The most beautiful chair in the world

I'm combing a tag sale in a small community and spot a near perfect condition leather-upholstered rosewood-veneered Eames Lounge Chair and matching ottoman up for grabs. The chair is the epitome of Modernist style and comfort. A classic design of the twentieth century. But that's where my dream ends. Yes, one of these days I might (but probably won't) own the most iconic chair in the world, but I can surely drool over it's photos on the pages of  The Eames Lounge Chair: An Icon of Modern Design by Martin Eidelberg, Thomas Hine, Pat Kirkham, David Hanks and C. Ford Peatross. The book celebrated the chair's 50th anniversary back in 2006 and explores the design in detail and places it in its cultural, historical and social contexts. It's a book for anyone who appreciates Modernist design in all it's glory and a must have for any Noguchi coffee table.

Photo: Abduzeedo

Cuts like an artist

I love when artists use non-traditional canvases as art. New York City-based artistic collaboration Vault49 recently created a project called (Sub)Prime Cuts that took saws and hand-painted gorgeous lettering on the blades. Vault49 isn't your normal design agency, rather it's an artistic collaboration, a playground and a creative incubator for innovative design projects and comprises comprises 3D model-makers, set designers, screen printers, photographers, illustrators and graphic designers. Together they overlap and produce cohesive work that unites a broad variety of techniques. See more of their brilliant work here.

Now about those saws....

via Behance: Vault49 is doing our bit for the Big Bailout. Budgets are being butchered all around the world, and even worse it’s been done in such bad taste. These finely crafted financial tools should trim the fat nicely. Sink your teeth into these viciously hand-crafted beauties.

Images: Vault49 Behance

A real soap for craftsmen (and women)

This is probably the best looking packaging for artisan soap I've ever seen. But it's not just any soap. It's a Worker's Soap, you know... the kind of soap real crafts people need at the end of the day; carpenters, mechanics, woodworkers, printers, painters, potters. Being good with your hands means being good to your hands and this is the soap for them. The natural pumice bar is handcrafted in the Western Adirondacks and works on elbows and feet just the same. It's available from Hudson Made right here. I might get a bar just for the packaging!

via Behance: Hudson Made packaging references a time in history when every item was individually boxed and packed by hand upon production. Hand wrapped and string tied with a lead seal, each soap is securely protected and unique. The incorporation of traditional printing and letterpress typography on sustainable paper creates a valued product presentation. All of Hudson Made’s packaging is manufactured locally and meticulously selected for a truly regional product. The typography itself is balanced between contemporary simplicity and the heritage implied by nineteenth-century design.

Images: Behance Packaging Served

Santa Cruz branding

The branding for the Santa Catarina, Mexico restaurant Santa Cruz is exquisite. It's not your typical clean, modern branding with a distinct logo. Rather the playful typography and messages stand in place of a standard icon. And the website design allows the typographic treatment to really shine, no fancy layout or distracting images. Mexico City-based Anagrama did a beautiful job with the branding and Santa Cruz looks like a casual, fun place to eat some delicious Mexican when you're in town!

Photos: Serifs & Sans and Foursquare

Wanderlust: Italy

A year ago today we were on our way to Italy. I can still taste it, smell it and see it like just yesterday! Travel will do that to you. I'm getting itchy and wondering where we'll go next... as far as I can tell Palm Springs is on the horizon for our annual desert road trip!

Illustrator Extraordinaire: Mads Berg

With all this Gatsby talk in the air lately, it's only proper to showcase some extraordinary illustrated art deco posters by Copenhagen-based illustrator Mads Berg (great name, right?) Mads work translates classic poster art into a modern and timeless visual and I'm completely in love! Check out his entire series of posters for Club, perfect timing for all the Gatsby-esque themed shenanigans going on right now. Not only does Mads create striking posters, he also designs maps for world famous amusement parks, view them over at his Behance site.

Photos: Mads Berg

A friend of Kith

The Kith Café is a café chain in Singapore that recently opened its third outlet within the city-state, this time on Sentosa Island. The bright and colorful interiors mixed with metal, marble and farmhouse dining chairs are so welcoming. As it should be, the name Kith means 'familiar friends, neighbors, or relatives' and I can't think of a better environment I'd rather relax, eat, read and socialize with friends (or meet new friends even), then Kith.

The owner Jane Hia has truly created the ultimate inviting neighborhood café. Her "simplicity, sincerity and honesty" philosophy really done shine through thanks to Hjgher, who did the branding and design. They translated her philosophy and emphasis was placed on relaying the sincerity and openness of the cafe with open wrought iron shelves that display the storage of fresh produce and inventory and a handwritten menu on the chalkboard wall, where old specials are casually wiped off with new ones scribbled on daily.

Here's a little more about the design and branding via the Kith website: Three elements hold the Kith identity together; the shape, the texture and the signature. The shape of the logo comes from the interestingly irregular shape of the current shop space, reduced to scale. The texture is a representation of the classical check pattern used to symbolize the fabric of a community that come together for a common purpose. A specially created font was created for the Kith signature; simple, strong, and sans unnecessary ornaments. The signature is the only primary element that will remain constant; over time both the shape and the texture elements will change in tandem with Kith’s growth.

Photos: We Heart

Nobody does it better

In the world of icons and logos, Saul Bass reigns supreme. His work is absolutely timeless and most of his marks are still in use today with little alteration over the years. Yesterday would have been his 93rd birthday and illustrator Chris Piascik paid tribute using one of his favorite Saul Bass quotes for his daily drawing. Another great overview on the longevity of his logos can be found here. Happy Birthday Saul! You'll always be with us.

Photo: Chris Piascik

Mehmet Gözetlik: man of many talents

Mehmet Gözetlik is a London-based designer who has some incredible poster designs under his belt. Here are just a few highlights from his incredible portfolio. I love how the movie posters highlight not the story itself, but all the brand product placements we may not actually catch, brilliant! He's also the Executive Art Director and Co-founder of Antrepo a multi-disciplinary design consultancy. And if that wasn't enough, he's a typography instructor at Işık University, creates product designs, GUI icons, fonts and more. He also has his own shop where you can purchase the poster designs here. I'm convinced the man doesn't sleep!

Photos: Mehmet Gözetlik

Modern crafting

I'm still dreaming about finding the time to learn how to crochet... and embroidery.... and quilting. I'd love to give a gift to a great friend that was totally handmade. This geometric embroidery just might inspire me (yet again) to get to the craft store and start in. It's not your grandmother's embroidery, but so special just the same! See the full tutorial at Snowed In Magazine.

Photo: Eva Burgess of Build House Home via Apartment Therapy

Cured for consumption

For those of you who know me, this will come as no surprise. You know I'm a great cook and a great eater, and do them equally well I might add. I'm a huge charcuterie gal who can easily make a spread of bread, cheese, yummy spreads and salumi for dinner. I'm half Italian, what can I say. And for those of you who delight in spicy salted pork as well, you'll enjoy knowing (drum roll please)... as of 28 May, the USDA is lifting its ban on the import of cured Italian meats. Which can mean only one thing, no more sausage smuggling suitcases! I look forward to the next array of charcuterie on my dinner plate come the end of May. Delizioso!

Read about it here at LA Times.

Photo: Romulo Yanes / Bon Appetit

Jaw dropping home

Building large living spaces that are cozy and modern isn't an easy feat. Personally I'm drawn to cozy and comfort, but I love a good clean aesthetic too, so when I come across a masterpiece that combines all of those things, I'm often speechless with it's beauty. Behold the House Aboo in Limpopo, South Africa by Nico Van Der Meulen Architects, once an outdated brick home, it is now a stunning space whereby light bounces and plays with the expanses of glass and double height living spaces. Made of wood, concrete and steel bars, the home features purposely placed water features around the residence to aid in natural cooling during the hot summer months. And there are plenty of spaces to sit, eat, converse and relax throughout the home. My kind of living space! See more photos of this amazing home over at Design Milk.

Photos: Design Milk