Weekly Finds: Typography in Interiors

I’ve stumbled upon some of these photos recently and I realized that it’s been quite awhile since I did a Typography-related post. So yeah, I’ll try to do my best and make this topic a weekly segment entry as a lot of people are slowly becoming more conscious of the importance and beauty of Typography in actual spaces :)

by Thomas Quinn (via Interior Design Photo Magazine)

Similar to the parking lot directional signage I’ve featured here before, this seeming optical illusion or distortion of the following string of words of wisdom, “Face Reality As It Is” looked like a semi mind-f*ck against the stark white angled walls.

by Studio XAG for Christian Louboutin (via Denzeen)

An awesome window display of vintage-like neon signs and typography for a Christian Louboutin store in London.

You Rotten Prick artwork by Jack Pierson (L: via Danielle Darby; R: via Apartment Therapy)

I have to say this piece by Jack Pierson would make me smile instead of feeling insulted if I had this installed at my home.

Romance by Jack Pierson (via Define and Conquer)

(Photo by Tricia Will Go Places)

Love this idea of labeling the pastries! It’s simple, cute and feels personalized. If you must know (or you have no choice actually as I’d say it anyway) I’ve had this insane dream of owning a bakeshop similar to this one. I won’t do the baking of course (gawd knows that could end up in a disaster), but I would like to design/co-own the shop :) Someday Mikka, someday (haha).

Cielito Querido Cafe by Esrawe (via Sienna Inspired)

The exterior view of another Cielito Querido Cafe (also featured here). This is still one of my favorite finds in terms of applied Typography when it comes to Interiors/Architecture.

Enjoy :)

Color Story: Marie Antoinette

One of my favorite movies of all time would have to be Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film, Marie Antoinette, not because of the script (sorry) but because of its visual extravaganza. I remembered watching this film while I was still a design student and I just sat there in the theatre completely wide-eyed and goggly over the amazingness of its cinematography and grandness of production. It was one of those movies that left me in awe and dream-like slash surreal kind of state when the credits at the end started rolling.

Since this was a story about the life of Marie Antoinette, the setting is during the French Rococo period. In architectural history, the Rococo style is known for its light, dainty and feminine themes. Shells were a famous motif during this period. Curvilinear and S-shapes took the place of the then stiff and rigid outlines of its manly predecessor style.

So enough about the history lesson and let’s talk about the yumminess of colors that helped create the overall “ambiance” of the film. Since this was an age ruled by feminine taste, pastels, florals and toile were abundant.

COLOR PALETTE

Here are a few color suggestions of mine if you want to have a similar feel of the film. I based these colors using my own copy of the Pantone Fashion+Home color guide, but instead of placing the Pantone code I placed the HTML counterpart for easier reference instead.













FOOD

Ladurée provided the luscious and drool-worthy pastries in the film. I’ll just shut up now and just let these photos do the enticing, shall we?









SET DESIGN

I think you can never go wrong with the Rococo style. It’s a “tamer” version of the Baroque style, in my opinion. Most of these scenes were taken in the actual Palace of Versailles (hello!). The details are simply impeccable. Amazing.









The intricate costumes and shoes (Manolo Blahnik anyone?) are also duly noted (and awarded) in this film. If you haven’t seen this yet, here’s the trailer to lure you into watching:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuByY-DnGYo]

Photo sources: 01 02 03

Love It or Hate It: High Gloss Paint Trend

Back then I’ve convinced myself strongly of using glossy paint finishes only on the following surfaces: cabinets, doors or furniture (perhaps in automotive vehicles as well, but that ain’t my department) but most definitely not on walls. No, no, no. Semi-gloss? I don’t understand you people. You see if walls aren’t prepped well, glossy finishes tend to accentuate the “flaws” or bumps and waves on the walls that aren’t as obvious when matte or satin finishes are used. Also, glossy walls tend to create glare when taking photos so if you don’t want the fuss of doing elaborate things just to take a photo of the space then this type of finish or “top coat” (like in nail polish) is not that advisable.

However not so long ago I’ve had a change of heart on the matter. Seeing this type of coating in dark hues made me change my stand regarding this finish. Somehow it creates a dramatic and luxe effect when you use it with deeper saturated hues while using it in white or gray tones make the shade look somewhat “metallic”. It’s now lala-love for me!

Just take a look at these sample photos below:

The black gloss paint gives an interesting texture to the walls that compliments well with the lighter accents. (via Washingtonian)

This wonderful blueberry shade is my favorite when it comes to high gloss finishes. (by Nate Berkus via Elle Decor)

Instead of using mirror on the ceiling, try using high gloss to give an illusion of added height and heightened glamour. (via Funkia)

To-die-for emerald high gloss ceiling! (by Thom Filicia via Habitually Chic)

High gloss used as an accent against matte painted walls making it look like a two-toned wallpaper. (by Kristen F. Davis Designs)

A sample of how high gloss is used on furniture. (via Rachel Bishop Designs)

So high gloss paint on walls/ceilings, love it or hate it?

Creative Photo Booth Backdrop Ideas

Photo booths are almost becoming a staple on every party or event I’ve been going to and whether you’re hiring professional service or going frugal by improvising one, what makes the output photos amazing aside from good lighting and a decent camera is having an interesting backdrop and quirky props. Most professional services I’ve seen locally are using printed tarpaulin as backgrounds, but I still think the hand-crafted ones still look much better as it gives more depth to a shot. Here are some of my favorite backdrop inspirations:


The colorful layered banderitas adds a festive touch to an otherwise dull background. (via Dolci Odille)


This would look awesome on an 80’s theme prom! (via Weddzilla)


Effort, but how cute are these shredded crepe and metallic paper strips backdrop?  (via McKean Studio)


(via Smilebooth)


Pixellated post-its! (via The House That Lars Built)


Tissue garland backdrop with an adorable kid as accessory haha (via Eight Ten Ten)


Vinyl record pattern (via United with Love)


Variation of the pin-wheel (via Contradiction of Sorts)


Fringed (via 100 Layer Cake)


Dreamy floating balloons! (via Green Wedding Shoes)


Wouldn’t these taped stemmed florals look good as a photo booth backdrop? (via Design Front)


Vintage-style and quite “Little Women-esque” (via Yaggi Photography)

Going that extra mile and preparing for photo-ops even for simple parties make the memories more interesting and amusing to go back to, yea?

Before Louis Vuitton became a luxurious brand known for its fashionable hand bags, it first became known for its innovative flat-bottomed and stackable trunks that featured an ability to float on water and has a type of canvas that is more water-resistant than leather, a material commonly used then for luggages (note that water transportation was most popular at that time). Actually, if you have a Louis Vuitton purse of your own you might notice that if you drop water on its outer fabric it doesn’t stain or absorb the fluid easily and you could simply just wipe it off without too much worrying. It’s just like having Teflon on fabric :)

Here are some favorite samples of mine of the different variations of the trunks:

Ooh la la, indeed! (via Purse Blog)

A portable library back when ebooks weren’t invented yet (via The Empress Dress)

Drool-worthy closet that I may not be able to lug around (via Gary C. Sharpe)

Air mattress? What that? (via A Library of Design)

Fast-forward to the present, where air travel is more popular than water transportation and a time where nobody gives a rat’s ass on carrying your luggages for you but thy self (unless you lure them with money or irresistible charm), these trunks simply became iconic fashionable items on their own that you just want to collect or display proudly at your home like an art piece in itself.

Penelope Cruz in the movie Nine (via Confetti)

Like any other and ironically at the same time like no other chest-like piece turned into a table of some sort, these vintage LV trunks make a fashionable statement and a conversation piece in any space or home. See what I mean with the photos I’ve scoured from the web below:

As a console (via Style Bubble)

As a home decor or accessory (via Let the Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore)

As a bedside table (via Margaret Long Designs)

As a coffee table (via In the Seams)

Or you can use it as a bed for your pet like they did in the circus, no biggie really! (via Zoot Magazine)

If you can’t get enough of these trunks, apparently there’s also a book featuring all the juicy LV trunk designs throughout the years. Personally I haven’t checked this book out, but it looks fairly interesting.