Friday, 26 September 2008

Neon ruin: Dramatic mid-century signage

Marco van Hylckama Vlieg has put together a dramatic and spectacular collection of his photographs showing mid-century signage that has seen better days.
I would love a collection of these prints framed in my hallway or perhaps this one, Fabricare, wallpapered in my bedroom.
Check out Neon Ruin.

Labels: black and white, Marco van Hylckama Vlieg, neon, photography, red, retro, sign, wallpaper

posted by topia7  # 10:39 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 22 September 2008

Drunk Lightning: The alchemy of beer and art

Apparently beer isn't just fun to drink, not only inspires art, but can actually be used in it's production too, who knew? Kevin Hayes of Lovely MPLS did the experiments and came up with the following conclusion:

beer + paint + skill + inspiration (see also beer) = ART

There is even an LED light thrown in for good measure.
Did I even mention how great the poster is? A collage of beer labels in black and white screen printed on the German paper (mostly also made from beer!) and with a spot varnish finish, looks awesome.
Kevin, I think this work needs to be the first of a series. I'll be watching out for more!
Check out the Lovely MPLS Etsy page for a description of how Drunk Lightning was made and go to the Lovely MPLS Flikr page to see photos.

Labels: art, beer, black and white, brown, Etsy, flickr, Lovely MLPS, screen printing

posted by topia7  # 12:44 AM 1 Comments

Thursday, 18 September 2008

Daily inspiration from life: Color stripes

Kris is an Italian artist and fashion designer with an insightful eye for colour.
She chooses photographs of interesting objects, places and with no limit of subjects (nebula to folk-art patterns) and carefully chooses between four to eight colour swatches from each photo.
Since finding Kris's blog I have been intrigued going through her various selections. I find colour from real life so much more harmonious.
I am thinking of redesigning my design blog with this colour scheme from a 1960's West German Scheurich vase next. Or perhaps I will be inspired to base my new colour scheme on a photo of my own... Thanks for sharing Kris!
Check out Kris's Color Stripes.

Labels: blue, colour, green, retro, West German Pottery

posted by topia7  # 11:11 AM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 17 September 2008

And on your way out, don't forget: Chalkboard

As a perpetual forgetter, this is something that I could really use and way less annoying than having a real piece of ribbon tied around my finger.
Ben Floeter's Don't Forget Chalkboard found at The Curiosity Shoppe and at his Etsy shop, is such a friendly wall feature. It would be perfect at my friend door which is also near my kitchen, it would even double as a pointer, guiding guests into the living room.
Now to find out how much postage to Australia will be...
Check out the Don't Forget Chalkboard.

Labels: art, Ben Floeter, black, black and white, decor, Etsy, kitchen, red, The Curiosity Shoppe

posted by topia7  # 12:03 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 14 September 2008

Alphabet brew: Letter blocks for coffee cups

The Alpha Coffee Table from Crate and Barrel is inspired by a find in a Paris flea market and is carved from a single piece of wood with raised letters and numbers, protected by tempered glass.
This coffee table would certainly be a conversation started and such a great example of retro/modern, old meets new.
If only it was available in Australia, I would snap it up in an instant!
Check out the Alpha Coffee Table.

Labels: alphabet, brown, coffee, coffee table, Crate and Barrel, decor, furniture, red

posted by topia7  # 11:23 AM 1 Comments

Thursday, 11 September 2008

The Poster List: Grungy, stylish (and cheap!)

The Poster List has a great selection of pop art posters all designed and produced in-house.
The artwork mostly all has a slightly grungy-textured-retro look, got to love new art that looks like it's been around for a while.
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, two posters (12"x18") for 20 bucks, you can't go wrong!
Check out The Poster List.

Labels: art, fish, green, lips, poster, print, red, The Poster List

posted by topia7  # 10:59 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Popsicle! the pop-up retail alternative: Yumm!

Popsicle! is an 11 day pop-up retail space put on by The William Street Collective (which includes my fave stores, William Topp and Keith+Lottie). This is the spiel:

This 11 day event has been especially created for the Perth Fashion Festival and is where the public and buyers can shop for the latest in clothing, jewellery, accessories and more. Popsicle! showcases Perth's finest within an abandoned building, which has been transformed by interior designers and will stay open only for the duration of the festival.

I am on my way this avo to check it out, can't wait to see what they have there and maybe pick up a few special new treats for my new apartment.
Popsicle! is at 214 William St, Northbridge and runs from today to the 14th of September, 11am - 6pm daily. Check out the website for more details.

Labels: fashion, Keith+Lottie, perth, pink, William Street Collective, William Topp

posted by topia7  # 12:12 PM 2 Comments

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Owls go romp in the night

Romp started out as a store for 'modern kids' in Brooklyn but is now completely online so now their range of quirky collectables are available to the world. As they say on there site:

Romp is about play – from play with toys to play in the design of our homes.

And I would love the chance to play with these colourful owls to enhance the design of my new place. I can see the spot they would fit right in on my white malm chest of drawers in my bedroom.
The owls are made by Kirsty McIntosh from cut wood, painted and collaged with patterned retro inspired papers. Hoot hoot!
Check out Romp for kids and adults alike.

Labels: ikea, owl, romp, sculpture, wallpaper, wood

posted by topia7  # 12:06 AM 1 Comments

Monday, 1 September 2008

Entangled organic mechanics: The sculptures of Mauro Fuke

There is something wonderfully mathematical and logical about the twisted wooden 'snake' sculptures of the the artist Mauro Fuke.
Fuke develops the sculptures using a computer and then creates each piece by hand. Close up they look like a random combo of joins and organic mechanics but the patterns and arrangements are endless. I love the tactile nature of Fuke's work, you just want to pick them up and play.
Check out more of Mauro Fuke's sculptures or see the way he develops and creates his work.
> Found via Space Collective.

Labels: brown, Mauro Fuke, sculpture, Space Collective, wood

posted by topia7  # 11:07 AM 0 Comments