Eames Lounger Debut in 1956 on NBC

Check out this classic, and historical, video of the debut of the iconic Eames lounger in 1956 manufactured by Herman Miller.  Its interesting to see the the interviewer trying to "understand" the design process of the Eameses.  Its kind of amazing that you can still purchase one of these loungers from the Herman Miller company.  That is a testament to the longevity of good design.  We want one...badly. 

Pre-Fabulous!

Check out this great pre-fab modern home in Minneapolis. It's great to hear about modern projects that are accessible as well.  Love the lines.  Check it out on the Dwell web site:

http://www.dwell.com/articles/how-to-play-flatpak.html

England: Here We Come!

So its official...We are taking a hop accross the pond for a trip to the UK!  I am so excited!  We are doing London, Oxford, the Cotswolds, and Wales!  Not only that, we've been invited to a black tie affair at Oxford!!  What am I going to wear?!!  

So I need your help.  While we are in jolly old England... where do we eat, what to we see, and most importantly...where do we shop!!  Please comment.  It will be most appreciated.  There will be photos and stories to come, and maybe your suggestions will end up as a new posting.  

Tick, Tock, Tilt

Here is an elegant solution to the slightly annoying problem with daylight savings time: changing all of your clocks. Now all you have to do is give this clock a tilt to set the hour. Here's the link. Extra credit: What's the angle (with respect to the horizontal) that is required to achieve this?

Pritzker Prize 2009: Peter Zumthor

I generally avoid covering the already hyper-publicized Pritzker Prize for architecture (sometime touted as the "Nobel Prize" of Architecture) here on my blog, but this year is different.  This year Peter Zumthor has been recognized, and that is something to be discussed.  His body of work embodies the kind of work I wish I could say I have left behind after a life time of excellence.  I have admired his work from the first time I studied one of his projects in architecture school.  Simplicity of form, respect for his materials, loving attention to details.... for me THIS is what Architecture is all about.  

NY Times Article

BMW Concept Car: GINA

Here is a video about an amazing concept car by BMW that uses a flexible skin as its outer surface instead of metal. The result is really interesting.

The Walrus is Paul.

So we are thinking about a trip to London this summer, and have consequently been thinking of all things British.  Here is a really cool video of some of the "traffic" on Abbey Road.  I can't wait to do the "Abbey Road" myself!   

Hollowbody Perfection

Paul Languedoc is the soundman for the band Phish, and he also makes some ridiculously amazing guitars. Trey Anastasio has been playing Languedoc's guitars for most of his career, and now you can too. For a mere $10k, you can take home one these sweet puppies. Check out his website at: www.languedocguitars.com. 

Restaurant Week Boston: Aquitaine

On Friday night we happened to be out with two of our chicest friends in the South End (you know who you are). After we got out of what was an un-remarakle "art" show, we were STARVING! Well, we were in one of the busiest restaurant neighborhoods in the city during what we soon found out was "restaurant week". This is not good news when trying to find a table without reservations. So after a little wandering, and a few very full hot spots...we go into Aquitaine. Aquitaine is a romantic French bistro on Tremont know for is great food and sophisticated atmosphere. At first we were told there were no tables to be had...but after a little eye batting, and a fortuitous cancellation WE WERE IN! The drinks were unique and delicious. The roasted beet salad was amazing. Then the main entrees came! I had a fantastic tagliatelle with chanterelle mushrooms, which was some of the best pasta I've ever had (I know lofty statement). And because it was restaurant week...we of course had dessert. Chocolate torte and profiteroles with chocolate sauce are not to be missed. I can't believe we have lived in this city for almost six years and haven't been to Aquitaine before. This won't be the last time, for sure! Yummm.

Film Review: "Helvetica"

I had been made aware of the wonder of the Helvetica font from a graphic designer friend years ago.  His feelings about this simple and versatile font ranged from that of reverence to an all out fetish.  I was told of the symmetry, versatility, and beauty of the font.  As time when on I found a pattern with all my graphic design friends.... whenever asked about fonts they talked about Helvetica like it was some sort of cult.  They talked about the font like it was more of something you believe in, instead of just a typeface.  As a fellow designer I understand the power of print, but didn't hold Helvetica in the same elevated status.... I just didn't get it.  What do I know.  

Then came, "Helvetica", the documentary film by Gary Hustwit.  The film sheds some light on the development of one of the most successful and prolific fonts of the last 50 years.  The film artfully points out how this simple typeface can be the voice of everything from street signs to The Gap and virtually everything descriptive and stylish in between.  Once you are tuned into this fact you feel like you just can't escape from the ever-reaching grasp of Helvetica.  This is a great film for anyone interested in the power of design to shape our graphic world.  And, no, to rent the DVD do you not have to sign up for some graphic design cult or drink any font-cult koolaid. 

*Check out some film stills showing off how the font is everywhere at the right.

http://www.helveticafilm.com/

Mercury Fountain

I was recently browsing YouTube to see if I could find any videos of artist, Alexander Calder, in action in his studio. What I found was something different entirely. Here is a video of a founatain Calder made for use with Mercury instead of water. It is housed at the Fundacio Joan Miro museum in Barcelona. Yet another reason to visit Spain!   

PS - Mercury is liquid at room temperature because of the pronounced relativistic effects on the outer shell electrons. Relativity at work... awesome. 

Backyard Astrophotography... in the City!

This is my first post! Thanks for letting me post, G! It seems like the only thing you can see in the night sky over Boston is the moon, but it was amazing this winter. There were numerous nights when the moon, Jupiter and Venus were in close conjunction right at dusk. On some of those nights, I broke out my telescope and digital camera, started snapping pictures and caught some pretty cool shots of different phases. Here are some high-resolution shots for your viewing pleasure!

Craft Boston- 2009

"A Show of Contemporary Art, Craft & Design"

March 27-29, 2009

Seaport World Trade Center

200 Seaport Blvd., Boston

Presented by the Society of Arts and Crafts

http://www.craftboston.org/

Sounds like a fun way to "stimulate the economy"!

*Image from the craftboston website

Rubber Soul

Check out this great bag made from recycled tires. It reminds me of a oiled leather motorcycle saddle bag... now with added environmental consciousness!

LINK

Au Pied de Cochon: Montreal

When my husband, Brad, and I went to Montreal last summer one of the top items on our agenda was a pilgrimage to the renowned restaurant, Au Pied de Cochon. The chef/owner, Martin Picard, has nearly single-handedly elevated traditional Quebecois food to an art form. When we arrived in the city we stopped by the restaurant to try to make reservations for some point that week. We soon found out that it was only shear luck that we were able to get a table there at all without reservations far in advance. So take my advice...book ahead! The 3-hour-meal proved to be transcendent. The decor was warm, spare and modern...my kind of place. The open kitchen reveals an army of chic chefs that would seem to be as at home at a indie rock show. I was very impressed, and can't wait for our next trip. Au Pied has recently published a new soft cover version of their "Album" (currently on its way to our desk...will review very soon), which is more like a monograph than a cookbook. Check out what Anthony Bourbain has to say about APD in this clip from "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel. Enjoy...try not to drool on your keyboards.

Anatomy of the Typeface

I came across this glossary of common typeface terminology. Now you too can be on the inside of all those graphic design jokes about kerning.

http://www.fontshop.com/support/glossary.php

Sol LeWitt @ Mass MOCA

Check out the massive Sol LeWitt "Wall Drawing Retrospective" at Mass MOCA in North Adams, MA. The exhibition is on now though 2033! So there isn't exactly a rush, but don't you want to be the first on your block to see this! I do! Plus you get to go out to MOCA, and that is a pleasure in its own right. If you haven't been out there yet.. GO...what are you waiting for!!

http://www.massmoca.org/

Mid-Century Martini

After much searching...I have found the perfect martini glass. This glass has a subtle flare that hugs your libation. This glass would be as at home in your home as on the set of Mad Men. I highly recommend it for your next cocktail party, now all the cool kids will want to come!

LINK

Valenkis!

Winter in Boston is always hard on the footwear. I have been hard-pressed to find a pair of boots that are cool and at the same time keep me from being too cold. I think I've finally found the solution, and they are from Russia...the land that really knows winter. The Valenki is the traditional felt boot worn by Russian peasants and soldiers alike. They keep my feet toasty warm, and are very cute too. In a time where all you see on the fashionable feet around town are the ugliest of Uggs...isn't it time for a change. I love my Valenkis!!

http://www.akaculture.com/buyaka.html

Here the website to buy the boots. The AKA Culture site has a lot of cool images, including the one on this blog. Visit it for lots of boot options and cool ways to accessories your boots.