BEFORE:

AFTER:

I found these before and after interior design images at my new favorite design blog, Design*Sponge. It is one of the best sections of the blog, in my opinion. I think it is important to make design part of our daily lives, in order to improve our surroundings and the way we handle day-to-day tasks, but also to empower our own mind and to think more creatively.

The transformed room shown above is totally my taste. I think it is light, livable, and FUN! You can tell that the main problem, or shortcoming of the first room was the way the original designer (or homeowner) looked at the room. The space is used so much more effectively in the new room, while also incorporating bright colors to contrast the white polished aspects of the room.

TOO FUZZY

Here is an example of when designers get a little out of hand.

Along with this cell phone, designer Manghild Disinngton of Denmark, created a furry USB chord which is to be worn around one's neck, almost as if it were a new age mink. She says that we too often forget our relationship with our technological devices, and that this is a way for us to incorporate them into our lives better. I do not agree. I do not need any more reasons to cuddle up with my cell phone, and to be honest, if I saw someone actually use this product, I would officially lose all faith in humanity. Creative yet unappealing.

Battle of the Chairs

The design website yatzer holds a section of its blog for the readers' opinion on similar products, called yatzer fights. I selected one of these featured debates, involving covered chairs. The products are all very different, ranging from space aged, to porcelain Victorian perhaps. I've always sided with the girly choice, making Jaime Hayon's white covered chair my personal favorite. From the backside, the chair is sleek and shiny like a waxy egg. On the inside however, the chair is much more plush and inviting. While I might become a bit claustrophobic by the overhang, it is certainly glamourous, and deserving of a glamorous home.

Isn't this stunning?

I have always been interested in the mose simplistic forms of art. That is why my last post, with the paper lamps, was so beautiful to me. For the most part the work is monotone, created out of one of the more simple mediums. This brings out the same kind of reaction from me, strong yet simple, pulling from this seemingly 3D imagery and ending up somewhere in the artists head.

The artist, Kazuki Takamatsu mixes traditional and modern techniques, to create this totally unique, almost surrealistic method. From one hand he uses a method called gouache, by using hand painted monochromed based objects. He then incorporates a “Depth Map”, which is a technique where every pixel on the object is a shade of gray that is proportional to its distance from the object looking at it. Fascinating! I love all of his work and I recommend that everyone looks into the artist's future projects.

New beauty in paper

These fascinating, awe inspiring, paper works are by Dutch artist Paula Arntzen. After studying and observing paper and its characteristics she managed to obtain a deep knowledge and understanding ,which allowed her to create such seemingly flawless work out os such a simple medium. Paper is a wonderful medium for artists if you have the patience and delicate touch needed to construct the work, because it is so inexpensive, and its possibilities so limitless.

Marc, oh Marc! You never fail to amaze me!

I was so happy to find this blog, as it only further instills in my mind that Marc Jacobs and his team know how to do it right. Not only is his clothing pure perfection, but his stores are apparently equally as attractive and unique. Above is an outside look at his Los Angeles Store. This is all thanks to Marc Jacob's architect for all of its locations worldwide, Stephan Jaklitsch. Beautiful! I also included another image of the interior of the shop. Everything is so classic and surprisingly understated compared to some of his contemporary designers.

Garden Table

Above is a stainless steel "dining room table", created by DeCastelli to inspire the interiors of our homes with a neat interpretation of the outdoors. While I don't believe this table is actually used as a dining room table, this example, and other variations, are surely a new take on the standard flower pot. At the same time, this particular table does away with any need for a center piece. While not something I would pick out for my own home, I think these tables are beautifully crafted and very interesting.