Ticky-Tacky

Westlake was one of the first pre-planned communities erected post-war. Located just south of San Francisco in Daly City, this community is something of a time capsule. San Francisco photographer, Todd Lappin, has an impressive flickr stream featuring a variety of the the houses. 

"America's Most Perfect Ticky-Tacky Suburb" was even the subject of Malvina Reynolds' song "Little Boxes." 

These houses are colorful little gems. While their architecture may be similar [or the same] as their neighbors', they each have a distinctive personality which is reflected through a unique color palette. The same can not be said for the character-less compounds constructed by modern homebuilders where HOA's restrict homeowners from any type of expression. 

Check out Todd's blog for more information on this quirky suburb. 

what happens when you recover a couch with school uniforms

I am starting to seriously doubt Domino. I have been a subscriber since the magazine began [yeah that's right, charter subscriber baby!] but lately, I have been less than wowed with many of their pages. First came this. And now, their December 2008 issue features a room that, quite frankly, looks like a catholic school girl threw up all over the couch, plus a little bit on the lampshades. 

Now I understand the room is supposed to transform a "summer room" into a "winter room" but a. does that have to include tartan plaid? b. couldn't you switch out the zebra rug that only makes you dizzy when combined with the tartan plaid and c. why not remove the CORAL [read tropical beaches] from the corner book shelves?! Oye Vey. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete tartan hater. I believe that if used sparingly and tastefully it can be good. Not that I've seen this, but I am hopeful that it can in fact be done. Somewhere. 

Mimosa for 2009

Pantone has predicted that amidst the gloomy economic outlook for the future, a bright and cheerful yellow color will take the stage as an influential color in 2009. Specifically, Pantone cites this orange tinged yellow color, Mimosa. 

Both in fashion and home goods, Pantone predicts that the public will embrace the optimistic color. Yellow tones have already made their high fashion debut amidst the spring collections of designers such as Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, Zac Posen and Badgley Mischka which were previewed earlier this fall. 

Home Sweet Shell

This "Shell House" reminds me of Swiss Cake Rolls that I used to eat when I was little...but maybe I'm just hungry...

But the inside is really cool. 

[via materialicious]

keep calm and wipe your feet.

I've been planning to buy one of these reproduction screen prints for my room just as soon as I figure out what the final arrangement/furniture selection will be but how cute would this rug be at our side door? Love it. It's available via Pedlars in either blue or red. Not quite as many color options as the print but still really cute!! 

Jesse Kirsch

Graphic designer Jesse Kirsch has created some fun packaging. I really like the simplified style that truly embraces the form follows function element. There isn't a lot of wasted, superfluous material on these packages, just the necessary information. 

Tazaa Soap- I really like these cute little packages. They remind me of a fun version of the periodic table of elements. 

Deep Water- Because really, you want your water to be pure and un-fussy, so why clutter up the packaging with random elements of fake mountains and other unnecessary distractions. 

I love these packages. They are chic in their own way but completely practical. When you're digging around in a drawer or on a shelf why not have everything clearly labeled. And yet it has a certain retro vibe that makes it stylish.. 

no poison with this water

 I have to admit that while I heard Nalgene bottles were "poisonous" a long long time ago, I have been hesitant to part with my beloved water bottles. However, if someone will pony up the $29 for this beautiful, sleek water storage device, I might consider parting with my BPA filled Nalgene bottles... the key word was might. KOR's Hydration Vessel - a sleek, streamlined water bottle, is the Nalgene bottle of tomorrow. Made with Eastman Tritan, it is BPA free and [at least for now] won't leach into your water and slowly poison you. The bottle is inspired by blown glass and features a "no worry cap" and handle for your carrying convenience. 

skip to my lou...lou

It's all about marketing to the next generation of buyers right?Secure devotees young and you've got them for life. Well, Philippe Starck has jumped on the bandwagon and has come out with the Lou Lou Ghost Chair, a smaller [measuring just 25 inches high] version of the phenomenally popular iconic Louis Ghost Chair [also found throughout various Pinkberry locations]. The mini-me chair by Kartell is available for just $130...for a child size plastic chair. I'm not sure about you, but when I was a child and had a plastic table and chairs I think I drew on it...but then again I also drew on my grandmother's antique chair as well [it was the creative side of me]. 

me.

check me out on thoughts from meggie poo. 

the little forest

Where some see a discarded toilet paper tube, others find art. Yuken Teruya has created "Corner Forest" out of nothing more than an empty toilet paper tube- and I thought I was clever giving them to my pet hamsters as a child so they could burrow in them. The more you hang, the bigger your forest grows. Very cool. Teruya creates art out of everyday items to reflect on contemporary society. 

[via laissezfaire] 

battle of the stairs

I have learned a hard lesson. Cute old houses come with cute narrow stairs. OK, so I might have known that part, but I didn't realize that it would make buying a new mattress & box spring set so difficult. My poor box spring had to be shipped back to the warehouse, and alas, I am currently on my mattress, on the floor. GRRR. In honor of this tragic experience, I have collected an assortment of "unique" beds for your perusal. 








 

Not for chickens.

Clever alternative to a bulletin board- chicken wire from arugula press.