My father was one of 7 kids in a very poor New England family. He moved to NYC with nothing, renting a place at the YMCA for dollars a day, while working two jobs and going to school at night. I’m inspired by his ambition to make something of himself. He’s a true entreprenaur who never waited for things to happen, and instead created opportunities for himself and others.
What made me think of this was the above video made by Grasshopper. It’s really nicely done and inspiring as well.
Roman & Williams is a definite source of inspiration. I think Sabrina and I refer to them constantly when thinking/talking about design work. Recently, I find myself citing spaces they have created as some of my favorite in NYC, from the Ace Hotel to the bar at the Standard. I love the way their work evokes a moodiness in textures and found objects, that often pay homage to another era. They mix this vintage romanticism with a balance of contemporary and modern touches.
Above is a video originally posted on The Scout, of the principal designers Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer speaking about their process.
I had somewhat recently tweeted from the McNally Jackson books cafe in Nolita about how much I loved the space and the fixtures designed by Front Studio. My iPhone photo really did not do it much justice, so I was thankful to stumble upon these much better quality shots from Kitsune Noir. I love the pages of the books that line the walls, and the books that seemingly float overhead. It’s a great little spot. Click here for additional photos.
Vans and the places they were documents surviving 70’s and 80’s era conversion vans parked on streets throughout the Bay Area and Southern California. The project, led by Joe Stevens, began in 1996 and currently consists of hundreds of images shot on 120 film and examines the dialogue which exists between a van’s design aesthetic and that of its surrounding environment.
As these types of vans are becoming a dying breed, Joe states, “consequently the goal of the project is to one day shoot the last remaining van on the final frame of photographic film in existence. Then the project will be finished.”
“I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”
—Film critic Roger Ebert on losing his ability to speak four years ago, tells Esquire Magazine he communicates through Post-it notes but there is “no need to pity” him.
