Simon Schubert

German artist, Simon Schubert, creates ethereal works of art from single sheets of paper to create near-photographic depictions of space. These incredibly detailed "sketches" are the product of an intricate folding process. Schubert's work depict architectonical settings, common situations and objects, whereas the material he uses are either simple or sophisticated - white paper folded or mixed media arrangements.

Mark Mothersbaugh

Mark Mothersbaugh, well-known as a founding member of the innovative band DEVO, has been creating artwork in many forms for more than 3 decades. His love of visual art began in childhood, just after it was discovered that he was extremely nearsighted and legally blind. His first correctional glasses offered the young Mothersbaugh a new view of the world, fueling a lifelong infatuation with imagery and illustrations. Mark's recent visual artwork has been largely inspired by his 30-year habit of creating handmade postcards to send to friends from various stops on DEVO tours. These images have served as the basis for the artist's critically acclaimed solo shows and gallery tours.

Rugs are also available for purchase here.

ROLLOUT Custom Wallpaper

ROLLOUT, established in 2005, is a creative studio that designs and digitally prints custom wallpapers by the square foot. They recruit community-based artists and designers. Illustration, photography, graphic design, and industrial design provide the inspiration; the walls provide the medium. ROLLOUT was born out of the need for graphic expression in the interior design industry. Instead of adhering to slick minimalist style, their designs embrace texture, color, and the idea that more is more.

Beach and Pool 2008/09 Design Competition

The Design Institution has just published their Beach&Pool 2008/09 design competition results. Inbal Austern's 3rd place Solo project is pictured above, "a lightweight, adjustable shading device that easily folds into a soft compact case". Davide Scomparin's 1st place portable RiVIT beach mat includes solar panels for recharging small electronic devices. Trevor Wong's 2nd place Square Hut, a mobile shelter for temporary living on the beach.

Sam Potts

Sam Potts is equal parts designer, teacher, Twitterer, and possible superhero. He bats left, throws right, and has had fiction rejected by The New Yorker and Harpers. Creative Review in the UK recently featured Potts’s design of the storefront, signage, publications, and packaging of the infamous Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. He has also done work for the IFC channel, They Might Be Giants, NYU, many publishers of books, the New York Times, and Beck (sort of). Sam Potts Inc. has been an independent graphic design practice since 2002.

In his own words: “I love that there can be an art to nearly everything. I love that Frank Lloyd Wright was shameless. I love that geometry is ancient. I love that the littlest things can make biggest differences, like cufflinks and a pinch of salt and sometimes, five minutes. I love the lowercase 'g' of Electra and the '3' of Walbaum. I love that some things are inexplicable, in fact more things than you’d expect. I love that no expertise is needed to appreciate a well-made thing. I love that you can pretty much always assume there is a better way. I love that anything can seem new. I love that a computer is referred to as a machine. I love that music doesn’t have to mean anything to be beautiful. I love that there are theories about handwriting, the composition of matter, and horse racing. I love the light bulb joke about how many boring people. I love the economy of punctuation. I love the Radiator Building, the Queensboro Bridge, and the Sau Voi Corp. on Lafayette St. I love that anything is interesting if you look at it closely enough. I love the smell of hamburgers that comes in through the window every day, every day.”
(Credit: AIGA NY)

'Mushrooms Ate My Furniture' by Shinwei Rhoda Yen

'Mushrooms Ate My Furniture' by designer Shinwei Rhoda Yen is a piece of garden furniture made with natural wood and embedded with mushrooms' spawn. After a time of exposure to the weather, mushrooms will grow live on the furniture. As the nutritional material from the wood is eaten by the mushrooms, the furniture will start to break down, eventually decomposing.

Amy Atlas

Amy Atlas is an event planner based in New York City. Their themed tables are so visually stimulating, they're almost too good to eat....... almost.

Lucas Allen

Lucas Allen shoots photography of interiors, still life, portraiture, and fashion.

I really like his interior shots and they make me pine for a pretty little house all my own to decorate.

Cardboard Safari

My friend Kevin pointed me to Cardboard Safari today. They make environmentally friendly taxidermy (made out of cardboard, in case you missed that). Brilliant photos in the product gallery...

Dish Bunny by Chris Koens

Dish Bunny by Chris Koens takes the traditional plastic coated metal dish rack, and gives it a fun twist. Available for $25 from DutchbyDesign.com.

Ikea's not so basic

Ikea's sold this bookcase a gajillion times around the world. Even I have this bookcase in a standard Ikea wood finish. This bold patterned version transforms this standard into a more fashion revered design piece. The best part: it's still as cheap as the previous model.

Oly Interiors

Oly is a Berkley, California based interior design company who offers antique inspired design, blending traditional with contemporary to create pieces that are clean, sleak, comforting and nostalgic at once. Each piece is handcrafted and has natural variations. Oly consists of Kate McIntyre and Brad Huntzinger.

I'm a huge fan of their Meri hanging fixture. It reminds me of fossilized coral.


Meri Drum Chandelier, pierced resin chandelier


Henry Shelf, antiqued silver brackets with natural sono shelves
and black mahogany cabinet with antiqued brass sliding doors


Jackson Armoire, hardwood armoire with detailed facade

Elsewares

Online shopping has less of that thrill of discovering something truly unique. With elsewares.com, it's a little easier to find better design for the home, wear and carry. They have jewelry, bags, t-shirts, decor, paper products, and tons of recycled pieces.


Acrylic Diamond Rings, AlissiaMT


"Bestow" Wall-Mounted Vase & Candleholder, Harry Allen


Dart Coat Hooks, Suck UK


Um Tote, Josh Jakus

Jason Miller

The first that I heard of Jason Miller's was his 2006 pieces that came equipped with a previous owner's disregard without ever being previously owned: dusty tables, broken mirrors, duct taped chairs, damaged drinking glasses. These are all accomplished not by damaging, but by deliberately incorporating materials that would mimic this disrepair. The pieces of duct tape on the Duct Tape Chair are actually strips of leather added to the upholstery. The broken mirror that appears Scotch taped is actually done entirely in laminated glass. The dust on the tables is actually layered into the finish.

Though those Brooklyn chic pieces hold appeal for me, I'm pleased to see that 2007 brings new inspiration from the crevices of true life. One in particular caught my attention: ceramic wall tiles inspired by the landscape of shipping containers in Newark. His pieces that are just slightly off give me much more satisfaction. I'm hoping to see more subtlety. I feel like he has that potential to make objects that make you feel a little weird instead of just really dirty.


"Shipping Container Tiles," glazed ceramic, 2007


"Superordinate Antler Lamps," table lamp, 2003