Posts from — August 2009

Bears on mealting ice (2008) by Masahiro Minami…
So cute and yet so sad. I don’t think I would have the heart to get this for little huey.

Stay cool this weekend!

Considering how much the Japanese enjoy quality bath time, I’m surprised someone hasn’t come up with this idea earlier. Bath Art is a collaboration between creative director Kenjiro Sano (see previous post) and photographer Mikiya Takimoto. Sano created a series of 35 x 29 inch limited quantity prints of Takimoto’s photos that stick onto any conventional tile surface. Your relaxing bath now gets transformed into an optimal space for art appreciation. They are available for purchase (6,000 yen) HERE.

Nice packaging as well!

In case you were curious, Mikiya Takimoto’s work has been recognized in numerous domestic and international competitions such as the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. He is the author of BAUHAUS DESSAU (2005) and SIGHTSEEING (2007).

I spotted these awesome post-its over on swiss-miss!  I love the size of it and would place it on my desk just for its presence.

It was designed by Creative Director Kenjiro Sano (aka MR DESIGN), who boasts an impressive portfolio that includes clients such as Kirin, Shiseido and Nissan. But he also finds time to do some smaller scale work such as the Pig Mug (which I happen to own a set of 3)…

…and the Earth Garbage Bag, which recently (and by recently I mean today) went on sale at BEAMS, Tokyo and Collette, Paris.  It’s interesting that the Earth Garbage Bag attempts to paint an environmentally blighted picture of the planet by alluding to the notion that the planet it is filled with trash. Meanwhile, his post-its display a disregard for environmental issues such as deforestation and the waste and garbage crisis.

photos by Hiroshi Ueda | click images to enlarge

Wow. What a gorgeous home in the mountains. Designed by miurashin architect + associates, it’s located on a hillside in karuizawa – sort of the Hamptons of Tokyo. I love how the design appropriates the lushness and trees surrounding it as it establishes a clear sense of balance on a seemingly precarious spot of land.

And how great is that outdoor space that opens up from the bathroom area? Totally filed under “future vacation homes.”

Source: Shinkenchiku magazine

Remember that silly rumor I irresponsibly disseminated about a month and a half ago? Well, my “please don’t make me look like a fool” prayers have been answered. Japanese renowned designer Tokujin Yoshioka just uploaded these images too his website.

Related:

• media skin by Tokujin Yoshioka
• Camper x NENDO
• Camper x Jaime Hayon
• Camper x Ingo Maurer

click images to enlarge

Nobuhiro Teshima of Atelier OPA has created an expandable Mobile Dining unit that can have you ready for unexpected guests… all 8 of them! Designed for a Japanese home in which floor seating is most common, the compact unit expands and contracts to accommodate even the smallest of spaces. Fantastic!

Update (08.2011):
Here’s a demo video that was created for the 2011 James Dyson Awards, in which the Mobile Dining unit made it into the Top 15.