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Project Francis Lamps by DMOCH
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Swedish design duo David Ericsson and Marcus Berg founded DMOCH, together they created the Project Francis lamp that’s intended to bring a poetic and humorous element to traditional lighting fixtures. The lamps are full of quirky shapes, vibrant colors and odd mounting techniques; their whimsical presence brings a touch of magic to any home setting. [...]
Game of Thrones: A Scandinavian Pastime Reimagined
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If you are suffering from bocce or croquet ennui this summer, a traditional Viking lawn game (also known as Kubb) has been retooled by a Seattle design duo. Sallyann Corn and Joe Kent of Fruitsuper Design in Seattle have taken a Swedish classic (sometimes described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes) and given it some modern appeal. The aim is to topple the king with sticks before the opponent does; as with all lawn games, the premise is simple but the skill set is earned. For more on the duo's work, go to Fruitsuper Design . Above: The King's Game Set is $179 from Huset Shop. The aim of the game is to topple over the king with one of the sticks. Above: A carry-anywhere tote bag holds the 21 solid hardwood game pieces. Above: Each set comes with an easy-to-follow guide and an all-important rule book.
The Outdoor Rug Evolves
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Forget scratchy outdoor mats; a new wave of weather- and fade-resistant outdoor rugs made from softer fibers is changing the floor-covering landscape. Here's a roundup of some current favorites. NB: Outdoor rugs are also great for use in indoor spaces prone to dampness or spillage (kitchens, baths, entry spaces, and laundry areas). Above: Recycled Yarn Nautical Stripe Outdoor Rug is made with thick yarns spun from recycled soda bottles. Surprisingly soft underfoot, it is available in blue stripe, orange stripe, or green stripe; $29 to $349 depending on size at Williams Sonoma. Above: Handmade in India of 100 percent polyester yarn from recycled materials, the Izmir Outdoor Dhurrie is available in slate (shown) and indigo; $41 to $636 at West Elm. Above: Dash and Albert's outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene that is scrubbable, bleachable and UV-treated for outdoor use. New this season (shown above clockwise from top): the Dash and Albert Rugby Striped Denim Indoor/Outdoor Rug ($38 to $514), Dash and Albert Catamaran Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Rug ($38 to $514), and the Dash and Albert Rope Denim Indoor/Outdoor Rug ($44 to $1,310); prices vary by size. Available through Dash and Albert. Above: Swedish company Pappelina makes durable plastic and polyester rugs suitable for indoor or outdoor use; a favorite is the Pappelina Hugo Carpet , which features a dot pattern. Available in mud (L) or black (R); $123.60 to $586.25, depending on size, at Scandinavian Design Center. Above: Solid Sunbrella Flat Braided Rugs are loomed from Sunbrella® fibers that are stain-, fade- and mildew-resistant. Available in four earthy colors, the large areas rugs range from a 6-by-9-foot size to a 10-by-14-foot size; $785-$1,985 at Restoration Hardware. Above: Chilewich Electric Stripe Shag Mats are made of tufted vinyl, giving the mats a shagged appearance. Finished in electrically bright colors, the mats are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Available in three sizes; $45 to $150 at Horne. Above: Striped Braided Indoor/Outdoor Rug is available in a choice of five colors of bold cabana stripes of braided durable 100 percent polypropylene that resists fading and mildew; $69 to $669 at Ballard Designs.
Back to the Future: An Art Deco House in London
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Conceived in the mid-1930s, this Art Deco house was considered a house of the future when it was built. Seven decades later, with a Grade II listing, Mike Rundell from London architecture firm Rundell Associates transformed the house to a home for the present and moved in with his family. Between the wars, innovative developer H. C. Morrell hired architects Kemp & Tasker (a firm better known for its Art Deco cinemas) to build Art Deco homes in and around London, including the "house of tomorrow" at the 1936 Ideal Home Show. Morrell's own home in a London suburb, became the unlikely homestead for Rundell, an urban architect with strong ties to modern British artists Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin (he has also designed contemporary art galleries like the White Cube) . When he first came across the house, with its period interiors nearly intact, Rundell knew he had come upon a rare find and seized the opportunity. Photography courtesy of Rundell Associates . Above: The coursing of the bricks emphasize the horizontal reading of the "modern" house. Photography by Richard Powers via The Telegraph . Above: In keeping with the house's Grade II listing, Rundell preserved as many of the original details as possible during the extensive repairs and refurbishment. The glass chandelier is original to the house. Above: The original stair rails are an example of Art Deco metal work and would have been very different in feeling to the wood handrails in other houses of the period. Above: The decorative treatment of the ceilings has been preserved and the furnishings reflect an Art Deco moderne sensibility. The sofa of sliding planes designed by Mike Rundell is complemented by lime velvet chairs from Schmid McDonagh. A photo by British artist Sam Taylor Wood sits above a sideboard found at Oxfam. The sculptural light on the floor is from Italian glass designer Paola Petrobelli. Above: Rundell worked with the interior designer Camilla Ashforth to reinstate the grandeur of the house. In front of the original Art Deco fireplace, glass coffees tables from Gallery 25 (specialists in 20th century design furniture and decorative arts) sit on a carpet by Kelly Wearstler from The Rug Company. Above: The original kitchen no longer existed; Rundell designed the new kitchen to tie in seamlessly with the interiors while accommodating the needs of 21st century family living. The cabinetry draws inspiration from Art Deco furniture, while the Mirror Ball Pendant is from SCP. Above: Rundell combined the the kitchen and dining room, which were originally separated, into one room; a new set of a sliding walnut doors allows the spaces to function as separte rooms if required. Above: The distinctive period dining room chairs and table were sourced from Christie's; a painting from Damien Hirst Spin series hangs on the right hand wall. Above: The media room is resplendent in glamorous Art Deco colors and decorative wall treatment. Above: The master bedroom retains many original Art Deco features, including the gas fireplace. Above: The original marble and onyx remains in all four the bathrooms. Above: The Art Deco bathroom fixtures, including the fish-shaped faucet shown above, are all original.
Chairs with a Sense of Euphoria
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Italian designer Paola Navone, known for her fanciful designs, has done it again with her Eu/phoria chair for Eumenes. Navone's Eu/phoria chair features a steel support topped by mod shell, made from a composite polypropylene and recycled wood material (which means it's eco-friendly). Her patterns are reminiscent of plaid nylon shopping bags, to create a playful twist on a mid-century classic. Above: The Euphoria chair in tartan, checks, or stripes is available by contacting Eumenes or Yoox . Image via Designboom . Above: Eu/phoria's painted steel legs come in eight different colors. The seat is also available in several solid options . Above: This candy-striped loveseat reminds us of old-fashioned ice cream parlors made modern. Image via Designboom .
A Garage Turned Garden Room in LA
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In California, where the climate is temperate and houses are small (and expensive), it's common for homeowners to annex the garage as living space. This parking-space-turned-garden-room in West LA by David John and Krista Schrock of DISC Interiors might be the prettiest garage conversion we've seen yet. To see more of the firm's work, go to DISC ; to read David John's blog, go to You Have Been Here Sometime . Photographs by David John . Above: The black pipe desk with brass fittings and ash tabletop is from LA-based To Do Something . The Enzo Task Lamp of antiqued brass with a shesham wood base is $550 at Jayson Home & Garden. The brass Nina Tapered Table Lamp by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort is $272.90. The copper Spun Metal Side Table is $395 at Lawson Fenning in Los Angeles. The Blue and White Spotted Vase by Matthias Merkel Hess was sourced from Iko Iko and the Adam Silverman vase is from Heath Ceramics. Above: The custom cabinetry was designed by DISC and fabricated by To Do Something (it's painted in Benjamin Moore OC-12 Muslin); the Classic Cabinet Knobs in brass are from Rejuvenation Hardware. The vintage side table is from Lawson-Fenning and the 1960s ceramic table lamp is from Surfing Cowboys. The Blue Pebble Pillow is by LA textile designer Annabel Inganni of Wolfum. Above: DISC designed the custom ottoman covered in a tweedy fabric; the vase is vintage. The Braided Hemp Rug is from Restoration Hardware. The floors are painted in Benjamin Moore's Epoxy OC-1 Natural Wicker. Above R: The owner made the ceiling pendant in a crafts class using a wire frame and popsicle sticks. Above: DISC painted the mirrored doors, which were original to the house, in chalkboard paint. Above: The custom purple awning from Van Nuys Awning is made from Sunbrella fabric.
A Oaxacan Oasis in Berkeley
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A report from the frontlines: newly opened Berkeley restaurant Comal features innovative interior design—plus a next-wave, state-of-the-art sound system. Owned by John Paluska, the former manager of rock band Phish, Comal is the first restaurant anywhere to feature a newly developed sound system by Berkeley-based acoustic experts Meyer Sound. As Paluska notes, restaurant owners often get complaints from diners that their spaces are either too quiet—lacking vibrancy and buzz—or too loud. The Meyer system is intended to straddle the perfect middle ground. Meanwhile, the interiors, designed by Remodelista Architect/ Designer Directory members Marites Abueg and Keith Morris of Abueg Morris Architects , were inspired by the colors and sensations of Oaxaca (I know this because I happen to work for the firm, and this was my first experience working on a restaurant project). One thing I learned in the design process? An open mind and an adventurous spirit result in the best work. For instance, during their first visit to the empty restaurant-to-be, Abueg and Morris tore at the existing sheetrock to discover what lay beneath. When they found old wood lath covering even older board-formed concrete walls, they knew the bones of the place were asking to be used. From there, a multi-layered design began to take shape. Says Abueg, "Many people start out with a neutral palette and then stop, producing a space that is modern but not dynamic. Just adding a few more textures and colors—burlap, copper, an amber glow, turquoise blue glass—added layers of dynamism to make this environment sparkle and come to life." Need more reasons to stop by? A quick hits list: Cocktails from the Bon Vivants . Chef Matt Gandin, formerly of Delfina. A large backyard patio with a fire pit and a walk-up bar. And a music playlist by the former manager of Phish. See you soon. Photography by Eurydice Galka , except where noted. Above: The turquoise hand-blown glass pendants are by Photosynthesis in Berkeley. Above: Custom iron stools by Ferrous Studios in Richmond, CA, feature designs created with a branding iron by American sculptor John Bisbee . Amber LED strips illuminate the bar shelving; the bar-front panel is utility-grade oak flooring installed backward, to expose more texture; a clever application at a very low cost. Photo by John Paluska. Above: Repurposed burlap coffee bags provide color, texture, and acoustic absorption. Above: The artwork is a Meyer Sound acoustic panel printed with a photograph of Oaxaca City by Deborah O'Grady . Original Douglas Fir flooring bears the marks of many years of use. Photo by John Paluska. Above: An amber LED strip warms the space where the banquets meet the original board-formed concrete walls. The copper mesh pendants are by Metro Lighting in Berkeley. Above: Wood lath taken from the existing ceiling and walls was repurposed as a decorative wall finish. The architects allowed its original colors to show, giving the lath only a wire-brush cleaning and fire treatment prior to install. Above: Heat lamps will keep outdoor diners warm on a chilly summer's evening. The back patio (opening soon) will feature landscaping by Robert Trachtenberg of Garden Architecture in Berkeley. Vintage chairs are from Amsterdam Modern . The back wall is painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray . Above: The facade, designed by Trachtenberg Architects , features Cor-Ten panels that will rust over time. Storefront windows by Ferrous Studios .
Moby Goes Blog Wild
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Singer/DJ Moby not only digs music, he digs architecture. So much so, he even has a blog dedicated to his passion for Los Angeles architecture. Check it out here and a post on the topic at CurbedLA. Image via Curbed LA
Holy Landmarks Preservation, Batman!
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The blog, io9.com, provides a sneak peek at some pages from the new Batman graphic novel by publishing design guru and Bat-fan, Chip Kidd. Taking artistic cues from Metropolis by Fritz Lang and renderings by architect Hugh Ferriss, Kidd spins his yarn around the architectural side of Gotham City and features classic and new villains, plus Bruce Wayne as chairman of the Gotham Landmarks Commission. Read and see more here. Image via io9.com
Sanford Goldman-Designed House For Sale
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Scott T. sends a link to a house designed by Taliesin apprentice, Sanford M. Goldman, for sale in Saint Petersburg, FL. Check out the listing and photos here. Image via hotpads.com
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