olympic design-bot

It's official, I've been completely overtaken by the olympics. I am now a giant Karly-shaped android here to tell you about Michael Phelps' gold medal bid over and over and over again. I love the games but I really don't want to hear one more word about my boyfriend's relay race with the French swimming team. It was awesome, I got it. Here's how much the olympics have taken over my brain: did anyone notice the little costumes worn by Finland's athletes during the parade of countries during the opening ceremonies?

uh, huh. that's right. Maija Louekari for Marimekko, bitches. Of course those sportsters are a dang season late, how much cooler would those have been last year? But, we've all seen the freaky gymnasts in their scrunchies so the Finns are really doing great by olympic standards. Don't worry, this is still a design blog. Check out the dress in it's original conception:

so cute. I might choose not to squat while in the dress, but cute none-the-less. Maija is quite prolific, check out more of her fabric designs:

She's also the designer behind these Marimekko faves:

Aarre Dinnerware

Dadel Fabric, Nuppu Fabric, and Nonparelli Fabric

Some lesser-known Louekari pieces:

Tablecloth designed for the New Dining Luxury exhibition 2004

I love this, I really want to make a version for my 6 top table. My guests will hate me. ha ha.

Tree for hanging stuff taped to wall.

I've seen a few things like this around lately, I'm pretty sure ferm has a version. I'm willing to bet that Maija's electrical tape tree was one of the first.

Did I mention that the Marimekko commissioned designer who just had her prints represent an entire country in front of billions of people was born in 1982? I have to go make myself a shot and design some fabric made from my very own, very real tears.

Ikea: Just Don't Buy Their Furniture

I hate to admit that I sort of like Ikea. I mean, once I recover from the 1 hour drive through heinous traffic, tune out the 5 gajillion screaming kids and leave a trail of breadcrumbs to help me through the endless labyrinth of cheaply made (but cheap!) furniture, I usually find more than a few gems. Last week Karly and I took a spin through the showroom and yesterday I drove all the way back there AGAIN to return a poopy bedskirt (why are good bedskirts so hard to find???), so I feel pretty darn well acquainted with all of Ikea's current offerings. Most of them cater to the first apartment crowd with a healthy dose of suburban family for good measure, but Karly and I both agree that the textiles freakin' rock! Check out this mod take on the Suzani trend:

I think it would make a super upholstery fabric for an accent chair, perhaps on a Danish teak for added warmth and depth, or maybe it could punch up some sleek white lacquered number...

There were so many great choices it was more than a little overwhelming, but I do love these:

Ok, and these:

AND these!

Can you tell I'm really feeling a black and white color palette, with pops of summery brights just to kick things up a notch or three?

These are all fabrics by the yard, so if you're sewing challenged like moi you'll have to bribe your crafty friends or family members to help you out with major projects. Even for the craft impaired, I don't think it would be too difficult to whip out some pillows, curtains, or redo seat pads on chairs. Just remember that with graphics as bold as these, a little goes a long way. You don't want your house to look like this.