Hello, Everyone! Today's featured Photographer is Atsushi Shimizu of Tokyo, Japan. Shimizu likes Tokyo and Japan, and is proud to be Japanese. Atsushi Shimizu states, "Japan is a very beautiful country, there is a beautiful culture." Being born in January, one of Shimizu's favorite videos is 'January in Japan', featured below. After viewing 'January in Japan' today, it is one of my favorites, too.  To learn more about Atsushi Shimizu, please check out Shimizu's about.me page. Below, is a snippet of Atsushi Shimizu's page!

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured Designer is Anne Rufin of France. Rufin is a recent graduate and holds a Master in 3D Animation from Bournemouth University. She specializes in Animation and Visual Development. To see Anne Rufin's Character Design Portfolio, and learn more about her work, please check out her about.me page. Below, is a snippet of her page and a video presentation of some of her work!

Arcosanti, an experimental town founded and designed by Paolo Soleri. Image courtesy of Al_HikesAZ at Flickr

Hello, Everyone! Today's features Architect, Paolo Soleri, The Prophet in the Desert.  I learned of Mr. Soleri while updating blog links for this blog.  The video trailer is for the documentary The Vision of Paolo Soleri: Prophet in the Desert, and features this great architect's exceptional accomplishments, which began in the '70s, toward his prophetic foresight of today's state of our world. 

This video, also, gives us a glimpse of Paolo Soleri's agelessness; he was still active toward achieving his goal(s) well into his 90s!  Watch him ride his bike!  Like Mr. Soleri, obviously did, I've set my mind to be totally active, ageless and productive well into my 90s and beyond.  Based on what I've seen so far, I think he is another good example of a long, positively-productive life. 

A few interesting facts about Paolo Soleri are:

Copper Gerber Daisy

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured abstract is 'Copper Gerber' by Hugo Cruz. It is a painting of a Gerber Daisy on real copper plate. The glossiness of the painting adds to it beauty, for me. I think it is gorgeous!

Cruz is passionate about three distinct art forms: Metal Art, Infrared Photography and Acrylic Painting. In the following video we see an expression of his passion for Acrylic Painting with the gorgeous 'Copper Gerber'. I say,

HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite

Home Quick Planner

DWR's 3D Room Planner

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is an online 3D modeling tool by Design Within Reach (DWR), utilized for visually arranging/staging furniture and accessories in a home or office. Utilizing the 3D modeling tool should aide in making purchasing decisions of DWR's funiture and accessories.





DWR's shoppers may upload the blueprints of their interior spaces to the 3D Room Planner. Once the shopper(s) do that a team of in-house designers convert the blueprints into floorplans that are workable. Then, shoppers/users can alter the colors, textures, patterns and dimensions of walls, windows, doors and floors to resemble their own existing rooms in 2D and 3D (two-dimensions and three-dimensions).

I can imagine the delightful possibilities with this tool. I love, love, love online tools like this! You may enjoy this one, too!

Il Girasole, A House Near Verona

Il Girasole

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is an award-winning film by Marcel Meili and Christoph Schaub which tells the story of 'Il Girasole', the rotating modernist house built into the Po Valley hillside in northern Italy. Affectionately termed 'The Sunflower', this house was built in the 1930s by architects Angelo Invernizzi and Ettore Fagiuoli, with the help of their artist, sculptor, designer and architect friends.

For more about 'The Sunflower' house: Il Girasole. A House Near Verona.

Developing the Architecture of the Workplace: Gensler

Gensler's Office Design

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature highlights the Gensler Architectural Design firm's design of their San Francisco office.

In this video Scott Dunlap, Gensler's Managing Director, takes us on a tour of their workspace, which showcases Gensler's creativity with design that encourages client participation, fosters collaboration and has great views.

You may like to read Developing the Architecture of the Workplace: Gensler, as well.

Star Legacy Brass Urn with Velvet Bag, Sky Blue Radiance

The Blueware Collection

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is of Studio Glithero making their Blueware vase collection.

In the January issue (W*142), Wallpaper* investigates the increasing trend for designers to desire an audience for their creative processes. There was a time when designers used to be the people 'behind the scenes', these days it is 'the making of' things by designers that everyone wants to see. One such design team is Studio Glithero (Sarah van Gameren and Tim Simpson). An important part of their process is to produce films that document the making of their products in an attempt 'to capture the spirit that exists in the moment that things are made'.

In this video Gameren and Simpson documented the making of their latest Blueware collection. Plants are pressed and dried before being attached to the surface of the vase. The vases are then exposed to a UV light on a rotating spit, causing them to change colour while leaving a clear white silhouette of where the plants were attached. The vases are then rinsed in a special type of acid to reveal a deep blue hue which contrasts beautifully with the ghostly white shadow of the plants. Beautiful!

Designing Interiors with Tile: Creative Ideas with Ceramic, Stone and Mosaic

Perennial Ceramic Mosaic Ann Sacks Tile

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is a look at the design inspiration and craftsmanship of the ceramic mosaic tile, 'Perrenial'.

'Perrenial' is a hand-made ceramic tile as it is cut, glazed and fired by hand.  This level of hand-crafting allows for a tremendous amount of expression in colors, forms and line.  'Perennial' is available in organic, geometric and custom designs.

Beautiful craftmanship; gorgeous tile designs!!  Enjoy.

Dries Van Noten: Shape, Print and Fabric (Cutting Edge)

Dries Van Noten RTW Spring 2011


Hello, Everyone! Today's featured fashions are of the Spring 2011 Dries Van Noten Ready-to-Wear collection.  There are so many gorgeous ensembles that I admire in this collection; too many to list!  Enjoy!

Cristobal by Balenciaga for Women, Eau de Toilette

Balenciaga RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured Ready-to-Wear Spring 2011 fashion collection is from Balenciaga.  My favorite ensembles are the shimmery fuschia tops & black pants.  Enjoy!

Givenchy Travel Mini Set

Givenchy RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone!  Today's featured fashion designs are of the Givenchy Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection.  Among these lovely designs, my favorites are the black and white pants coat ensemble and the cream pants suit.  Enjoy!

Bottega Veneta Pelle Sneaker for Infant Boys (Sand)

Bottega Veneta RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone!  Today's featured fashions are Bottega Veneta designs from the Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection.  Among these beautiful fashions my favorites are the pant suits, the gold dress and shorts suits.  Enjoy!

Ann Sacks Tile & Stone

Beau Monde ROSE - Ann Sacks Tile

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is an introduction to the design inspiration and craftsmanship of the patterned stone tile, 'Beau Monde Rose'. I'm a fan of roses and tiles, so the Beau Monde Rose tile is a fabulous combination of these two loves.

Beau Monde tile are designed using a style inspired by the ancient mosaic art form, 'pietra dura'.  The tiles are water-jet cut and the Rose pattern is created using four different stones: crystalline pure white, cream marble, peach marble and honey onyx.  Aren't they gorgeous?!  And the artisans that create them are so talented.  Beautiful work, beautiful design!

Style & Co. Multi-Colored Platform

Celine RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured designs are by Celine from the Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection. These designs look like 'comfortable elegance'! The fabrics look so comfortable, as if they just glide over one's skin. Enjoy!

Christian Dior Les Parfums Miniature Collection 5 Piece Set

Christian Dior RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured designs are from the Dior Ready-to-Wear Spring 2011 collection. Among the gorgeous designs my favorites are the pastel pink dress, the red lace gown, the Chartreuse dress and the Butter-colored dress. Enjoy!



KOHLER K-16256-CP Margaux Robe Hook, Polished Chrome



Margaux Bath Faucets

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature is a look at the versatile 'Margaux' line of bath faucets which integrate equally well with contemporary or traditional-style bathrooms. You'll see for yourself in the video's bathroom!

The featured bathroom is exquisite and the 'Margaux' bath fixtures are among my absolute favorites in fixture design; absolutely gorgeous! I love the sleek combination of feminine curves w/ crisp masculine edges -- a marriage of design features that the lady and the man of the home will both appreciate.

Stella McCartney Stella Rollerball Set

Stella McCartney RTW Spring 2011

Hello, Everyone! Today's featured fashion designs are from the Stella McCartney Ready-to-Wear Spring 2011 collection. Among the lovely pieces my favorites are the cream coat w/ pants and the charcoal-black pants suit. Enjoy!

Kohler K-14292 Moxie Wall-Mount Lavatory

Cabachon

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature:  Designer Jamie Drake talks about the inspiration for this glamorous, colorful powder room. My favorite design features in this room are the stainless steel mesh-wood screen, the shaded sconces, the toilet, the Moxie lavatory, the mother-of-pearl polka-dot laquered panel and the striped swag chair. This powder room looks like beautiful art!

Kohler Pedicure Spa K-163-0

Aquaessence

Hello, Everyone! Today's feature: Designer Laura Bohn discusses her vision for this tranquil, spa-style bathroom. This bathroom does look like one in which I'd want to linger in after a rose-scented bubble-bath or shower, lounging on the chaise in a thick, luxurious terry cloth robe, reading a book, with essential-oil-scented beeswax candles burning while listening to instrumental jazz or classical music, with a snack-bowl of mixed nuts and a drizzle of raw honey on them. To say the least, this bathroom's tranquility-inducing design is inspiring!