Holiday Gift Guide: Dave Cuzner

Trolling through numerous online stores can be a daunting task if you are searching for the perfect gift. To ease the burden, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite picks for the design and music lovers on your gift list.

Groove Merchant, a world renowned record shop based in San Francisco, celebrates it’s 20th anniversary with a stellar collection of soul and funk sounds from the past. The 14 track compilation features choice cuts from Arthur Foy, Soul Liberation, The McCrary as well as others. Also available are a t-shirt and limited edition poster. All items are designed by Freddy Anzures (Apple/Wax Poetics) for Props.

Practice your shooting skills with bitplay’s Bang! lamp. When you fire a shot at the lamp with the included gun, the light turns off and the lampshade falls to the side, showing that it’s been hit. Super cool! (via Hello Bauldoff )

Store your books in a fun and unique way with Finland based Kayiwa’s Aakkoset shelf. The type driven shelf is made of medium-density fiberboard and comes in a variety of colors. (via swiss miss)

Dress your iPhone up in style with a case from Lumadessa’s new collection for uncommon. My favorite is the Night Owl, but you have several other options to choose from. Makes for a perfect stocking stuffer too!

Scotty Reifsnyder recently updated his shop with the Heroes of Folk – a  series of letterpress cards featuring illustrations of American Folk legends like Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed. The cards are available for $30 a piece or $150 for the complete collection. Pick them up here.

Her Idea is a delightful new book by Rilla Alexander which takes readers on adventure of elation, struggle and triumph – and of making ideas happen. The illustrations are amazing and it makes for a wonderful gift for all ages.

ColorWare Done Right

While there have been quite a number of horrendous color remixes using ColorWare’s hardware painting service, we happen to believe in showcasing the good, rather than the bad. Here’s our picks from ColorWare’s gallery for tech that actually looks like it was worth the couple hundred dollars invested in it. From accented MacBook Pros to completely converted Playstation 3′s, there’s a couple of very simple rules to follow if you’re planning on getting your stuff redone using ColorWare’s service:

Keep it simple: That means don’t go accent crazy and stick with a simple palette so it seems like you have a purpose and direction with your coloring scheme.

Keep it classy: Although this is fairly subjective, we’re going to go ahead and say that there are a few color choices out there that actually work well with today’s modern industrial design aesthetic of electronics. Get inspired by something fancy and then use it as your color palette.

Keep it real: If you’re going to color something, don’t cover up essential features of the device or logos that may distinguish it from other brands.

What do you guys think? Does painting a device give a new sense of ownership and uniqueness to today’s modern electronics? Or is it a complete waste of money?

By Anthony Nguyen

Lifework Reader: Artist Janet Kusmierski

Last week we ran the office of Janet Kusmierski. Turned out it was her work office at Scholastic, not her home office. This is her home office.

“This is my home studio/workspace. It is approx 500 sq feet of sculpture/paintings/digital work (photo above). The space is in TriBeCa, right next to City Hall. We live and work here, my husband Greg Singer and myself. He is an artist as well and we have a micro cinema just over my studio wall which seats nine people for intimate screenings.”

Holiday Gift Guide: Heather John

With Thanksgiving safely behind us we begin to looking forward to the rest of the holidays. This year Hannukah starts early – December 1 to be exact. So we’re going to start our gift guide early too! I asked five Lifework contributors to put together their wish lists for the holidays. Here is Heather’s and as you’d expect it has a particularly foodie bent. Look out tomorrow for Brian Greene’s list. If you’re shopping for Christmas this will certainly give you lots of time to get inspired before the rush sets in.

Happy Holidays!

Cerentha

(PS – don’t forget the Herman Miller holiday event runs until December 13. We are offering 15% off selected items and a fast ship service.)

The very best gifts to give are the ones you’d like to receive. And so I hope my husband is reading about all the lovely generous gifts I want to give, hint hint. But seriously, my gifty picks center around what is in fact my very, very favorite part of the holiday season: parties! So whether you’re the cooking in the kitchen or decking the halls, here are a few must-haves for making the seasonal scene.

1. WMF Profi-Plus Stainless Steel Ball Whisk, $30 at MoMa Unlike many kitchen utensils that rate high in looks, this one actually works. It has become my absolute favorite whisk, particularly when it comes to cleanup as there are no crevices for food to get stuck in. Also, the design means that the ball rods can generate more whipping action using less effort. It’s in heavy rotation in my kitchen and on my gift list.

2. Muji Water-Repellent Apron, $22.95 Can we talk about how totally chic this Japanese apron is? I love all things Muji for simplicity of design, and this apron is no exception. Perfect for the hostess on your list—you know, the one who actually cooks and looks good doing it.

3. Vange’s Desile Folding Chair, $335 It seems like I’ve been on the hunt for good folding chairs for a very long time. This bamboo eco-friendly version is the holy grail of folding chairs. Cut from a single 20mm slice of board, when closed, the chair is pancake flat (100 chairs = 2 linear meters).

4. Lanvin Crystal-Embedded Suede Ballerina Flats, $770 Good taste starts with shoes, and I love Lanvin’s update on the classic ballerina with this flirty little Swarovski crystal bow. To stay on your toes for the month of merrymaking ahead, forgo the heels and slip into something more comfortable.

5. Eames Hang It All, $179 I’ve been wanting this Eames Hang It All FOREVER! And this year I’ve found a way to give AND receive. I’m wrapping it up and putting it under the tree for my toddler who will love the colorful hooks. As parents, we make sacrifices…

6. Heath Ceramics Winter Scarlet Dip Bud Vase Set, $110 A friend once said she was suspect of those who seasonally decorate—and while I think she was talking gourds on mantles and lawn ornaments, I have to believe she would make exception for Heath’s seasonal bud vase set in seductive suede red, ruby red and linen white.

High Five

Where we’ve been this week…or rather last week. Thanksgiving caught up with me and I didn’t get a chance to post our HIgh Five on Friday. So here it is!

1. And the Pursuit of Happiness Maira Kalman‘s glorious blog on the New York TImes site. A nice antidote to the craziness of the holiday season. Where to start: At the beginning.

2. The Selby I do love this blog by photographer Todd Selby. I know I’ve mentioned him before but he just ran a great shoot with Kate and Andy Spade in their home. Where to start: Scroll through and find a face or place that looks interesting.

3. Fresh Home Lots of great architecture and interior design. Where to start: A good post on modern home office design.

4. MoCo Loco Another of my favorite go-to spots when I need a bit of inspiration. Great collection of interiors for people with a taste for the contemporary. Where to start: The Bouldin residence by Alter Studio. I could work from any room in this house.

5. City of Sound A blog from Dan Hill (Monocle‘s Web director) on cities, design and architecture. Where to start: There’s so much here to read. Start at the beginning and work your way down.

Herman Miller Holiday Event

These don’t happen very often – twice a year to be exact. Twice a year we offer 15 % off select items and this year we are particularly excited because the sale coincides with the launch of our new online store. It starts today and ends on December 13th. We’ve also folded in a quick shop program so if you’re shopping for Christmas we’ll make sure the gift arrives in time.

Inspiration: Designer Mia Jang

New Jersey-based graphic designer Mia Jang shares her home workspace with us. She’s the designer behind one of our favorite calendars for 2011.

How long have you worked from home? And where is home? I’m a designer, full-time mommy and maker. I love taking photographs, love playing and making music. I live in New Jersey, in a small town very close to Manhattan, with my wonderful husband and two beautiful kids. I used work as graphic designer until I concieved my first child back in 2007. I decided to stay home and it all started from there. STORYBYMIA was launched. I’ve been working with papers at home and I still enjoy it so much.

Describe your style? How would you define your aesthetic? I love everything simple and clean and cute and natural. Nothing complicated.

How do you keep your office organized? I work with my kids around since they aren’t in school yet, so it’s not easy to keep my office organized as you can imagine. I recently moved my office to living room and new shelving (below) from IKEA really helped. I also make sure kids have enough space so they can play and learn and make crafts with me.

When you were setting up your home office what did you keep in mind? Safety for kids. I design on my computer but my work involves with paper cutter, corner rounder, scissors…not child-friendly thingss. So I tried to have a specific spot to put everything dangerous. And I try to keep everything as neat and organized as possible since our house is tiny and kids are all over the place and I had to make sure nothing gets lost or messed.

Is there any piece of home office furniture you covet? More storage units. or….just bigger house!

What is a desk accessory you can’t do without? Post-its and sketchbooks. I love scribbling and doodling and it helps me remember important things and also inspires me for new designs.

What would you change about your own workspace? I wish to have my ‘own’ office, of course. No kids or husband to mess around…haha but I do love their company. I just want a little bigger space or storage areas. Plus I would love to have more sunlight, it’s pretty dark in our living room even in the afternoon.

What do you most love about your space? What I most love about my home office? It has everything I love. My family and my work and  food in the refrigerator.

What inspires you? My husband and my kids. Everything they love. Animals and trees and sky and clouds and flowers.

Unplggd: Crumbs on the Keyboard

Q: I know I’m not supposed to eat at the keyboard, but as Peter Cetera once crooned, it’s a hard habit to break. Without fail, my Macbook keyboard finds itself a catch-all receptacle for my breakfast, lunch and dinner morsels. Do you have a protective solution that protects both the keyboard and the good looks of my laptop?

I’m looking for a solution that won’t break the bank or make my laptop look like it’s covered by a dead jellyfish, like most of the clear rubbery covers look like. Help!

Sent by “Crumbs”

Editor - We have to admit we share the poor habit of eating while working on the computer (such is the life of someone who makes their living online), so your dilemma is one we can sympathize with. Traditional keyboard covers made of silicon offer protection from debris and liquids, but their tacky-sticky feel leaves us wanting for a better solution, especially since the silicone-style covers eventually warp and look sort of nasty after long term use and inbetween keyboard cleanings.

So if you want a cover with less tacky, smooth surface typing feel, you might want to check out these NewerTech NuGuard Keyboard Covers. They sell for $17.99 and come in red, pink, white and black, can be washed and reapplied over and over.

By Gregory Han

Ideal Live/Work Space: Christine Moore, Little Flower Candy Co

Eight years ago, pastry chef Christine Moore left her job to have her first child. She switched from pastry to candy, starting with batches of caramels and marshmallows in her kitchen. Another two children later, Little Flower Candy Co. sells online and in stores across the country. Christine also opened a retail store and cafe in Pasadena, CA, where her family participates in all aspects of the daily routine and guests become close family friends. We are delighted to share her warm thoughts on family and generously integrating a full and creative life. Happy Thanksgiving!

My business isn’t just about food.  It is about community.  What I do is provide a nutritious environment for my friends and family that supports everyone, myself included.

It is my belief that life is a bounty.  It is incredible to have a store, this incredibly sustaining place, to share my days with people.  We are thankful to share joy, sadness, connectedness, laughter, life’s milestones.  My family comes and goes throughout the day.  My husband is there by my side.  My three-year-old son, a once preemie baby who inspired me to break out, my strong boy now, laughing and swiping a cookie.  My nine-year-old daughter, a strong swimmer, diving through her studies and doing her homework at my office desk.  My eleven-year-old daughter, bringing her girlfriends in and proudly sharing the bounty.  This is my ideal life.

My children get to see work and to learn the process of work.  When our fathers went to work, they went away, we had no idea what they did or where they went.  My kids get to learn about sweaty, boiling pots hard work, but also how fun it is, and they get to do it right along with us.  I tell them that no one can take the hard worker away from you.  Work is no problem when you have this balance of being able to write your own parameters and follow your own creative whims.

My ideal life work space?  This one, with all its highs and lows.  Tired legs and full bellies.  Bring it on.

Little Flower Herb Scones

Ingredients:

AP Flour                                             3 3/4 cups

Baking Powder                                    2 Tbs

Salt                                                      1 Tbs

Salted butter, cold, cut in pieces 12 oz. (3 cubes)

Eggs                                                    4 each

Heavy Cream                                       3/4 cup + 2 Tbs

Buttermilk                                           1/4 cup

Herbs:

Tarragon, chopped                               1 packed cup

Chervil, chopped                                 1 packed cup

Chive, chopped                                    1 packed cup

Flat leaf parsley, chopped                    1 packed cup

Method:

Sift dry ingredients together and place in bowl of large mixer fitted with paddle. Cut in butter. Let mix for 2 minutes on speed 1. Add all herbs and mix until incorporated. Slowly add eggs and cream. Mix until incorporated. Roll out onto lightly floured surface, 1” thick. Cut with plain 3” round cutter and place on lined sheet pan. Yields 15 scones. Brush with buttermilk.Bake at 325F until golden. Approximately 15-20 minutes.

Citrus Pomegranate Compote

Citrus compote:

Orange                                                  1

Lemon                                                   2

Lime                                                      1

Water                                                    1 cup

Sugar                                                     1 generous cup

Pomegranate seeds                                to taste

Thinly slice citrus peel and all. Remove seeds. Place in pot with water. Bring to boil and then turn down heat to simmer. When compote consistency is reached, add sugar. Cook briefly until syrup thickens but take off heat before citrus gets candied. Add pomegranate seeds to taste.

The Playlist: Graphic Designer Ricky Ferrer

After spending his day as a senior designer at Pix Design in New York City, Ricky Ferrer uses his free time on recently rediscovered passion: printmaking. In addition to a few freelance stationery projects, he’s been whipping up wedding invitations—and is even working on creating his own. Get a glimpse at the songs that are currently filling this groom-to-be’s playlist.

What do you listen to while you work? I listen to a lot of music and a few different podcasts (as well as the occasional “book on tape”). I like listening to music that’s “in season.” With autumn here and winter around the corner, I have started listing to a lot more folk, singer/songwriter, and introspective types of music. Duke Ellington is great this time of year.

How do you listen? We have speakers around our office that are hooked up to an Apple Airport. I can play music wirelessly through my iTunes. I took it even one step further and downloaded theRemote app on my iPhone, so I can even control what’s playing when I’m away from my desk. I also use headphones for the podcasts and books or when I need to buckle down and focus on what I’m doing.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? Pitchfork, All Music, and NPR’s All Songs Considered are my go-to sources for reading about current music and music history. All Songs is currently running a 24-hour stream of every song they’ve played on the show for the past 10 years. It’s pretty amazing. Hype Machine is great for streaming tracks and testing out new artists. I used to be forced to go to the artist’s MySpace page, but find that site to be really ugly and hard to use (sorry, MySpace users!). I also just signed up for Last.fm, which is great for OCD people like myself to track every song ever played.

Does music influence your work? As much as I love music, I don’t think it influences me as much as, say, album covers do. Although I think it’s important to absorb as much of the arts like fashion, art, and design as possible. The collective consciousness can be very influential and knowing what is out there is crucial.

Where do you find music recommendations? I find most of my music from All Songs. I also check a few blogs regularly to find new music. I just stumbled upon The Perfect Five, a blog that posts five songs every week covering categories like Classic, Remix, and Covers. I’m a little obsessive about discovering new music (and have been since I was a teenager) so scouring the Internet is a common pastime. I also enjoy discovering older music just as much as more contemporary stuff. I use Shazam often when I’m out and have used it to find new music at a bar, shopping, or even on commercials.

If your work was a song or a musician, what or who would it be? I would have to say the Magnetic Fields. I like my work to be conceptual, clever, and always something different. It should get the idea across, but should have a little wink and a nod in there as well.

RICKY’S PLAYLIST

Billie Holiday, Warpaint

Cut and Run, Electrelane

Innudir Skinni, Ólöf Arnalds

Trapdoor, Salem

Perfidia, Xavier Cugat

Life Magazine, Cold Cave

The Suburbs, Arcade Fire

Holland, 1945, Neutral Milk Hotel

Icebound Storm, Laura Veirs

My Baby, Julia Stone

Swan Song, Giant Drag

Siboney, Connie Francis

Images: Ricky Ferrer