IKEA.

Back in the summer of 2001, IKEA teamed with Absolut Vodka to create this amazing 3D ad of a NYC studio apartment.  Well before I was shopping at IKEA, I remember seeing this billboard while I was in the city one day.  I used to love Absolut ads so I photographed it to add to my collection.  If I had the patience, I would attempt to search through my old photo albums to find it!  
For now, I'll just post this one I found on the internet.
 

I never saw this IKEA Tetris ad in person but wish I had!  Such a fun, creative way to sell their furniture.  
 
And if I wasn't tempted to re-decorate my entire house every time I walked into an IKEA, I would probably go shopping there more often!
 

Banana-Fana-Fo-Fana

Resin?  No.  Marble?  No.  Bananas?  Oh yeah!
Japanese artist y_yamaden creates these cool, extremely detailed sculptures from ripe bananas.
Thanks to Laughing Squid for the find.

The (more-than-a) Bike Shelf

While visiting his friends small apartments, Chris Brigham noticed how bikes always got in the way.  So, he designed the solution. The Bike Shelf.  Made from solid wood and suspended by a steel square rod mount, the shelf not only holds most bikes, it serves as a book shelf as well.  It's a great space saver and conversation starter at the same time!  See more at Knife & Saw.

RISD Senior Textile Show

I went to check out the RISD Senior Textile Show yesterday and here are some of my favorite/memorable pieces.

Kathryn Cox

"Farm Raised" (Jacquard, Polyester, Rayon, Cotton)

 

Detail of intricate newspaper print pattern.

I couldn't find an artist/title for this one.  

It was created by overlaying two printed transparent silk layers to create a blurry, seemingly Bjork inspired pattern,

 

Detailed view.

 

 

 Brittany Gwen Bennet 

"Mumbled German Fables IV" (Jacquard, Woven Mohair, Cotton & Rayon)

This was a very cool structured, geometric jacket.

 

Front view.

 

 Amy Yuen Jung Yang

"Untitled III" (Wood & Paper)

 

Oona Brangam Snell

"Midnight Snack" (Jacquard, Woven Polyester & Cotton).

Not one of my favorites but I was just intrigued by the meat and tic-tac-toe.

 

Nora Macleod

"Untitled" (Jacquard, Wool, Silk, Rayon, Olefin)

This one had a great 3D feel. 

 

Kayla Mattes

This one was so odd, I just had to show it.  They were creatively named, from left to right:

"Smiley Naomi," "Slimed Cindy," "Windows Claudia," and "Galactic Tyra...

yeah, I'm not sure about this one! 

 

Eunie Kim

"Shawl" (Fabric Collage/Knit)

I liked how this fabric had the visual effect of a plastic/vinyl but was actually a soft and silky.

 

Audrey Pondek

"Quarry Wall" (Digitally Printed Silk)

Very dimensional with a lot of details when you looked closer. 

 

Elsinore Carabetta

"Felt, Fur & Braids"

Sweater: Alpaca Wool (painstakingly looped into this textural sweater) 

Necklaces: Wood & Linen

 

Detailed view.

Reusable Takeout

Lorena Barrezueta, a Brooklyn artist and potter, creates this amazing porcelain dishware cast from aluminum takeout containers.  Her "Gourmet Collection" comes in gorgeous colors and a variety shapes and sizes.  Now takeout containers aren't just for left overs!

Curiosity Shoppe Online

Then, while looking around Anthropologie (at Garden City in Cranston, RI) today, I saw this container called the Farmer's Market Basket.  It is stoneware cast from a real berry container.  It comes in this cute blue color as well as a neutral beige.  There is also a large version in white. 

Reusable now comes in cute.  Let's make disposible a thing of the past!