>> 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.

>> reaganing

Reaganing: the action of the verb "to Reagan"; being able to fix all problems flawlessly within a 24-hour span.

Vintage lacoste cardigan ($24); 2B radio ($350); life saver; regimental necktie ($60); vintage phone ($215); Stetson wool felt hat ($62); western utility shirt ($98); jelly beans.

>> hipstamatic iphone app

The Hipstamatic iPhone app ($1.99), which converts your iPhone camera into an old school Instamatic camera, came out in mid February, I don't know why it took me so long to download because it's pretty freaking awesome.

>> diana+ MEG edition

I'm thinking I need a little bit more lo-fi in my life. I love love love this "Meg" Diana camera ($180), one of two White Stripes editions of Lomography cameras. The all-plastic Diana camera is a cult legend and dates back to the early 1960s. It's famous for dreamy, radiant images and it's been faithfully reproduced and made even cooler with the help of Meg White.

>> vintage book covers

These vintage book covers ($18) for iPad or Kindle DXs caught my eye today. I would definetly like my seat mate on my next flight to think I was reading The Practical Handyman's Encyclopedia.

>> fuji instax instant camera

Good bye Polaroid. Hello Fuji. I'm only hearing great things about the next generation of instant cameras. It's lightweight, stylish, has auto-focus, auto-flash and prints on credit card-size film. Get one here ($130).

iWant

Coolest iPhone case ever! Incase's Arkitip Harrington iPhone Slider ($50) is a limited-edition collaborative effort between Arkitip, Incase and artist Steve Harrington—who says he's mostly influenced by Time Life Encyclopedias 1965 to 1972, thrift stores, and the 60s pysch sounds of The Moody Blues (check, check, and CHECK!). This Slider Case for the iPhone 3G is made of hardshell plastic.

Check out this MacBook sleeve ($60) he did too!

2009 Gift Guide: For Him

The Inventor of the Modern Album Cover by Alex Steinweiss ($500); J.Press watch band ($29); Seven Fold Unlined Tie ($78); New York Maple Syrup ($18); Eena small duffle ($72); Hudson
Grey Tartan Washed Cotton Straight Fit Shirt ($198); Opinel No. 8 folding knife ($18); Under Armour Key Pocket ColdGear gloves ($35); Mason Pearson brushes ($80-$108); Moleskine Bauhaus Cahiers Set ($15); Carter Duffle ($220); shock resistant Casio Exilim EX-G1 ($300).

What to get him

I've been having a really rough time trying to figure out what to get Matt this year. The thing(s) I really want to get him I can't possibly afford and the small things seem like they don't have enough cute/one-of-a-kindness to them. So, I'm stumped. That said, I found a bunch of stuff that might work for your boyfriend/husband/brother/father/son. Special thanks to my friend Heather who gave me a few tips in here.




Cedar sake cups ($5 each); Nixon "Omar" tie tack ($35); Nomadic Mic headphones ($120); Timex military watch ($150); striped ribbon belt ($23); Scotish flag cufflinks ($57); Days of the week handkerchiefs ($95 for set of seven); Nixon "Zoom" socks ($10); Fee Brothers Bitters set ($34 for set of six); Sage green cords ($110); Skull cufflinks ($30); hand-knit shrimp key chain ($65); the new Apple in-ear headphones with remote and mic ($79); Filson duffle bag ($265).

Traveler's Guide

I'm off for Tokyo tomorrow morning. I am hoping to blog while there, but have no idea if that will actually happen. Below is the DESIGNwatcher traveler's guide full of useful items for smart traveling. Sayonara!

Folding Ray-Ban Wayfarers ($149) might seem a little dumb, but it's almost impossible to tell the difference and they're less breakable this way; I tend to like the Wallpaper* city guides ($9 each) more than Frommer's, et al; this Banana Republic Striped Peacoat Sweater ($175) is the perfect sweater/coat combination that will serve you well on a long flight as well; this large Matt & Nat "Fifty-Five" handbag ($250) is great as a carry-on, it comes with a detachable shoulder strap and lots of convenient interior pockets.

Bose QuietComfort 3 noise canceling headphones ($349), they're smaller and better than ever; Chuck Taylors ($41) make a great walking shoe and can be dressed up if need be; James Perse's contrast panel 3/4 sleeve shirts ($144) are great, period. If I had to pick one thing on this guide to take it would be a 5ml bottle of Lavender essential oil ($11). Lavender calms, relaxes and soothes, and is said to balance the central nervous system (which is something I certainly need when I travel), it can be used for burns, sunburns, stings, muscular aches, cuts, blemishes, bruises, headaches, insect bites, colds, flu, stress, and menstrual cramps and it promotes deep restful sleep.

I asked my friend, Dr. Mark, what he recommended as an over-the-counter sleeping aid while traveling and he said for someone adverse to meds (like me) Tylenol PM is the way to go because it's very safe. My photog friends have recommended the Canon Powershot G10 ($499) as the highest quality in the smallest size camera; the Patagonia sweater vest ($150) packs down into almost nothing, yet is a substantial layering item.

Evian spray mist travel bottle ($17 for 3), instant refreshment in a bottle and less than 3-ounces for traveling; The Patagonia lightweight travel pack ($100) folds into a tiny ball, perfect for packing in your bag, using while traveling, and then checking as an extra bag for souvenirs on the way home; I wouldn't know the first thing to do with a sewing kit, but Hollywood tape ($6), double sided apparel tape, will fix a hem, a rip, and keep things in place if need be. Fashion correspondent Amy Fox recommended these A.P.C. fur-lined boots ($450) for their equal parts of chicness and functionality.

Globe-Trotter luggage

While I've been putting together a DESIGNwatcher traveler's guide, I realized that Globe-Trotter Ltd., the British hand-made luxury luggage line, needed its own post. Globe-Trotter has been around since 1897 and has barely changed its original design (although I more than approve of the addition of wheels!). Today the brand is witnessing something of a revival as it has designed limited editions for J. Crew and Vivre. Of course if I had suitcases full of money I would use them to buy a bespoke suitcase (to better carry the money with, obviously) which are available to order at Burlington Arcade store in London.


If that wasn't enough, (see I told you it needed its own post) Globe-Trotter commemorated their 110th anniversary this year by issuing the first-ever "next generation" travel bag, a fiber/Kevlar-weave travel bag that they are calling "stronger than steel, lighter than air, black like coal, and as innovative as tomorrow." Globe-Trotter called on Ross Lovegrove to design the iconic case hoping he would encapsulate the core values of Globe-Trotter's 110 years of luggage-making, while maintaining an aesthetic that would stand the test of time and become a collectible modern classic. The 110 Air Cabin case ($3,525) is available at Moss, Vulcanize in Tokyo and Selfridges Superbrands in London.

It's tailgating time

Tailgating has to be one of the best parts of Autumn, especially in Chicago where there are equal amounts of football fans and grilling fans. There's enormous amounts of tailgating product out there, from BBQs shaped like a football helmet to thermometers with remote control lasers. I picked three stylish items that are great for tailgating and a whole lot more.
1. Bird-Electron portable speaker ($90); plug your iPod in and kick your feet up.
2. Built NY six pack tote ($23); this guy will keep your brews cold for four hours and will fold up when you're done--unlike a cooler.
3. Patagonia Tech Web belt ($25); there's a bottle opener on the buckle, 'nuff said.

Vers 2X iPod Sound System

Yes! I love it when I find iPod speakers that aren't made of white or black plastic. I'm really loving the Vers 2X iPod Sound System ($149) made with cherry wood by hand. That's right, each of these babies takes over a week to make. But if you're a serious sound person you already know that there's a reason why the best-sounding musical instruments are made of wood and not plastic; nothing sounds as warm, as rich—or as natural. The bonus: It's sustainably designed, the wood is from plantation sources, energy efficient electronics, 100% recycled packaging, and RoHS compliant. Adapts to almost every iPod.

Phonofone II ipod speaker

I know a lot of people will think this is too out there, but I think it's really cool. What's so amazing about this ipod speaker is that it doesn't require any external power! The Phonofone II ($500) uses passive amplification alone, like a traditional phonograph horn. It transforms any ipod with earbuds into a sculptural audio console. And, just think, you could take it outside for an outdoor dinner party. Click here to purchase.

MAGNO wooden radios

I really love these wooden MAGNO radios by designer Singgih Kartono, who chooses wood for his radios not just based on aesthetics but on his appreciation of wood's simplicity and organic vitality. I think they'd add a touch of softness to any corner, I really love the way they look. The Magno radio combines the most current mp3 player compatible electronics with sustainably grown woods. Click here to purchase or for more info. Small: $200, medium: $250; large: $300.

Black Honey curved bowl

There's a debate within the design world about whether computer generated art should be given the same "weight" as designs created by hand. I understand why some would want undermine work that was created by designing on a CAD computer model. But I have to assume that this is the future. The above Black Honey curved bowl by Arik Levy ($2,400) is the perfect example. Levy used the process of stereolithography, which creates "rapid prototypes", allowing one to "print" three-dimensional structures from a computer. The computer model is sliced into very thin layers, and each layer is created through the use of a laser, which fuses together the material. Upon completion, the physical model replicates the CAD computer model to the finest detail. Just because something is easier to create, does that make it less worthy? Maybe.

The new electronic signature

I went to hear Bill Gates speak at Matt's school yesterday. He spoke about his transitioning role at Microsoft and about the future of personal computers. One thing that stuck out from his lecture was his prediction that in the next few years most PC's will come with stylus pens that can write on emails and word documents. The technology has existed for a decade (remember Palm Pilots?), so seems like a no-brainer. It would be so convenient to circle something or write a quick note on a document as an editor and send it back. But I think it would be especially helpful to be able to sign a contract (or peace treaty?) without having to scan your signature and then format a document accordingly. With a future barrage of stylus pens to the consumer world I wonder if they will become more, well, stylized from their current state. You have two years Mont Blanc, get on it. In the mean time there is something really satisfying about signing your name in ink, especially with a delicious writing instrument like the below Sycamore pens by Elie Bleu. I hope ink never disappears in my life time, but it seems inevitable—especially as Gates told the crowd that his daughter's school doesn't use books anymore.

Mix Tape USB stick

Essayist Geoffrey O'Brien has called the personal mixtape "the most widely practiced American art form". But in my lifetime the technology has changed so rapidly, it's been almost hard to keep up with. For example, when I was a freshman in high school it was still cool to give your crush a tape with sweet stickers all over it (ok, maybe it wasn't "cool", in fact it was more like a very timely process of fast-forwarding and rewinding and by the end you threw it away because...you know, you're not ready to bear your soul to that guy in your Chem class who doesn't know your name). By the time I was a senior, CD Burners were becoming common, then a year later, in the fall of 2001, Apple introduced the iPOD. My brother was the first person I knew to have one, and on his original version the wheel actually spun and it felt like you were holding a brick. Like many others I always had a special place for cassette tapes, so when I found out about the Mix Tape USB stick ($20) I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled. Mix tape technology had come full circle.

A brief timeline of mixtape history:
1964 Philips introduced the compact audio cassette medium for audio storage in the U.S.

Late 1970s cassette tapes become a popular and re-recordable alternative to LPs

1979 The original Walkman was marketed in Japan and boosts popularity of cassette tapes even more.

1982 The first Compact Disc for commercial release rolled off the assembly line. The first title released was ABBA's The Visitors

1992 MiniDisc was introduced to limited success (Brett Garrett also the first and only MD fan I knew).

1995 Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity is published

mid-late 1990s CD-R's and CD Burners become more and more popular (people can record their own CDs)

2000 The first USB flash drive is sold.

2001 Steve Jobs introduces the iPod as a Mac-compatible product with a 5 GB hard drive that could put "1,000 songs in your pocket."

mid-late 2000s Flash drives come in various, sometimes bulky or novelty, shapes and sizes, click here for a list of the top 10 weirdest.

Today: The Mix Tape USB stick which stores up to 1 hour of high quality digital music - the same amount as you get on a C60 cassette tape and you can write and draw awesome things on it too.