She’s not cheap, but maaaaaaaan is she pretty. I’m of course talking about the Roland Kiyola Piano. It’s a MoMA Design Store exclusive, handcrafted in Japan by furniture-maker Karimoku. The modern designed digital instrument is minimal all around, but with a sound reminiscent of an acoustic model. I’ve never regretted ending my piano lessons more!
I love a good bar cabinet, you might remember the one I made from an old depression era cabinet. It’s just such a classy piece of furniture, a bar cart taken to the next level that’s ready to welcome you after a long day or guests the minute they walk into your home. My favorites have always a mid-century vibe, but I’m also loving some of the more unique pieces below. How about you, do you prefer a bar cart or cabinet?
If only every home could have a fireplace, there’s just nothing better to focus the guts of a room upon. My personal favorites are modern – blocky cement or white brick – with a space for storing wood, but I’m a sucker for nearly all of them. What I’ve learned is there’s no right way to do a hearth or mantel when, in fact, you don’t even need either one! Lots of rooms seen here have me thinking about tearing the facing right off of my own fireplace – would you dare?
I always struggle when explaining just what I do for a living to others. You’d think after 8 1/2 years of Design Crush I’d have nailed down an elevator pitch, but nope. Usually I resort to saying something about the site being a reflection of my aesthetic yadda yadda yadda. That is until a few months ago when I came across this quote by Maira Kalman and it resonated like no other. I feel like this is the absolute perfect way to describe my day to day and if I could use it as the entirety of my bio I would.
I share things I love daily with you, but of course I don’t own all of them. Not even a fraction. One of my favorite posts each year is this one, where I get to share the things I use day in and day out that have stood the test of life. So in my best Oprah voice, herewith are my faaaavorite thiiiiiings for 2015!
1/Artifact Uprising’s Wood Cleat – This sleek reclaimed wood cleat has a magnetic closure system, making it super easy to swap out whatever art/photo/etc you want to display at any given moment.
2/Casper – You’ve surely heard about this startup that’s changing the mattress industry. I got mine back in March and haven’t woken up with a sore back or hips since. I really cannot recommend it enough! (Hit me up if you want a coupon!)
3/Cold Gold – This line of hand-crafted geometric and leather jewelry has become my go-to for daily wear and gifting. It doesn’t hurt that the owner is super sweet either!
4/Neoflam – Cast aluminum cookware that’s non-stick and seamless is perfect for making dinner every night. Because when something is this easy to clean up it’s way less likely to end up sitting in my sink for a week.
5/Urbanears Plattan ADV Wireless – I’ve worn this line for years, but they recently released the first Bluetooth headphones in their lineup and I’m completely hooked.
6/Parabo Press Risograph Prints – Really all of their personalized print goods, but especially the pink risographs are amazing. The app is also super easy to use which says a lot in this day and age.
7/Treat Collection – Since trying out this non-toxic line of nail polishes and remover I haven’t used anything else. Great coverage, no odor – what else could be better?
8/Nest – I first plugged my new learning thermostat in this past spring. Not only is it interesting to see it learn your habits, it’s also fantastic seeing the difference in your bills.
9/Canary – Quite simply the easiest all-in-one home security system that’s ever been. You control it all from your phone and there’s zero setup.
10/Frederick’s & Mae Playing Cards – Some of the most eye-catching I’ve ever come across, they even make solitaire that much better!
Posted In beauty bag, features, house and home, jewelry, kitchen, living, music, paper goods, prints, round up, series, style, wear it, wood
Inga Powilleit via Desire to Inspire
I’ve never been much of a bath person with the exception of when I’m sick. In fact I can remember being so excited to transition to taking a shower as a kid, like it marked some right of passage. The tub in my current home isn’t anything to write home about and is honestly kind of awful when draining, so the only thing that gets me amped up about the possibility of a bath is some some tub porn. It still amazes me when a standard household fixture can be turned into such elegance and luxury. Personally I think the key to a good experience must be a tub with high sides – the holy grail of baths!
Rogerseller via flodeau
Vipp via Home Adore
Marcia Prentice via coco + kelley
Nik Epifanidis via The Design Files
Posted In features, house and home, living
01/ Notifly lets you know about a scheduled meeting by blowing a bubble!
02/ Get CallerID for your front door with Peeple‘s wireless camera.
03/ A handy chart sharing how long fresh produce will last once you buy it.
04/ This year’s Serpentine Pavilion honors the London Underground with a secret corridor.
05/ The Mason Watch is like is basically a sculpture for your wrist.
06/ Stefaan De Croock (aka Strook) uses discarded doors to create giant street murals.
07/ Gum, not just chewing these days – check out Maurizio Savini‘s sculptures.
08/ Meet Mr. Head, a vacuum cleaner turned artist.
09/ Jon Alameda throws the tiniest 1-inch scale miniature pottery.
10/ A Philadelphia church was transformed thanks to lots of paracord and Aaron Asis.
This week on Design Crush:
Mixed media photo and sketch collages by Joe Rudko.
I’ll be dreaming of these Weekend Sunbeds all summer long.
Colorful, geometric asphalt jewelry from The Good Machinery.
Make your own footwear with Pikkpack.
Stunning pastel female portraiture by Hsiao-Ron Cheng.
I’d love to fill my kitchen with pieces from Fringe and Fettle Ceramics.
Incredibly realistic watercolor hands from the brush of Martha Ossowska Persson.
Loving the pins and prints coming out of The BlkSmith Co.
The blueberry upside-down cake I’ll be making until the little guys run out.
01/ Love that this stylist cuts hair for the homeless on his day off because “every human life is worth the same.”
02/ This staircase is basically a work of art.
03/ Floating City is a sprawling cardboard architectural island.
04/ The zombie craze is alive and well with Zombie Safe Zone Maps prints.
05/ 3D topographies that resemble weather patterns and ocean floors are beautiful.
06/ Cotton string and glue join forces to create creature specimens like you’ve never seen.
07/ Left Behind is a beautiful tribute to an artist’s late mother showcasing her things.
08/ The Taser Photoshoot captures people just as they’re hit with a stun gun. Huh.
09/ A reclining bird topiary stars in Sleepy Chick.
10/ Time Sliced shows iconic buildings from sunrise to sunset.
This week on Design Crush:
A new feature kicked off Monday, once a month I’ll be sharing some of my favorite pieces stocked in the Marketplace!
Pretty pastel textiles and pieces from Lina Rennell.
Modern heirloom quilts and more handmade by Rain & the River are on my wish list.
As is all of Rebecca Mir Grady‘s entire line of gorgeous jewelry.
I can’t get enough of these muted slice of life paintings by Emily Ferretti.
Have you noticed that embroidery is trending?
Crazy colorful “pen paintings” by Daniel Eatock.
A slew of well-designed pieces for the home from Hello Polly.
I can hardly believe it’s the end of August, that means it’s time for to check in.
Design Crush elsewhere:
Graphic wallpaper can amp up even the smallest space immediately.
Gettin’ boho in the home with some fantastic throw rugs.
01/ Reconnected, turning fallen trees into art on trunk at a time.
02/ Perfect Tree in a Farmer’s Field.
03/ BBQ, a papercraft barbecue grill!
04/ I’ve never broken a bone, I’m holding out for these 3D printed casts.
05/ Adrift, a two year love letter to the San Francisco fog.
06/ The world’s first one person restaurant!
07/ This guy is everywhere this week – 40 year book photos, same outfit.
08/ Yay or nay on this hammock-shaped tub?
09/ Celebrating George Orwell’s 110th birthday with surveillance cameras + party hats!
10/ Why are more houses not painted like this?!
This week on Design Crush:
Hello, San Diego – Part 2
Martha McQuade
Alphabet City Coasters
108 Ways to Scream For Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet + More
Nissan Versa Note
Read Between the Lines
Happy 4th!
Doing Good With Anthropologie
01/ The Clip Bag.
02/ Disney’s Sloth Princesses.
03/ You’re Officially Awesome!
04/ The power of reading. Literally.
05/ I never thought I wanted a swimming pool. Until now.
06/ Petheadz – an Instagram series of pets and their owners.
07/ The most minimalist playing cards ever.
08/ Leather suitcase furniture, yup it’s a thing.
09/ Punk Kitty Graffiti – amazing.
10/ Red SOLO cups go fancy!
Miss anything on Design Crush this week?
Gem Scarves
The Animal Alphabet in Primitive Portraits
InstaApril
Modern Sprout Hydroponic Planter
Color with Confidence: Pantone + Valspar + Lowe’s
Brevity Signature Necklace
What Will You Make Today?
Quilt Collection
I Heart NYC
01/ Laser cut leg wear inspired by molting animals.
02/ Pretty IP creates a color palette from your computer’s IP address.
03/ Oh you know, just a shower that works like a car wash.
04/ Print out this Oscar ballot before Sunday’s awards show.
05/ Carpets made from socks and shirts.
06/ Animals sculpted from colored shards of glass.
07/ I don’t like snakes, but I love Milky Joe in his handmade pink sweater!
08/ Now these are some crazy insane birds nests.
09/ A map of the US made from 50,000 wooden matchsticks.
10/ Love this print – The Various Varieties of Vegetables!