Arctic Oak » green design

Hacking the Mundane: Bath Mats

megan — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:34:59 +0000

As a generally overwashed society, the bath mat is something you will encounter with regularity. Why not make it a pleasurable encounter?

I searched the giant retail warehouses in my area for an affordable bath mat that didn’t feel or look like cheap carpet without success.

So, I turned to the Great Online Emporium and found a selection that surpassed my criteria:

They are on sale for $18 USD — cheaper than my worst options in the retail store.

Organic, washable, square not rectangle and an opportunity to be synchronous without being overmatched.

I felt like something was won in the great battle against Bed, Bath and Be-yooond (Be-yooond here said in your best movie studio echo voice).

That is all.

This is Neat.

megan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:16:20 +0000

Design by Magdelena Czarnecki.

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eleanor young

megan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:12:50 +0000

eleanor young of fun makes good rehabs chairs with awesome upholstery shot through with geometric patterns. it’s psycho cool.

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100 apartments, 100 sq. feet

megan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:09:54 +0000

Photographer Michael Wolf has an interesting photo project depicting 100 apartments at 100 sq. feet each in one of Hong Kong’s oldest public housing estates.

Some are cheery, some are dreary - all are very tiny.

Ok, I like that.

megan — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:28:55 +0000

“In an effort to get people to think, the School of Visual Arts launched their “Think” Campaign which features everyday objects made to resemble loose-leaf paper (college-ruled) so people can write down their ideas…”

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urban camouflage

megan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:08:31 +0000

I love these guys. Don’t tell army about it though…they’ll be popping up from the strawberry bin and spraying your family before you can scream “I’m a civili-”

ps. there’s video.

japan’s take on paper plates

megan — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:38:48 +0000

beautiful.

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Turns Out, Hope Really Does Die Last

megan — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:26:59 +0000

Still smiling, one month later.

The children of DC are safer without Cheney’s dark shadow circling the sky. Although, baby calves thoughout rural Montana should be nervous come January, cause Cheney’s supply of fresh baby hearts is going bankrupt …this is the only recession that will effect him.

Anyway, I don’t care how broke we are as long as those “conspirators, card sharks, double-crossers, and secret betrayers of their own people” leave Washington.

Amen.

PS. I don’t remember how I found this painting from Africa, but it is super bad.

Wyne Veen Rides Again

megan — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:08:45 +0000

I really enjoy Miss Veen’s photographs, so I was happy to receive notice that she has updated her site with a couple of sets of great new photos and got herself an agent.

Really, go have a look.

Wat Pa Maha Kaew Temple: A Recycled Marvel

megan — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:00:45 +0000

The bottle-collection-turned-building started in 1984, when the monks used them to decorate their shelters. The shiny building material attracted more people to donate more bottles, until eventually they had enough to build the temple standing today. Bottle caps are also integrated as decorative mosaic murals. Going beyond use of glass as a sustainable building material, the bottle bricks don’t fade, let natural light into the space and are surprisingly easy to maintain. So if you’re looking to find Nirvana in a bottle, you might want to consider making a stop at the Wat Pa Maha Kaew Temple.

Nothing like running into a monk to make you realize you are being a whiny bitch.

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