Check out these funky one of a kind home goods. Cheap!
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shopping guide:
COFFEE TABLE BOOK OF THE WEEK: THE ARCHITECTURE OF PARKING
A curated set of coffee table books makes a great statement. Art books can bring a drab coffee table to life, double as accent furniture when properly stacked, and entertain those restless guests of yours. Coffee Table Book of the Week is our weekly selection of stylish books to spruce up your home. – FM
There is something fascinating about massive parking lots, even Frank Lloyd Wright was inspired by the experience of sitting in an automobile when drafting the Guggenheim. A copy of this is sure to spark a few interesting conversations.
From Amazon: “From the classic circular Marina City tower in Chicago to the latest robotic technology employed at the Volkswagen Factory in Germany, from Frank Gehry to Rem Koolhaas to Zaha Hadid, the form and function of the parking garage has been hugely influential not only on contemporary architects but also on popular culture. This book is at once a survey of the finest examples of parking garages and a presentation of exciting and innovative design.”
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PAINTING TIP
Personally, I find painting rental apartments to be kind of a drag and a bigger investment than it’s worth. However, I recently saw a technique that inspired me. Take a snapshot from this art gallery where a thick bright yellow stripe was painted across the middle of the walls:
All it takes is a can or two of paint and a roll of good painter’s tape to get those hard edges. Great for adding a daring color when you’re afraid to commit to painting the entire room bright yellow, or even black!
*update: just saw this excellent post for more black wall painting inspiration here at shelterpop
I LOVE TRAYS!
I love trays! An attractive tray can be a great way to keep knick knacks like keys and sunglasses in one place. A tray can also liven up a drab desk, dresser, or coffee table with a bright splash of color.
Here are some of my choices…
Samba Yellow Tray, $19.95 and Bentwood Natural Tray, $12.95. Both Crate&Barrel
- Kaiku Tray from Plastica, $32
- 60’s Mod Green Lucite Serving Tray from Plasticland, $18
- Skull and Bones Ceramic Hors D’Oeuvres Platter from Plasticland, $28
- Marimekko Unikko tray from Stockholm Objects, $42
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70’s REVIVAL WEEK: ART
Minimalist paintings of defined fields of color and shapes as a reaction to abstract expressionism became popular in the 1960s. Ellsworth Kelly was among one of the many artists contributing to the this movement, producing works such as Spectrum IV (shown below). This piece is reminiscent of the ubiquitous rainbow theme of that decade. Get it for $18.95 from the Moma Design Store.
…and I wouldn’t leave you “hanging” without these super elegant poster hangers for only $22-26 from momastore.org, a great alternative to a costly custom frame.
COFFEE TABLE BOOK OF THE WEEK: THE MINIATURE WHITE HOUSE
A carefully selected set of coffee table books make a great statement. They’re form and function typified. They highlight your interests, entertain restless guests and they look great as well. Inspired by today’s entry, I recommend The White House in Miniature: Based on the White House Replica by John, Jan, and the Zweifel Family. This book tells the story of a family that spent over 30 years building a 1 foot-to-1 inch scale of the White House, down to the smallest details like working televisions and handpainted mini portraits.
 The White House in Miniature: Based on the White House Replica
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