Lasvit "Bubbles in Space"

Honestly, I could probably fill an entire blog with all the amazing lighting designs I've seen come out of Lasvit. Being as I'm attempting a bit of restraint, I'll just highlight one of my favorites :)

The original idea for "Bubbles in Space" came from champagne bubbles, so it seems appropriate to feature it as we roll into holiday festivities - and more importantly, my birthday :)

I think I might like the version with all white/clear glass vs the bi-color version. It would really depend on where it was hanging and the overall ambiance you're creating.

However, it's early in the day and now I'm questioning why no one has come up with champagne coffee yet....

Bubbles in Space - Lasvit, Jitka Skuhrava-Kamencova designer

Bubbles in Space - Lasvit, Jitka Skuhrava-Kamencova designer

Bubbles in Space - Lasvit, Jitka Skuhrava-Kamencova designer

Bubbles in Space - Lasvit, Jitka Skuhrava-Kamencova designer

Kirsky Mitchell "Gaia" from the "Wonderland" Series

I've showcased Kirsty Mitchell's "Wonderland" series before, it is finally finished after 74 amazing photos. I'm picking out some of my favorites to share...

Gaia is not only a standout, but Kirsty kept a diary of why she made the choices and how she set the shot up. The video below shows prepping the model and layering on the costume for the photo shoot.

Kirsty Mitchell Photography - Gaia

Neon Luminescence from The LenzBy Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard

Waterfalls, glow sticks, long exposure photography. How could that NOT be cool? Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard had created some really gorgeous photographs using just that technique!

I found the greens and blues more compelling visually, maybe because red and yellow are danger colors and those tend to set off unconscious alarms? The blues and greens seem more artistic and calming.

What do you think?

By Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard

By Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard

By Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard

By Sean Lenz and Kristoffer Abildgaard

More gorgeous things to put on your walls and ceilings! I really love these paper wall lanterns for their fluid, organic shapes. Put LED bulbs these babies and you've got art that's energy efficient. Who doesn't love that?

My favorite quote from creator William Leslie's website: "I strive to create beautiful forms that will invite people out of their mental busyness to see the timelessness in passing time. Human life, too, is a whirling dance of patterns within patterns".

Art Lighting Fixture by William Leslie - "Sea Swept"

Art Lighting Fixture by William Leslie - "Mandala"

Art Lighting Fixture by William Leslie - "Starburst"

Art Lighting Fixture by William Leslie - "Aria"

Art Lighting Fixture by William Leslie - "Waves"

The Creative Architectural Genius of Jeff Shelton

I was cleaning out some files of pictures/articles I had saved back in the olden days when we read things (wait for it) on PAPER. Yes, kids, back in the day there was this thing called print and it was how we transmitted ideas and pictures.

I ran across an article I had saved on architect Jeff Shelton and his wonderful Cota Street Studios in Santa Barbara, thinking if I ever went back to a non-house living situation I'd maybe consider getting on the list for this place. It would kind-of be the next best thing to being able to build my own James Hubbellesque art studio.

I particularly like the ironwork and doors. Would you live here?

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Cota Street Studios - Architect Jeff Shelton

Sessilanoid - a 40' Interactive Scupture

Artist James Peterson had me at 40' interactive sculpture. Yeah, I'll get on that bus, no question. Oh, wait. It lights up, too? I'm really on board now. Inspired by barnacles? Love it.

The clincher? 

He wrestled internally with building in plastic - the very material destroying a lot of sea life.  He eventually chose to imagine his sculpture as what might happen if the plastic took on the shape of the very things it was destroying. I love a good circle of life story, so that resonated with me. 

Aren't these amazing?

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid: A Sum of all Parts - Interactive Sculpture from James Peterson on Vimeo.

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Since I've been immersed in learning metalwork lately, this really turned my crank. Not only is it flat out cool looking, it moves (yay for kinetics!), and it has a message built into it.

The various "wheels" each depict and different water conservation message, timely for us Californians, no? I also love that it lights up, because I think everything should light up ;)

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger.

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Wow, two YES two posts in one month. See, I haven't entirely abandoned this blog!

Art Lighting Fixtures by Stephen White

Rumor has it that I love a groovy light fixture (a look at the blog archives suggests I might like them more than just a little...)

So, when these started floating by in my Pinterest feed, I was intrigued.

Aren't these lovely? Created by Stephen White who started making his own lighting fixtures out of need for one in his own home.

"Dragon Fire" by Stephen White

"Cetaceous" by Stephen White

"Kaimana" by Stephen White

"Loving Choice" by Stephen White

"Magic of the Heart" by Stephen White

Kinetic Sculpture by David C. Roy

Today is an all video post because if you're going to showcase things that move, you need video of the thing actually MOVING. (Ya think?)  The artist on these is David C. Roy and there are more lovelies on his website.

Bonus: excellent use of classical music tracks.

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

This gazebo by Creative Carpentry is full of awesome, that all I'm sayin'. I, personally, would either put a hot tub in this baby or turn it into a drawing/creative daydreaming space.

What would you do?

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Solaria Off-Grid Earthship, Taos NM

I've finally been nudged out of my overwhelm by this lovely piece of architecture in Taos, NM called Solaria. While I love the house - and especially that mosaic column - the landscape around is a little bleak for me. I'd want trees. And lots of them.

The idea of being totally off the grid appeals to me in so many ways...right until the part about internet connectivity and speed. That's the deal killer. I suppose that if I didn't make my living needing high speed internet it might not matter, but for now it does. Sigh.

The video is a slide show of many of the pictures of the interior/exterior of the house, sadly it isn't a walk through talking about construction and livability. But we can't have everything I guess ;)

Solaria Earthship - Mosaic Column

Solaria Earthship Bedroom

Solaria Earthship Oculus