solsken. » Design

Sun Printing with Jacquard

solsken — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:42:16 +0000

Last Saturday, I attended a workshop at Flax where Annette from Jacquard explained several different textile dying techniques, from indigo to batik.

I made a sun print by brushing wide rows of white, red and black Dye-Na-Flow colors using a foam brush onto dampened cotton cloth, followed by placing a plastic stencil on top. I brushed a little black on top of the stencil for extra definition.

Laying down stencil on painted cloth

I then took the fabric outside to bake in the sun before removing the stencil.

Drying in the sun

Removing the stencil

The entire process took about half an hour, a surprisingly quick way to achieve stunning color and patterns.

Finished textile

I’m going to turn this piece of fabric into a book cover! I also tried out the lustrous metallic Lumiere paints with a soy wax resist on cloth. They come in these cute little squeeze bottles:

Jacquard Lumiere Paints

Mirrorcube at Tree Hotel

solsken — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:22:29 +0000

Mirrored glass reflects the surrounding forest

Sweeping landscape views

From Tham & Videgård Arkitekter comes the Mirrorcube, a sleek mirrored prism suspended in a forest near the Arctic Circle. It accommodates a double bed, living room and bath, with 360 degree views of the surrounding country from within as well as a roof terrace.

It’s my favorite of the seven arboreal cabins commissioned by TreeHotel, though the others also deserve a look: check out the hotel’s UFO-shaped vessel and gigantic bird’s nest.

Scenes from space.

solsken — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:41:46 +0000

Here is a beautiful little film by Chris Abbas, who used stills from NASA’s Cassini Imaging Science System and 2 Ghosts I, Ghosts I – IV by Nine Inch Nails.

CASSINI MISSION from Chris Abbas on Vimeo.

Bouquets to Art 2011

solsken — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:07:06 +0000

I love this time of year in San Francisco. The rainy season gives way to early blooms, celebrated by events like Bouquets to Art at the De Young Museum. The annual exhibition features original works from 150 local floral designers inspired by art from the museum’s collection. Here are a few pictures from the member’s night:

Conservatory of Flowers

solsken — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:21:39 +0000

This drizzly Sunday, I caught up with some friends over brunch and a trip to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.

Today was the last day to catch the annual Garden Railway exhibit too!

It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, winding from one tropical climate to the next, the senses soothed by perfumed breezes and bursting floral displays.

Minä Perhonen

solsken — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:35:53 +0000

I can’t help but feel instantly charmed by fabrics from Minä Perhonen, a clothing and textile design house from Japan. If the brand sounds familiar, you may have seen or heard of its collaborative projects with Danish textile and furniture manufacturers Kvadrat and Fritz Hansen.

The folk-inspired designs blend frolicsome graphic patterns with plucky colors and rich textures. Take a peek at the following sampling; don’t these swatches beg to be touched? To see the company’s entire range of textiles, clothing and furniture, visit the Minä Perhonen website.

Bird

Festival

Fogland

Forest Parade

Oasis

All images © Minä Perhonen, used by permission.

Hong Kong Living

solsken — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:10:41 +0000

I love the efficiency of this tiny Hong Kong apartment! Architect Gary Chang designed an elaborate system of movable walls with folding furniture, allowing a flexible configuration of twenty-four spaces within a tiny footprint of 300 square feet.

Chang gutted the interior, opening up the entire space for a fresh overhaul. He also warmed up the interior by tinting the windows yellow, instantly banishing grey days from entering the flat. Check out the video to see how he fits two beds into this space, along with a full kitchen, living room, library, video game room, laundry facilities, wet bar, and even a private theater complete with a hammock.

Jim Denevan

solsken — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:53:28 +0000

Remember how much fun it is to draw in the sand at the beach, using naught but your finger or a stick?

Jim Denevan offers a fresh take on sand art, albeit at an enormous and prolific scale. He’s graced northern California with hundreds of beach drawings, each disappearing as nature takes its course: sun, wind and ocean waves gradually erode the short-lived marks, often in the same day they were created.

Here’s a sampling of his work; many more beautiful aerial photographs can be found on his website.

Bouquets to Art

solsken — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:14:10 +0000

Tulips, sculpted plaster and draped fabric | De Young Museum

One of my favorite annual shows, Bouquets to Art, opens this week at the De Young. In a dramatic interplay of the museum’s strong architectural lines, its diverse art collection, and otherworldly floristry, this exhibition offers the public a fresh take on contemporary design principles.

Members of the Fine Arts Museums can enjoy a preview evening tomorrow from 6-8 pm. I can’t wait! Here are some pictures taken from last year (above and below):

Main lobby installation | De Young Museum

Hanging glass pendants | De Young Museum

Feather wings, heliconia and daffodils | De Young Museum

Magic Mountains by Kristin Farr

solsken — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:54:20 +0000

Kokoro Studio is pleased to announce Magic Mountains, an upcoming exhibition featuring new mixed media work by Kristin Farr, a San Francisco-based painter, sculptor and video artist. Farr’s latest work consists of delightful renditions of cocoons, miniature houses, and abstract mountain forms. This will be Farr’s first solo exhibition in San Francisco.

The opening for Magic Mountains is Thursday, April 1, 2010 from 7-10 pm at Kokoro Studio, 682 Geary Street, San Francisco. The opening coincides with the monthly First Thursday Art event in San Francisco. The exhibition is also available for viewing during regular gallery hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 1 – 7 pm.