2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Solar doesn't have to be so lame.

When I think of solar-powered lights, I think of cheap plastic devices molded into shapes that somewhat resemble carriage lights with a giant stake permanently attached to their underside for the purposes of permanently wedging the lights into some forgotten part of your garden.

Designer Damian O'Sullivan sees differently.  His Solar Lampion is a beautiful twist on the solar light, incorporating solar cells as a central part of his lamp's design.

What's more, the Solar Lampion moves easily from outside to inside, if you ever want to bring some of that fresh sunlight indoors to brighten up dark nights. 

This amazing lamp was even recently featured in the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition at the MoMA!  His website is currently under construction, but he's definitely someone to watch.

   

OMG! I want to get married there!

This dream chapel is located in Japan.  It calls "Leaf Chapel", a project designed by the architect Klein Dytham.  It is perfect wherever you look at: the special romantic lights, the chapel is very close to a pool that seems to be a lagoon, and the wide shape of it makes all the ceremonies so close and intimate.  I really love this project, specially because I'm planning my wedding.  It´s a pity Japan, is so far.

In few words, this chapel mix modern style with romantic shapes... that make the place so nice and warm.  Beautiful work!

Via The Scoop.

Greenwashing

What is greenwashing? Greenwashing is the creation or promotion of a products or ideals that exhibit environmentally sound qualities without actually performing at a less consumptive level. For example, the illusion of buying bamboo chairs imported from Vietnam over oak chairs from your native state. Yes, bamboo is a very renewable resource, but once the deforestation and glue toxins and shipping fuels and packaging are considered, its much better to just buy local furniture that doesn't require so much processing. Read a similar article on the greenwashing of the Chinese Olympic Gardens here.

Mid-century illustration for the home

I have always been in love with advertising posters from the 50's and 60's. I always thought that one day I would luck out and find a picture I liked in a book, take it to a print shop and have it blown up to poster size. Well, I found a GREAT resource so that I don't have to do all that: Plan 59, a site where you can order quality prints of mid-century advertising. The categories cover decor, old ads, crate art, and three separate groups for vehicles. You can check out whenever a new scan is available by watching their blog, Pastelogram.

The prints can be ordered on a variety of archival papers and can range in size and price from an 19" x 13" print for $20; 22" x 17" for $28; to a 25" x 24" print for $65 on 19 mil museum-grade art paper. For a truly dramatic piece, the Grand Large Format size can be up to 44" x 46" for $250.

Can you imagine one of the sleek automobile ads stretching out above your sofa? Or one of the domestic ones hanging in your kitchen, especially if the majority of your cooking includes your microwave and the phrase "Heat on High for 3 minutes?"

Automobile Advertising

1957 Mercury

Domestic Images

Domestic Goddess, 1960

1951 Florida Oranges

Bold Images


Pop Art, 1946

American Brake Shoe, 1956 #1

1958 Retro Housewife

I am still a big fan of this one; the golfing housewife, and the colors just happen to match my living/dining room.

New Modern Fan Lighting

Modern Fan Co. has new Fan Light Kits on 2Modern! Designed to go with their corresponding fans, most come with either Incandescent or Energy Saving CFL Fluorescent bulbs.

Dinner-Table Getaways

If prices at the pump have permanently grounded your travel plans, here's a chance to see the world for way less than it costs to fill your gas tank and gather your family around the dinner table for some educational fun. Officially Lekker Home's Exploration Placemats pinpoint some of the world's best eateries in top cities, including NY, Paris, London and Tokyo. Unofficially they're the perfect pack of 50 paper placemats that'll transport you to exotic places without the costly fill up.

Sergio Silva

Sergio Silva's Oyule Lamps bring an ironic twist to the traditional oil lamp by using modern materials that were invented to replace it. The repurposed lightbulbs sit peacefully on the acrylic base without any obstructions to take away from the clean lines of the bulbs themselves.  Very clever and effective design.

--sdotg--

Road trip Pt. 8- Vegas, Baby, Vegas

What would a roadtrip be without a stop in Las Vegas? Since I lacked the funds to actually gamble in the casinos, I focused my attention on the designs, specifically the lights. In the Wynn, I found a lovable floral pattern that ran through out the entire casino and hotel, on the ceiling, tiles on the floors, or in the rugs. Here are some shots.   

Beijing's Olympic Garden

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics Beijing has festooned the grounds with lush sculptures portraying a greener version of China than we’re used to seeing. But artful topiary design is no replacement for creating a cleaner city at its height of pollution. Read the full article.

recycle!

I love this fun birthday card from Amy Smyth... so witty! I have entirely too many people to gift this one to.

Check out her new line right here.