Creative Business Cards

Aren't you tired of business cards that all look the same? Check out these creative cards that say more than just your name and designation. More creative inspirations at this flickr pool.

Scott Stulberg

I came across this website with the most amazing photography taken by Scott Stulberg. Some of his pictures really tug at the heart. You got to check out his website to see what I mean.

DROOG RAG CHAIR BY TEJO REMY

The chair is made by layering 15 bags of rags. It arrives ready made but the user has the option to recycle their own discarded clothers to be included in the design. Wonderful use for your old clothes! Available at greenergrassdesign

Old paper

I found out about appleseed today. This Etsy store sells packets of old paper which includes wallpaper, sheet music, pages of text, poems, greeting cards, trading & playing cards, matchbox covers, children's illustrations and text, maps,used stamps, postcards, atlas pages,old patterns,recipes... Mostly vintage. Good for inspiration and making pretty much anything with paper. (via poppytalk)

Clever mailboxes

I saw these really clever mailboxes in the July/August 2007 edition of Dwell magazine. Created by Mark Naden of Pure Design, the barcode is actually perforated so you can take a peek inside to see if you've got mail! Available here, but it looks like they're sold out right now.

Deleted Images

Also known as 'The Junkyard of Art', DeletedImages brings an artistic perspective to unsharp, moved, blurry and unfocused pictures that would have been deleted otherwise.

I just submitted a blurry shot taken by a friend on my wedding day to them. Really like it a lot as it pretty much summarises what I felt, saw and remember of that day.

Some of my favourites below.

Ikea Hacker

I came across this great blog called the Ikea Hacker. It basically welcomes people to submit their own hacked creations from Ikea. Here you can find inspiration for de-IKEAfying IKEA stuff and turn your mass-produced pieces into something personal and unique.

Some wonderful ideas to share with everyone.

(above) ding3000 pimps up the world's no. 1 Billy shelving unit into a playful interim storage place for unsorted books, magazines and newspapers.

(above) An ikea poang table turned into a kid artist friendly furniture with just a bucket of studio finishes chalkboard paint. via.

(above) An ikea pillow case turned into a gorgeous skirt by Melissa of fehrtrade.
(above) "Designer" hack by AnAtomicFactory of an ikea stefan chair.

(above) Cheap ikea lamps spiced up with black lace.

"Lace" tape

Lace tape by Stella Bugbee . Available at mattermatters

Het grote Avontuur

I learnt about this great store in Amsterdam, Het grote Avontuur (The Big Adventure), via Bloesem. Most of the unique products they carry are handmade by small businesses all over the world. Here are some cool products plucked from their online store.

(above) Pattern roller. I have used roller stamps like this before for craft projects but never knew they had them for walls!

(above) Butterfly paper cuttings for the wall decal lovers.

(above) Sadle cover to cover your bike like they do in India. Brilliant! Makes me want to get a bike to use the sadle cover.

Niche Modern

Check out these stunningly clean and simple lantern-like designs by husband-and-wife team Jeremy Pyles and Mary Welch of Niche Modern! The organic designs take their inspiration from forms and materials that exist in nature. Available in several gorgeous colours ranging from warm ambers to saturated reds and blues, these lighting designs have become one of America's hottest and most sought-after by homes and commercial establishments.
(above) Stamen Modern Pendant Light, inspired by the natural forms of the flower.

(above) Binary Modern Pendant Light, an extension of the Solitaire light with a second bulb to represent the element of balance.

Bella Modern Pendant Light, the sleeker, little sister of the Bell Jar pendant. Ideal for intimate spaces.
Aurora Modern Pendant Light. Aurora is a word for the phenomenon seen in the northern and southern skies when charged particles perform a dance of light as they enter the earth's magnetic field.

Design*Sponge did a podcast with Niche Modern back in 2006. Click here to learn more about the humble and inspiring story behind Niche. You may have to wait a while for the audio to load but it is worth it!

Modern Chinoiserie

I can't get enough of birds, blossoms and cages although I see them everywhere! From fashion to graphic arts and home decor, Chinoiserie is definitely experiencing a full blown revival right now. For those who did not manage to get a hold of the feature on Modern Chinoiserie in Domino back in May, here are some images and sources for you to look into.

(above) "Pillemont toile" wallpaper. Click here for more info.(above) Bird and Flower Notebook (Shanghai Tang)
(above) Decorative thermos (Asianideas)
(above) Gorgeous wallpaper by the legendary Florence Broadhurt. (Click here for more information)
(Above) "Desi 19" stools (click here for stores)

(source: Domino)

Leif Designpark

Applying traditional Japanese parquetry techniques, the Tone collection from Leif.designpark juxtaposes different textures and colours found in various types of wood that absorbs different nutrients from the ground. The result is breathtakingly beeauutiful! (via sub-studio)

Fresh New Spaces

I just found out about this flickr group that has the most amazing pool of fresh new spaces. Here, you can find a wide array of beautifully done up interiors and ideas to suit your style. What I like about the pictures posted in this group is the "lived-in" quality and uniqueness of each space that reflects the character of the occupants. Best of all, they don't look like you need a million bucks to achieve the look. Just good taste. Do check it out and be inspired!

Sticky Lamp

Designed by Chris Kabel for Droog Design. Sticky Lamp is like a sticker. Simply peel off the back and stick it on the wall.

Marie-Louise Gustafsson

Check out these clever designs by Swedish freelance designer Marie-Louise Gustafsson!

A desk literally throwing itself into the waste basket. Made of recycled paper, the whole table weighs only 4kg. Think this would make an excellent sewing table!

A portable bathtub. Now you can have a bath wherever you like! The project questions the location and personal value of the bathtub.

This ‘Slacker’ chair adds a new flexible sitting experience as its users have to find their own sitting position.

Concerto table

If you love the look of a grand piano but can't play, the Concerto Table by Nicholas Lovegrove and Demian Repucci may be for you. Designed with an integrated ipod dock and surface-mounted speakers, you can plug in your precious mp3 player, lift the soundboard lid and let the music fill your space. A great conversational piece for the home!

Tricks to decorating a small space

I would highly recommend Domino as a useful design resource to go to if you are looking for stylish ideas for your home. Their website is very clearly organised and filled with lots of tastefully decorated interiors and design tips. I simply love these ingenious tricks they give on 'how to decorate a small space'. Here are some of my favourites...

Trick 1: Use backless bookshelves to separate living and sleeping areas without blocking light.

Trick 2: Hide clutter artfully with oversized artwork hung over shelves.

Trick 3: Use white to enlarge your space. Eye-popping hues can also work in a tiny studio as long as the colors and patterns speak to each other and some large white spaces (like this white fireplace above) are left. Trick 4: Use low walls or banquettes to create "rooms" without bisecting the space.

Trick 5: Use even nonfunctioning architectural details. The television tucked into a plastered-over fireplace with a fireplace video like the one above can double as witty conversation piece.

TinTree spaljé

TinTree spaljé by Johan Carpner. Great to decorate your garden wall or use to hang your ornaments indoors!