Crate & Barrel is often noted for their clean whites and sophisticated wood palette but they're showing up with some in-your-face color with their latest catalog.
Check out some of the yum proving to be a welcome candy-coating to this dull Chicago winter:
For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Showing posts with label dining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dining. Show all posts
Friday, January 08, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
I Am Cracker
Ever since watching this video...
...I haven't been able to open an egg to save my life. Every omelet is preceded by this Humpty Dumpty fumble of a dramatic eggactment.
Want your very own EZ Cracker? They do exist.
...I haven't been able to open an egg to save my life. Every omelet is preceded by this Humpty Dumpty fumble of a dramatic eggactment.
Want your very own EZ Cracker? They do exist.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Dining room mock-up
Clockwise from top center: PH5 pendant lamp, at DWR; Modern drape rod, at Pottery Barn; Wool panel with grommets, at West Elm; Norden dining table, at Ikea; Rona stemware, at CB2; Ikea 365+ dinner plate, at Ikea; Spin napkin, at Crate & Barrel; Strand flatware, at Crate & Barrel; Fiberglass shell chair, at Modernica; Wegner Wishbone chair, at Room & Board
After Thanksgiving, I've really had the desire to make my dining area look more put together. Our dining room shares space with my painting studio and it has worked out, for the most part, but it can get pretty cluttered.
I'm tossing around the idea of switching our dining room and our living room, although if you want to get technical, we'd be moving it into its properly designated room. I'd still share the front room, but this time with the boob tube. Imagine painting and watching some Gossip Girl, my semi-secret guilty pleasure! All of my paintings will start being of Serena and Blair.
Don't fret Cardboard! You will always be my muse!
My one big reluctance is that we'll go through the trouble of moving all of the heavy furniture and end up not liking it - only to be forced to move it back (and having Hardwood not too pleased with this hair-brained scheme of mine).
To get the creative juices flowing, I made a mock-up featuring a few items we already have (table, shell chairs, dishes/tableware) and a few Scandinavian classics that I've always wanted. We have three Eames shell chairs in yellow ochre, so I'd like to round out the set with a few more. (I'm currently scouring eBay.) I feel the black wishbone chairs at either end of the table would balance out all the lighter colors, as would the dark curtains and rod. And I'd give anything to get rid of our '80s chandelier. (Also scouring eBay for a good deal on the PH5 light.)
So how do you think I should propose these suggestions to Hardwood? Anything you'd add or subtract from the mock-up?
After Thanksgiving, I've really had the desire to make my dining area look more put together. Our dining room shares space with my painting studio and it has worked out, for the most part, but it can get pretty cluttered.
I'm tossing around the idea of switching our dining room and our living room, although if you want to get technical, we'd be moving it into its properly designated room. I'd still share the front room, but this time with the boob tube. Imagine painting and watching some Gossip Girl, my semi-secret guilty pleasure! All of my paintings will start being of Serena and Blair.
Don't fret Cardboard! You will always be my muse!
My one big reluctance is that we'll go through the trouble of moving all of the heavy furniture and end up not liking it - only to be forced to move it back (and having Hardwood not too pleased with this hair-brained scheme of mine).
To get the creative juices flowing, I made a mock-up featuring a few items we already have (table, shell chairs, dishes/tableware) and a few Scandinavian classics that I've always wanted. We have three Eames shell chairs in yellow ochre, so I'd like to round out the set with a few more. (I'm currently scouring eBay.) I feel the black wishbone chairs at either end of the table would balance out all the lighter colors, as would the dark curtains and rod. And I'd give anything to get rid of our '80s chandelier. (Also scouring eBay for a good deal on the PH5 light.)
So how do you think I should propose these suggestions to Hardwood? Anything you'd add or subtract from the mock-up?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Salad Days
Hardwood and I are both vegetarian, so salads as main courses are a big part of our dinner repertoire. Cardboard has inspired me to share our favorite new creation.- Baby spinach
- Cucumber, peeled and sliced
- Button mushrooms, sliced paper thin
- Vidalia onion, sliced thin
- Green Zebra tomatoes, cut into wedges
- Hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges
- Capers
- Walnuts
- Gorgonzola, finely crumbled
- White wine vinaigrette, highly recommend using this white balsamic
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
The salad is a great balance of textures and flavors - with the crunchiness of the fresh cucumbers, sweet Vidalia onions and walnuts, melt-in-your-mouth pungent blue cheese, creamy hard eggs, and toothsome slices of mushrooms. Yet another one to try!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Salad Story
Urgh, making dinner. It can be fun, romantic, soothing, etc, but it can also be a pain in the arse.
Between having a broken refrigerator (2 weeks!), hanging out with Heat (3 months!), and working long hours (4-ever), I recently have found myself relying on easy, often-boxed dinners. This means a lot of frozen pizzas and eating out.
When I was living with Bamboo, the two of us got into the good habit of making simple but healthy dinners and exercising more. After a few months of this, I started craving nutrient-rich foods, like big ol' salads and crisp fruit. But I fear I've slipped back to dreaming of a gyros platter with a side of cookie dough.
To get back on track, I hit the gym yesterday and Heat & I made this inspirational salad for dinner:
Start with a big bowl. Throw this stuff in it.
OMG, oishii! I would have taken a photo of the dish but it was late and I was hongry. In truth, the salad isn't much to look at because the avocado smooshes all over but it is very spicy/tasty. And you should try it. And that is all.
Between having a broken refrigerator (2 weeks!), hanging out with Heat (3 months!), and working long hours (4-ever), I recently have found myself relying on easy, often-boxed dinners. This means a lot of frozen pizzas and eating out.
When I was living with Bamboo, the two of us got into the good habit of making simple but healthy dinners and exercising more. After a few months of this, I started craving nutrient-rich foods, like big ol' salads and crisp fruit. But I fear I've slipped back to dreaming of a gyros platter with a side of cookie dough.
To get back on track, I hit the gym yesterday and Heat & I made this inspirational salad for dinner:
Start with a big bowl. Throw this stuff in it.
- Baby spinach
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber, chopped
- Avocado, chopped
- Carrot, grated
- Almonds, sliced
- Feta, crumbled
- BOCA Spicy Chik'n patties, cooked and chopped (I use one per person)
- Drizzle of Sriracha
- Dash of lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
OMG, oishii! I would have taken a photo of the dish but it was late and I was hongry. In truth, the salad isn't much to look at because the avocado smooshes all over but it is very spicy/tasty. And you should try it. And that is all.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Bonus Bone: Crackery Crockery
Crackery Crockery Plate no. 14 by Ornamented Life, at HorneWhat a knock-out way to find beauty in a major flaw. Oranamented Life makes old cast-off dinnerware the star of the show by filling cracks and chips with 24K gold and hand-made enamel floral transfers. Each piece is (obviously) a unique piece of art.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
Friday, April 10, 2009
All About INV/ALT
We here at design boner have made a HUGE oversight: we did not (until now) have INV/ALT listed in our side bar. We are flaccid in our embarrassment.
In order to correct the matter, allow us to swiftly introduce Angela Schwab, the designer/bike enthusiast/natural blond behind INV/ALT:
We've only met Angela once, a Denver dinner with discussion of meat + chocolate and custom chrome, but we've since struck up a right jolly friendship. But you don't need to know how we met her (my friend dated this girl who was near BFF's with Angela and he said she, Angela, was a little crazy but thought we'd all hit it off - true), you only need to know that she's rather amazing.
Magnetic Cups
We first noticed her Snap Cups. Then came her Magnetic Cups. We all rejoiced when Umbra picked up her Benta Plates and sad when they discontinued them. One might think she would rest on her laurels or give in the art towel but...hold up...she's already onto something new.
When she's not too (un)busy playing with her no-longer-a-guide dog or discovering/creating the most cleverly pointless websites, you may find her co-authoring the Annoyance Allowance, organizing Pecha Kucha: Denver, GOCCO'ing building blocks, reupholstering a chair, or obsessing over sugar and biscuit shoes.
So we apologize, Angela Schwab of INV/ALT, for not having you in our list sooner. We'd add you to the TOP but that would defy the alphabet and that ain't how we (blog) roll.
Love INV/ALT like we do: Portfolio and Blog.
In order to correct the matter, allow us to swiftly introduce Angela Schwab, the designer/bike enthusiast/natural blond behind INV/ALT:
We've only met Angela once, a Denver dinner with discussion of meat + chocolate and custom chrome, but we've since struck up a right jolly friendship. But you don't need to know how we met her (my friend dated this girl who was near BFF's with Angela and he said she, Angela, was a little crazy but thought we'd all hit it off - true), you only need to know that she's rather amazing.
Magnetic CupsWe first noticed her Snap Cups. Then came her Magnetic Cups. We all rejoiced when Umbra picked up her Benta Plates and sad when they discontinued them. One might think she would rest on her laurels or give in the art towel but...hold up...she's already onto something new.
When she's not too (un)busy playing with her no-longer-a-guide dog or discovering/creating the most cleverly pointless websites, you may find her co-authoring the Annoyance Allowance, organizing Pecha Kucha: Denver, GOCCO'ing building blocks, reupholstering a chair, or obsessing over sugar and biscuit shoes.
So we apologize, Angela Schwab of INV/ALT, for not having you in our list sooner. We'd add you to the TOP but that would defy the alphabet and that ain't how we (blog) roll.
Love INV/ALT like we do: Portfolio and Blog.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Your City, Your Choice
We just got word that the folks over at Jessica Rust need our help! This swanky but sweet proprietor of personalized dinnerware is extending the search for the next city silhouette to be featured on the Skyline Collection of tea mugs.
They already have Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, London, Paris, and they're asking us to fill in their survey as to where to go next. Anyone who takes the survey is eligible to win a free Skyline mug!
I, of course, rang in with Denver, although Porcelain might suggest the skyline would simply be a line of mountain with a bison on top. If she, however, pencils in Detroit, I'll say that the artwork for a crumbling warehouse with a smattering of feral dogs is no better. Cash Register building in your face, P!
Don't let our turf war scare you off though. Hop over and offer your feedback to this clever Minneapolis-based designer. And please don't miss out on all the other lovely Jessica Rust designs:
They already have Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, London, Paris, and they're asking us to fill in their survey as to where to go next. Anyone who takes the survey is eligible to win a free Skyline mug!
I, of course, rang in with Denver, although Porcelain might suggest the skyline would simply be a line of mountain with a bison on top. If she, however, pencils in Detroit, I'll say that the artwork for a crumbling warehouse with a smattering of feral dogs is no better. Cash Register building in your face, P!
Don't let our turf war scare you off though. Hop over and offer your feedback to this clever Minneapolis-based designer. And please don't miss out on all the other lovely Jessica Rust designs:
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
The Highs & the Lows
There's a right way and a terribly wrong way to use those multi-tonal chunky color highlights. Allow me to illustrate...
WRONG
RIGHT
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
Bonus Bone: Norden dining table
Norden dining table, at IKEAThe Norden table was probably one of the best purchases I've made all year. It hosted Thanksgiving, a birthday party, an impromptu dinner party, and I also had plenty of space on which to spread out and wrap Christmas gifts. When it isn't pulled out in the middle of my studio for meals and get-togethers, it's pushed up against a wall and makes a great surface for various art projects.
The table is solid, solid wood (no particle board in this IKEA piece). It is also so heavy that, after I put it together, I couldn't flip it right side up! If you're looking for a simple, affordable and well-made table, I totally recommend the Norden.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
The table is solid, solid wood (no particle board in this IKEA piece). It is also so heavy that, after I put it together, I couldn't flip it right side up! If you're looking for a simple, affordable and well-made table, I totally recommend the Norden.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008, In Summation
Before we step foot into '09, we thought it only fair to pay tribute to '08. Skimming through the past year of bloggity posts, this is how design boner sums up 2008:
We take a lot of cat photos. Sorry. We are not crazy cat people. Really. We just love our little beasts and find them excellent Weekend Photo material.
We also seemed to have two minor obsessions with an odd pair of celebrities: Cindy Crawford and Christian Bale. Cindy, we poked due to her new line of overstuffed furniture and tendency to deny her children. Christian, well, plainly put: he's big time sexy time and worth the double mention.
Getting back to reality (or virtual reality, rather), we picked up a couple new and vocal readers. We want to give e-hugs to DNfromMN, Lady Briggles, and, most recently, Preston, for reading often and not being shy to comment. Preston even gave us an award! Mucho merci to you all!
Porcelain's past year of posts reveal her big quests to be finding a bed and a table...a table...and a bed. She's still scouting for a bed frame (suggestions welcome!) but November saw the addition of a new dining/work table into her space. One down!
Cardboard's Dining Room/Office, In Transition
I, on the other hand, have been needing to clean house. This past year has been a series of now you have it/now you don'ts so I need to re-center around what's really important. Two of my big missions have been to budget my spending and to fix what is broken (literally and symbolically) in my home.
Then design boner turned two! Naturally, P & me * drank a crapload of Michigan beer and constructed an even bigger fleet of paper airplanes.
As for general '08 trend alerts, Porcelain dived into ceramics, glass, and paper for the walls. I posted often about rugs but went plain C-R-A-Z-Y for lighting.
Lastly, we really got into our Flings. These not-necessarily-design-related mementos create much fun and laughter in this little blog so focused on bed frames and lights. We found new artists, rehashed memories, and even met a couple Fantastic Men. We might call them Flings but that doesn't mean we don't love 'em.
Welcome to 2009!
We take a lot of cat photos. Sorry. We are not crazy cat people. Really. We just love our little beasts and find them excellent Weekend Photo material.
We also seemed to have two minor obsessions with an odd pair of celebrities: Cindy Crawford and Christian Bale. Cindy, we poked due to her new line of overstuffed furniture and tendency to deny her children. Christian, well, plainly put: he's big time sexy time and worth the double mention.
Getting back to reality (or virtual reality, rather), we picked up a couple new and vocal readers. We want to give e-hugs to DNfromMN, Lady Briggles, and, most recently, Preston, for reading often and not being shy to comment. Preston even gave us an award! Mucho merci to you all!
Porcelain's past year of posts reveal her big quests to be finding a bed and a table...a table...and a bed. She's still scouting for a bed frame (suggestions welcome!) but November saw the addition of a new dining/work table into her space. One down!
Cardboard's Dining Room/Office, In Transition
Then design boner turned two! Naturally, P & me * drank a crapload of Michigan beer and constructed an even bigger fleet of paper airplanes.
As for general '08 trend alerts, Porcelain dived into ceramics, glass, and paper for the walls. I posted often about rugs but went plain C-R-A-Z-Y for lighting.Lastly, we really got into our Flings. These not-necessarily-design-related mementos create much fun and laughter in this little blog so focused on bed frames and lights. We found new artists, rehashed memories, and even met a couple Fantastic Men. We might call them Flings but that doesn't mean we don't love 'em.
Welcome to 2009!
* Grammar sacrificed for rhyme.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Quite possibly the cutest butter dish
Whale butter dish, at Jonathan AdlerRemember Jonathan Adler's whale pitcher? Now there is some more whale-adorableness to add to the collection in butter dish form. Who knew whales were one of the cutest animals to make into ceramics?!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bonus Bone: B&W S&P
Pimienta & Sal Shakers, at CB2For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Bonus Bone: Bistro Tables in HOT Colors
I love both of these double-level side tables. I think the one with the cut-outs, the one that looks like it's made of lace, is my favorite. Yet the wheels on the other model would certainly come in handy.
Their shape, though, isn't even the niftiest thing. The best part is all the colors in which they're available. Check out the shiny, powder coated rainbow!
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Their shape, though, isn't even the niftiest thing. The best part is all the colors in which they're available. Check out the shiny, powder coated rainbow!
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.Friday, July 18, 2008
Bonus Bone: Snowden Flood plates
I've been feeling very Susie Homemaker and wishing that Hardwood and I had a big dining room with space for 12 of our closest friends. I'd like to have a nice big table with a white tablecloth, but instead of traditional fancy china I'd use these two series of plates from Snowden Flood. Each plate depicts a different scene from a walk along the Thames or a drive along the highway. I can see our guests arguing over who got the Tower Bridge plate and who got the bright pink motorway plate. It would be just like when by brothers and I fought over which color fondue forks we got.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Art reception #2
Painting in process, see the finished piece on FridayDetails:
Art Show/Meet and Greet
Art by: Katie Brown, Rex Flodstrom, Philip Hartigan, Jackie Spark
Friday, July 18, 2008
6-8pm
Il Fiasco
5101 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60640
Monday, June 09, 2008
Come see some of Porcelain's paintings!
Brooke, by Katie Brown (aka Porcelain)I have six paintings hanging at the wonderful Andersonville restaurant Il Fiasco. There will be a meet and greet/reception on Friday, June 20 from 6-8pm. Please come out to support some local Chicago artists and a great neighborhood restaurant (amazing pizza, delicious pasta, and great wine list).
Details:
Art Show/Meet and Greet
Art by: Katie Brown, Rex Flodstrom, Philip Hartigan, Jackie Spark
Friday, June 20, 2008
6-8pm
Il Fiasco
5101 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60640
See a few more examples of my work here.
Details:
Art Show/Meet and Greet
Art by: Katie Brown, Rex Flodstrom, Philip Hartigan, Jackie Spark
Friday, June 20, 2008
6-8pm
Il Fiasco
5101 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60640
See a few more examples of my work here.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Yumbrella: Love It Despite the Name
Yumbrellas, at Design My World 
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Pretty Pretty Iittala
I recently made an impulse buy of one of these Iittala Aino Aalto glasses. Bamboo, my roommie, had just complained about us having no medium-sized glasses and this nearly 12-ouncer fit the bill. Plus, while browsing through all the lovely glassware at The Sweden Shop, I kept coming back to Iittala's shape and the unique blues.
It took me many, many minutes to decide between the Blueberry Blue (top row, left) and the Sea Blue (middle row, left). Both of these shades seemed really fresh and new to me. The Blueberry was smoky and the Sea was brilliant. I finally decided to take home the Sea shade because I feel my kitchen could use a jolt.
When I get back there, I'll probably buy another glass. I paid $12.50 to The Sweden Shop for the single glass so it's comparable to the "twofer" FinnStyle sale price. But, if I go back, I'll have to reserve at least an hour for trying to decide on color all over again because the Sand (bottom row, middle) is also very nice...
It took me many, many minutes to decide between the Blueberry Blue (top row, left) and the Sea Blue (middle row, left). Both of these shades seemed really fresh and new to me. The Blueberry was smoky and the Sea was brilliant. I finally decided to take home the Sea shade because I feel my kitchen could use a jolt.
When I get back there, I'll probably buy another glass. I paid $12.50 to The Sweden Shop for the single glass so it's comparable to the "twofer" FinnStyle sale price. But, if I go back, I'll have to reserve at least an hour for trying to decide on color all over again because the Sand (bottom row, middle) is also very nice...
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