by kate on December 14, 2011
by kate on December 5, 2011
I know it’s a teeny bit late to be thinking about getting an advent calendar, but since we’re only 5 days into December, I thought perhaps it was okay to share a particularly awesome one. With help from her friends Kaarle Hurtig and Linda Bergroth, designer Laura Väinölä chose to reinterpret the traditional advent calendar in the form of a modern, minimalist interior. This version still offers the same delightful moments of surprise, though: simply open the double doors or flip up the rug to reveal festive holiday decor and wild animals ready to celebrate the season.
Sadly, the calendar is already sold out from Project 8, which is the only retailer to carry the piece, as far as I can tell. However, for those of you with a penchant for crafting, I think this is great inspiration for a holiday DIY project. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to craft one of these. You could photocopy and cut out pages from magazines (I’m looking at you, Anthology Issue 5) to collect the decor, or you could model the interior after a room of your own. I’m tempted to drop everything; grab my camera, some card stock, and a craft knife; and try it myself!
{Found via Refinery 29}
by kate on November 15, 2011
There are many drool-worthy interiors in our latest issue, and it was hard to pick which items to feature for Object Found. I kept flipping back to page 108 and staring at these lustrous copper globes in the home of Rachel Franke, until finally I decided I simply must seek them out. There have been many knock-offs of this style over the years, and a very fortunate shopper might find one tucked away in a thrift store or estate sale. If you’re looking for the “original” copper globe lamp, however, there are actually two prominent styles available, from two very different designers working in different eras and in different mediums. Read on to find out more about these gorgeous lamps!
Designed in 1968, the Globo di Luce lamp is made from finely hand blown glass which is then given a rich copper metallic finish. Its creator Roberto Menghi was a well known Italian designer and architect whose award-winning, futuristic designs are still reproduced widely today. The lamp is available in two sizes and two finishes (silver and copper), and hangs from a nearly invisible cable to create a stunning illusion of gravity-free suspension. The official Globo di Luce is sold exclusively through Design Within Reach. At $955 for the medium and $1355 for the large, it is a significant investment, but admittedly the craftsmanship and quality of handmade glass work like this is hard to match.
If you’re looking for a slightly less expensive option, the Tom Dixon copper shade is the second well known version of this type of light. Using one of the newest forms of vacuum metallization technology, Dixon explodes the metal into the interior of a polycarbonate sphere using an electrical charge, creating a seamless, highly reflective surface of pure copper. The lamps are about 18″ in diameter and are available from YLighting for $550. Dixon also has a couple variations on the design, including a floor version and the miniature apple-shaped Void light.
Here’s a few images for inspiration: while they certainly do look amazing in clusters, or in a pair like Rachel Franke has done—just one copper globe looks stunning over a desk or dining table. If you’re saving up for a dramatic statement-making piece of decor, I would definitely consider these lovely artful lamps. If you’re a lucky owner of one already, please send us an image! We would love to see how you’ve chosen to show off the piece in your own interior.
{Images, from top: Anthology Magazine; DWR; YLighting; House to Home; Jakob Solgren for Elle Interior}
by kate on November 10, 2011
Even though we’ve been wrapping up some craft projects for the magazine, we realize the season for crafts is just getting into full swing. When the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, snuggling inside with a hot drink and small creative project can be the perfect way to spend an evening. I’m a big fan of the leather goods designed by Susan Petersen of Freshly Picked, and while browsing her blog I instantly fell for this little leather pinecone tutorial. It’s a perfect fall/winter craft that will look as good sprinkled throughout your home year round as it will on your holiday table or mantel. You can read the full instructions here. If you need something to do this weekend, grab a mug of something warm and your favorite tunes or film and get crafting!
by kate on November 3, 2011
We’ve just finished up an exciting project we’re going to share with you all shortly (hint: there’s a preview for it in Issue 5) and it’s left me feeling ready to tackle the gift-giving season. I’m excited to start thinking about what I might be making or buying for my loved ones this year, and I spotted some pretty amazing goods on Neëst, a Parisian shop specializing in simple, well designed home goods. The pieces they carry all share a great classic style with a slight Scandinavian bent—lots of beautiful woods, organic neutral linens, and crisp white enamelware. If you’re interested in starting your gift shopping soon, I recommend spending a little time browsing the site for ideas.
{via The Style Files}
I like to think I still have an east coast hardiness against the cold, but it may have puttered out a couple years ago because I have been a feeling a little too chilly in Oakland lately. As I sit here curled up with my cat and a space heater, my mind has been wandering to cozy knits, hot chocolate, and all of the colors and aromas of winter. I would gladly hibernate until spring thaw with a few of these items.
