The weather was beautiful today and I only live 1.4 miles from my work, so I decided to bike it! With gas prices being where they are now, and I not needing my car for any meetings today, it was perfect. In honor of my wonderful '70's Slick Chick I give this Etsy Lunch Hour series to bicycle love
Pair of Bicycle Glasses (freehand etched) by BreadandBadger

hit the pedals. by backbone

Parachute Bike Art Card Set. Brown by twoguitars

Organizer Messenger - Flying Bike by Iscreamseams

SALE - gears and wheels, 1952 - magnets by GreenThumbDesigns

womens rainbow bicycle T - medium by vital

Solo pendant

More-light shade

Hi-light shade

In 2003, Donna Brady formed RE-SURFACE with the idea that urban decay could be transformed into beautiful design elements for the home.

So, sorry for the delay in posts...yesterday was my birthday and I am just getting back to catching up on work and blog life. In honor of my birthday, here is a lunch series on the stubborn, loyal, lovely taurus bulls!

Strong Like Bull Recycled Aluminum pendant by julep115

Louis Poulsen carries some of the most amazing lighting fixtures out there. You might recognize the artichoke light, their most famous fixture. I always keep Poulsen lights in mind while working on projects. Here are a few of my favorites!

Artichoke light
PH5
Collage

The Power of Transformation by tljessup

Urban Sunrise - A little piece of wearable art by TheIntuitiveGarden

I Miss You note card by thebeautifulproject

Brooklyn Pigeons Hanging Out (white x black) --Tote and Pass/ID case by mycutehandbags

Eero Saarinen is one of my favorite designers. Not only did he create wonderful modern classic pieces of furniture, but he created classic iconic architectural pieces such as the Gateway Arch.

"Saarinen began his career as a student at Yale University and after travels and studies in Europe returned to the U.S. and taught for a brief period at Cranbrook Academy. Cranbrook had been founded in 1927 by publisher George C. Booth and Eliel Saarinen, the latter of whom became Director in 1932. Two of its graduates were Charles Eames and Florence Knoll Bassett (then Schust). Saarinen and Eames collaborated on various projects, culminating in a range of furniture that won first prize at an exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1940 entitled, "Organic Design in Home Furnishings." After 1946, Eames went to work for Herman Miller, and Saarinen became associated with Knoll® Associates. A number of Saarinen's chairs for Knoll were to become landmarks in the history of 20th century design." (via DWR)

Eero Saarinen

Womb chair

Executive chair

Tulip table and chair

Gateway Arch

This is one of my favorite fabrics!

Circles by Charles and Ray Eames, 1947

TwinPole - Original Illustration by aussiepatches

Large Two Peas in a Pod Necklace by sudlow

A Classified Selection, Print by MarmeeCraft

Twin Tail Dove Earrings by Joannarutter

The Twins mini print by eekdesign

The Copenhagen Opera House is on my favorite list of architecture. The opera house opened in January of 2005, is 14 stories, has over 1000 rooms, and the main stage can hold approximately 1500 people.

The Copenhagen Opera House was designed by architect Henning Larsens Tegnestue www.hlt.dk

Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson created these three light sculptures that I adore.

I love the idea of having a rechargeable LED light that I can carry around with me, use as a lamp, take outside, or just use as ambient lighting. Below are my favorites (in order) in this category of lighting.

Luau Portable Lamp

Candeloo lights

Candela lights

Arne Jacobsen is one of my favorite designers. You may have seen me post individual pieces of his on my blog before. I decided that I would put together a nice collection of his work for all to see. The funny thing is, every picture I found of him had a pipe in it.

Arne Jacobsen

Egg chair

Series 7 chair

Swan chair

silverware available at MOMA

Texaco petrol station (1936), Charlottenlund, Denmark

Circles Ring with Cement and Silver Mica by ninadinoff

Concrete Lightbulb Wall Hook - Mortar Mix by Whamodyne

Rare and Unique Rural New York Button Rocks by BeadedHeather

Cement Butterflies by catherinechandler

disco ring by metalnat

So, I love guitars and have been trying to learn how to play them since Christmas. Yes, it is a long and gruesome process for someone who has never played a stringed instrument. But, it is fun and I dream about which electric guitar I will get when I get good enough to move up from my acoustic. Here's an option for the environmentally conscious.
(repost from DESIGNwatcher)
"The body of the guitar is crafted from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, nearly all of the hardware and electronics are made from recycled or salvaged parts—even the exterior finish and paint were chosen for their low toxin emission. Additionally, the carbon emissions associated with electrifying the guitar for its entire lifetime will be made "carbon neutral" through renewable energy company, Native Energy. Check out Garnder's custom guitar and First Act's earth-friendly bamboo guitar ($399) right here."

In honor of Earth Day I am bringing a little green inside. Plantwall by Green Fortune is an interior vertical plant wall system with an integral drip irrigation system. Now, you can have a whole wall of greenery and it not take up any of your floor space. Check out these cool installation photos!

Plantwall at Filippa K Ease

Plantwall at Uppsala Konsert & Kongress

sock monkeys by creativethursday

Sock Monkey Soapsicle by LoveLeeSoaps

sock it to me baby SOCK MONKEY T SHIRT striped tank top
by SocksFifthAvenue

Some Monkey Loves You by KellyJeanDesign

Smashing magazine has put together a great collection of design ranging from the 1920s-1980s. I picked a few pieces that I really enjoyed from the article to share.

Say yes! to analog designYes studio hooked up a sweet 12″ cover for the UK band the stand. The album is from 2005.

25 Project

Vote! poster

Yopta project Evgeniy Kiselev’s design project.

I have been eyeing this print from Hybrid Home on Velocity for little over a year now. It belongs to their set of limited edition prints...I saw it run out of the first batch in a deeper blue, then they did it with a cool green background and now it is back with a cool turquois background that I have not seen before. I would love to have this piece over my bed! There is something so intriguing about it and it catches my eye every time! I must own this.

Jellyfish are so graceful and fascinating to watch...just don't pet the pretty things! I absolutely love these monochromatic jellyfish that I have found on etsy!


Jellyfish Number Two - Fine Art Photograph by alexjdsmith

Jellyfish Necklace by honeybee

Underwater Silence by JKphotography


Jellyfish Mini Journal by PenguinLove

upside down tank top

DIY journal cover kit

cast fabric small cuff

"At Alabama Chanin we create an array of limited-edition products for the individual and home. Using a mixture of new, organic and recycled materials our products are constructed with care by artisans who live and work in our local communities. All of the Alabama Chanin products lines are made-by-hand in the USA.

Alabama Chanin offices, design studio, manufacturing facilities & (soon to open) flagship store are located in the town of Florence, Alabama.

Natalie “Alabama” Chanin is the owner and designer. In the year 2000, after 22 years of living and working abroad as a costume designer, she returned home to film the short documentary “Stitch” & to begin her work in Alabama. Natalie, along with our Alabama Artisans, are no longer associated with Project Alabama in any way. Natalie has a degree in Environmental Design from North Carolina State University and works as designer, manufacturer, consultant, stylist, filmmaker, mother, artisan, cook and collector of stories from her home in Florence."

This is such a gorgeous staircase that I think of it more as a piece of art. The second picture tricked me at first, as it is the view of the stairs looking down on them. I thought to myself "how on earth would someone walk up those stairs if they are slanted like that" Yes, it is Monday and I have not finished my first cup of coffee yet! Love this!
(via bloesem)

Carrie Bicycle Basket
Marie Louise Gustafsson, 2006
"Designed for the urban cyclist, this utilitarian basket in fresh green is easily detachable and has a useful strap so it may be carried while shopping. The inspiration for the basket's delicate pattern is crocheted tablecloths made by the designer's Swedish grandmother. Made of polypropylene with a polyester strap. Bicycle not included."
available at MOMA

DEEP STREET NYC Mini ACEO Print by extremepencilart


Houses 2 - Limited edition print by carambatack



Opposites ATTRACT by shandke



Pittsburgh PA 1 by chantaldefelice

I found this awesome article about reusing shipping containers for architecture on thecoolhunter. Below are a few snippets of the article.

"Phooey Architects completed work on Skinners Playground, a backyard for children living in public housing in South Melbourne, Australia – and a low cost, environmentally sound, and socially responsible solution.

Beginning with the desire to produce zero waste from conception to completion, Phooey architects staggered, sliced and arranged four unpainted shipping containers on the site of the playground. Any additional material including windows, decking, carpet tiles and joinery had to be durable, recycled, reclaimed, reused, plantation or salvaged from demolition. Even parts that were cut off or unassembled from the containers were used to make a staircase with a balustrade, overhangs providing external shading, and various decorative features."

This lunch hour I wanted to focus on Etsy artists that care what's beneath the earth's surface. Let's let Etsy take us underground!

Life Underground collage by viviennestrauss

Underground Reserves by roundsquare

birthday roots, one of a kind screenprinted card by cutiepiecompany

Tree of Life 10x13 canvas by CuriousZoo

Rooted by JenMcCleary

I love this new blog started this week: of paper and things. Check out the wonderful posts about papercutting, hammered metal jewelry, map art, and printmaking for yourself. Below is just a little snippet of the site so far.

coastline posts by foundling

chris natrop

TEPImade

My husband bought me a sewing machine a year and a half ago and I have taught myself to sew. I am not very good at it, but enough to make some fun pillows and the occassional hemming of a pair of pants or a little pocket pouch to hold my toothbrush. One day I will make quilts and clothes...one day. Today's lunch is to share my new love of sewing! Enjoy!
CubistLiterature-brave men run in my family tshirt
AntiqueBoutique-tiny vintage sewing machine earrings
secrethistory-lets sew 8x10 print
thepaperpeony-singer note card

I need a little color in my life this Monday! Here's an ode to bubblegum and candy colors!
takenbyrobinlynne-bubblegum machine notecards
theblackapple-bubblegum betty print
arielleandpamela-rainbow bubble necklace
colourfulchaos-sprinkles resin ring

I have had my eye on these incense burners at Velocity for a while now. I am a big fan of burning a little Nag Champa now and then and usually resort to putting the stick in a shot glass or hanging it off the edge of my bookshelf. The little houses are the sweetest things ever and I love the simplicity of the hand holding the incense stick. I must have them both!

This is my very favorite hotel...the Hotel Fox in Denmark! Each room is specially designed by a different artist. Here are just a few of my favorite rooms!

312. Yume
"Imagining dreams. Chisato’s inspiration came from her homeland of Hokkaido in the north of Japan: “There is a lot of nature and countryside there. There are four distinct seasons to the year and there is a lot of snow in winter. – ‘Yume’ means dream in Japanese. I hope that you dream your own story when you sleep in this room, inspired by the wallpaper that I drew. Have a wonderful dream.”


317. Monday
"Idea, colour and space. Kim’s rooms for Hotel FOX are his first venture into interiors: “I wanted to try and make psychological rooms as much as physical ones. To make rooms as stage sets. To make rooms that I hadn't seen before”. Hiorthøy hopes that guests will respond to his rooms either with irritation or enthusiasm; “both are good”, he says: “Welcome. Please be quiet when entering. Don't spill.”


121. Sleep Seasons
"Safe comfort. Each of Rinzen’s rooms has its own concept: “The Sleep Season room was inspired by the desire to hibernate (really!). It creates a cosy nook filled with animals sleeping through the seasons of the year. As the year passes, the animals sleep, blissfully unaware of their surroundings. A family of bears huddle around a winter tree, while a gorilla dreams in the freshness of spring. Out to sea, gigantic whales bask on summer waves and the autumn winds play havoc with hedgehogs and owls.”

This might be the "greenest" and coolest yoga studio I have ever seen. The Y + Yoga Studio is located in Shanghai and shares it's space with a day spa. There are 3yoga rooms that are connected with round windows so that others can peak into the adjoining rooms...creating a communal atmosphere.

via thecoolhunter

What is more fun than faux bois? Not only is it fun to look at...it's fun to say! Check out these wonderful Etsy artists!

blockpartypress-against the grain necklace

littleoddforest-forest tree trunk wristlet

lilybug-pink faux bois camera strap

keykalou-log roll

My main project right now is a library. While searching the internet for inspiration I came across some amazing libraries from all over the world. Here are two of my favorites. First, is the Public Library in Amsterdam (OBA) by Jo Coenen (photo lentexx). Second, is the Library for the Faculty of Philology at Free University in Berlin, Germany. (photo jnz...!)

Watch the assembly of one of my favorite pieces of mid-century modern furniture...the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. After watching this video I am even more interested in the piece! I'm ready to kick back and relax in my own fantasy lounge chair.

adorkablejewelry- small love note

I love these modern takes on what has been such a traditional art form in the past.
grayovercast-lightning bolt reversable scarf
WooHooCrossStitch-dandelion pattern
MaMagasin-cassette walkman button badge
tinymodernist-Eames shell chair pattern