Displaying posts from January, 2009

WINKS – weekend links. Here we list what has come in during the week, things we’ve found and things we think you’ll want to see. If you’d like to see your blog or website featured email us and if we think it fits with our readers we’ll link you. So what’s in this week?

• • Lost Found Art = found new love. Joy emailed about this cool website and I’m so glad she did. Lost Found Art is a unique design company that specializes in sculptural installations and assemblages using antique and vintage pieces. I adore every piece. What’s your favourite?

• • Cathrine Kullberg, the designer behind the Norwegian Forest pendant lamp has recently completed a 10 metre light installation for the Emil&Samuel Restaurant which has just opened in Oslo’s high end department store Steen&Strøm. The large ceiling/wall installation is constructed from 100m2 of wood veneer, light and laser-cut patterns – a glowing forest with owls, foxes, squirrels and birds playing between the trees. See more of this amazing work here. (Thanks to Steffen for letting us know.)

• • Toronto-based architect and interior designer Dee Dee Hannah has launched Dee Dee’s Blog, a new interactive feature on her website. Want an insight into how a top end designer works? Want the low down on her high end look? Although Dee Dee has only just started, her blog will be an interesting insight into her studio.

• • Schumacher Modern is introducing for spring a dramatic new prints collection by L.A. fashion designer Trina Turk, known for her sportswear and swim collections. Bold geometric patterns are mixed with prints derived from natural motifs and adapted from Trina Turk’s extensive collection of vintage apparel. Fabrics in the Trina Turk collection are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Vintage inspired deliciousness!

• • Melody Miller is inspired by a love of clean modern design, bold mid-century print & pattern, and whimsical, vintage-inspired fashion. She decided to design some curtains when she couldn’t find anything that excited her for her new house. A new business was born – Letter M Design. The panels are constructed of 100%
    silk taffeta with gorgeous, vibrant silk designs sewn on top. Hey Melody you must send us photos of your own home with these gorgeous curtains!

• • Emily emailed to introduce her blog A Life Less Ordinary. Fashion, interior design and her favourite things. Drop over and say hi!

• • Another fabulous offering from Modern Dose, the Love magazine holder. Too cool for just Valentine’s Day. Show your magazines your true feelings.

• And last but definitely not least Jenny emailed – “I am crazy for interior design and love to find ways to ‘get the look for less’ – which, it seems like a lot of people here in the U.S. are concerned with doing lately.” Jenny of course blogs and Little Green Notebook is full of inspiration and eye candy as well as clever ideas.

Marit, a DTI regular, wrote us recently about her resort in Indonesia and we had to share this dreamy place with everyone. Those of you living through a terrible winter (like myself), I am warning you that the photos below might result in a few tears shed so I recommend having a tissue on hand. “Your blog has been a big inspiration to me as we’ve been designing our resort and home in West Papua, Indonesia. We’re an eco resort in the true sense of the word, using only reclaimed wood in the construction of our 11 cottages, dive shop, restaurant, and pier. I could go on and on about that stuff, but I think the aspect that might be of most interest to you is our Water Cottages, designed by UK-born but Australian-based architect Viv Faithfull at WH Architects in Melbourne. There are 8 of them built on stilts over a tranquil lagoon.”

“I designed the sideboard in the first photo and our Javanese craftsmen built it. It took 18 men to move it into place! The rattan furniture was made in one of the local villages. Together with Conservation International, we made a project to bring rattan artisans from Bali to Papua. The local villagers now have an income that doesn’t rely on unsustainable exploitation of marine resources. And we have great, locally made furniture!”

*sniffle sniffle* See? I told you! Thanks so much Marit for sharing your incredible home with us. Maybe one day….

Katia from Finland wrote this morning with the following: “Your recent post about the kittens in the sink inspired me to send you one of my favourite photos of my cats. Here two -of my five darlings- lounging on my daybed in front of Ikea Billy bookcases. And if you look closely, in the lower right corner you can also see what these darlings do to furniture…” WOW – someone with almost as many cats as I have! And Katia, your poor furniture – I always say they’re lucky they’re so cute…

We here at DTI occasionally post photos of cute animals on furniture – because we love animals, and we love furniture. I just received an email from Katrina who had this to say: “Here is something you might like. I foster kittens for my local rescue – the Anti-Cruelty Society. I was cleaning the kittens room and put them in our tiny little apartment bathroom to keep them away from the vacuum. This is where they decided they were most comfortable. Enjoy!” I think fostering animals in need is a selfless wonderful thing and I want to thank Katrina for opening her home to rescued kittens. And who says a sink isn’t a piece of furniture? 😉

Tracey Overbeck Stead is an interior designer based in Austin whose portfolio had me wowed from the first photo. “Tracey has drawn inspiration from the minimalism of High Modernism, the playful qualities of Japanese Pop-Art, and the timeless elegance of French Antiques”. Lots of kitchens and bathrooms to make you salivate so beware.