Design That Works

Tags

australia, branding, design, graphic design, inspiring, typography

I’m totally digging this “brand renewal” by Australian design firm Designworks. Created for the Benevolent Society, an Australian charity with a mission to “achieve lasting social change in society through building strong families and healthy communities”, it exudes a spunky, colorful exuberance that’s refreshing to see in today’s brand landscape.

“The basic idea is that when people come together change happens. In the wordmark letters are linked like a chain and their overlaying parts portray these moments of effective change. The colour system navigates through five brand pillars ’Hope’, ‘Wisdom’, ‘Strength’, ‘Belonging’ and ‘Love’ while supergraphics create striking visuals.”

Today’s Track – The Alter, Wye Oak

Tags

alternative, indie folk, indie rock, music

I think I so abundantly “Shazammed” my way across Manhattan last month that I have enough new material to last the next couple months. Here’s a fav that was playing at Freeman’s, a darkly lit, taxidermy-clad, divine little eatery at the end of an unused alley off the Bowery. This dose of indie folk layered in nicely. The Alter by Wye Oak from the album The Civilian, 2011.

Fall Winter 2014-2015 Fashion Color Trends from Fashion Snoops

Tags

Autumn, color, design, fall winter 2014-15, fashion, inspiring, product design, textiles, trend

A lovely look at color trends for autumn from Fashion Snoops, a global resource for style-related insights into the fashion industry. Today I’m sharing the color stories they’re forecasting in womenswear for the Fall/Winter 2014 – 2015 season; Brights, Jewels, Neutrals & Soft Tones.

Images courtesy of WeConnectFashion, an awesome company that helps fashion companies succeed through business networking, market research & fashion industry know-how.

A Shady Deal

Tags

decor, design, indie designers, interior design, pattern, textiles

I have a vintage danish floor lamp in my guest room that I’ve come to realize I’ve fallen out of love with. It’s harmless enough, but altogether quite uninteresting; a fact that is compounded by its simple linen lampshade. So I’ve been on a mission to find something that would spice it up, which led to a deep dive into the wonderful world of lampshades… (As always, click to shop!)

Cruel Mountain – 18″ Gray Monaco, $100

Light Owl – 7″ Kangaroo paw, $91

Light Owl – 10″ Kangaroo paw, $174

Jo Design Co – 18″ Hand-painted Linen, $100

Jeanne McGee Art – Hand-printed 7″ pendant, $65

Jeanne McGee – Hand-printed 9″ pendant, $75

Sassyshades – Taupe t-pattern 13″ drum, $75

Trisha Needham – 45cm Dots, $106

Anthropologie – 12″ strand wrap, $88

Sassyshades – Big dot 15″ drum, $85

Mood Design Studio – 12″ Triangles, $86

Cruel Mountain – 13″ diamond ikat, $70

Modern British Design – 16″ cocoa bean, $134

Pottery Barn – 14″ red stripe, $43 (sale)

Helen Rawlinson – 18cm white spot, $88

Hunkydory Home – 30cm Lines, £36

Nuvarti – 12″ Orange dot drum, $95

Well Said, Paul.

Tags

design, graphic design, inspiring, quotes, typography

Impressive Stock

Tags

design, graphic design, handmade, indie designers, letterpress, NYC, product design, stationery, typography, wall art

As you know, I’m a sucker for typography. And when I stumbled into what has become my very favorite Thank You note du jour, I had to learn a bit more. Turns out the designer is Brooklyn-based Bessie Anderson, who uses hand-set letterpress printing to create her small line of stationery products. (As always, click to shop!)

Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart, $25/set of 6

I’m So Sorry, $5

Bridesmaid, $25/set of 5

Maid of Honor, $4.50

Break Up Card, $5

Brooklyn Type Letterpress Print, $35

Today’s Track – Leave Me With the Monkeys, Sophie Hunger

Tags

alternative, euro chill, indie rock, music, Swiss, Switzerland

I have no idea what this song is about. But I like it. Leave Me With The Monkeys by Sophie Hunger from her self titled album, 2011.

 

Spring Textiles from Liberty of London

Tags

decor, design, illustration, inspiring, london, patterns, prints, textiles

I don’t think I can possibly impress upon those of you living outside of Minnesota how very, very desperate we are around these parts for the advent of spring. I’m, for one, taking comfort in the new textile prints by Liberty of London from their new spring summer 2014 collection. These gorgeous fabrics run between £22.00 - £45.00 per metre and a simple click of the mouse will take you right to the website to order. Need to learn more about the lovely patterns? Check out the Liberty of London Blog for lots more details.

Maison et Objet January 2014 Video Highlights

Tags

accessories, creativity, decor, design, inspiring, interior design, maison et objet, paris, product design, textiles, trend, video

Perhaps you missed out on attending this January’s Maison et Object too? Well, while it’s not exactly like being there, this video recap is an inspiring overview of the trends and new products at the show… and your feet will hurt less. So, brew yourself a delicious cafe au lait, and settle back for the next 8 minutes to get a taste of the experience.

MAISON_OBJET Jan 14 Trend Tour

►

Well Said, Jack.

Tags

design, graphic design, inspiring, quotes, typography, wall art

NYC Visual Recap – part two

Tags

color, decor, design, gift show recap, gifts, inspiring, interior design, lovely, NY now, NYC, patterns, product design, spring/summer, textiles, trend

As promised, here’s the second batch of pics from my visit to New York earlier this month. These photo montages represent a bunch of the inspiring eye candy I took in while perusing NY Now (the International Gift Fair) as well as exploring Manhattan’s retail scene. This series is less so about color than the first, and much more eclectic. Hope you enjoy!

And if you missed the first chapter, you can check out the images HERE

Today’s Track – Tiff, Poliça

Tags

alternative, indie rock, minneapolis, music

Today, I thought I’d feature one of the many talented musicians that hail from Minneapolis (and who isn’t Prince). Tiff – the single – by Poliça (featuring Justin Vernon), 2013.

 

One Clay Bead

Tags

accessories, ceramics, color, decor, design, handmade, indie designers, pottery, product design

“In Chinese, the word for crisis also means opportunity”

Thus begins the bio of Lee Wolfe, the ceramic artist behind Ashville, North Carolina’s One Clay Bead. She opened her Etsy shop out of necessity, after the economic crisis in 2008, when credit was frozen, galleries were unable to buy, and her husband was laid off. Her creativity paid off, and she went on to become a top-selling Etsy ceramicist. Her tightly edited (and ever-changing!) collection of dinnerware and home decor pieces are lovely organic forms with jubilant color and thoughtful details. (As always, click to shop!)

Large Serving Bowl in Dusk Blue, $54

(detail of bowl inside)

Ceramic Flower Bowl in Turquoise, $45

Nesting Bowls set of 2, $48

Organic Folded Flower Vase

Serving and Prep Bowl in cobalt, $17

Ceramic Serving Bowl in Joyful Blaze with Textured Lace, $23

(detail of bowl underside)

Organic Soul Dinnerware

Spring Summer 2015 – Women’s Top 5 Fashion Themes from Fashion Snoops

Tags

inspiring, Trends, fashion, color, design, spring/summer, inspiration, 2015 Trends, Spring Summer 2015 Trends, pattern

A look into the future of fashion from Fashion Snoops, a fabulous global resource for style-related insights into the fashion industry. Today I’m sharing the top five incoming trends they’re forecasting in womenswear for the 2015 Spring/Summer season: Avant Pop, Formula Solution, La Vie En Rose, Phys Ed and Tropical Kitsch.

Images courtesy of WeConnectFashion, an awesome company that helps fashion companies succeed through business networking, market research & fashion industry know-how.