Harry and Sal's Design Blog

OUTSIDE: obsession

2008-05-05T10:16:00.001-07:00

Now I know most people don't share my somewhat long and tawdry obsession with the beloved bird box, but there's something about it - a wee home on a wall - a nest. It's so cosy and inviting and you're doing something positive for your garden, as opposed to spraying pesticides everywhere or irritating the neighbors with noisy lawnmowers. But why the sad story? Well I have a trail of sad bird boxes littering my home, neglected, just waiting for some wee inhabitants to make them feel loved. One, rustic-looking, sits unused on my lawn, forlorn, just waiting for lazy old me to go hang it somewhere. The other, shabby-chicesque (we all go through that phase at one time or another) sits in the side yard gathering dust. So maybe this gem from my latest favorite site Generate could be the go. Clean lines, sweet motif. Nice. I think I really have to get the other ones up tho before I can splurge again. What say you?

WEAR: mom - bejewel thyself!

2008-05-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is here again - and being a relatively new Mom - well just 3 years in - I am beside myself with excitement as Liseanne Frank is having a Mothers Day Shopping Event! But here's my question - do I go and shamelessly buy myself something exquisite and extravagant - or do I send my husband? Both seem terribly gauche, I may just have to suck it up send him an email with a none-too-subtle hint and hope for this best. Anyway ladies - enjoy, indulge - be it for yourself or for your own Mom - and smile as you think of sleepless nights appeased.

WEAR: etsy picks

2008-05-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've taken a stroll through the wonderful world of Etsy, but tonight I did - and here are a couple of the gems I found that I thought you all might enjoy!

This wee skirt from Little Overcoat for three year olds is too delightful for words. And it's all made from recycled fabrics - perfection!

Personalized name-plates for books are a perennial favorite (great stocking filler - OK that's way too much thinking ahead!) - and these are particularly distinctive. From Oiseaux.

All of these brought to you today by the color orange and the letter E, well no letter really, but the color orange anyway - why save it for Fall?

INSIDE: it's official

2008-04-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

I've been working on our new office, for my other company Intent - monitoring the paint job, negotiating the look that we're going for and so on. It's a shared space, so I can't run riot, but I'm very much enjoying the process. We're also working on a very tight budget - so thank goodness for Ikea!

So far, our space is all white with one vibrant orange wall where the window is - which gives it a very happy feeling. Friday we took a trip to Ikea and got some Mikael desks as well as some Morker desk lamps - a steal at $3.99 until you realize the bulbs are $10 or so! And now to finish it off, I just purchased a couple of Alicia Block's divine prints. We're getting there. I'll post a picture when it's more together!

INSIDE: come sail away

2008-04-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

MEREDITH: I find that everything I think is blog-worthy seems to be for the nursery and not the living room. I'm cyber-stuck at the kid's table. This one might be able to go either way. I love this Viking Mobile which can be ordered with 3 or 5 ships. It seems like the most beautiful way to set sail a child's imagination. The boats are made of teak and they look as though they would fit most any room decor. I know boys love pirate toys, costumes, decor, parties, treasure and well, everything buccaneer-ish, but this is pretty enough even for a swashbuckling wee lass.

INSIDE: deck the halls

2008-03-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

SAL: Forgive the holiday tone to my title - but you know how I love my wallpaper! Now that it looks like Kydd House may not happen - mortgage crisis, unreliable income, suffice to say long story! I am going to have to find some outlet for my designerlust. Our current place does need that finishing touch - we moved in two weeks before Oliver was born, and well, then there was Lola... You know how it goes. So now the fog is lifting and my thoughts are turning inward as I look around our current place and what needs to be done. Check out the great wallpaper guide from Domino magazine this month. Great advice on calculating how much you need, how to hang it and what styles work well in what kinds of rooms.

WEAR: top bag for the lap

2008-03-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

SAL: My love-affair with Muji continues. We're planning a trip back to the UK in May and I know a stop in at the Muji store in Covent Garden is in order. The underwear and socks I bought last time are still super comfy and look great. What caught my attention today tho was this laptop bag - I've been looking for something new for my Mac Air (yes I couldn't resist) and I really don't want anything floral. I have the Incase Sling Pack. But it's way too big for me - I'd love the style if it was half the size. Any suggestions anyone?

INSIDE: cradle robbing

2008-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

MEREDITH: I was inspired by Sal's bedding posts to share this with you. It's the GREEN CRADLE. It is cardboard, recyclable, and just plain cool. Those of us parents know that a bassinet is such an ephemeral purchase, and it can be quite a costly one. This is the most wonderful option. It can also act as a sweet little toy holder once the babe is in his/her crib. Sadly, I have no use for it so I hope you will.

INSIDE: and speaking of...

2008-03-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

SAl: bedding. I had to share with you Dwell's new bedding collection, available through pre-order on DesignPublic. I love the Hedgerow Saffron duvet above! I just got the Chinoiserie duvet and although it's not cheap, I really like the design and the quality is really very good. And I don't know, somehow with sheets that really matters!

INSIDE: spring is sprung

2008-02-26T20:21:00.001-08:00

SAL: Well, maybe it might be a bit of a stretch to say it's Spring already in February, but it was a gorgeously sunny day here in Southern California and I can't help getting carried away. Pottery Barn's Spring collection has some really pretty colors and designs coming out. This bedding is fresh and bright, the design reminds me of some of the illustrations from Amenity Home, but I prefer these colors don't you?

UPDATE

2008-02-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

HARRY: Well...we have been rather absent. I am sorry about that. Seems life can sweep you away at times and there's very little you can do about it.

First - welcome Meredith. I love the wallpaper. And I can't wait to see what else you find. And welcome back also to Sal. I want to see some pics from the Cuba trip!

As Sal hinted, I have taken a full time job - as editor of one of my favourite design and architecture magazines, Belle. One of the things I need to do is get their website up and running so all I can do is send you to the subscription page. You'll have to get a hard copy! It's a beautiful magazine, staffed by a small talented dedicated team and I feel privileged to be there. Seven years ago my boss at the Sydney Morning Herald left to work at ACP (who publish Belle). At the time I told him the only thing I've ever really wanted to edit in Australia is Belle. Amazing how things pan out!

So I will take a step back from HarryandSal. I'll send Sal and Meredith stuff I know you guys will love. And I really look forward to getting some new voices on the site.

Thanks to all you readers who have been so positive and supportive. Sal and I love what we do. Keep reading and definitely keep sending us your wonderful tips!

Ciao for now.

WEAR: simplicity

2008-02-21T16:19:00.000-08:00

SAL: Thanks to Peggy Li for sharing with me her wonderful creations. The work of this San Francisco-based jewelry designer has been seen on Grey's Anatomy, Oprah and more - her pieces are simple, elegant and affordable. I'm very into silver and gold right now, but I've been limiting myself to ad hoc combos that usually involve me getting at an old pair of earrings with the pliers and adding them to a new chain to mix things up a bit - so this piece above really appealed to me.

UPDATE: where we're at

2008-02-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

SAL: Firstly an apology dear readers for our woeful lack of posting of late. I have been traveling (Cuba would you believe!), Harry is in the throes of a fabulous new job (I'll let her tell you all about it) and life has been a little crazy!

The good news is we're expanding here at Harry and Sal to include guest bloggers - as you can see from our fun pal Meredith's snazzy post below. So if you're interested in joining the crew - send us a note! There's no financial reward, just the touchy-feely warm glow you get from being a part of our design-inspired family and a platform to espouse to the world your thoughts on what's hot and what most certainly, is not.

INSIDE: the uk is aok

2008-02-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

MEREDITH: Hello out there in Harry and Sal land. My name is Meredith and I have a little site called The Acme Sharing Company which is a place to find family activities that teach kids about giving back. SO, needless to say, I don't get to blog about my favorite yummies; toys, books, gifts, furniture, etc. Now, here is my chance, thank you Sal!

In honor of Sal's heritage, I wanted to share with you the most fabulous Lizzie Allen wallpaper. I think these palace guards would work in both a traditional playroom or a super funky modern nursery. Being an anglophile and all around wannabe Brit, I am thinking that, for me, this might just be overkill since I have already hung Union Jack flags in my son's room in lieu of curtains. God Save the Queen!

INSIDE: sweet dreams

2008-02-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

SAL: I have a sad admission to make. Since we got married my husband and I have been sleeping on the floor, on a mattress given to us by his best friend. It has been comfy enough but you get to a stage in your married life when an investment in a decent mattress, just, I don't know, seems like a good idea. So tonight we're sleeping on our new Tempurpedic. Very exciting. I gave it a quick test earlier and it feels weird I have to be honest with you, but I'm optimistic. Now we just need to get the bed. I'm really liking the LAX Wall Mounted Headboard and Platform Bed from MASH Studios - nice. One thing at a time though. Let's not get too crazy ;-)

INSIDE: for sale

2008-02-03T12:36:00.000-08:00

HARRY There's a Jorn Utzon house for sale. The architect behind the Sydney Opera House built this concrete and glass 6-bedroom home in the UK (West Common Way, Harpenden Herts to be exact). It's selling through The Modern House for a whopping 2.5 million pounds. Do check it out online - there are lots more pics and some really great interiors.

INSIDE: small packages

2008-02-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

HARRY: One of my favourite sites is Treehugger. Their design and architecture coverage always has something of interest. Check out this cool kitchen island - everything you need in one smart spot. The Compacta is by Artificio - a Spanish design company.

INSIDE: enfant terrible

2008-02-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

SAL: If you do manage to get away from primary colors for your child's nursery, I sadly (or happily I can't quite make up my mind) did not - then enjoy this wonderful tree made with vintage wallpapers for your wee ones decor. These come courtesy of Enfant Terrible - an online store with a wealth of whimsy and interesting playthings and yumminess for the smallest members of your family. Speaking of nursery decor, the final product of my reinvention of Oliver and Lola's room you can see below. I shamelessly raided Ikea for inspiration - but you know what? It works, it's fun and it was totally reasonable!

INSIDE: good art

2008-01-31T12:11:00.000-08:00

HARRY: This is a quickie - I've got to get ready for work and feed the kids! My friend Liane just sent me a link to Chris Jordan's extraordinary work. Chris is a photographer and his latest works depict America's mass consumption. The series is called Intolerable Beauty. Above are mobile phones and cigarette butts. (I don't smoke but I do have a bunch of old mobiles I'm not sure what to do with.) Such intolerable beauty.

INSIDE: botanists rejoice

2008-01-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

SAL: Forgive me dear readers for my lack of posting of late, but sick children do not a happy blogger make, nor a terribly productive one come to that. But I'm back, with gusto and elan - or something like that :-) Now - don't you just love these Botanist benches from Orange 22? I'd seen them before, in Dwell as I recall, but only discovered where they actually came from recently. Orange 22, a design lab are located in the same former bank building in downtown LA where I'm currently working from time to time. And who could miss this gorgeousness? Designed by Brandon Lynne and Dario Antonioni, the Botanist benches and stools/side tables come in natural or vinyl finish - they'd make a great coffee table too!

INSIDE: living

2008-01-21T18:17:00.000-08:00

HARRY: Having returned from two years in LA and settled back into Sydney I feel slightly jealous of any fellow Aussie living OS. Vicki Archer's book, My French Life was certainly fuel for that fire. My friend Helen is a great fan of Vicki's and showed me the book over the weekend. Vicki left Sydney a few years ago for France and renovated a beautiful old home in the country. Julie Gibbs at Penguin/Lantern published Archer's book - Gibbs' has got a great eye for beauty. Photographer Carla Coulson shot the pics for the book (I worked with Carla when I was deputy of the Sydney Magazine and she does do great work). The book's definitely worth looking at...life overseas is worth thinking about. Although Tokyo interests me much more that France....

INSIDE: reuse recycle

2008-01-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

HARRY: Here's a good 'reuse' object. Liz Grotyohann, is a New Jersey-based graphic designer uses old magazines to create these classic vases. She lines them with resin so they are watertight. I also came across Chilean designer Rodrigo Alonso Schramm's N+ew stool on treehugger He has taken electronic waste and created a stool. I'm not sure I like the look of it but I love the idea.

INSIDE: nota bene

2008-01-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

SAL: Since I've been working on my own, consulting and what not, stationery has started to play a more important role in my life. Let's be frank, Staples for my office supplies just now ain't cutting it, especially when I have notebooks like these to drool over! Studio Matador is a wonderful collaboration between artists and designers in Melbourne, Australia and they have developed an exquisite selection of limited edition notebooks. I've highlighted a couple of my personal favorites here. Above Kat McCleod, below Pandarosa and Mark Kayler-Thomson.

http://www.studiomatador.com/macleod.htm

INSIDE: knotty and nice

2008-01-17T03:35:00.001-08:00

HARRY: I'm getting into knots. I wrote a story recently for Belle magazine about a house in Queens Park - it was the home of Liane Rossler and architect Sam Marshall. A great house but the thing I keep thinking about was the pine cladding. It's a sustainable timber but very knotty - and they relished the knots. Instead of hiding them they made a feature of them. There's a sense of wabi sabi - beauty in imperfection. I love it. I was checking out Dwell's site when I came across this kitchen in a Thomas Robertson house in LA. It's got that same feel. Modern with a twist. Long live the knot.

INSIDE: not neutral

2008-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

SAL: It's been a while since we've written about anything about ceramics. Can be hard to get inspired, but I'm really digging these cool espresso sets by Not Neutral from Rios Clementi Hale Studios.
Very Naples-stazione-centrale-circa-1972. Love it!
They also come stacked in a lovely box - great for a gift.