As a fan of WhoWhatWear, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the latest venture from the founders of the fashion-centric site: Domaine, which is devoted to shelter and lifestyle content. There’s plenty of decor inspiration, as well as entertaining, organizing, and DIY stories. (Bonus: With many of the features—such as this one about a space done by the L.A. design collective Commune—it’s easy to click and shop if you see something you like.) The interior shown here is gallerist Maggie Kayne’s Southern California ranch house. I love the laid-back beauty of her home; these photos immediately went into my inspiration folder.
Since it’s a cold and rainy morning here in the Bay Area, I’m looking forward to settling in with a mug of tea and checking out more of the content on Domaine. (And think about all of the ideas that I can potentially incorporate into my own space!)
{ Images via Domaine }
I’ve got a new book on my nightstand that’s keeping me reading into the night, Kern and Burn: Conversations With Design Entrepreneurs.
Today the barrier to turning an idea into a viable product or company is lower than ever with tools like crowd-sourced funding and social media. And the skill sets of many designers are perfectly suited to leverage them. Kern and Burn contains 30 interviews with design entrepreneurs who had an idea that they thought could be great and took the risks to make them happen, resulting in some of today’s most interesting products and companies. Each candid conversation addresses a core tenet for success, like Make Something You Love, Learn by Doing, and Make Your Idea Real. It’s fascinating and motivating to hear about the experiences (both the triumphs and the failures) that have led to products I personally use and admire, like TeuxDeux and Warby Parker.
In addition to its interesting interviews, Kern and Burn is a beautiful print publication you can curl up with, something we clearly love! I was lucky to snag an advance copy, but the book just started shipping yesterday.
{Images via Kern and Burn}
The weather has been so gorgeous in the Bay Area this week, that I’ve been setting aside a couple of hours every afternoon to just sit outside and read. So I was thrilled to get an email yesterday announcing the release of a special bonus issue of one of my favorite magazines: American Craft.
The issue is only available online, and includes the same caliber of content and imagery that I’ve come to expect from the print version. You can read the entire edition on the American Craft website. (And, of course, you can also purchase a subscription to the print magazine right here!)
{ All images via American Craft }
With a name that means “global citizen,” Apolis are purveyors of simple, yet jaw-droppingly beautiful goods with a conscience. I first stumbled upon the LA-based boutique during my last trip to California and immediately became enamored with their powerful message of intelligently sourcing goods and enabling artisans in impoverished nations.
For example, this market bag is made of woven jute produced in Bangladesh and provides 220 days of work for 21 people. By harnessing the power of a local handicraft, Apolis is able to help provide literacy courses, training on nutrition, and education awareness for Bangladeshi women. You can see more about the impact of the Bangladesh Project here.
{all images via Apolis}
Learning about the Link Collective led me to one of their retailers, Brunswick shop Mr. Kitly. I love finding shops that introduce me to artists and products, and in that category, Mr. Kitly is a stand out. I spent hours looking through the endless pages of ceramics, beautiful garden products, and tableware. While the shop brings together artists from all over the world, a five-year stint in Japan helped shape the owners’ aesthetic and appreciation for artisanal skills. They hope everything they sell will be “well-used and kept forever.” I’m pretty sure if I were able to add any of these items to my home, they’d be just that.
{Images via Mr. Kitly from top Tom Dixon Form Bowls,
Bridget Bodenham Nutcracker, Tara Shackell Place Vase,
Stampell Fassett Wooden Vase, Bridget Bodenham Gold Handle Cup}
