The Reference Council » Design

Tony Larson Studio

Steven — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:45:22 +0000

Not only is Tony a friend and a righteous dude, not only does he have a fine taste of music but he also happens to be one bad ass artist. In regards to these realms pop art standards, I would wager that most of you readers know his work from Girl Skateboards. In my humble opinion, it was during his time that they busted out some of the best graphics in skateboarding ever- but there is much more depth to his work.

Finally, his site with most of his work is up.

Enjoy it here.

Travel Posters From The Boston Public Library

Steven — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:37:48 +0000

Thanks to my buddy Anthony for this nice find, and his patience to go through Flickr, a site that I positively despise. “The Boston Public Library’s Print Department is home to more than 350 vintage travel posters, most dating from the 1920s-1940s, the “Golden Age of Travel.”

Which you can all see and order from their site, which is pretty neat if you need some real artwork for your home.

Get it all here.

Dark Drifter print by Andy Kehoe

Stephan — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:45 +0000

The “Dark Drifter” is one of my favourite motives by Pittsburgh’s Andy Kehoe. It’s pretty hard to pick some faves as all of his works are fantastic. One just has to fall in love with the subtle melancholy, sadness and the references to nature, mysticism, ghosts, demons and the beauty of it all. Andy sells his prints via Etsy, they are very reasonably priced and Andy is a very kind seller to deal with. There are only two prints of the “Dark Drifter” left but don’t hesitate to browse Andy’s shop and pick your own favourites here.

Chemex Coffee Maker

Stephan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:10 +0000

When it comes to preparing coffee I am preferring the primitve methods over the advanced super-complex fully automatic machinery. Caveman-style is the new chic. For espresso I like to use a machinetta (yeah, I know, technically it does not produce enough pressure but I’ll call it espresso anyway). However if you are a fan of regular “drip-coffee” you should have a look at the beautiful Chemex Coffee Makers. Invented in 1941 it does not only help to make some delicious coffee, it also has the right looks even the MOMA could not resist. Buy yours on Chemex.com.

Swissted – Swiss Modernism Meets Punk Rock

Steven — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:45:28 +0000

Thanks to my dude Anthony over in Marseille, comes this most excellent ( dude ) website. “Swissted” is a project by artist and designer, Mike Joyce, who combined his love for good music and swiss modernism and combined the two. Quite frankly, I think this incredible and I could and should have every one of these posters.

Have a look for yourself, here.

Pickmaster Plectrum Punch Maker

Steven — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:17:22 +0000

Fuck your credit cards anyway, what better way to use these forms of control and slavery then to turn them into a tool that will help tear down their empire of shit? Excuse the anger this morning, but I’m a little riled up already. So whoever came up with this more than grandiose idea deserves a beer or even a case of it.

Buy it here.

Bovenkamp Sofa

Steven — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:00:17 +0000

Continuing on my quest of finding the ultimate sleazy creative director booze fuck couch here is a beautiful example of what good Danish design means.

Buy it here.

Grete Jalk #128 France & Son Easy Chair

Steven — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:00:07 +0000

Another killer piece of furniture that quietly crept up last week, some info from the seller “A classic teak easy chair by Grete Jalk for France & Søn. Likely Jalk’s most coveted piece, this chair is one of the most popular designs to be manufactured in Denmark. Made for France & Søn but loosely based on a previous design for P. Jeppesen, it was widely exported and became a staple in the France & Søn line. The design features a simple yet very strong external frame of solid teak which has a lovely warm hue to it. The chair is very comfortable due to the use of spring cushions on both the seat and backrest. They are covered in the original green Danish wool fabric. This classic design would fit well in virtually any modern surroundings.”

Buy it here.

Aaron Horkey “True Grit”

Steven — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:43:29 +0000

It’s no secret that I ama big fan of Aaron Horkey’s work. I’ll go as far as saying that he is definitely in the top ten of my favourite living artists. Moon Editions need no introduction, ever since they released the Hexenbrett a little while ago I have been more than impressed with their output. Life is better because of people / organizations like Moon Editions. Now, in this newest venture, Horkey really goes all out. I am fucking impressed. His take on “True Grit” is a 14.75” X 36” laser engraving on Latvian Birch, dyed and then lacquered. Seriously?

Watch a short making of film here.

Jason Thielke Print

Steven — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:28:21 +0000

A long long time, when the original Black Lodges site was still up and kicking everyones ass, I ran a story or profile on Jason Thielke. I have always really liked his work and weirdly, it really doesn’t get enough presence on these here channels. He is going to release a new print today, limited to 50 copies, handsigned and by the sounds of it, on pretty nice paper too.

Pick it up here.

Les Terrasses Cap-à-l’Aigle

Steven — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:00:06 +0000

Like I needed another reason to haul my ass over to Canada, but this is yet another prime example of why our brothers in the far north just are getting it right. I have mentioned in the past that all these pseudo Bauhaus modern houses going up in cities were getting on my nerves, and that hasn’t changed, yet when good solid Bauhaus orientated design merges perfectly well with nature, oh boy, I’m sold. MU Architecture have created this amazing housing development in Quebec in 2009. Arch Daily has the full report, which if you want to feel shitty today, I would suggest reading.

Photo by: Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard

Here.

The Call Of Cthulhu

Stephan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:00:56 +0000

We’ve seen a fair amount of faux books for beginning readers lately, but the take on “The Call Of Cthulhu” by artitst DrFaustusAu has to be the most over the one (if you keep in mind the disturbing-nature of the source-material). I guess that all of you are familiar with Lovecraft and his parallel-universe of insanity and horror (and if you’re not, go and do your homework NOW) so hit the link and enjoy the “The Call Of Cthulhu – for beginning readers” (via io9).

Liyuan Library By Li Xiaodong Atelier

Steven — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:15:10 +0000

This is interesting on several levels, first and foremost, a design project by a Chinese Architecture and Design agency implanted- I mean, let’s be honest, when was the last time you saw that? Right, neither have I. Aside, from that, this is an incredible piece of work, something I could easily grow warm towards-

Read all about it here.

Hans Wegner GE-236 Getama Sofa

Steven — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:39 +0000

The other week I was talking about this sofa that I found and that it strongly resembled a certain Mad Men’s character fuck / think tank- well, I was slightly off on that one, seeing that this just became available and it is, at least I am 99% certain, this one. It’s the 1955 Hans Wegner design for Getama Gedsted, probably the most famous and popular one ever made and it is just amazing. Follow the link below to see more images of it and if you dare even ask for a price on this thing.

Here.

STV House In Tel Aviv

Steven — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:00:56 +0000

There is a good reason I have stopped writing about modern architecture on here a little while ago, mainly, because I am bored stiff of all too many perfect angles and exposed concrete walls. Fact is, that type of architecture is like Britney Spears- everyone knows and wants it but you still need a bucket load of cash to invite her to your own private party plus extra services. Fact still remains though that Britney sucks. Enough of analogy lessons though. This property here in Tel Aviv ( of all places, I hope they have insurance ) is just that touch better to make it worth posting about. Arch Daily has the 411 and if you are interested in that sort of thing, I suggest you follow this link.

Here.