August 17, 2007

Sant Ambroeus Ristorante.

The original Sant Ambroeus Ristorante opened its doors in Milan in 1936. It didn’t take long for a devoted following to emerge and for Sant Ambroeus to become the meeting place for the local intelligentsia.

The newer stateside locations brought the old-world feel of Milan’s Sant Ambroeus into modern times and imported their rich culinary traditions to three New York neighborhoods: the West Village, the Upper East Side, and Southampton.

The identity created for the pattisserie/cafeteria is beautifully executed and consistant down to the menus and takeout bags. The Sant Ambroeus site is elegant and minimal, while the fact that two fonts were created specifically for the restaurant is incredibly impressive.


Posted In packaging
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August 16, 2007

Stain.


Stain is a set of a teacups designed to improve through use by artist Bethan Laura Wood. In the process, they examine the assumption that use is damaging to a product while proving it can be quite the opposite. The interior surface of the cup is treated so as to stain more in predetermined places. The more the cups are used, the more the pattern is revealed. The cups are available in two different stain patterns for £35 a piece through the artist’s website. Ms. Wood is incredibly talented and the site also displays some of her graduate and live projects.

Posted In grand design, kitchen
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August 16, 2007

Apiary Design.

Inspired by vintage wallpaper and lush textiles, Apiary Design’s paper products are crafted with a combination of patterns and hand sewn details. Printed with raised ink, the real beauty of the cards lies in the way they feel. I love the matching envelope labels you can purchase to match any of the patterns and the sets of inviatations, menus and placecards are incedible as well.


Posted In invitations, paper goods
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August 16, 2007

Baked.

Love the name, the packaging and the identity of this Red Hook, NYC bakery. Baked is the dream-turned-reality of a motley crew who like to think of themselves as “dessert experts; the kind of people blessed with a highly (almost holy) developed sense of taste and smell.” Their dessert obsession finally spilled over from full-time hobby to full-time profession in their ode to the perfect bakery, Baked.

Since I’m not in New York, I can only gawk and, thankfully, order online. The offical Baked diner mug is $8 and comes in either brown or orange. This too cool Tea for two teapot is $15. There’s a wide variety of gift sizes for everything. I won’t get into specifics about the baked goods because I need to eat a salad for lunch and that would just make it way too difficult to swallow.


Posted In food, packaging
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August 16, 2007

CB2.

I got the latest CB2 catalogue in the mail the other day and, literally, drooled all over it. What I love about CB2, Crate & Barrel and IKEA is the way they make great design available to the masses. Sure, I love Design Within Reach, too, but I sure can’t afford it. Now if someone could only knock-off an Eames chair I’d be all set.

First Row: Cheers wine glasses $19.95 for the set of 6, Whirly hanging votive holder in silver $4.95, Red lips melamine appetizer plate $1.95;
Second Row: Long neck vases $3.95 each, Indie queen bed $499, Stainless water pitcher $29.95;
Third Row: Briar chair in Smoke $699, Snare pendant lamp $49.95, Lumiere Candleholders $5.95-12.95

Posted In house and home
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August 15, 2007

Hat or Scarf?

With Scoodie you’ll be asking yourself just that. I don’t normally post about clothing. Maybe it’s the 104º heat outside or maybe just the incredible design that’s compelled me to do so today. Regardless, I totally want one of these! It’s even got an iPod-sized button flap, so you can endure the weather in style. You can pick up a Scoodie by Kasil at Revolve Clothing for $39.

Posted In grand design, wear it
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August 15, 2007

Third Drawer Down: Teatowels and Handkerchiefs.

By placing art into the most domestic of circumstances – on teatowels and handkerchiefs – Third Drawer Down promotes art and every day life. TDD reproduces artwork by contemporary Australian and international artists as limited edition screen prints, some based on illustrations, while others on type. My favorites seem to be primarily by the same artist. Check out the TDD site for a list of ideas on what to do with the teatowels and handkerchiefs besides drying dishes or blowing your nose.

Posted In collaboration/project, create, kitchen, textiles, wear it
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August 15, 2007

Right Brain Terrain: AMPs.

Ever see the motivational poster with the eagle soaring high above the plains that’s supposed to fill you with inspiration of an unmeasuarable magnitude? These posters aren’t those. Back in the day – 2005 – Right Brain Terrain came to the conclusion that they weren’t moved by those posters, so they must not be motivating too many others either. What followed shortly thereafter was the birth of Alternative Motivaional Posters – AMPs for short. AMPs are bold, contemporary and well-designed. My favorite is Focus. I’d actually come across the poster imagery a few years ago and had no idea where it came from, but hung on to it. I’m thrilled to have finally located the genius behind the posters. And I think the Focus print will my gift to me for moving into an office with an actual door.



Posted In paper goods, posters
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August 15, 2007

Bone Collector.

I’m not normally in the habit of collecting cast plastic chicken bones, but these wishbones that Design*Sponge posted about from Etsy shop somethingshidinghere are fantastic. The printed bag includes three wishbones and is 4″x6″ with a draw string closure and made of 100% woven cotton. The whole sha-bang will cost you $8.

Posted In gifts
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August 14, 2007

Brush and Rinse.

This is the point of amazing, functional design – the Brush and Rinse. Created by Amron Experimental, the Brush and Rinse redirects water from the faucet to your mouth in a beautiful arch. Goodbye paper cups, glasses, slurping from the faucet, sucking water from the bristles and cupping water in your hand to rinse. I love that all it took was a simple tweak of an ordinary, everyday toothbrush to turn it into something dually functional. It turns brushing your teeth into something fun and what more can you ask. Oh, that it only cost $3? Done.

Posted In features, grand design, house and home
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