Posts from February 2008

...doesn't this home, designed by David Jimenez, look so cozy and dreamy? I can just see myself kicking back in any of these rooms with a blanket, book and cup of tea.

All the rooms are so well-appointed, it seems almost as though the home would take care of you. The furnishings are luxe but inviting, and I love how most of them have interesting little details like contrast welting, carving, tufting or nailheads that make each piece seem well-thought out.

Jimenez aims to put together a room that "is warm, stylish and collected" by "filling it up - adding layers and textures". I found it interesting to note the designer, now based in Kansas City, is vice president of visual merchandising and store design for Hallmark Cards, Inc. and also contributed to the development of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware's signature looks.

Images from David Jimenez.

Wallpaper is seriously making a comeback lately, isn't it?... More and more there are amazing design firms & wholesale companies bringing this trend back in vogue. And leave it to Jonathan Adler to be one of those designers.

I love the patterns available (including the ones available in reflective FOIL!) - I could actually see myself wallpapering a room in my house (or my future, yet-to-exist storefront) with these.

images c/o Jonathan Adler.

Since today is "leap year day" (or whatever it's actually supposed to be called), I'm going to act like it's a free day, where we all get to catch up on a ton of stuff w/o suffering any of the consequences of being yet another day behind schedule.

On that note, I want to thank Lindsey, over at Coveiter for posting about her Etsy Envie of our little shop on a day that actually does exist ;)

Coveiter is a fairly new blog, but it's already got a lot of lovely finds on it... not to mention that it's quite nice to look at ;) The name Coveiter, in French, means, "to desire avidly," or even more simply, "to covet"...

I'm looking forward to seeing more desirous things over at Coveiter!...

Thanks again, Lindsey!

I'm loving the pattern work of Chilean textile designer, Karen Barbé... I was especially enamored by this chocolate "taffeta" pattern that she hand-felted into a remnant wool scrap as a practice for working the pattern into a larger project... I'll be sure to check in on her blog regularly to see what more she comes up with.

(& thanks so much to MStetson Design for the link!)

We've gotten an unprecedented amount of orders this week over at our (growing) Etsy shop... it's a bit overwhelming, but it's definitely a good "problem" to have. Mostly, we're just super-excited for more & more people to have their very own OrangeBeautiful item (or items, as the case may be)...

There are still a few Sweet prints left & about half of the 2nd edition of the laugh dream love prints are still available.

Our favorite items are still the handbound books, that have screen-printed covers, using our yet-to-be-released patterns from our upcoming B&W line of cards!

Visit the shop here.

My daughter just received this newly-released children's book, Different Like Coco, about Coco Chanel's rise to success. Written and illustrated in pen-and-ink and watercolor by RISD grad Elizabeth Matthews, it explores the notion of viewing "different" ideas as innovative and, sometimes, revolutionary.

The story begins in Chanel's childhood, and reveals how her upbringing as an orphan raised by nuns in the simple, black-and-white environment of the convent ultimately informed her style sensibility and gave her the exacting sewing skills that made her successful. Children can appreciate Coco's rebellious example, from her reinvention of the female "uniform" through the opening of her first Parisian shop during an era when women didn't work. The end papers drive the message home, showcasing some of Coco's most famous sayings such as "The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud." What an important statement for children (and adults!) to ponder!

Images from Amazon.com.

Squirrel on Board Decor-a-Board, $28.00 available at French Paper.

Sheraton, over at Charles S. Anderson Design, shot me a message about their newest Pop Ink product, Decor-a-Boards: ready-to-hang, scallop-edged pieces, printed digitally with seven different designs. The boards themselves are unfinished birch & MDF, manufactured entirely from recycled wood scraps and unused parts of lumbered trees.

Woodsy Robin Decor-a-Board, $28.00 available at French Paper.

Pop Ink is a collaboration between CSA Design, French Paper and Laurie DeMartino Design... Alongside these new Decor-a-Boards, Pop Ink has quite the stock of fun & excellently-designed products from soap to note cards and gift wrap to dinnerware... I love all of it.

(and we all know how much I love French Paper, too!)

The 2nd edition of the Laugh Dream Love prints has been posted over at the OB Etsy shop... available in EIGHT colors!

We've also posted the B&W button sets, originally made as part of our infamous schwag bags from the open house back in November...

(and don't forget about the sweet prints!)

Diane von Furstenberg Madeleine Shift Dress, Damask Framboise print, $345.00 at Nordstrom.

I love the bold prints & classic lines of iconic fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg's work. Here are just a few examples of those great patterns... used on dresses, and available at Nordstrom.

Diane von Furstenberg Huahine Shirt Dress, Parang Multi print (top) & Native River print (bottom), $325.00 at Nordstrom.

Diane von Furstenberg Dutch Silk Jersey Dress, Large Cube Arrow print in red (top) & black (bottom), $345.00 at Nordstrom.

Diane von Furstenberg Justin Dress, Graphic Palm Green (top) & Square Dot Indigo (bottom), $325.00 at Nordstrom.

images c/o Nordstrom.

We've posted a few stationery sets (9, to be exact) over at OrangeBeautiful's Etsy shop... Check 'em out!

I figured it was only fitting to 'return the favor' and pick out a bag for L, too! This one is a custom bag that I "made" over at Freddy & Ma... it's a pouch style bag w/ black leather & a geometric print by designer, Kim Sillen Gledhill...

Image from Freddy & Ma.

This should be Emily's carry-all tote for spring. Enough said!

Image from Banana Republic.

I'm a big fan of Chicago-based Coudal Partners and their genius Swap Meat... at some point, I'll get my sh*t together and send something of mine their way, but until then, I'll happily continue to check out the amazing things that others are making.

Among my favorites currently available at the Swap Meat are these great prints from Aesthetic Interlude... The concrete block print (18x24", $50.00) is definitely my top pick, but the set of sticks-of-butter prints (both 18x24", $80.00/set of 2) would be great framed separately, but hung together, in a kitchen or dining room...

These are all available in a limited edition, so get yours while you can!

...from the March issue of domino (the "green" issue) is the Doug Buffet lamp from Stray Dog Designs. Its sculptural form follows the current floral trend but in an unfussy way. I'm obsessed with its pale blue color - and how cute is the little finial!

I like this lamp even more now that I know the story of Stray Dog: owners Jane Gray and Bill Pritchard started the company after visiting a tin workshop in Mexico run by artisan Guadalupe Alvarez. Their business was born out of their first commissioned pieces, and over 10 years later Stray Dog still creates handmade products using recycled materials and provides fair wages for local workers. Hooray!

Image from Stray Dog Designs.

Okay, so the drying rack hasn't arrived yet, but we went ahead and started work on our 2nd edition of the much-requested Laugh Dream Love print. Check back soon... the new round of prints are due in the Etsy shop first thing next week!

This dining room by M. Design just caught my eye. Its shiny, reflective and transparent finishes produce an almost opalescent, futuristic effect, but the room still feels warm to me. It's almost conceptual in its "glass" theme, but still livable and comfortable. With so many reflective surfaces, can you imagine just how beautiful dinner by candlelight must be in this room?

Image from M. Design.

After only a few short days of waiting, my jackalope from girlsavage arrived at the house...

I couldn't stand having him in the box any longer, so over the weekend, I hung him on the narrow wall at the end of one of the kitchen counters. I'm not completely sure if he'll stay there - (at some point, we're planning on painting that room, so he might be relocated then) - but for now, I think he looks right at home.

p.s. I've decided to name him Paulie - after Michael Cera's character in Juno... no particular reason other than I thought it was a good name and I (definitely) thought it was a good movie.

images c/o Jw's sweet new camera.

Just a few clippings that gave me a much-needed jolt of inspiration...

(All shots are from Anthropologie's February 08 catalog.)

On Friday, Mimi, over at Haute Innovations, posted about some Gocco Goodness: a few independent artists/designers creating great work with their Print Gocco machines... and OrangeBeautiful was among the list!

Our Orange Pink & Gold Screen-Printed flat cards were featured alongside work from Michelle Brusegaard, Kerry Beary, amyb13 and The Cupcake Girls...

thanks, Mimi!

I'm definitely not one to hide the fact that I'm a huge supporter of Illinois Senator, Barack Obama. I'll have my fingers permanently crossed in the hopes that he's elected in November, but until then, I plan on visiting www.barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com every once in a while just to keep an Obama-related smile on my face ;)

Visit the site yourself to see all the wonderful things that Barack Obama is doing for you. (Tip: keep refreshing the page or click on the text, in order to read a new message.)

Thanks for the link, Shannon!

After the initial cut back in December, I immediately felt like I should go even shorter with my hair...

And this past Friday, I finally did it... the faux hawk is mine! I'm really excited to have super-short hair again. It's been years and years - and I'm actually amazed that it was only a couple of months ago when I was doubling-up a 10" long ponytail!

images c/o Jw.

It's always interesting to me to think of the technology that has come and gone within my lifetime. Sometimes I think it's a bit weird that I'm old enough to have had a "first 45" (or to even know what a 45 is... and fyi, it was Starship's We Built This City)... and then there's mix tapes: these are certainly still made, but have definitely been knocked down in popularity by digital music files and the huge boom of mp3 players...

Cassette Wallet, $39 (w/o shipping) in red/orange/orange/purple by Marcella Foschi, available at designboom.com shop (via thisnext).

But the nostalgia for tapes still reigns supreme. I found endless items of all kinds using a cassette tape as inspiration including bags, wallets, books, jewelry & even new techno-gadgets paying homage to their plastic predecessor:

Book on Tape (2.5 x 3.875"), $15.00 from bibliopegy's etsy shop.

Mini Cassette Earrings, $14.00 by Sabrina's Charm, available at Shanalogic.

45 Nano Case, $45.00 from 45 iPod Cases (via Cool Hunting).

Mixtape USB Memory Stick, $22.00 available at fredflare.

Cassette Tape Buttons, $1.00 ea. (or $3.00 for a set/3) from Barrel of Monkeys's Etsy shop.

Thanks to Jess at How About Orange... and Michelle at Craft: Magazine's blog who were both super-sweet enough to post links to my DailyCandy DIY Valentine project!... Thanks so much!

If you haven't already, you can check out the DailyCandy Kids post for yourself, right here and my follow-up SCOOP post, here...

Happy Valentine's Day (again)!

We've got quite the stock of GOCCO-printed (flat and folded) notes on OB's Etsy shop... pick up this magenta set or these (our favorites) in black & yellow...

image c/o OB.

I hope everyone has an awesome day... whatever your plans are - whether you're going out on an elaborate date with the one you love, or if you're making a silent protest against the commercialism of it all... either way, remember what it actually is to love someone - and how you can really spread out your appreciation for those people all year long...

Love You letterpress card from OB's Etsy Shop.

It's been a while since I've posted a Carry On! to one of L's posts... but now seems just as good a time as any to get back on track.

I love L's post about finding one key accessory (in this case, a necklace) that makes an otherwise simple outfit really pop.

I found a few pieces that I think could be that missing piece... the first is the amazingly affordable Colored Bead Necklace (top image), $6.80 from Forever21. The saturated blue would be great with any number of colors (orange, red, chartreuse green) and the fact that the beads are wooden makes this somewhat over-sized necklace still very light & wearable.

I also love the Miami Necklace from theGlassOnion's etsy shop. The antique brass chain & cluster of beads would make for a really nice vintage look.

The last find is this Milkyway Necklace by Knotty Designs. It comes in both pink and white, but I think the latter would definitely be the most versatile... it's available for $60.00 at Elsewares.

I love an accessory that singlehandedly transforms a basic outfit into something extraordinary - as this bubble necklace does, above.

Pieces like these are extremely splurge-worthy because they maximize the impact of items already in the wardrobe. However, being the bargain lover I am, it's also satisfying to find something that makes a statement for a steal. As in, $7.80 for the beaded necklace, below. Also available in blue, I can just picture all the different ways it could be worn, making the most basic white shirt look suddenly stunning.

Top image from J.Crew. Bottom image from Forever 21.

IM typographic print by Jeannet Leendertse, $600.00 at typography's etsy shop.

I know that I'm not alone in my obsession with all things font-related... I've been seeing an abundance of posts around the 'blogosphere' (does anyone have a better name for blogs yet?), about font design, logos, letterpress type, etc. and I just can't foresee myself ever getting tired of it all.

Just this morning, I came across an Etsy shop called typography, which features prints by Dutch graphic designer Jeannet Leendertse. I L-O-V-E this printed canvas piece not only for its impressive size (40.6 x 60"), but for the overlapping type and color, as well!

check out more of Jeannet's work here.

There's a new print over at the OB Etsy shop... a limited edition of the "sweet" design, printed up on (4) different stocks: light brown, white, dark brown (above) & blue-grey (below).

Get yours (and other Valentine 'sweets') right here.

images c/o OB.

Emily and I are both in a mood for pattern it seems. I'm finding cute black and white pattern flats everywhere that would be fun to break out once the snow melts. I tried on the pair above and they are fantastic...quite comfy too, in fact. (I recommend sizing down a half size.)

Above, Drew ballet flats, Isaac Mizrahi for Target.

Carmen flats with hardware, Sam Edelman.

Giraffe print canvas flats, Old Navy.

Images from Target, Nordstrom and Old Navy.

A few weeks back, I was contacted by Kelly Aiglon, writer for DailyCandy Kids Chicago, asking if OrangeBeautiful would like to contribute a DIY project for an upcoming Valentine's Day post...

Needless to say, I put together an idea: a set of self-assembly, paper dice (that double as tiny candy boxes)... Read the entire article & download the dice template right here!

Thanks so much to Kelly and everyone at DailyCandy for allowing me to do such a fun project!

images c/o OB.

After I posted about some of our new purchases for the studio, a few people have asked questions about other elements of our studio set-up. One of the things I love best about our space is the paper wall... is very inspiring to have all that color & pattern up, and in full view.

Basically, I just hung a series of strategically-spaced towel racks (these specific ones are from IKEA, but are, unfortunately, no longer available)... there are certainly other rods that could be used in the same way (maybe these or these) - but just make sure that you find ones that 1) come away from the wall at least a couple of inches, and 2) that are at least 24" wide, as most full sheets of decorative paper are usually anywhere from 22"-40" wide.

images c/o OB.

I'm a bit obsessed with patterns lately, so I'm especialy drawn to these 12x12 paper sets from rifferaff's etsy shop...

The screen-printed gift wrap and gift tags are great, too!

image c/o rifferaff.

There are so many beautifully complicated, genius notecard designs available these days. I'm usually drawn to pattern and type, but depending on its intended message, sometimes you just need a notecard to be quiet - yet you still want it to be interesting.

I like the solid simplicity of this card by Greer, especially how the dimensions of the layered circles are evident. Its diminutive-but-still-mailable size (3.5 x 5) is my favorite for a quick little note.

Image from Greer.

There are so many beautifully complicated, genius notecard designs available these days. I'm usually drawn to pattern and type, but depending on its intended message, sometimes you just need a notecard to be quiet - yet you still want it to be interesting.

I like the solid simplicity of this card by Greer, especially how the dimensions of the layered circles are evident. Its diminutive-but-still-mailable size (3.5 x 5) is my favorite for a quick little note.

Image from Greer.

EXPEDIT Bookcase, in white, $199.99 at IKEA.

When growing a company, you find that spending money (& lots of it) is just par for the course... If I was working for someone else, the amount of money that I, personally, am responsible for spending would probably be a tiny percentage of what I shell out being the boss: paying my employee, the lease on our studio space, materials for custom jobs, travel expenses, trade show fees... the list goes on and on.

Saturn Tensor 18 Drying Rack, $432.00 at DickBlick.

However, the category that I secretly love spending money in is Office Supplies & Equipment... I'm a sucker for buying studio furniture, storage boxes & stuff, in general, that makes our everyday production jobs a lot easier.

FÖRHÖJA Kitchen Cart, $79.99 at IKEA.

Our recent purchases include (several) things from IKEA, including:

- (2) more EXPEDIT Bookcases (in white, of course) to hold our 4+ new wholesale lines, which are due to launch by May of this year, AND

- a FÖRHÖJA Kitchen Cart, to mount our heavy-duty stapler & paper cutter to... if you want one of these, I would suggest buying one ASAP while they're in stock. We checked on this thing nearly 20 times over the course of 6 months until they finally had some in stock this past week!

I've also decided that it's time to invest in a drying rack for all the GOCCO print runs we've been doing lately. I found this one (middle pic) by Saturn Racks at DickBlick for a little over $400.00... Trust me, if you saw how completely covered with prints our studio has been in the past, you'd agree that this purchase is well worth the money!

images c/o IKEA and DickBlick.

It's amazing to me that it was only a year ago when both my nephew, Toby and Jw's niece, Vera, were born - only hours apart...

Here's to two terribly awesome kids, who Jw and I cannot wait to do art projects with!

happy 1st birthday, toby & vera!

Small Bowling Bag, by Stella McCartney for LeSportsac - $350.00 (available for pre-order here.

I may need professional help for my addiction to bags. It's not so much your typical addiction to handbags, as it is a direct need to feel stylishly organized. I have a lot of anxiety about leaving the house without everything that I need - and a (gorgeous) bag like this would be perfect for toting around all my crap.

I must have watched The Sound of Music 1,000 times as a child. I still have every song memorized and I secretly want to someday do the singing tour of Salzburg, Austria where you visit movie locations while singing the soundtrack with the other tourists.

Until I get over there...

...this little greeting (or goodbye) notecard from Page captures the lyrics of the classic "So Long, Farewell" that the von Trapp kids performed at their dad's fancy party. Love it.

Image from Luxe Paperie.

Do/Ponder/File file folders, $8.99 (6/pk) from Knock Knock.

I've been a huge fan of the clean graphics & excellent wit of Knock Knock for a while now... and it seems that, with each new product they release, I love them more and more.

Stuff/Docs/Bills file folders, $8.99 (6/pk) from Knock Knock.

The latest release includes these great file folders with clearly stated fronts: everything from TO DO checklists to straight-up TOTAL CRAP. I especially love the pack that includes Stuff: To Avoid Entirely and Documents: Forged...

Crap file folders, $8.99 (6/pk) from Knock Knock.

the below images are of the... ahem... inside of my precious iMac.

Matt's been awesome enough to come by 3 times in the last week to help us with our ever-ridiculous computer problems. I'm confident that all will be well soon (*fingers crossed*) -

images c/o me.

Puma Saloh in Bracken Brown/Safari Beige/Paprika, $68.95 available at Zappos.

Jw has been looking for a new pair of sneakers to replace his current pair, which are... let's just say, well-loved. Here are few picks from Zappos that I thought might fit the bill.

Onitsuka Tiger in Yellow/Classic Green, $68.95 available at Zappos.

Puma 5000m in Khaki Brown/Grasshopper, $78.95 available at Zappos.

Personally, I love those yellow Asics (mostly, because of the color), but I think he'll go for the 5000m Pumas... If anyone else has some suggestions for good stylish-yet-not-too-insane-looking men's sneakers, be sure to let me know!

images c/o Zappos.

Traffic Jam (acrylic and gouache on wood construction, 43x68x5") by Gabe Lanza, $3,200.00, available at Rotofugi.

If you don't like robots, well, then there may very well be something wrong with you. Jw and I are both quite big fans of both robots and the work of one Mr. Gabe Lanza, so attending this past Friday night's opening reception of Robot Invasion and Other Arrivals at Rotofugi was quite a coup for us.

Obey Future Signals and Victory Can Be Ours (acrylic and gouache on wood, 17x20", framed) by Gabe Lanza, each $400.00, available at Rotofugi.

Gabe has several new robot-themed pieces on exhibit at Rotofugi's gallery, including these two (above) acrylic & gouache pieces, which have a wonderful soft feel to them & great textured backgrounds.

If you get the chance, definitely stop by the gallery at Rotofugi to see all of the Robot Invasion... and if you'd love to have your own limited edition Gabe Lanza piece, but aren't up for a big price tag, grab one of these limited edition painting multiples to frame & hang in your home!

Factory Direct (Original Painting Multiple by Gabe Lanza) on Grey Paper (13x19") $40.00, available at Rotofugi.

We're still very much saving up for both this piece and the house that will have a space appropriate for displaying it...

I'm really not sure how I missed this post on alilovescurtis (from nearly 2 weeks ago!) - but it sure is a lovely thing to find when spending a snowy Saturday evening in.

Ali :: you, your blog & your excellent handwritten note (and the sentiments expressed in it) are greatly appreciated after a few stressful weeks. Cheers!

Erin, from design for mankind (one of my favorite daily reads), was kind enough to send over an email letting me & L know about her latest endeavor: a monthly e-zine!

The premier issue covers the top of Inspiration... what it means, where (& within whom) you find it, and, ultimately, how important it is to the success & longevity of artists & non-artists alike.

I end this post with a quote from the e-zine where Erin thanks the design community for their support:

May we never stop in the quest to support each other's dreams.

Now that's inspiring ;)

(Download the entire e-zine right here.)