Louella Court

Maptote

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

I have long been a fan of Maptote and own a few of their Totes myself. My favorite is the Philadelphia Wine tote (go figure) and I am constantly asked where I got them! I recently purchased their Manhattan and Miami onesies for a couple of my friends' babies and was bombarded with emails asking where I got them. They are an instant shower hit! Take a look and see if they have a city for one of your favorite totes. Maybe even a tote for yourself, while you're at it.

Not Your Typical Dusty Library

From the time I was young I have had an obsession with rust. As bizarre a thing this is to be obsessed with, I find it quite beautiful. The different color patterns it forms have always intrigued me and play a huge role in the color schemes of my personal art.

When my teacher Brian Dickerson heard of this fixation he told me I must check out photographer David Maisel's work called "Library of Dust." David traveled to what was known as the Oregon State Insane Asylum and hit the mother load of subject matter. It was here he found the "Library of Dust". In this room he found approximately 3,500 copper canisters that hold the cremated remains of patients spanning a time frame of about 90 years. Each canister has patina'd in its own unique way while the remains react with the copper. Each different and telling its own story.

I find this collection ghostly but leaves me strangely at peace. Take a look at some of the images he caught!

Aesthetic Apparatus

Take a gander at these awesome screen-prints from Minnesota based design team Aesthetic Apparatus  I love the bold colors and edgy design they create. They have a lot of cool stuff and talent! Take a look at some of there work.

 

 

If you like what you see check out their site Aesthetic Apparatus to see what more they have to offer.

Photos via Aesthetic Apparatus

Cool Water, Hot Island

Some of you may or may not know Times Square is now officially a pedestrian-only zone. Due for a massive face lift by the NYC Department of Transportation in 2012, the city wanted to install a temporary nip/tuck solution to this famous facade.

Molly Dilworth won first prize for her "Cool Water, Hot Island" proposal. This serene river of blue hues is actually a graphical representation of NASA's infrared satellite data of Manhattan. This was used to show the city's urban heat-island effect.

A little tip for the day, "heat-island effect" is a term used to describe higher temperatures in urban areas as opposed lower temperatures in rural areas. This occurs because urban areas have fewer trees and the solar energy is absorbed into man-made structures that retain the heat.

With Molly's design she wanted to convey awareness to the issue of heat-island effect and also hoped to do her part in dulling the effect. For this reason she chose a serene blue color palette which reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat.

Keep your eyes peeled come mid-July when "Cool Water, Hot Island" is due to be installed! But as major renovations are due to begin in 2012 this installation is only temporary.

Check out some other inspiring works by Molly Dilworth, who is also known for her engaging rooftop paintings.

Images via Inhabitat

Fantastic Feltidermy

{ posted by Jen James, designer/illustrator }

There is a trend going on in the craft world that I'm just loving. Feltidermy (a critter-friendly take on taxidermy) is such a fun way to pay homage to animals without harming them! A cross between fiber art, beloved stuffed animals, sculpture, and kitsch, one of these darlings would add a playful focal point to a wall.

Elsa the Giraffe, by T&A Friendly

Savannah Story Bust, Gazelle by Anthropologie

Unibunny, by GirlSavage

 

Snaggletooth, by Horrible Adorables

Blue Cat Creature by Horrible Adorables

Three Mice by GirlSavage

 

Small Elephant Trophy by Cardboard Safari

Carved Wood Trophy Heads by Roost

Duck Duck Goose

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

I have recently been asked to design a nursery for my cousins first born. The little bambino is due in late August so I don't have much time to waste! The gender of the baby is going to be a surprise so I am going to stick with a neutral palette. I am a fan of the clean lines of Dutch-Modern furniture, so I was very excited when I found ducduc a New York based company. I instantly fell in love with everything they have to offer, and the intense colors they are offered in. Take a look at some of the pieces I have selected. I love the juxtaposition of the sleek white with the rich rustic/natural appeal of the cherry wood. I am so excited to meet this baby boy or girl, and what an honor it is to have a part in making special niche for the little one.

 

photos courtesy of ducduc.

Whoa Nelly

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

Let's face it, the kids have taken over. From Legos and blocks to Barbies and bears, many living rooms are left looking like a natural disaster has just struck. With hurricane Bobby and tornado Susie it is hard to keep your once pristine space in order. This piece is a great solution! Hut-Hut by Kalon Studios has put a contemporary spin on your typical "rocking horse." It is a functional toy for the kids but can also pass as a sculptural conversation piece as well. Let's reclaim our living rooms little by little, but still leave them friendly for our little loves that make our houses homes.

Good news they are available in adult sizes too! Check out more products by Kalon Studios on their website.

{ images via Inhabitat }

Eco-Friendly Fonts

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

Many of us are trying to be conscious of our environmental impact these days. In the design industry we have begun using recycled papers and soy based inks on a regular basis, but we can take our designs one step greener by choosing more eco-friendly fonts.  Apparently the amount of ink used from font to font varies greatly. Designer Matt Robinson selected a sampling of the most commonly used typefaces, all using roman characters, and put them to the test. His objective was to see which fonts were more economical by measuring the amount of ink used at the same point size. Matt did a large scale experiment drawn with a ballpoint pen to help show the results. Take a look at the varying ink levels of the pens used for each particular typeface. Who would have thought!

Check out this cool Dutch company called Ecofont. They have come up with a system where Ecofont shoots holes into each letter while printing, thus saving you up to 25% of ink and toner! What an ingenious idea to help save money and the environment. Check out a free download on their website!

Now that's clever

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

I'm sure many of you out there, as well as myself, have a box of old 35mm camera slides laying around. Whether it be from making a portfolio resume for art school or old family slides hiding in the attic, here is a unique way to break them out of hiding and show them off. Take a look at this amazing window curtain made from 35mm slides.

 

 

The way each slide is different and refracts the light in it's own unique way makes for quite an eye catching piece. I love the rich, saturated jewel tones brought forth from the sun passing through. I think this is an amazing way to create a functional piece of art, as well a way to reclaim the past! And better yet it is easy to do yourself, all you need is a small drill and small aluminum chain-mail rings. Now let's get started.

{ photo's via inhabitat }

Vintage Wallpaper

{ posted by Jen, head production assistant }

A few years ago while cleaning out my grandparents basement I came across a mother-load of vintage wallpaper. My grandmother was always big into keeping up with the latest interior design trends and ever changing color palettes of the passing decades (I guess that's where I get it!) and my grandfather was most obliged to please her every changing taste. However, as sweet as my little ole' grandpa is he is even cheaper and would never throw anything away. Much to my benefit! I of course much to my mothers dismay (since I am currently living with her) needed to keep all of it, not quite sure what I would do with it... but positive I would put it to good use someday. I think I have found my inspiration in the form of vintage wallpaper kits from Dutch designer Inke Heiland. Each kit is slightly different from the next, and you are supplied with your choice of silhouette's, plenty of paste and a brush to get to work. Kit's available in the U.S in Romp of Brooklyn.

{ images via Inke Heiland }

What a clever way to put some of the old wallpaper you have laying around to use, and even better if the wallpaper holds some meaning to you. You can create a collage or image out of media that hold some of your best memories; just like they have done for me.