{ library by thomas bentzen }

Danish designer Thomas Bentzen has designed a freestanding storage unit called Library, made of wood and powder-coated steel.

I thought it was for children, but apparently it is furniture for receptions, offices and banks as "a room divider, a cosy nook, a shot of homeliness with a sloping ceiling that can be tiled with books or magazines."

Huh.

via Dezeen

{ clouds by ronan and erwan bouroullec }

Clouds by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are an extension of the North Tiles they developed for Kvadrat in 2006.

"The tiles are made of one element and are attached by special rubber bands. Creating your own piece is quick and easy, whether you want a simple design or a complex decorative screen or wall. You can easily arrange and re-arrange the tiles to reflect your individual style and bring new ideas into your home, time and time again."

via Core77

{ panier percé by guillaume delvigne and ionna vautrin }

Panier Percé is a porcelain bowl that is meant to be embroidered. The kit contains coloured skeins, a needle, a needle threader and instructions for a decoration.

{ origami by yuko nishimura }

Check out this ridiculous origami work by Yuko Nishimura!

"Japanese people unconsciously experience the action of folding on a daily basis, and therefore encounter various folded forms... Only by folding one piece of paper an expressive masterpiece can be created. This is the Japanese way of folding."

via Origami Blog

{ full tank baby fuel }

This bold packaging for Full Tank's Baby Fuel was designed by Seattle-based Turnstyle. The brand is the first frozen baby food to offer the freshest organic ingredients in a travel-ready squeeze pouch that can be eaten without a spoon.

Baby Fuel's revolutionary packaging is the first baby food designed to travel. Baby Fuel can fit easily into a pocket, diaper bag or purse and can be eaten without a spoon - frozen or defrosted. The packaging even allows older babies to feed themselves.

via The Dieline

{ home sweet home by something's hiding in here }

I am admiring these little Home Sweet Home block houses by Something's Hiding In Here. There are five different designs made of poplar wood and hand-printed using Gocco.

{ photography by bill durgin }

The incredible work of Bill Durgin is better summarizes by Merge Gallery than by me:

"Durgin’s photographs reflect his fascination with the figure as a sculptural entity. His complex arrangements of the body require extreme contortion to achieve an austere effect, as if the figures have been abstracted."

{ map quilts by leah evans }

Wisconsin-based Leah Evans fabricates her own landscapes in a very non-traditional way: through the combination of maps, satellite imagery, aerial photography, and fabric. I am embarrassed, really, because I have always wanted to attempt this idea myself but never had - and now I feel I could not do it justice!

"It is the use of maps in organizing our ideas of land that interests me most of all... Most of my pieces are not consciously based on specific places. For me they are intimate explorations of map language and imagined landscapes. Through my research and experience I have decided that maps create more questions than they answer."

via designboom

{ holiday loot }

Aside from my auto collision and the usual family drama, Christmas was pretty pleasant. Growing up with divorced parents, holidays have always been nomadic; Christmas at mom's house, then dad's house, then mom's parents' house, then stepdad's parents' house, then dad's parents' house, then dad's girlfriend's parents' house, then boyfriend's house, and then various friends' houses. Whew.

Basically, I am all Christmased out!

Loot from above:
Delphine Press 2009 Letterpress Calendar
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Blender
Design Within Reach Gift Card
The New Tea Book
reFresh: Contemporary Vegan Recipes
iTunes Gift Card
Seagate FreeAgent Go
Roost Polished Antler Candlesticks

I also walked away with some cute deer mugs from Starbucks, a "Fix It Yourself" Manual, shirts and sweaters, ski socks and various greeting cards full of cash!

{ auto body shops }

Yesterday I was rear-ended by another driver for the second time in a month.

I spent the better part of today in offices that looked like this - faux wood paneling and 1970's family portraits. Truth be told, I really loved it. I get so overwhelmed by branding messages and color schemes that it feels good to sit in a dated, family-operated auto body shop that has the same materials and furniture as when it started fifty five years ago.

Oh, my nine month old Honda Fit? It suffered $1,000 damage by a driver with a suspended license and cancelled insurance. Nice.

{ squirrel vases by prettyrandomobjects }

I am swooning over these little Squirrel Vases by prettyrandomobjects, an artist family (mom +3 daughters) of sewers and crafters located in San Francisco.

Kawaii!

{ recycled painting noteboard }

I am loving this DIY recycled painting noteboard idea by Kate over at Design*Sponge! An incredibly sweet way to reuse flea market finds.

via Design*Sponge

{ method naturals }

Method has recently launched a new line of body washes inspired by the ocean, with beautiful packaging as always.

via The Dieline

{ photography by andrea galvani }

Italy native Andrea Galvani has a style of photography that is both surreal and humorous. A common subject matter of his is balloons. He currently resides in both Milan and New York.

via designboom

{ inspiration }

Pinecones by coe & waito.

{ inspiration }

Freakin' sweet. Deer Sockets by Nendo.

PS. I am done with the holiday posting - regular posts resume Monday!

{ holiday: wintery treats }

Turron Macarons by Cannelle et Vanille.




Winter Cherry Brownies by Caroline Swift at Design*Sponge.




Winter Pine Tree Cakes by Vegan Yum Yum.




Seckel Pears and Pate Feuilletee by Cannelle et Vanille.

{ holiday: festive decor }

Why not cozy up your candles with the sleeve from an old sweater or some other wool product? Idea from Sweet Paul.




I literally caught my breath when I saw these photos - Lace and Ice decorations made from doilies and frozen water in baking pans!




Simple Holiday Boxes for party favours, available as a purchased download from A Little Hut.




Alternative Paper Garland tutorial by d.Sharp (I think) at Design*Sponge.

{ holiday: advent calendars }

Countdown Calendar made of craft paper tubes by maya*made.




Check out this Advent Calendar how-to by d.Sharp over at Design*Sponge.




Hat and Mittens Advent Calendar of pure wool by Garnet Hill.




Playful Advent Calendar In Action by Sperobene.

{ holiday: gift guides update }

The Holiday Gift Guides List has been updated with more goodies from Sub Studio, Inhabitat and Bloesem. Check it out!

{ holiday: ornaments DIY }

Mushroom Ornament tutorial by elsiemarley over at Sew, Mama, Sew!




Very simple Paper Ball Ornament tutorial from Design*Sponge.




How about a Japanese kusudama? Although not meant as an ornament, check out tutorials part one and part two from Folding Tree and create some lovely origami ornaments!

{ holiday: ornaments }

Own Print Ornament by Pipodoll on Etsy.




Of course, I am loving the woodland chic trend - Acorn Ornament by Roost - also, check out their Feather Ornaments!




Haus Ornaments by FilzFelt - also comes as sheep!




Horned Lark Plush Ornament by BirdNerd on Etsy. Plushy cuteness.

{ holiday: wreaths }

Martha Stewart has a lovely Paper Doily Wreath tutorial on her website.




This 24" Laser Cut Cardboard Wreath packs flat and is available in white or natural from Cardboard Safari.




A fun paper wreath made from gift wrap, scrapbook paper and Evelyn Voss Wise's 1946 edition of The Light of Stars. Available with a personalized message from Haru.

{ holiday: my designer xmas list }

The problem with being a designer is { a } most of your family members are NOT designers and { b } most of the things you want are hella expensive. Thus, I am always prone to making two xmas lists: one that is toned down for family and one that is for my Justin - and my xmas cash post-holiday.



{ 1 } Eva Solo Teamaker with Red Neoprene, $120
{ 2 } Sagaform Wooden Trivet, $15
{ 3 } Cucú Clock by Pascal Tarabay, Walnut, $475
{ 4 } Loyal Loot Log Bowl, $61-211
{ 5 } Sagaform Oven To Table Serving Bowl, Large, $50
{ 6 } Roost Cargo Mushroom Box, $26-35
{ 7 } Eva Solo Citrus Squeezer, $76
{ 8 } Theosaurus Piggy Bank, White, $68

{ holiday: christmas tree alternatives }

The Cardboard Christmas Tree offers a blank 3' cardboard tree with precut ornaments to leave "natural" or decorate yourself.




The Tin Town Africa Tree is a laser cut steel tree that comes in black, white and red. And yes, that is a monkey.




The Blomus Estilo is 32" a tree-shaped tealight holder made of stainless steel. The Posibilitree by architect Richard Babcock is a 6' wooden tree with branches that fan and collapse for storage.




The SAP'ART Christmas tree comes in three heights and various colours: black, white, red, aluminum and clear plexi. Ornaments suspend themselves in circular niches.

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas VI }

Rock Sissor Paper is bursting with clean, simple gift tags.




Why not label your gifts with a DIY Gift Tags from Trader Joe's grocery bags? Concept by Ink & Post.




Another quasi-DIY project - free gift tag downloads from Paper Crave.




More awesomeness - free gift tags downloads from Inside A Black Apple!

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas V }

Cotton Idea Studio has some quiet little tags that will make hearts melt.




Old Tom Foolery creates beautiful letterpress gift tags that celebrate the font!




Charming Letterpress Gift Tags by Small Square Design.

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas IV }

Up next, some attractive finishing touches for your presents!



I am one of those people who will never get sick of the faux bois trend. Remember last year's DIY Wood Grain Wrapping Paper by Martha Stewart? Well, I am just as excited by her Wood Grain Ribbon, which comes in satin and velvet finishes!




Although not quite ribbon, this packaging tape by Ana Ventura can be a lovely substitute for gift wrap and ribbon on a plain box.




Cake Ribbon as gift wrap is yet another inspiring idea from Bugs and Fishes by Lupin.





d.Sharp kicks it up a notch with her Letterpress Ribbon Buckles.

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas III }

Here are some alternative gift wrap ideas for the holidays that are specifically meant to recycle another used item for more "eco-friendly" gift wrap!




Instead of tossing brown bags and scraps of fabric, try stamping them with colourful patterns and using them as gift wrap. (Image by Lena Corwin)




Creature Comforts has a lovely step-by-step tutorial on how to make a gift pom out of plastic bags - the Target bag is especially festive!




BellyBuzz over at Etsy has recycled magazines like Vogue, Glamour and Wired into self-adhesive bows.




Magazines provide a more colourful alternative to using recycled newspaper with the same environmentally-responsible intentions!


Other ideas from Apartment Therapy
Reusable Gift Bags
Recycled Aluminum as Wrapping Paper
Outdated or Surplus Maps
The Wrap is a Gift
Green Package Padding (Like shredded paper)
Re-Purposed Gift Bags
Eco Gift Paper

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas II }

Check out the photos and links below for some fun DIY gift wrapping ideas that are sure to make a statement under the tree!



Faux Bois Wrap by Bugs and Fishes by Lupin




Fun With Fonts by Bugs and Fishes by Lupin




Wrapping with sweaters, storefront display for Anthropologie (via at home at home




Vintage Numbers and Letters by d.Sharp

{ holiday: gift wrap ideas I }

I've always been a big fan of Pop Ink's product lines, and they do not fail to please when it comes to their gift wrap! Available here at French Paper.




Caskata Paper has some highly illustrative and elegant paper lines, in both traditional Christmas and non-Christmas themes.




Rifferaff has combined talents with Elisabeth Warman of Black Pearl Press to create a limited edition of hand silkscreened papers. Rifferaff also sells a beautiful collection of her own designs as well, including cards, papers and tags.




Loop has a stunning collection of gift wrap made from their original art collection. It really adds a handmade appearance!

{ holiday: seasonal cards V }

Lexie Sullivan has a nice variety of styles to best match your holiday season. I am always drawn to the retro-modern designs.




Paper Source has a nice collection of letterpress, personalized, and kit holiday cards, a few with playful banter.



Here are some delicate letterpress lovelies from Starparticle. I am blown away by the linear tree design - and I am sorry that my Photoshop job doesn't quite do these cards justice!


Other Seasonal Cards:
+ In-vita Paper Studio
+ Subtle Glances
+ Joie Studio
+ Dauphine Press
+ Snow & Graham

{ holiday: seasonal cards IV }

Rock Paper Scissor has a playful selection of holiday cards in various sizes, with a few personalized and photo options as well. Very vintage cute!




Looking for a pleasing variety of cards? Cotton Idea Studio distributes their own holiday products as well as cards from other companies like Night Owl and Egg Press.




Luxe Paperie is another multi-vendor site with some great holiday resources from companies like Egg Press and Snow & Graham .

{ holiday: seasonal cards III }

Looking for some freebies? Dwell's Choose Your Design Cards are original designs created by Dwell magazine’s design staff that are free to design and download.




A big WOW to these holiday cards by Hammerpress! I love the confidence of their designs, especially the in-your-face text of the last card.




Vertallee has some super sunny holiday cards. The card designs break free of the typical holiday fare and play up the hot colors and scenery (like palm trees and cacti) of the tropical south.

{ holiday: seasonal cards II }

Nothing says Christmas like hedgehogs! Lucky Bee Press has some delightful letterpress cards with endearing woodland creatures like birds and deer wishing you the best holiday season.




LetterpressLight has some crisp letterpress holiday cards for the season. Simple shapes are accentuated by bold color combinations. Yes, they have Hanukkah cards, too!




Delphine Press has released this lovely collection of letterpress chipboard paper stock with recycled kraft paper envelopes. Oh, the texture!

{ holiday: seasonal cards I }

Night Owl Paper Goods is one of my favourite companies, and as usual they have a bitchin' collection of letterpress, recycled and wood holiday and thank you cards for the season. Their eco-friendly wood cards (two shown above) always warm my heart.




I can always count on OrangeBeautiful to blow me away with stunning patterns, and their holiday line is no exception. From simple repeats to intricate twirls, their cards cover everyone's unique style and expression.




Sarah Marie has a few simple letterpress cards with a tiny little retro twist in the patterning and type - just lovely!

{ holiday: gift guide updates! }

Just to let my readers know, I have updated my Holiday Gift Guides post. It includes more goodies from Sub-Studio, Creature Comforts, Inhabitat, Cool Hunting, Design Observer, swissmiss, and more - check it out!

{ holiday: holiday gift guides }

I hope for this post to be a helpful, collective overview of some of the many gift guides out there. Although I cannot post an image of every one, I encourage you to check them out! The recommended gifts cover a diverse range of styles and purposes.




Design*Sponge Gift Guides
Over at Design Sponge, Grace, her fiancé AC, and her interns have set up an eclectic set of gift guides, from budget-conscious to just for guys.

$25 and Under | $50 and Under
$100 and Under | Under $100 (Patterns)
Blogger Wish List | AC's Guide for Guys
Samantha's Picks | Despina's Picks




Sub-Studio
Sub-Studio has organized their gift guides this year by colour! All are not yet released, but here is what they have posted so far.

Gift Guide White | Gift Guide Black
Gift Guide Red | Gift Guide Orange
Gift Guide Yellow | Gift Guide Green
Gift Guide Blue | Gift Guide Brown
Gift Guide Gold | Gift Guide Silver
Gift Guide Clear




NOTCOT
NOTCOT has a ridiculous of lineup of gift guides, moreso than I can even list! Here are a few, and a direct link to their full lineup: Desk toys, glassy gifting, gifts for the kids, goodies for the home, fun random designy gifts, gifts that lean green, illuminated gifting and posters worth gifting!




Creature Comforts
Creature Comforts has some charming little lovelies on their holiday guides for stocking suffers for men, women and kids.

Stocking Stuffers for Guys | Stocking Stuffers for Women
Stocking Stuffers for Kids | $30 and Under for Babies and Kids
$30 and Under for Women | $30 and Under for Men
$50 and Under | $50 and Up




Inhabitat
Looking for some eco-friendly finds for the holidays? Inhabitat has you set with general guides and guides based on age and gender.

Green Gift Guide
Green for Him | Green for Her
Gree for Boys | Green for Girls
Green for Tots | Green for Mom and Dad
Green for Pets | Green Gadgets
Green under $20 | Green under $50
Make Your Own Gifts | Green Stocking Stuffers
Gifts That Give Back | Handmade Gifts



Other Gift Guides


Core77's 77 Design Gifts for Under $77
Yanko Design's Holiday DO WANT! Gift Guide
A combination of off-the-wall gifts, thoughtful books and art prints, and sexy design objects.

Holiday Guide by Design Public | 2Modern's Gift Guide
Cool Hunting Gift Guide | Josh Spear Gift Guide
General Gift Guide and Gift Guide for Kids by swissmiss
BloesemKids Gift Guide
For the usual modern design fare, here are some other holiday gift guides of note.

Treehugger Gift Guide
Aside from Inhabitat, here is another great resource for "green" gift ideas.

Design Observer Holiday List
Check out this guide for some fantastic art and design reading.

Engadget Holiday Gift Guide | Hackzine's Hacker Gift Guide
Looking for some geeky gifts? Look no further than these gift guides!

{ inspiration }

I am enjoying the proportion of colour in these cookies - what a perfect play on the usual red and green!

I promise, promise, promise great posts overflowing from this blog next week.

via Bloesem

{ ...still sick }

So, I totally meant to begin this week with some lovely holiday ideas - but then last week I had my tonsils removed, I missed Thanksgiving and slept whilst heavily under the influence of codeine... and so my intent to have some scheduled posts was thrown off.

I will do my best to begin the week tomorrow... yikes, and sorry!