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}
Meg and I are big fans of NYC-based photographer Michael Mundy and his site, An Afternoon With. AAW focuses on Michael’s “simple, tranquil and sophisticated images of interiors [that] are revealing and resonate with the character of their inhabitants.” (We were fortunate enough to collaborate with Michael for a story in Issue No. 2 of Anthology.)
Michael has released two limited-edition publications that feature some of the folks he’s photographed for the site. The second issue’s launch last week coincided with the three-year anniversary of AAW. You can purchase both in his shop, along with a small selection of his prints. We’re crossing our fingers that Michael will offer more editions of AAW in the future!
AAW – Issue 1
AAW – Issue 2
{ All images courtesy of An Afternoon With }
{ Image above via Artisan }
Last week, Meg and I had the pleasure of attending an event hosted by West Elm and Studio Choo. Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo—the floral designers behind Studio Choo—were celebrating the launch of their new book, The Flower Recipe Book. The duo gave a lesson on how to make a beautiful arrangement using peonies, ranunculus, roses, honeysuckles, pokeberry, and crabapple. At first, I felt overwhelmed by all the options and had a flashback of the sad centerpieces I made last Thanksgiving. But just like in their book, we were given step-by-step instructions and felt at ease when it was our turn to make our own bouquet (shown below).
If you’d like to create your own bouquet, good news: The Flower Recipe Workshop is coming to West Elm locations nationwide this Saturday, May 11. That’s right—you can learn how to make a carnation flower arrangement just in time for Mother’s Day! Tickets are $65, and the cost includes all materials as well as the vase. Attendees will not only take home a floral project of their own creation, but a copy of The Flower Recipe Book, too. Those of you in Seattle get an extra-special treat: Jill and Alethea will be at the Seattle store on Saturday. Call your location West Elm to register (more information is available here). And don’t miss West Elm’s video on the workshop!
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 }
I was introduced to the vibrant work of interior designer Kit Kemp years ago, when I stayed at the Covent Garden Hotel in London. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the rooms and/or restaurants at several other properties in the Firmdale Hotels group—which Kit and her husband, Tim, own. Every time, I find myself marveling at the colors and patterns that she brings to the spaces.
When I found out that Kit was releasing a book, A Living Space, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I can’t believe it took me this long! (The book came out in October 2012.) Since its arrival earlier this week, I’ve been reading at least a chapter every night before bed. Which has led to dreams about my next trip to New York City or London—and staying at the Crosby Street Hotel or Sixteen. In the meantime, I’ll continue to peruse A Living Space for design inspiration!
{ Photos from A Living Space by Kit Kemp }
