Cuter in person

Leave it to Vitra to make the packaging as cute as the dolls. Alexander Girard will hereby be known as Sandro. Adorable little stuffed elephant that was part of my gift since the Girard dolls were to arrive later - I took the opportunity to put him in one of our accessories and take a glamour shot.

Hurray!!!

I have been gifted two Girard dolls for Christmas!!! Hurray!!!!! What a perfect addition to my collection!!!!! Thank you, Martha, for such a thoughtful gift!!!!! Love, love, love, love, love them.

I am too pumped to do some actual digging about the dolls, but I will completely steal from Design Within Reach so that you can understand my joy of joys.

"'Toys,' said Alexander Girard, 'represent a microcosm of man's world and dreams; they exhibit fantasy, imagination, humor and love.' In addition to his work in textiles, Girard distinguished himself as a designer of furniture, interiors and even toys. He also had a strong interest in folk art, and in 1963, he created a collection of Wooden Dolls for his own Santa Fe home. Working from the originals, the Vitra Design Museum has reissued models 1-11 of Girard's brightly painted, semi-abstract and sculptural figures."

embarrassing myself in front of architects

Why do I always embarrass myself when talking to architects? I tend to think that I am flummoxed by their combination of mathematical ability, tendency to be well-connected and well-informed and design history knowledge. Because while I have gained an adequate, nay, superior design history knowledge, I certainly didn't do so while also learning laws and drawing things and being good at math. No, I certainly did not do that.

We have a great architecture firm that moved in next door to the Herman Miller NDC a few months ago called ai3. They are a small firm of young and friendly and very interesting people and have made excellent neighbors. And while I had heard about a few of their projects in Atlanta, I did not know that they had designed some of the best restaurants in town. Apparently they're good people AND good designers. And that just doesn't happen all the time.

On this particular occasion of embarrassing myself in front of architects, I plainly asked a principal of ai3 what he thought of the interior of Flip Burger Boutique, Top Chef Richard Blais' new restaurant in the neighborhood. You could have flipped a burger on my red, red, cheeks when he, also embarrassed at my ignorance, informed me that ai3 designed the interiors of Flip Burger Boutique. Well shoot.

I think I handled the rest of the conversation well... I praised elements of the design that I liked, learned more about their other restaurant designs (Asia, Holeman and Finch, 4th and Swift, The Globe), and hinted that I thought the interior of Flip looked very SoHo (which, thankfully, was correct - the next Flip may very well be in SoHo). Still, you'd think with all of my internet trolling I would have learned a little more about my neighbors! Gee whiz!

Can I also add that after doing post-traumatic research I am so pleased to read an architect's analysis of space that is so eloquent and actually fits the visual referent! So often I read an architect's analysis and it's pure, unadulterated BS. This little quote from Dave Heimbuch (another genuinely nice neighbor) is a great explanation of the interior. He says, "We brought the unconventional and edginess of the cuisine to the design using reflecting ceiling elements, bold colors and finishes and playful graphics. The result is a design that's invigoratingly modern, yet like the menu, doesn't take itself too seriously." Well thanks, Dave. That makes a lot of sense.

Life is like a box of crayons

"Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s okay though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation. So when I meet someone who’s an 8-color type…I’m like, "Hey girl, magenta!" And she’s like "Oh, you mean purple?" And she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, no-I want magenta."

-Crayola wisdom courtesy John Mayer. I know, right?

In other Crayola news... I love crayons. I still buy them and I make a point to walk down the Crayola aisle occasionally so that I can get a whif of their magic aroma. I even get mad when my box of 64 starts to dull. I currently have a stash of at least 5 Crayola products and I use them more often than you should know.

Bad Design Entry #1

Bad web design is bad. See above from the website for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, where I went today to learn the Golden Globe nominations.

Hey, web genius. Note: If you have to make a note to clarify the web address, you probably should have just written the web address instead of trying to be cute.

Be Don Draper

We have much to discuss re: Mad Men.  At this point you should just know that I love Mad Men and can become obsessive during the season.  I learned today that Jon Hamm will be appearing on 30 Rock as Liz Lemon's love interest.  I am in.  This might be one of my favorite Don Draper moments, thanks SNL.

FingerFood

This is awesome/pretentious.  Probability that small plate will roll around finger when heavy food placed atop?  98.7%

I found this little gem on Spoon Sisters - great, great gift site.  Great. 

You Are Getting This For Christmas

You're welcome.  

Ripple Products Green Turtle Shower Timer

obsolescence is annoying

I have an iPod Touch and I love it.  And I agree, it is the funnest iPod ever.  However... since they launched the 2nd generation version - which is definitely cooler than my lame 1st generation - I have become very annoyed with how obsolete my $200 + ipod has become.  Exhibit A: the 2nd generation has built in speakers, so you don't have to earbud it all the time. Exhibit B: the 2nd generation is compatible with that Nike software that tracks your work outs.  (This, I believe, is the reason that I am not working out as much as I should.  I blame the ipod.)  And finally, and most annoyingly, I cannot buy a good protector case for it.  I ebayed a silicon one and it was sub-standard, so I went to Best Buy and tried to get one of those awesome hard plastic ones that I have admired on many an iPhone.  I even asked the capable-looking salesperson if the plastic case would fit my 1st generation and he, in typical techno-nerd fashion rolled his eyes and assured me that yes... "they are all the same."  Ok, so I purchased said hard plastic case and scampered to my car to begin the accessorization only to find that no, my stupid 1st generation is too fat for the super-slim case made for 2nd generation iPod Touches.  What's an early adopter to do?

Embody

I am biased toward Herman Miller because they pay for my rent and shoes and things. Granted. Also because they took a chance on my very close friends Rohde, Nelson, Eames, Eames, and Noguchi.  But truly, I love Herman Miller because I am a fan of chairs.  All chairs really, but good, comfortable, interesting chairs especially.  

Herman Miller's newest chair-baby is called Embody. Designed by the late Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber, the unsung hero of the Aeron and designer of the Intersect Portfolio of very useful furniture, the Embody chair is, according to Uncle Hermy, the first chair designed for your body and your mind.  Unlike the Aeron, the Embody chair makes you sit in an ergonomically correct way.  It doesn't allow you to make the mistakes that most people make in an Aeron chair, like sitting on the front of your seat pan or constantly sitting in the ejector seat position like I do.  Nope, Embody asks you to sit back, relax, and breathe!  In fact, the design of the Embody chair allows you to open up your chest cavity while seated and therefore breathe easier and therefore think easier and therefore work easier.  It's H-shaped supports on the back of the chair mimic the spine in appearance and in action conform to your back allowing you to adjust the entire chair to meet your comfort level - we're not just adjusting lumbar anymore. 

And just when you think you've made it as comfortable as it can get, just try to move.  You'll find that you can move more freely and more comfortably in this chair than you can in any ergonomic task chair I've ever sat in.  The back of the chair has a much thinner profile than you're used to, so you can do things, amazing things, like reach behind you and to the side while still maintaining a supportive posture.  I've even heard rumors that the seated position and openness of the chair actually engages your core muscles more than other chairs.  Designed specifically for our generation of knowledge workers who sit for hours and hours in front of a computer screen, Embody creates a new paradigm for workplace design.  We're not just talking basic ergonomics here, this chair is actually good for you.  It truly is a design wonder and is certainly worth a trip to your local Herman Miller NDC (tell 'em Michelle sent you) for a sit, a recline, and a deep breath.  

Happy Election Day!

Voting day is a super-exciting day. I can't wait to go home and watch all of the states report and just feel that surge of pride when we get closer and closer to an announcement. This election has been a designapalooza and I personally have loved navigating through barackobama.com and watching the Obama O from a branding standpoint. Sure, there is a wonderful history of campaign buttons, unforgettable slogans (I Like Ike, anyone?) and images, but I am hard-pressed to name a more succinct, direct, and visually stunning campaign. The design differences between the Obama and McCain campaigns are striking and really demonstrate the candidates' ideal demographics and voting blocks. I mean, even McCain's font selection and choice of blue is more traditional! And who can deny the importance of fashion during this election - from the rainbow of Hillary pantsuits to Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe.

It has been really fun to watch all of the design decisions made by both parties this election. And while I did vote based on issues, it doesn't hurt to know that my candidate is also the more design-savvy candidate. One can only imagine, nay, dream, of the aesthetic glory that will come of an Obama presidency. The branding! The fashion! The clear messages made even clearer by a visually cohesive plan! Perhaps my favorite little ephemeral nothing from election day is my Georgia Voter sticker. How cute!

Coolspotters

I tend to accidentally lose hours on the internet.  I typically do this with Facebook, Wikipedia, and People Magazine (for some reason, I end up looking at very old photos of Katie Holmes).  It all starts so innocently and then 4,000 clicks later I wake up and realize I've just spent two hours doing nothing.  My new addiction/discovery is Coolspotters, an online treasure trove that allows the materialistic and celebrity-obsessed to "spot" their favorite products, brands and fashions used by celebrities and in movies and TV.  I have decided to integrate more design history into the site... surprise surprise.  So, instead of spotting fashion and iPhones I have decided to focus on Eames chairs.  Because that's what I do.  My most recent posting was of Frasier sitting in his Eames Lounge and Ottoman with Eddie.  For me it's just a good excuse to collect photos of people sitting in Eames chairs, but the site could be incredibly useful for those fashionistas out there who, after losing two hours on People Magazine, can finally figure out where Jen Aniston bought that bag.  

the real design stars

I'm watching Design Star on Bravo for two reasons.  1. It's a reality show on Bravo and I've seen them all.  2. I love love love the panel of judges.  What's not to love about Kelly Wearstler's fearless style in decor and dress, Margaret Russell's steely editorial minimalism, and the always-hilarious Jonathan Adler.  With every passing week I connect.  Not to the contestants, mind you, but to a panel of judges that I already know.  Sure, it's not the most open-minded approach to new things, but hey, sometimes nostalgia is more fun than discovery.  Now, I live with some Jonathan Adler ceramics on a daily basis and they never let me down, but a peek onto the potter's Happy Chic website today gave me another wonderful surprise.  The Hashish candle?  Genius.  

jewelry junkie

I've finally found a hobby! *Drumroll* I've been taking a jewelry class with Brian Gibney at Amalgam Arts in Atlanta.  Brian is a great instructor who lets his students learn by doing - you create your designs and he shows you techniques for completing them along the way.  My first big piece here has been a real inspiration for me and has really helped me find my creativity again.  I'm sketching (badly, but still sketching), buying art supplies, and can't spend more than one day away from etsy and the small works of genius I find there.  This piece is made from half-round sterling silver wire that I bent (the hard way apparently), soldered, and shined.  I'm loving it and have already gotten a few compliments!  I'm hoping my new hobby will continue to sustain me and that I can relearn how to be manually dextrous.  

welp, here we go

I was never a good diarist, nor did I figure out exactly what I wanted to blog about until yesterday, but somehow, I think this is the right thing to do.  It is not with a high purpose that I finally put type to blog, but instead as a new outlet.  A new way to get things out and move on.  And so, ladies and gentlemen, the theme upon which I choose to reflect is my obsession with things.  A perpetual student of things, I observe, notate, review, dissect, criticize, loathe, love, and desire the objects that surround us.  From the highest of design, to the lowliest of consumer products, I hope that this place will be a haven for objects and for my thoughts as an object nerd.  Yes, people are so much more important than things.  I hope that is a certainty.  Even so, it is often objects that help us to understand the people that love them.  We know so much about people by the objects they surround themselves with - we can't wait to see our friend's homes in order to really understand them, we judge (I judge) clothing, we hold onto to our mementos, and we throw away pounds of trash everyday.  We are, as ever, living in a material world.  And here, just like Madonna before me, I am a material girl.