Awkward Space – solution!

07/29/2009

We have an angled wall in between our pantry and hallway. (The green wall with the framed poster.) It’s part of the kitchen but essentially wasted space. We let shoes pile up in the triangular floor space. I’ve been wondering for a while how we could make the best use of that space.

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Yesterday inspiration struck when I saw a picture from here of cork tiles used along a stairway. I love how it looks modern and clean but it’s also functional as a tack board! Then today, I read the word “pegboard” somewhere and inspiration strike #2! I remembered this picture I saw many months ago of pegboard used in a kitchen to hang pots and spoons. I love it! (I think I originally saw it  here. There is another great example here.)

inspiration

So my idea is to put a small wood shelf along the wall at about eye level with cork tiles above and pegboard below. It can be totally blank, clean and simple. OR, it can be used as a message center with photos and notes tacked at the top; odds and ends on the shelf and pegboard hooks below for hanging jackets, purses, scarfs, umbrellas, etc. when guests come over! I’m so excited about the idea! I just made a mock up so I can convince corporate that we need to do this:

mockup

(click • for credit.)

3 Comments | Art, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design, Family | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Cute Crocs?

07/28/2009

Is that possible? I saw this picture recently on one of the fashion blogs I follow and was surprised to read that these cute, simple flats are indeed Crocs:

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I did a little investigation on Crocs.com and found some other cute options too:

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And the best part? The Malindis are $29.99 and the Primas are only $19.99!

((click • for source.)

2 Comments | Art, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Third Life

07/25/2009

First it was a sheet. Then it was a curtain. Now, in it’s third life, it’s a purse:

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I wear a lot of brown but sometimes I wear black so either color purse is out for me. I hate having to switch purses based on my outfit. Lately I’ve been using a white purse but it gets dirty too quickly. The solution: a bold colored purse. Last fall I looked everywhere for a great deal on a jewel blue purse. This year, I decided to make my own by repurposing some materials I had lying around.

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I’m pretty proud of this little bag. I made a liner out of a vintage, flower-pattern sheet with a zipper interior pocket for little hideaways and 3 custom pockets for my cell phone, lipstick and receipts. The flower broach pin/hair clip is from Target.

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3 Comments | Art, Art: crafts, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

CCM Digital – Summer 2009

07/23/2009

CCMcover

One of the projects I have the privledge of designing at my job is a quarterly online magazine called CCM Digital. It’s a new release guide featuring faith-based music that’s being released during the quarter. Each issue also features 1 or 2 special sections. In this issue the special features are on worship music and the Christian indie music market.

indieresource

Check it out, even if you’re not a Christian music fan. The online magazine format is pretty unique as it incorporates hyperlinks, videos and audio right into the “magazine,” which has flipping pages. I hope you enjoy the design, too. This publication is truly a labor love for me, the editor and the other designer who pull this together every 3 months.

Do you read any other digital magazines or online catalogs? What are your favorites?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

New Wardrobe Staple

07/16/2009

My favorite shoes of three years (or more?), these olive-green cordoroy flats from Old Navy, have seen better days. I’ve loved them and they’ve been good to me. But as happens in the harsh reality of well-loved shoes, a day comes when the tread is gone, the sole starts flapping and your big toe starts to bust out a hole for fresh air. It’s a sad day.

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Until a replacement is discovered. Did I just get sad over a pair of shoes??

I found these lovely replacements from KEEN. Also olive-green (which seems to match 90% of my wardrobe), slip on flats that will work with shorts, jeans or skirts. And they appear to be sturdier than their predecessors.

shoecraving

::: anxiously awaiting package from UPS :::

Anyone have experience with KEEN shoes?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Love Painting #1

07/15/2009

On Valentine’s Day this year hubby and I decided to do an impromptu painting together. Somehow it got nicknamed “the love painting.” I really enjoy abstract paintings, especially those done quickly, because they capture the emotion, the passion, the energy of the moment in which they’re created. This is abstract but also graphic. It means something very specific and personal to us.

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This week, hubs and I are planning to create Love Painting #2. We have a big empty space in our bedroom above our new dresser. Last night we procured a scrap piece of plywood. And now I’ve come up with some ideas for a meaningful graphic overlay. Look for the a picture of #2 next week!

Sidenote: we desperately need a mid-century modern chair to replace that poang.

3 Comments | Art, Art: crafts, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Fun with Flash

07/14/2009

A co-worker just passed this on to me. Very fun use of Macromedia Flash. I think you’ll enjoy it even if you aren’t familiar with Flash:

Animator vs. Animation

animator

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Posted by mahlbrandt

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