Publican

I have been so crazed, and have been meaning to post more Tokyo items, which I will...eventually. Apologies for the light posting, holiday gift guides coming soon!! On Sunday I checked into the The Peninsula here in Chicago for another press trip, only this one is in-town, so it's all the fun and none of the hassle of traveling! Last night we went to Publican, Paul Kahan's (Blackbird, Avec) new restaurant in the West Loop. It was tas-ty! And I talked at length with one of the brewmasters of Three Floyds, a micro-micro brewery which is served at at Publican in addition to the 100+ beer list. Definitely check it out if you're in Chicago, the Sunday fixed family style menu which they pair with beers is amazing! 837 W. Fulton Market.

Tokyo architecture

Many people I talked to before I left for Tokyo told me how commercialized and uninspired the architecture is there. I actually found it to be exactly the opposite. Sure, there are places where all you can see are billions of lights blasting advertisements that typically involve angry animals, fire, and guitars, but there are some really amazing gems too. Here are some that I spotted while walking around.

The Prada building in Omotesando was my favorite, it was so clean and bubbly, I just wanted to touch it. Also, when you buy something there (which I didn't, hello weak dollar!), the sales associate will walk you to the door, present you with your bag and then bow to you until you are completely out of sight, which can take up to five minutes. The building was constructed in 2003 by Herzog and de Meuron.

Famed Japanese architect Toyo Ito is responsible for both the new Mikimoto store in Ginza (2006) as well as the Tod's building in Omotesando (2004). I really love his style.


I really liked the Brazilian fashion store Herchcovitch Alexandre in the lesser-traveled neighborhood of Daikanyama. It was designed by Brazilian architect Arthur Casas, and recently the facade was redone. First how it used to look, and below that is how I saw it (bad photo, I know).


And then there's the Imperial Hotel originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923. When I walked in I tried to imagine what it must have been like to be an international traveler in Asia in the 1920s. Incredible.

In 1968 they moved the facade and pool to another location and rebuilt the hotel almost completely. But, the design still preserved some original pieces and certainly paid tribute to Wright's vision.

The Peninsula Hotel, Tokyo

I've just returned to Chicago from an amazing press trip to Tokyo and I've got so so so much to blog. To start with, the unbelievable hotel I stayed at, The Peninsula Tokyo, which opened last September. Architect Kazukiyo Sato and designer Yukio Hashimoto truly blend contemporary design with Japanese tradition seamlessly.

The lobby is chic, chic, chic. The walls are ivory with wooden lattice, but it's hard not to walk into the lobby and not completely fixate on the chandelier made from over 1300 crystal LED light bulbs. It is designed to resemble a cloud of fireworks (or hanabi). Once I stared at that for a solid 20 minutes, I turned to an amazing bamboo sculpture by designer Keisen Hama of a Chinese zodiac dragon lying over the universe. Spectacular.



Due to recent building codes in Tokyo, all buildings must have an empty enclosed atrium section (I think for earthquakes). While most buildings leave them undecorated and out-of-sight, The Peninsula commissioned sculpture artists Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu to create an unbelievable installation titled "The Void". 24 stainless steel cones are suspended by cables and wrapped with glowing glass fibers. It's an incredible view when you get out of the elevator and see these light sculptures hanging between the 8th and 23rd floors.




The rooms ($600-$8500 per night) are luxurious as expected, but also the most technologically-forward hotel rooms I've ever seen. I actually joked to Matt that the room was my Tokyo boyfriend because it was so attentive. I would walk toward the toilet (which deserves its own post all together—heated seats!), and the lid would open. I would walk towards the phone (which also deserves its own post, because it turns into your own personal mobile via bluetooth synchronization) and it would light up. There were in-room humidity controls, a private fax machine, steam-free mirrors, a nail dryer, mood light buttons, ambient music buttons, buttons for everything!





I almost forgot about their Michelin star-rated restaurant, Peter! It takes up the entire 24th floor and has stunning views of Tokyo and the Imperial Gardens. The restaurant was designed by the Yabu Pushelberg architecture and design team and I really love the layers and lights and use of the color black. The design is sleek and sexy, like Tokyo, with a touch of 80's glam to it—which goes really well with the skyline views. If you ever make it to Peter, be sure to order a "Tokyo Joe" cocktail, their signature drink that's quite good. For more info on the hotel, click here.

Traveler's Guide

I'm off for Tokyo tomorrow morning. I am hoping to blog while there, but have no idea if that will actually happen. Below is the DESIGNwatcher traveler's guide full of useful items for smart traveling. Sayonara!

Folding Ray-Ban Wayfarers ($149) might seem a little dumb, but it's almost impossible to tell the difference and they're less breakable this way; I tend to like the Wallpaper* city guides ($9 each) more than Frommer's, et al; this Banana Republic Striped Peacoat Sweater ($175) is the perfect sweater/coat combination that will serve you well on a long flight as well; this large Matt & Nat "Fifty-Five" handbag ($250) is great as a carry-on, it comes with a detachable shoulder strap and lots of convenient interior pockets.

Bose QuietComfort 3 noise canceling headphones ($349), they're smaller and better than ever; Chuck Taylors ($41) make a great walking shoe and can be dressed up if need be; James Perse's contrast panel 3/4 sleeve shirts ($144) are great, period. If I had to pick one thing on this guide to take it would be a 5ml bottle of Lavender essential oil ($11). Lavender calms, relaxes and soothes, and is said to balance the central nervous system (which is something I certainly need when I travel), it can be used for burns, sunburns, stings, muscular aches, cuts, blemishes, bruises, headaches, insect bites, colds, flu, stress, and menstrual cramps and it promotes deep restful sleep.

I asked my friend, Dr. Mark, what he recommended as an over-the-counter sleeping aid while traveling and he said for someone adverse to meds (like me) Tylenol PM is the way to go because it's very safe. My photog friends have recommended the Canon Powershot G10 ($499) as the highest quality in the smallest size camera; the Patagonia sweater vest ($150) packs down into almost nothing, yet is a substantial layering item.

Evian spray mist travel bottle ($17 for 3), instant refreshment in a bottle and less than 3-ounces for traveling; The Patagonia lightweight travel pack ($100) folds into a tiny ball, perfect for packing in your bag, using while traveling, and then checking as an extra bag for souvenirs on the way home; I wouldn't know the first thing to do with a sewing kit, but Hollywood tape ($6), double sided apparel tape, will fix a hem, a rip, and keep things in place if need be. Fashion correspondent Amy Fox recommended these A.P.C. fur-lined boots ($450) for their equal parts of chicness and functionality.

Vote!

The Obama campaign has certainly been the most design-forward of any political campaign in recent history. From Shepard Fairey's Obey posters to Marc Jacob's Obama tote bag, the campaign has elevated the role of design and art in political campaigning. Above is one of my favorites, a retro-inspired limited edition "Obama 08" poster by Lance Wyman ($40). I thought it was fun to look back at winning and losing campaigns and their corresponding designs.

The winners back to 1960:




And the losers:

Globe-Trotter luggage

While I've been putting together a DESIGNwatcher traveler's guide, I realized that Globe-Trotter Ltd., the British hand-made luxury luggage line, needed its own post. Globe-Trotter has been around since 1897 and has barely changed its original design (although I more than approve of the addition of wheels!). Today the brand is witnessing something of a revival as it has designed limited editions for J. Crew and Vivre. Of course if I had suitcases full of money I would use them to buy a bespoke suitcase (to better carry the money with, obviously) which are available to order at Burlington Arcade store in London.


If that wasn't enough, (see I told you it needed its own post) Globe-Trotter commemorated their 110th anniversary this year by issuing the first-ever "next generation" travel bag, a fiber/Kevlar-weave travel bag that they are calling "stronger than steel, lighter than air, black like coal, and as innovative as tomorrow." Globe-Trotter called on Ross Lovegrove to design the iconic case hoping he would encapsulate the core values of Globe-Trotter's 110 years of luggage-making, while maintaining an aesthetic that would stand the test of time and become a collectible modern classic. The 110 Air Cabin case ($3,525) is available at Moss, Vulcanize in Tokyo and Selfridges Superbrands in London.

Static pillows

I was already ready for a break by 8:30 this morning, which I used to stare at these graphic Unison throw pillows ($52), handy for a quick pop of color.

Happy Halloween!

Japanese Modern Postcards

50 examples of Modern Japanese art for $4—and it can fit in your pocket. Can't beat that.

Sori Yanagi

For the third installment of iconic Japanese designers, I bring you Sori Yanagi. Yanagi is probably most famous for his 1954 Butterfly Stool (starting at $605). I remember first seeing this in the late '90s, an older brother of one of Matt's friends had bought one; I think it was the first time I understood design as a status symbol.


A lot of people say this chair is "east meets west" because it incorporates eastern shapes with the Eames' molded plywood method. Because it was only available in Japan for a very long time, until Vitra secured distributing rights, originals will sell for thousands at auction. Yanagi also is known for his fiberglass Elephant stool ($144) and has wonderful tabletop and kitchen items including flatware and tea kettles, most of which is available here and here.

New England round-up

Study in Grey by Jeffrey Bonasia (more on him coming soon!)

I'm thrilled that my friend Amy Fox will be regularly contributing to the blog as a fashion correspondent! She's an L.A.-based fashion stylist who has dressed Beck, styled Nike advertisements, compiled O.P. look books and is currently working as a consultant for Levi's. She's also got a great eye for design and a knack in the kitchen. I emailed her the other day and asked some fashion advice for traveling to Tokyo, and I was like, "Man I wish you'd do this for the blog...". Amy's currently vacationing with her husband Norris on Nantucket, so her first post is a New England round-up which I've added to. Here it is, the straight dope:

Murray's Toggery Shop has been on Nantucket's Main Street since 1945, where they carry a wide selection of Barbour (but not through their website), Barbour Bedale jacket ($345). The original Nantucket Reds, a salmon colored chino, that after many washings, fades into a beautiful sunset pink color are a Nantucket staple. I love this pairing with a black velvet blazer (runway pic from Etro)! Nantucket reds ($59-$70). No New Englander is complete without their Steele canvas tote ($45) or a sailor rope bracelet ($6).

Bostonian pipe made from Briarwood ($56); Opinel bread knife ($80), from Nantucket's French General Store.

No honest seafood connoisseur would be without a Connecticut Clam Ram ($24); the best candles in the universe ($24 for 12). Why are they the best? They are made by a company that's been in business since 1643--and if you can stay in business selling candles for over 350 years, you must be doing something right. No drips nor smoke and the bottom end of the candle is tapered slightly so it fits in different size candle holders.

Shiro Kuramata

Shiro Kuramata is no doubt another one of Japan's all-star designers of the 20th century. His work is said to reflect the confidence and creativity of postwar Japan, while retaining traditional Japanese aesthetics. His pieces reflect his fascination with the surrealist movement as well as his core belief in minimalism.

Laputa Bed, 1991. This bed was designed for two people to lie vertically and was named after the fantastic island in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.

One of Kuramata's more timeless pieces, the Bookshelf for Italian design house Cappellini, 1971 ($14,266).

Perhaps this is Kuramata's most famous piece, How High The Moon chair for Vitra, 1986 ($11,208). One sold at a Christie's auction a few weeks ago for nearly $18,000.

Middle humidifiers

As I begin to do research for my Tokyo trip I've noticed the Japanese have a slight obsession with humidity. In fact, the hotel I'm staying at has humidity settings in the room! I love these Japanese humidifiers from the company Middle because they don't look like an appliance as most humidifiers do. The sleek teardrop-shaped humidifiers were designed by Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi and can produce moisture for up to ten consecutive hours. They're not yet available to buy from the U.S. yet, but they will be shortly—I may have to bring one back with me, especially because it's almost time to break them out here in Chicago. (via Cool Hunting)

Isamnu Noguchi

I'm leaving for Tokyo in two weeks on a press trip, so I'll be posting a lot of Japan-related posts until then. Perhaps there's no better place to start than with iconic mid-century Japanese-American designer Isamu Noguchi. Aside from being one of the most influential modern furniture designers of his time, he also was a prominent artist, landscape architect, and set designer. But mostly he believed he was a sculptor. In fact one of his most lasting quotes is, "everything is sculpture, any material, any idea without hindrance born into space, I consider sculpture." Even if you don't recognize the name Noguchi or don't think you know his body of work, you will probably recognize some of the following pieces of furniture he designed, all of the below is still in production today.

Isamu Noguchi coffee table, 1948 ($1,299).

tea cup + saucer, 1952 ($118); Noguchi knife, fork + spoon, 1952 ($241).

Cyclone side table, 1953 ($1,008).

prismatic table, 1957 ($631).

Old Plank Road

Once you get about a half-hour outside of Chicago to the west or north there's some pretty good antiquing spots. I think I was still in high school when I would drive around strange places in the far northern suburbs looking for antique lighters that I would try to fix and monogram. My bedroom had all these bottles of butane, flint, wicks and, well, it really weirded my parents out. I was just starting to get the urge to go back up there when I heard about Old Plank in Westmont, IL. which has made its name by restoring and selling antique furniture and accessories from France and England. They have something I've been looking to find for a while: a vintage French demijohn with its label in tact circa the 1930's ($195). It would make a nice little Saturday trip for a Chicagoan that wants to flee the city for a few hours, and you can probably pick up some pumpkins and cider out there too. 331 E. Ogden Avenue, Westmont IL.

Ikat Butler Tray

Deal alert! Deal alert! This 20" x 15" Ikat Butler Tray in on sale for $44! It makes a superb gift, and of course it's totally tray-chic.

Simon Pearce spoon rest

Maybe once or twice a week when we're cooking dinner at home Matt will suggest we get something to rest our mixing spoons on while what's cooking is still cooking. In other words: tomato sauce touching spoon + spoon touching counter top = tomato sauce touching counter top = something that scrambles Matt's inner circuits. Recently I was giving suggestions for a friend who is registering for her upcoming wedding and saw this lovely handmade Brookfield spoon rest ($28) from the Simon Pearce Pantry Collection (which totally rules, BTW). For all of you that are like, "Pishhhh!! I'm not buying something for my spoon to lay its head on during intermission," don't worry, it can also be used as a wine coaster, small side plate or pillar candle base.

Zenith Plier Stapler 1948

Staplers rule, especially the old chunky heavy ones. Seriously, what is your desk without one? It's like the shoes of your desk outfit. Not only do they look cool, but how great does it feel to just feel that axe swing down and bind some paper together!? I'm kinda freaking out about The Zenith Plier Stapler now offered at Plastica ($40). This is the original design by Zenith, put on the market in 1948. It can be used in 1 hand and sitting on a desk, and can staple up to 30 sheets at once. Raw. Power. For more on old staplers check out the blog Stapler of the Week, yes it's real.

Monique Lai

One of my favorite things about this blog is discovering new photographers. This week I was introduced to Brooklyn-based photographer Monique Lai. Being a fan of bold colors in interior design, I instantly became a fan of her work which drips with huge color. Her photos range in price from $800-$6000 depending on size and development, and she also is available for commissions. Check out more of her work here and here!

Up To You

Dimitra of Up To You contacted me yesterday to introduce her Toronto concept store which is filled with stylish and whimsical products for the home. It's almost as if it's A+R for Torontonians. Ok, sorry, I kind of just wanted to use the word "Torontonians". There's so many great items in their online store, it was hard to post about just a few!

Chalkboard vases ($63)

Key plank ($40)

Crayons with Attitude ($21)

door mat/door stopper ($49)

Army Egg Cup ($16)

*I've converted their prices into USD, the CAD is worth about $.83.

Animal shot glasses by Goody Grams

I was going to make some sort of stupid joke about how these are dark days in the bearish stock market, which makes you want to drink. But thankfully I decided to leave that kind of tomfoolery to the professionals. I do really like these pewter and black glass animal shot glasses ($55 for two) because they could be used as office tchotchkes (bear and bull?), paperweights, candle votives, or all three. And if you need to use them for a shot of bourbon in the middle of the work day, they'll work for that too.

The Nettelhorst Door Project

I had a meeting way north of my apartment yesterday and I would have typically driven or biked but the trees are so spectacular right now I wanted to walk. Fall is my favorite time to walk in a city; there's a tree outside my window that looks as if it just swallowed a school bus. While I was walking around I saw this door by artist and Chicago public school teacher Brian Graves (someone a shrink would probably call hyper-graphic?). This door is part of Nettelhorst Elementary and is now full of famous quotes discussing: teaching, education, students, and the power of a neighborhood that surrounds the schools children attend. I feel like it adds a welcome element of creativity to an otherwise standard school facade. I really enjoyed walking by it.

Affordable Art 101

I've been on both coasts over the past two weeks and am glad to be back home for a bit. We flew in from L.A. last night with such strong tail winds that we landed an hour early, giving us a chance to pick up Dame Eleanor McRuff from her kennel before the 6:30pm cut-off. We convinced the cab to floor it from O'Hare and I jumped out just in time to bust her out, only I had no leash. If she was one of those smart Collies that knows the difference between a sidewalk and a street or say a liver treat and a moving automobile it wouldn't be a problem. But in this case I needed, in true MacGeyver style, to rip my luggage strap off my suitcase and fasten it to her collar. As I walked down the street with a blatant shoulder strap as a leash a lady said, "Interesting leash" as I tried to explain she she cut me off and said, "Whatever works in an economy like this, right?" Sure I was dressed sort of like a hobo and hadn't really showered or brushed my hair, but REALLY?! It did get me thinking about how designers might have to adjust in a "deep recession" and that reminded me of a great resource for original prints, Affordable Art 101. It's not necessarily bargain prices, but it's a great way to add chic prints of high caliber at reasonable prices in lieu of perhaps paintings. Be sure to check out the Prints priced under $100 section. Above: Claes Oldenburg original lithograph "All Kinds of Love II" ($300). Below: Robert Indiana "Four Winds" original lithograph ($400); Alexander Calder original lithograph, 1965 ($350).

John Derian post cards

I'm really glad John Derian has begun to make post cards from some of his classic decoupage tray designs, because I like so many of them, but don't necessarily want a ton of decoupage laying around. His 4" x 6" Carte Postales are the perfect in-between and only $1.50 each. Perfect for the fridge, vision boards, and of course sending a good old-fashioned note to someone. Above is my favorite one taken from old found correspondence. Check out the rest of them right here. If you're not in NYC, call 212-677-3917 to order.