Jason Rens: West of Memphis

Designed by Jason Rens

Jason Rens joins a new movement of designers who aim to improve, or explore the opportunities of Memphis, the design movement created by Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, Nathalie du Pasquier and many others. Sottsass which I have written about before, was the forefather of the Memphis Group the colorful geometric design style of the 80s which died in 1988 when trends changed, and designers began to experiment with other forms.  However, Jason Rens (Portland) along with people like ROLU (Minneapolis), Alma Allen (Joshua Tree) are using some of the shapes and colors of the Memphis Group, but are experimenting with new materials.  Much of the new look is very west coast, with earthy colors and southwestern native prints and raw materials.

Shiva Vase by Ettore Sottsass

Knew Vase Collection by Jason Rens

Bookends by Jason Rens

Solar Charge: Green Barrel Energy

It’s Earth Day on Monday and I recently heard about this start up that is working to create charging stations in public parks in New York.  It’s called Green Barrel Energy, and they’ve developed this handy portable solar-powered charging station for your phone.  This came in very handy during Hurricane Sandy, where they set up a charging station where there was no power on 23rd street.  After power was restored in Manhattan, they sent the stations down to Red Hook, where power was out for quite a bit longer.  Now, Green Barrel energy has developed a second model which will be launched sometime soon in Bryant Park.

Horace Gifford: Fire Island Architect, New Book

There is a new book, “Fire Island Modernist” that will be released in June about the architect Horace Gifford and his contribution to the homes of Fire Island.

 “Gifford’s serene 1960s pavilions provided refuge from a hostile world, while his exuberant post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS masterpieces orchestrated bacchanals of liberation. Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift once spurned Hollywood limos for the rustic charm of Fire Island’s boardwalks. Truman Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s here. Diane von Furstenburg showed off her latest wrap dresses to an audience that included Halston, Giorgio Sant’ Angelo, Calvin Klein and Geoffrey Beene.”  -artbook.com

With a foreward by Alistair Gordon and text by Christopher Rawlins, you simply must put this in your must have list, and don’t forget to get yourself a copy.  Horace Gifford is an overlooked major contributor to the modernist movement.  With 70 homes in Fire Island, his contribution cannot go overlooked any more.

House of Ladosha: Made in Queens

What’s the tea? House of Ladosha is a team of queens in Queens that create music, events, balls and T-Shirts.  I am really into this Rhianna/Nirvana tee.  Check them out on Soundcloud and scamper over to their website and order a T to wear to the TEA DANCE.  Limited edition shirts are available at VFILES.

Karl Lagerfeld designed plastic shoes for Melissa//Brazil

I am mainly posting this for my mother, because she has more shoes in her closet room than most people do.  Karl Lagerfeld has designed some plastic heels for Melissa of Brazil.  These designer collaborations are nothing new for Melissa with past designers including, Jason Wu, Vivienne Westwood, and The Campana Brothers.  Remember jellies? (click here if you want to refer to what they looked like, I wouldn’t dare put them on Popular Offerings).  Karl wouldn’t let you wear jellies.  They come in a variety of flavors and are available at Colette.

California Style: Steven Harrington

The California based artist Steven Harrington has created a very unique lamp in an edition of 12.  His whimsical, colorful, tribalish work is very Cali, and reminds me of cheerful little hobbit men living in the base of a big redwood tree.  I love the turquoise paint splattered shade, do I sense a DIY project coming on?  The lamp is his first project with wood, and is in collaboration with Case Studyo.

Is it ironic to blog about print media? Modern Matter Magazine

“As cultural commentary suggests that the magazine industry is being usurped by the new age of the digital, Modern Matter magazine seeks to explore the advances of modern technology into the world of the artist, via an analogue medium – namely, that of the printed page.  Modern Matter’s interest lies not just in the newest product or the fastest download, but rather, in the impact which technology has had on the culture of the creative.” -Modern Matter

Issue 4 of Modern Matters magazine is now available for those of you who continue to support printed matter.  The idea behind this magazine, exploring the impact of technology on culture, makes you really want to buy and subscribe to the printed paper.  As everything becomes more and more digital, we will continue to have tactile needs.  Books are better, magazines should be read with your fingers, and we should forget the anxieties of constant updates (@AModernMatter). Modern Matters is the magazine for the person that just wants to sit down and read about something they never knew.  Issue 4, Made in USA, featuring Chloe Sevigny, Maurizio Cattelan, Max Snow, Hedi Slimane and more is now available.

Fresh Weather: Forecast.io

The forecast says it is going to be in the 70s this week.  I was tipped off to a new forecast website that just launched.  I always hate the poor design of every other weather site.  It’s always so blue and green, and they’re constantly offering way too much information.  Check out forecast.io, the simple and elegant new way to see if you need boots or heels, a rain coat or a bikini. Forecast is an open source site that aggregates all types of data to create the most accurate weather forecasting available.  The “Climicons” are designed by Adam Whitcroft, and are lightly animated for your pleasure.  You can also check what the weather was like on your birthday using the time machine function.  If you check it on your phone, add it to your home screen for an instant app.

Hot Fireplace by Ryosuke Fukusada: Salone Del Mobile, Milan 2013

This is a new fireplace set designed by Ryosuke Fukusada in collaboration with Eco Smart Fire that debuted this week at the Italian design fair, Salone Del Mobile in Milan.  This fireplace is good inside with ethanol fuel, or outside with wood.  I love the nod to the traditional Adobe fireplace, with the ceramic, and southwest colorways.  These are not yet available, but they’ll be on the market soon and would make a perfect addition to any home.

Hot tub time machine: Weltevree

When searching for vacation homes, I always look for a hot tub.  I don’t know what I expect– I guess i’m looking for a transcendent experience every time I step into a tub.  I came across Weltevree, a Dutch company which makes these beautiful hot tubs that aren’t your usual square plastic multi-jet hot tubs.  The tubs are light enough to lift with two people, and require zero power.  The tubs are heated by wood, and the water circulates around the coils and back into the tub.  For all of my non-US residents, this one may be easier to get outside of the states, but it is possible!