suggesting that maybe I've gotten into a bit of a rut with my recent eBay Finds. (OK, what she actually said was, "I'm almost at my wit's end with your Arabia Finland, tulip side tables, globes, and enamel bowls ... ") She then generously volunteered to curate a collection of her own eBay booty to help break up the mind-numbing monotony of it all.
Take it away, Susan:
"I'm 31-year-old designer in Houston, Texas. I do graphic design, interior design, textiles, custom paintings, and art projects.
I'm also an expert at wasting time on eBay. I kind of swing wildly between obsessions. Right now I'm looking for vintage ID bracelets with my name on them, collecting Liberty prints, and searching for the perfect pair of wedges for summer. Next week, I'll be scouting lithographed British tea tins or Victorian silver jewelry. Last week, it was books about knots. I refuse to buy almost anything retail until I determine if it's available for a better price on eBay.
My favorite (and largest) eBay purchase is my sofa: midcentury on teak ski legs -- awesome! I put in a half-price 'Best Offer' at 3 a.m. one night after a half bottle of wine and didn't consult the boyfriend. Thankfully, he ended up liking it, but at the time the ink wasn't even dry on our first lease together!
My best eBay tip is simply asking sellers for what you want: Is there any way to ship shoes cheaper? Ask for a new rate without the box. Missed an auction? Ask the seller to relist. Think the starting price is too high? Ask them to add a 'Best Offer' option. Most eBay sellers are pretty reasonable -- they want to get a sale and make a few dollars, and as long as your requests aren't insulting or ridiculous, everyone wins."
Great advice! Herewith, Susan's current eBay picks (and her commentary on them):
Midcentury Modern Orange Ashtray (Yes, it's an ashtray. But it's so sculptural and I love the orange color -- perfect for rings and earrings.)
Danish Modern Bent Silberg Teak Magazine Table (A great side table with simple lines and storage for magazines. Plus, all of the accessories pictured on the table are included gratis in the auction.)
Midcentury Modern Lucite & Wood Lamp (Yes, please! I love lighting -- lamps and hanging fixtures are a must for layered decorating.)
Retro Blue Hanging Swag Light (Blue has been such a huge trend lately. I'd love to have this in a corner hanging over my Eames lounger. Sweet colors and optic pattern!)
Danish Modern Frosted Glass Swag Lamps (Swag lamps can always be rewired with plugs and don't necessarily need to be hardwired into a junction box. These are very Jonathan Adler-y and would be beautiful over a vanity.)
Vintage Portable Lightbulb Swag Lamp (SO fun. Great for a kid's room or a craft room -- lightbulb moment!)
Vintage Retro Ugly Quilt (One of my favorite eBay tricks is using misspellings and weird adjectives to find interesting items. So yes, I did search for 'ugly retro' ... beauty is in the eye of the beholder! This would be fun in a stairwell or over the foot of a guest bed.)
Left to right: Vintage Murushka Silkscreen Print Flowers; Marushka Canvas Buoy Boats Silkscreen Print; New Marushka Pines Signed Silkscreen Art (I love textiles and I love researching and finding new -- or old -- artists and designers. I recently discovered Marushka, a designer from the '70s and '80s out of Michigan whose prints are very simple and graphic. They're now being reproduced at a reasonable price.)
Vintage Mod Barkcloth Sewing/Knitting Basket (This basket would come in handy to wrangle pet toys and leashes, or for sewing projects waiting to be done.)
Couroc of Monterey Two Cats Brass Inlaid Tray and Drink Inlay Cork Tray (Another vintage brand that I like to stalk is Couroc -- Californian resin serveware that's inlaid with natural and sometimes unexpected materials like cork, wood, coins, and newspaper, with striking, whimsical designs. Always available at good prices.)
Josef Albers Exhibit Screenprint Poster OP-ART (I want, need, and lust after this classic '70s poster design for the retrospective of a classic American/Bauhaus-inspired artist.)
Vintage Curmanco Metal Desk Organizer (I love old metal office supplies. This deluxe sorting tray would be nice under a side table for magazine sorting. I like the 'Cold War gray,' but a good spray-paint job would spice it up, too!)"
Muchas gracias, Susan!
P.S. I'm totally open to guest posts from any of you who might be willing. Want to pull together your own selection of eBay or Etsy Finds? Hand-pick items from your favorite indie e-tailer to highlight? Show off your recent remodel, room redesign, or crafting project? Share images from your inspiration file? Just let me know! (Believe me, I get bored by the sound of my own voice, too. I've asked some of my design-savvy writer friends to contribute from time to time, but they're all giant losers and have actual work to do, I guess.)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Green Thumb: Vertical Gardens at Flora Grubb
Photo by Caitlin AtkinsonThis image of the new vertical succulent garden at San Francisco's Flora Grubb stopped me in my tracks when I saw it, and I just had to share it here.
More "green wall" inspiration:
Another installation from Grubb and fiancé Kevin Smith.
Photo by Max Whittaker for the New York Times
The vertical Tillandsia garden (yet another Grubb/Smith creation) at Napa Valley's Bardessono Hotel.
Wouldn't one of these be a fantastic addition to a patio, garden fence, or atrium? If you're game to try your hand at building a "living wall," you can find a video tutorial right here.
Cool Stuff: Not Mass Produced
Not Mass Produced is a curated British and European artisans' marketplace -- not unlike the U.S.-based Supermarket or the Shiny Squirrel -- that gives its members a showcase for their handmade wares, and allows us to purchase unique items directly from the talented men and women who make them.
Some of my favorites:
Marine Court Textile Design on Canvas (top), £20 (about $28), and Park Life (above), £95 ($135), both by Gillian Bates
Nest of People Bowls, £105 ($149) per set from Alice Mara
Forest Cushion Corsage, £30 ($43) from A Alicia Accessories
Dimpled Cups and Pouring Bowl, £15 ($21) each from Linda Bloomfield
Flying Birdie Cushion, £22 ($31) from Liz Padgham-Major
White Ceramic Beaker, £12 ($17) from Lauren Denney
Cafetiere Cover, £35 ($50) from Jane Withers
Illustrated Framed Piece, £206 ($292), from Emma Cowell Paperworks
Browse the entire Not Mass Produced marketplace right here.
(Via Designers' Block.)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Poodlebreath Wall Sculpture
Wonderfully weird wall sculptures (which can also be pressed into service as unusual jewelry holders) from Vancouver, British Columbia-based Etsy seller Poodlebreath. Above: Little Helping Hands Wall Sculpture in White, $90
Little Helping Hands Wall Sculpture in Blue, $90
White Sinking Fairy Tale Wall Sculpture, $85
Blue Sinking Fairy Tale Wall Sculpture, $85
See all of Poodlebreath's Etsy offerings right here.
Cool Stuff: Raven Coat Hangers
Turn a treasured vintage dress -- or even tomorrow's work outfit -- into art with these clever and striking Raven Hangers from Icelandic designer Ingibjorg Hanna Bjarnadottir.
Made from lasercut plywood, they're suspended from the ceiling with a steel wire, and dangle freely when not in use. (The hangers also come in a regular hook style, below.)
They're available in black or white for $32 each right here. And be sure to check out more cool Icelandic designs from Reykjavik-based e-tailer Birkiland.
More eBay Finds
Krenit Enamel Bowl Set
Knoll Saarinen Tulip Side Table With Marble Top
Vintage Industrial Medical Telescoping Floor Lamp
Pair Knoll Eero Saarinen Executive Arm Chairs
Pair Vintage Herman Miller Eames DCW Molded Wood Chairs
Vintage Lighted McNally World Globe
Kaj Franck Arabia Finel Kettle
Anthropologie White Bird Statue
Stig Lindberg Gustavberg Bersa Hanging Pot
Danish Modern Teak Dining Chair Set
Note: These auctions all end between today and Wednesday evening, March 18.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Over and Out
What are you doing this weekend? We're hosting our monthly Movie Night/babysitting swap with friends (hey, if nothing else, it's an excuse to order pizza and rent Beverly Hills Chihuahua without losing too much face ... ), planting a new ginkgo to replace a dying tree we had to cut down the other day, and then I'm chaining myself to the sewing machine to turn part of my growing fabric collection into fresh spring pillow covers. (I know -- glamorous, right?)
Anyway, whether you have big social plans or are simply planning to nest, I hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Mark Your Calendar: Audiowood at FiveTen Studio
Here's one for the boys and any other audio enthusiasts who may be out there reading: This Saturday, Old Oakland's FiveTen Studio is hosting a showcase for Audiowood turntables and other cutting-edge, sustainably produced, high-efficiency, and low-power audio components.
Handmade by Oakland carpenter Joel Scilley (who also happens to have a bachelor's degree in art history, a masters in cultural studies, and a Ph.D. in media studies), Audiowood turntables are crafted from reclaimed or sustainably grown timber and fitted with Origin Live DC motor controllers, Teres platter bearings, and Origin Live/Rega arms. (Scilley can custom build or retrofit vintage tables to your specifications, too.)
In addition to Audiowood designs, you can also check out speakers and other components from Glow, King Rex, Red Dragon, and more.
The showcase, complete with refreshments and vintage record spinning courtesy of Oakland's Funky Soul Stop, runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at FiveTen Studio, 831 Broadway at Ninth in Oakland.
Check out the entire Audiowood collection right here.
Etsy Find of the Day: FilzFelt Floor Mats
Much as I love pattern, I've been shying away from strong pattern on the floor after having had to craigslist one too many nice rugs that simply didn't work with the ever-changing decor in our rooms. (I told you I have design ADD.)
My new strategy is to opt for simplicity in the larger elements in our home, like flooring and furniture, so that I can go wild with color and pattern in easier and less-pricey-to-change things like pillows, artwork, and accessories.
So these simple, earthy felt floormats from Etsy seller FilzFelt (aka Boston designers Kelly Smith and Traci Roloff) are especially appealing. (Plus, you know how I love felt.)
They're made from high-quality German industrial wool felt, come in 6-by-9-foot ($405), 4-by-6-foot ($180), and 2-by-3-foot ($50) sizes, and are available in an array of Pantone-matched hues.
FilzFelt also has a great selection of simple, modern placemats and coasters, pillows, and felt by the yard.
Check out all of Smith and Roloff's Etsy offerings right here -- and see more of their designs here.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
More eBay Finds
Aaarrgghhh -- I fear the "eBay to Go" widget is broken for good. And it was so very handy (stifling a quiet sob) ...
Anyway, here are some eBay auctions worth keeping an eye on over the next few days. They all end between now and Sunday night, March 15. Above: Kay Boeck/Fritz Hansen Danish Modern Teak Steel Sofa
Vintage Red Metal Marquee Letters
Cathrineholm Plate Set
Krenit Denmark Small Enamel Bowl
Tackett Architectural Pottery Planter
Arteluce Table and Wall Lamp
Herman Miller Eames DCM Chair
Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi Notsjo Shot Glasses
Lisa Larson Gustavsberg Polar Bear
Kaiser Idell Modernist Wall Lamp
Signed Tapio Wirkkala Pollo Rosenthal Vase
Original Bertoia for Knoll Small Diamond Chair
Vintage Apothecary Bottles
Italian Faience Monkey Bookends
Milo Baughman Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage Cathrineholm Yellow Tea Kettle
Danish Modern Plycraft Bentwood Chair
Orla Kiely for Target Pear Mug Set
Huge Vintage Mercury Glass Lamp
Happy hunting!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Artful Home: Mike Monteiro Prints at 20x200
Love these limited-edition prints from Mike Monteiro.
They're $20 each (and selling fast) at 20x200.
Cool Stuff: LAMA Pillows and Throws on Sale
Good news: From now until March 19, every pillow and throw at the Oakland, California-based LAMA Designs (Latin America in the Modern Age) is 35 percent off.
My faves have got to be artist Tanya Aguiñiga's handmade felt "Animales" series (top), on sale for $78 apiece, and the graphic Caballito Pillow (above) from Argentina's Fauna Perez, on sale for $32.50.
Though these weatherproof Mexican oilcloth pillows (the medium size in yellow is on sale for just $17) are mighty tempting, too.
While you're there, be sure to check out a few other LAMA goodies:
Pop Flower Serving Tray, $70
Blue Guatemalan Hammock, on sale for $57
Knitted Cardón Cactus, $24
Teapot With a Cold, $120
Tiny Fruit Pot With Spoon, $24
Toile Laptop Case, $32
Owlino Tote, $60
Credit Card/Business Card Case, $11
Calco Cortina Paper, $9 per sheet
Corazon Love Birds Card, $3.50
Mariana Bandin Dolls and Softies, $38 to $40 each
See all of LAMA's Latin-flavored modern wares right here.
Objects of Lust: Elizabeth Lyons' "Big Jars"
Breathtaking hand-blown decanters in an array of vibrant colors from Rochester, New York glass artist Elizabeth Lyons.
They're $350 to $675 apiece. Contact Lyons directly for specific pricing and ordering info.
(Via At Home at Home.)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Sara Christian
I first saw Sara Christian's art at a "holiday market" event at North Oakland's Compound Gallery a few months ago, and instantly fell in love with her vibrant yet dreamy paintings. In fact, there was one piece from that show that gnawed at me for weeks afterward, and I deeply regretted not bringing it home with me.
So imagine my delight at discovering that Christian has just opened an Etsy shop featuring her original paintings and prints, plus some unique, handmade fabric pins. Above: Parade Series No. 1, $75
Parade Series No. 4
Big Hair Silkscreened Pin, $16
Check out all of Christian's Etsy offerings right here -- and see more of her work here.
Mark Your Calendar: Handmade Nation Screening in San Francisco
Making its San Francisco debut tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 11, as part of the San Francisco Film Society SF360 Film + Club: Faythe Levine's long-gestating, labor-of-love documentary, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY Art, Craft & Design.
"Buying local for many means buying handmade objects that are designed and fabricated with ingenuity, grit, and love. Handmade Nation documents a movement of artists, crafters, and designers that imbue traditional handiwork techniques with a punky do-it-yourself ethos informed by modern aesthetics, politics, feminism, and art. The film explores the burgeoning art community of indie crafters that is fueled by creativity, determination, and networking. First-time director Faythe Levine traveled the U.S. to capture the tight-knit community, conducting interviews in the studios and homes of noted and independent artists. Levine also details how Web sites, blogs, and online stores have spurred a once underground movement and how crafts have expanded to connect with the greater public through boutiques, galleries, and fairs."
Following the screening will be a panel discussion with Lisa Congdon, co-owner of Rare Device; Derek Fagerstrom, craft and DIY co-editor at design*sponge and co-owner of the Curiosity Shoppe; Natalie Zee Drieu, senior editor at Craft magazine; and Stephanie Syjuco, fine artist and professor.
Several local crafters, artisans, and indie retailers will also be onsite to sell their handmade products, including Dutch Door Press, Diana Fayt, Cara Lyndon, Miss Natalie, Mittenmaker, Nous Savons, Sharon Spain, Woolly Hoodwinks, Zum, the Curiosity Shoppe, Little Otsu, Needles & Pens, and Rare Device.
The events starts at 7:00 Wednesday evening at Mezzanine. Tickets are $8 to $12. Click here for more info.
Cool Stuff: Vintage British Bus Signs at Eden & Eden
In keeping with my recent fixation on the iconography of mass transit (see previous examples here, here, and here), I'm digging these large framed sections from vintage London bus rolls. Above: No. 460
No. 611
Private
Simple, bold, a graphic -- love 'em! They're $38 to $68 each from San Francisco's Eden & Eden.
(Via Retro to Go.)
Monday, March 9, 2009
More eBay Finds
Paul McCobb Planner Group X-Shelf
Antique Wooden Hat Form
San Francisco MUNI Destination Sign
Norman Cherner Plycraft Walnut Chair (with a second chair available for the price of the winning bid)
LaGardo Tackett Schmid Cups and Saucers
Danish Modern Teak Serving Tray
Raymor Bitossi Architectural Pottery Vase
Pair Vintage Hollywood Regency Blanc de Chine Lamps
Florence Knoll Marble Top Rosewood Credenza
Retro Italian Raymor Bitossi Vase
These auctions all end today (Monday, March 9) and tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10), so don't delay if you see something you want.
The Artful Home: Annie Galvin Small Originals
Who says you needs lots of cash to afford original art? These sweet 4-by-6-inch original paintings by San Francisco artist Annie Galvin will set you back just $15 each. So what are you waiting for? Above: #13
#6
#20
#17
#16
See these and the rest of Galvin's affordable mini artworks in the 3 Fish Studios' Small Originals Shop.
P.S. If you're in the Bay Area, mark your calendar for the spring shindig at Annie and husband Eric Rewitzer's San Francisco studio from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The event is co-hosted by Victoria Smith, aka sfgirlbybay, and will feature wines from La Crema and new art and silkscreened posters for sale.
Etsy Find of the Day: Sweetshorn Vintage Letter and Number Vessels
I love how Etsy seller Sweetshorn Vintage has embellished a collection of vases, canisters, and other glass vessels with bright, graphic vintage letter and number labels. Above: Modern Number Canisters, $28 for two
Clockwise from top left: Small Number Vase, $24; Poison Vial, $12; Large Number Vase, $32; Alphabet Vase, $32; Vintage Medical Jar, $14
See all of Sweetshorn Vintage's Etsy offerings right here.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Mark Your Calendar: Weekend Events
* Arounna Khounnoraj's Attachment Series (plus a Papaver Vert trunk show) at San Francisco's Rare Device. Opening reception tonight (Friday, March 6) from 7 to 9 p.m.
* The Oakland Art Murmur. 6 p.m. to 9-ish Friday, March 6, in and around Uptown Oakland. Openings include at Cardboard City at Rock Paper Scissors, Urban Matrix at Chandra Cerrito Contemporary, Eliza Fernand's billow/ripple at Fort Gallery, Daniel Healy and Damon Smith's Collaborative Collage at 21 Grand, Charlie Milgrim and Eric Bohr's Vexing History at Mercury 20, Imitation Zoo at Smokey's Tangle, and Amos Gajillionaire at WELL.
* The Oakland Museum of California Annual White Elephant Sale. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, at the Oakland Museum's 96,000-square-foot warehouse (and trust me, every inch of it is packed with secondhand booty) near the Oakland Estuary.
More eBay Finds
eBay's widget appears to be broken right now (I've been fighting with it since Tuesday), so I'll do this the old-fashioned way ...
Vintage Herman Miller Eames DCW Chair
Vintage 1947 World Globe
Bjorn Wiinblad Denmark Rare Poster Helsinge Theater
Midcentury Architectural Desk Lamp
Turquoise Vanity With Mirror
Stig Lindberg Gustavsberg Adam Coffee Cups
Danish Modern Low Lounge Chairs
Eames Herman Miller Mod Shell Chair
Parzinger Stiffel Floor and Table Lamp Pair
Faux Bamboo Armchair
Stig Lindberg Gustavberg Reptil Dish
Teak Wall-Mounted Scissor Lamp
Vintage All Wool Welsh Blanket
Vintage New York City Subway Roll Sign Section
Old London Transport Metal Bus Sign
Eames Arm Sell Chair Elephant Hide
Danish Modern Lisa Larson Gustavberg Art Pottery Cow
Danish Mod Vintage Lounge Chairs
Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Table
Haeger Vase
The auctions all end today or over the weekend, so don't delay if you see something you fancy!
P.S. Obviously, these items are all over the map stylistically, but I like to make my eBay Finds a bit of a grab-bag. I'm curious: What are you looking for on your eBay wanderings? Leave a comment and let me know -- maybe I can help you find it!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Etsy Find of the Day: Coquelicot Tree Stump Wall Hooks
Perfect for holding your keys by the front door, a potholder or dishtowel in the kitchen, or a collection of necklaces in the bedroom, these wall hooks are made from naturally felled trees embellished with vintage textiles, handy hooks, and sawtooth hangers on the back. Seriously -- someone had better buy these little cuties before I snap them up myself.
They're $15 apiece from Etsy seller Coquelicot.
