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Ugh, I Need Another Day
Sorry guys, but I need another day to recover from what my son would call, “a grisly virus.” In the meantime, think of me lying in this beautiful bed. I will, too. It’s not mine. But the sheets are from William Sonoma.
I’d write more, but my eyeballs hurt. Don’t you hate when that happens?
I have just enough energy for this…
Send me your design dilemmas! Now that the New Year is beginning, it’s time to start thinking of fixing up the house. So send me your decorating issues and I’ll be happy to come up with a solution. Photos are essential.
See you tomorrow.
Back from Belize
It’s me! I’m back from an, er…. um…. unusual Christmas break, which I will commence to write about later today. I just wanted to let you all know that I haven’t disappeared into the heart of design darkness. I just returned with a bad cold that’s left me dragging. Oh and then there are the bug bites.
And with that I’ll leave you hanging for a few hours.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday with an accompanying vacation. Have you broken your New Year’s resolution yet? I barely got started before I broke one of mine. I vowed not to be so grumpy. It lasted a few hours. But then, I think I had a good excuse. Details to come in a couple of hours. Check this space soon!
Merry Christmas
I’m off for Christmas! Our tree is up and so are the lights. We’ve got about a foot of snow on the ground and are ensured a holiday that’s perfectly decorated by Mother Nature.
We’re sharing the holidays with a group of friends from around the globe. Can’t wait. Afterwards, we’re going on a well-deserved vacation to sunny Belize. I hear the bird watching is great and the Mayan ruins splendid. So I bid you farewell until after the New Year.
Jack, the noble Border Terrier, joins me in wishing everyone a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year. See you in 2009!
Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag
I read an article which considered the physics involved in Santa delivering toys to households across the world. Taking into consideration the timeline involved and the number of Christian homes requiring delivery (minus the naughty kids) it seems that Santa has 1/1000th of a second per house to park, deliver gifts, eat cookies, and depart . The speed requirements also do nasty things to Rudolph’s nose.
It seems that Santa needs a new sleigh to handle the work. The Club of Pioneers have things in hand. They asked several designers to come up with some alternative design approaches to sleigh design. Each designer was given ten minutes to design. Here’s what they came up with.
The Bionic Reindeer is the work of automotive designers, Jean-Arthur and Madelaine-Advenier.
Tattoo Sleigh looks fierce! I don’t think the flag will stand up to the wind velocity required. But it’s a nice touch from Berlin tattoo artist, W.T. Norbert.
California Santa Sleigh (check out Santa with the shades and his “elves”) is from another automotive designer, Patrick Faulwetter.
The Swarm Sleigh. “In the future more resilient means of transportation will be enabled based on swarm theory,” reports architect, Matthias Hollwich.
I’m giving my award to Matthias for the use of a theory no one in the real world understands. Therefore, it must work! What’s your favorite?
A Really Green Christmas Tree
Have you decorated your tree yet? Most of us have had ours up for weeks. Here at the Mitchell’s, we save ours for Christmas Eve. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be done,” reports the traditionally minded Misterarthur.
If you are also a traditionalist, and haven’t decorated the tree, here’s an idea that accomplishes two missions. First, you have a nice tree. Second, you get to use all those bottles you’ve been meaning to put in the recycling bin.
Nothing says “Christmas Cheer” quite like a tree made from beer bottles. They’re green, and in these recessionist times, you save on the cost of a tree. Of course you need to drink over 1,000 bottles of beer. That’s the cheer part.
What’s on your tree?
via: metaefficient
Chair of the Day: Saci Chair
This chair is a tribute to one of the most popular folk characters in Brazil. Not that I know anything about Brazilian culture, but I sure sound cultured, don’t I?
I actually learned this from Rafael Morgan, the designer of the Saci Chair. Apparently, Saci is a one-legged black elf with holes in the palms of his hands. “An incorrigible prankster.” Yikes. I wouldn’t want to meet Saci in a dark alley.
Rafael is producing the chair in Brazil, but the license for producing and selling it anywhere else is still available. Check out his site to learn more.
Pillows from The Scarlet Fig
Designer, Laurie Wis, makes up these appliquéd pillows for her Etsy shop, The Scarlet Fig. Let’s take a peek.
They come in two sizes, 12″x12″ and 18″ x 18″ and retail for $25 - $40.
Laurie also designs her own fabrics and has them printed up at Spoonflower. The chair pattern, below, is one of hers.
Toss pillows are a great way to change the look of a room - and for very little money. Pick up a new accent color from other fabrics in a room as your starting point for a new look.
Klick Play Desk
I love this children’s desk and chair. It parks itself nicely, so it fits into a nice little space. It comes in a variety of colors. I like the green.
You can find the Klick desk at eroomservice where it retails for $195.
The Best 2D Christmas Tree
I’ve seen several new takes on Christmas tree decor this year. Upside down Christmas trees seems to be a big trend. However, I like the idea of a two dimensional tree. It’s a great idea for space-challenged holiday celebrants.
This is my favorite.
via: Style Files
Chair of the Day: Herman Miller’s Embody Chair
I could use a chair like this right about now. Perhaps I could actually sit in it for a while. (If you’re confused, read my earlier post.)
Herman Miller’s Embody Chair was in Wired Magazine’s Top 10 Products list for 2008. They said:
It may not have an accelerometer. Or an OLED. Or lasers. Or image-stabilization. You can’t even plug it in to an electric socket. But the Herman Miller Embody chair has got its back (and yours) covered with meticulous engineering. The thing is adjustable to Asperger’s levels of obsession; controls exist to cradle your lumbar, hips and neck. Plus the multilayered seat absorbs even the most microscopic shifts in weight, cupping your derriere no matter how much (or little) you move. It’s the greatest breakthrough in ass-to-comfort technology since, well, the Aeron chair.
It reminds me of an airline seat. Do I put my purse under the seat? It looks like a little compartment.
via: Wired
Ninainvorm
I’ve had ceramics on the brain lately. I’m busy preparing for Christmas dinner, so I guess that’s why. Half the fun is planning the tablescape. You can never have enough plates, platters and bowls. Tiny bowls are perfect for sauces, and I never have enough platters - large and small.
I love these designs by artist and Etsy shop owner, Ninainvorm. She creates her own ceramics and paints over vintage peices. Her prices range from $25 - $45. A great price point.
Scoot over to her shop and check out all her beautiful things.
via Design Sponge
Design a Label at Finkbuilt
I found yet another fun project to keep everyone busy between the holidays. I’m on a maniacal mission! Once you’ve finished repainting your house, refurbishing the abandoned dresser in your attic, and ironing your sheets with lavender water, you can design a Marmalade label for Steve Lodefink over at Finkbuilt.
There’s a prize, too! He’s giving away a Herman Miller clock. the contest runs through the end of the month. Read all about it here. And don’t forget to read about his new project - refurbishing a 1969 BMW 2000.
I guess, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I’m actually going on vacation after Christmas. But I do have a construction project underway that will continue while I’m gone. Does that count?
Speaking of which, I’ve got to start cleaning up the pounds of dust the electrician left.