New E-zine from Design for Mankind

I've been away from my computer, so I haven't read any blogs today. I'm sure I am not the only one with a post about Design For Mankind's new e-zine. I thought I would post my favorite pictures anyway. This month's theme is "Inspiration in the Unexpected". I love this theme and seeing what others find inspirational. I especially like these three photos, but my favorite is the ghost with the balloons. It is a bit disconcerting, but it also makes me chuckle. It was inspired by a recurring nightmare. The photographer recreated as an attempt to confront it, and because it was such an amazing image. Talk about facing your fears.

LED blinking clocks

Designer: Jacky Wu from LED blinking clocks

Feijoada

from Marcus Silva's Portfolio

Branch light

Continuing the branch theme (which started from bookshelf creation), designer Michail Komarov demonstrates the original lamp concept.The lamp consists of 3 basic elements and by their connecting you can construct your unique branch tree. And you are not limited neither with colors nor with the shapes. Every branch has spherical plug on the end for circuit closing. from Branch light

Light Blubs by Pieke Bergmans

Dutch designer Pieke Bergmans presented several new project in Milan earlier this month, including these Light Blubs. from Light Blubs by Pieke Bergmans

unique multi-functional dining table from Poggenpohl.

A unique multi-functional dining table from Poggenpohl. It works for you as a kitchen table, cooking top, oven and also a refrigerator! Its stylish looks makes it suit to every furniture type!
This stylish multi-functional futuristic gadget also serves as a dining desk. The desk opens up to a steel plate, and a table to cut what you want to in the kitchen! It also comes with 3 pairs of stylish chairs that suits the table. from unique multi-functional dining table from Poggenpohl.

Method Refill Packaging

Design was done by Method in-house to address concerns over readability of the previous clear version. The pouch is the same stock pouch from Winpack International outside San Francisco. from Method Refill Packaging

Bought Cheap...cheap bite.

I like to think I am fairly easy to please. From playing scrabble with my good friend on a Friday night to going on a "dump date" with my husband...I'm pretty sure I am not high maintenance!
I have always loved playing board games, but have never run across anyone who shares my passsion. So, I am very glad to say I have recently found a scrabble partner and we steal a chance to play when our daughters have a play date. A cup of coffee and some healthy Scrabble competition...it's all good.

I had a great "date" the other day with my husband. We started with a "dump run" to get rid of the left-overs from tidying up our garage and back yard. On the way in to the "dumping grounds", I spotted a really old baby carriage that I immediately wanted to pile onto the truck. This was the only glitch in our day. My husband has the firm belief that a dump run is meant to unload junk...not bring some home. I, on the other hand, wildly scan the heaps for hidden treasures...and he is never amused by it. We quarrelled back and forth as he unloaded the junk off the back of the truck. We both dug our heels in; and as he was uttering the words, "If you stop to look at that carriage, you'll be pushing it home...", I spied another baby buggy...this one meant for dolls. It was perfect: no smelly fabric like the other one, and made of metal that could be painted a pretty colour for a project I have in mind. As I didn't take too kindly to his threats of abandonment, I think he knew he had better backpedal and butter me up a bit. Soooo, he reluctantly piled the little buggy onto the truck.photo: Baby Goes Vintage

Well, you'd think he just bought me the earth. I was so happy to have that little treasure on board and my mind was spinning with the image of it all prettied up and serving its purpose. Even my yard-saling hating hubby couldn't deny how happy he'd made me, and he simply remarked that he'd make a mental note not to bring me to the dump again...!

After a quick lunch break at McDonalds...his choice...where we sat on the pleather chairs near the gas fireplace (when did McDonalds decor get so trendy?) and ate our chicken wraps, we headed off to our his/her doctor's appointments. My husband, who can't seem to sit still for more than thirty mintes, was content to simply hang out with me...it was a perfect date in my books.

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So, to prove how easy it is to make my husband happy (and to get him to start on my most recent project), I made his all-time favourite meal: my famous meatloaf! This meal is certain to make him putty in my hands! If you, too, have something you want your hubby to do for you, then make this meatloaf - served up hot with mashed potatoes, turnip, carrots, peas, and gravy. He'll be forever at your mercy...at least as long as it takes to digest it anyway! Just as I predicted, after dinner he headed outside to get started on our project...

Here goes...now use this information wisely:

Linda's "putty in your hands" meatloaf:

2lbs ground beef

2 beaten eggs

1 pkg of Club House meatloaf seasoning

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

some generous dashes of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup milk

one small, chopped onion

Mix all together, dump into a loaf pan,

cook for one hour at 350 degrees... and, hearing my mum's voice, "Don't forget to drain the drippings (fat) off!" Then, sit back and reap the rewards!!

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Hmmm...this little one has to do decidedly less to make her daddy putty in her hands...!!!

TeaCubes

Designer: Jieun Yang & Hanah Suh from TeaCubes

BMW M1 Concept

from BMW M1 Concept

Ace

Agency: Grey Istanbul, Turkey
Creative Directors: Engin Kafadar, Tuğbay Bilbay, Ergin Binyıldız
Art Director: Dide Hersekli
Photographer: Lindsey Hopkinson from Ace

Designer: Yamaha Studio

Yamaha incorporated their piano keyboard knowledge into this leather sketchpad and went “TADA, look how cool!” Though this is a lovely item to gawk at, it does remind me of those children’s books that have integrated keyboards for them to press along with their page turning. from Designer: Yamaha Studio

Urban Security Suit

Designer: Tim Smit from Urban Security Suit

Designer: Phillippe Di Méo

from Designer: Phillippe Di Méo

Romain Jerome Day & Night Biturbillion

This year the most attention of visitors attracted Romain Jerome company, which presented at Baselworld 2008 hours Romain Jerome Day & Night Biturbillion. The uniqueness of the watch that they, in fact, did not show time. In Titanium casing, decorated by rusted iron, there are two Flying consecutive steps: a lousy day, and the other - at night. Once daily black (with a carriage in the form of the sun) completes its 12 - hour traffic, begins the second act - a night in a crescent. Cost hours Romain Jerome Day & Night Biturbillion is $ 300000. And at Baselworld 2007 Romain Jerome company put a lot of other noise model hours Romain Jerome Titanic DNA.
Their characteristic is that the corpus (again, decorated by rust) is made of titanium alloy and iron pieces of wreckage of the famous sunken liner "Titanic". In addition, Dial covered with a black lacquer paint, which includes coal, discovered by accident. Total 2012 will be released copies of this model, which should mark a century since the demise of "Titanic" in 1912. One of the first copies of Romain Jerome Titanic DNA was presented with a football player Ronaldo. from Romain Jerome Day & Night Biturbillion

Eye Catching.

Now I keep noticing patterned tile wall treatments, after seeing the kitchen blacksplash in "My Dream Home". I think the look is so exciting! I guess you could call me a design nerd. Oh well, what can I say. The top picture is from a blog I just found called Decor Fellow. It is a restaurant in Santa Barbara designed by Michael S. Smith.

The second picture is not actually tile, but a wallpaper. This is a great idea for a quick change or a less expensive option. Now, I don't know how long it would hold up as a backsplash. I would consider looking for a nice pattern in a commercial grade paper. They are a little better suited for a kitchen. I found this on Ninainvorm's flickr site.

stars

from stars

Skygarden S1 Suspension by Flos

"The Flos Skygarden S1 Suspension designed by Marcel Wanders utilizes a halogen lamp inside and at the top of the dome. The lamp is enclosed by a glass cylinder that screws on and off for relamping. An intricate, lattice-work pattern appears at the bottom of the glass cylinder, adding an unexpected and pleasing detail to the interior of the Skygarden." from Skygarden S1 Suspension by Flos

Ambiento

The gracious touch panel Ambiento brings together, what belongs together. Offering a neat blend of aesthetics and functionality, the Ambiento is not just another run-of-the-mill touch panel. Whether the system unit is made of glass or of aluminum or with design elements in wood or colored synthetic material, it offers easy handling and distinctive design. Touch panel automated home control systems have already crossed the walls of public buildings and conference halls and have reached private living rooms. Available in 10-, 15- or 19-inches, these touch panels tout thermally energized and reflective protective glass. The ultra-flat design of Ambiento accounts for convenience and easy mounting. from Ambiento

Kurve Chair By Karim Rashid

The "Kurve" chair is designed as a sensuous flexuous ribbon of formed wood frame with upholstered center. from Kurve Chair By Karim Rashid

Scoop Stool by Turnstone

"One of the design goals for Turnstone's Scoop Stool was to avoid competing with the architecture of a space. Inspired by a grain scoop, this casual stool is a perfect compliment to a modern home or business groupspace." from Scoop Stool by Turnstone

nina van de goor.

from nina van de goor.

Airtrav

Airtrav is a futuristic electronic gadget concept used to collect flight information no matter when and where you are. All travelers including with hearing impaired can have access to it and be alerted on all changes regarding flight arrival and departure. It also has facilities such as “locate the airport” and “airport map” for easy and comfortable traveling, this you’ll definitely enjoy your travel activities. from Airtrav

Nimbike

Designer : Jacob von Matern and Fredrik Hylten-Cavallius from Nimbike

Sugar Collective

sugarontheweb
Advertising Agency: Publicis Conseil, Paris, France from Sugar Collective

WellbeingsTM Catalogue

from Chloe Coulson

Mac suitcase

from Eno Setiawan

It is not this!! Korejanai-Robo USB 2.0 Flash Memory Robbot Gadget

Kids they might say that word with ugly screaming! Xmas is always great moment, this item is transformed into a battlefield, Guaranteed! Have you ever done this any situations before? Maybe not, people are not willing to have unhappy situation,but life is so long. kids learn about something from important things. Especially, it is not possible to have whatever you want without any kind of risk or achievement.
Let's try Korejanai-Robo for cultivation of aesthetic sentiments from It is not this!! Korejanai-Robo USB 2.0 Flash Memory Robbot Gadget

space invaders cutting board invades kitchens

from space invaders cutting board invades kitchens

Hiding some bloomers!

Continuing on with my desire to do cheap and easy projects, I decided to address a privacy issue I had. Because we live on a fairly small lot, we are within spitting distance from the neighbouring homes. This was the view from my bedroom piano window:

I was pretty sure it was too high up to offer a bird's eye view into our window, but still I wondered. So, after purchasing some Wallpaper For Windows, I decided to apply it all by myself...!

As I was cleaning the window beforehand, I got a good giggle at this new addition to some nearby landscaping:

Oyyy...they still make those?? Oh well, with my new window wallpaper, neither they nor I will be getting that view!!

My Dream Home This Week: San Miguel Retreat.

Happy Monday again! Today is a gorgeous day in Houston. We had a "cold front" come through, which means the air is crisp and fresh. If anyone has ever traveled here, you know crisp air is not easy to come by. The cool breezes remind me of trips I have taken to central Mexico, and make me wish I could go back. I've traveled to Mexico City and Guadalajara, and dream of visiting San Miguel de Allende. Recently, I have noticed more and more articles written about San Miguel as more people discover its beauty. Having said all that, I am enamored with this home in San Miguel that was remodeled by Bosworth Hoedemaker Architects.

The original structure consists of two rooms built right off the cobblestone streets. From there, a central courtyard and additional rooms were added on to the back and top of the rooms. The additions are very new, but they still maintain the tradition of the 18th century structure. I love this home because it reaches me deeply. My family is originally from Mexico, but I was born and raised in the U.S. When I was about 11 yrs. old, my sister and I traveled to Monterrey to visit some distant relatives. Although, Mexico is such a different place; I felt right at home. The vastly different way of living, really touched my soul. I have always thought, that if I had enough money, I would live there at least part time.
The tile bathrooms and kitchen are so amazing. I love the blue and white back splash. It is a traditional detail, but it still looks modern and fresh. So, anyone care to meet me there?