Harry and Sal's Design Blog: August 2007

SAL: Attention Anthropologie-addicts, the Fall upholstery event kicks off tomorrow with 25% off for the month of September. I know Harry will be cursing that Anthropologie has not yet ventured to her distant shores, but I'm sure that time will come soon enough (Fingers crossed!). These two gems particularly caught my eye, the intensity of the orange fabric of the Jayne sofa - a confection in "naive tropical" - is even more stunning in person. "Rounded and padded in all the right places" according to the website - perfect! The Samovaari print of the Milo sofa pictured next, is perfect for this elegant chesterfield-inspired design.

Labels: Furniture, Sal, Seating

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/30/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: OK, OK, Harry's telling me I'm going too woodsey. So, enough! Here's a return to some urban chic - yet still inspired by nature ;-). A friend put me on to these wonderful ceramic animals by Jonathan Adler that I just had to share. I particularly loved this turtle box, what a delightful discovery and a perfect place for trinkets. Coincidentally, Domino magazine's Editors Picks for this month was on a similar theme, check out the slideshow of zoologically inspired whimsy, my favorite - the Macaw resin lamp from Arteriors Home.

Labels: Ceramics, Lighting, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/30/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: More Maine goodies. Geoffrey Warner is another Maine artist whose work I really enjoyed. Geoffrey's range of furniture features some exquisite cabinetry that you can see above, as well as including tables, desks, chairs, lamps and even mobiles. I really love the walnut stool, that's some impressive joinery! There is a distinct folk art influence to many of his designs, which I'm not such a fan of and even a Craftsman feel to some of the pieces, but there are also some really beautiful, simple pieces that have an effortless elegance. Enjoy!

Labels: Dining, Furniture, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I found a great online store called Unless that is based in New Zealand. They are committed to finding design that is created with sustainability in mind. They've got lights by one of my favourite designers, David Trubridge and also this rather cool chair by a group called Conscious Design . I like that modern line with the old-fashioned fabric. Nana meets Eames.

Labels: Furniture, Green, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/30/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Yippeeee...Sal is back! So nice to hear from her. I'm looking forward to hearing about her Maine finds. My endless search for the perfect coffee/dining table continues. I love these ones at Orange22. Sleek and slightly girly with that floral cut out. Nice combination of high design and craftiness. Trawling through Target I found the Linear coffee table that Urban Outfitters also sells. They've also got a nice round table in the Linear range with all the same positive attributes (enviromentally sound and inexpensive). At the higher end there's this cool wire and glass table. I like the busyness of the wire...it's new at DWR. I've been seeing a lot of this wire stuff in magazines.

Labels: Dining, Furniture, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/29/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Well I have to say after ten days in Maine I have returned a different person, well perhaps not that different, but one who is now spending all her time thinking how she can get back there. So forgive me readers (and Harry!) for my time away, but it was a rest long-overdue. We stayed, as we always do on Deer Ilse, where my husband's family are from. Deer Isle is also home to the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. the center has a stellar reputation, with workshops on blacksmithing, clay, weaving, woodworking, photography and more. This, together with the stunning scenery, must be one of the reasons for the abundance in artists in the area. Holly Meade's woodcuts, pictured above are just gorgeous. Holly also works as an illustrator for children's books - most notably for Caldecott winner: Hush, A Thai Lullaby. I'll be writing about the other gems I found in my next posts - stay tuned!

Labels: Art, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/28/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I got an email from the people at e-glue about their wall decals. They sell some very cool designs of their own. But they also take your designs - or your kids' - and turn them into decals. I really like the idea of creating your own wall art. And it could be for anywhere in the house...especially since they do waterproof decals as well. E-glue is a French company - but they ship all over the world.

Labels: Art, Harry, Kids

posted by cerentha harris at 8/27/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I got an elegant Stelton tray for mother's day this year. I really enjoy using it but for some things it is too small. It certainly doesn't cut it as a breakfast-in-bed tray. I found these lovely Deadly Squire trays yesterday (above top). I also like these bent bamboo trays from Portland-based Michael Arras that I found on etsy. And I am quite partial to these Marimekko trays. Then there is always Offi's walnut tray (above bottom) that seems the most table-like of the lot.

Labels: 94, Dining, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/26/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY There are moments when I really miss Los Angeles. I certainly miss my friends a lot. But I also miss the shopping. This little table from Urban Outfitters went out of stock very quickly about 6 months ago (when I tried to buy 2 for our living room). I ended up getting one with a different pattern, but this is the one I wanted. It's $29! And damn Urban Outfitters wont ship to Australia...I hate that. For you locals they've got lots of cool new stuff. Check out the DIY coffee table (pictured below) made from green materials and their new wall decals.

Labels: Furniture, Green, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/23/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: OK. I am now officially missing Sal. She is on vacation and while I've got a lot to say it's a rather one sided conversation. So this is just a quick post. I'm having a crafty moment. How cute are these tags? I found them on etsy. Perfect for birthday cards. I even found a tag-maker at Target. Although that may be taking a little far.

Labels: Crafts, Floral, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/23/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I've long been an admirer of Karim Rashid. There's a joy and exuberance to the Canadian designer's work - I'm thinking especially of his chairs (check out the blue Butterfly chair he designed for Magis). He recently opened an online store where you can peruse all his wares. But if you want to buy check out modernretro. They've got a great collection of design items and not only do they seem to sell things a little cheaper than everyone else, they are also having a sale on all their vases - including Rashid's 2002 "Rim" bud vase (it doubles as a candle holder).

Labels: Dining, Harry, Kitchen, Ornaments, Seating

posted by cerentha harris at 8/22/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I came across these paper clocks while trawling through the dedece+ online store. They've got some great stuff although the site takes forever to load (maybe safari isn't quite right for it). I like the way the Japanese designers at D-BROS have taken a very simple idea and made it even simpler. These clocks come flatpacked. You unfold the paper, attach the hands and a little mechanism to the back and viola! A clock you can pin to the wall. Love it.

Labels: 94, Clock, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/20/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY For the first time in over two centuries Royal Copenhagen has created a service in black. They are clearly trying to capture a younger market with the Mega series. (A bit like Wedgewood's dalliance with Jasper Conran and more recently Vera Wang). And I have to say they've got me. I like the abstract floral pattern and I love the matt black beakers (although I can hear my friend Ruth frowning at all that depressing black!) I've been looking for dinner plates and these just may be it.

Labels: Ceramics, Dining, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/20/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY My dad and I just got back from a trek to IKEA. (My father and I clearly share the same shopping gene). I love that all that interesting design is being bought by every man and his dog. I don't love that every man and his dog is there when I'm there. What a crazy place. So packed full of stuff. So cheap. Some of it's great and some of it's just going to fall apart before you get it home. I did find this lovely cushion for my daughter. Also found good kid's beds and a simple cheap desk for me (until we finish the renovation and figure out what will happen in my office this trestle table will be perfect). If I had a bigger budget I'd order the kid's bed (pictured below) from notneutral - they've got wonderful furniture. Right now I'm glad to be home in one piece with a glass of wine, a bowl of corn chips and our pretty new pillow.

Labels: 94, Furniture, Harry, Kids

posted by cerentha harris at 8/19/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY I had a very busy week! I met with Louise Olsen and Liane Rossler, the women from Dinosaur Designs. Their new homeware ranges are gorgeous - very organic and feminine. They've also done a rather masculine chess set that could be perfect for father's day (in Australia that's September 2). What I fell totally in lust with were their hand blown glass. I love that drop of colour suspended in crystal clear glass. The good news for those in LA is Dinosaur Designs is now stocked by Sheila on Melrose.

Labels: Ceramics, Dining, Floral, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/17/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY This week I interviewed Emmanuelle Flahault, a wonderful French designer, for an interiors magazine. She has a very cool homewares and fashion range under the label Nell (she's also makes a lush chocolate cake...check out the recipe on her website.) Her apartment is very like her homewares range - but I wont give too much away before the magazine hits the newsstand. One thing I can tell you about is the cool National Geographic world map Emmanuelle had pinned up on her landing. It's HUGE and glorious. And I want one bad! (Sorry about this pic...you're going to have to look past the girl in the naf green t-shirt...) I also found this online map shop that sells cool map murals.

Labels: 94, Art, Harry

posted by cerentha harris at 8/17/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY We'll be back in our house soon. Our furniture arrives from LA in a few days. I'm obsessing over the kids' room. My two year old keeps asking to go home - she has no idea where home actually is. So I want there bedroom to be wonderful. I love this vinyl wall decal from Ich&Kar. I can see it on their wall with little red ladybugs and blue birds dotted through it. And if anyone knows where to find a cool bunkbed please let me know!

Labels: 94, Harry, Kids, Walls

posted by cerentha harris at 8/16/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: For those of you inspired by Harry's post about SF artist Joom and his gorgeous pillows you'll be pleased to hear that the husband and wife team that make up design firm Ankasa are branching out. Having started out sourcing exquisite fabrics for haute couture houses such as Oscar De La Renta, Escada and Vera Wang, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia started Ankasa 2 years ago to expand into the world of home decor. Their signature products have been available at a bunch of stores across the country, but they have just opened their own flagship store in NYC. So next time you're in town, check out their range of pillows, throws and bedlinens - classy.

Labels: Floral, Sal, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/15/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: You can always look to Ikea to come up with an inexpensive take on a modern classic. The Docksta dining table is very simple and elegant with a nod to the space-obsessed aesthetic so popular in the 1950s. It's a perfect breakfast table for a small kitchen corner and comes at an unbelievable price of $149! With such a saving you could then splash out for some Eames plywood dining chairs which would look great with this, or the Boxy chair on Room and Board would also look cool. But if you are watching that budget, Ikea's Gilbert chairs below are a steal at $49.

Labels: 711, Dining, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/14/2007 1 Comments

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HARRY Trawling through etsy I cam across this gem. I love this particular colour orange and also the graphic quality of the illustration. Plus it's $28. What's not to love. If you don't like orange it comes in lots of other colours (the dark red is pretty amazing). It's designed by a San Francisco artist called Joom. I've been looking for pillows for the kids rooms, our bed and the couch. Not sure where this would go...Of course, etsy.com has an overwhelming collection of pillows. Ruth's Crafts has a strong selection of retro pillows and Modern Art Everyday has some cool cushions covered in a simple branch pattern.

Labels: Art, Bags, Harry, Seating

posted by cerentha harris at 8/13/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I'm always on the look out for something a bit different to hang on my walls and these stretched fabric prints from Hable are just the ticket! They are currently available in 14 different designs, in sizes from 10x10, to 20x20 or 30x30 - $45 for the smallest size to $105 for the largest. Pretty reasonable really. They also have a very cute range of pillows.

Labels: 711, Art, Floral, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/12/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY Moss, New York's best design store, has opened in LA...finally. Unfortunately, we left a few days before the 3500 sq foot Melrose Avenue store opened. But Sal, I am sure, will be beating a path to their door. Murray Moss was recently the subject of a very interesting Vanity Fair piece. And the LA store opening certainly got a lot of press. What I love about moss that it holds design up as art. Murray Moss and his partner Franklin Getchell value good design. Plus they've got a cool blog. And - yeah yeah yeah - I know the stuff is expensive and the shop is intimidating (at least it will be if it's anything like the NY version) but I don't care. LA, here is your chance to wander among the best the globe has to offer in way of design. Relish it. Now if only I could convince Mr Moss that Sydney would support such a store...

Labels: Art, Furniture, Harry, Jewelry, Lighting, Style

posted by cerentha harris at 8/12/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: I came across these bud vases on a wonderful blog - hoping for happy accidents (such a a sweet name). Esque Studio's glassware really impressed me. It's for serious collectors and the rest of us who just want to surround ourselves with lovely things. The forms are organic and richly coloured. Portland-based Andi Kovel and Justin Parker who make up Esque have a great sense of design and detail. Check out Kovel's salt and pepper orbs at Branch...luscious.

Labels: Art, Harry, Kitchen, Ornaments

posted by cerentha harris at 8/11/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: Design firm Artenica aims to enchant you and inspire you with a captivating range of products and I'd say they succeed - I could spend hours going through their beautifully crafted designs. I love these star lights, such a simple, fun design. What is also impressive about Artenica is their dedication to crafting their work with an awareness of the enviromental impact involved in its production - from the materials used, to the way the objects can be shipped to reduce transportation costs. Who knows how well they succeed in that endeavour, but the effort is a noble one, something the folks at Zero Footprint would be proud of. Looking through their range of designers I spotted one familiar name I wrote about back in June - Tord Boontje - whose decorative wall hangings are available at A+R. Love his work - check out these porcelain plates featuring what he calls "dreamscapes". Exquisite. You can find Artenica's products through a wide range of stores in the US.

Labels: 711, Lighting, Ornaments, Sal

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/10/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: NASA launched another space shuttle on Wednesday...so where's the link to design? Well, the astronauts are using cool pens. (You're just going to have to bear with the geek in me every so often). I remember space pens as a kid and thinking how amazing they were. You could write lying on your back (whoever writes like that - other than astronauts?!) I hadn't thought much about them until the Endeavour launch got all that press this week. So I did a bit of research and they were designed by Paul Fisher who came up with the sealed and pressurised pen in 1967. It can write at -20 degrees F or 250 degrees F, underwater or at any angle (yes, even upside down). Plus it just looks good. South Willard sells them on West Third Street in Los Angeles (Sal, another reason to get down there). Or got straight to the source - you'll probably find out more about Paul Fisher than you would like, but the range of pens is huge. Perfect for all the personalised stationery!

Labels: Harry, Stationery, Style, Vintage

posted by cerentha harris at 8/10/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I stumbled upon the super cute array of prints available at Marimekko for the first time today. Their designs span everything from tableware to kids bedlinen, bathroom towels to office accessories and it is all simply gorgeous. They have their own stores in Finland, Sweden and Germany - but the good news for us is that their products can also be found in Australia (thinking of you Harry!) and here in the US. Hooray! Funnily enough all three stores in Los Angeles are on W Third St which Harry has been telling me I have to check out. Next time I get some free time without the little ones - Inago, OK and Plastica here I come!

Labels: 711, Floral, Sal, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/09/2007 0 Comments

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SAL: I am a huge fan of these custom pieces you can find at one of my favorite stores in Santa Monica - Weego Home. The sliding door features a fabric panel that you can swap in and out depending on the mood you want to achieve for your room. If you want to change it again you can do so yourself, the fabric is just held in place by simple clips that are easy to remove. The pieces featured in the store use some fairly monochromatic designs which are striking, but I love the idea of combining them with some of those exquisite Purl Liberty fabrics we wrote about a while ago, or some of Aussie designer Florence Broadhurst's wallpapers - check out her book for inspiration.

Labels: Furniture, Sal, Textiles

posted by Sal Taylor Kydd at 8/09/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: OK. I can already hear Sal sighing. I know it's hot in LA but this is too good not to post and you guys - it will get chilly again. Plus, you're going to need time to save up for this one. It's around $6000 from a Spanish company called Climalis. Designed by Andrea Crosetta the Bubble Chimney can be wall mounted or hung from the ceiling. Amazingly it made it onto treehugger so it's got the green tick - although they do recommend using a certain kind of log to burn in it. I can definitely see this warming a corner of Sal's new house.

Labels: 94, Fireplace, Green, Harry, Heating

posted by cerentha harris at 8/09/2007 2 Comments

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HARRY: I'm on the lookout for beanbags for the kids. My brother and I had them (good 70s kids that we were) and I loved them. I want my two gremlins to have that same Styrofoam bean joy. I found this hideously expensive version at my new favourite online store - auto. I hate it when you find the perfect thing and it's way way way above your budget. I'd actually like to know who spends $769 on a beanbag - even if the fabric is by Missoni. Please - if you know of any good alternative, let me know!

Labels: Furniture, Harry, Kids

posted by cerentha harris at 8/07/2007 0 Comments

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HARRY: Clearly I'm on a colour roll right now. My Sydney-based cousin, Asia Upward, is a photographer and she just spent some time in Los Angeles casting her artist's eye over a new scene. I love the series she took on the way to Napa. They left very early in the morning and you can see the sun getting brighter as they leave the city. The first few are a wonderful eerie blue. Asia prints them on archival paper and says the best size is A3 (which is 297 x 420 mm or 11.7 x 16.5 inches) but she can print them any size you like! An A3 print is $100 (AUS). You can reach her by email (asiaupward@yahoo.com).

Labels: 94