Heavy-Traffic Play

I saw this photo while leafing through this months Dwell magazine, and can't get over it. How ingenius to plant a "play thing" smack in middle of the living room, where everyone can see it! I think it really minimizes the play-time factor while bumping up the fluidity of a adult/child home, by incorporating some (preferably beatific, or at least well done) "toys" into the everyday layout and decor. Gives me so many wonderful ideas....

This photo is of the Orpilla/Alexander living room, new residents who moved into a 1972 home built by David Boone in Orinda, CA. You can read more about the project/home, here.

Sweet, Sweet William

Got wind of the fact that charming little Sweet William opened a brand new shop in downtown Manhattan on Kenmare off of Lafayette. What sweet news!

New York mom-to-watch, Bronagh Staley, former editor at Cookie Magazine (if you can't tell, I'm still mourning its' end...), opened the original Sweet William shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn a few years ago - featuring small and socially responsible labels this boutique offers a unique, natural, and fanciful spot to pick up children's clothing, gifts, gear, and accessories.

I've been long-time loving the fabulous collection - she simply puts together all the greatest out there - and wanted to spread the word and wish her heaps of luck at the new location:

85 Kenmare Street New York, NY 10012 212 343 7301

Here's a little roundup of some of my favorites, so you can get an idea what all the fuss is about!

1. April Showers Dada Wool Baby Shoes

2. Atsuyo Et Akiko Alphabet Sweatshirt

3. Oeuf Moose Hat

4. Wovenplay Ribbon Socks

5. Finger in the Nose Snowbird Down Baby Warmer

6. Tane Organics Mushroom Rattles

7. Kidsonroof Totem Tree

8. Bear Feet Cool Boot

9. Oeuf Sparrow Grey Crib

One Day on Earth 10.10.10

I'm sure most of you have heard of the global history-in-the-making that is One Day on Earth. The enormity of this communal effort is mind-blowing. The world unity of this project is unequivocal, and I'm a total sucker for this kind of stuff. For those of you hearing about this for the first time, here's the original trailer: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Nj72EZZvs]

I know I'm totally last minute, being that 10.10.10 is on Sunday, but I still haven't landed on exactly what/how we will be filming.... Either way - the prospect is absolutely amazing! And October, 10, 2010 is bound to be a day to go down in the books!

Those of you interested in joining in, please visit One Day on Earth and apply.

Culinary Arts: redefined.

The fair folks over at Ikea now bring their arts to the kitchen (other than through well designed and beloved kitchen basics) - via cookbook. Hembakat är Bäst, Homemade Is Best, is the latest in Ikea styling - shot by photographer Carl Kleiner and styled by (the very obviously talented) Evelina Bratell, this cookbook (well, it's technically a bake-book) can lend creative inspiration through even the most mundane of recipes. Guess what that abstract art above makes? Almond Buns!

New York Magazine released an article and gave props to the photographer, but in my very humble opinion - this is just as much about, if not more than about, the incredible stylist!!

Check out some of the other fabulous images:

You can pick up one of these complimentary copies at Ikea - in Sweden. : )

Sukkah City: NYC 2010

Oh my!! I will not even attempt to describe the mind-blowing awesomeness of one of the most incredible exhibits of all time: Sukkah City: NYC 2010.

Wishing I was in NY right now - would love to see this in person!!! Here's a little glimpse into how truly unbelievable this exhibition is...

Some of the rules: The roof must be made from something that grew in the earth and is no longer attached to the ground, the sukkah must be at least 10 handbreadths tall but not more than 20 cubits, in day; one must have more shade than sunshine, the 3rd wall doesn't need to be complete, at night; one must see the stars from inside the sukkah through the roof.

Some of the Partners: AIA NY, Béhance™, Dwell, Architizer, Core77 etc. (!!!)

Here are a few photos of the winners, but my favorite is that one pictured above (Single Thread, by Matter Practice).