Welcome to the archives of Land+Living—a small corner of the internet from back when “weblog” still felt like the right word and discovery meant following blogrolls instead of algorithms. Originally published from 2004 to 2010, this collection captures an early wave of online design and architecture, emerging alongside peers like Apartment Therapy, Treehugger, Design Sponge, Mocoloco, and more—a time when the conversation around how we live, build, and design was just finding its footing on the web. What you’ll find here is a time capsule: ideas, inspirations, and observations from a slower, more curious internet. It’s been brought back mostly as-is—with just a few light UI changes—so feel free to wander, explore, and enjoy a look at where it all started.
Perfect for Valentine's Day, Atelier Blink's 2006 wallpaper, Rendezvous, draws on inspiration from grandma's wallpaper of days past, but with a Kamasutra twist.
Link: Atelier Blink
Link: Vlaemsch()
We've featured a few articles about MR+A's work in the past, from furniture to prefab, so I was pretty stoked to open the mailbox today and find a copy of Princeton Architectural Press' recent book, Marmol Radziner + Associates: Between Architecture and Construction. Published in July 2008, this book runs the gamut of MR+A's work. Beginning with the "Early Years", the book highlights some of the witty quotes placed on their office marquee then quickly jumps into many of their most well-known projects including the Kaufmann House restoration, the Harris Pool House, the TBWA/Chiat/Day offices in San Francisco, and the Glenncoe Residence.
In addition to the firm's commercial and residential work, there is also a section showcasing their furniture work and the design decisions that went into creating their Glenncoe furniture line.
Overall, this is a well designed book that truly captures the creativity and uniqueness of MR+A. Definitely give it a look the next time you're at your local bookseller.
A new "paperless" architecture book featuring facades from around the world.
This book is the result of two years of architectural research. Dynamic facades, ventilated, high-tech or traditional composites with new features. This book shows that currently new skins not only act as an isolating element, besides interact with the environment, optimizing energy exchange with the outside. From Germany to Australia or Korea to Colombia, there are many examples that readers can visit with this publication. With international vocation due to bilingual English-Spanish text and a language away from technicalities, this paper aims to show as an "interactive toy" the evolving field of the facades in architecture.
Featuring the work of Thomas Campbell, Shepard Fairey, Ed Templeton, Barry McGee and others, Beautiful Losers highlights how these artists, with almost no influence from the established art world, have been transforming pop culture.
Link: Beautiful Losers
Via: 70percent.org
One of our most popular posts here at L+L is the Finland Summer House posted by James back in January 2005. If exploring summer houses in Finland is your raison d'être, then we have a book for you. Finnish Summer Houses by Jari & Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen is a new book from Princeton Architectural Press that showcases work from architects such as Eliel Saarinen, Alvar Aalto, Juhani Pallasmaa and many others.
Architectural styles featured in the book run the gamut from farmhouse villas of the late 1800's to the modern structures of today.
DecodeLondon is a new and innovative British design and manufacturing company committed to working with London's best creative talent. The Textile Side Unit, designed by Jethro Macey and featured above in Floral, is crafted using CNC milled stone composite doors and a solid oak base.
When I first received word about the Bent Plywood Cat Scratcher, my belief that bent ply had jumped the shark was somewhat reinforced. I mean, you can pretty much find a bent ply something-or-other just about everywhere these days. So, I ran this by a cat person, who also happens to have some modern tastes, and she thought it was a great idea. She quickly reminded me of those shag-carpet "cat condo" scratching towers down at the local PetSmart and upon hearing that, I was sold on the idea of this scratcher.
The scratcher appears to be available only in walnut but the cool thing about this is your carpet options are endless. The scratcher is sized to accommodate FLOR carpet tiles, allowing you to change it's appearance on a whim.
Concord "Plug Table"
A table that features two circular sockets in the center that can accept any number of modular plug-in pieces including electrical outlets, light fixtures, and various containers.
Retro Bullet Planter
Faithful reproductions of the original bullet planters from the 50's. Available in 9 colors.
LIKEaBIKE
If I had kids and they didn't yet know how to pedal a bike, they'd totally have LIKEaBIKES. Except I'd put a motor in it and aim them at a big jump. Oh, and beware of knock-offs!
Fly Lamp
Film the flight path of a household fly, plot it, then make a lampshape from the design.
Borris Bally
We've always had a fascination with the bold graphics and colors of road signs, but not so much in the frat house aesthetic kind of way... though we have to admit there is something intriguing about the idea of bringing signs into the home. Now we've found a way to satisfy that desire: road signs re-purposed as functional objects!
The Oculas
For only $45,000, you're nest can have it's own egg, complete with a Playstation.
Do your friends think they've stepped into an IKEA showroom whenever they enter your home? If so, here's a great way to distinguish your stock IKEA wares from the masses. Bemz.com offers a wide variety of slipcovers that fit a good selection of IKEA's sofas and armchairs. Prices hover around $140 or so and some fabrics are available in 100% cotton while others are a linen/cotton blend. The Stromstad sofa (above) is shown in Harmony-Chestnut Brown.
Via: LA Times
Link: Bemz.com
So it turns out the tried and true process of packing your grounds into your espresso machine's portafilter isn't all that great after all. The folks at Illy contend that water doesn't percolate evenly through the grounds. This leaves you with a shot that isn't as rich as it could be.
To deal with this, they've come up with a small pod packed with grounds that first fills with water, saturating the grounds. As the pressure builds, a valve releases, aeration occurs, and you've now got a rich shot with lots of crema. Mmmm, crema.
Illy will be producing their pod-compatible machines first for their commercial customers. In spring 2008 we will see a modified Francis!Francis! version specifically for the consumer market.
Link: Wall Street Journal
Link: Illy
Via: Huffington Post
Thanks to a comment from Matt in our post below, we were clued-in to Loll Design, the firm behind the Room & Board Adirondack chairs. Turns out they've got quite an assortment of products, from chairs and stools to benches and tables, all made from 100% post-consumer high-density polyethylene. They also work close with designers and architects, collaborating on numerous projects, including The Octagon in NYC (above right) and designing benches for the St. Louis County Courthouse.
I just spent some time at the local B&N and discovered issue #1 of Antenna magazine. Flipping through it, Antenna read like the RSS feed of my favorite blogs: gadgets, snowboards, sneakers, messenger bags, sunglasses, even Oreos(!).
Antenna is the first mainstream magazine to target individuals who are on a constant quest for the newest and coolest products on the horizon. And it does so without using celebrities, models, concept shoots, service stories and whatever else we deem superfluous to our mission: to become a guidebook, allowing readers to navigate the most extensive collection of products ever compiled in a single publication, while championing the people who create, sell and collect them—all in one comprehensive, artful, elegant and innovative format.
Extra points for Antenna because their first cover compliments the color palette of the L+L site, too :)
Link: Antenna
flashfilm.com has an interview with London-based garden designer, Philip Nixon. Philip is a participant of the Chelsea Flower Show and is currently working on an exhibition for the 2008 Gothenburg Festival in Sweden.
I've always thought those dogs with dreads were cool and the canine was the first thing that came to mind after seeing this throw pillow from Neelee.com. Made from ultra-soft fleece, each pillow is made by hand. Dimensions are 55 x 55cm.
Link: Neelee.com
Designer: Idit Friedberg
Via: CribCandy
The "I was here" collection designed by Jason Miller will take you back to that one summer at (band?) camp when you carved your name into the camp picnic tables. The collection features various tables and a bench constructed from "graffiti-proof" plastic wood with all sorts of random New York graffiti carved into the top of them. Available colors include white, black, brown, and blue.
Blink is a collaboration between Nita Rege and Bessie Turner who met while studying Ceramics at the Edinburgh College of Art. Their tiles are available in multiple themes including "wash tags", "glasses", "knife and fork", and "tap". Featured above are Martini (left) and Pint.
The Troika from em is a screen / partition wall constructed from translucent resin panels and spheres along with stainless steel rods, plates, and collars. Depending on your installation, the Troika is available with or without the self-supporting frame.
The Pegaso table from Caimi Casa features a powder-coated tubular support structure and is available with an elliptical or rectangular top in transparent or matte glass. The top is physically attached to the leg structure via four stainless steel plates.
The Leaf collection from Arper exhibits simple lines and is right at home indoors or out. Leaf is available in a painted (white, mocha, green) or chrome finish. Full-grain leather or polyurethane cushions are also available.
I tried my hand at making more than a few models back in the day and if I remember correctly, most of them were abandoned in various stages of completion. Anyway, Jellio Design has created wall art based on the plastic piece which housed all the parts which will definitely take you back to those glory days of sniffing glue model building. Made of polyurethane resin, the piece is 44" x 44" and weighs approx 20lbs. Follow the link for pricing and availability.
CA|Boom I
Can you believe its been three years since CA|Boom burst onto the design scene? Check out our coverage from the design show's freshman year.
Teardrop Vase from Derek Chen
Veneered plywood vase shell, bent in a teardop shape. Sealed and weighted with opaque colored resin. Exposed resin bottom, fully waterproof with a satin lacquer finish.
Favela Chair
Wood scraps never looked better. Designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana.
Fix Lighting
Simple, elegant, and modern. Light fixtures designed by Wonderwall.
Wing Lounge Chair from LYX
If Ray and Charles worked at the Sci-Fi channel, perhaps this would've been their creation.
Porch House
"With a solid understanding of modern design and its application in residential architecture, Greg Lavardera has put together several plans that definitely take the bland and boring out of stock plans."
The Spotnik XL is the second incarnation of the Spotnik lamp but in a larger scale. Inside the sphere is a dual-light source offering both spot and ambient lighting. Originally designed as a table lamp, this newer version of the Spotnik now towers above your space at over 6 feet tall.
Link: Spotnik xl
Threadless tees and blik graphics have teamed up to produce wall graphics. blik will post 6-10 of their favorite Threadless designs and will ask the public to vote on which ones will be come the next line of blik wall graphics. I'm casting my vote for Alphabet Zoo and Sad Psycho. Check it out and be sure to vote for your favorite.
Via: 
Perfect for Valentine's Day, Atelier Blink's 2006 wallpaper, Rendezvous, draws on inspiration from grandma's wallpaper of days past, but with a Kamasutra twist.
We've featured 
One of our most popular posts here at L+L is the 
When I first received word about the Bent Plywood Cat Scratcher, my belief that bent ply had jumped the shark was somewhat reinforced. I mean, you can pretty much find a bent ply something-or-other just about everywhere these days. So, I ran this by a cat person, who also happens to have some modern tastes, and she thought it was a great idea. She quickly reminded me of those shag-carpet "cat condo" scratching towers down at the local PetSmart and upon hearing that, I was sold on the idea of this scratcher.
Do your friends think they've stepped into an IKEA showroom whenever they enter your home? If so, here's a great way to distinguish your stock IKEA wares from the masses. Bemz.com offers a wide variety of slipcovers that fit a good selection of IKEA's sofas and armchairs. Prices hover around $140 or so and some fabrics are available in 100% cotton while others are a linen/cotton blend. The Stromstad sofa (above) is shown in Harmony-Chestnut Brown.
Via: 
So it turns out the tried and true process of packing your grounds into your espresso machine's portafilter isn't all that great after all. The folks at Illy contend that water doesn't percolate evenly through the grounds. This leaves you with a shot that isn't as rich as it could be.
To deal with this, they've come up with a small pod packed with grounds that first fills with water, saturating the grounds. As the pressure builds, a valve releases, aeration occurs, and you've now got a rich shot with lots of crema. Mmmm, crema.
Illy will be producing their pod-compatible machines first for their commercial customers. In spring 2008 we will see a modified Francis!Francis! version specifically for the consumer market.
Link: 
I just spent some time at the local B&N and discovered issue #1 of Antenna magazine. Flipping through it, Antenna read like the RSS feed of my favorite blogs: gadgets, snowboards, sneakers, messenger bags, sunglasses, even 
I've always thought those 
Architect Pouya Khazaeli Parsa drew upon inspiration from Le Corbusier’s “Poem of the right angle” when designing this home which features an aerial ramp that takes you from a first-floor terrace to a roof garden with views of the beaches along the Caspian Sea.
Via: 
The Spotnik XL is the second incarnation of the Spotnik lamp but in a larger scale. Inside the sphere is a dual-light source offering both spot and ambient lighting. Originally designed as a table lamp, this newer version of the Spotnik now towers above your space at over 6 feet tall.
Link: 
