GIVEAWAY: NPR 2011 Calendars!!!

I love doing giveaways...probably as much as you like winning them.  My dear friend, Matte Stephens, was kind enough to send me extra copies of this amazing NPR 2011 calendar and I'd like to spread the love to two lucky readers.  All you have to do is comment below why you'd like to win one of these calendars and I'll draw two names at random on Friday January 7th.  Did you forget to get a 2011 calendar and need one?  Do you like NPR?  Do you love these amazingly talented artists?  Go. Comment.  Now.  One entry per reader, please.

(matte stephen's piece is the image for the month of April)

Etsy Lunch Hour: Chicago Print

One of my favorite Christmas presents was this awesome "Chicago" print by Matte Stephens.  My family is from Chicago, so two of my favorite birds were killed with one beautiful stone.  I can't wait to frame it and hang it.  I did get to hang up my new 2011 NPR calendar this weekend which Matte is in also and I love it!

Furniture: Tai Chi Chair

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  For those of you that made resolutions to lose weight...here's a chair for you.  The Tai Chi Chair by Yuan Yuan is so beautiful, simple, and modern on its own, but when I realized it's other function I knew it was an appropriate post for the new year.  (via mocoloco)

Happy Holidays!

Hope you've all had a wonderful holiday.  It's been snowing for two days here which is highly unusual for the Christmas, much less, the south.  Here's a shot I took of the house this morning while walking the icy roads with one of the pups.

Interior: Maison ROLY

Maison ROLY by AABE Erpicum & Partners created a beautiful addition to this old amazing structure.  It is now a bed and breakfast, which I would love to stay in. (via reflexdeco)

(Photos © Jean-Luc Laloux)

Furniture: Amarant

Amarant for LEF! furniture design is a side table that doubles as a decorative way to display magazines.  (via notcot)

Accessory: Molecule Building Set

I am geeking out for this molecule building set by ferm living.  (via fawn&forest)

Architecture: Hoto Fudo

 

Japanese architecture gets me every time.  Hoto Fudo, designed by Takeshi Hosaka Architects, is located at the base of Mt. Fuji, Japan.  What a view and what a structure.  (via weheart)

Interior: House in Brixton

There's something very comfortable about this House in Brixton by A Small Studio.  I think it's that it looks lived in and has a simple palette on the walls with lots of accents of color in art and furniture.  I love that black and white checked entry floor too.  (via design/milk) 

(images Manuel Vasquez)

Lighting: Ta-rae Lamps

Ta-rae lamps by Design Virus. (via contemporist)

Furniture: Dressed Up Furniture

It's just so damned cute.  I can't take it, but I want it.  Dressed Up Furniture by KAMKAM.  (via dezeen)

DIY: Marshmallows

I saw this video on diy homemade marshmallows by lauren and derek a few years ago on design*sponge and have been making them every Christmas since.  I made my first batch of the year last night.  I've also got the goodies to make homemade hot cocoa which will make great gifts for friends this year.  Yum.  I never knew it could be so easy.

Accessory: Pantone

Pantone iPhone and iPad cases.

Architecture: Aluminum House

Aluminum House by UNIT Arkitektur AB.  I love the cut metal panels on the facade and the glowing light behind it.  The blue of the original house is just perfect too. (via archdaily)

(Images: Krister Engstrom)

Finish: Camelion Floor Tiles

Camelion Floor Tiles by IVANKA are the most amazing concrete tiles I've seen. I want these in my kitchen!  Hell, I want them in my entire house. 

(via notcot/designmilk)

Interior: Wieden + Kennedy

Wieden + Kennedy office by Featherstone Young.  (via dezeen)

(Images: Tim Brotherton)

Lighting: Miss Maple

I would love to have this Miss Maple Pendant Lamp, by Elisa Strozyk, over my dining table.  The lampshade which flexible and made of tiny triangles of wood looks more like a sculpture when not lit.  (via contemporist)

(Images:  Sebastian Neeb)

Furniture: Neorustica

neorustica furniture collection by jahara studio.  the collection is made from scrap wood found in brazil.  (via designboom)

Recycled Content: 50% Sawdust Stool

50% sawdust stool by kulla design studio.  (via designboom)

Artist: Yochai Matos

Flame (Gate) by Yochai Matos.  Such an unbelievably beautiful light sculpture.  (via aesthetic outburst)

Finish: IdeaPaint

IdeaPaint Dry-Erase Board Paint is pretty cool.  I've seen versions that are clear glazes that can go over any wall color which I think is a cool idea too, but I like the simplicity and cleanliness of the white all-in-one paint.  Can't you think of a million applications for this?!  (via angieburr)

Thanks for the link, Monica!

Architecture: Monk Cell Project

the 'monk cell project' by thai architect suriya umpansiriratana is a formal structure of a monk’s cell articulating their daily routine supporting his practice of buddhist teachings. it is designed to create an atmosphere conducive to the monk’s practice of noble conduct. the circular form allows for continuous walking meditation, but also functions as a symbol of the 24-hour cycle of the practice schedule:

- the first period, from 04:00 to 12:00: after waking up, during chanting, meditation,

and the daily meal, a single wall to the east shields the monk from the morning sun.

- the second period, from 12:00 to 20:00: during the time for studying the buddha’s teachings, the simple roof overhead shields the monk from the daytime sun.

- third period, from 20:00 to 04:00: chanting and meditation takes place in a space exposed to the elements, and the monk then sleeps under the hanging mosquito net umbrella.

the daily routine is expressed naturally by the design of the building. the circular form allows for precise directional siting of the building. the primary structural material is steel, and the color follows that of the monk’s robes.  (via designboom)