The Selby

Portrait of independent artist / writer / musician / filmmaker / curator Aaron Rose at his home in Silverlake, LA by Todd Selby.

I think it's possible I haven't yet blogged about The Selby...? Have I?

The Selby is the amazing photo-blog / website of New Yorker Todd Selby. He mainly photographs interesting creative people in their homes and studio spaces. Almost everyone he photographs has(have?) multiple job descriptions, ie 'stylist / illustrator', ' film director / DJ' and 'student / artist / musician' etc. I get the feeling Mr Selby mixes in all the right circles.

However, it does makes me feel a bit better about being a props buyer / set dresser / stylist / writer. :) (...constantly dreading the 'what do you do?' question)

These from the home of NY-based artist Ian Hundley (who makes incredible quilted maps).

The home of Erin Wasson (model / multi-tasker)

...these shots look so much better in a larger format... check out The Selby for much bigger pics :)

Studio visit - Dani M Designs and Felicity Jane Large

Dani M ceramic handcrafted jewellery by Danielle Maugeri

Last week I popped into the studio of Melbourne jewellery designers Danielle Maugeri and Felicity Jane Large. They share a beautiful, light-filled space in Flinders Lane, which is also home to an eclectic group of graphic designers, illustrators and photographers.

This week Dani and Felicity are having a studio sale where many of their pieces can be purchased at well below retail price... do pop in to check it out this coming Thursday and Friday between 12.00pm-7.00pm, and on Saturday Dec 20th between 10.00am - 2.00pm... not only a great opportunity to support local design and meet the designers, but also a chance to snoop behind the scenes in the gorgeous art deco Carlow House building!

Level 9 West
Carlow House
289 Flinders Lane
Melbourne
(corner of Elizabeth Street, entry via Flinders Lane)

Danielle hard at work (top), and her stunning ceramic pendants waiting to be finished (bottom)

Silver pendants and earrings by Dani M

Peeking beyond the jewellery workshop, the shared studio is also home to independent graphic designers, photographers and illustrators (top image). Felicity Jane Large tweaks her jewellery display (bottom image).

Felicity Jane Large's antique watch faces and vibrant acrylic bangles.

The workspace of incredible illustrator Jeremy Ley

The view - Stunning! Check out those rooftop pools and gardens! Man!

Look at the Wall

Been receiving lots of lovely emails from Australian designers, artists and craftsters recently... Thanks so much for getting in touch! It's always nice to discover someone new in this way...

The latest interesting offering in my inbox is from Melbourne Mum and artist Monique Gaspar, who creates these handmade collaged wall hangings for kid's rooms under the name Look At The Wall. Lots more to see over at Monique's website - and she's also open to custom orders if you have something special in mind.

Banana Case

Do you know what's been missing in your life up until now?

A Banana case of course! Ingenious! No more squashed black bananas in the bottom of your handbag. Plus, apparently these are advertised with the guarantee that 90% of bananas will fit inside the case.

Only in Japan. :)

*update - Thanks for all your comments! It appears this ingenious product has also been spotted in Sweden, Australia, Holland, the UK, and the US... who knew!?

via Pinku

Christmas DIY - part 2

Ohhh sorry, I can't resist... a have to share a couple more Christmas ideas today :)

First up - my new DIY Christmas wreath!


I decorated a large rustic wreath I bought from Cote Provence in Carlton North. They're also available in a smaller sizes. If you're not in the North I've seen similar ones all over town in good florists and also a few upmarket gift-type shops.

The decorations are super-simple - some paper bark I stripped from a tree in Carlton(!), some peppercorn branches and leaves, and some succulent stems, cut and clustered in small recycled glass bottles filled with water. Everything is just tied on with string and wire. Too easy!

I used some of those tiny bottles from Industria in Fitzroy (mentioned here), as well as some little glass juice bottles from the Mediterranean Wholesaler in Brunswick. You could also use small glass jars...

The great thing about this wreath is that it is 100% sustainable! All components are either natural or recycled... the succulents are all in water, which means they'll stay alive and grow roots for replanting later. And the wreath will be recycled every year!


Gorgeous Christmas DIY find number 2 was discovered by my lovely friend Jess... a 'cardboard holiday village' complete with flickering LED lights! This sweet project is the creation of Stephanie who has a great little blog called Even Cleveland. Love it!

Anthropologie Christmas styling

OH excuse me.

Look at these Christmas windows from US super-fabulous homewares/everything store Anthropologie. Australian retailers take note.

via Black Eiffel.

Design Tavern and Ship Shop!

Ship Shop - Gorman's temporary shop by Melbourne's Nest Architects

Last week I received a lovely email from Deakin Architecture student Henry McKenzie, who has recently started up a great new Melbourne design blog called Design Tavern.

I always feel my architecture content is a little bit lacking over here... so its good to know there's a reliable Melbourne architecture source in blog-land! (Of course Henry also covers lots of other creative content, with a particular focus on industrial design and furniture design too).

Anyway do spread the blog-love and pop over to check out Design Tavern! Below are some shots from a great little write-up Henry did of Gorman's 'Ship Shop'. This temporary shop built from a single shipping container was created by Melbourne's Nest Architects.




ps) what can't they make out of shipping containers these days?