Fascinating - Fascination Shoes

These are way too cool for school! Made of fed express paper, these sneakers are the brainchild of Civic Duty (http://www.civicdutyshoes.com/).  They come in high tops and low tops (which are more like converse), loafers and low tops (similar to keds). And the colors, well see for yourself. Great gifts and great for the environment too! Retail for $59/pr. You can't beat it. There are five collections which are fascination, sensation, exhileration, dedication and illumination. And they can all be worn with or without laces.  I love the fact that they are made from recyclable materials.

The Story Behind Civic Duty:
Civic Duty is more than just a brand. It is a movement that aims to inspire others. In 2009, Steven Weinreb, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, lost his job due to the massive economic downturn. Like many Americans, he was concerned about his prospects for a new job when so many were unemployed. He was infuriated watching the Government bail out big corporations who were largely responsible for creating our country's bleak economic climate while everyday folk were left to fend for themselves. His frustration soon became his motivation to start a company that cares. He was determined to prove that we can be successful and still be socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible. And so, Civic Duty was born to bring people together through fashion that is fresh, innovative and with a conscience.

Each year an exclusive shoe will be uniquely designed with 100% of the profits donated to a social cause benefiting those in the United States Now that's a really cool sneaker!

Artist Victoria Steinberg

This beautiful engaging work is by Manhattan artist Victoria Steinberg.  Victoria presents a captivating perspective of still life, portrait and landscape subjects, through a dedication to the mastery of realism, executed in oil painting. Her work embodies light form and color with skillful strokes suggestive of Dutch masters. Ms. Steinberg carries forward the refined tradition of “chiaroscuro” or direct light.

Years of study at the world renowned Art Students League in New York City with such Twentieth Century masters as Robert Brackman, David Leffel, Gary Fagen, Daniel Greene, Robert Johnson, Peter Cox and Greg Kreutz have empowered her to produce elegant compositions such as the works shown above. These compositions embrace concepts of cast shadows, definitive and lost edges, all transmitted in reflected light and full-bodied colors. You can find her other work at http://www.victoriasteinberg.com/.  The work leaves one thinking, what is her connection to the subject matter? Does she know her subjects?  I am all about realism being a confessed realist! It doesn't get more real than this and I am certain that her work reflects not only what she sees, but an untold story. I am curious!

Gold Rings Tree Mirror

The "Gold Rings Tree" Mirror reflects images in 110 individual laser-cut pieces of mirror. Since it is made to order, you can get it any almost any conceiveable finish in addition to the gold leaf pictured below. Dimensions are 53" wide x 86" high. Imagine a whole wall of these. It would be like a gold tree forest. 

MOD Gadgets

I love gadgets! They make your life easier. There are some really cool things out there right now. Bodum has created some really cool gadgets with bright happy colors. Below are some of the really cool gadgets for your kitchen and for you like this "gravity grinder" for salt or pepper. It automatically grinds when it is tilted. It comes in spicy red, chartreuse green (shown), purple, black and hot pink. Priced at $19.99 retail they make great Christmas gifts for the chef on your list.

This is a  new line of Coffee Presses by Bodum. They too come in wonderful vibrant colors (copper, orange (shown below), red, blue, yellow, purple, hot pink, white and black. There is a color for everyone. Priced @ $29.95 they are very affordable.

The "Young Press" (shown below) was designed based on the need for a modern and functional coffee press. Surrounded by hard rubber with the glass being made of polycarbonate which prevents breakage and keeps the coffee hot longer. Also, the body will not be too hot to touch meaning you won't get burned. I don't know how many times I have been burned with my press just trying to pour the hot water into the carafe. 

These will give hurry up and wait a whole new meaning. How cute are they? Kitchen Timers your kids will want to play with. Made by Alessi , hand decorated and designed by Stefano Giovannani. Retails for $57.00 retail.   They are so cute! I think they could be Mr. OR Mrs. Chin don't you?

Okay, these are sort of a gadget. Whiskey Rocks (shown below) are made of stone and chill your favorite whiskey or other liquor without diluting it. No more ordering a double. No dilution means you will get the straight stuff. They are made from domestically quarried soapstone in Perkinsville, Vermont. To clean, just rinse with water then refreeze. It's that simple. Priced @ $20.00 retail they are a steal.

Smokeless, Portable and Mountable Fireplaces

Create ambience in any room of your house. These modern smokeless and ventless fireplaces use bioethanol fuel which means they are less harmful for the environment, you or your family. It is not alcohol or gasoline. They contain resevoirs where you pour the smokeless fuel. Then use a long lighter to light, such as the type you use for your barbeque.  They come with a cylinder that slides over the top of the reservoir to put out the fire. They are easily mounted to any wall, but be sure you hire someone who knows what he/she is doing. Although they are  a lot less dangerous than traditional fireplaces, they are wall mounted which means they need to be securely installed on a stud. Talk about instant date night environment. They come in a plethora of sizes ranging in price from $200 up to $2,000  plus. Models shown above are $1,800.  A definitie must have for any design fanatic.  

MOD Props: 70s Modern

MOD Props: 70s Modern: "I love you just the way you are! This probably has to be one of my favorite chairs ever. It just beckons you to have a seat and swirl around..."

70s Modern

I love you just the way you are! This probably has to be one of my favorite chairs ever. It just beckons you to have a seat and swirl around. The "Louis Chair" by Vioski (http://www.vioski.com/) offers a whole lot of contemporary style. Think Jetsons, mid-century and a little bit of Austin Powers. Yeah Baby!!! The Louis also comes in a maple wood base with matching ottoman. And, best of all, it swivels.

This lovely thing is another product of Vioski (http://www.vioski.com/). By name, it's the "Chicago", by the looks of things, it would be one of my favorite spots in my home. It also comes in a one arm lounge that is just delightful.

The "Sotto" Table makes me think of Carmel candy. It is a modular piece that can be pulled out to extend the horizontal side creating additional space for last minute diners or for a more dramatic effect. Available in multiple wood species and finishes. Pair this with the Chicago Sofa above and the Louis Chair and you get 70s modern. Now all you need is a capiz chandelier (shown below) and the Running With Scissors soundtrack.

Timeless Floor Coverings

This is a timeless piece (pictured above) from the "Modern" Collection. Appropriately titled "Versailles Chocolate". The inspiration for this piece comes from 18th Century French Savonnerie rugs. The ground is made of hand-carted and hand-spun Himilayan wool and center medallion features Indian mulberry silk. This pieces is hand woven in Nepal and washed and finished in Switzerland. Now that's a well traveled rug! Custom sizes are available. Great thing about this piece is that it can be incorporated into most styles. A classic piece you will keep forever and interchange throughout the years.

When I see this piece, I immediately think of designing a whole kid's room around this rug. It is so girly but at the same time classic and fun. This is also from the "Modern" Collection. Made of Himilayan silk and wool, this piece would pair nicely with a hot pink wall color, some touches of lavender, carmel and brown. A few pieces of Roche Bobois's Mah Jang Modular Sofas in Pinks and dark Purple (http://www.roche-bobois.com/#/en-us/products/all/sofas/all/200/fullscreen/) and some fun art by Rex Ray on the walls (http://www.rexray.com/) . That is just the beginning!

Concrete Pendants

These warm and lovely pendants designed by Lucidi & Pevere by Foscarini are great as pendants over an island in threes or as a single pendant over an area where you need direct light. Made of concrete they come in brown (shown below), natural grey, and white (shown below). They can also be custom made to fit the scale of your space. Also, side note..did you know that some older concrete may never really completely cure? True....A sidewalk could take up to 100 years to completely cure.  If you were to crack open a sidewalk that was built say 20 years ago, it may still be wet in the middle.

Cool Retro Refrigerator

The night could not go by without posting this wonderful frig. And, it's in my favorite color (at least right now). Is this happy or what? Designed by SMEG (http://www.smeg.com/) with a cool name FAB28U. I think that must be short for fabulous because it is.  The compact dimensions make it an ideal space saving solution for small apartments or households or singles at 9.22 cubic feet. The generous interior provides satisfactory storage space for fresh food and includes a small ice box for convenience.  Convenience and fabulousness all in one!

Blox Dining Table

Made of Plantation grown solid mango wood planks shift perspective in asymmetric wide/narrow leg rotation. A sweeping woodgrain in midtone brown with inset legs creating directional geometry (and dinner conversation). This handsome piece seats six comfortably at 63" long, 3 feet wide and 29 1/2 high.  And, it it is the kind of piece that is affordable to all. Pair this with white porcelain dinnerware, this yummy grasscloth pendant (shown below), a shagalicous floor covering (rug) (shown below) and the "Claudia" Chair from Nathan Anthony (as shown on site) (http://www.nafurniture.com/). All you need now is a nice bottle of vino, some of your favorite people and some delicious food. Now that's a dinner party. Bon apetit!

Emeco Commercial Chair Pairs with Coca Cola

http://3rings.designerpages.com/2010/11/05/emeco-tells-the-tale-of-the-coca-cola-collaboration/

Emeco paired up with Coca Cola and made this reproduction chair out of 111 recycled plastic coke bottles. It comes in red, white, green and gray. It is commercial grade meaning it can be used in an office environment, hotel or at home sweet home. It is also half the price of the original Emeco chair which makes it even better. The video above is from Neocon 2010 and tells the story of how the chair came to be. Pictured below is a sample of the chair in red. Believe it or  not, it (red) comes with a two (2) year warranty and can be used outdoors. 

Cubo Gold Leaf Cocktail Cubes

Beautiful gold leaf cocktail cubes that can be used as side tables in a bedroom, end tables in a living area or paired together as a cocktail table. They will work wonderfully with the Keaton Sofa shown in my first post in that yummy green velvet or the Jared sofa in that delicious chocolate brown. These will definitely bring a little bit of warmth and glam to any space.

Styrofoam Lamps

These ecofriendly pendant lamps are just plain cool! All materials are selected with environmental responsibility in mind. Steel is 85% recycled. Cardoboad is 100% recycled. Plywood comes from responsibly farmed, new growth timbers. Hardwoods come from drop cuts from board manufacturing that were designed for the landfill. All leftover materials from cut panels go to fuel the timber kiln that dries the hardwoods or to be used in the production of biodiesel. That's really cool and resourceful. Below are two of the ecofriendly lamps from this earth conscience manufacturer. And, they are quite the lookers don't you think.

Art Basel Miami

This work is from an artist out of Miami. I have attended "Art Basel Miami" (http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/) for the past three years. This is the 2nd biggest art show in the world to Uruguay. Why does the world come to South Beach Miami for an art show? Well, once you attend this show, you will understand why. It is a compilation of up and coming artists, icons like Picasso, Monet, Manet to name a few. This is where the mac daddy of art collectors come to show off their collection. And, the best place to find up and coming artists from around the world.  The art deco hotels are converted into boutique art galleries. It is just incredible! You need the whole week (December 2nd thru 5th) to see all of the collections. I originally saw this artist at Art Basel three years ago in a small art deco hotel on Collins Avenue and fell in love with his work. Now his work has tripled in price and he is a national hit. The photos above were taken by me at a local gallery who actually showed his work for a while. When I found out it was there, I immediately called the gallery owner and asked if I could see it in person. She graciously accomodated me and I was able to get these awesome close up shots. WOW! Art is a great investment and something you can pass down to your family for many generations. Always buy original! There are lots of artists out there in different price ranges. Original art is affordable!

MOD Props Pillow Line

mumsthewordpillow

flowerpowerpillow

orangeugladulikeorangepillow

swirlpillow

orangesherbetwithchocolatepillow

MOD Props (samples shown above) started out as a borderline transitional/contemporary line of pillows and soon to be bedding and other linens. It is currently evolving into a modern/contemporary line. New designs/pieces will be posted in the next few weeks. They are all available locally (Raleigh, NC). We also ship to anywhere in the U.S. Custom orders are also available with a farily quick turn around time depending on fabric choices and additoinal trims. We also do custom made tree skirts and stockings. Photos of tree skirts and stockings will be posted shortly.

Serena Chandelier

I have always loved this piece from Oly (http://www.olystudio.com/). Made of capiz shells this piece brings a bit of 1970s, the seaside and a warm contemporary feel into any space. And, it's nice to hear the sound of the shells when the wind blows them. Ahhh! I can hear it now.

"Only From Oly" Jonathan Lounge

Oly Studio (http://www.olystudio.com/) has created a more contemporary version of the Barcelona lounge. This piece has more of a Roman goddess feel. It comes in antinqued gold (shown) or antiqued silver. It even comes in mohair.  Try this in antiqued gold and carmel or chocolate browm mohair. OMG Becky!

Jared Sofa - A Tufted Dream

Pair this sofa with the opulence rug, Arteriors floor lamps and the "Papa Bear" chair in the gold leather as shown below and talk about warm and gorgeousssssss...............Change out the bolsters to a velvet gold fabric take away the extra rectangel pillows and  you will never leave your living room. This sofa is right on time!

Opulence Rug

This piece will pair nicely with the Arteriors floor lamp just posted. If you love brown (espeically chocolate brown velvet),this will give your space just the right amount of pattern and bring your eyes to the floor. It is also manufactured in Atlanta so the turn around time is not as long as you think. The manufacturer can also do custom colors made to work with your existing color scheme.

Beautiful Floor Lamp - Arteriors Collection

I am continuously amazed and wowed (if that's a word, if not, I just made it up :0)), by Arteriors' ability to keep coming up with gorgeous pieces that I just can't take my eyes off of....this is one of those pieces... they just keep coming and coming year after year... I remember the first time I walked into one of their showrooms and how stimulated I was the entire time..And, the best part is, I met a new friend, Greg, whom I absolutely adore.  For further information on how to purchase this and other products from this company, just contact me directly..

A Must Read for Design Fanatics - Campion Platt's "Made to Order"

Campion Platt is a well known New York based interior designer and architect. His work is all over the globe. This is his first book and a great coffee table item. I love the living room for Esquire magazine's showhouse on Central Park. Jay-Z shot his 'Blue Magic' video there it was such a hot space. You can pick it up on amazon.com for $31.95. This would be a great gift for a fellow design fanatic or you could just keep it for yourself.

New Tech Gadgets Priced Under $100 - Great Xmas Gifts

A USB Port that will always keep your room looking lively., Just think, you will never have to water these! How cool is that? And, they are priced at $22 which is a real deal!
http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?productid=4769&cat=254

Another great techie item is the "Move Peg" for your iphone or ipad. They come in yummy colors to include gray, orange (my favorite) and green. And, they are priced to sell at a  mere $7.99 for the iphone model and $19.99 for the ipad model. For that price, you can buy one of each color!  http://www.movie-peg.com/


 

Wow! I wish they had these when I was growing up. I can imagine listening to some 70s music with these pinkalicous headphones. For $60 you could really make a lasting impression on a loved one or a potential loved one with these vibrant phones. http://www.urbanears.com/product/category-plattan/plattan-cerise

The Three Bears Would Be Lost Without the "Papa Bear"

A Hans Wegner masterpiece! I love the lines of this chair! It is such a great piece for any papa bear in the family. Can't you imagine your father or somebody's father smoking a macanudo in this chair and watching an old classic dinah shore movie? I can! Fun, Fun, Fun!

Paper Lighting Fixtures

While I am on the subject of paper. And, I couldn't sleep tonight without sharing the work of this incredible artist whom I happen to be a huge fan and own one of my very own. Tord Bontjie (http://www.tordbontjie.com/) gives fed ex envelopes a whole new meaning. Made from the same paper source as good ole fed ex envelopes with the same kind of durability and fire proof believe it or not. And, they are for the most part delivered on time. You can purchase them sort of local (Atlanta, GA).

Awesome Sculptor

You will not believe what this gorgeous sculpture is made of? It is made entirely of paper. Unbelieveable! I had to share this since it is just so fabulous!

Antler Sconce and Chandelier

I absolutely adore this new Antler sconce and chandelier from Design Within Reach (http://www.dwr.com/). When the owner of DWR found out about these pieces designed by Jason Miller for Roll and Hill, he immediately had to include him in DWR's lighting collection. These are definitely statement pieces. Don't worry they are not real antlers, but instead cast using resin from a mold of dear antlers.