isaac pillow = I.E.R.M.

Ever since Em told me about Isaac's latest collection, I've been obsessed with this pillow. Something about the unexpected color combination just stuck with me. If I had an extra room, I think this piece could be an amazing "starting point." So, in an effort to get this obsession out of my system (since I really don't need ANOTHER pillow), I'm doing a little exercise called an Imaginary Extra Room Moodboard (I.E.R.M.). It's sort of like that Kohler commercial where the lady puts the faucet on the table and goes "Design a room around this..." Do these colors inspire you? I'd love to hear your thoughts... and what you might do with a room in this colorstory... my solution later this week... stay tuned..

Preserve Toothbrush

I recently received some info about Recycline products. The company was founded in 1996 by Eric Hudson to provide"high-quality recycled products in response to the growth in the recycling" and the growing concern for the environment. They have a great line called Preserve, which includes table wares and also personal care products. They sent me a sample of their new Preserve toothbrush- and first off, it's such a clever design. I LOVE it. It's been "dentist-engineered". What I love about it is that it curves backwards, unlike most toothbrushes- it actually feels more ergonomic. But what really got me was that they included a postage paid mailer. Recycline decided to provide its customers with a convenient and timely way to replace their toothbrushes- kinda like Netflix, where once you're done with one, they send you another (only they will send you a new one- not a used one, silly). When you return your used up toothbrush (you should change it every three months) they recycle them into plastic lumber (faux wood!!) which they use to make park benches, house decks, and other outdoor products. This recycling system obviously can't be that profitable for them, but they know that. They feel good about the responsibility it takes to both use recycled materials and to provide a means for easy recycling. Visit their website for more info and to purchase. The Preserve toothbrushes are also available at select Target stores. Click here for a store location near you.

bird shears

As spotted in City Magazine, I love these shears that look like a bird! Designed by Hiroshi Kahimoto, it won an IF product design award for 2006. Love the green, so fun!!

moby was a consumer

well.. I guess I'm continuing the blue theme this week...
This t-shirt by Jim Slatton cracks me up- and scarily (is that a word?) is so fitting for me. Thanks to my friend Laura W. who sent me the link and said it reminded her of me. I don't know if that's good or bad, he he... (thanks Laura!) Get yours here.

lego

This actually could'a been a Blue Monday post, but alas, it's wednesday. so...
anyhoo- i just have no words for this image. I am in awe of this that I recently saw on MoCo Loco. This "marina City" is all made of LEGOS! Legos were a HUGE part of my childhood. I would play for hours making these gigantic space ships, and this totally brings me back. These pieces by Michael Labelle are amazing. just amazing. The colors... can i shrink down and live there too? Funny how something so little and simple as a lego block and add up to so much!

happymundane.com

Conducting a little blog maintenance- my apologies to anyone who tried going to happymundane.com and it not working- should have that all cleared up in the next day or so- you can also access happymundane via http://happymundane.blogspot.com

book review: Patterns

Em posted today at Itsknotwood about the incredible Heinrich Weid, that was featured in this book I recently got called Patterns in Design, Art and Architecture. It's written by Petra Schmidt, Annette Tietenberg, and Ralf Wolheim. I first read about it in Wallpaper, but it wasn't until a friend who had recently come back from a trip from Paris, was mentioning it again to me, that I decided to check it out. It's an amazing visual reference of pattern that has recently made a resurgence in design within the past few years. The idea of "ornament" is fascinating and this book shows tons of great examples, and in all aspects of design. The fluorescent cover alone sold me. A must have for any design junkie! Click on the link below to get it now or to see more pages!

blue monday: caleb siemon

Caleb Siemon is a local Orance County artist, who does these amazing hand blown glass pieces that are sold at high end boutiques throughout the country. In LA, you can find his stuff at OK, or if you're in the OC, they're at the always lovely Artisance. I've had the pleasure of actully handling these pieces for a shoot we did for Poplife, and I must tell you they are even more stunning in person. They aren't cheap, but they are truly works of art, and definitely a sound investment. He has many other colorways, but of course, since it's a Blue monday, I give you a few pretty blue ones from the 2006 collection.... see and read more of his work here.

SF-Love

Quick shout out/congrats!/welcome to the new Apartment Therapy San Francisco edition-
It's so great that we now get both San Fran and Chicago versions, along with NY and my local LA-
Also extreme thanks for AT:SF for including Happy Mundane on their blog list! Welcome to any new readers- would love to hear your comments! feel free to peruse the archives for other happy mundane musings, and please check out my other site, itsknotwood.com.

As Seen on TV

I've already confessed that I am a HGTV junkie, but now another confession. I frequently find myself up late at night, still watching HGTV, but as a result, end up watching bad infomercials. Thankfully, I'm too lazy to actually order one, and also a bit too skeptical. Unfortunately, I am a shopper, and it seems that stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, or Linens N Things, are now carrying items "as seen on tv." This is where the danger lies. Strangely- I won't buy something dumb that I see on TV. However, place it in a real-life retail situation... and my defenses go weak. I'm not sure if you've seen the infomercial for the Grip n Flip. This is a little contraption that combines a pair of tongs with a spatula. It allows you to "grip" something, like say you're frying eggs and "flip" it, without it slipping around in the pan. Yeah, yeah, that wasn't what I was impressed with. It's the "But wait! there's more!" part, where they say "if you order now, we'll throw in..." and in this case, its the Scoop and Strain!- It's a ladel, but its made with holes on one side, so you can strain out liquid. fantastic! You can imagine my surprise, when I came face to face with it while at Bed Bath and Beyond. They are selling the entire set, (the Grip and Flip, the Scoop n Strain, and this other whisk like thing...) Long story short- I love it. It's been so great, scooping out pasta, or dumplings, or straining out excess water from a pot. And here's the pitch!- You can now get all of it online for only $6.99! (which is actually cheaper than what I paid for it in store ($9.99). The other two items are ok, handy at times, but the Scoop n Strain gets the HM seal of approval.

mundane aesthetic 2

sunny mornings...

Muji : what happens naturally

I've talked about Muji products briefly before. Muji is happy mundane. I've been a devotee of theirs since I saw an ad in British fashion magazine ID many years ago. It was of a simple cola can. It was genius. And when I finally got to go to one of their stores in Japan, I was forever hooked. It's really their philosophy and aesthetic that I aspire to. I know I'll never achieve it, because I'm too much of a packrat/slob/tchotchke collector, but boy, in my perfect world, I would be living Muji. Muji is..the life. Unfortunately, I've only been able to get a fix via online shopping or my rare and random trips abroad or to NY. I've heard that Muji is planning on opening an 11,000 square foot store in NY sometime this year... which would be amazing, (although a tad depressing, as i'm on the opposite side of the world here.) I recently got a release from Muji about this month's Elle Decoration (british) lovely insert, and now via the UK Muji website, they are showing us what only the Japanese folks get (but lucky us via the good ol' interweb), Muji television commercials! check them out- so simple. so brilliant. So Muji.

Color me mine

It's no secret that i love color, (despite the fact that I'll also be the first to enjoy a muted, tonal, minimal Calvin Klein/Muji/japanese modern Yoji/Issey/Comme des Garcon palette as well.) I just know that the reality is, I'll always gravitate to more colorful surroundings. If you're looking to add a little more color, I found this great Pantone inspired set of dishware at Fishs Eddy. (I posted about their fun woodgrain ones on Itsknotwood.) I love the simple bold stripes and the hand written PMS number, as well as the descriptor names. Kind of reminds me of the funny ones Crayola used to give their crayons. (remember "burnt sienna?")
Anyways- they come in dishes, plates, and cups... Which one's your favorite color? check them out!

book review: at home with the makers of style

When I was in art school, I was always interested in seeing the work of my instructors, to get a better sense of where they were coming from. Similarily, I think people in general are always interested to see a more personal side of the people they respect or admire. (ok, admit it, we're all little voyeuristic, hehe) The book At Home with the Makers of Style, by Grant Scott and Samantha Scott-Jeffries, explores this idea by "showing the intimate spaces of the most influencial designers of our times...." It's fascinating to see how they really live, and what inspires them, what they keep around them, what they feel a "home" should be, and if their work influences their daily living. There are 24 artists, designers, architects, etc.. from all over the globe profiled, with great detailed photos and interviews. I really like seeing the detail shots. The "mundane" things... they say so much. Click on the link below and get one today!

HGTV: 101 Spring ideas

Ok, another confession: I am an HGTV junkie. I can't get enough of it. HGTV and Foodnetwork are basically the only things that are always on whenever my TV is on.. (except on Wednesdays for Lost or Project Runway, and sometimes Thursdays for The OC, er.. um.. did I just say that?) I'll admit that most of the programs on HGTV are sometimes kinda hokey. Yet, I can't stop watching it. This weekend, I caught the special "101 Spring Ideas" on HGTV, hosted by Joan Steffend. I love Joan. I think she has the best personality, and is really comforting as a host. Now I gotta cut the show some slack because it's obviously geared towards a more mainstream audience. Lately, they've been using a new designer, Cy Winship, who is probably the most "hip" of their designers, and he actually has put out quite a few fun ideas that one could translate or apply into a more modern home. His segement on the "101 Spring Ideas" was the best. This lamp cover idea is pretty brilliant, and could fit nicely into someone going for a modified/hybrid Hollywood Regency-vibe. I love the idea of painting an existing boring chandelier black, but instead of crystals, adding those nut/shell/bead necklaces- I could have totally used this idea for my parent's project... actually I still might... hm... anyways- and the thing that I thought was most genius, was this branch that he encrusted with fake jewels. It's so obnoxious but put in the right minimal setting is so... genuis. The mirrored table and cabinet cover is pretty great too. All in all- really fun and it doesn't look too "DIY"- I just think put all together in the same space was a bit too much. However, I realize this is TV, and you gotta make an impact, and that's why its nice that they separate them out on the website, so you can look at it all individually. They recap what they did on the site, but try to check it out on HGTV, I'm sure they'll repeat it...

Blue Monday# 7 : Sharps

Sharps, maker of the hip men's shaving and bath/body products line, has introduced a new and exclusive lower priced line at Target stores nationwide. I was intrigued by the graphics (and they smelled good) so I picked up the sampler kit, which contains 3 scents in both a shower gel and body scrub. My favorites are the "spearmint jolt"(which, of course, is blue) and "lemon fix" (which isn't blue but has a clean citrus scent.) There was also a "wood" scent, but suprisingly, I didn't care for it. Unfortunately, they seem to not be available online yet, but they're in store in the beauty/body section. Great gift for the guy in your life, (or for yourself...) Check it out next time you're there!

kate Spade kids china

Although i find it a little weird for kids to have fine "china"- I do love these incredibly cute and graphic designs for kate Spade's new children's collection- the Mouse cup and Elephant plate are killing me! CUTE!! As seen in May's Elle Decor "what's Hot" section-

Target HOME 06

YIPEE!!! I gots the new Target HOME o6 catalog today and it's simply amazing. Those way-too-fancy-for-themselves-Target-creatives have put together another beautiful catalog, showcasing all their twenty million brilliant collections: Global Home, Isaac Mizrahi, Renovations by Thomasville, Thomas O'Brien, etc...What I really love are the phases they use- The title of it is "design your spring"- but inside, they have titles like "Modern Home: there's no design like the present" or "displays of affection"..."Let the fun shine in"(... ok, so maybe the last one is a little corny) PLUS- there's a coupon inside!) Overall, it's so much eye candy- I can't put it down! Check out their mini-site to see it online!!-

While you were out: Follow up

So a quick recap of resources for my While You Were Out decorating adventure-
First, the pillows: The original couch had these oversized cushions as a backing, but once i removed them, i realized, there was nothing left for back support, so i needed to replace it with some sort of backing pillow. After going though what felt like every fabric shop in Orange County, i finally found some fabric that matched the off-white/bone color of the couches (who knew there were soo many variations on white/bone/ecru...) and recovered a few of those "body" pillows, since they were long enough and already stuffed. The solid accent pillows, were Ikea, but also i found some great printed ones, as well as most of the vases, at Homegoods- It's owned by TjMaxx, and was suprisingly really good- I found the wood side table lamp there for $18- and the vases were generally about $16 - $21.00- the small black lamp ($10) on the credenza/buffet was from Walmart- (as well as the tripod one) the round wood side table/stool was from Target's Global Bazaar, as well as the little gold bird on the coffee table- the candlesticks were from Pottery Barn- and I used an Ikea "lack" shelf as the little mantle/ledge underneath the main painting in between the couches- and was super stoked to have scored the last pink with gold hella jongerius vase from my local Ikea (i took a display model..shhh...). The purple rug was from urban outfitters for $50. When my parents came home, they were pleasantly suprised. (yay) It was a really interesting experience because I had to constantly struggle with putting something I thought was "cool" and something I thought would be appropriate for my parents, and yet still give them something stylish and sophisticated. Also, it was really challenging trying to stay under budget ($1500)- I've seen all those design shows do it- but now I seriously think there's some "fudg-ing" of budgets going on there... Everything I bought in itself was pretty cheap- but it all adds up quick! Interestingly, what really blew my budget was getting all the art supplies- I guess if you already had all the paint and stuff, it wouldn't have cost as much... unfortunately i had to start from scratch. What also took about half the moola was all the curtains. I bought not only the tan curtains, but also the same amount of white sheers. Anyways- I did manage to not go over. (sorta) All in all, it was fun. Not that i'll be quitting my day job anytime soon, but I did enjoy it. Now they want me to redo the family room. Which is a bigger pain, but i dunno... we'll see...

cubby

As seen on Apartment Therapy:Chicago, I am so loving this Cubby from designers Stephanie Munson and Bruce Tharp- It's such a simple concept, yet so effective and spacey-cool! MUST HAVE!!

While you were out: the final episode

For those of you that have been following my "while you were out" adventure, it's time to reveal the final outcome. After I got approval, the parentals left for their three-week tour, and I was ready to begin. Although I had showed them a quick little mockup , I knew I wanted to remove the 80's lacquered side table and coffee table, but as luck would have it, i accidently broke it. (honest, i didn't mean to) because it was so heavy, the legs had sunk into the carpet, and as i tried to slide the table, one of the legs didn't move with it, and snapped. so... i switched out the coffee table with one i found at a thrift shop. The next thing i did was paint the walls. I decided to just paint large squares of color to section off/highlight the seating area, and the main focal wall. The next thing was take down all the existing white curtains, and switch them with tan colored ones. I learned that you need to double the amount of fabric to make it look more full.- after further observation, found that the seating arrangement really wasn't working. I also thought it wouldn't really feel like anyting changed if i just put in new pillows. So, i got rid of the small armchair and moved the remaining loveseat to face the couch- Originally i was going to keep which also doubled my cost for curtains.. but luckily, i got the curtains at Target- all prepacked, perfect size, and ready to go. I got the rods and hardware at Ikea. Finally the finishing touches were found at various local locations. which i'll list tomorrow, (along with the dramatic tale of how the pillows came to be) Oh, i also added a banquet that i found thrift, and the lamp i put together. All the artwork i did myself, thinking i'd save money, but all the canvas and paints ended up blowing a big chunk of my budget. oops.. anyways, here's the end result:

mo wabbits

Also seen at Target this weekend, was this pink bowl with cute bird/branch motif - this would probably look very nice as someone's jewelry dish or for keys... or spare change...After my Target jaunt, I stopped by Walmart (they happen to both be in the same shopping center near me ..oh the joys of the suburbs!) and couldn't resist this little wabbit- er- i mean rabbit mug for only 75¢!!

AT-Chicago

Super sincere thanks (as well as congrats!) to Apartment Therapy- Chicago Edition for adding this blog and its companion blog (its(k)notwood) to its blog list- We're soo honored for the recognition and are so happy that we now can keep tabs on all the haps in Chi-town- (we're dying to go back!) welcome to any new readers- thanks for visiting and hope you come back! please feel free to peruse the archives- would love to hear your comments!

hunting for wabbits

Flipping through this Sunday's paper, I came across the Target weekly ad and it just killed me. I've always had a soft spot for the Naughty Naughty Pets- by Scary Stories- they go with the whole Ugly Dolls genre of kooky handmade-looking-monster-stuffed-animals. So, kudos to the creatives at Target for collaborating and giving a fresh take on Easter, with the "Bunny Business" campaign. The mini-site at Target.com is fantastic- it has all these funny animations and even has free cute animated e-cards you can send to friends! They have had the campaign up for a few weeks now via their in-store signage, because naturally, as soon as Valentines Day is over, you gotta start promoting Easter, right? (scary...) anyways- As with recent past holiday campaigns (last halloween was brilliant too), they've gone all out. (I especially loved how they put fake fur on some of the displays.) But also, so many of the products can be used year round. Being the sucker consumer, i LOVE IT ALL- cheap plush toys, easter baskets, stuffers, tableware, decorations, etc...but i excercised mild self restraint: I ended up only getting a little squeeze toy, a key chain, and this pack of speckeled jelly beans. will post a few other Easter things tomorrow that i saw over the weekend-

Blue Monday #6- Chord

I love this printed CDR, entitled "chord"- available from 5inch. Check out their other great designs as well- my other favorite are Tubes and Orange.

happy face

Wouldn't the world be a better place if everything had happy faces on it?
ok, maybe that would get creepy, but i like these metal dustpans i saw at Cost Plus World Market- they aren't available online, but they were in store, for $9.99

must have more!

i mentioned this on its(k)notwood, but this site just makes me happy everytime i go to it. i know its been around for years, but... its friday, so...let's do it again! click here.

While you were out: episode 3

So the saga continues... i know i mentioned in my last WYWO post that i was going to reveal the final room- but i figured maybe i should mention what the original plan was first- The only requirements that i was given was that I try to keep as much furniture as possible, and that my mom liked the idea of using pinks and lavendars. much to the worry of my father. anyways,
before doing anything i had to find something to show them- just so that they could see what i was thinking. i found an old West Elm catalog that had dusty pinks, and muted lavendars, but grounded with neutrals- that proved to be the inspiration for the whole room- using the neutrals helped make it not sooo girly, as pinks and lavendars would tend to do.
Since the current room was already basically black and white- how much more neutral could i get? with the addition of maybe a tan or taupe, i could keep the white couches, black dining table and accent tables, and just add some other colors to easily transform the room. here was the inspiration board:Based off of that, i showed them a rough idea (via the magic of Photoshop) how it could possibly look with this new colorstory implemented...They liked it, but were still a little unsure. I convinced them that i knew what i was doing (let the lies begin..) and since they were leaving for three weeks, they didn't really have a choice, and they wouldn't be around to stop me! (he he) Well... three weeks later, the end result didn't turn out as i originally thought...

stay tuned for the final episode....