Month: September 2009

object: cap it off

Published by

I don’t do much fashion on this blog. I don’t much fashion in real life either. If I’ve got any extra money I’d rather buy a piece of furniture or a painting than a piece of clothing or a handbag. But I do love these caps inspired by Kimono patterns. And my trusty handbag does have a rip in it … and of course, Barneys does have some very cool bags. I’ve posted about my obsession with yellow so the suede Proenza Schouler makes sense. But I can’t easily explain my attraction to the Devi Kroell Hobo – how can you not love something so shiny!

object: ning ning li

Published by

Ning Ning Li is a designer based in Pasadena. I came across the work on Coroflot – a new site that hosts designer’s portfolio (with links to their websites). Very nicely designed site…but not too info heavy. I’m going to do a bit of digging and see if this tea set is a prototype. Be nice if you could buy it.

object: benjamin hubert

Published by

I am big fan of young British designer Benjamin Hubert’s work. I came across his concrete lamp shades last year when we covered them in Belle. His new work – showcased at 100% Design London – is just as good. His Labware lighting for Authentics won the Blueprint Best New Product Award at 100% design this year (bottom).

house: tour

Published by

I love the way W magazine covers houses. This is actress Kate Hudson’s house in Pacific Palisades (it is from a 2005 article so who knows if she still lives there. She’s divorced now or separated?) There’s an edginess to their photography and the portraits feel like fashion shoots. Very cool.

house: for sale

Published by

The LA Times did a big story yesterday on architectural gems selling for a steal. I’ve been covering that story for a while (click here and here and here). They interviewed Crosby Doe, who often lists great houses and sold his first Neutra house in 1974. “I haven’t seen so many opportunities in terms of choice and relative value since the ’70s,” said Doe in the article. “Three years ago people would call me from all around the world and say, ‘I want a Lautner,’ and there were none available.” The real estate section is one of the first places I go when the paper arrives on the weekend. Yesterday I found a Neutra house in Bel Air (above)…for $14.9 million. A lovely Frank Lloyd Wright in Los Banos for $2.3 million (below) and the Craig Ellwood house for $885,000 (bottom). $14m is not exactly cheap but perhaps if you are buying at that level it’s a bargain? The house is certainly amazing.