The Beginnings of a Designer

Trend Alert - Color Blocking - Is it only for fashion?

2011-06-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

Color blocking is everywhere on the runways. Usually around this time, pastels and other muted, soft "spring-like" colors graze the runway. Not this year. Color seems to be the theme this spring.

I think it's awesome. I love color. Especially at this time of year.

I can't wait for this trend to hit the interior design industry and the architecture field. I imagine to a color phobe, the thought of bright pink and fluorescent orange on your walls may freak you out. But if you are bold, why not? You could do different size quadrilaterals in paint on your walls or just frame a bunch of different colors and do a huge art piece. With color, the possibilities truly are endless. Also, paint is a great way to keep your cost down and change your look as often as you'd like.

Here are some examples of Color Blocking for interior spaces. I expect much more to pop up soon...

What an amazing idea for a kids playroom or even an art classroom

Apartment complex. Pretty awesome

Bank lobby in Italy.... I'd give them my money.

Awesome wall clock

See? Color does not have to be scary or daunting. Sometimes a little inspiration is all you need to take the plunge. Just remember too much color can easily result in overkill. If your doing color on your walls, keep the casegoods a neutral color. If you want to incorporate color blocking in accessories and your furniture, keep your walls neutral.

Balance is the key :)

J'adore

Iconic Inspiration - Iris Apfel

2011-06-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

What an inspiration! Apfel 2012??

Herbert Matter

2011-05-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

Excellent post from Dwell. Leave it to them to blow it out of the water with this pictorial post on Herbert Matter. (American photographer and graphic designer who greatly influenced the field of graphic design)

Dwell on Herbert Matter

I am especially fond of him because of his collaboration with Knoll. Not only did he come up with their logo, but he produced some of their best ad campaigns of all time.

Here are a few examples of his work for Knoll

Capital Design

2011-05-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

They did it again.

The 2011 Washington D.C Design house is amazing. If you didn't know, this is the fourth annual DC Design House Designer competition and this year, the home is most impressive. The house is a 1925 Tudor and thanks to this renovation, it is once again ready to be the center of attention. The house is located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Northwest Washington DC and is open for tours until May 8, 2011. (20 dollars and ALL proceeds benefit the Children's National Medical Center)

Here is how it works.

Leading designers from the area enter the contest and once selected are giving a month to transform their respective areas. The architects, designers and decorators are asked to use current industry trends to inspire the daily visitors. Once completed, the house is open for tours and put on the market for sale (currently listed for 4.9 million)

Here are a couple of highlights.

David Mitchell's masculine bedroom features a cowhide floor covering and vintage bird prints

The master bedroom designed by Iantha Carley features gorgeous green and white geometric print by David Hicks

Iantha Carley also designed the dressing room which opens into the master suite

family room by Barbara Francesk


Barbara Franceski of Alexandria furnished the family room with multiple seating areas and lots of textures, including: leather, steel, wood, alpaca and crystal.

Camille Saum furnished this romantic dining room with dramatic French-style chairs covered in yellow patent leather. In a designer twist, she upholstered the backs in floral linen

Click here if you are in the Washington DC area and would like to tour this home

Gray and Yellow

2011-05-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

A hot color scheme this year seems to be yellows and grays. Personally I love those two colors together. You could put them anywhere. Entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, the color scheme is perfect anywhere.

I especially love a masculine mustard and dove gray bedroom.

Check these out

A formal foyer with a bright yellow wall paint and a dark gray trim

Little pops of yellow and calm grays make this room very soothing

Excellent blend of textures, patterns and colors

This bright yellow looks great with these warm topey grays. I especially love the Kravets fabric used on the chairs

I love the contemporary sleekness created by these two hues. The graphic shelves in the back are to die for

I used this room as inspiration for one of my projects. The boldness of the colors mixed with the traditional pieces create a very dramatic Hollywood look

Love the cameo print and the Greek fret like pattern done by the nail heads on the chairs

Gray and Yellow are also excellent choices for the kitchen. Yellow lacquer equals visual gold

Polaroid Explosion

2011-05-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Awesome image from Staudinger-Franke, an Austrian photography studio.

Just a Thought

2011-05-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

Design is art that makes itself useful.

Amazing Pools

2011-05-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

I love a great outdoor space. I love a plush lawn, manicured edges... the whole nine yards. (no pun intended)

I especially love a good looking pool. There's something magical about the sound of water...

I was thinking about the day when I design my outdoor space. I can spend hours talking about what I want and finally end up describing something only Central Park could hold. Regardless, the only thing I need is zen.

Something like this

I am a sucker for infinity pools. They look stunning.... with such a simple design.

Long and skinny pools are great. They are "space" conscious and they look great. Especially lined with a row of lounge chairs. Throw some bold outdoor pillows on them and you have heaven in your back yard.

A great way of adding light and ambiance

Never mind the arches, the tile, the architecture.... the reflection alone.

almost sinful

Prints for Summer

2011-05-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

I love prints. The bolder the better. If done right, you can make a big impact for a little bit of money.

Prints to be on the look out this summer:

Stripes - Simple and clean (black and white wide stripes are perfect)
Geometrics- Greek inspired frets are always stunning
Chevrons - an updated zig zag look to the simple stripe pattern
Ikats (Ikkat) - A tie-dyed like print achieved by a type of weaving (check it out here)

Take a look at these bedrooms from Spanish powerhouse ZARA home

Modern Safari - Neutral contrasting prints make a dramatic statement in this room

Chevron prints can even be incorporated with romantic prints to give it that modern feel

A Perfect touch with the Ikat like throw in a neutral palette. Perfect compliment to the bold walls

I love the look of the Ikat-Chevron printed rug mixed with the bold stripes and modern ethnic touches.

A high glamorous ethnic inspired room achieved by bold prints and an even bolder color

Just a Thought

2011-05-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of May. A fresh day. I always love the first days of the months. The bills get paid, and one can somewhat financially relax.

With that said, a friend showed me this. It's fresh. I just love it. The modern look of this script font is perfect.


Poster by Doyal Young found on Grain Edit read the article here

What's all the fuss with the Royals?

2011-05-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

This....

I will admit it.

I was one of the four people who DID NOT watch the Royal wedding at the ungodly hour. I just didn't care. If the media had not made such a big deal about the wedding, maybe I would have been curious.... who knows? I also didn't like the dress. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the house of Alexander McQueen and I like Sarah Burton (The new creative director).... however the dress was kind of boring. I know Kate "or shall I say Duchess Catherine" isn't Lady GaGa but her entrance was kind of ... womp womp ... But all this fuss about the English got me thinking about my love for the Union Jack... I don't know why... I just find it

A. Vintage inspiring

B. Mod

C. Fun

D. Rich

E. Historical

I think the Union Jack is one of those prints that you can THROW on anything, regardless of the color or the time piece of the furniture. I really looks good with anything. It's one of those "crazy neutrals" I like to use, for something totally unexpected.

Here are some examples

Ben Sherman chair at Macy's

Upholstered chair seen in Spice Girls movie designed by Altrincham in the UK


A reupholstered Union Jack chair from Metro Sofa


Both of these sofas are from Andrew Martin , the Chesterfield Sofa (above) is no longer available, the Armstrong Union Jack Sofa is available here

Jonathan Adler British Flag Pillow. Get it here

I love this vintage piece. It looks like it would be extremely easy to do. This may be an up and coming DIY ... :)

Just a Thought

2011-04-30T20:41:00.001-07:00

Minimalism at its Best

2011-04-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Japanese phenomenon MUJI is THE place to pick up some fabulous finds.

The whole concept of the store and all it's products is very simple; clean. I've had the pleasure of shopping in the SOHO store and it was truly a treat. The whole place was lit beautifully, and the minimalism concept was evident throughout the store. Everything had a clean, relaxing feeling.

The overall look was very effective. I was relaxed and in the mood to find some fabulosity.

If you are ever in Manhattan, this is a must.

SOHO Store 455 Broadway, New York (Amongst many other locations throughout the city)

Don't have access to the Big Apple? Click here to go to the online store.

Some great stuff

The MUJI book

The book offers a unique insight into the company's inspiration and process, and it illustrates the extraordinary lengths MUJI will go to preserve their principles.

Paris City-In-A-Bag

I just love these. A friend of mine bought the New York City version for a mutual friend's birthday and it was a big hit! They are great looking on a bookshelf displayed with some great travel books


Side table

This steal pipe side table is great, especially at 88 dollars!

The beauty that is Mexico

2011-04-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days that San Diego is truly perfect. The weather is perfect and the sun is setting with a gentle breeze coming in through the open windows. Also coming through the open windows are the wonderful sounds of a mariachi band playing through someone's speakers. Something about the music just makes me smile. I'm no stranger to this traditional Mexican music, my mom LOVES to blast this music as she cleans the house.

So with that said this post is in honor of my mom and the beautiful architecture and design that is plentiful throughout Mexico.

Modern Architecture


Borbon (Apartments) Designed by Mexican architects 7XA

A university building inspired by a tree in Sinaloa, Mexico. Designed by Tatiana Bilbao

Homes is Los Cabos

Mexican tiles

Heaven

Trend Alert - houndstooth, not just for your grandfather.

2011-04-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

I first saw houndstooth make a full comeback at the Balenciaga 2011 spring show, to surprisingly awesome reviews (I must admit, I love it... Jaman... not so much)

Then I saw it pop up it the Elle Decor, as a trend to watch this season, and if the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief, Michael Boodro says it's a go, then it's a go.


These upholstered chairs are perfectly magnificent, I must say.

Click on the image below to purchase black and white houndstooth faric by the yard

It's everywhere. What do you think? Personally I love it

Pair these these two together for a dramatic. bold Hollywood Regency inspired look

A simple houndstooth throw on an upholstered vintage stool is the perfect way to incorporate this fresh statement in any room

Check out this AWESOME room divider, perfect for a little kids room!

Case Study Houses

2011-04-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

My love for Mid Modern Century has been elevated since moving to San Diego. Southern California seems to be breeding grounds for Eames house birds and I am not complaining. Everywhere I turn I see a lounge chair worthy of belonging in the MOMA!

Another amazing thing about Southern California is the beauty that is the Case Study Houses (there is one in Phoenix, Arizona and a couple in Northern California)

The Case Study Houses was an experiment sponsored by Arts and Architecture Magazine commissioning working architects of the day to design and build beautiful, practical, yet inexpensive model homes for the housing boom due to the returning soldiers from World War II. This program ran from 1945 until 1966, and all though 36 were planned, only 24 were actually built.

Some noted architects who worked on these projects include :

Richard Neutra

Raphael Soriano ,

Craig Ellwood ,

Charles and Ray Eames ,

Pierre Koenig

Here are pictures of some of my favorites -

Stahl House (#22) Los Angeles, CA. Designed by Pierre Koenig (American Architect)

Eames House (#8) Los Angeles, CA. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames (American Designers)


Bailey House (#21) Los Angeles, CA. Pierre Koenig (American Architect)

Click below to check out and purchase one of the must have books for designers and architects

Click here to book a tour of the never-disappointing Stahl House, CSH #22

The Beginning

2011-04-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow Designers and Design aficionados!

My name is Ivan and I am currently enrolled in design school in the beautiful and sometimes sunny San Diego. I have a crazy passion for anything dealing with design. I love architecture, interior design, product design... I also have a love for anything having to do with typography, graphic design, art...

You get the idea.

I spend most of my days doing homework and when I'm not, I'm either obsessing over the next thing I want to purchase for my home or surfing the web for the newest design blog entry. My daily rituals of reading architecture and design publications has finally reached a terrifying number... So embarrassing...

However, I came up with a solution

I'll just start my own blog. Maybe all those hours of searching for the hottest new skillet or the perfect bedding for my imaginary dream home could finally be put to use.

Here's what you should expect from this blog :

- My journey, joys and frustrations with design school (I will keep the last one to a minimum)

- The hottest trends in Architecture, Interior Design, Fabrics and Textiles, Product and Furniture Design

- Current and past pictorial essays of the above.

- Videos relating to the beauty of design (commercials, music videos, television and movie clips, etc)

- Photos of Inspirations

- You'll see a little bit of fashion... I am totally intrigued in the similarities between emerging trends in both fields of design. Plus I love fashion too.

- You will see up and coming designers, artists, and amazing people making differences in our world.

I hope I have somewhat captivated your attention... Think of this as a place to gather ideas and inspiration. I always think designers should know the importance of collaborating with each other and the beauty that sharing ideas can bring.