Monica Ramos

Monica Ramos-1-Design Crush

 

Maybe it’s the 90+ degree weather we’ve been experiencing for the past several days or maybe it’s the promise of a getaway to the shore, but I’m entirely entranced by the work of Monica Ramos. Particularly her beach scenes that run edge to edge in color palettes that can make you feel the temperature.

 

Monica Ramos-2-Design Crush

 

Monica Ramos-3-Design Crush

(via The Artful Desperado)

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Twofold

Twofold-1-Design Crush

 

I’m having a moment with Twofold, a collection of contemporary textiles pulled together by Australian Jessica Warner Stites to channel her passion for distinctive textiles and showcase the designers she’s discovered in her life and travels. The shop presents an edited selection of scarves, bags, table linens, and fabric goods from designers who stand out for their inventive patterns and old-world craftsmanship. These Bunad blankets might as well have KELLY! written all over them.

 

Twofold-2-Design Crush

 

Twofold-3-Design Crush

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JUST Keramik

Rikki-Tikki-Just-1-Design Crush

 

Retro meets contemporary in this new line of dinnerware from Rikki Tikki. JUST Keramik features beautiful shapes and  a crosshatch pattern on the exterior of each piece. The container lids and interiors are available in several muted tones that add contrast instead of distraction to the textured vessels.

 

Rikki-Tikki-Just-2-Design Crush

 

(via Design Milk)

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Katharina Trudzinski

Katharina Trudzinski-1-Design Crush

 

Katharina Trudzinski‘s precariously balanced sculptural installations feel like the inside of my mind. She’s the queen is creating incredible angles that you think are about to collapse and effortlessly mixing color and pattern simultaneously. Artist crush activated!

 

Katharina Trudzinski-2-Design Crush

 

Katharina Trudzinski-3-Design Crush

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Veggie Burgers 10 Ways

Veggie burgers get a bad rap, but I can see how if you’ve never had a good one thoughts of cardboard could come to mind with the mere mention. If you didn’t know, it’s National Burger Month and we’re going to celebrate it beef-free with ten mouthwatering takes on the veggie burger. Take a look at the lineup and I dare you to tell me that not one of these recipes made your mouth water.

 

BEET-AND-FETA-BURGERS-food-52-Design-Crush

 

CRISPY-AUTUMN-VEGGIE-BURGERS-withAPPLE-CIDER-SLAW-how-sweet-it-is-Design-Crush

 

CRISPY-BUFFALO-STYLE-QUINOA-SLIDERS-with-SWEET-CORN-+-SCALLIONS-how-sweet-it-is-Design-Crush

 

CURRIED-VEGGIE-BURGERS-pinch-of-yum-Design-Crush

 

PORTOBELLO-BURGER-design-sponge-Design-Crush

 

RED-LENTIL-CAULIFLOWER-BURGER-with-CHIPOTLE-HABANERO-MAYO,-ONION-RINGS,-AND--ROASTED-PEPPERS-vegan-richa-Design-Crush

 

ROASTED-SWEET-POTATO-BLACK-BEEN-BURGERS-with-SMOKE-PAPRIKA-CHIPOTLE-SAUCE-foodie-with-family-Design-Crush

 

SWEET-POTATO-+-BLACK-BEAN-VEGGIE-BURGERS-Cookie-+-Kate-Design-Crush

 

VEGGIE-BURGERS-with-COLESLAW-call-me-cupcake!-Design-Crush

 

BBQ-LENTIL-VEGGIE-BURGER-with-MANGO-CARROT-SLAW-vegan-richa-Design-Crush

Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

 

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Karen Kimmel’s Shape Shifter

Karen Kimmel-1-Design Crush

 

I love L.A.-based Karen Kimmel and her art that truly does bring design into our homes, workplaces, and communities. I love how accessible it all feels, particularly Kimmel’s Shape Shifter, an exploration of color and movement as well as form and finish. It manages to be so sculptural in it’s 2D form. (It’s also very affordable, you can make one yours here.)

 

Karen Kimmel-2-Design Crush

Karen Kimmel-3-Design Crush

 

Karen Kimmel-4-Design Crush

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Make It: Paint Dipped Copper Necklace

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-1-Design-Crush

 

I’ve had the idea for this paint dipped copper necklace in my head for some time, and if you’re any sort of creator you know it’s always nice when the concept comes out even better than you anticipated! This guy is sure to be a staple in my summer wardrobe and offer some color to my mostly black, white, and neutral wardrobe. I love how customizable it is – use as many copper couplets and whatever and however many colors of paint as you’d like.

 

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-2-Design-Crush

 

Supplies:
• copper couplets (I used 1/2″)
• 2 – 28″ lengths of 1/8″ cotton/polyester rope
• craft paints in the colors of your choice
• 4 oz plastic cups
• wax paper
• clear nail polish (optional)

 

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-3-Design-Crush

 

I chose neon pink, neon yellow, white, and black for my color palette. I like that the black and white keeps my necklace colors in tune with what I already have in my wardrobe, while the neons offer a pop of interest.  Start by pouring about half an inch of paint into each of your plastic cups. (Because you won’t actually be using that much you can pour the remainder right back into the bottle post-dip!)

 

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-4-Design-Crush

 

Tear off a short piece of wax paper and set your paint and cups on top of it. Dip one of the copper couplets into the paint making sure to touch it to the bottom of the cup, then remove and gently shake off as much of the excess as possible. Set couplet on the wax paper to chill out for a minute. Repeat with all couplets and paint colors.

 

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-5-Design-Crush

 

After the couplets hang out for a bit (about 15 minutes) you’ll notice the paint beginning to pool at the bottom. The next step is simple – pick each one up and move it to a clean part of the wax paper. Wait another 30-45 minutes and do it again, except this time flip them over so they’re sitting on the unpainted end. So easy. Once they’re completely dry you can opt to do another round of dipping for extra coverage if you’re not satisfied. You can also coat the painted portions with some clear nail polish if you’d like added protection.

 

Paint-Dipped-Copper-Necklace-6-Design-Crush

 

Only one step left! Snip off two lengths of cotton/poly rope and string up your copper pieces as desired, I settled on an end-to-end configuration after playing around for a bit. Tie the ends together (or use a clasp if you’re fancy) and call it a day.

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Gingiber Cards

Gingiber Cards-1-Design Crush

 

I’m so excited to share that one of my favorite illustrators – Stacie Bloomfield of Gingiber – is launching a line of cards this month at the National Stationery Show! I’ve been a fan of Gingiber since its start, and can’t wait to stock up on the thirty designs being offered. Each card features an original illustration and is backed with a coordinating hand drawn pattern. The fox above has always been one of my favorites that Stacie has drawn, and I’m looking forward to owning a miniaturized version sometime soon!

 

Gingiber Cards-2-Design Crush

 

Gingiber Cards-3-Design Crush

 

Gingiber Cards-4-Design Crush

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Happy Weekend

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10-Design Crush

01/ My Toy Plane shows just that in fun and imaginative scenarios.
02/ Pretty silk scarves emblazoned with NASA satellite imagery from Slow Factory.
03/ The 10 Commandments of Typography. Follow ’em.
04/ The post-film lives of sixteen sets.
05/ Subtly geometric wooden iPad and MacBook sleeves from Grove.
06/ Fictitious Dishes depicts meals from famous works of literature.
07/ CATable end the battle for space with your feline companion(s).
08/ Each of BL76‘s price tag artworks is priced according to how many stickers are used!
09/ This hand-cranked sculpture made from popsicle sticks is a study in bird motion.
10/ This glow-in-the-dark energy efficient highway is beyond brilliant.

This week on Design Crush:
I’m teaching a class on creating a killer media kit next week at Alt for Everyone AND giving away 7 tickets! Have you thrown your name into the hat?
Lucite – modern chic or trashy cool?
Check out Wind & Willow Home and then support their Indiegogo to create a new soft goods line!
Crazy awesome collage work by David Woodward.
Don’t forget the card this Mother’s Day. And yes, it’s only a week away!
April was mega crazy, and honestly I’m glad it’s over.
One day I plan on hiring Erin Fitzpatrick to paint my portrait. You know, for posterity.
These kilim clutches prove it’s not just fit for your floors these days.
People You May Meet illustrated me and my animal menagerie!

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