love in a cup...

I've been a huge fan of Yoshitomo Nara for years. He is the master of angry-cute and cuddly. I adore his wall art, puppy sculptures and everything... everything he does!

So it's not surprising that I had to have this darling pup in a cup:)

Next stop... the 'lonsome puppy' book...

Bowie Style in Print...

Hooray! The long awaited Print & Pattern book has finally made it's way to me.... and, it doesn't disappoint. Beautifully put together and full of fun patterns and designs - it's a lot to take in in one go. It's a fine addition to my inspiration library.

A lot of people whose work I admire are in this book and it's such an honour to be a part of it:)

Here are just a few of the fabulous designers that have contributed:

Sukie, Heather Moore, Julia Rothman, Mike Lowery, Jillian Phillips, Carolyn Gavin, Sanna Annukka....

today...

Today is dedicate at large to the administrative work I dread so so much (but it needs to be done and gone).  The silver lining, however, is that I decided to read 'Desing as Art' book by Bruno Munari (in between all the boring monotonous paper organizing). 

Very interesting so far:) I wish I had this book 10 years ago...

oh charley...

How could I resist? Being a huge fan of  Charley Harper, it was hard to pass it by... so I got it:)... an early Christmas present to myself - CHARLEY HARPER (An Illustrated Life).   420 beautiful pages to 'oooh' and 'aaaah' over.

What a body of work! I'm so impressed and inspired.

Stig Lindberg... the book...

I finally got my hands on the copy of this Swedish treasure - Stig Lindberg book (Stig Lindberg - Tusenkonstnaren).

Squealing with excitement like a total Scandinavian design junkie (that I am) I've gone over all the pages several times... wishing I could read Swedish. It's Ok tho... because I see it the way a kid would - as an amazing picture book. Hard to imagine that this tremendous body of work belongs to one man. Feeling very inspired now:) 

inspires me today...

I'd like you to meet my new friend and a wonderful addition to my Italian pottery (from the 50s & 60s) collection - Mr. Horse.

His equine forms and beautifully textured glazes just make me happy every time I glance.

The 'art' photography is due to the fact that it is incredibly dark in my house even at the high noon.

a must share...

Take a look at these one of a kind hand crafted cuties from MISAKO MIMOKO (etsy store). These adorable plushies lovingly put together by Eva Monleon in a beautiful city of Barcelona. She makes me want to go grab a needle and make something. 

Ahhhh.... no time for crafting lately... The blanket of work has covered me whole. For now it is all just dreams and plans... and quiet admiration of this misako mimoko plush:)

it's March!

March is here!!! Yeah! Means a couple of things to me. One - the snow will start melting soon, &  two - time for a lighter coat and a beret (at least around here).

A few months ago I came across an Etsy store called tiny-toadstool and I've been thinking about their fabulous berets ever since. They are so graphic and adorable at the same time. I imagine going skating in one of these dotted toadstools:)

mid-century textile...

A little inspiration for you today in a form of Robert Stewart textile designs. These beautiful fabric patterns from the 50's are being digitally reproduced and availabe HERE. Glad to see they are alive and kicking:)

HAYON studio - inspires me today:)

This chicken has been rocking inside my mind for over a year now, but I just recently found out who's responsible for this green bird. Turns out it's Spanish designer Jaime Hayon (Hayon studio). He blows me away! Check out the HAYON studio and all of Jaime Hayon projects HERE. Oooodles of fun!

human empire...

A little inspiration for you today - HUMAN EMPIRE. 

I've stumbled upon this awesome Hamburg based graphic design and illustration studio through the amazing ffffound site. I really enjoy their style and fun approach to design. They make toomuchery look good:)

inspired by...

I'd like to introduce you to one of my very favorite illustrators - Toshiyuki Fukuda. What an awesome source of inspiration! When I grow up I'd like to be like Toshiyuki... in the mean time... does anyone know where I could find these amazing stuffies modeled after his illustration?

unexpected perfection...

Up until yesterday I thought I don't really like poodles or brown and black together... but this image of an all over pattern 60's dress crosses it all out. Found this on a wonderful Cathy of  California blog. I think it's stunning! I feel very inspired by it:)

color inspiration...

Today, among other things, I'm working on a fun kitchen pattern. I'm drawing my inspiration from the little mod trio in my kitchen (see above). Yes, it's an avocado, mustard and burnt orange sandwich. Yummm! 

pass the album, please...

Sorry for such late entry today... I had to prioritize against you and get some work done. Work, mmm... who does she think she is... always getting in between me and blogging... kidding:)

Last week, while googling (researching) some instrument, I came accross this little library of RECORD ENVELOPS. The site is designed and managed by illustrator Kavel Rafferty. I really enjoyed looking through it (being the retro geek that I am), so it is a must share.

inspired by...

These two illustrators inspire me today! Garrett Morin - with his wonderful color combinations and hilarious imagery, and Linzie Hunter - with her funloaded typography (some from lettering sketchbooks).

inspires me today...

It took a lot of coffee to start my engine today... but, once it's on... it's ON! 

Wanted to share a few beautiful objects that inspire me today. Some are old, some are new, but all are great design.

1. Zebra Rug (Just Scandinavian)

2. Mid-century modern pitcher (1950)

3. Vintage Bird Tile (foxandfound on etsy)

4. Branches bowl 6 (Ninainvorm on etsy)

5. Lipstick Tears (dbabcock on etsy)

6. Alexander Girard 'Madonna' pillow

7. Stig Lindberg dish (via grain edit)

8. Painted Eames chair

9. Apple plate (asmallferret on etsy)

10. Royal Copenhagen Fajance Jar (ModerntoRetro on etsy) 

11. Rondavel Serving Bowl (Anthropologie)

12. Tefal - back of the pan patterns - Doshi Levien (via designmuleum.org)

13. Art Class Pitcher (Anthropologie)

14. Bricka Stockholm tray (DesignTorget)

15. Australian Christmas Carols (letslookupandsmile's photostream)

ICFF

A few pictures from the ICFF show! I spent  almost a whole day browsing the furniture show labyrinth. It was visually over-stimulating and at times I thought if I was a buyer (owner of a furniture store), I would have hard time focusing. I just looked at it from a consumer perspective: "would I buy this for my house?". I wouldn't lie, there were a lot of pretentious pieces that don't stand a chance in real functional world and would only be accessible to the top 1% . But, I looked at these as museum pieces:) Eye candy has it's definite place in a world.

Here are some things I'd like for myself:

• Milk gone bad night lamp from Bombo land! Check out this awesome illustration portfolio of Maurizio Santucci (artist behind this lamps) on bomboland.com.

• The ceramic Wellington boots just made me laugh. They look super neat, but they wouldn't survive a day at my house:) Made by Czech company Qubus. They could serve the purpose of a vase or just stand alone as a sculpture.

• I don't know how practical the sheep rocker could be (I invision jam in it right away) but it sure looked cute! They made by CC12. They had a ton of other interesting objects at their booth.

• I loved the colorful  OFFECCT booth. That stripy lamp would feel right at home in my bedroom:)

• BrentComber coffee table (wood sculpture) has caught my eye right away! I want to know exactly how it's made. Neat!

• IANNONE eco-friendly modern design booth stood out with their unique cork inlay design. Just beautiful!

• OryZa furniture. Ah! Playroom material! Too bad they don't have a website (I find that strange). These fiberglass tables and stools are total candy! I love Japanese design:)

There were so many interesting things, but Grace from D*Sponge did such ace job on covering the show that it would be redundant to go on.

music for the eyes...

Here is some visual stimulation in form of concert posters. Found these at posterscene.com (among a ton of 'so so' posters). I just love the 'sharon jones' poster and the 'scissor sisters' one. Really, 2,3 colours is all you need:)