August 2007
Outdoor — August 31, 2007
Posted by James
Emmet Lounge chair and ottoman
I don't think we've ever featured a product from Room & Board... I've never bought anything from them... but I've perused their catalog and their products seem decent and some are quite nicely designed.
Take, for instance, this modernized version of the classic American Adirondack chair. I like the laid back comfort of an Adirondack chair... nice wide arm for my beer... but generally don't like the aesthetic. This one might change my mind... depends on how comfortable it actually is to sit in.
I definitely dig the lines and the fact that it is constructed of 100% post-industrial recycled material.
Link: Room & Board
Designer: Loll Design
Related: Weekend Project (L+L 5/20/2004)
Green — August 31, 2007
Posted by James
Sign the petition for cleaner air
You gotta fight for your right to cleaner air!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced changes in ozone pollution standards that fall short of what the scientific community recommends. In response to this news, and to the lobbyists working against tougher air quality standards, non-profit public interest law firm Earthjustice has created a project called Adopt The Sky to raise awareness about this issue.
Visitors to the site can add their own personalized message about the issue and "adopt" a square mile of sky above the U.S. to pledge their support for cleaner air.
Sign the petition... its free, people.
Link: Adopt the Sky
A remodeled hill-hugger by Kovac Architects
This isn't super-model modern, it is more basic. And honestly, we can't all have (or be) super-models, now can we? Kovac Architects has taken a bland hillside stucco box in Los Angeles and modestly but effectively transformed it with some nicely thought out and executed design ideas.
The addition is sliver-thin at a mere eight feet, and is attached almost parasite-like to the side of the existing structure. The addition and reconfigured interior create a 2170 square foot modern tree house with living spaces on the first floor and a master suite with office mezzanine on the second. In addition to the walls of glazing which open the house to the trees at the rear of the home, a glass floor in the dining area visually connects the inhabitants to the canyon floor below.
Link: Kovac Architects
Books — August 23, 2007
Posted by Anthony
The newest and coolest products on the horizon.
I just spent some time at the local B&N and discovered issue #1 of Antenna magazine. Flipping through it, Antenna read like the RSS feed of my favorite blogs: gadgets, snowboards, sneakers, messenger bags, sunglasses, even Oreos(!).
Antenna is the first mainstream magazine to target individuals who are on a constant quest for the newest and coolest products on the horizon. And it does so without using celebrities, models, concept shoots, service stories and whatever else we deem superfluous to our mission: to become a guidebook, allowing readers to navigate the most extensive collection of products ever compiled in a single publication, while championing the people who create, sell and collect them—all in one comprehensive, artful, elegant and innovative format.
Extra points for Antenna because their first cover compliments the color palette of the L+L site, too :)
Link: Antenna
Landscape — August 23, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Spaces of simplicity, elegance and balance
flashfilm.com has an interview with London-based garden designer, Philip Nixon. Philip is a participant of the Chelsea Flower Show and is currently working on an exhibition for the 2008 Gothenburg Festival in Sweden.
Via: flashfilm.com
Link: Philip Nixon Design
The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2007 by Olafur Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen
A quick round up of the annual Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London... this year by Danish/Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and Norwegian architect Kjetil Thorsen (of architecture firm Snøhetta). The pavilion opens this Friday and will remain on site until November 2007.
A load of articles and images to totally max out your senses... have at it, kids.
Designers:
Olafur Eliasson
Kjetil Thorsen (Snøhetta)
Link: Serpentine Gallery Pavillion 2007
Photo Gallery: Olll
Article: Times - Come for a spin at the Serpentine
Article: Guardian - Magic circle
Article: Telegraph - Serpentine Gallery: A spinning top on an epic scale
Soft and, uh, fluffy.
I've always thought those dogs with dreads were cool and the canine was the first thing that came to mind after seeing this throw pillow from Neelee.com. Made from ultra-soft fleece, each pillow is made by hand. Dimensions are 55 x 55cm.
Link: Neelee.com
Designer: Idit Friedberg
Via: CribCandy
Furniture — August 20, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Picnic table chic
The "I was here" collection designed by Jason Miller will take you back to that one summer at (band?) camp when you carved your name into the camp picnic tables. The collection features various tables and a bench constructed from "graffiti-proof" plastic wood with all sorts of random New York graffiti carved into the top of them. Available colors include white, black, brown, and blue.
Link: Areaware/Jason Miller
Materials — August 20, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Handmade tiles from across the pond
Blink is a collaboration between Nita Rege and Bessie Turner who met while studying Ceramics at the Edinburgh College of Art. Their tiles are available in multiple themes including "wash tags", "glasses", "knife and fork", and "tap". Featured above are Martini (left) and Pint.
Link: Blink Tiles
Furniture — August 19, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Panel and sphere partition wall
The Troika from em is a screen / partition wall constructed from translucent resin panels and spheres along with stainless steel rods, plates, and collars. Depending on your installation, the Troika is available with or without the self-supporting frame.
Link: em collection
Via: LA Times
Related: Pivot Screen
Related: Folding Screen
Related: Helix
Related: Flipper
Related: Labyrint
Related: Double Curve
Furniture — August 18, 2007
Posted by Anthony
An "artistic" table
The Pegaso table from Caimi Casa features a powder-coated tubular support structure and is available with an elliptical or rectangular top in transparent or matte glass. The top is physically attached to the leg structure via four stainless steel plates.
Link: caimi casa
Furniture — August 18, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Comfort inspired by nature
The Leaf collection from Arper exhibits simple lines and is right at home indoors or out. Leaf is available in a painted (white, mocha, green) or chrome finish. Full-grain leather or polyurethane cushions are also available.
Link: Arper SpA
Persian/Islamic culture meets western modernità
Architect Pouya Khazaeli Parsa drew upon inspiration from Le Corbusier’s “Poem of the right angle” when designing this home which features an aerial ramp that takes you from a first-floor terrace to a roof garden with views of the beaches along the Caspian Sea.
Via: Domus Web (Reg Req'd)
Link: Pouya Khazaeli Parsa (Archnet.org)
Link: Rai Studio - Pouya Khazaeli Parsa
Link: The Poem of the Right Angle (Open Eye Gallery)
Location: L+L Maps - Darvish Residence
Art — August 18, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Relive the days of your model-building youth
I tried my hand at making more than a few models back in the day and if I remember correctly, most of them were abandoned in various stages of completion. Anyway, Jellio Design has created wall art based on the plastic piece which housed all the parts which will definitely take you back to those glory days of sniffing glue model building. Made of polyurethane resin, the piece is 44" x 44" and weighs approx 20lbs. Follow the link for pricing and availability.
Link: Jellio.com
A quick trip into the archives
CA|Boom I
Can you believe its been three years since CA|Boom burst onto the design scene? Check out our coverage from the design show's freshman year.
Teardrop Vase from Derek Chen
Veneered plywood vase shell, bent in a teardop shape. Sealed and weighted with opaque colored resin. Exposed resin bottom, fully waterproof with a satin lacquer finish.
Favela Chair
Wood scraps never looked better. Designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana.
Fix Lighting
Simple, elegant, and modern. Light fixtures designed by Wonderwall.
Porch House
"With a solid understanding of modern design and its application in residential architecture, Greg Lavardera has put together several plans that definitely take the bland and boring out of stock plans."
Lighting — August 16, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Ambient and spot lighting
The Spotnik XL is the second incarnation of the Spotnik lamp but in a larger scale. Inside the sphere is a dual-light source offering both spot and ambient lighting. Originally designed as a table lamp, this newer version of the Spotnik now towers above your space at over 6 feet tall.
Link: Spotnik xl
Ok, I know, this laptop stand has been out for a few years now...
Link: iLap Laptop Stand
Threadless tees and blik graphics have teamed up to produce wall graphics. blik will post 6-10 of their favorite Threadless designs and will ask the public to vote on which ones will be come the next line of blik wall graphics. I'm casting my vote for Alphabet Zoo and Sad Psycho. Check it out and be sure to vote for your favorite.
Link: Threadless @ blik [Thanks, Sonja!]
Related: L+L loves Threadless!
Furniture — August 14, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Cole Scego is a designer based in rural Missouri who prefers the use of materials such as aluminum and steel to construct pieces that will stand the test of time. A strict vegetarian, Cole believes that happiness and well-being are strongly associated with your
living environment.
Link: Cole Scego Design
Link: About Cole
Prefab Housing
D.C. architect Carib Daniel Martin came up with the idea of HELP (Housing Every Last Person) soon after Hurricane Katrina devasted the Gulf-Coast region. His idea was to create an emergency housing system that was easily transportable and could be quickly assembled.
With a working demo in place, he secured the means to manufacture his creation and has spent the last two years fine-tuning his work. Expanding on his original design, he has evolved the structure to also meet the needs of the commercial, non-emergency market by producing 4 models: the microCABANA, microHOME, microSTUDIO, and microSHED.
A full-service website is due to be launched this coming Labor Day weekend.
Link: m-finity.com
Link: Path to Prefab
Lighting — August 14, 2007
Posted by Lorenza
The Italian Lighting Company SLAMP, brings a 'bright smile' to anyone's home
The company has been established in 1994 and their lamp design is a result of international designers' creativity.
I remember walking pass SLAMP shops when I was still living and studying in Rome and, as a teen, thinking that there was something cheerful and happy about SLAMP lamps.
Even SLAMP describes their products' philosophy as:
...to create lamps with irony, innovation, and decorative appeal. Slamp lamps break loose from the traditional conservative and haphazard buyers, focusing its appeal on impulse purchasing, with considerable emotional appeal...
Link: SLAMP
Anne Robert joins the L+L team
Back in "the day" L+L put more emphasis on outdoor spaces... or at least we had the intention of such things... Regardless, we are very pleased to be joined by Paris-and-London based designer Anne Robert.
Anne maintains her own blog, My Urban Garden Deco Guide and will be popping by to share her fabulous outdoor finds with you fabulous L+L readers.
Link: My Urban Garden Deco Guide
Link: Anne's L+L Bio
Clean, simple, and stackable.
I'm a fan of clean, simple design and this stackable chair from Hussi is just that. The ST10 features a thin yet flexible backrest which is available with 2 or 3 slats.
Link: Pure Austrian Design
Misc — August 8, 2007
Posted by Anthony
Vandeventer + Carlander Architects announce that the C3 Cabin plans are available for purchase.
We've discussed IKEA here in the past and some our our topics have touched on the topic of altering those inexpensive pieces we purchase from our favorite blue and yellow big-box store. Little did I know that there was a blog dedicated to such exploits. Anyway, look closely at the photo on the right and you'll see an IKEA Effectiv cabinet topped by a quartz-slab countertop in this Eichler remodel. Perhaps not quite a "hack" but still I think it looks pretty slick.
As for the other "IKEA Hacks" on the site, it looks like a majority are geared more towards the dorm-crowd (not that there's anything wrong with that) but have a look around, you might just find something useful. Allen wrenches not included. :)
Read: Open to the Outdoors(Sunset.com)
Via: IKEA Hacker
This thin-striped area rug from Ruckstuhl is made from 100% pure wool and is available with black and heather or forest and persimmon stripes.
Link: Ruckstuhl
"Homes" wallpaper from Erica Wakerly is available in either black or brown on a creme background. Available in 10 meter rolls.
Link: Erica Wakerly / PrintPattern.com
Comfort and Style
Add some style to your crib/loft/home/office space with these fine chairs from Mackler Furniture. Both the Lenox Lounge Chair and the New York Arm Chair (featured at right) share subtle design cues and are available in a natural or walnut finish. Personally, I'm down with the walnut.
Link: Mackler
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