Nicole LaFave is the San Francisco, California-based founder and graphic designer of Design Womb. This is a port to share, show & tell. Expect food, pugs, paper & design.
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Tuesday November 15th, 2011
The hardcover book, PANTONE The 20th Century in Color would make a great addition to any coffee table or office space. I am starting to gather gift ideas for my Design Womb gift guide blog posts, and some of these extras may or may not make it on the list. Designer or not, who wouldn’t want to look at color and palettes for inspiration.
Friday October 28th, 2011
The idea is simple. No more programming, no more constantly changing the temperature all while conserving energy and saving money. The thermostat is designed to teach itself in a week to keep you comfortable and save energy. The design is built to reflect the surface it sits upon to help blend into the wall, but it’s a cute little guy even if it didn’t. Of course, the CEO & Founder, Tony Fadell also went to the University of Michigan school of engineering, so my boyfriend (& I) loves this even more. Go Blue! Go Nest.
Monday October 17th, 2011
A month or so ago I read an article about how ambient light can disrupt sleep and can lead to all sorts of odd health problems. I started using my blackout travel eye mask that I usually take on the airplane in my own bed. Though at first it was a stretch, I have really gotten used to it. I’ll be honest. My black out eye mask isn’t very “sexy” but these Otis Batterbee cotton velvet masks at Liberty London are pretty cute. They also make a perfect little girly gift for just about any occasion.
Tuesday October 11th, 2011
This bad boy belongs in my house. With my future black pug. And my future self in pajamas, snacking on some caramel corn on a cool fall night. The Pelican Chair was designed by Finn Juhl in 1940, 71 years ago and it still manages to maintain its forward-thinking edge. Chair design like this makes me swoon for furniture and sparks a tiny part inside that yearns to have my own chair design manufactured someday. I wonder what that process entails!? You can find the Pelican Chair for sale at Design Within Reach. I just texted Jean-Pierre to bring back caramel corn from his grocery store run. A girl can pretend in the meantime.
Wednesday September 21st, 2011
Odd fact about myself: I love helicopters. I have never actually been in one, but I love looking at them. I especially love the bulbous-shaped older ones and some of the cool old wooden propellers. Dying to have one hanging in my office. It’s been one year in the making since moving to San Francisco and I still have yet to have a big fat helicopter painting or print on the wall behind my couch. I better get back on that. I actually love inspecting all sorts of planes, trains and automobiles. So much that I actually designed an entire shoe collection for Omelle with that in mind for Spring/Summer 2011. See the above “Illy” Omelle shoe. I designed that based entirely on helicopter shapes. So now you know. A) I love helicopters B) I love shoes and C) I need a vintage wooden propeller and a big helicopter print for my house.
Friday September 16th, 2011
I nearly jumped out of my chair when I came across these outstanding leather animal masks today at Sundries and Plunder. If you haven’t caught on yet, I have a thing for animal things. With less than a month to go for Halloween costume planning, this couldn’t have come at a better time and would be a long-lasting go-to investment, but to be honest, I would want one just to hang on the wall in my office. How great would it be to have a few of this in your kid’s room for play time? The real question is how do you decide which one to get.
Friday September 2nd, 2011
A few years ago I told my mom (Doreen, aka Dory) I wanted to collect trays. For me it’s a mix of pretty modern and a little danish vintage. I have a think for teak and sexy woodgrain, but wouldn’t it be great to have a huge cabinet full of wonderful trays to move around your house and for serving and entertaining? I think so. What’s your tray type?
Brasilia Tray | Jonathan Adler
Lacquer Wood Trays | West Elm
Stockholm Tray | Ikea
Vintage Tray | Etsy
Scroll White Tray | CB2
Gryfino Tray | Crate & Barrel
Saturday July 23rd, 2011
As many of you know I follow the Tour de France. J-Pierre got me into this cycling race many years ago and I have become a total geek about it. We wake up early every single morning for 3 weeks to watch the race and follow all of the “drama” behind the scenes. Who knew guys in spandex could have carry around so much drama at times? Aside from following the riders, their personalities, learning about their teams and history the race is strategic and interesting and I always love to pick my favorite “outfit” combos to check out who has done the best with their branding. I’ve been an big Andy & Schleck fan for awhile now, alongside their teammates Jens Voigt & “Fabu” I couldn’t resist. They are too goofy (watch the video) and lovable. I was torn when Lance Armstrong was racing with them (sorry Lance), they just crack me up and have big hearts. It’s fun to watch them mature over time as well. Did any of you notice how sexy Frank has gotten? He must be taking manly tips from Fabien. Tomorrow is the final day of the race, and it was determined today that though the brothers will not take the yellow home, they both placed on the podium and will come back to fight again next year. Jens, if you ever read this ... please don’t retire until one of them makes it to the top. You’ve given too much to not take them all the way, just tell those legs of yours to shut up. Congratulations to all the riders & Cadel Evans for proving himself today. I’ve never been much of an Evans fan, but hats off and high five today. Until next year! P.S. Fabu, help a Schleck brother out with those TT tips and come back to beat Martin yourself next year.