Chroma Lab

Turina Jewelry

2012-11-27T13:27:00.000-05:00

Amsterdam-based designer Sandra Turina makes the coolest jewelry, especially her ABC necklace series:

I'm jealous of anyone with an "N" name! See more of Turina's work in her shop and order soon for the holidays, y'all.

Kaleido Trays by Hay for DWR

2012-11-19T11:23:00.000-05:00

These Kaleido trays designed by Hay made me sit straight up when I was flipping through the Design Within Reach catalog:

Colorful, modular trays: easy on the eyes and, apparently, good for your posture.

Anne-Claire Petit

2012-11-12T11:46:00.001-05:00

Anne-Claire Petit's food-inspired crochet cushions are further proof that almost everything I love comes from The Netherlands (or Scandinavia!):

Hello, whimsical, colorful housewares in a playful scale! Please come in and sit down. You will look so good on my couch. Some of her designs are available in the US via The Future Perfect and you can see more awesome fiber objects on her portfolio site.

Mimi Kirchner for The Land of Nod

2012-11-05T14:21:00.000-05:00

Both Tony and I are huge fans of our friend Mimi Kirchner and her work, so we couldn't be more pleased that she's currently a featured artist for The Land of Nod. These slightly smaller versions of her fox, kitty, bunny, and bundle dolls represent over a year's worth of designing and collaborating--read more about it here on her blog. The results are too adorable:

I was lucky enough to see some prototypes in person and can tell you that the dolls are really true to Mimi's great style and excellent craftsmanship--they really look like her. If you have some people on your gift list who would appreciate these, scoop them up while you can from the Land of Nod site. Of course, you can also get some of Mimi's handmade pieces from her Etsy shop. I suggest doing both. :) Congratulations, Mimi!

Natural Born Colors

2012-10-10T11:16:00.001-04:00

These Natural Born Colors totes by Amsterdam-based artist Marin Bruin are colored with natural food dyes:

I won't say they're to dye for, even though I want to. Oops. I just did. Terrible puns aside, they'd be great for the color enthusiast / designer / foodie in your life (and everyone has one of those, right?).

La Fabbrica del Vapore

2012-10-01T12:49:00.000-04:00

I've had this little factory humidifier, designed by Giulio Iacchetti, on my wish list for years. Now that Tony and I are in a new place with radiators, I can indulge myself this winter and not feel like a dried out husk of a human every morning:

For purchase from Italy here, and for more in this series of non-electric, radiator-powered humidifiers, see here.

Liquid Rainbow by Edwin Deen

2012-08-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

Let's ease into Monday, shall we? At 2 pm, ahem, but never mind that. I love this Liquid Rainbow installation in Amsterdam by Dutch artist Edwin Deen and wish I could be mesmerized by it in person:

But instead it's back to work. At least our work is very colorful! Thanks to Huh.

Icicle by Thomas Pedersen

2012-07-20T09:43:00.004-04:00

I was instantly taken with this series of tables called Icicle, designed by Thomas Pedersen and made in Denmark:

Surfboard coffee table

Icicle round table

Icicle triangle table

They're available through Mjölk, a Toronto shop that consistently serves up housewares and furniture with a pared down, elegant aesthetic.

Tout Est Mieux Avec Des Rayures

2012-07-16T08:47:00.002-04:00

This tea towel speaks the truth: everything is better with stripes!

(I happen to think everything is better in French, too.) Check out more textiles designed and hand-printed by Studiopatró in San Francisco.

Silk Ombre Blouses by Meg + Milo

2012-07-12T10:23:00.000-04:00

Megan Whitson of Meg + Milo sews and dye-paints each of these breezy, colorful silk blouses by hand in Atlanta:

They look perfect for the warm weather in Hotlanta. There are more color and style choices in Megan's shop and truth be told, I want them all.

Polyhedra Pendant

2012-07-10T10:34:00.000-04:00

This faceted polyhedra pendant made by RawDezign in Birmingham, England, is calling my name:

There are so many reasons to support small companies making great products like this, but the most selfish reason is to enjoy having custom options for things like cord colors! I'd go red or orange, but gold would be fancy pants, too.

Book Piles by Marisa Swangha

2012-07-09T15:59:00.000-04:00

Color-loving book junkies, prepare to nerd out over these book pile photographs by Ottawa artist Marisa Swangha. Rothko paintings spring to mind:

Just looking at them makes me want to read on the porch with some kind of fruity iced tea in hand. There's more in Marisa's Etsy shop, Modulem.

Otomi Ottoman

2012-07-02T08:59:00.000-04:00

I love Otomi textiles but I don't own any...yet. This handmade ottoman upholstered with a vibrantly colorful Otomi embroidery would be a perfect start, yes?

Available from Taos-based woodworker Peter Gilroy.

House Page Markers by Suck UK

2012-06-29T08:54:00.001-04:00

I'll never get over book-related stationery items, rainbows, or things shaped like little houses, so enter these adorable page markers from Suck UK:

They're also available in a larger post-it size. I'd better make some room on my desk.

Andrew Neyer

2012-06-28T11:51:00.002-04:00

Andrew Neyer is a Cincinnati-based artist and designer whose cheeky, minimal work really makes me smile. I'm especially fond of this first print, a little art history joke:

De Still

Tote Bag™

Watch Clock

That all-white clock! See more of Neyer's portfolio and find his work for sale at YES.

Neon Clutch

2012-06-27T11:02:00.000-04:00

Oh my, another fantastic color blocked clutch! This one is from Pamplemouss in France:

Neon Clutch

That's my favorite but there are tons more in the Pamplemouss shop. Please don't ever stop, bright color blocking trend.

Phone Rainbow

2012-06-26T10:31:00.001-04:00

Odds are pretty good that you've either ditched your landline or you're thinking about ditching it, but maybe this rainbow of vintage phones from the Etsy shop Ohiopicker will make you reconsider:

More colors here!

DIY Geometric Paper Ornaments

2012-06-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

The only thing I ever enjoyed in the history of math class was making paper icosidodecahedrons, so I think I would dig this super colorful DIY paper ornament set from Field Guide Design:

Hint: Don't wait 'til Christmas!

Koppel Thermometer

2012-06-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

Welp, we can stop making thermometers, because this one, designed by Henning Koppel, is perfect:

Available from Skandium in stainless steel or black; also available as a hygrometer and a barometer.

Color Chip Boxes

2012-06-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

I have instant colorful container love for these Color Chip boxes handmade in Denmark by Nunabee:

They're available in multiple colors in square and oblong from Leif. If you're not familiar with Leif, check out their site, which you can delightfully view by color.

Colorblock Clutch Love

2012-06-20T12:42:00.002-04:00

Will it shock you to learn that I love these minimal and stylish felt clutches, made by Tanya Kotyagina in Moscow? Not likely. They're perfect for someone like me who prefers to keep accessories (and everything else) simple:

White and Orange Felt Clutch

Yellow and Blue Felt Clutch

Turquoise, Blue and Pink Felt Clutch

She's got more clutches, bags, and cases for sunglasses, phones, and passports on sale here.

Confetti Rings!

2012-04-23T17:44:00.002-04:00

I don't usually wear rings--it took me awhile to get used to wearing a wedding band, even--but these confetti rings? Adorable. And minimal and colorful.

And festive and cute! I'm sold. Made by Christine in the Netherlands and available from Twinklebird jewelry.

Austin Outdoor Studio

2012-04-06T11:41:00.000-04:00

If you've been looking for affordable, modern mail boxes and house numbers, look no further. Jonathan Duke, aka Austin Outdoor Studio, has sleek and minimal offerings made of steel that can be painted or left to weather with a lovely patina:

Standard Modern Mailbox

Modern House Numbers

And triple bonus points are awarded from this Texan for everything being handmade in Austin! See more options along with planters and fire pits in his Etsy shop.

Harriet Anstruther and Henry Bourne

2012-04-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

The second photo spread from today's New York Times Style Magazine captures my heart both by design and location, being a 19th century townhouse in London. The house, owned by designer Harriet Anstruther and photographer Henry Bourne, is a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern, unified by glorious pops of magenta and graphic black and white patterns:

Photos by Henry Bourne for The New York Times

Perfection. I have little to add other than when may I move in? See the entire spread here.

Doug Aitken and Gemma Ponsa

2012-04-01T14:56:00.002-04:00

This is the first of two photo spreads in today's New York Times Style Magazine that had me gasping and tearing out sheets for my collection--artist Doug Aitken and Gemma Ponsa's California home:

Photos by Jason Schmidt for The New York Times

I love the light-filled openness of this house, aided by clerestory windows, modern stained glass, and seamless panes that magically float around corners throughout. See more here.

According to the article, the walls that look as if they're covered in vegetation are hand silk screened. It's hard to tell from just the photos, but some of the walls appear to be papered and others look like they've been screened directly. Even Tony can't tell what's what on this one, but unfortunately the artist or company responsible isn't mentioned. For the second photo spread, look to the next post!