linen cafe apron by Pamela Tang. See more of Tang in my recent Remodelista feature.

Tomorrow is moving day, so not much time to write this week. Instead I leave you with a few pretty springy things for your home. Stay tuned for new shots of mine.

felted cuff bracelet by Loft Full of Goodies

green planter by Catherine Reece

city market bag in chevron

Another of my Etsy favorites, Mclovebuddy is a collection of genuine vintage and mid-century inspired goods. This past winter I coveted their shaggy, faux fur mittens. As the weather warms up, I’m eying their equally inspired satchels. Beautifully crafted from hand-dyed, waxed canvas and leather, these sturdy totes definitely remind of classic camp and beach bags. But with their updated hues and sleeker forms, they’re definitely fit for the modern world.

city market tote, available in hot pink, aqua, plum, and navy

city haversack available in plum, orange, olive

Ipad case, also available in mac book sizes

farmer’s tote available in several styles and sizes

trak stool with reproduction tractor seat

Today I’m enjoying the sleek forms of Plodes Studio. Plodes is a Texas-based, multidisciplinary firm that specializes in everything from product to furniture and architectural design. Representing a unique fusion of organic and modern, their concepts have an intriguing, futuristic vibe. Fluid, nature-inspired silhouettes are both archetypally pleasing and witty. (I can almost picture this chair scampering away like an overblown arachnid.) But their exaggerated size also makes them every-so-slightly monstrous. (Are the mega-barnacles going to siphon me?) In fact these biotic forms, realized in cool, machine age materials, could be a little too “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” were it not for an overriding aesthetic principle. Any bestiality in these sophisticated designs is deftly tempered by pure white finishes which lend an angelic grace. Thus, it is an intricate combination of imagination, beauty, nature, and industry that makes Plodes’ products as much art as functional object.

capsule, a 10″ powder coated, stainless steel vessel

space saver and art all in one – barnacle storage vessels

Tara Mangini and Percy Bright are two of the most innovative, creative people I know. Not only do they have an unerring eye for vintage goods, which they sell through their shop Jersey Ice Cream Company, but they are masters of repurposing. Basically if it’s old, they can make it new. Outdated? They make it fresh. Ready for the dump or wrecking ball? Resurrected. Renewed! They recently performed one of their miraculous transformations on their own home, a 1915 brick townhouse, which they painstakingly renovated room by room. (You can enjoy the before and after shots on Design Sponge here and here.)

One of my favorite upgrades was the recycled lath paneling that they installed over a non-descript wall in the guest bedroom. With this simple, surprising detail they were able to create a cozy, rustic oasis right in the middle of the city. (They will install one for you if you’re in the Philly area or you can see my guest post on Remodelista today for instructions on how to do it yourself.)

But the lath innovation didn’t stop there. Rescuing this obsolete building material from obscurity once again, Percy and Tara continued with their imaginative use of lath, this time creating smaller scale objects for the home. Nesting boxes, storage cubbies and lights made of recycled lath are original and full of character. With their variegated hues and rich textures, they have a wonderful patina and sense of history. But they are also surprisingly modern (not to mention eco-friendly).

If you’d like some of these singular lath goods or other inspired vintage accents, visit Jersey Ice Cream Co.

above and below: Percy and Tara’s lath wall. Custom installations are available to those within striking distance of Philly, or you can check out Remodelista today for DIY instructions.

nesting boxes

ceiling lights

storage cubby

After years in the corporate world as a furniture designer, Emilie launched Gildem “as an outlet for the designs that have been stored away in her sketchbook.” All of her products are exquisitely crafted from natural materials using low-impact processes. Minimally worked for maximum impact, these modern housewares are simply beautiful: effortless, lithe, stunning.

leather storage tote

modern candle holder

shelf

A few days ago I reached out to Andrew Stuart of a t Designs, because I thought the company’s concrete creations would be perfect for “texture week.” The ensuing email exchange revealed that we’re kind of kindred design spirits, both inspired by old stuff, modern design, and the Maine Coast (among other things). This must be why I respond so enthusiastically to a t Designs’ work. It’s evocative of all three!

I am not alone in my admiration. Andrew and his brother, Tom, are rapidly rising stars on the Etsy scene. (a t Designs has only been up since last December and they already have more than 800 fans!) Andrew credits their stunning photographs with at least some of their success. And it’s true that these set designers by trade certainly do know how to bring out the drama in their pieces.

But I feel that the pictures simply serve to reinforce what’s already happening with Andrew’s and Tom’s work: namely an intriguing paradox of material versus form. We often think of concrete as hard and heavy, yet in a t’s hands it is effortless, soft, even romantic. Instead of a weighted slab, a t’s shelf seems to float before the wall. Rather than hanging heavy, their martini lamp has a retro sleekness. And concrete with eggs! Who would ever think to put those two together?! It’s these clever juxtapositions of seeming opposites that establish an electrifying tension in their work.

Moreover, although working in a modern, “engineered” medium, Andrew and Tom cleverly add an aged patina to their pieces (whoo hoo another amazing dramatic contrast!) which lends another dimension as well as a certain “gravitas” to their pieces.

Ok, clearly I could go on and on. Put simply a t Designs‘ has totally made me rethink concrete! I now see it as a texture without which no home is complete!

egg bowl

large bowl

martini pendant lamp

planter/box

close up

small bowl/votive

A few more things about a t Designs:

• Attention interior designers and home renovators, Andrew and Tom also make custom sinks and counters!
• Also, I glossed over the fact that they are set designers, but they are actually really gifted set designers. Check out their site.
• Finally, Andrew makes great prints too.

All photos copyright of a t Designs. Used with permission of the artist.