Brit McDaniel credits Scandinavian design, good coffee, and her pup as the inspiration behind Paper & Clay‘s lovely designs. (I’d say that’s a combination for success.) The Memphis-based shop creates small batches of handmade ceramics with the best color palettes that I’d proudly display whether in use or not.
01/ Elemental Turntable is the best looking simple turntable for vinyl newbies.
02/ Artist 1010 created a giant optical illusion on a highway – Le Périphiérique.
03/ Check out Kit Animalium – a 3D chocolate animal kit!
04/ Mimi O Chun’s Stuffed Hipster Emblems are detailed and awesome.
05/ I’m convinced these paper clips would up my organization game.
06/ Crushing on Christoph Niemann’s Brush Girl.
07/ Take a peek at 12 of the best in coffee brewing technology.
08/ Explosive dance portraits by Alexander Yakovlev capture powerful movement.
09/ Akilah Hughes documented her week in a visual diary of used makeup wipes.
10/ A government building in New Mexico has a cat library where workers can check out adoptable cats!
This week on Design Crush:
Let your playful side out with these Scribble Rugs.
Download this desktop wallpaper that was inspired by summer + HP Sprout!
Incredible architectural reliefs from Chisel & Mouse.
Definitely snatching up my sign in the Good Twin’s Zodiac Pin + Post.
Cosmic Nuggets’ Maskz series is colorful and dark – in other words perfect.
Admit it, you have a summer wish list all thought out too.
Laura Agusti’s Ashdown Cats are amazing.
Fourteen Father’s Day cards… because it’s this coming Sunday.
Bryan Ray‘s incredible work is teeming with color and loads of momentum.
01/ Louise Zhang’s Slosh Samples are beautifully grotesque.
02/ Travelbox acts as a pop-up hotel room for avid travelers.
03/ The Szczecin Philharmonic Hall in Poland is white done right.
04/ A hanging felt cradle inspired by the womb, check out Little Nest.
05/ Mmuseumm is a tiny museum of found objects housed in a former freight elevator in NYC.
06/ The world’s longest + highest glass bottom bridge – the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Skywalk – is about to open in China.
07/ City Museum in St. Louis is a 10-story former shoe factory transformed into an urban playground.
08/ Love these 11 BMWs that famous artists have turned into masterpieces.
09/ Kaffeeform Cups are coffee cups made out of coffee grounds!
10/ The effects of love on identical stuffed animals.
This week on Design Crush:
Ten fresh art prints to amp up your decor in Print Edition: June.
Loving the refined work of Lyngby Porcelain.
Rambling towns from the hand of Amy Casey.
Crushing hard on Kate Blegvad’s jewelry – Datter Industries.
Soft, pretty brand work from Babeth Lafon.
Your cocktail needs this geometric drink rocks set!
Vibrantly quirky paintings from Jessie Breakwell.
Urban Kraft paper bags are super durable and even washable.
Mayice creates stained glass out of something completely unexpected.
This Drink Rocks Set is doing it for me. Reason 1 is that drink rocks are amazing for not watering down whatever libation you’re sipping on, reason 2 is that the varied shapes and colors act as an identifier if more than one person is drinking the same thing out of a similar glass.
(via bltd)
Posted In entertaining, house and home, kitchen, living
The first weekend in May I had the chance to lead a workshop at Anthropologie where we made these fun and colorful abstract painted potholders. I made a few samples beforehand for inspiration, so I thought I’d share those along with a bit from the event itself, then tell you how to make your own.
The girls at the Pittsburgh Anthro’s Bakery Square location did an amazing job setting up for what was actually their first ever event. We all noshed on the tastiest mini cupcakes, fruit water, and plenty of Prosecco while painting. It was a beautiful day, and sitting inside those big windows with the warm sun shining in made everyone extra creative.
The best part of this project is that there are zero rules, it’s all about having fun. Paint skills don’t matter one bit because the end result is meant to be abstract and playful. We played with different materials to create designs – drinking straws, toothpicks, and cardboard – that could add a graphic element.
This gal was the life of the party. She showed up with her babysitter about halfway through and proceeded to tell everyone how wonderful they were doing (her words) before creating this masterpiece to give to her cousin. We sent her off with plenty of cupcakes and took plenty of selfies.
Supplies:
• plain white potholders (make sure they are meant for use, not decorative)
• matte acrylic paint
• paintbrushes
• paper plates for palettes
• paper towels
• drinking straws, toothpicks, etc
• water jar for brush rinsing
Thanks to Anthropologie for hosting the event and to everyone who came out to create!
Posted In house and home, kitchen, living, make it
Glop solves two problems right off the bat. The silicone line of dishware designed by Berta Julià Sala saves you both cabinet space and dirty dishes by being so bendy and multifunctional. Use the tall cylinder as a vase or serving vessel. Use a bowl to eat cereal, then bend it up to slurp up the milk. You get the idea, and it’s kind of brilliant.
Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
I’ve been trying to cut back on costs before summer and its full schedule of activities and events hit full stride, mainly by cooking at home more and eating out less. A big part of being in the kitchen for me is enjoying the process, and having sturdy hardworking pieces to work with can make or break the experience. So when Neoflam asked if I’d like to try out some of their retro cookware I didn’t hesitate. I was surprised by just how light their cast aluminum pieces are, a huge difference-maker when lifting a potful of my famous (among dozens) peanut soup. The sleek lines and colors look so good in my kitchen that I’ve opted to keep my stockpot stovetop even when not in use. (Check out the Promotions section of their site to score a deal of your own!)
I received product in exchange for this post. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Design Crush!
Posted In behind the scenes, house and home, kitchen, living, sponsored post
I’ve been in the process of getting my backyard into tiptop summer entertaining condition, including an unexpected hand-me-down from my aunt and uncle in the form of a three times used grill that I can’t wait to put through its paces. Any grill master worth their salt requires a sturdy apron, and these chef’s grade designs ones from Hedley and Bennett are the perfect thing.
Seems ironic that what I’m admiring most right now, just as the weather warms, is a foursome of Atelier Dion Colored Clay Mugs. These beauties are crafted out of signature pigmented clays rather than painted or glazed. (The silver lining/justification is that a day doesn’t go by that I don’t start with coffee.)
