>> dwell on design 2011

I just got back from this year's Dwell on Design exhibition in downtown Los Angeles, which was a pretty good showing! The guy up there in the Sleeper get-up is spray painting the rhythm of random people's heart beats and then auctioning off the artwork for charity. Here are few pics of items and designs that caught my eye.

A+R's genius Hot-Pot BBQ by Black + Blum and great wireless portable speakers also at the A+R booth.

Rewired and re-purposed shoe lamps (?) and Heath's house number plates, which are to die for.

Minimalist loose-leaf tea strainer and ceramic speakers by Joey Roth.

Molo Design's lighting booth was pretty dreamy and loved this pendant cage lamp.

Public Bikes out in full-force!

LOVED these cast honey bears by Lesley Anton. So cute!

Nice lookin' hammocks. Nice lamp?

Charley Harper + Todd Oldham, so great.

>> take ivy

It took me about .3 seconds to become fully obsessed with Take Ivy ($15), a photo book full of candid photographs shot on Ivy League campuses in the mid-60s by Japanese photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida. It was originally published in Japan in 1965, setting off an explosion of American-influenced “Ivy Style” fashion among students in Tokyo, which is still lingering today. Required reading.

What I saw in more than a few stores in Tokyo's Daikanyama neighborhood in November of 2008.

>> balloon shakers

LOVE these hand-blown balloon s+p shakers ($80 for two) that you can also use for spices. Designed by architect Masayuki Kurokawa and produced by a Shotoku Glass Co., who originally created lightbulbs in Japan. Coolness.

>> current obsession: truck furniture

There really isn't a single thing from the Osaka-based furniture line Truck, that I don't like—even if I can't really understand most of their website. It's only available in Japan, but rumors are spreading that it may be arriving in Europe or the US soon. In the mean time, two tickets to Osaka please!

>> tortoise

I know it isn't news, but the Japanese general store, Tortoise, on Abbot Kinney in Venice still rules—and their mascot, Choco, also totally rules. Look at those eyebrows. 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA.

Vogue Hommes Japan Vol. 2

When I get locked out of my apartment, which used to be a frequent occurrence until my husband installed a hide-a-key for me, I would walk down to the newstand on Franklin and buy up all the Euro and Asian magazines. People seem to be going a little nutso over the apparently long awaited 2nd issue of Vogue Hommes Japan "The Americans". Kanye West and Pharrell Williams are in it, Hedi Slimane Goes West too, oh and Raf Simon's Art List. You can get it online here ($24).

Textile Hex

I'm going a little nuts over these napkins and tea towels today. Quick! Someone get me a life!

Edo Napkins ($49 for six).

Fog Linen napkins ($12 each)

Check linen tea towel ($10).

Fog Linen

Dear Fog Linen,

I love you and all your Japanese gingham goodness. Please never leave.

Yours always,

Elizabeth

P.S. Find Fog Linen in the US here, here, and here.

Stick Lighters

The accessories of smoking are so much cooler than actually smoking. Don't hate the player, hate the game? Oh well, there's always candles and bottle rockets. These slim and sleek little lacquered lighters by Tsubota Pearl ($30)—Japan's it designer of smoking paraphernalia—are so fun.

Maptotes

When I travel I always throw a few empty totes in my suitcase, and they always get use, whether for it's to schlep tennis balls, dirty shoes, picnic blankets or cameras. Some of my favorites are these from MapTote ($15-$40). They have a great selection of cities, styles and colors—and I think they make an excellent gift too.

Shu Uemura drawing pencils

I'm the first to admit I'm not a make up girl, in fact, I barely know how to put it on. But recently I've really started getting into the Japanese brand Shu Uemura which has everything from natural looks to awesomely-rad fake eyelashes made from feathers. Recently I've been getting a lot of complements (or inquiries?) about the eye liner I've been wearing. It's Metallic Plum Purple drawing pencil ($19) and I think it would especially complement lighter brown, green, and hazely eyes. I'm off to have lunch at one of my favorite houses in L.A., more on that later.

More Muji please!

While I was in Tokyo last month, I went into every Muji store I could, because I love the concept of a "no-brand" store that sells great products at affordable prices—and they are all over Tokyo. I brought back a shirt and sweater for Matt that he absolutely loves, maybe because it's just so simple that it's easy to wear with everything. I wish I could get more stuff for him online for Christmas—especially since the things I got him are a little small (Muji clothing runs at least one size smaller since it's designed around a typical Asian physique). You can get a few clothing items through MoMA and if you're lucky enough to live in NYC, where there's a Muji in Soho, Times Square and Chelsea (hello--there are other cities that need you!) you're set. I might just have to make a quick trip to New York.

Japanese coasters

When I was in Tokyo a few weeks ago I really had to limit myself when shopping. Not only because of the weakness in the dollar, but also because I didn't really leave extra room in my suitcase. One thing I brought home that I'm in love with is this set of mismatched coasters I bought off a kiosk in the Omotesando Hills Mall. I especially love the pattern with the cat that's holding an orange rat in its mouth! I imagine making coasters like this wouldn't be too difficult, and would make a great DIY Christmas gift.

Tokyo architecture

Many people I talked to before I left for Tokyo told me how commercialized and uninspired the architecture is there. I actually found it to be exactly the opposite. Sure, there are places where all you can see are billions of lights blasting advertisements that typically involve angry animals, fire, and guitars, but there are some really amazing gems too. Here are some that I spotted while walking around.

The Prada building in Omotesando was my favorite, it was so clean and bubbly, I just wanted to touch it. Also, when you buy something there (which I didn't, hello weak dollar!), the sales associate will walk you to the door, present you with your bag and then bow to you until you are completely out of sight, which can take up to five minutes. The building was constructed in 2003 by Herzog and de Meuron.

Famed Japanese architect Toyo Ito is responsible for both the new Mikimoto store in Ginza (2006) as well as the Tod's building in Omotesando (2004). I really love his style.


I really liked the Brazilian fashion store Herchcovitch Alexandre in the lesser-traveled neighborhood of Daikanyama. It was designed by Brazilian architect Arthur Casas, and recently the facade was redone. First how it used to look, and below that is how I saw it (bad photo, I know).


And then there's the Imperial Hotel originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923. When I walked in I tried to imagine what it must have been like to be an international traveler in Asia in the 1920s. Incredible.

In 1968 they moved the facade and pool to another location and rebuilt the hotel almost completely. But, the design still preserved some original pieces and certainly paid tribute to Wright's vision.