IAMTHELAB | Your Handmade Laboratory

LAB Maison: Inspired By Design Seeds®: A Door Tones

Brett — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:01:26 +0000

No week of creativity is complete without a visit to Jessica Colaluca’s Design Seeds. Whether you’re planning to redecorate your space or working on an interior design project for a client, Design Seeds can really help you find great color combinations. Jessica’s palettes are not made by a computer. Instead, she mixes these colors herself with her amazing color-trained eyes. This one is called A Door Tones.

Here are just a few items that I found to coordinate with it. I bet you could do the same. Why not hop over to Design Seeds for yourself? A wonderful world of color awaits you!

via MonkiVintage

via TwentyEight12

via LesMiniboux

via FringeandFettle

via TheBirdOnTheTree

Fridays With CUTmodern: Behind the Design with Kylle Sebree of Furnished/Modern

Brett — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:21:20 +0000

At CUTmodern we think we live in pretty interesting times, where some of the best products are designed and produced by creative local artists. Our site is built around that single concept, where we advocate for small independent designers who create high quality modern pieces for the home.

We support products that last generations, and we’re teaming up with a group of brilliant designers to help tell the story behind their designs while making a difference by reducing the environmental and social impact through the products we sell.

We hope you enjoy the stories we share in this weekly Behind the Design series on IAMTHELAB.com. Today, we’re sitting down with Kylle Sebree of KYLLE Fine Furniture and Furnished/Modern.

Behind the Design: Kylle Sebree of Furnished/Modern

:: How did you get into design of furniture / home goods? How did you go about learning the skills?
I have always liked working with my hands. At university I studied exercise physiology with a minor in art, never thinking the minor would be of any interest. After graduation, my wife and I moved to Hawaii with no jobs and a small savings. I received a job managing a fitness center at a local resort, and after two weeks, I turned in my two weeks. I knew I had to pursue something more creative. I then held a series of odd jobs which led me to work for a finish carpenter. I didn’t like the carpentry work, but I loved working with wood. After a few months my boss saw some of the furniture I built for our home and made the comment that I could make a living at it. Totally surprised, I was all in from that moment on.

I found a formal school where I could learn the basics of woodworking (which happened to be in San Diego) and within a year my wife and I were living in California. I was even more fortunate by gaining an apprenticeship under one of the area’s best studio furniture makers. The next year I applied to a couple schools where design and craftsmanship would be emphasized the most. I was accepted to the Inside Passage School of Fine Woodworking in British Columbia. I feel like the time spent there is what gave me the confidence to get out on my own and pursue my dream.

:: How long does your design process typically take?
That is hard to say. I feel like I’m the type that has an idea in the back of my head and it might sit there for a few months, almost like my sub-conscious is working out the kinks before I put it to paper. So, probably a lot longer than it should take. But after it’s on paper, which usually consists of a very rough sketch, I might move to using cardboard to get an idea if the proportions look right. On some of my custom pieces I will do a full-scale mock up with an inexpensive wood such as poplar. But on the contrary, the lamp consisted of no drawings or mockups; just a lot of time holding four sticks of walnut together, shaving them down until I liked the shape. Then, figuring out how to join the four sticks at the top, all in all, about four days worth of “that doesn’t look right.” I haven’t found that one way to work is better than the other, but it is all an enjoyable process. I usually learn more about myself along the way than I do about design.

:: What piece(s) of work are you most proud of?
Probably the first piece I completed after getting out on my own, the curved Claro Walnut coffee table. I always prefer, when possible, to use wood that has been air-dried and not baked in a kiln. The air-dried wood maintains a color and workability that can’t be found in kiln-dried wood. So with this piece, I was able to mill the wood from tree, to work bench, then into a final piece, a rare opportunity for sure.

:: What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I love the ocean and surfing has been a part of my life since a teenager. I really enjoy gardening too; nothing beats homegrown veggies!

:: What would you do if you weren’t an artist/designer?
The total other end of the spectrum, a businessman, one who wears Italian suits everyday with no socks and has enough frequent flyer miles to upgrade to first class every time he travels with the fam.

:: What are some of your favorite blogs or design resources?
I am not a big blog follower and rarely go to them for inspiration, but I know there is great material out there. Most of my work so far has been inspired out of the need for it in our own home; I love the creative process when it comes directly from a need. I do get inspired from the network of designer/woodworkers I follow on Instagram, particularly the people in Japan. I find their style of woodworking/design and attention to detail to appeal to my aesthetic.

:: Are you digital? If so, where can we find you?
Instagram – kyllesebree

Connect with CUTmodern:
STORE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | TUMBLR | PINTEREST

Fresh Finds from Chisel & Mouse

Brett — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:20:51 +0000

Brothers Gavin and Robert Paisley have undated their Chisel & Mouse collection and I wanted to share some of the changes. If you are a fan of architecture, then you will love having one of these reproductions in your handmade collection. Like most good artists, the Paisley brothers are always looking for ways to improve their art. Hence, they’ve made two really significant adjustments.

The first one is that they’ve removed the building name from the plinth (the base), making the sculptures look cleaner and sharper. The second adjustment is even more significant: the sculptures can now be hung on a wall. I’m really excited about that one, because all I could think of, when I first featured these fantastic works of art, was what in the world would I do if I somehow knocked it off my desk or shelf. Now that you can fasten them to the wall, clumsy folk like myself have less chance of ruining them. Oh, and they look pretty fantastic on a wall, as you can see in the images.

The brothers have been busy, not only perfecting their craft, but also adding some new pieces to the collection. Be sure to click on any of the images to check out the entire collection. I totally want them all!

Hoover Building

Hepworth Gallery Wakefield

Arsenal Stadium

Guggenheim Museum

Cincinnati Union Terminal

Connect with Chisel & Mouse:
SHOP | TWITTER | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK | BLOG

Spinning to Perfection: The Handmade World of Dahlhaus

Brett — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:01:22 +0000

High on my to-do list is to go to visit a ceramic studio and observe an artist at work. There’s something so mesmerizing about the entire process. I think it would be amazing to watch the potter’s wheel in motion, to see hands shaping unformed lumps into works of art and to witness the finishing touches. One day, It will happen. Until then, I can enjoy from afar artists like Heather Braun-Dahl.

Just take a look at her amazing work, as featured in her Dahlhaus shop. Exqusite forms and gentle colors combines together to make practical pieces for a beautiful handmade life. Check out this video to see Heather at work:

dahlhaus hand-made from dahlhaus on Vimeo.

Here’s the concept behind Heather’s collection:

Dahlhaus is inspired by the concept of connection and community within an urban, modern setting. Rooted in an interest in abstract painting, combined with a nod to the Bauhaus art and architecture movement from the 1920′s, dahlhaus strives to connect art to life in both a practical and conceptual way.

I love the idea of connecting art to life. My goodness, what would life be like without art? Not living, that’s for sure. Here are a few pieces from the Dahlhaus collection. Click on any of the images to see the entire collection for yourself.

Connect with Dahlhaus:
SHOP | ETSY | HOME | BLOG | FACEBOOK

Old School Clocks

Brett — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:02:13 +0000

Looking for something a little different to put on your walls? How about one of these really unique timepieces from Old School Clocks. I recently had a chance to chat with L Sweene, the owner of Old School Clocks. Here’s what he shared about his process:

LAB: Most people don’t look at old reels of audio and think “I’m going to make a clock.” What was the inspiration behind your creations?
L Sweene: I work in the entertainment industry, and I love the tools of my trade. Using them is part of what makes my job fun. I’ve never met a cameraman or an editor who didn’t just LOVE looking at gear.The stuff just looks sexy. Thats never changed. And most of us have a real respect for how our gear has evolved. So really thats my inspiration.

I started collecting old cameras, then film reels, then one day I came across all these vintage audio reels from the 50s thru the 80s. Someone had meticulously kept track of all their musical recordings. The artwork on the boxes were gorgeous and all this stuff was just sitting in a thrift store. I wanted to give these reels a chance to be viewed again and not just that. I wanted to preserve their little slice of history because thats really why we enjoy vintage anything right? So when I recycle an item, I try to include everything that came with it; boxes, handwritten notes, etc. So when the customer gets the piece they can discover its story. So in short, I didn’t think “what can I make into a clock?”, I found these audio reels and asked myself, what is the best way that I can preserve this item’s story and make it relevant again.

LAB: How long does it take to make them?
L Sweene: It takes about two to three days total just to let adhesives and paint dry. Other than that its all about determining the best route to assembling all the pieces.

LAB: Do you have a favorite?
L Sweene: My favorite changes every time I build a new one but if I had to choose one …. yeah I can’t sorry. Ha! Some I like just for the clock but others have really rad box covers. Do you have a favorite?

I think my favorite is the first one I featured, the Vintage 16mm Film Reel Clock. I’m a fan of vintage finds and that one really appeals to me. OK, readers: which one is your favorite? If you purchased one of these cool clocks, where would you put it?

Connect with Old School Clocks:
SHOP | FACEBOOK

Checking in with Grain

Brett — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:27:37 +0000

James Minola and Chelsea Green continue to amaze me with their incredible talent and imagination. Grain is one of my favorite shops on the web, and for good reason. This talented duo exercise an exceptional understanding of creative restraint and intuitive design. Here are a few of the new items in the Grain shop.

How gorgeous are these Stick Candle Holders? A striking combination of graphite, ash, and brass, this handsome candle holder would look great just about anywhere in your interior spaces. Like everything in the Grain shop, they’re made with the environment in mind and a portion of the proceeds are passed to 1% For The Planet, Grain’s charity of choice.

James Minola and Chelsea Green // Grain

From their sublime pillows to the incredible details featured on the Stitch Round Mirror, the team at Grain continue to push the boundaries of modern handmade design. Their expert blending of traditional and contemporary styling with master craftsmanship means that a product from Grain will stand the test of time.

Connect with Grain:
SHOP | FACEBOOK | BLOG

LAB Freebies: 7 Free Desktop Wallpapers & 110 Free Fonts

Brett — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:35:13 +0000

Looking for some creative freshness for your digital life? Try one of these 7 free desktop wallpapers and 110 free fonts.

For the wallpapers, just click the images and download them from their original LAB posts. Links have been provided for all the fonts. Be sure to check with each font maker to find out what the usage rights and restrictions are. Most of them can be used for both commercial and personal projects. Enjoy!

p.s. If you’re one of my email subscribers, feel free to share this with your friends & co-workers!

✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖✖

1. Ananda by Ananda K. Maharjan / 2. Cony by Serge Shi / 3. Ever After by Michael A. Hernandez Jr. / 4. Figa by Pier Paolo / 5. Futura Custom by Frank Hemmekam / 6. Homizio by Álvaro Thomáz / 7. Little Days by West Wind Fonts / 8. Liquor by Bayley Design / 9. Serifiqo by Sergiy Tkachenko / 10. Zwodrei by Artill Fonts

1 & 2 Sullivan by Lost Type / 3. Silverfake by Alexey Frolov / 4. Ribbon by Lost Type / 5 – 7 Lovelo by Renzler Design / 8. Janda by Kimberly Geswein / 9. Kabel by Mathias Nösel / 10. Archive by astronaut design

1. Anjelika Rose Hollow / 2. Bold Dot Digital-7 / 3. dubble trubble / 4. Fette Bauersche Antiqua UNZ Pro / 5. Grand Hotel / 6. Minimal / 7. pxlxxl / 8. Revofit by Drakoheart / 9. SuastOrnad tfb / 10. Tomsk

1. Astroman by Darren McArdel / 2. Hapna Mono by Mariya V. Pigoulevskaya / 3. Oslo by Michelle Mattar / 4. Alt Juli by Alt Foundry / 5. Facunda by Bu! / 6. Pixacaism by PAÍSM / 7. Portal by Fontfabric / 8. Quad by Fontfabric / 9. Val Fontfabric / 10. Digital 7 by Style-7

1. Oranienbaum by Ivan Gladkikh & Oleg Pospelov / 2. Fenix by Fernando Díaz / 3. Origram by Nuno Dias / 4. Structr by Andrew Footit & Virtue84 | Creative Studio / 5. Vetka by Ruslan Khasanov / 6. Construthinvism by Pedro Fernandes & 4838DESIGN / 7. Satellite by Matt Yow / 8. BillMoney by Jeff Schreiber / 9. Ridge by Erika Noel Mackley / 10. Noodle by babuino

1. Attitude by Emil Kozole / 2. Axe by William Suckling / 3. Nougatine by Fabien Laborie / 4. Jonanna by Adrià Gómez / 5. Magna by Hendrick Rolandez / 6. Mosaic Leaf by Lukasz Kulakowski / 7. Cassannett by atipo / 8. Otama.ep by Tim Donaldson / 9. Tetra by MRfrukta / 10. GRN Burgy by Marco Goran Romano

Connect with IAMTHELAB:
SHOP | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM

Ten Dollar Fonts: THINGBATS

Brett — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:21:00 +0000

I love this week’s offering from Ten Dollar Fonts shop. This weeks pick is from Xavier Cervelló . It’s called Thingbats Mono Typefont and it is definitely a must have. Not only is the font super clean, but the special characters are so useful. You can grab it now from the TDF shop for only $10, $20 for commercial use. Be sure to use discount code BETYPE2013 for a sweet 10% off.

Connect with Ten Dollar Fonts:
SHOP | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Super Cool Art from EarlyHours

Brett — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:01:42 +0000

One of my favorite artist, Alexandra Ethell has added some fresh art to her earlyhours shop. Alexandra has such a unique way of blending vintage images and graphic designs, she’s in a class all by herself. I know I’ve never seen anything like her work anywhere, and trust me, I’ve seen A LOT of art!

Connect with earlyhours:
SHOP | FACEBOOK

New to the LAB: Fantastic Art from Villavera

Brett — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:12:15 +0000

I’ll let you in on a little LAB secret: I’m a little obsessed with Villavera. I should probably preface this by telling you how I go about finding artists. Some I find by searching through the various directories on Big Cartel & Etsy. As much as I have a love/hate relationship with Etsy (It’s all love for Big Cartel. Sorry, Etsy.) I do really like the Activity feature that is fed by the artists that I follow. From time to time, I will venture into the artist’s Favorites list to see what and who they follow and like. It makes sense really, because if I like the artist’s style, chances are I will like what they like. That’s how I found Villavera. I’ve been savoring Silvio’s shop all week and I’m super-thrilled to introduce it to you.

Truth be told, Silvio doesn’t give much info about him/herself, so the art is just going to have to do the talking. That’s the way it should be anyway, right? So, I’ll say that whomever Silvio is, they must enjoy bold graphics, delicious colors and parrots. I so want that parrot print! Check out these few finds from the Villavera shop, then click on any picture to see the whole shebang. And if someone wants to send me that parrot…

Connect with Villavera:
SHOP | TWITTER

Fun & Fresh Handmade Baubles from Starlight Woods

Brett — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:11 +0000

The story behind the Starlight Woods shop really highlights the ingenuity and the creativity of the handmade community. Lisa DiSciascio survived a number of really crazy storms in the summer of 2011. With the power out and the neighborhood in shambles, Lisa decided to take a hike in the woods near her Pennsylvania home. Her already present love for nature and recycling inspired her to drag a beautiful piece of birch back to her home. What started out as a project with her daughters has turned into one of the most successful eco-friendly jewelry collections on Etsy.

I think what I love about Lisa’s Starlight Woods shop is the diversity. So many offerings, all of them stylish and fresh, in a dazzling array of colors and patterns. With a great price point and a ton of options, you just have to stop by and take a look.

Connect with Starlight Woods:
SHOP | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Grab a Handmade Bag from MUNI

Brett — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:19:07 +0000

Imagine walking down the street with one of these fab handmade bags from MUNI and someone stopping you and asking, “Where in the world did you get that fantastic bag?” Can you just see the surprised look on their faces when you say Lithuania?

See, that’s what happens when we embrace the global handmade community: Amazing finds from talented fellow humans, sharing space on this Big Blue Marble. Oh, and you get to walk away looking like the handmade diva that you are.

How can I say it any better than Monika, the creative brains behind MUNI:

“Each item on my shop is designed and handmade by me in my  home studio with a lot of passion, joy, care and attention. MUNI are handmade accessories that are inspired by mountains, forests, colors, dreams and simply everyday life.”

Mountains play a huge role in Monika’s current collection. There are a ton more great finds in the MUNI shop. Be sure to click on any picture to see the entire collection.

Connect with MUNI:
SHOP | FACEBOOK