Design, Products, Technology
July 22, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
“Inspired by a recent blog post by Walletpop covering the topic of generic products, or what they prefer to call “private label,” we set out to cover a similar roundup – only our focus is targeted specifically on products that tends to head towards technological fail when one chooses to settle with the generic brand rather than a name brand.
OUR LIST:
1. As Walletpop had previously mentioned, MP3 players are a big one. If your budget is $10, then sure – you can grab one from your local bargain bin. Just don’t expect it to last for long. The quality of manufacturing, materials used, and interface will suck so bad that you’d might as well not buy it at all.
2. Cameras. There’s plenty of affordable name brand options out there with plenty of sources (including us) to provide first hand reviews and experiences regarding the performance and picture quality of the camera you plan to buy. No-name models tend to milk on the “buzzwords” like “high pixel count” and “70 event modes.” Best to avoid those if you’re looking for something that’ll take pictures where people’s faces are actually distinguishable.
3. If you’re used to listening to low bitrate MP3s or fuzzy radio all day, then you may disregard this one. But if you actually wish to appreciate music, we suggest investing in a pair of quality headphones or earphones. We’ve covered plenty of ground here, so there should be no soul out there blasting away with some iPod headphone throwaways unless they have to.
4. This should be an obvious one - computers. No, we’re not saying to go out and buy a Mac. Just be careful when settling for a “netbook” sold at the flea market from a brand you’ve never heard of once in your life. Computers break, but a generic one will break much faster with little hopes of getting even a single e-mail back from the manufacturer when things start to fall apart. (Additionally, buying off-brand Apple power chargers and accessories is risky business as well)
5. Cell phones. Yep, we’re talking about you, $0 after $100 mail-in rebate AT&T standard phone. Avoid, avoid, avoid. This falls into the same realm as cameras, here. If you’re not willing to spend a dime on your phone and figure the experience is merely “just talking on the phone” then you’re mistaken. Even simple things like a buried contact list, sluggish buttons, and sticky keys can go from annoyance to technology hell. Best to do some research and try a few phones out first before settling for the default.
Got a tech product that you know will suck tremendously unless you buy name brand? Share it in the comments below!
By Anthony.”
This story appears in partnership with Unplggd, a site for people who embrace technology and design in their home.
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 22, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
For a slip of a woman, Carol Catalano’s life is writ large. She founded Catalano Design in 1987 and since has produced award-winning work for a variety of clients in a range of industries, from professional knives to car and home electronics to the Capelli stool (pictured above) for Herman Miller, which won silver in both The International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa in 1999 in Japan and the IDEA award in 2002. While she loves learning about the industries she designs for, “now the first thing I think about in any project is how I can simplify and enrich people’s lives.”
Her own life may not be simple, but it is certainly rich and active. She windsurfs and skate-skis (who knew?), and practices lyengar yoga. She loves cooking and good food and is about to send her 18-year-old twins off to college in the fall.
Here are 7 questions for Carol Catalano:
1. What are you working on right now?
I just finished a line of knives for people with arthritis. The knives are manufactured in Massachusetts by Dexter Russell. Before starting the design process we conducted extensive research with arthritis sufferers, which helped us really understand their needs. Currently I am working on a display for Zildjian, the cymbal manufacturer, a metronome for D’Addario and a chair for Geiger International.
I’ve also been collaborating with my husband, who is an architect, on a LEED for Homes addition to our house on Cape Cod. This has involved lots of research on sustainable technologies, processes, and materials. The project will include passive solar, photovoltaic panels for electricity, a solar hot water collector, a rainwater collection system for irrigation, and eventually a vertical axis wind turbine that will mount on our roof.
2. Which of your products are you most proud of?
I am very proud of the Capelli stool for Herman Miller. It came about during a time when I was working on a long, tedious, engineering focused project. By contrast the Capelli stool provided an outlet where I could focus on something creative and much more free of constraints.
3. What inspires you? Where do you go for inspiration?
For me, inspiration comes when I can be completely in the moment, and I’m able to let everything else go. For instance, I am an avid windsurfer, which can require complete concentration, and frequently this is when ideas for projects that I am working on will come to me. Observing the way nature solves problems is another source of inspiration that I draw on. I love exploring new processes and materials, and experimenting with ideas that grow from that exposure. I’m always looking for ways to cross-pollinate ideas from one industry to another.
4. What work do you most admire by another designer or artist?
I am fascinated with the work of sculptor Anish Kapoor. His experimentation with surface tension and positive and negative space forces me to think differently about our three-dimensional world. I especially enjoyed his installation “Memory” at the Guggenheim in NYC.
5. What would be your dream projects?
My dream project would involve designing a product or system that supports and improves one’s health and well being, makes true advances in sustainability, is beautiful to look at and be around, and is something people would want in their lives.
6. What place in the world would you most like to visit?
Rapa Nui (one of the Easter Islands). Basically, I am interested in traveling anywhere that I can experience indigenous culture and food.
7. What one thing do you want to accomplish before you die?
To have a farm by the ocean where I could grow vegetables and raise chickens, cows and pigs. The farm would have a brick oven for making bread and pizza and a cheese cave where I could make and age my own cheese. Most importantly, it would be a place where people would gather to talk, design, share, and connect with others all while eating delicious local food.
By Kate Convissor.
Via Discover.
Balance, Design, Products, Technology
July 21, 2010
By Amy Feezor
Color, photography, and art make up Leslie Shewring’s neck of the World Wide Web in her bright and airy blog, A Creative Mint. The Los Angeles resident is currently summering as a guest writer over at Decor8. Between gigs we asked her to tell us about the music that inspires her.
What do you listen to while you work? I listen Carla Bruni, Francois Hardy, Jack Johnson, New Order, Bebel Gilberto, Allison Krauss, Low Stars (they only have one CD, I think, but I really like it), Jay-Z, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Ray Lamontagne, Pete Yorn, and The White Stripes.
How do you listen? I listen either to an iPod attached to a stereo or to CDs playing through a stereo. Yes, I still like buying CDs!
Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? ITunes would be the favorite for online music. Amoeba Music is great for CDs and I have been pleasantly surprised with music I have bought at the register at Starbucks.
Does music influence your work? I see music as a mood influencer/enhancer when I am working. I cannot show you tangible evidence of how music has shaped my work, but it does have an influence.
Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? I hear about music when I listen to KCRW. I use to love Morning Becomes Eclectic with Nic Harcourt before he stepped down a couple years ago. I listened to that show pretty religiously for years. Friends (especially the younger ones) and family also introduce me to new music.
If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? Oh my word, that is a difficult question. I suppose my work is more calming and feminine…maybe the soundtrack to Marie Antoinette.
LESLIE’S PLAYLIST
Quelqu’un m’a dit, Carla Bruni
LA Forever, Low Stars
Warning Sign, Coldplay
No Other Way, Jack Johnson
Ceremony, New Order
The Long Way Around, The Dixie Chicks
Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
Fighting on the Stairs, The Frames
Young Forever, Jay-Z
Chocolate, Snow Patrol
Doesn’t Mean Anything, Alicia Keys
Closet, Pete Yorn
Images: Leslie Shewring
Balance, Design
July 20, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
“Whether it’s a minuscule Austin studio apartment, a slightly more spacious Boston pad, or a still modest duplex for a family in New York, there are plenty of inspiring, smart examples of tech working together with home decor from our Apartment Therapy house tour archives. Home offices, hidden laundry rooms, a crafty home closet studio space…even a home entertainment room from one of our own contributors here at Unplggd…they’re all from modest, if not quite small, real world spaces.”
To see more of each space click here.
This story appears in partnership with Unplggd, a site for people who embrace technology and design in their home.
Design, Products
July 19, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Charles and Ray Eames designed the Hang it All almost 60 years ago. Today we’re announcing a tweak to the much-loved coat rack. You’ll find solid walnut hooks instead of colourful balls and the frame is now also available in black, welded-steel.
Let us know what you think.
Products
July 19, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Great desktop wallpaper. We interviewed Tom Watson about his workspace and Simple Desktops – a curated site of cool computer wallpaper. This is one of the newest designs by Yi Wei Liao. The name of this design? “Eames Chair” of course.
Balance, Design, Products
July 16, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
Where we’ve been this week…
1. Red Karl and Mary Ransleben own Red, a vintage and custom furniture store in Fredericksburg, Texas. Their blog is a wonderful chaotic collection of furniture, fabric and fashion. Where to Start: The wall sticker post.
2. Chez Larsson’s store We interviewed marketer and self-confessed neat freak Benita Larsson back in March about her home office. She’s shifted her store to Amazon where you can now buy the stuff you see in the homes she features on her blog. Where to Start: Head straight to Organizing Stuff. I love those acrylic magazine holders.
3. Coolboom I can’t believe I haven’t written about this online design ‘zine before. It’s an excellent source of interior design and architecture news. Where to Start: The awesome offices of Otra Arquitectura. That wall of plants is a clever idea.
4. Cube Me And while we’re on cool architecture sites check this web magazine out. Where to Start: The Blob. A new take on the backyard home office.
5. The Decoist And last one. Another web magazine that covers architecture, furniture and interior design. Amazing really that there is enough stuff out there for them all to cover. Where to Start: The office section offers some good inspiration.
Balance, Design
July 16, 2010
By Cerentha Harris
“The ideal live/work space to me is centered around integration and not separation, the art of balance and not of juggling. These images represents the most important elements I value in my own space and tried to depict how they can work together.”
Sam Rosen is designer and photographer. He is also a member of The Post Family.
And this concludes our Post posts. It’s been great hosting this group of guys. I was so thrilled when they agreed to put their collective brain to this task of imagining the ultimate home work space. Thank you Post Family for your generosity, intelligence and time!
Design, Products
July 15, 2010
By Amy Feezor
1. Eames Molded Plywood Folding Screen, $1,749.00 We know we’re biased, but this portable, foldable piece by Charles and Ray Eames is a smart, distinctive way to divide your space. Get it: Herman Miller
2. Cloud Shelving System, $1,034.00 This innovative, stackable design by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Cappellini can be formed into a room divider or a large bookshelf. Get it: Unica Home
3. Yuki Screen, $1,336.00 Japanese design firm Nendo created this whimsical divider using plastic snowflake-like shapes. Get it: Cappellini
4. Parametre Partition, starting at $270.77 Made of 100% non-woven polyester, this lightweight, flexible 3D-textile system is easily expandable. Get it: 3form
5. The Puzzle Screen, starting at $2,040.00 This freestanding, simple-to-assemble wall designed by Egawa + Zbryk is reminiscent of work by sculptor Alexander Calder. Get it: Velocity Art And Design
