Taipei Performing Arts Center Proposal by NL Architects

This design was proposed by NL Architects in a design competition for the Taipei Performing Arts Center to host a variety of large-scale performances.

There is something really amazing about the aesthetics of this project that I love yet can't quite put my finger to it. Perhaps it is the fact that I like large void spaces. I just love how the structure is actually a simple white cube with its inner volume subtracted, like a mouse eating in a cube of cheese with square teeth.

In the end, Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) won the competition as other pragmatic concerns, such as the poor acoustics in such a huge structure, took over.

I would love to be inside this space. Looking up, peering down to the performances held within.
via designboom

The real crisis? We stopped being wise

Something inspirational I heard recently and would like to share with everyone. I totally agree with Barry Schwartz that while some rules are important, we could do with less in many instances as they often fail us and ensures mediocrity.

"A wise person is MADE not BORN. Wisdom depends on experience....you need permission to be allowed to improvise, to try new things, occasionally to fail and to learn from your failures..."

" Rules...spare you from thinking....Moral skill is chipped away by an over reliance on rules that deprives us of the opportunity to improvise and learn..."

Part-time position available

Pupsik Studio is currently looking for responsible and people-oriented individuals to join them part-time starting 1 April 2009. Hours: 5-7 days a week, min 6 hours a day. Basic pay + commission on sales.

If you enjoy selling beautiful baby products like you see here and love meeting people in a large retail environment, please drop them an email at hello@pupsikstudio.com. Do share a little more about yourself. e.g. your age, what you currently do and why you would like to be considered for this position. Students currently waiting for results and are available over the next few months can also apply.

All suitable candidates will be contacted by email. Open to Singapore residents only.

Do help forward this to someone whom you think may be suitable and interested in this position. Thanks!

Le Colonel

Gorgeous accessories by french fashion designer Julia who just started her own Label called "Le Colonel". Mad about military embroidery, plaid and lace, Julia mixes modernity, glamour and feminity with designs inspired from the'20s. I just love her sense of style and the way she chooses to showcase her creations. Do check out her website for more.

James Merrell

I love these ephemeral images taken by James Merrell. And I am officially and totally into shacks after seeing these images below. Who needs a holiday if you have a room like this?

Winner of the Vinyl Silhouettes Giveaway!

I roped in my two year old to help randomly choose a winner for the decal giveaway sponsored by vinylsilhouttes. View video above to find out who the lucky person is. Thanks to all who took part and congratulations to our winner!

GIVEAWAY - Personalised Vinyl Silhouettes

For some reason, I can never get enough of decals. I guess my affection for it stems from my childhood obsession with stickers and pretty much everything that sticks. While there are quite a few decal design companies out there, I have not come across anything like Vinyl Silhouettes.

Vinyl Silhouettes is a new decal company that allows you to turn a personal photograph into a wall decal! With a growing popularity in silhouttes, these decals allow you to personalise and customise the look of your room in minutes.

You can choose to do a profile of your kiddo to immortalise his/her head, or go for a full body profile.

More lovely ideas on what you can do can be found here.

Vinyl Silhouettes will be giving a lucky reader of this blog the opportunity to do a custom head profile decal of one of your loved ones: child, pet etc. It can be any color and any size up to 30" tall! To enter, simply email me at ztansl@gmail.com with the subject heading "Vinyl Silhouettes" and tell me what you would like to turn into a decal. I will pick a winner at random on Friday, Feb 20th.

Thanks Vinyl Silhouettes for sponsoring this giveaway!

The Global Shortlist

I was recently delighted to receive a copy of the 5th edition of 'The Global Shortlist' from Mr and Mrs Smith.

'The Global Shortlist' is a travel guide listing 30 most stylish boutique hotels around the world handpicked, reviewed and compiled in a lovely coffee table book by travel experts at Mr and Mrs Smith. In case you are wondering if this has anything to do with the infamous movie with Angelina and Brad, the answer is 'no'.

Conceived long before Brangelina, Mr and Mrs Smith is a boutique hotel specialists representing the coolest, sexiest and most intimate places to stay around the globe. I have always been a fan of boutique hotels and was naturally excited to find out about so many stylish and unique places introduced by Mr and Mrs Smith through 'The Global Shortlist' . The information is presented in a relaxed and interesting way with tons of alluring photographs that is bound to set you packing for your next holiday. Each page directs you to the best shops, best day trips and other things worth getting out of bed for like the secret advice you would get out of a trusted and well-travelled friend.

One place that I got to know of through this book and would love to visit one day is Castello di Vicarello , Tuscany.

Comprising of six suites, this 900 year old mediaval stone castle is set on a Tuscan hilltop among olive groves. I long to sit in one of their two infinity pools which offers unforgettable panoramic views of the valleys of Tuscany.

According to Mr & Mrs Smith, one should prepare to put on weight in this place as Aurora (the owner) cooks up a daily-changing menu of authentic homegrown, home-made Tuscan cuisine, served in the candlelit flower-filled courtyard in summer and by the fireside in winter.

Cooking classes and wine tasting can also be arranged at the hotel's kitchen if you are up for such domestic activities, besides hunting, fishing and horse back riding offered in nearby places.

And if you are looking for somewhere else unique to stay in Italy, La Mienervetta situated off a cliff in the Amalfi coast of Italy promises a stay (or view) you will not forget.

I love the clean visual lines with splashes of colour shown in these pictures. As evident, the view from your bed in this place is to die for. There are lots more recommended boutique hotels such as these in The Global Shortlist so if you are looking for a unique place to stay, you know where to turn to next time!

'The Global Shortlist 'is available here and here. Each copy of the book comes with a year's free membership with Mr & Mrs Smith that allows you to enjoy special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through them. Simply flash your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page.

Debi Treloar

Some gorgeous interior spaces photographed by Debi Treloar (via oh joy). I love the blurring of in and out in the images below.

Airspace

I found out about this amazing site today called Airspace today via Luphia. Airspace helps source for fantastic locations for film and photography. If you are looking for inspiration for a space, this is the place to go. They have everything neatly categorised according to style and type.

Before you enter, make sure you have enough time to stay cos it won't be easy to leave. Some of my favourite images below...

Stamps celebrating 20th-century British design

Britain’s Royal Mail has issued a set of ten stamps celebrating 20th-century British design classics. After seeing these stamps, I suddenly have a strong urge to start collecting stamps. Seriously! (via Dezeen)

Custom Cookies

Create cookies with personal messages by following this recipe at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories here!

Le Petit Atelier de Paris

I simply love these clay objects hand made in the workshop of Le Petit Atelier de Paris.

Chocolate film

Yum! Have you heard of this before? It is called cholcolate film and it makes your pictures turn out a beautiful chocolate tone. I love it! There is also sepia and blue. I should ask shutterbug about it.

(above) chocolate, sepia and blue (via Fairyfaye'sfinds)

La Cerise Sur Le Gateau

Some gorgeous French-made linens and styling found on“La Cerise Sur Le Gateau” (the sherry on the cake). (via Haute Design)

Writing pad

I would love to write a love letter or will on this writing pad. (via Debi van Zyl via ffffound!)

Claerwen James

I have to admit that I am not a fan of portraits as I find them too literal and direct. But I couldn't help gasping at the beauty of these artwork by Claerwen James when I saw them at Layer's of Meaning. Claerwen has a doctorate in Cell Biology from the University of London. While Science was her first love, she enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Arts after realising that painting was the centre of her life.

The colours, mystery and beauty of the expressions captured by these still portraits are beyond words. More of her work can be seen here.

Collective Housing in Tokyo

This is a collective housing project by Sou-Fujimoto which should be completed by now. It is located in the centre of Tokyo on a 143 sq m plot of land. Made of wood, it is designed so that you experience the house like it is a mountain. How fun!

Bibs by Ethic Garden

Adorable bibs by Ethic Garden. I love how the bibs are superimposed with the beautiful sky as the background.

Aliette

Gorgeous prints by Aliette, a graphic designer from Paris. You can purchase her work from her etsy shop here!