A few weeks ago at the magazine I work for, we needed a location with a 70s vibe and having just completed painting my walls, I volunteered my living room. I had all sorts of props available but it definitely worked out that less was better. I love that I managed to get one of my Cathrineholm bowls in though. That is the second time my red phone has featured in the magazine as well.

(Above left) Jack was keen to get into the action, he ran under the models skirt numerous times. She was a true professional though, never budging.
(Above right) Poor Lee, our photographer, only just had enough space to get the angle he needed. As it happened, he didn't end up using any studio lights, just the morning light from the open window and intense glow of the lamp my step-dad made in the 60's.

The layout (which is one of my jobs for the mag) as it appeared in West Weekend Magazine, p22, 23 February 21st, 2009.
You might also like to check out more of the work of our photographer, Lee Griffith.

Labels: cat, cathrineholm, green, lamp, Lee Griffith, orange, photography, retro, telephone, The West Australian Newspaper, West Weekend Magazine

Hm, seems I really missed the band wagon with this one. I stumbled across Blu Dot Clock somehow and now have it sitting on my desktop, seriously cool. Having decided to introduce everyone to it via my blog, I realised that everyone already knew about it back in April 2005.
Never mind, maybe it's time people were reminded of Blu Dot Clock again anyway. It is a little dynamic thing that goes on your desktop (which I usually hate) made up of 720 photographic images, one for every minute of the day.
Just to bring something new to this story, I made this nifty desktop wallpaper to go with Blu Dot Clock, so that when the clock is sitting on your desktop it doesn't look so out of place. I put the clock in the top right corner so I remember where it is. If your desktop is a different proportion to mine (1280x1024) I suggest you make the wallpaper 100% and add a white background to 'fill' because if you stretch it, the downloaded clock won't fit with the others.
Download the Blu Dot Clock here and if you are interested, get the Blu Dot Clock Wallpaper here.

Labels: Blu Dot Clock, clock, photography, wallpaper, website

I took a wonder into my favourite store, William Topp, on Sunday avo and finally got an item I have had my eye on for some time, a Flensted mobile. The one I chose is called Flowing Rhythm and it really is mesmerising to watch.
I have hung it at eye level with artwork (an etching I bought in Hanoi and photos I took in Hanoi and Siem Reap) above and below it so it visually links the work.
Just the modern-retro addition I needed to add some zen to the room!

Labels: art, Cambodia, Flensted, modern, my new apartment, photography, red, retro, sculpture, Vietnam, William Topp

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

Yesterday I picked up issue two of Mayk zine.
Mayk is the side project for three female graphic designers who want to show that Perth is not 'dullsville' but has a varied and vibrant art and culture scene.
If it's just a matter of knowing where to look, then Mayk can certainly set you on your way.
I bought my copy of Mayk at Keith+Lottie but you can also get it from their website. I'm looking forward to issue three!

Labels: black and white, Mayk, perth, photography, print, zine

Progressive Dry Cleaners are just around the corner from me on Herdsman Pde, Wembley in Perth, Western Australia.
I have been looking at their sign enviously ever since living here and as I am about to move into my new apartment, thought I better capture it in pixels. I think it must be from the 60s, it reminds me of the optimistic sentiment reflected in a lot of commercial work from that time. I love that it looks so retro but announces how progressive it is.
I just think it would look awesome mounted on the wall in my new apartment! Perhaps if they every update it I should put in a bid. I will just have to settle for a high quality print. If you would like one too, you can get a print here.

Labels: blue, perth, photography, print, retro, sign, sky

Through my usual weird searches for inspiration on flickr, (I think I was searching for world globes) I stumbled across Amyla174's set, Collections. Antique dolls furniture meets old photos, butterflies, globes, nests and beautifully selected junk in artful compositions.
It wasn't until I delved a little further that I discovered that I was looking at the work of Amy Gross, a mixed media artist with work that seems inspired by nature, and which took my breath away.
Check out Amy's flickr set, Collections and the be sure to see her mixed media artwork.

Labels: Amy Gross, butterfly, chair, flickr, green, photography

Yesterday I accompanied my friend while buying accessories for his new puppy. Amongst them was the most hideous bright pink blanket/mat thing that I would never allow through my front door so I was determined to find something better.
I stumbled across Hepper, designers of 'modern pet furniture that'll make you jealous'. Their dog, cat and bird homes are simple and modern while still maintaining a sense of warmth and look fantastic. The photography on the site is also worth taking a look at.
Hepper makes me want to get a pet, just for these great accessories! If only they were available in Australia...

Labels: birds, decor, furniture, Hepper, interior, modern, pet, photography

Cypherone has shared the most amazing images of an abandoned holiday resort in Sanjhih on the north coast of Taiwan. She says:

"I don't know why it was abandoned.
"Some people do believe that it was abandoned because haunted. In some version of story, someone died in an accident, then it became a haunted building.
But there is an another version of the the story.
"Some people believe it is because the government disallow building a bathing beaches in this area. It became a holiday resort on the coast that can't play on the beach, and soon it was abandoned.
"I don't know which story is true.

I like the ghost version of the story and if you look carefully at Cypherone's flickr set, you can see them in the reflections.

Labels: architecture, flickr, ghost, photography, red, retro, taiwan

It's early Sunday afternoon, I recently got up and I was thinking about trying something different instead of my usual strong cup of (bad) instant coffee. I stumbled across Mighty Leaf and thought the photography of the various tea combinations looked so great, it was deserving of a design//blog entry.
Whether you want to try something with a hippy peace-love bent like Verbena Mint Chrysanthemum or stick to the more traditional, wholesome blends like Organic English Breakfast the images of them are wonderful. In square, white frames (such as Ikea's Nyttja), or maybe even the real thing in little square, glass topped containers, they would look great in any kitchen.
Go check out Mighty Leaf for more, and if you live in Perth, Western Australia (like me) the stores are located here.

Labels: kitchen, Mighty Leaf, photography, tea

I stumbled across this flickr set put together by Splorp when looking for retro red phones.
There are some great images in here but as a collection, they look fantastic. A colour theme is a great way to collect seemingly random images. I would love to see these images printed and filling a wall.
Thanks for sharing it Splorp!
Check it out.

Labels: flickr, photography, red, retro

I was checking my old website links this evening while making the new version of my design portfolio and I found that Ash, a very talented skater guy I studied with has updated his site and has been touring America, playing base with the punk band, Miles Away.
Still on the road, he is documenting his travels with the most amazing, dynamic phototography on his blog.
Go check out thedesignthreat/blog.

Labels: art, Ashley Pederick, photography, skate, thedesignthreat