functional, esoteric, and pretty

It doesn't get much better than this.

This, ladies and gentlemen in blogland, is the wheel harp. Yes, it does play music. No, I'm not exactly sure how. But its this sort of bizzar piece that could really pull a room together. It's obscure, interesting, and hints at mad science (which is probably why, when I found this, it was via Kaja Foglios blog). Plus, you can't say no to that woodwork.

More info available here

dressing up dull appliances

I'm slowly developing a good magnet collection with which to spruce up our apartment fridge, but I think one day I may be in a position to snazz up my major kitchen appliances somewhat more drasticaly. and this blog: http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/ gave me this idea:

Thats just faux tin ceiling tiles, layed over a dishwasher, folks. Inexpensive, innovative, and a nice way to soften the harsh modernity of most major kitchen appliances.

More fun with coloring on the walls

the idea never gets old for me.

This morning I saw the Steampunk Home blog featured this little treasure:

Ladies and gentlemen, the sharpie library. All that is is sharpie over regular cream wall color. Talk about design on a dime. Although, I can't help but think there could be some significant braincell loss with that much sharpie fume exposure. Still, it may be worth it. While the article here: http://www.kentucky.com/147/story/532854.html (which also has panoramic view) focuses on all the historical, literary, and pop culture figures lounging about in the walls beyond the wall, its the architectural and decorative details that have my attention. It reminds me a bit of living in an Edward Gorey drawing (which seems a bit risky, but alluring nonetheless). Can I just add that setting a clock inside the wall, so that the face was flush with the grandfather clock drawing was a stroke of dedicated genius? I also like how the lawyer who drew his library gifted himself with a variety of modern masterworks of art- or at least, with their outlines. I don't know that this particular project would be for me, but I like where it's heading.

Loish

I am adding another new favorite artist to my list. I would just love a print or twelve from the fabulous artist Loish, aka Lois van Baarle. Her work ranges from somewhat cartoony and heavily graphic to the quietly atmospheric and painterly. Almost all her images have a lighthearted, playful quality, and the way she draws women is just too cute for words. She's another great example of someone who has an anime influence, but who has incorporated that influence into a well developed personal style.

Plus, she loves fish.

What I really can't get over is her use of color. She does such a fantastic job of putting together a pallet that's lighthearted without being over-saturated or saccharine. Their really pretty earthy, at the base, with just a few pops of brighter accents. Plus, you have to admire someone whose studied all over the world, as she has. Her webpage can be found here: http://loish.net/ and I may just have to buy a calender off of her, if nothing else.

Ninja Bunny Office Supplies

What else can I need to say? This could make organizing your office or studying a lot less onerous. Their exactly like the neon rectangles you can get at OfficeMax, but way more likely to make you smile. Available on http://jstory.co.kr/ I think. I can't read any of that. Also comes in bears, and some little earless things I presume to be humans.

PS, I should really get fewer posts from bblog, but since I originally started this blog so that I could remember cool things for my own sake..and she keeps posting awesome stuff, I suspect this may continue.

DIY wallpaper

Holy crap, you guys.

This may be the best wallpaper ever. Now THIS is customizable




















Yep, it’s exactly what it looks like. Color-in wallpaper. Comes in any color you could want. Comes in any color combination you could want. I wonder what the archival properties of Crayola markers are, anyways? And you could do things like change the amount of certain colors towards different parts of the room- add more red tones around a fireplace, use a higher concentration of darker colors around a piece of art you want to highlight...the possibilities are endless.

For my part, I’m thinking…bathroom. I mean you’re already sitting there, staring at the wall, right? Put some markers in relevant colors in a caddy, and have all your houseguests help you decorate your home.

Anyways, you can get the stuff here: http://www.nineteenseventythree.com/shop/products.html?page=80

Tromp L'oi Rugs- one of my favorite tacky things

http://www.2form.no/Rug_palette.htm

This company makes, among other, less tacky things, tromp L’oi rugs. Like this one: http://www.2form.no/Rug_handknotted_Desert_frost.htm meant to mimic cracked earth.

Or this one, designed to mimic river rocks
http://www.2form.no/Rug_other_pebble.htm
That one may just be my favorite. I bet it feels great to walk on.

This one looks like an ariel view of tundra.
http://www.2form.no/Rug_handtufted_tundra.htm

Yes, their tacky, but I like that they suggest texture on the floor, while still being pleasant to walk on. And their…well…fun.