Closes Hangar Lamp

OK, so it's not all about the World Cup today here as I just had to post this one.

The Closes Hangar Lamp by Hector Serrano for dutch outfit Droog Design is definitely an eye catcher. Created back in 2002, the piece is made of an Acrylic hangar and uses an 11 watt flourescent bulb thus allowing you to customize your lamp with a favorite shirt or whatever.

Of note, he has titled this on his site as Playboy. Not sure if it's the original title or what. Nonetheless, it's great.

If you do have a chance, be sure to check out Serrano's site. Some fantastic work to be found there.

via : apartment therapy-los angeles

Also available here.

FIFA World Cup

Well design's taking a back seat today for what else but the FIFA World Cup ,which begins today.

So as a football (soccer) junkie i'm gonna toss out some predictions.....

- opening match between Germany and Costa Rica, i'm calling it a 1-1 tie. (OK so my first prediction wasn't even close with a 4-2 win for Germany. Whaddya do?).

- my favorites to go furthest are England, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and maybe Italy who I seem to pull for every tournament. Alot will depend on Totti's fitness.
- darkhorse teams for me will be the Ukraine, Paraguay and Ivory Coast
- overall my heart says England due to their outstanding midfield which will easily make-up for a questionable striker roster. Bottom line it all comes down to Rooney being healthy which i'm not so sure about.
- Golden Boot will go to Brazil's Adriano or Shevchenko with Ukraine pending on his health.
- breakout performances...Frank Ribery (France) and Joe Cole (England).

Well there you go. All apologies for those looking for some design related topics, but hey...what's a blog for if you can't express yourself ?

Also of note, Cool Hunting has some great World Cup related postings and giveaways today. So check it.

FOLD

For lovers of the ultra-simple and clean comes FOLD, the latest creation from Brooklyn designer Tim Wall (Square Root Studio) that was shown at this years ICFF.

"a pure form that functions as a stool and creates space for unexpected purpose. made from a single pattern, fold is easily manufactured. fold is lightweight, durable, and can be dressed up or down. as comfortable at a gourmet coffee shop as in an elegant lounge."

via : apartment therapy

LUCHA LIBRE embroidery

I cannot believe i'm posting on embroidery, but I have to admit I had a good howl when I came accross this pattern.

From Sublime Stitching comes the LUCHA LIBRE pattern which is sure to make your Grandma the coolest chick on the block.

Annie Owens

Available over at ouchclub are these fantastic hand-painted decks by co-founder of Hi-Fructose magazine, Annie Owens .

Prices range from $200 to $400 a pop.

via : vinylpulse

Subcultures

Great customs by Sket One for the upcoming Subcultures show which opens today at Channel 1 in New Haven, CT from 6 to 9 PM.

More info at vinylpulse.

Valerydesignwrks 2006

Awhile back I posted a piece on Edmonton based illustrator, Valery Goulet.

Well she now has her 2006 collection (which turned out great) up on her site for all to check out and purchase.

Enjoy !

Just Because

Friday finally !

A buddy sent over this link that gave me a good howl.

A classic interview with Posh and Becks by Sasha Baron Cohen's alter ego, Ali G.

Enjoy !

KOZIK tequila

More images and info has come out for the upcoming release and sale of the Frank Kozik / Muttpop collaboration.

EL BRUJO NARCO SATANICO TEQUILA, which is slated for a June 6th date at Vinylpulse, will carry a $99.99 US (plus shipping) price tag. Also of note, the run for this guy will only be 333. Sale starts at 12pm Pacific.

I liked the original Tequila when it first came out, but never really bothered chasing one down. But I have to admit this Kozik edition turned out fantastic. It's amazing how pattern and color can alter a piece's feel.

Dans le salon de Rita

There isn't much I can say about this installation seeing the website is all in French. But from what I gather it is by a mutlidiciplinary design group named , RITA.

This piece entitled, Dans le salon de Rita, took place at this years Interior Design Show in Montreal.

I really enjoyed the layout presented here and to me was asked the question of what is most preffered, comfort or design ?

More info here.

Merci Valery !

WOEFWAF

I'm really digging this table/chair unit from Boy Bastiaans entitled WOEFWAF.

Part of Berlins 2006 DESIGNMAI, you can check out more images over at Core77.

via : mocoloco / core77

Bearskin

Designer Eelko Moorer has brought a sigh of relief to all the bears out there with his latest creation, Bearskin.

"It was about the idea to make an object that contained an extreme added-value. An object that triggers an immediate desire to touch and possess, but at the same time would be completely useless."

The Urethane rubber rugs are all numbered and have a signature casted in the back.

Available here.

Grilliput

BBQ's do not get any simpler than this.

Grilliput is a knock down, easy to travel with, stainless steel grill that's ideal for the occasional outdoor jaunt.

What else can you say ?

Available here.

Scandinavian Design Center

I got a heads up from some nice folks over at Scandinavian Design Center to check out their new site. It's a great resource for all things Scandinavian, inluding designer bios,publications and projected trends making this more than your run of the mill online shop.

So check it out !

More info spotted at : netdiver and decor8

The Box Doodle Project

The Box Doodle Project challenges designers and artists to take an ordinary cardboard box and reinterperate it into an object or figure as they see fit. BDP's creator David Hofmann simply wants you to 'make the most of least'.

The site provides a platform with a few templates and tools to help bring your vision to life.

via : netdiver

IceCube seating

Extremis is adding some comfort to their IceCube cooler.

Available soon in a number of fabric patterns is the IceCube seating cushions.

So far i'm digging the cow pattern myself.

Frank KOZIK Tequila

Rock Poster and Designer Toy Artist Frank Kozik and Muttpop has teamed up on a limited edition Tequila.

Properly named El Brujo Narco Satanico Tequila, the figure is limited to 333 figures and will only be available through vinylpulse beginning June 6th/06.

Just Because

Well it's Friday yet again, so I figure a dip into the archives is appropriate for a slow start to the morning.

Enjoy.

Plant cup

My word that is one big ass tea cup !

Actually what designer Gitta Gschwendtner has created is a fantastic addition to your outdoor garden with this piece entitled Plant Cup.

This oversized chinaware is infact a pot to showcase your annuals or if it's been a long hard drinking night, a perfect sized cup to get the caffeine flowing.

via : teejay's backsplash

Apple Store

A slick new Apple store recently opened in Manhattan that is running 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Pictures of the opening showed quite a massive crowd waiting to get in.....because you know if you don't get in and buy an i-pod, they might just sell out and never produce one again !


via : vaporsmagazine

El Panda

You know, there's teasing and then there's just being plain cruel.

Muttpop and VinylPulse have teamed up to help build hype for the upcoming El Panda vinyl figure that is set to follow the succesful Tequila model that Muttpop released early this year.

They've been posting various stages in the development of El Panda, including conceptual drawings, variant options and packaging. Thus far they're up to 'Part 20' as the June 2006 release comes closer.

Ben Harper in T.O.

MSN has just posted a recent private acoustic set by Ben Harper which took place at the Mod Club Theatre in Toronto back on April 10.

The gig was attended by contest winners only.

Enjoy.

Death Cab Does Hank

Death Cab For Cutie has a great web exclusive performance of 'Sound of Settling' from their recent appearance on The Henry Rollins Show.

As well, you have to check out Hanks latest 'Teeing Off' rant about the fight between Scientists and Christian Fundamentalists in regards to Human Evolution. Some great one liners that's sure to give you a good howl.

GreenFuzz

Some solid pieces to be found through GreenFuzz (aka graphic designer Mike Maas). His portfolio site has a large selection of straight up 2D work, 3D sculptures and even a Tori Amos Ouija Board (I kid you not).

"Mike’s eclectic influences range from the horror punk music of The Cramps to the literary experiments of the great Kurt Vonnegut. If you throw in a dash of 60’s advertising, underground comic books, classic b-movies and crush it all together with a pop-culture hammer, then you have an idea of what Mike’s work is like."

As an added bonus, you can also download some of Mike's graphics for your phone here.