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| Chinatown sketch, Courtesy of the Richard Sylbert Estate |
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Movie Magic
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
It's January 26th...
Do you know where your February (calendar) is? No? Well then download, cut, and paste this adorable pop up groundhog calendar from the Curiosity agency for your desk. You have 5 days until go time, so...go! - l.o.d.
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| Curiosity Shop Calendar Club |
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Fallen Empire
The melancholy documentary photos of Detroit by the Parisian artists Marchand and Meffre are so incredibly sad. They collaborated on this effort to document the historic mummification of urban landmarks in this once glorious city. Their photographs are beautifully haunting. And profoundly upsetting, especially for those of us within an hours drive of these subjects. There is a underlying question that remains unanswered - do we let the ruins live or do we take back the city and make it live once again? Click through the pictures and tell me what you see. - l.o.d.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Bath & Beyond
The bathroom is finished! Hooray!
A DIY project by numbers: 8 months of weekend work, 4 trips minimum to Lowe's each weekend, 2 dirty respirator masks and safety goggles, 5 calls to the handyman, 1 week of drywall dust, 2 vanity installations with 1 success, 4 unexplained shower drain drips in the basement, 3 counts of eeew while looking down the old toilet drain pipe, 1 expedited shower valve part replacement, 2 inter-personal declarations of insanity and dozens of love, hundreds of home-ownership curses with one dose of healthy respect for a 140-year old home. 2 people incredibly happy and proud of our work. - l.o.d.
A DIY project by numbers: 8 months of weekend work, 4 trips minimum to Lowe's each weekend, 2 dirty respirator masks and safety goggles, 5 calls to the handyman, 1 week of drywall dust, 2 vanity installations with 1 success, 4 unexplained shower drain drips in the basement, 3 counts of eeew while looking down the old toilet drain pipe, 1 expedited shower valve part replacement, 2 inter-personal declarations of insanity and dozens of love, hundreds of home-ownership curses with one dose of healthy respect for a 140-year old home. 2 people incredibly happy and proud of our work. - l.o.d.
Before/During
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| Step 1: Uncovering old drywall |
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| Step 2: Ripping up carpet |
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| Step 3: Removing old drywall |
After
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Pretty is a Verb
Sometimes a well-designed life needs a little pampering. A little extra attention during these dry winter months, a little bit of pretty. A touch of femininity to remind us to be soft, gentle, and smell good even under our sweaters and boots. Let these ethereal products from Anthropologie sweep you away to a different time, place, where you can become pampered, centered, in order to approach the modern world anew. - l.o.d.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Cezanne
You probably noticed today's Google homepage logo celebrates the 172nd birthday of the great Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. Impressively, the painting was recreated in the likeness of Cezanne's works by a Googler who first painted it in oil and then digitized. Well done, Googler.
Since Google brought it up, I thought I'd give a brief art history lesson about Cezanne. I actually write a term paper on him for my Psychology class way back in the day and I consider him a rather fascinating character. Cezanne was born in Aix-en-Provence France in 1839 and left home to refine his craft in Paris in 1861 with the company of author Emile Zola. After an unsuccessful run in Paris and a prodigal return home, he returned back to Paris where he became close with Pissaro, Manet, and Degas and formed, through many years of work, "constructive landscape". Although he exhibited his work with many of his Parisian Impressionist colleagues, he developed dissatisfaction with the lack of structure found in the Impressionist landscape. He wanted more forms, a visual solidity to show firmness and permanence. Basic shapes of cylinder, sphere, and cone became the basis for all the objects in his work from still life through landscape. This is where his work drifted towards cubism and unfortunately he drifted towards seclusion, self-doubt, and isolation. Some argue that his landscapes often represent the manifestation of lust, desire, and anger by taking on nude human forms. That's subjective, although I can see it. Mostly what appeals to me is that his struggles with self-doubt almost lead to the end of his artistic career, but ultimately the beauty and form of his work prevail. Fortunately he was alive to see some fame before his death from pneumonia in 1906. - l.o.d.
Since Google brought it up, I thought I'd give a brief art history lesson about Cezanne. I actually write a term paper on him for my Psychology class way back in the day and I consider him a rather fascinating character. Cezanne was born in Aix-en-Provence France in 1839 and left home to refine his craft in Paris in 1861 with the company of author Emile Zola. After an unsuccessful run in Paris and a prodigal return home, he returned back to Paris where he became close with Pissaro, Manet, and Degas and formed, through many years of work, "constructive landscape". Although he exhibited his work with many of his Parisian Impressionist colleagues, he developed dissatisfaction with the lack of structure found in the Impressionist landscape. He wanted more forms, a visual solidity to show firmness and permanence. Basic shapes of cylinder, sphere, and cone became the basis for all the objects in his work from still life through landscape. This is where his work drifted towards cubism and unfortunately he drifted towards seclusion, self-doubt, and isolation. Some argue that his landscapes often represent the manifestation of lust, desire, and anger by taking on nude human forms. That's subjective, although I can see it. Mostly what appeals to me is that his struggles with self-doubt almost lead to the end of his artistic career, but ultimately the beauty and form of his work prevail. Fortunately he was alive to see some fame before his death from pneumonia in 1906. - l.o.d.
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| Mont Sainte-Victorie |
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Marimekko Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show
Why do all the northern regions of the world do such a nice job at celebrating color? I found a great fashion video from Merimekko-land celebrating their Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Check it out.
Haute couture it's not but this is more my style anyway. The cuts are a little boxy for my liking but the prints are bold and eye-catching as always. Do I see a little of Pantone's 2011 color prediction, honeysuckle?
Marimekko also announced a new flagship store opening in Helsinnki on February 10. For those of us on this side of the pond, they have also amped-up their partnership with Crate & Barrel with a shop within the New York SoHo store. Online shopping for The Marimekko shop at crateandbarrel.com are coming this spring. All of this in addition to the earlier announcement about their Converse partnership makes for very interesting awareness expansion of their product lines. My prediction: Ikea won't be the only Scandinavian design shop for the masses for long. - l.o.d.
Haute couture it's not but this is more my style anyway. The cuts are a little boxy for my liking but the prints are bold and eye-catching as always. Do I see a little of Pantone's 2011 color prediction, honeysuckle?
Marimekko also announced a new flagship store opening in Helsinnki on February 10. For those of us on this side of the pond, they have also amped-up their partnership with Crate & Barrel with a shop within the New York SoHo store. Online shopping for The Marimekko shop at crateandbarrel.com are coming this spring. All of this in addition to the earlier announcement about their Converse partnership makes for very interesting awareness expansion of their product lines. My prediction: Ikea won't be the only Scandinavian design shop for the masses for long. - l.o.d.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Babushka Love
It was a chilly weekend here in Ann Arbor, Michigan; we are surely in the throngs of deep winter. To ward off oncoming cabin fever, a few friends and I paid a visit to the pub and shops on Main street yesterday. After a warm vegetable boxty and a few sips of an ale, we popped into the boutiques where I happened upon this charming babushka pepper mill, isn't she adorable?
While Babushka-style nesting dolls are typically thought of as a Christmas item, I've seen a few clever ones that beg to be shown all winter. The bright, bold colors are spirit lifters, and the northern charm goes perfectly with the black and white winter landscape. These are contemporary ones, but the more common Russian dolls, especially vintage, are heartwarming too. Suddenly, I feel like I'm 6 again, sitting on the floor, playing with a simple wooden toy. - l.o.d.
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| Babushka Pepper Mill |
While Babushka-style nesting dolls are typically thought of as a Christmas item, I've seen a few clever ones that beg to be shown all winter. The bright, bold colors are spirit lifters, and the northern charm goes perfectly with the black and white winter landscape. These are contemporary ones, but the more common Russian dolls, especially vintage, are heartwarming too. Suddenly, I feel like I'm 6 again, sitting on the floor, playing with a simple wooden toy. - l.o.d.
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| Urban Outfitters Nesting Owls |
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| CB2 Russian Nesting Dolls |
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| Yellow Robots on Etsy |
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
In Living Color
Pantone has announced that the 2011 Color of the Year is Honeysuckle 18-2120.
To be brutally honest, my immediate response was less than favorable, but I've warmed to the idea since the announcement. Let me explain. First, I think it's self-fulfilling for Pantone to market a Color of the Year. Color trends and color theory are very important and drive significant marketing and design decisions but distilling it down to one color creates false power. And to determine the color at the start of the year is like a horoscope - ever so slightly tainting perceptions as to create a future where perhaps it may not have been otherwise. Philosophy aside, initially I scoffed at the blatent pinkness of this color and their description of its personality. Courageous! Confident! Vital! Wow. But after weeding through the first two paragraphs of their press release, I got to the heart of their intent and it started to make sense. It's not about the color per se, but about the place that this color has in our lives. No one other than graphic designers really care about the Pantone number on the color chip. But look at the makeup counter in any Sephora and it's teeming with shades of honeysuckle in lipstick and blush because it compliments virtually all skin tones. Pages of my Mexicolor home decor book are devoted to the energizing boldness of this reddish pink shade when painted on a wall. Notice the preppy trend in current fashion and the color that signifies this style? Yep, it's honeysuckle. And as we enter into the dog days of winter I do appreciate the spring-like apparition of such a hopeful color. So when I start to see signs of honeysuckle in magazines, blogs, and trends, part of me will wonder if I'm seeing the chicken or the egg, but then again, does it really matter? - l.o.d.
To be brutally honest, my immediate response was less than favorable, but I've warmed to the idea since the announcement. Let me explain. First, I think it's self-fulfilling for Pantone to market a Color of the Year. Color trends and color theory are very important and drive significant marketing and design decisions but distilling it down to one color creates false power. And to determine the color at the start of the year is like a horoscope - ever so slightly tainting perceptions as to create a future where perhaps it may not have been otherwise. Philosophy aside, initially I scoffed at the blatent pinkness of this color and their description of its personality. Courageous! Confident! Vital! Wow. But after weeding through the first two paragraphs of their press release, I got to the heart of their intent and it started to make sense. It's not about the color per se, but about the place that this color has in our lives. No one other than graphic designers really care about the Pantone number on the color chip. But look at the makeup counter in any Sephora and it's teeming with shades of honeysuckle in lipstick and blush because it compliments virtually all skin tones. Pages of my Mexicolor home decor book are devoted to the energizing boldness of this reddish pink shade when painted on a wall. Notice the preppy trend in current fashion and the color that signifies this style? Yep, it's honeysuckle. And as we enter into the dog days of winter I do appreciate the spring-like apparition of such a hopeful color. So when I start to see signs of honeysuckle in magazines, blogs, and trends, part of me will wonder if I'm seeing the chicken or the egg, but then again, does it really matter? - l.o.d.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mobile Me
I'm a fluttery ball of excitement about today's news release of the iPhone 4 on Verizon. I feel that Apple's products are vastly superior designed machines with exceptional screen resolution, a pleasing interface, and cutting-edge hardware. I have solely owned Apple computers starting with my old Power Macintosh back in 1995. Yes, there are negatives and drawbacks to this Empire. But without exception, my Apple products have brought ease, simplicity, and style into my personal tech world. Until today, the only exception was my phone. Not anymore. I love the iPhone even before I own it. Why? It's inspirational to me. You're rolling your eyes, but really, it's a hand-held extension of my creative life. This is due in no small part to the multitude of iPhone apps that for the most part aren't available on Android. The decision to switch phones is purely emotional for me - to be able to play in the elegant sandbox of smart, inspired creativity that syncs with my commitment to Apple products at home.
That's not to say that I haven't had fun with the few creative apps that are available on Android. Here are three free, essential apps available on both iPhone and Android that I've been enjoying tremendously and will be downloading immediately upon receipt of my new iPhone. - l.o.d.
Photoshop Express
A mini version of the beloved software program, you can crop, rotate, color-correct, add soft focus or sepia effects, and add a vignette. It saps the phone's battery, but well worth it for picture quality when it's important.
Sketchbook Express
Extend your sketchbook to your phone with this professional-grade drawing app. Totally addictive.
Retro Camera
Turns your phone's camera into an instant artistic endeavor with options to use an assortment of "toy" cameras and image effects such as scratches and blurs.
That's not to say that I haven't had fun with the few creative apps that are available on Android. Here are three free, essential apps available on both iPhone and Android that I've been enjoying tremendously and will be downloading immediately upon receipt of my new iPhone. - l.o.d.
Photoshop Express
A mini version of the beloved software program, you can crop, rotate, color-correct, add soft focus or sepia effects, and add a vignette. It saps the phone's battery, but well worth it for picture quality when it's important.
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| Photoshop Express |
Extend your sketchbook to your phone with this professional-grade drawing app. Totally addictive.
 | |
| Sketchbook Express |
Turns your phone's camera into an instant artistic endeavor with options to use an assortment of "toy" cameras and image effects such as scratches and blurs.
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| Retro Camera |
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