Furniture Design Blog | Maxine Snider | A portal to the design world » MATTER

STICK IT UP

Maxine — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:16:37 +0000

We’re longtime fans of a product called homosote, but I’m often met with blank stares when requesting it at hardware and lumber stores. That’s slowly changing, partly because the material is green–made from 100% percent recycled waste paper–and partly because it’s been touted by trusted arbiters of good taste. Apartment Therapy paid homage to the material. So did Martha Stewart. The material, aside from providing the perfect space to tack up your newest project, or inspirations, or book pages, also makes for good sound proofing.

some like it raw [above]. other variations, below:

EASIER: Uten Silo

Maxine — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 01:21:29 +0000

To remind you, the “Easier” feature of this blog is intended to give you a few ideas to make your life easier. This tip will only improve your life if you’re willing to spend money on the classic Uten Silo Wall Tidy. Designed in the late 1960’s, the wall tidy has not lost its cool–or its function. If you’re feeling extremely nostalgic, look into the chrome “special edition.”

UTOPIA: POLAROID

Maxine — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:18:37 +0000

I’ll venture to call Polaroid film a utopian idea, at least when it was first proposed: the idea was shocking–shake your film in plain air and watch the image emerge. In February 2008, Polaroid ceased to make Polaroid film, opting to focus entirely on digital products.

Not satisfied to go quietly into the night, several polaroid fanatics joined what was coined The Impossible Project and last week, the project introduced a successor to the original instant polaroid film. Rejoice!

I am not sure yet whether I should hang onto a number of kits like this:

FELT: CITY OF FELT

Maxine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:59:02 +0000

Maybe it’s the winter weather, but I’m gravitating toward felt. Joseph Beuys saw fit to make felt part of his survival story.

If a Joseph Beuys installation isn’t practical for you, Josh Jakus makes beautiful felt bags

and Ashley Helvey makes beautiful hand-felted rugs. I love this description of her process.

MATTER: BRAILLE

Maxine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:31:14 +0000

I loved this essay so much, on Braille. Stephen Kusisto is a beautiful writer (I recommend his memoir, Planet of the Blind). More recently, a NYT magazine article covered the subject of Braille. I’ve always been drawn to it–my grandmother had a clipboard, on which she hand-poked braille letters onto paper, with a metal stencil and a small stylus. I wouldn’t mind collecting these Braille objects–copies of Playboy. It seems so strange and wonderful that the magazine would be felt all over. The Library of Congress houses all issues.

MATTER: PUMPKIN ART

Maxine — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:08:48 +0000

Apartment Therapy does it again, with some great pumpkin pics.

MATTER AND TIME

Maxine — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:30:09 +0000

We love to be on time, but we’re tempted to replace our watches with Roxy Marj’s beautiful faux watches. This talented illustrator and fashion design graduate is based in Utah for one year, and she is making herself busy. You can see her other work, here.

MATTER:GARDEN

Maxine — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:24:32 +0000

I’ve been following the garden of Blogger *Door Sixteen* in Newburgh, New York. Book designer by day, this woman has been plotting and building her backyard for several months. She’s making great progress. You can follower her progress, here.

MATTER: IKEA HACKER

Maxine — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:39:46 +0000

Here’s one of our favorite inspirations for repurposing: IKEA hacker. If you have been drooling over the wide double locker (called PS), you may appreciate this new use for it. We also like the potholder that became a pinhole camera!

MATTER: THE POST-IT NOTE

Maxine — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:53:54 +0000

In case you thought post-it notes were just for work, Arthur Jones staked a claim on their behalf with narrative and illustrations. He’s made beautiful art and readings (check out Post-It Note Stories). Go ahead and send him your one-sentence story.