designer's library

I love wire

I'm a sucker for wire mesh. So I'm trying to find a right place for these pieces in my home to justify their purchase. (I'm sure I'll figure something out.) But first, I would also like to check them out in the store to see if they look and feel just as good in person. The chair is the De la tour chair from Urban Outfitters and the table is the Link side table from CB2. I'm glad they're finally opening a store in San Francisco this summer.

Henry Road Store

So busy preparing for the Stationery Show in May, I didn't realize Paula opened a Henry Road Store in Los Angeles (Studio City, to be exact). It's great to see businesses grow and take that step in opening a retail storefront. The store truly reflects her personality and aesthetic---showing her passion for color and eclectic art. I can't wait to visit her shop!

Henry Road
3949 Laurelgrove Ave
Studio City, CA 91604
(South of Ventura, 2 blocks west of Laurel Canyon)
Tel : 818 762 8966

Stand Up Comedy

After reading Reference Library today, I realized I totally forgot to visit this store while in Portland. Grrrrrr. Sucks! Next time!

Home-Made by Vladimir Arkhipov

I've been meaning to get this book for awhile now. So I was thrilled to find it when I went to Curiosity Shoppe's opening last Thursday. Arkhipov's collection is wonderful especially if you love seeing the genius in mundane everyday items (especially at what people can produce at home using meager materials). Here are some of my favorite images from the book:

The Curiosity Shoppe opening was fun and crowded! I was a little star struck when I saw Todd Oldham there, too. Lauren and Derek, the shoppe owners, have assembled such a thoughtful, well-edited shop. And I instantly fell in love with their shelving system. You can see more images on their blog.

Stand Up Comedy

I learned of this cool Portland shop called Stand Up Comedy [via Reference Library]. The above images were in their Collateral section and I thought they were pretty funny especially the Alzheimers poster. Come on now, it's not everyday that you see a funny poster about degenerative diseases. And that envelope with "Aruba Jamaica Ooh I Want to Take Ya" needs no preface.

And you should play the montage of Russian gymnasts on their index page for a chuckle, too. It's awesome. And it's set to the music of Bonnie Tyler. Really, it doesn't get any better than that.

What a great way to start off a Friday with a mix of two classic songs: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Kokomo." Here are some lyrics to worm their way into your head:

I really need you tonight...Forever's going to start to tonight...Forever's going to start to tonight...

Key Largo...Montego...Baby Why Don't We Go...

Off to LA

Going to LA this weekend for many things:

1. To attend the opening reception of the Design Biennial at the Pasadena Museum of California, where my cards will be on exhibit. Yay!

2. To scout out venues for the upcoming LA Modern Economy sale. Let's hope I find something big enough and still affordable.

3. To go shopping. I have a tight schedule but I'm definitely going to check out this shop called OK. I am too excited! Thank you Kelly Cooper-K for introducing me to that shop. I want to stop by Walnut Wallpaper for possibly some Erika Wakerly wallpaper and Reform School because those girls are too cool (hey, that rhymes!). And of course, see what's left at the tailend of the Barney's warehouse sale.

4. To meet up with an old college friend. I'd post a pic but she'd be pissed!

Lot's to do!

Ian Johnson

Even though I design goods for sale and I also host sample sales, oddly, I don't shop much at all. I can go for months without buying anything for myself. I do plenty of window shopping--I'll visit sites, put a bunch of stuff in the shopping cart but never follow through with the checkout button. I've done that with this particular piece, Ian's Johnson's Limited Edition Charlie Parker "Ornithology" print found at Park Life. As a post-Modern Economy treat for myself, I finally purchased it last night for $140. Ian Johnson is a San Francisco artist. His portraits, mostly of jazz musicians, are so mesmerizing. I enjoy how he mixes detailed drawings with graphic patterns. The contrast and color are amazing, too. Below is more of his work.

And, Spring

Very inspirational: see O-Check's "And, Spring" website. Though I wish I could read the characters.

Kwikshop

First off, I'd like to wish the other meg out there in blogland a happy birthday. I got a birthday greeting from Lena that was intended for you!

You know...in the last couple weeks, the feeling around here is the indie retail scene is about to go through a big change especially with talk of folks about to open or looking to open a shop in the Bay Area. I guess the problem with that is now shopowners really have to think about how to stand out from the crowd. As with everything else, it seems all that it takes is a good, solid concept--and above all, a solid commitment to it. Shopowners are equally curators now, especially with the rise of theme-based stores that change their entire look and/or inventory every few months. Stores that have been very successful with that concept are Rose+Radish and Kiosk. (Both Kate and Alisa have such keen curatorial eyes.) With the saturation of design, the proliferation of blogs, and increasingly discerning tastes, it seems like it takes more now to get the indie buying public really excited.

With that in mind...through the Kiosk blog, I learned of this shop in Berlin called Kwikshop. Now, this is a killer store concept and storefront: indie design meets dairy queen style vending. Oh man, they should sell milkshakes, too!

Kwikshop kind of reminds me of that Butter Vending Machine back at the ICFF in 2003. You know, the same design-on-the-go feeling, but with a human face.

Oh, since I seem to be going down this road--talking about high store concepts mixed with low end fast-food selling devices--check out the Blends store at the Lab in Costa Mesa (south of LA). It's a sneaker store with a very simple layout and merchandising plan: the shoes are displayed on recessed shelves cased by glass freezer doors like the ones you'd see at a 7-Eleven convenience store. I didn't have a camera when I went there, but you can see a bit of it through this image below from the Lab's website.

Ok, so...someone's done the Dairy Queen, 7-11, and vending machine thing...I guess all that's missing is a store with a take out menu or a drive-through window...or if we want to be eco-friendly: a bike-through window!

Anyway, I can't wait to see the shops that open up in the coming months. Hopefully they will offer us something that will get us really excited!

Three 5 Eighty 5

You know, I love jewelry made of unusual materials. Check out these beautiful earrings designed with thread from Atlanta design group, Three 5 Eighty 5. Although the materials are simple, the overall design, pattern, and craftsmanship have a luxurious feel. When I saw these earrings on my friend, Gert, last week, I couldn't stop staring at them. And naturally, I wanted a a pair (or two) for myself, but she didn't know the name of the designer only that she bought them at a boutique. So I thought I'd try to do a quick search on Etsy and luckily for me I found them. I bought the two pairs above, though I contemplated getting more. But I guess I should save my money for all the Christmas gifts I have to buy. Can't wait to get them!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!