duk design

NEW BLOG URL

2010-03-10T10:46:00.001-08:00

I have joined the millions and migrated my blog over to wordpress because A: I had to migrate to a different url anyways, accoring to blogger and B: wordpress offers so many more options!

Please view my new blog here: www.dukdesign.com/wordpress

NEW BLOG URL

2010-03-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Milton Glaser Film

2010-03-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

Since when is there a Milton Glaser movie that I haven't heard about? Apparently there is a new documentary on him called, Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight. Why have I not heard of this? Obviously a sign that I need to get out more

This blog has moved

2010-03-06T15:51:00.001-08:00

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Pantone Polish

2010-03-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

SO excited about this great idea by Renata Veiga for Pantone Nail Polish and Eye Shadow! Honestly, I think pantone needs to expand upon their coffee mugs and create items for the entire house hold.. I can just imagine a completely Pantone decorated house.. sigh

Urban Simplicity

2010-03-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know how I got signed up for the monthly urban outfitters catalog (because I really never shop there) but I'm glad I did because I absolutely love their layout and photography... so inspirational! I'm glad they are moving away from the 'hipster' movement (at least in their ads)

Simplistic Complexity

2010-03-02T08:45:00.001-08:00

My favorite garage sale find of this week is this beautifully initialed turquoise and gold tray. I am in love with the overall simplicity of the whole piece married with the complexity of the initials design. The combination of the lines and dots, turquoise and gold, simplicity and complexity is everything I dream of.. and the best part is that it was only $1 :)

HP Ads

2010-03-01T20:06:00.001-08:00

While I've always been an epson girl, I must admit that I really enjoy these HP ads. They are fun, modern and actually really interesting to look at! Still might not be enough to switch me over though..

via grain edit

ibook - book

2010-02-25T18:41:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is this is a genius idea! I think this tops my wish list for the moment

Inspiration

2010-02-22T20:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend Chels introduced me to the amazing french blogger / artist Garance Doré. I don't know which I love more.. her fashion or her illustration; they are both inspirational! I would fill my entire house with these beautiful drawings if I could! The french truly have a unique style of their own. Enjoy!

Garance Doré Blog

Vintage Ads

2010-02-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

I loved seeing these inspirational vintage advertisements. While hand drafted design is outdated, time consuming and costly, the results are unreproducible. The care and attention that went into every detail definitely pays off in the end!

via Vancouver Archives

evolution of type

2010-02-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

A hilariously true Evolution of Type. Maybe this will help to get Curlz and papyrus outlawed on computers! (click on the image to zoom in and read the red type..best part!)

Via Donut Project

Ampersand Blog!

2010-02-15T20:45:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited about finding this amazingly simple blog dedicated entirely to the ampersand. A new beautiful ampersand is displayed every day.. and it's really as simple as that!

via http://ampersandampersand.tumblr.com/

the Design behind W Magazine

2010-02-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

W Magazines lead Graphic Designer, Edward Leida, gives a sneak peak inside the creative process behind W Magazine.. very inspirational!

via Donut Project

Back in Balance

2010-02-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

This weekend for my birthday, I was finally able to relax and get back into my balanced state of mind (almost). I was thrilled to finally be able to test out my newest purchase, a vintage lomo camera from Russia. While really knowing hardly anything about the camera and even less about the settings, I thought I would just experiment and make it an enjoyable process instead of studying every aspect of the camera. I was so happy with the outcome! Using regular kodak film and absolutely zero photoshopping, these were some of my favorite results:

Art History Crash Course

2010-02-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Having hardly enough time to sleep lately, I thought this crash course poster in art history was a perfect solution in saving time on memorizing those lengthy descriptions when it can really be summed up in one line.. if only this could be transformed into a series of posters covering every topic of art and design!

via design-milk

Sagmeister's Typographic Chair

2010-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Sagmeister never ceases to surprise me and it's always intriguing to see whats he's up to next. While 'vacationing' in Bali (or what designers refer to as vacation) he designed and created this typographic chair with phrases from his personal diary. I have a feeling this might catch on...

via quipsologies

No. 7 Type

2010-02-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

I love this new creative typefce, Adhesive Nr. Seven. I'm ussually not a huge enthusiast of display typefaces (especially more grunge ones) but for some reason this particular font caught my eye. While the idea of using masking tape as a design element is pretty overplayed (in my opinion) a whole typeface created out of it, in black letter none the less, is a cool twist. With practically another arts and crafts movement beginning, this font could be a fun typeface, if used correctly, to convey that layered, scrapbook feel that a lot of people are striving for on the web.

NEW M/M Work

2010-01-28T18:49:00.001-08:00

Having had an extremely long and stressful work week I was thrilled to take a 5 minute break and indulge in my new Print Magazine that recently arrived. I was instantly re-inspired after seeing new work from my ultimate favorite pair of designers: M/M! Poster design for Théatre de Lorient

McFancy

2010-01-26T08:17:00.000-08:00

In order to give other high fashion labels credit I thought I would share this hysterical new branding strategy that merges together the highest and the low; the result is McFancy. The temporary chain is created by the cool hunters who say, "First is McFancy, an upmarket temporary McDonald’s store that launches at Fashion Weeks around the globe. McFancy is part art installation, gathering spot and, of course, a restaurant that offers a traditional McDonald’s menu but packaged in a way that makes a playful yet stylish nod to the lifestyle of the highly desirable, influential consumers that attend Fashion Weeks."

VIA Love, Obsess, Inspire

Chanel Branding : Part II

2010-01-25T08:18:00.001-08:00

Not that I'm obsessed with Chanel or anything but after writing my last post I found this even more bazaar branding strategy! While this is not an actual Chanel product (yet) the idea was formualted by art student, Ryan McSorley for his senior project. The concept is to lightly brand the skin with an impression made over night from sleeping with this headband that leaves a mark. Usually we do everything possible to avoid these types of marks but Ryan has definitely turned the tables and used it to his advantage. Maybe a bit too 'out there' for the average consumer but these are definitely the kind of ideas that get a brand noticed!

Chanel Branding

2010-01-22T07:53:00.001-08:00

I have to say, these Chanel temp. tattoos are probably the only acceptable exception for a tattoo in my book. While normally I would never be attracted to the look (even if it was temporary), something about these clever Chanel tats really intrigue me. It's branding to the most literal degree which in turn requires the highest level of brand loyalty. Chanel can pull it off but can others do the same?

via Elle UK

Royalty-Free Vintage Prints

2010-01-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited about finding this amazing website crammed with royalty free vintage prints! All the prints on the website have outlived their copyright laws which means they were created before 1922; it also means they are now free to print, use and enjoy... and with thousands of options, there is a lot to enjoy! Check out the site for yourself here

via one of my favorite blogs: The Donut Project

vintage Russian LOMO Camera

2010-01-20T08:33:00.001-08:00

I was happy to see that I just received my belated Christmas present in the mail yesterday; a vintage Russian LOMO Camera(made in USSR). After browsing through Leicas and Roleis I settled on a lomo because of the strange visual effects the film is known to expose. I have a lot to learn about this camera even before I start to use it but my objective was to re-learn the ropes of a manual film camera from taking the pictures to actually developing them myself in the end.
Can't wait to share the outcome!

Design Influence #2 : Unique

2010-01-19T08:19:00.000-08:00

While bazaar might be the overall theme of the year, I believe it will be highly supported by influences such as vintage, collectibles and unique items. While the digital era still steams forward, we are appreciating more than ever the value of craft and quality (most likely because we lack so much of it in our day to day lives). Thrifting, Rummage sales and buying vintage are all ways to find and express uniqueness in a world being engulfed by the ordinary.

Judge a wine by the label

2010-01-18T08:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I was very happy to attend Los Angeles' first annual California Pinot Noir tasting. Family owned growers from all over the coast of Cali came together yesterday to showcase their best Pinot's. My favorite part of the event (besides the unlimited Pinot Noir) was browsing through the creative and fun wine labels that represented the product so well. Many of the labels were un-cared for and basically an after thought while some really stodd out from the pack. Not surprisingly, the well designed and creative labels definitely drew a larger crowd! Here were some of my favorites at the event:

Designers Word of the Year: Bazaar

2010-01-14T06:28:00.001-08:00

If there was one word to describe the shift I believe design is going to take this year it would have to be bazaar. We are just plain and simply fed up with reality so we are turning to fantasy and stretching the boundaries of the real to its extreme. I forcast that we will start to see a lot of influence (especially in the design sense) from bazaar sources such as the already popular Cirque du Soleil and the re-invention of fantasy driven Alice in Wonderland.

Social Networking

2010-01-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

This great poster pretty much sums up 2009 for me.. while I never fully emerged myself in Twitter, I have to admit that I tried it out for a month or two. While social networking is useful in so many ways.. where does it end? Or better yet.. where do we go from here??

design via Danny Jones Design

Pantone : Color of the Year

2010-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

I was excited to see that Pantone's color of the year pick for 2010 is Turquoise! Leatrice Eiseman, of pantone, states, "Through years of color word-association studies," she said, "we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many -- taking them to a tropical paradise." ..exactly what we need now a days, an escape from reality. While rough economic times usually spur pale, calming colors, this bold approach is exactly the kick we need to start off the new year in the right direction. Look out for the color, you will probably start seeing it pop up around you this year.

London Olympic Icons

2010-01-11T17:50:00.000-08:00

As much as I disliked the logo design for the 2012 London Olympics, I was happily surprised and almost shocked to see the cleverly designed icons created to go along with it.

These are by far my favorite Olympic Icons yet. They really portray movement while maintaining simplicity which, I would assume, is a very hard task to do. Unlike the 80's inspired logo, I think the colors actually work together in the icons creating more of a contemporary feel rather than a past cliché. Well done!

Innovative Pakcaging: Tea Line

2010-01-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

What a simple, funny, cute ingenious idea for tea packaging! No need for complex graphics to make your product pop.. all that's needed is just a great idea! Designed by: Soon Mo Kang

posted by: swiss-miss

Trends of the Years

2010-01-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

This cool little chart lays out the trends of the past decade. Pretty humorous and sadly pretty accurate! A great way to learn from our past going into the new year (and the new decade!)

originally posted in New York Times

Goodbye to I.D. Magazine

2010-01-06T08:05:00.000-08:00

Original Article:
I.D. Magazine, 1954 - 2009
By Ralph Caplan

I.D. (industrial design) Magazine is solely responsible for turning industrial design into a profession. Their magazine, which began publication in 1954 is now sadly closing it's doors. I.D. featured designs from artists such as Paul Rand all the way to dresses made from flour sacks. Thanks I.D. magazine for your accurate and intriguing documentation of design over the years and all the inspiration you have spread.

First ever issue of I.D. Magazine

Original illustrations designed by Andy Warhol

recent issues of I.D. Magazine

Back to the roots of Design

2010-01-05T07:55:00.001-08:00

During my relaxing New Years celebration in the small island of St. Croix, I was transported back to the roots of design.. the true purpose of it all. Design is purely communication and spending time on the island helped me remember how basic it really can be.

Everything is simplified not because it's the new trend but because there is no reason to complicate it. A simple tag on the wall denotes a parking space and a hand drawn sign keeps people from littering on the beach. Personal, simple and to the point.. only what is needed to communicate the message and nothing more.

100th celebration

2010-01-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

I was happy to find that my first post back from the holiday vacation also happens to be my 100th post! So what better way to start off the new year than a celebration. It also got me thinking about what this past year meant to me. In a nutshell, my year was filled with design, celebration and freedom (what more could I ask for!) So happy new year to everyone and I hope your spirits are high for this new year to come.

Holiday Wallpapers

2009-12-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

Still very much in the holiday spirit, I wanted to share these great desktop and iphone holiday wallpapers from nien design. Beautifuly simple, these vintage inspired images are one of my favorite freebies this season. Counting down the days!

Merry Newsinator

2009-12-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

This is such a brilliant idea and beautifully designed as well! The newsinator allows you to answer specific questions about your year and creates this wonderful design piece with all the final answers. Then give the final piece to friends and family as a wonderful alternative to the lengthy and drab holiday letters! Start one for yourself right here

via THE DONUT PROJECT

7 Rules of Designers

2009-12-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun list of the '7 Rules of Designers' found at harmonie-interieure. I would say that I agree with about 80% of the rules... overall its pretty accurate and inspirational (especially as an enormous wall decal!)

1. Designers are meant to be loved not to be understood.
2. The purpose of design is to make the ordinary extraordinary.
3. The best designers are the ones who find the good clients.
4. Design must seduce, shape &, more importantly, evoke an emotional response.
5. Good design can be planned but great design just happens.
6. Design the right things, design the things right.
7. Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Typewriting

2009-12-16T08:51:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite new additions is this typewriter fellow garage saler Chelsea and I picked up a few weeks ago. We have a few projects in mind for it but even if we hadn't, who can resist a $10 working typewriter! It surprisingly took effort to use it (being a typewriter novice) but once we got the hang of it, the possibilities were endless!

I was excited to see that typewriters, although limited in type size, typeface, leading, kerning ect., are versatile in the materials they can print on. Since I love the texture and tactfulness of fabric I decided to create this years Christmas tags combining two of my loves: typewriters and fabric. A crafty alternative to the store bought stick-ons.

An Ode to Neutraface

2009-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I normally don't go crazy over the newest youtube hype but this one definitely kept my attention. Hysterical and true.. anyone who loves type (hopefully every designer out there) should appreciate this spoof and those of you who don't love type might learn a thing or two in the process. This video could very easily kick Helvetica off of its pedestal...

The worst of the worst (design)

2009-12-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Design Observer, an influential design news source came up with the top ten things that need to be redesigned. The results are so funny because they are oh so true!

The list is:
1. Lottery Tickets
2. The Hearse
3. Monopoly Money
4. TV Remote Controls
5. The State of New Jersey
6. Political Lawn Signs
7. Childrens' Skip Jackets
8. Kennedy Airport
9. Blister Packaging
10. IRS Forms

Dirty Design

2009-12-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Design author, Steven Heller never fails to impress me with his accurate articles based on the modern day design world. His depiction of what contemporary design is takes into consideration the styles of the past and outlooks of the future. While the late 80's and 90's were a purely digital (and somewhat outrageous) design aesthetic, Heller states that we as designers are now in an era of what he claims, 'dirty design'.

Design was losing its realness and now we are grasping at everything real we can get our hands on. From the use of silkscreen, sewing, typewriting, crafting, letterpressing, ect. designers are yearning for tactile solutions to design. Humans are too real to be expressed purely through digital form. In my opinion, we are just trying to put a little bit of our true selves back into design.

Packaging that thinks outside the box

2009-12-09T21:02:00.000-08:00

I was very interested when I read about NY based designer Harc Lee 's idea for a colorless coke bottle. While not only beautiful and intriguing, the naked bottle serves a noble purpose as well.

Lee states:

“A convex logo substitutes colorfully sprayed can. Naked can help to reduce air and water pollution occurred in its coloring process. It also reduces energy and effort to separate toxic color paint from aluminum in recycling process. Huge amount of energy and paint required to manufacture colored cans will be saved. Instead of toxic paint, manufacturers process aluminum with a pressing machine that indicates brand identity on surface. ”

Tailoring the Image to Fit the Clothes

2009-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

This week, I received a very interesting article in the mail about designer Patrick Li. A new idol of mine, Li works in the fashion world translating high fashion into graphic design. A great source of inspiration about a talented man's work that I will definitely keep a close eye on.

'The Lazy Designers Guide to Success'

2009-12-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

I was happy to read inspirational designer, Michael Bierut's philosophies on being a designer this morning on Azure. He has simplified design in 7 steps and while the entire article was definitely worth reading, I will highlight just the 7 steps.

1. Keep it simple.
2. Don’t reinvent the wheel [Part 1].
3. Don’t reinvent the wheel [Part 2]: Rotate the tires instead.
4. Do as you’re told.
5. Steal. (of course, this is directed towards ideas)
6. Once you come up with something, never let it go.
7. Make other people do the work.

DIY Simple Light Switch Cover

2009-12-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

This simple DIY project only takes about 10 minutes and the results are more than worth it!

1. Simply unscrew the current plate and trace the borders (outside and inside) on a specialty paper (could use wrapping paper as well)

2. add about .25 inch around the outside outline in order to cover the sides

3. make a small notch cut on the corners for easy folding

4. use spray mount or decoupage glue to mount the paper on the original plate and let dry

5. punch the screws through the paper to re-attach the plate to the light switch... and voila!

Enjoy!

Classicly inspired Wine Pakcaging

2009-12-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

These packaging examples come from my favorite site for packaging inspiration: theDieline. Classical design is based around the ideas of restraint and simplicity but it is great to see these modern examples use the basic ideas of classical design while adding their own unique contemporary twist.

Thonet Inspired Chairs

2009-12-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

Recently my boyfriend told me I reminded him of Martha Stewart because of my facination with finding old things and fixing them up. But really, there's something so satisfying about taking something ready to be thrown away and turning it into a great new design piece (oh, and the money you save is great as well!) We found these old chairs at an old Hollywood prop warehouse that was going out of business. This place had everything you could imagine but unfortunately we only had enough room in the car for these great chairs. At the steep price of $5 each, we decided to take all 4.

As we were paying a lady came up to me and said, "great Thonet find!" Not knowing Thonet's work I decided to google him and sure enough, the chairs definitely do resemble the German furniture designer Thonet. With a little fixing up and a coat of black semi-gloss paint, these chairs are a perfect combination of modern vintage.

Sign Painter, John Downer

2009-12-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Living in Los Angeles isn't as bad as I've also thought. There is so much to take advantage of if you are open to it, like this presentation / exhibition of John Downer, the well-known 'sign painter'. Not only did we get to view some of his original pieces, we actually got our names personally signed by Downer himself. It is great to see that traditional means such as these are still popular and promoted!

giving thanks

2009-11-30T09:05:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving this year and was able to spend time with friends and family. It is so great that we have an entire day dedicated to giving thanks for everything we have. It is easy to focus on the negative and forget about the positive but thanksgiving really helps to emphasize the positive and remind us of how amazing life really is! I was especially reminded one of life's greatest simple pleasures... cooking!

Before & After: Paper Organizer

2009-11-27T08:30:00.001-08:00

Moving into a bigger studio space, I needed more furniture to fill the room but didn't want to break the bank in the process! I found this old bedside dresser on the side of the street near my house and thought it would make a great paper organizer. After removing the drawers all that was left was a little fixing up and voila!

Free Thanksgiving Place Cards!

2009-11-25T08:27:00.001-08:00

Because the Holidays are all about giving, here is a free downloadable Thanksgiving place card template to use for the big feast tomorrow afternoon.

Click Here to download the free template and simply cut around the edges, fold in the middle and write in the names. The hardest part is figuring out who goes where!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

before and after project

2009-11-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling to come up with a solution as what to do with our huge coffee-table in our very small room. Determined to make it work, I decided to turn it into my next design project.

with a few floor cushions

and a roll of fabric (+ an extra large zipper)...
I turned our over-sized (under-used) coffee table into a bright day bed. A quick and fun project that ended up making our room look substantially bigger than before!

Find of the Week

2009-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

Weekend garage sales have become a ritual between fellow yard-saler, Chelsea, and myself. This weekend our best find were these vintage Armani sunglasses. Thinking they might be above the $15 price limit, we were a bit hesitant at first but were ecstatic to find out they were being sold for the bargain price of $3!

This Beatles inspired trend might even become the new ray-ban in the upcoming year.

Office Decorating Tips from Domino

2009-11-20T07:51:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of upgrading my studio space and am very excited to start decorating. I thought I would share some fun and useful tricks from one of my favorite decorating books, Domino.

Glamour in the Details Uniformly polished desk accessories telegraph "Ive got it together"

This is one of my favorites and I can't wait to try it on one of my own: Disguising a File Cabinet with "chinoiserie" (really just vintage fabric enlarged on a photocopier) is a quirky reinvention of a decorator favorite.

and of course.. Color-Coded Binders lend cohesiveness to storage space.

Delilah Bakery

2009-11-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

I have finally found my new favorite café in town. Delilah Bakery transported me back to Paris with their creative french inspired menu, open kitchen and lovely cafe seating.

Everything here is detail oriented from the exquisite mini cupcakes to the charming and playful decorations. I will definitely be back again soon!

A Tint of Change

2009-11-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

I just received these beautiful Riedel wine glasses as a gift and I absolutely love them! Their unique shape and delicate glass are important details but what really stands out to me is the subtle gradation of color across the four. Part of a breast cancer awareness series, the pink starts off as barely a hint and gradually moves up to bright and vibrant pink, making each cup distinctively different and therefor much more interesting!

Tricks for Promoting Small Businesses

2009-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

During my first visit to Umami Burger, I was exited upon arriving and seeing these wonderful place-mats. I can't figure out if they're silkscreened or stamped on but I'm leaning towards silkscreened. I thought this was such a great, thrifty and hands on way to make things a little more personal right when you arrive. I almost didn't mind the long wait for the food because it allowed me to look at my lovely place-mat for longer :)

While I wouldn't recommend the restaurant due to poor service, I would recommend whoever was behind their design decisions. Silkscreening or stamping your logo on different promotional materials is a great first step for small businesses while staying within small budgets.

Tea-Cart

2009-11-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

My favorite garage sale find of this week is my new vintage glass tea-cart. The gilded bamboo adds a luxurious feel while its tarnishing give the cart its vintage look.

This piece has now become our new bar on wheels and all for the bargain price of $3!! Maybe my best and favorite garage sale find yet!

Designer Fabric Overload!

2009-11-13T08:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I was graciously given rolls and rolls of beautiful designer fabric.. I feel like a child at Christmas with too many toys, not knowing which one to play with first!

I also received a box of intricate beaded lace, gold linings and other goodies that I can't wait to put into use. Now my only dilemma is deciding what to make from all of it... but that's always the best part. Hopefully I will have some great new projects to showcase in the very near future!

Labels

2009-11-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

While thinking about relationships in design, I began to notice connections being made in even the smallest ways down to the relationship between a clothing tag and the clothing itself.

These interactions are so easily overlooked but they really do have an overall effect on how the article of clothing is viewed. It is obvious when care is taken in creating the garment itself but if care is taken to the next level and showcased even through the tag, I think your almost guaranteed to be wearing a very special garment.

Sometimes its the smallest detail that draws you in the most.

Design and Packaging

2009-11-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

This wine bottle reminded me of a previous post of mine about the integration of design and architecture.. while this is obviously not architecture, it is still a structural object. Design that works with its environment, structure, packaging etc. definitely adds an extra element to the piece as a whole, bridging the gap between structure and layout.

The Art of the Business Card

2009-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

I love business cards because people are forced to maximize this tiny amount of space in order to explain everything about themselves and/or their business to people who presumably know absolutely nothing about you or your business. So I am always interested to see what other people think is the most important idea and information they want to spread.

In some cases it is the straight forward information: phone, email, url, etc. but others use the card in order to attract the senses. Their main focus is color or pattern, touch or feel, typography or size.. anything that will set them apart and describe themselves and their business without the help of words. These sense oriented cards end up being much more successful and interesting than the information detailed cards. After all, we're all just trying to set ourselves apart one way or another.

Do It Yourself : Collage Cards

2009-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

This project required me to step a bit outside my comfort zone. While I live (and design) by the rules of simplicity, that doesn't mean I don't love and appreciate more eclectic styles as well. So I forced myself to let go of my rigidness and go with the flow and just see what happens. I dug out some catalogs from the recycling bin and went to work with my exact-o knife and glue stick. It was very freeing to be able to let my simplicity guard down and I enjoyed the process. I am even happy with the outcome (which is a rarity in my non-simplistic designs!) I guess the lesson I learned here was to keep trying new things and never to limit yourself to what you already know.

Visual Journals

2009-11-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

For me, keeping a written journal seems so tedious and agonizing. How can words really describe those things that you are thinking, feeling, wanting to express? This summer in Paris I couldn't find the words to describe my new experiences so I decided to create a visual journal of my travels instead.

Every time I open this bright orange, over-stuffed notebook all the memories of my summer come rushing back. Not only am I visually reminded through the scraps of paper I collected here and there, but everything has a Parisian scent associated with it which jumps off the page immediately.

I can just imagine people coming back from their travels with a camera full of pictures and a journal full of words but those little moments, the way things feel and the subtle scents disappear through the cracks. They can really only live on through your memory of them, which eventually fades as well.

The power of such simple and subtle things is overwhelming!

Detail is Everything!

2009-11-05T07:57:00.001-08:00

Too often detail is compromised in packaging due to small budgets, time constraints or just plain lack of appreciation. Some people think of packaging as a safety cover for the real item inside while others look at packaging as an art-form in itself, something to be treasured; something that represents the item without even seeing it. This kind of thinking makes for good packaging! And in return, these beautiful packages are more than just boxes full of tea; I will keep these boxes until they are completely un- usable (and then I will probably still keep them in my desk drawer for inspiration)

Not only did their beautifully detailed packaging catch my eye, it will also escape my trash can and stick around as decoration for a while to come.

.. and of course the packaging represented the product perfectly. The tea is full of subtle bursts of flavor with a sweetness that can only be appreciated through its detail.

The Return of Character

2009-11-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

As every art movement in history has displayed, whenever there is an action taken there is always en even stronger reaction. I see this happening right now with contemporary art and design. By simplifying itself to the extreme, the contemporary movement thought it was escaping the reaction phase. After all, if the design is minimized to it's purest form and structure, what is there to react against? The reaction is due to lack of character and charisma, in my opinion.

I think we, as humans, need the imperfections of real life to be visible in order for us to feel comfortable and ultimately be happy in our surrounding. I admit that I love gazing into the huge open windows of the stark and modern condos with their gigantic open spaces and views that reach the ocean but after that immediate jealousy asides, I always get a distant and detached feeling that I would never want to feel in my own home.

So as long as we are imperfect creatures, I think we will always need a bit of imperfection surrounding us as well. It almost reminds us that nothing in life can be perfect so just accept your flaws and even flaunt them if you can because that's what gives us our character.

Blending of Architecture and Design

2009-11-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

I love coming across great integrations of design and architecture. Too often, the two arts are completely separated from each other but on occasion you find examples such as these that really work with the space instead of around it; of course the results are always more intriguing!

Yolk is a design store in Silverlake, CA and Express is a little disco bar in Paris, France.

Tricks of the Trade: Letter-Spacing

2009-11-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

Letter spacing is a simple trick of the design trade. Does text sometimes just looks nicer and you can't really put your finger on why? Most likely, if the text is written in Uppercase, the reason it looks nicer sometimes opposed to others is the fact that it has been spaced out. When fonts are created, they are created to combine both uppercase and lower case as seen in a sentence. They are not designed to use all in Caps, therefor the spacing between words written in all Caps is not enough.

By supplying the letters with a little more breathing room (in this case, 140 pts of breathing room) It allows each letter to be seen instead of crammed up against the last. Over spacing is also a problem though and should be used in moderation. I love when such simple changes have such a great effect!

Free Halloween Card!

2009-10-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

People become more giving around holidays, no matter what holiday it is. On Christmas you get presents, on 4th of July you get fireworks, on Thanksgiving you get turkey and on Halloween you get candy.. and free Halloween cards of course! Just print, cut, fold and enjoy.

Click here to download

Vintage Gifts

2009-10-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

I received this beautiful gift last night from my dad who came to visit. While not the biggest shopper in the world, I was pleasantly surprised to hear this! I was thrilled when I opened my present, especially after he exclaimed, ' I saw this and thought of you'.

I thought this gesture was very special and the mirror is of course gorgeous (and exactly my style) I love the tarnished imperfections and the wonderful pattern carved on the back.

I couldn't have picked out a better gift myself!

Cupcake Logo.. yet again!

2009-10-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

This week I had the pleasure of working with the UK based cupcake company: black vanilla cupcakes. While I am seriously thinking of changing my title as designer to 'cupcake designer' (maybe not so serious), I absolutely love working with these companies because they are so passionate about what they do.

Inspired by both the companies philosophy and their love of travel and exotic ingredients and by my own surroundings (as noted in the previous post). I wanted the logo to incorporate a sense of luxury and foreign exoticism. Thanks Black Vanilla for the inspiration and the chance to design for your great up and coming cupcakerie!

Sources of Inspiration

2009-10-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Inspiration, in my opinion is what makes a design successful. This fabric was just the inspirational touch that my mind needed to get me thinking and designing in a different direction. It is easy for designers to get into a comfortable routine, designing around things and images that they know very well but it is important that we break those patterns and allow creativity to wander and pick up on details and directions that you never would have thought of.

I found this gorgeous fabric at a yard sale and snatched it for a whopping $2 (even though the old rusting price tag was still stapled on which read 2 yards for $127!) I knew I had found a great steal and not only will I make something beautiful out of it (still undecided as of what) but it has also allowed my mind to wander in new directions, picking up on its subtle hints and throwing me a little bit out of my comfort zone. I will share the results soon...

Stamp of Love

2009-10-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the 'king and queen love stamps' designed by NYC designer, Jeanne Greco. I had never heard of this artist before but after doing a bit of research on the stamp I was able to find its origin. Usually reluctant to choose between one ugly stamp and the next, I was pleasantly surprised to be presented with this design as an option during my last visit to the post office. Of course I jumped with excitement when I noticed that I could purchase something well designed from the postal service! If only the rest of the country could recognize the importance and beauty of design and incorporate into American culture as well. Until then, I will enjoy these lovely love stamps and keep my fingers crossed...

A Fresh New Look

2009-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

This week I decided to 'refresh' my look (design wise that is). I decided it was time to re-design my image from my website to my blog. While the website is still in its testing phase, I would love any comments and concerns regarding its layout and function: www.dukdesign.com

Thanks!

Vintage Treasures : Prague

2009-10-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Over the summer, in between my internship in Paris, I journeyed to Prague for a few days to see a completely different side of Europe. I figured Czech culture was very different but I never imagined it to be that different! It was like nothing I had ever experienced but overall I brought back only great memories. I also brought back this amazing vintage Czech Fashion magazine dating back to 1967.

I don't know enough about fashion to comment on the clothing being displayed but what I found interesting, as a graphic designer, was the rigid and stiff poses of the models.

The fonts used are also angular, stiff and sharp, almost reminding me of the constructivism movement.
Instead of stashing this vintage treasure away in my bookcase, I decided to display a few of my favorite pages in frames so I can enjoy their greatness everyday and constantly remind myself of the extensive world out there that is sometimes so easy to forget about.

Website Design

2009-10-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

This week, I had the pleasure of working with Ben Newhouse, an extremely talented music composer for film and concert. While usually websites take weeks, even months to be completed, the combination of Ben's preparation and my eagerness to design allowed for us to complete the project in merely a week. You can view the website at: www.bennewhousemusic.com

While the overall design might seem a bit much (especially for my design style), the point was to appeal to Hollywood where 'a bit much' is never enough.

We used flash to design the site (even though some say that is a big 'no no' because of lack of SEO recognition) but it allowed for the integration of Ben's music throughout and a cleaner, more sophisticated overall look.

Thanks Ben for all your hard work and it was great working with you!

Packaging Design: Trader Joes

2009-10-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

There's something about Trader Joe's that keeps me driving the extra 8 miles just to go to the grocery store. It could be the amazing prices, the unique organic items or the delicious tasters but most likely, it is their attention and appreciation to design and packaging.

Like most grocery stores, Trader's has their own generic line but it is anything but generic. Their packaging is flexible enough to relate to a box of cereal just as well as it relates to the above body wash. I am usually pleasantly surprised that I am instantly drawn into the 'generic' item instead of the boutique option.

Outside of their own brand, they seem to gravitate towards selling brands that are also well composed and nice to look at. This re-affirms my philosophy that if there is care and love in the contents of the product, the packaging will and should reflect that as well.

Finds of the Week: Vintage Clothes

2009-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday has become my official garage sale day. Start the day off early, check online for the real good sales in the area and off we go! This weekend we found a few mediocre sales (pricing everything insanely high!) and one amazing one-of-a-kind sale.

The sale was hosted by a guy in his 30's and woman around the same age. The guy was filmmaker/artist and had boxes and boxes filled with old Print Magazines and great old collectible art books. I'm not sure what the girl did but she had piles and piles of amazing vintage clothing and shoes. The only downfall was that all of her clothes were about 8 sizes too big for me. Somehow I managed to find these great theory pants that only need some slight alterations and this amazing green silk 'skirt' which is now my lovely day dress. Along with a sweet black belt and a gold clutch purse, my total came out to a whopping $4. Now I really can't justify shopping at a normal store! Good find, Great week

Oh Joy! Cupcake & Champagne

2009-10-16T09:02:00.001-07:00

I was fortunate enough last night to attend Joy (of Oh Joy!) Cho's Cupcake and Champagne party last night at Abbott Kinney in Venice. The event was held at the Urbanic paper shop, a great place for browsing and inspiration to say the least!

The cupcakes were delicious but the best part of the night was meeting and talking with Joy, definitely an inspiration of mine! She offered great advice for us young bloggers and designers expressing that it takes time and effort and a lot of patience, so stick with it!

We finished off the night at the lovely photo-booth; such a great addition to any party!
Thanks to Joy and Urbanic Paper for throwing a great event!

L.A. Fashion Week

2009-10-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Last night I was invited to watch the launch of Popomomo's new collection at L.A. Fashion week downtown. While usually not the biggest fashion enthusiast, it was great to see what was out there and going on in the fashion world.

Popomomo's new collection is completely sustainable which is one of the few trends I'm willing to jump on board for. The clothes were very feminine, flirty and really understood and worked with the female body.

The show was designed to offer an alternative to the everyday runway show, creating somewhat of an instillation show revolving around the involvement of the models and the sculptural work.

All the clothes were completely wearable, which was refreshing to see on a runway.. not too pretentious but very realistic and practical. All in all, a great and entertaining show!

Judge a Product by it's Package

2009-10-14T08:42:00.001-07:00

So I know we were all taught not to judge a book by it's cover (or judge a product by its package, in this case) but I believe exactly the opposite. When choosing my books and products I take into account every detail from what's on the inside to what's shown on the outside. If the packaging of a product seems to be thrown together without much thought or care, I really can't trust that the product itself was treated any better.

While scientists, authors and product engineers aren't necessarily trained in visual design, I would hope they would care enough about their product to invest wisely in it's aesthetics. This 'Befine' packaging design is yet another case of good packaging that drove me to a purchase. While searching for a good night time moisturizer, I was flooded with a see of overly corporate and cluttered products until my eye caught a glance of this product.

Simple, elegant, and gets to the point. It doesn't promise to make you look 30 years younger like the others but instead simply states the real life benefits of it's all natural ingredients. Sometimes people underestimate the power of telling the truth.

Cafe Stella : Décor

2009-10-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

This week I'm so happy we ventured out of our norm and tried a new Friday night date spot. We ended up at Café Stella and had no idea what to expect. My first impression was the great french country almost vintage inspired decor.

While I'm not a big fan of the whole taxidermy idea, I must say it definitely added to the ambiance along with great oil paintings and sketches by various artists. The overall design was very eclectic but extremely well composed. Two thumbs up in my book.

We were pleasantly surprised when our food arrived because it very well could have been lovelier than the atmosphere itself. While a bit expensive for a weekly trip, I will definitely be back for those semi-special occasions that I love to celebrate!

Downtown Los Angeles: Fabric District

2009-10-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I ventured over to the Fabric District in downtown L.A. I had been dying to check it out for a while and living so close, I can't believe it's taken me this long!

When it comes to fabric shopping, I'm pretty used to my little boutique neighborhood shops down the road but the fabric district was quite the opposite. Basically a street lined door to door with dozens of fabric shops filled with rows and rows of endless patterns.

I must admit, I was a little disappointed with the selection but we managed to walk away with these steals at least. 3 yards of fabric for a total of $5. Maybe not the best quality ever but definitely worth the money!

Bathroom: Before & After

2009-10-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting for the day when I can completely renovate and decorate an entire house the way I want it, but as a renter, I have to work within a lot of restrictions. I did find little ways around some of the big fix up issues though.

This was my bathroom sink area when I moved into our rental house. The covers were peeling off and the doors weren't aligned correctly, all in all, it was a daily eye sore! Not wanting to spend a fortune on fixing the whole thing up, I opted for a more temporary fix.

After some contemplation, I decided to finally put to use this lovely fabric I purchased a while back in NYC and never really knew what to do with it. One curtain rod and a yard of fabric later, I had a nice and pleasing cover for the unbearable cabinets behind. The colorful pattern added a much needed burst of liveliness to the room as well.

Free People : Re-Usable Shopping Bag

2009-10-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

This past week I did something unusual for me... I shopped at a retail store! The only place I found success though was at a new nearby Free People store. I think I was so attracted to everything in the store because their entire collection was designed around the ideas of vintage. I was very happy with my finds but even happier after the purchase! They nicely folded the items and put them in this great cloth bag. I was so excited that they took that extra step to be apart of the 're-use' fad (even if it's only to say they are green) because any small change helps. By making it so attractive it will help one step further because people will be more inclined to carry it around making it useful while shopping and getting groceries. I hope to see more store follow this practice in the near future!

Jasmine Tea Packaging

2009-10-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

While shopping recently at my favorite neighborhood asian market I was struck by this beautiful and engaging tea packaging. At this market I am used to seeing screaming visuals and obnoxious graphics piled on top of each other (which adds to the Asian inspired theme of the place) but these tea cans were a breath of fresh air. Not only did they provide my eyes with a nice break but it was also interesting to see that they were in different languages: English, French and Chinese. I love the variation, giving the consumer a choice and consequently, keeping them engaged longer. There is something about this Orange/Yellow that I just can't resist (see my last post for proof!)

Wish-list

2009-10-06T08:38:00.001-07:00

These two items are high up on my wish-list for the week. I saw these great 'flowers' at my local coffee spot but have yet to figure out what kind they are or where to purchase them. Does anyone know their name? They seem like such a great alternative to the everyday flowers and look like they could last a long time.

I can't seem to get this one out of my mind since I saw it at the thrift shop down the road a few days ago. I can't wait for the day that I own my own house to fill it with treasures such as this great old Spanish style sink. If it's still around next week I might take it as a sign and use it as a lovely outdoor planter for the meantime.

All About the Buckle

2009-10-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

A belt can make or break an outfit. They are great attention grabbers and a good way to spice up an ordinary outfit. Unfortunately they have become a part of the trend movement as well and one year your supposed to wear the biggest belt ever made and the next it's supposed to be as thin as a shoe string, it's just exhausting. Of course, I'm not a big fan of following these trends so instead, I like to choose my belts by their buckle.

This belt I found at a thrift store and I just love the combination of the cream leather and the tarnished metal clasp. It hooks together so delicately and adds a whimsical touch to any outfit.

This is one of my favorite garage sale finds. I snatched this bright orange belt for the bargain price of $2! It's Hermes orange (although definitely not an Hermes belt) works wonders with black and white. The strangely shaped gold clasp is so 80's, I wish I knew where it originally came from.

This little Prada belt was also a bargain find. Sadly its nearing the end of the road with me because I might finally be outgrowing it.. uh oh. But I love how the buckle just clicks right into place almost like a seat belt and you know once it clicks you're fastened in tightly for the rest of the day!

Sweets La Petite: Logo Design

2009-10-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of working with the lovely Stephanie Bushnell of Sweets La Petite in redesigning her company logo. Of course this only adds to my personal label of the 'cupcake logo designer' but I must admit that I really enjoy working with clients who are very passionate about their trade. Cooks and bakers put so much of themselves into their goods and that's exactly how I feel about design work as well. It is so personal and individual but you also get to share it with the rest of the world and it truly becomes a satisfying experience. Thanks again Stephanie for being such a pleasure to work with!

Masa : Tablecloths

2009-10-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

I think I have found my favorite local lunch spot in town. Not only is the food delicious and beautiful, the decor is a refreshing modern french country and they absolutely love it when I bring my Frenchie, Frankie, along (and he gets home made doggie treats!) Almost too good to be true!

Instead of showcasing their whole cafe, I thought I would start small and show their wonderful tablecloths. With about 6 different variations, I love these colorful lace-like patterns, each so unique on their own but also work so well together.

A lot of restaurants and cafes have settled on the matching table theme where every table is exactly the same but there is something exciting about choosing your table when things are mixed up a bit. You find yourself drawn to a particular table without really knowing why (most likely the color)

Although such a simple gesture, I think it's a great way to bring a little eclecticism into the cafe and break the norm, even if the every day costumer would never think twice about it.

Zen & The Importance of Living

2009-09-30T08:06:00.001-07:00

I have been noticing somewhat of a trend over my past blog posts and, as I love to do in my design work, I began dissecting the trend to see where the roots of it came from. Patterns aren't created out of the blue, they are small pieces that work together to form a larger structure which then creates repetition. The pattern I have been noticing in my thoughts and posts is an Asian inspired theme. From fortune cookies to sushi to woodblock printing, I realized there must be something else driving me to these sources other than sheer coincidence.

When I stopped to think about it, I realized that Zen, a western way of thinking, has been very influential in my recent life and all these things I am attracted to, whether it be yoga, sushi or just serenity, come directly from these ideas. I recently read two books that helped clarify my thoughts and I would highly recommend them. The Way of Zen, while not as entertaining as other books, really helped me to see where Zen came from and it's underlying principles.

Even more influential though was The Importance of Living. By no means does this book try to convert you to a foreign religion, surprisingly, it really has nothing to do with religion at all. It helped me to visualize the world in a different way and really stressed the importance of the small things in life. Sometimes we need to take a step back and remind ourselves of the beautiful world around us and everything we should be grateful for.

Hipcooks: How to Make Sushi

2009-09-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Last night, Sebastian and I attended the 'Turning Japanese' Hipcooks Sushi cooking class in downtown LA. Since we have been making sushi at home about 3 times a week, we thought maybe we better get a few professional techniques and tips from the pros.

It turned out to be a fun night filled with saki, mochi and plenty of sushi! Our teacher was energetic and passionate and truly stressed the point that sushi making is an experimental process and does not need to follow rigid guidelines.

After watching a few demos, we took on the task ourselves. My favorite part was adding fresh mango to my rolls. The sweetness definitely added a lot and was something I had never tried before.

I was pretty impressed with my dishes when I was finished and they tasted just as good as they looked (which is always a good sign!) Overall the night was a lot of fun and we learned a few tricks of the trade a long the way.

Gazebo

2009-09-28T08:48:00.001-07:00

This week, I finally completed our outside gazebo with these great chairs I found at a nearby garage sale. This lovely table had been left outside for about a year and since all the varnish and finish were chipping off, we decided to sand it all down, creating a beautifully worn piece.

The only problem was that we never had chairs to match the table. While these chairs aren't sanded down, they are small, simple and perfect in their own way. The wood color matches exactly and four for $20 was not a bad deal at all. We will be enjoying our outside gazebo much more now!

The Perfect Gift

2009-09-25T12:55:00.001-07:00

A simple box says a lot. After unwrapping a present you know you are either happy or sad without even seeing the gift! What is written on the box gives it away from the beginning. Branding has become more important than ever and without a good look, the product is not as appealing.

Bvlgari brands itself as a high end luxury brand and their design shows it. Simple, bold, established colors and typography give the brand its expensive, luring appeal.

Tiffany & Co. is probably one of the most notably branded companies. Even their 'Tiffany Blue' color is trademarked. The name itself could be missing and anyone would still know what was inside this box.

Links of London also took a traditional approach. The simplicity is key but what really helps them succeed is their choice of colors. What seems like an obvious decision is really a distinct choice on their behalf. The creamy tan with the black scream tradition which include values such as trust, knowledge and experience. With values such as these instilled in the branding, the product is already more valuable. Its practically magic!

Woodblock Prints

2009-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

Woodblock prints have always attracted me and I'm so excited to own my first one. I found this beauty in Paris at a shop across the passage from where I worked. There were many to choose from but I settled on this one because as I glanced at it, images of crafty projects flooded my mind.

As a graphic designer, I spend a lot of my time on the computer so anything that gets me crafting with my own hands is great by me. I obviously need a bit more practice with block printing because my first attempt was only half of a success.

The process is the best part though and I look forward to more trial and errors and hopefully some beautiful finished projects in the near future.

Fortune Cookies

2009-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

I love the concept of fortune cookies because they are always true. I don't mean that in the sense that they are magical and somehow they can predict your exact future, in my opinion, they don't predict anything at all. Instead, they are a powerful tool of positive reinforcement that any one can apply to their own life. What I really love about them is that they always make you think of the things in your life that maybe aren't doing so great and give you hope and reassurance for the future.

I was sure this one was made for me when I opened it! I had been feeling overwhelmed with things lately and of course my sensitivity was kicking in to the max but after reading my 'fortune' I started to think about the positive aspects of my sensitivity, maybe its not such a bad thing after all.

The last two fortunes I geared towards my design work and business. It's an exciting yet very scary time to start a business and like everything else, there are always the highs and the lows. But reading that 'many possibilities are open to me' allowed me to view things as possibilities for success and took me places I might not have gone without it.

I'm hoping this one can apply to an e-mail as well, I don't receive much important mail these days. None the less, I'm still waiting for the letter of importance to be dropped into my inbox, but who knows, maybe it already has.

Trendy Tuesdays : Tarnished SIlver

2009-09-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

I have been noticing a trend within my decorative kitchen items lately; tarnished silver objects seem to have sprung up all around me. I didn't purchase any of these items but have unconsciously collected them all over the past few years.

I'm assuming these items were once nicely polished but I am much more mesmerized by their tarnished qualities. Most of these objects were passed down to me from my great grandma who I have always felt a very strong connection to.

I use this pitcher as a vase but it's almost unfair to the flowers! No matter how beautiful they are their vase is still more charming :)

Another gift passed down from my great gram, a beautifully engraved toothpick holder. I doubt you could find something like this made today because we just don't put as much effort and emphasis into the small things any more.

This great teapot was a gift from my mother after her travels to Morocco. The sides are hand etched and every section is welded together by hand. This teapot alone makes me want to visit Morocco myself!

Finds of the Week

2009-09-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would feature some of my favorite yard sale finds of the week. I'm loving living in Silverlake because the weekends are never disappointing when it comes to finding great bargains!

We stumbled upon this huge sale right near our house. With every gadget you could imagine, my favorite part was the extensive racks of real vintage clothes.

I was a huge fan of this great yellow and black printed robe dress but seeing that it was a size 10, I didn't even think a little alteration would do the trick so I had to let it go.

The yard sale lady had three pairs of these shoes all in different colors. Straight from a Parisian shoemaker, I had to let these go as well because I have already overstuffed my shoe closet.

This framed picture came complete with tears and age spots but that just added to it's vintage charm. With a great new frame, this pic could work perfectly to spice up a washroom.
Overall, we found some great finds ( I also walked away with a Cream Ralph Lauren 100% Cashmere sweater for $2!) Can't wait for next weekend

Trash to Treasure

2009-09-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Along with thrift shopping and garage sales, I also love turning trash into treasure. I found this poor old chair on the curb waiting to be picked up by the trash man. Seeing a lot of potential in it, I decided to haul it half a mile back to my place.

This chair had obviously seen better days! With only one side arm left and a torn/dusty seat cushion, it looked less than appealing.

With a few tools, a new coat of paint and some funky fabric, I transformed this old chair into a fun, modern piece.

It's a great feeling to find a new use for something that has become useless to someone else. I can't wait for my next trash to treasure adventure!