Slinks

Animi Causa: New Israeli design co. and their squishy blanket called "Feel"

Dan Funderburgh: Yee-Haw wallpaper and "killigraphy"

Droog Design: Exercises in Symbolic Seating (this is called "S (h) it on it")

Renovate to Improve a Life: If you DIY, this story will move you

Green Maison dish: Saw this at MoMA months ago. Loved it. Found it again here.

Where are the Housebloggers?: An ingenious Google map of houseblogs around the world

Melbourne Design Festival: Started last week and runs through the 15th

Diamond Spas: Japanese Bamboo Soaking Bath

Variations of the Letter M: Metro and Subway logos from around the world

Great Local Story: Man dies in Minneapolis and gives $1.4m to the city to help rebuild post 9/11. The result? A beautiful new playing field in Chinatown and thousands of bulbs around the city.

Writer's Almanac:

It's the birthday of Julius Caesar

POEM: "Beans in Blossom" by John Clare

Comments (11)

nice swastika-like chair.

posted by jamie beth on 2005-07-12 10:33:11

That Japanese bath tub reminds me of an air filter under the hood of a car. Once you stop seeing that, it's pretty awesome.

I'm very happy not to have looked under the hood of a car since moving to NYC in 1986. Letting my licence lapse in 1987 and not having one since was the best feeling I'd had about cars, since actually getting my licence!

posted by Curtis on 2005-07-12 10:37:51

I'd rather not be looking at a swastika in any form whatsoever, by the way, no matter how clever it's reinterpreted.

posted by Curtis on 2005-07-12 10:39:58

Love the houseblog site.

posted by Pixie on 2005-07-12 10:43:45

Anyone know if Funderburgh actually sells his wallpaper designs to consumers?

posted by Sean on 2005-07-12 10:59:59

Oh wow, that renovation story was great. It's like Extreme Makeover Home Edition without the schmaltz and product placement.

posted by faith on 2005-07-12 11:06:15

i guess sarcasam doesn't come through too well in back blogging, eh? my comment above was TOTALLY sarcastic.

posted by jamie beth on 2005-07-12 11:33:16

jamie beth-I think the sarcasm was clear, but it never hurts to be crystal clear to a fault in such matters in email and other cold media.

posted by Pixie on 2005-07-12 11:46:39

Re Funderburgh-- I loved, loved his wallpaper and also want to know if it is for sale.

Re Houseblog and the story about the friends pitching in to help build a house after the father of the family died --what an inspiration! This is people pulling together in a way that is meaningful and lasting.

posted by Terry on 2005-07-12 12:37:43

The Droog design folks have always pushed the envelope. Not sure in what context this (and the cross table/bench) were created, but I think they were intentionally meant to use symbol to push buttons. I think it funny (and appropriate) that the swastika seat causes everyone seated to look away from each other (in shame? misunderstanding?), while the cross table/bench positions everyone toward each other.

To be clear, I'm NOT supporting the original evil associated with this borrowed-from-other-cultures symbol. Am just saying that this is used here in an intentionally provocative way, in an art gallery type of piece. I don't think they are planning on this coming to WalMart anytime soon.

AND I think one is able to "appreciate" the symbolisim/creation of this piece without being labelled a Neo-anything.

Amazing that a graphic design symbol still maintains such overwhelming power to stir emotion.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-07-12 13:41:44

The thing that DOES disappoint me about that Droog piece is the name. Seems a feeble attempt to apologize for the symbol itself. I think the piece would be stronger with a more generic, less word-play name.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-07-12 15:34:52