TOPIA7 design blog

Creepy's sweet trees

2009-08-09T00:56:00.006+08:00

A few weeks ago at the Made on the Left art and craft market I met a local artist whose work I have admired for a long time and I had a slightly crazy 'fanboy' moment where I didn't know what to say. He goes by the name Creepy and his street art can be seen all over the city.
Last year I collected an entire set of 18 magnets from shops that make up the William Street Collective. The magnets come together to make an awesome illustration by Creepy.
At the market was a selection of his artwork. It was a slightly different style from his street art but I really loved it so I decided to invest in two small pieces (above). I really love the way the aged paint and colours come through and even though the two I selected weren't a set, I think they look great together.
When I decided I wanted them I went off to find some money and Creepy was doing something inside the little artwork 'boxes'. After purchasing them I realised that he was signing the work and he also drew one of the characters in the style of his street art (below). Funnily enough, that evening I went to the Condor Tower Carpark exhib where I saw a lot more of Creepy's work.
Now to find a place to hang them...

Ikea hack REPRISE: Shelf with door stoppers

2009-08-02T12:07:00.004+08:00

Back in June 2008 I wrote about an Ikea Hack of mine involving door stops and a Lack shelf to sit my TV on. I submitted the image and link to one of my fav blogs, Ikea Hacker and after a very long wait, in December they published an entry about my idea which got mixed ("I am shocked, SHOCKED, that somebody let's a non-Ikea product into their life..." Jon) but mostly positive responses. Since then, not only has 95% of new blog traffic come from that page, but people have adapted the idea for their own use. I'm really impressed by these example, all using a variation of the idea as a computer stand. How great is technology in the 21st century where we can share these ideas like this. I love it.
I might just have to do this for my computer...
Thanks to Brian, Patrick and Frank Zen for the images above.

A pair of red bulls and a Jerger clock

2009-08-01T11:33:00.006+08:00

Such a long time since I last blogged so I thought I would cover to new(ish) additions to my home in one hit.
On the left is a Jerger alarm clock that was made in Germany. I love the style of numbers and of course, orange, black and white. How could I resist. It works well too although naturally, needs lots of winding so it tends to stay still. It comes from my favourite store, William Topp.
Yesterday I picked up these lovely, vibrant red bulls. A few nicks here and there where white shows through but they haven't lost any of there power. I did ask if they came with a Matador and the shop assistant didn't seem to think so... I am quite happy that they have left the killing behind them and are out for a bit of a bull-style wrestle.
The red bulls are from a shop in Guildford with some really interesting mid-century finds, attempting to present something a bit different from the other antique stores in that strip. I would love to tell you it's name and link a website however I can't find it on the web at all. It was formally called Curio Wearhouse which I think it may still be called. The number is not correct though so I suggest going to that Guildford antiques strip and I am sure you'll be pleased with what you discover there.
Behind them is a reproduction old-style globe from the late 70's which I have had my entire life. Glows an ambient orange when lit.

Retro glamour: My living room in a fashion shoot

2009-03-21T21:18:00.004+08:00

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.

Amazing Alberto and his clever characters

2009-03-04T19:56:00.005+08:00

I really love the work of Alberto Cerriteño, it's fun and sweet, warm and whimsical.
Check out the website of Alberto Cerriteño, his blog or go straight to his store. Enjoy!

Blu Dot Clock: 720 faces and counting

2009-02-27T11:26:00.004+08:00

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.

Treasured trash lights up

2009-02-25T23:26:00.006+08:00

As I have an Orange themed house warming party coming up at my place this Saturday night, my eyes have been trained to pick out anything orange and my brain is automatically converting it to how it could be used for the party (eg. orange squeegee-mop: a mohawk for a monster costume). When driving home from Bunnings a flash of orange caught my eye in a pile of unwanted bulk-rubbish, I slammed on my breaks to investigate.
Attached to a very worn and broken wooden lamp stand was a slightly bruised but ultimately awesome large 1970's lamp shade. What a find!
I ripped it away from the lamp stand (which I probably should have grabbed too and attempted to repair) and made a detour to Ikea where I bought this Januari Floor Lamp Base. It's shiny stainless steal (not the terrible matte silver that Ikea do so much of) and I think the combination modern base and retro lamp shade look great.
Now all I need is a couple of orange bean-bags... Hmm...

Making my apartment 'me'

2009-02-24T10:17:00.006+08:00

Well, regular blog updates may have come to a stand-still here but I have been super busy with work and making my apartment 'me'.
The three big purchases/improvements:
● Having my original 60's red occasional chair re-chromed and recovered
● Getting a Danish modern sideboard which I am using as a TV stand, from William Topp
● Painting my living room walls 'Citrus Grove'
I am all set now for the house warming party that I am having this Saturday night. The theme is 'orange' so I will be tastefully covering the place in white fairy lights and orange paper and silk lanterns. I can't wait!

Su Blackwell: A picture made from a 1000 words

2009-02-23T13:54:00.004+08:00

The work of Su Blackwell is spectacular and inspiring. She turns books into magical scenes. Check out more of the work of Su Blackwell, found via Visualingual.

Flickr find: Froggyboggler's bizarre 1950's Christmas graphics

2008-12-14T13:03:00.005+08:00

Looking for something a bit retro and a bit different to be inspired by this Christmas? Then it's definitely worth checking our Froggyboggler's flickr set, Merry Xmas.
I found this Galaxy Science Fiction magazine cover from 1951 seriously strange, particularly the alien sitting at Santa's table gazing wistfully at the big man in red. I think it's true love.
There are a series of pulp fiction covers in the set called A Corpse for Christmas and various Astounding Science Fiction covers worth checking out too, along with more traditional mid-century Christmas imagery.
Go see Froggyboggler's flickr set, Merry Xmas.

Introducing Jack

2008-11-08T14:13:00.002+08:00

"I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul."
- Jean Cocteau

The dreamy work of Ghostpatrol

2008-11-01T12:35:00.006+08:00

I have just come back from a short trip to Melbourne to check out the design scene there. The street culture there is seriously awesome!
I was lucky enough to find the paste-up work of one of my favourite artists, Ghostpatrol (right) and even luckier to check out Nesting and Dying, the exhibition currently on featuring him and his girlfriend, Miso.
His work is so dreamy and seems simple but has a lot of deapth. I love the style of the children he creates and the way they interact with the animals they often inhabit.
I didn't know the work of Miso before the exhibition but I really enjoyed her work too, it complemented Ghostpatrol's really well too.
I would have loved to have purchased some of the work there but it was a bit out of my price range, I did come away with the book though, also available online.
Nesting and Dying is on at the Metro 5 Gallery until November 9 in Armadale, Melbourne. Check out the Metro 5 site for more details. Find out more about Miso or go see more of Ghostpatrol's work on his site.

Etsy find: Fox and flowers by Magicjelly

2008-10-24T12:02:00.003+08:00

Karena or Magicjelly is a talented illustrator from Adelaide, South Australia who makes wonderfully retro inspired prints and collages that are definitely worth checking out.
I have my eye on Fox and Flowers. I really love how it seems simple from a distance but as you get closer all the little patterns and details become apparent. The colouring would be perfect for my place too.
Go see Magicjelly at Etsy, on the Australian site Madeit or find out what she is doing on her blog.

Faux Show: better than the real thing

2008-10-21T18:36:00.005+08:00

I checked out Faux Show this afternoon, an Artrage exhibition on at Keith+Lottie by Jessie Mitchell and Sophie Webber.

Reproducing the set of a trophy room, Faux Show replicates a fire place, taxidermy animals, grand portraits and more in lovable plush incarnations.

I really loved this plush deer head, it is about life size and would look awesome in my place. Really reasonably priced too, $130... Hmm... and I know just the position that it would work.
Faux Show is only on for a few more days, closes on the 24th of October so check it out now.

Dreaming green: The apartment that has inspired me to paint

2008-10-20T00:33:00.004+08:00

I first saw Maya and Michael's apartment on Apartment Therapy earlier this year. I kept that wonderful rich pea-green in mind for my place (as you know, I have a lot of reds, oranges and teak wood) but was keen to see it again; it's a bold choice, wanted to make sure I really liked it...
Last week I stumbled across Maya and Michael's apartment again as part of the Apartment Therapy Fall Colours 2008 competition. I think it's meant to be as I am on holidays from work for two weeks and this week my goal is to paint my living room and kitchen.
I really do love that colour, thanks Maya and Michael for sharing and inspiring me to paint!
Want to see more? Go vote for them at AT, see more images of their loft apartment on flikr, browse their prints and coasters on Etsy, read what their up to on their blog or check out the Visualingual website.

A little bit of modern-retro zen with Flensted

2008-10-13T21:05:00.008+08:00

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!

Click-click-clack ching!: Red retro writer

2008-10-11T15:05:00.009+08:00

What it is about a fully restored cherry red typewriter from the 1950's that gets me so excited? Maybe it's the romantic ideas of click-clacking away, writing the great Australian novel or just the old technology that produces that every-letter-different, hand-done quality, even by a machine. Realistically, I am sure this typewriter would never actually get used but it sure would make a great feature piece in my lounge room and go perfectly with my retro red telephone.
The 1950's Royal Typewriter is from Three Potato Four. They have some awesome stuff there, all able to be shipped internationally so be sure to check them out.

Organic ceramics: Recharge with creative therapy

2008-10-08T12:30:00.008+08:00

My sister, Tanya, a mum with two young boys under four, has been recharging her creativity for a few hours every Thursday evening at Melanie Sharpham's ceramic course. She has been coming up with some wonderful organic pieces and feeling revived from the experience.
If you live in Perth, Western Australia (and can easily get to the suburb of Kensington) and are keen to participate, email Melanie: msharpha[at]bigpond.net.au
BTW, this is also an excuse to plug my sister's new blog, check out Old Grey House, and show off my adorable little nephew! He looks like he would like to get his hands on those organic bowls!

Fresh setting: A place to sit and eat at my place

2008-10-05T11:12:00.005+08:00

Just thought I would share the way I have set up my dining setting in my new place.
Last time I didn't show you my Mart Stam chairs (bargain of the century: leather is in perfect condition, slight rust marks on the chrome but only $20 for all four on eBay!) and they are super comfortable to sit in too.
I have tied it all together with a giant fresh leaf from a tropical plant (called???) in a retro red vase and some lemons in a teak nut-shaped bowl from a second hand store. The table is the extendible Bjursta.
Behind the setting is another screen-print by The Little Friends of Printmaking called Pacific Jamzzz. This one I put in a larger Ikea frame, Ribba, and filled it out a bit with red framing card.
I really enjoy mixing old and new and I think it all comes together very nicely.

Green and amber glass in my kitchen window

2008-10-03T11:02:00.005+08:00

I just wanted to share a little detail from my new place. I plan to do a full photographic survey when I have my new blinds and have painted etc, but here is a sneak peak for now.
A green vase and amber jug from eBay on my kitchen window shelf. I picked this native Australian flower (unsure of the name, got any ideas?) from my friends garden.
I had not thought to put these two pieces together until moving here and I think their shapes complement each other perfectly.

Etsy find: Something sweet for 2009

2008-10-01T10:43:00.005+08:00

The new year isn't too far away now and if something needs to be ordered from overseas, maybe now is the time to start thinking about it.
This adorable little Birdie Calendar by smeurer8 would make a lovely gift or would look very sweet in the study or kitchen. The branch and bird in black are mounted on wood and encased in a slick resin with a tear away calendar attached.
Hm, a gift for someone special or an addition to my new home...? I think I better order two!
Check out Birdie Calendar or more work by smeurer8 on Etsy.

Neon ruin: Dramatic mid-century signage

2008-09-26T10:39:00.003+08:00

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.

Drunk Lightning: The alchemy of beer and art

2008-09-22T00:44:00.005+08:00

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.

Daily inspiration from life: Color stripes

2008-09-18T11:11:00.004+08:00

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.

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

2008-09-17T00:03:00.004+08:00

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.