Hasta La Ideas The Adventures of Star Wars Figurines in Nature Archives

Jan 05

Top Five from Module R

Our favorite items from the flexible-use design retailer

Last month’s opening of the new Brooklyn design store Module R marked a welcome addition to the world of affordable design for small urban spaces. Every item bears some kind of modular quality, appealing to people who favor customizable furnishings with DIY personality. The following five items are our top selects from the online store.

BIRDs

This historic toy design was recently re-introduced by Danish company ArchitectMade. The simple birds are equipped with rotating heads and swappable torsos, giving them an infinite variety of moods from curious and excited to morose and tuckered-out. The family of birds spans generations from children (the small ones) to grandparents (the short, fat ones) in a mix of natural and smoked oak.

Sugarcane Wall Panels

There’s a fairy tale quality to the composition of these customizable wall panels made from sugarcane byproducts. The natural material is biodegradable and easily cut to the desired dimensions with a household blade. An economical and potentially inspiring design solution, the wall coverings can be painted or left as is.

Stix and Stones Necklace

The magnetized components of this geometric necklace give the wearer freedom to change up one’s bling on a whim. The “stix” come in the form of stainless steel rods of varying lengths with magnetic ends and are accompanied by the “stones,” or metal marbles that react to the rods. The necklace is available in sets of six or 14 pieces.

Gagnon Studio Grid Wall

We love the asymmetrical design of this divider, perfect for those living in cozy studio apartments. The grid gives your room a nice sense of separation while retaining the room’s visual space. With the option to hang from the ceiling or affix between vertical supports, this screen works in practically any space.

Table Table

A perfect and simple solution for people with spacial restraints, the polygonal pieces of this customizable table can be combined in a number of different ways. The table is made from folded aluminum, with personalized color finishes available upon request.

Dec 29

Best of CH 2011: Five Books

Posted in: 2011, parks, topfive

Profane grammatical stylings, an inside look at NYC’s elevated park, an insane beer can collection and more in our look at the best tomes of 2011

The digital era isn’t stopping writers with a clear purpose for a printed publication, and readers are just as eager to get their hands on a bit of paper that will stimulate their mind and sit well on their shelves for another read another day. Below are the top five books on Cool Hunting that made an impact on 2011.

Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design

The first retrospective book on the 20th century’s film title master, “Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design” shows the legendary visual communicator’s full spectrum of work, spanning his graphic wizardry to album and book covers, typefaces, packaging, retail displays, a hi-fi system, toys and a postage stamp.

The Elements of F*cking Style

A modern parody of Strunk & White, in “The Elements of F*cking Style authors Chris Baker and Jacob Hansen address everything from common questions like “What the hell is a pronoun?” to conundrums like “Does not using paragraphs or periods make my thesis read like it was written by a mental patient?”

High Line: The Inside Story

The founders of NYC’s park in the sky recount their ten-year journey in “High Line: The Inside Story.” The intimately detailed book offers valuable insight on all of the planning and production that went into creating the beloved elevated park, as well as photos of the stretch before it became an urban gem.

My First Dictionary

“My First Dictionary” uses cleverly corrupt definitions to teach big kids the facts of life. Inspired by “The Giant Picture Dictionary for Boys and Girls,” first time author Ross Horsley’s humorous take is perfectly accented by charming Norman Rockwell-esque illustrations taken from the original 1977 children’s book.

Beer

After documenting the astonishing assortment of cans found in his step-dad’s Midwest basement, San Fracisco-based designer Dan Becker created “Beer” along with fellow designer Lance Wilson. The book handsomely captures a beer can collection that spans seven decades and 32 countries.

Hasta La Ideas

Top Five from Module R