it's not easy being green

I love these green striped couches. Adorable. 

(I don't really like the rest of the room though)

[photo from country home via the inspired room]

glass water bottle

How cute is this glass water bottle from the Austin shop, Spartan?! It is perfect to keep beside the bed for when you wake up in the middle of the night dying of thirst. I must get one for my new, super chic, apartment- that i must find in the next two weeks. 

a world of metros

The logo for the London tube is a true design icon. Designed by Edward Johnston in 1918, the logo has remained relatively unaltered for nearly a century. Since then, cities around the world have developed underground, or in some cases above ground, modes of high-speed, mass transportation. With each city, comes a different logo, although many incorporate "M" into them because "Metro" is the most common term for the underground transportation throughout the world. Metrobits has a great overview of some of the different logos and what they represent.

Olympic Posters: 100 Years

Besides a handful of sports, I'm not that interested in the Olympic Games, except of course the design the comes out of them. I've already covered the logos, and what do you do with logos? Make posters! In June a new book, A Century of Olympic Posters was published which chronicles the evolution of the historically significant posters over the past 100 years. But you don't have to buy the book to see some of them, check out the collection that Abduzeedo has compiled.

the seamless tub

Ok I know this is the third post in a row on plumbing, and I promise to post about other things after this, but this whirlpool tub is amazing. Teuco's Sorgente Bathtub truly breaks the mold, seamlessly integrating into its environment. The Sorgente also utilizes Teuco's revolutionary Hydrosilence- which results in a soothing, relaxing environment with the sounds of lapping water, rather than the sounds of whirlpool jets. The Sorgente is available in a wide range of finishes ranging from woods to stones and can be covered with the same material, allowing it to blend seamlessly into almost any environment.

[via we heart stuff]

a tub to soak in, read in, eat some grapes in

The AQHayon Bathtub by Jaime Hayon is the perfect tub. It has an elegantly simple look, as well as a place to put that glass of wine, book, fruit, and anything else you may want within reach while soaking. The tub starts at $8,789 for the tub and legs with accessories such as a side ashtray costing extra. The tub is available via Generate.

a sink made for water

How great is this sink? Drying racks in the kitchen have always posed a slight problem because for the most part they are just plain ugly. Often, the more aesthetically pleasing ones are very simple and lack a drainage solution. The Decosink by Finnish designer Tiina Hakala provides a beautiful solution with twig like design that funnels water back into the sink.

[via design*sponge]

a compact for my powerbook

No one would ever call me technologically inclined, and I'm definitely not one to post about computer accessories, but I just couldn't help this one. Lately, my little Apple Powerbook has been feeling a little overwhelmed and I've been thinking about getting an external hard drive to serve as its "assistant." I really don't know much about specs or anything and haven't really pursued it much, but then today I stumbled across Samsung's new "Costume" external hard drive by Joongoo Lee. I think it was fate.

The ultra small external hard drive was inspired by a woman's makeup compact and measures just 2.5". I don't know any of the other specifics about it (like I said, I don't really "do" technology) but I want this. Now.

[via yanko ]

Fiera Milano

In 2004 Daniel Libeskind won the commission to design 106 acres of old fairgrounds in the heart of Madrid. The project, Fiera Milano, will be centered around a park and will feature residential, office and retail as well as a contemporary art museum.

According to Libeskind's website, the project will breathe new life into the veins of Milan and "create a new paradigm for new and emerging lifestyles, recreation and wellness."

The mixed use project is truly unique as it was designed unlike any other urban design in the world. Fiera Milano reexamines the physical environments that residents live and work in, while deliberately constructing stunning views and vistas, as well as "exciting pedestrian experiences."

Due to Fiera Milano's scope and enormity, Libeskind has collaborated with Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Pier Paolo Maggiora on the project. The project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

[image via studio daniel libeskind]

village of cards

Bryan Berg created an "architectural model" of the Beijing Summer 2008 Olympic Village entirely out of playing cards. The card village features the "Birds Nest" stadium and Beijing TV Tower. The village took 160 hours to construct.

[via bbc]

everything's gonna be OK

HA - I love this print by Simone Lia. 

It's very me. 

Always Coca [countoured] Cola

The contoured shape of the classic Coke bottle is considered somewhat of an American design icon. The bottle, originally designed to distinguish itself from other bottles, is one of few package designs granted a patent by the U.S. Patent office. 

Originally created nearly 92 years ago, the iconic contour was ever present whether the bottle was plastic or glass, as well as in varying sizes. The 2 liter size, however, had always been the standard 2 liter packaging all 2 liter beverages came in and did feature a contoured bottle. 

Until now. This summer The Coca-Cola Company announced that Chattanooga, TN and Birmingham, Al had been chosen (due to the cities' Coke loyalty) to serve as the testing grounds for a pilot program which featured a new 2 liter contoured bottle. 

The new bottle was overwhelmingly preferred during consumer testing, as both aesthetically more pleasing, as well as for its functionality- its easier to hold and pour. I think its great because it makes the brand more consistent as well. 

[image via the coca-cola company]

aye chihuahua

Such a cute photo by Miki Duisterhof. 

imperial trellis in the hallway

Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis wallpaper - combined with the low key wood flooring looks so summery and fresh. 

it used to be such a happy place

These pictures of an old, abandoned amusement park are so sad, and yet kind of beautiful in a quirky, creepy, dejected sort of way... You can just picture all the children laughing and climbing onto the rides. 

p.s. it kind of makes me want to start singing Madonna's This used to be my playground... 

[via laissezfaire]

Sand Architecture

I decided to celebrate summer with some amazing sand castles and sculptures.

[images via flickr]

Sheepish Art

Wondering what to do with the old rotary style phones lying around? Here's a thought, create an art exhibit. These are sheep constructed out of rotary phones - the entire phone is used for the head, the bodies are the phone cords, and the hooves are the handsets.

[via arkitip]

Subway Tiles (again)

I've professed my love for subway tiles before, but I just can't help but post this beautiful kitchen by Steven Gambrel. 

[via absolutely beautiful things]

Olympic Logos

In honor of the upcoming Beijing Olympics next month, here's a look at some Olympic logos, past and future.

MyCar

Introducing MyCar by NICE. The new electric car, designed by Giugiaro of Italdesign, features alloy wheels, remote locking, electric windows, a radio/mp3 player and is available in seven colors.

The "car" can travel as fast as 40 mph and will run for about 40 miles before needing to re-charge for 6-8 hours. Drivers can opt for a "work 'n play" option which has a passenger seat that folds forward to allow for a laptop dock, because that's safe to use while driving.

With gas prices rising, it is important that we reduce our reliance on gas and large cars, but at some point doesn't a car this small become a safety liability for the drive?

[via yanko]

this is how i roll

Packing light is simply not in my vocabulary. I accepted long ago that I would always have to pay the fee for my bags weighing more than 50 lbs on airlines. Now that you have to pay for a second bag life is really going to be expensive. However, the new Oceano Travel Trunk by Poltrona Frau  would allow me to pack all that I wanted AND stay super organized. Just check out all the different compartments and drawers for accessories! Okay, it might be a little expensive to fly with, but perhaps when I go on my Mediterranean cruise I have planned in my head. Inspired by the travel trunks that people used to take on cruises long ago, the trunk is made of multilayer birch and coated with textured, non-scratch paint. Perhaps jetBlue should hand these out to help launch their "jetting" lifestyle? 

super cute dictionaries

How adorable are these dictionaries from Ballard Designs? You can also have them monogrammed (I've never met a monogram I didn't love!). 

colorful iceboxes

Vintage is in and everything that's old is new again and home appliances are no different. Smeg has developed this 1950s style refrigerator that recalls a much simpler time; a time before your refrigerator could tell you the weather and what products you were out of.

The Smeg Refrigerator comes in 10 different colors (pink, red, blue, pastel blue, silver, lime green, pastel green, orange and black) to suit your color palette and features an antibacterial interior (I wasn't aware there was another option) as well as lighting and a freezer compartment. There are also 

a variety of shelving and drawer features.

 There are also egg trays and ice trays. Plus, you can get the door hinges on either the left or the right side, depending on your dexterity. 

However, I'm not so sure about the fact that the freezer compartment doesn't have a separate door? I'm not technologically savvy enough to know how that works though...

a pinch of yellow

I'm not normally a yellow and black person - it comes off a little too bumble bee-ish for me. That being said, this room is incredibly chic and crisp, while still maintaining an inviting atmosphere, and definitely does not remind me of bumble bees. 

[via black*eiffel]

pocket sized cars

This is a great new outdoor advertising project for the Smart Car developed by the Swiss agency Jung von Matt. The tagline, if you couldn't guess is "fits anywhere." 

[via fubiz]

meadows & barns

I love these two pictures of an old 1888 barn from maya*made. She's in the process of renovating the barn but I love the photos!