Let's Hear it For the Birthday Boy

Happy inauguration eve everyone!  I know that I should be posting a bunch of red, white and blue decor and singing my heart out in celebration of the last day of eight very, very long years.  But, first things first, today is my friend Ben's birthday and we need to give him a shout out before tossing our baton and taking our first inaugural day parade steps.  Our birthday boy is a sound guy, as in, holding boom mikes and recording voice overs.  All of his equipment is pretty ugly (save one speaker case that I stickered for him) and consists of a bunch of techy boy stuff and wires.  I think if Ben really wants to look pro, he should probably give his own personal sound system a boost with any of today's speaker choices.

This universal plug and play system for audio devices was designed by Per Brickstad as his design degree project.  I don't know about you kids but when I was in art school I was surrounded by a bunch of stoners chopping up shopping carts.  I think I might have gone to the wrong school.  Anyway, I hope Brickstad makes these quick, when he does, for Ben's birthday, I will suggest to him that he buys one.  What?  Typing this isn't enough?

If Ben's grandma sends him a check for $2475 for the big 3-7, he could have an MP3 playing iball chair made to his specifications.  Hunter green shell with mint interior?  Whatever you say, birthday face.

These speak-ers are my very favorite speakers ever.  I think Ben should get me 2 for my birthday (psst, ben, may 29th!)

If Ben wants to lay down some bass, he could compliment any of the above sound systems with these precious woofers.  

The next time our birthday boy has a few days off between shoots and is feeling crafty, he could even follow this DIY guide for making his own Munny Doll Speakers.  He will easily be the coolest man on campus if he marches back to set toting these gems.

But, then again, he is a boy, so he would probably prefer to paint something a little more like this for himself:

These custom illustrated speakers by Get The Egg would be a lovely addition to any bachelor pad and shouldn't scare the ladies off at all.

If Ben is more interested in showing his sensitive side he could always go here:

This Concerto Table is sure to woo any young lady Ben decides to invite a lady in to "see his record collection" or "meet his new cat" 

See Ben, aren't you just so glad we're friends?  What on earth would you do without all of my wonderful advice?  

Pompom Phenomenon

A few days ago, Stephanie at super awesome radicool blog even*cleveland posted on all kinds of crafty pompoms, those fuzzy wuzzy balls of good cheer. I've been lusting after a pompom bedspread since summer, so I feel compelled to post an intrablog follow up to show you some more... balls. This time in interiors. Soon, you'll want to sew pompoms onto everything, but control thyself! Balls are very powerful, and require a judicious measure of restraint. So without further ado, here's the pair that first inspired my desire:

I'm not a big fan of the peppermint patty headboard in this Tom Scheerer bedroom, but I love the dreamy quality the pompom fringe brings to the edge of the bed. My dear sweet mother sewed fringe onto EVERYTHING (Couch: check. Every pillow on the couch: check. Curtains: why not?), so I certainly have a nostalgic appreciation for those little dingle berries, as well as a healthy fear for the havoc they can wreak.

But, hark! Here is the very same bedspread featured in Domino (apparently available only through ABC Home and Carpet. Grrr! Why don't I live in New York?), and does it not captivate? The soft texture it adds to rough surfaces and hard lines balance this simple room out beautifully. Please ignore the bleed through from the back page... Miles Redd and his striped rooms are also very powerful stuff.

If you want just a splash of texture, a colorful throw like the one in this lovely apartment featured on Decor8 might do the trick. Oh, and I will also take everything else in this room, please. Thank you.

For a dose of color in an all white room, consider sewing a colorful ball fringe on a white blanket, and hey presto! You have a sexy little number to keep you warm at night. Photo via the Style Files.

An old school chenille bedspread packed with pompoms adds bohemian charm and texture to this bedroom. Plus it makes me want to jump up and down on the bed and scream, "Wheeeeeeeee! I love balls!" Photo via Elle Decor.

Perhaps you'd like to keep your ball lovin' on the down low. Discreet pompoms sewn onto these coverlets are cheeky without resorting to kitsch appeal. Photo via Domino.

Then there's this hot little throw, strewn oh so casually across the bed, that gives me a warm feeling inside. It's tres elegant -- looks very high class and expensive -- but you'll want to spend all night long with it. Photo via Elle Decor.

Speaking of throws, this is -- all kidding aside -- the MOST amazing throw, ever. It comes courtesy of Etsy seller Modern Fiber Lab, and it is worth every penny of its asking price. Felted by hand of wool and mohair using traditional techniques, it's simply the most weirdly elegant pompom pelt in the universe. Period. You know what I want for Christmas next year, so start saving up.

Although I obviously have a crush on pompom bedspreads and throws, you can feel free to spread the balls far and wide throughout your home. Case in point: this crazy rug beckons for your sweet, sweet love down by the fire. Courtesy of Sew Very Prairie.

Karly has a killer pompom pillow that makes her couch look like a million bucks. Be like Karly and bring a little squishy love into your life with these fringe elements. Clockwise from top left: Pillow via Country Home Living, Red or Brown Pillow at World Market on sale for $7.48, Minimal Pompom Pillow Cover at West Elm on sale for $6.99 (indigo only), Handmade Retro Red Pillow at Weezi for $24.98.

If you're crafty, you could sew a line of pompom fringe onto just about anything, like this window cornice. Photo via Domino.

More ballsy craft ideas... or just feel free to buy from the source. Sheer curtains with tiny pompoms available at PB Teen (!), Crazy pompom fringe parrot lamp at Whatiszot Design, Ball fringe blanket at Calypso.

No jokes here, only a gorgeous image that combines a lot of pretty pretty elements all framed by an amazing vintage crocheted curtain dripping with delicate pompoms. Me likey. Picture courtesy of Bohemian Hellhole, a great blog with a great name.

So, don't be afraid cheer for the return of the pompom, because it's time to get ballsy with decor. If these two strapping young bucks could go down out on the fringe, so can you.

Featured Artist (the day before) Friday: Rachel Denny

You may remember, way back at the beginning of the year, we promised a new installment here at Design Crisis: Featured Artist Fridays. Well, tomorrow is Erin's day and I don't want to make you wait another week to meet artist Rachel Denny so, Thursday it is. We first stumbled across Rachel's work months ago and were delighted when she wrote us with kudos on our blog (we love nothing more than compliments around here) bells and firecrackers went off and the angels began to sing when we saw her new work and we knew we had to share it with you. Rachel has a stockpile of stunning works in her wake as well as big designs for the future. Let's start at the beginning:

Green Doe, 2008, polyurethane foam, wood, wool

Upon first seeing Rachel's work my mind went into a whirlwind considering the amount of math, time and planning a single piece must take. Once I recovered from my admiration fatigue, I was struck by the brilliance of the pieces: they seamlessly converge the dichotomous imagery of masculinity and femininity with a thought-provoking balance of serenity and humor. I asked Rachel how she began tying these images together:

I grew up in rural Northern Idaho and Montana and my father would take me hunting as a child. I don't think I ever actually hit anything ( I was very young) but it did make a strong impression on me - the seriousness of the task and the quiet waiting in the forest for hours. There was a lot of wonder and also necessity in it; at that age it seems a bit surreal. The knit pieces just came together and made sense to me with these memories.

Her explanation conjures up memories of my own family history: my grandfather was a hunter and his wife, my grandmother made clothing for the family. Her knit deer would have served as an ideal icon for my own family. Add to the list of accomplishments found in a single Denny piece: the ability to connect with it's audience on a profoundly personal and familial level.

(left) Nordic Knit, 2008, wool, polyurethane foam, wood, thread; (right) Arrow Buck, 2008, polyurethane foam, wood, wool, thread, zipper

Rachel tells me

The first knit piece was intended to be a chromed deer head mount, referring to the carcasses seen on the side of the road, but it proved too expensive to make for me at the time. I played around with the imagery for awhile, looking for a suitable replacement and this juxtaposition came about.

I am from the school of thought that believes that creativity flourishes under restrictive circumstances. While I would never turn a stray chrome deer head away from my living room, I think the knit pieces are so meaningful and stunning (and, of course, proof positive that I am right about that whole creativity flourishing thing, and I love being right)

Blue Doe, 2008, wool, polyurethane foam, wood, thread

Quick! Let's make a list of all the amazing things happening in this room: #1 Blue Doe (obv.) #2 HORSE FIGURINE! & tied for second, Design Crisis Gift Guide approved, Carlos Night Light!

Are you wondering why I didn't mention all that glove action going on in the mirror? Are you thinking I'm a horrible person for putting a silly dog light above what just might be one of the greatest pieces of art ever made? Well then, you're very astute, now aren't you:

Proper Lady

Like Rachel's knit deer, the Proper Lady rug works on so many, often opposing, levels: Repurposing the gloves to warm the feet while simultaneously mimicking a shag rug is genius. I also love that these gloves in particular are generally reserved for the purpose of protecting debutantes and other do-gooders from getting their hands soiled, but in this instance, they are offering themselves up as little sacrificial lambs to be tracked upon by whatever comes their way. Even the draped nature of the gloves makes them appear as though they are bowing down before you. And, well, you know I like that. Let's get a closer look:

By this point I want to crawl inside Rachel's head and poke around awhile to find out how she comes up with these brilliant pieces:

The "Proper Lady" idea began its life as a quilt, but it seemed unfinished - a bit flat and I didn't like the texture on a bed. The piece took on even more meaning when demoted to the floor and I loved the contrast of these prim, ladies gloves as a rug. I like when a work can take on multiple meanings and I also like leaving that up to the viewer because they bring in their own experiences to work.

I appreciate that, like the original chrome deer that evolved into a knit work, Rachel allows the works to speak to her, dictating their own outcome as she goes. I believe it is because of this that her pieces can exist on so many levels. She mentions that she was initially hesitant to let humor show through in her work. Noting "I wanted to be taken seriously, but I feel humor and beauty are often very successful ways to get someone to approach a new idea." I couldn't agree more. I also think it is the existence of humor in her work that adds the final finishing touch to each piece.

Buckshot, 2007, Lead, nails, foam, wood, steel, life size

When sifting through Rachel's portfolio I find the above piece, which appears to be laying the groundwork for her later works: early conceptions of the chrome deer head, and a shag rug that will later take its form in a landscape of lady's gloves.

One of my favorite images on her site is a snapshot of her studio:

Most of the pieces from her current body show themselves in various stages of completion. Rachel mentioned that she is best when kept busy, but the appearance of at least 6 projects here makes my head spin.

And, in case your wondering, that lovely turquoise piece in the bottom left corner now looks like this:

Clover, 2008, angora, polyurethane foam, thread, steel

Unfortunately, someone has already snapped this little guy up, otherwise, I would love to have an angora rabbit in my home. I am sure I could also be quite happy with this:

Antler Buck, 2008, Wool, thread, antler, polyurethane foam, wood

I am so enchanted with how snugly the wool fits each piece. Rachel uses found sweaters rather than knitting the pieces by hand - can you imagine how long that would take??!! -  often felting the pieces before stretching them around the musculature of a deer (that she made herself, mind you).

Unfortunately, you can not currently come to my home to see Rachel's works in person, but you can look for her work at Rare Device in San Francisco this May. She will also be featured on the cover of the Western Humanities Review this fall.  Most works are available for purchase on her site: racheldenny.com