We were all inspired this month by the transporting of the space shuttles to and from Washington on the back of a 747. It was a sight that reminds us of the power and beauty of human ingenuity and biomimicry–from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to Steve Jobs’s first iPad. And to think that by the time our children today are in college tomorrow, trips to the moon will be commonplace for those who can afford it… “The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in…

George Gershwin and I have a lot in common… We’re both big into songs about summertime, though mine usually have a little more of a dance beat. We also really like to wear neon in the summer sun. I can’t confirm this statement, exactly, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a photo of him rocking hot pink shades, and that’s good enough for me.         Lisa: Tape My Word For It Last year, we had the pleasure of helping designer extraordinaire Christopher Coleman give a Weston, Connecticut  house an incredible, vibrant color makeover. Though I tend to…

Herb Williams and I should be best friends. We’re both brunettes, big kids, bunny lovers and think outside of the box. The one potential BFF deal breaker: I go ga-ga over the ‘color’ black and he beams over brights. But, I still think we have a fighting chance.   So why do I want Williams and I to have matching charm bracelets? Rather than collecting coins or cars, the 30-something artist covets crayons, using them to hand make witty waxworks that are childlike in nature though often address adult issues like sexuality and social hierarchy. With each original sculpture requiring…

In March, Sony released the DVD version of the Osca-nominated English version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” While DVD artwork can be basic and bland, Sony took advantage of a non-traditional character (and recognizable in-house artwork) and designed the disc art to reflect the nature of the film. It wasn’t just a creative move, but it created a buzz of its own in what has proved to be a great marketing move. Using artwork similar to its Sony DVD recordable product, the design team at Sony Pictures Entertainment created disc art that maximized brand exposure while maintaining a…

Timorous Beasties, the cool London wallpaper and textile brand known for their provocative and surreal designs, is one of my favorites. But, today I discovered another designer who is taking surreal to the max. Carnovsky, the Milan-based design duo, recently released their RGB wallpapers, which have overlapping scientific/gothic images that change to reveal different beasties and illustrations based on the color light splashed over them. Amazing!   By Gavin Strumpman

 Lisa’s Purple Problem Solver… Crocus Petal Purple #2071-40 This month’s color, chosen in honor of my favorite flower – the intrepid crocus– is a powerful one. The hue is cool and royal, fun and feminine, and a bold natural accent indoors and out. Speaking of accents, I’ve recently had to do a bit of redecorating, since someone in my household has a thing for careening into the coffee table, making side tables go crash, and causing general mayhem when it comes to my accent furniture. So we’ve gone soft in the Jasper household, swapping the aforementioned hazards in favor of…

  I just read a blog post extolling the virtues of American “heritage brand,” Dockers. I know, right? While Dockers has been king of the business casual castle since 1986, I’m of the opinion that if a company has only been around long enough to appear in the final verse of “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” then it hasn’t been around long enough to warrant “heritage brand” status. So now that we’ve established the ground rules, let’s discuss my favorite heritage brand, Canada’s 342-year-old Hudson’s Bay Company. As North America’s longest continually operating business, The Hudson’s Bay Company may have…

Believe it or not, PDA isn’t my thing. No one wants to see strangers cooing or cuddling unless it involves a baby or puppy (perhaps even a kitten). Sure, sometimes a smooch on the subway is warranted; a hand hold over hot chocolate can be justified, too. But, for the most part, personal space in public is paramount if you want to play with me. At least, that was my steadfast stance up until 10 minutes ago when my fingers found Design Milk’s post on Touchables, a clothing concept created by New York-based designer Drew Stanley. Fashioned to encourage intimacy…

Don’t get me wrong, I love kids. But, for the past 20 something years I haven’t really loved the idea of having my own….err, until now? Mamas and mama-wannabes, have you peeped the Pin Pres? This playful, poppy push shelf was dreamed up by OOO My Design, and oh my is it cool. Like the Pin Point Impression Steel Toy of yesteryear, the life-sized Pin Pres perfectly adapts to the shape of the item(s) placed on it. And, it’s sure to make cleanup time more fun for tots (I know it would for this big kid). Added awesome factor: it can…

It’s that time of year again–the season of scarves, mittens, and Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks. In celebration of the upcoming holiday festiveness, I’ve asked my colleagues to share their favorite something that’s “red and green.” Surrounded by beautiful Benjamin Moore hues every day, it’s easy to spend an extra few minutes with the color decks to find your personal faves. For me, Cedar Green and Bullseye Red take the Christmas cake: And speaking of cakes, my all-time favorite thing that’s red and green are, no suprise, Little Debby Christmas Tree Cakes. My grandma used to have these fully in stock…