INSPIRED BY: OLYMPICS LOGO

Is everyone getting in to the Olympic spirit? While the games are obviously fun to watch but I'm really enjoying following the direction London went with their graphics. I wasn't impressed with the London 2012 logo when I first saw it. Standing alone, it looks like something you would have seen on MTV in the 80's. But as I started to see some of the new arenas and fly-bys of the public spaces; it all started to make sense to me and now I'm in love. The super angular and geometric theme has been carried throughout all of the branding material, architecture and city wayfinding. The vibrant, high chroma colors are a refreshing change from the traditional Olympic color scheme and they are easy to spot in the background of any game. I pulled together some home goods and accessories to get you into the spirit of Wolff Olins' hot pink logo!

1. Overdyed Pure Wool Rug  2. Delta Table Lamp  3. Hot Pink Chalcedony Necklace
 4. Speck Geometric Rubber iPhone Case  5. Linen Tea Towel

The cohesive and contemporary branding for this years Olympics was meant to inspire the next generation; a theme talked about a lot in the opening ceremonies. McCann World Group oversaw the overall branding in collaboration with the London organization committee. My favorite part is the visual identity and way-finding, created by Future Brand and seen below.

Another cool design that cohears with the angular, geometric look of the London Olympics is the Winner's Podium, seen below. It was designed by Kims of Design, a group of students from the Royal College of Art in London. The students also designed the Ceremonial Costumes.

  

photos from design boom

DIPPED

I am loving these sweet wood bowls by Araya of Wind and Willow. The bottoms are hand dipped in electric neon colors while to top half is left natural. The colorful and slightly transparent portion is made out of a soft rubbery plastic that is durable and non-stick. The combination between natural wood and the drippy electric paint is beautiful and perfect for a fresh summer salad!

photo credit

THE NON-FLYING CARPET

I hope you guys are not sick of me plugging Fab.com yet because I have to share this unique modular rugs that I found today! I have a round dining table in a rectangle room at my house and I am always looking for an asymmetric rug for the space. I tried a cowhide for a while but it was like a magnet for my yellow labs hair. These completely original wool rugs from Sergio Mannino Studio are out of my price point but I am in love with them. Ever since I was a kid I've alway like to draw areal views, growing up it was maps of fictionally villages or floor plans of my dream home and now as an interior designer, it's part of my job description. I love the hand drawn quality of this pattern and the fact that the layout options are endless. The Non- Flying Carpet Collection is on Fab for a few more days and is sold in sets or as individual rugs. 

 

IPHONE MEGAPHONE

This sexy amplifying Megaphone comes from en&is, a product design company founded by Enrico Bosa (interior designer and product designer) and Isabella Lovero (jewelry designer). The Italian duo has designed some innovative products including; lighting, furniture and a very unusual textile called Silently. The Megaphone is ceramic with a light weight wood base. The shape naturally amplifies your iphone without electricity. The design is a lot of fun and would make such a cool statement piece!

Found via Private

THE SHOPS

The Shops at Target is a really interesting concept that's launching this Sunday. Target so eloquently describes the program as "The Shops we fell in love with, collected and curated for you". It's an ongoing collection of shops that will partner up with Target to create affordable, exclusive lines. The first run of The Shops features 5 retailers from across the country. There are close to 400 products being introduced, ranging in price from $1.00- $159.99. It's an interesting evolution for Target; a big box store that has been very successful at collaborating with admired high end designers such as Jonathan Adler, Rachel Ashwell, Dwell Studio, Missoni, and Gwen Stefani. 


Private House is a home decor store from Connecticut, founded by Richard Lambertson and Suzanne Cassano. Their store features vintage furniture, antiques, art and garden accessories. They've create a line of tableware, and home & garden accessories with Target.

Cos Bar opened it's first store in Aspen in 1976 and since then has opened 11 more locations in 8 states. They sell European purfume and luxury beauty products and for their collection with Target, they've designed a line of brushes and cosmetic bags along with bath and body products.

Sadly, I'm probably the most excited to see what The Candy Store has to offer. Founded by Brian and Diane Campbell in San Francisco, this boutique candy store has put together a collection of their most popular sweets (including a Gummy Fried Egg).

The Webster is a multi-brand fashion boutique owned by Laure Heriard Dubreuil and Milan Vukmirovic.  They are based out of Miami Beach and their merchandise of clothing accessories and photography caters to both men and women. The line of Miami inspired clothing and accessories they've created with Target will be for men, women, children and babies.

The Polka Dog Bakery (obsessed with that name) comes from Boston, Mass. They sell healthy dog treats and really cool pet accessories like bowls, collars and toys. Their Target collection will consist of baked dog treats and a line of fantastic accessories!

Check out The Shops individual documentaries on Target.com to learn more about these local retailers and where they came from.

AQUA AND GOLD

After checking out the new summer accessories at Kate Spade, I developed a new color obsession- aqua and gold! It's a winning combo that's plastered all over their summer line and once it was stuck in my head I started seeing it everywhere. Oh what a bright and cheerful look as the weather gets warmer!

1. Aqua Door from Pinterest from MySweetCreations via Erin Olsen  2. Raskog Kitchen Cart from Ikea 3. Carousel Bangle Watch by Kate Spade  4. Enjoy Cupcakes Vintage Cupcake Camper  5. Loom Pattern by New Ravenna Mosaics  6. Barrow Street Anabel Baby Bag by Kate Spade  7. Serenity Stone Drops by Stella and Dot

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

If you are in Atlanta this weekend, you should definitely stop by The Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. It's a great way to welcome Spring and get some fresh air- enjoy the Farmer's Market, check out some local art and live music! 

Here are some pretty little Spring things to pump you up for the weekend!

1. Watercolor Peony Wallpaper from Anthropologie

2. Domaine Triennes- this light Rose is perfect for Spring weekends outside and you can find it at most wine shops for $14 - $16. 

3. This sweet bowl is made by Artist Jeff Campana. His work is on the pricy side for me but it is so precious and Spring-y. 

4. These Herb Garden Labels by Paulova come in a pack of 4 for $32.00, pick and choose your herbs and the color of the glaze.

5. This Reclaimed Row Home Birdhouse is one of 5 for sale from Anthropologie.

6. These beautiful Spring nail polish colors from Chanel look like Spring flowers blooming!

7. Seed Bombs are small clay and soil balls full of regional Wildflower Seeds. To do some "Gorilla Gardening" this Spring, throw a bomb in a vacant lot, or nearby field! Get 2 bags for $14 at Uncommon Goods.

8. Felix Doolittle is a printing company from Massachusetts that makes note cards, stationary, labels and custom gifts. They are a great go-to for Birthdays and Mother's Day, and  their newest watercolor designs are spring and summer inspired.

INSTAGRAM YOUR HOME

Instagram is camera app for taking pictures, editing and sharing with your friends. It's super popular with over 15 million users and it was just sold to Facebook for a whopping $1 billion! I love this app, I use it all the time to add filters and focal points to my amateur iphone picts, you can follow me @kaytedesigns. Today on Fab.com there is a sale for Instagram collage pillows by Stitchtagram, two for $145.00. What a great personalized gift! Forget about a photo album- you could capture your favorite vacation, wedding memories, adventures with your best friend, I could even see using these when decorating a teenage girls room!

photos via fab.com

While we are on the subject, check out some other Instagram products that have popped up over time. The albums and poster below are from a company called Printstagram. Theses printing products are a great value; the tinybook is $10, the minibook is $12, the poster is $25. They also sale individual prints and stickers. 

photos via printsagram

Canvaspop is a great site for printing any photos on canvas and their canvas ranges from 8"x10" to 24"x72", rolled or framed. Recently, they launched an Instagram section where you can sign in with Instagram and upload your favorite photos. The standard size 12"x12" is on sale right now for $39.95. 

photos via cavaspop

SUCCULENT SUCCULENTS

West Elm has launched an Indoor Garden line that I am really excited about. I love succulents and air plant, and I hear they are pretty easy to care for (a big plus for me). The terrariums and globes that are popular right now give the greenery a cool Sciencey look. They would blend well with a lot of different style homes from stark minimal to vintage shabby chic. The dull colors of cacti and succulents would also find  a place mixed in with a wide variety of room palettes. The plants range from $ 22.50- $37.50 and the containers from $8.00 -$129.00   

west elm

Another company on my raider is Flora Grubb Garden. They are a San Francisco based florist and their website is full of gorgeous flower arrangements and gifts. I love checking in on their blog for color inspiration, lately it has been featuring a lot of succulents and air plants. You can order these really unique gifts below on their online store. The Kits come with all the parts you need to create your own hanging or wall mounted mini garden. The kit prices range from $29.00 - $39.00 and would make a wonderful housewarming gift!

flora grubb gardens

 I first learned about Wearable Planter at the Indie Craft Experience.The Atlanta based jewelry designer, Colleen Jordan, creates these precious and delicate accessories with 3D software. The pattern is printed on materials like nylon and acrylic then hand finished. They make a sweet home for your favorite herb, a flower from your garden or a tiny succulent arrangement, and they just added a really cool collection for you bike too!

wearable planter