After meeting two deadlines yesterday, I promised I would reward myself with a little of my own work today. And so may I introduce Rex. He's been sitting around for a while now, sans face, just itching to get make his way into the world.

Looks like today is his lucky day!

I took a little break this morning and reorganized my wall. Feel much better now.
Back to work!

Hey you, Blog!
I'm back.... I have electricity again. And I've got lots of images to share and some things I want to tell you about.

For starters, I dyed some fabric yesterday for a wall cladding idea for an exhibition I'm helping to design. This exhibition, which will open next year at the Autry, is going to knock my socks off. Maybe yours too. Photos to come.

And since you asked: yes, my hands are still blue from the dye; I was too excited to use gloves.

Love, Debi

I'm feeling like I want to say and show a lot of stuff from this past week... but it's been hard to sit down lately, take it in and then re-tell it. I've (once again) started down the dangerous track of blog-neglect.

Tonight I promised myself that if I made it to this one point in one of my deadlines for tomorrow, I'd let myself indulge in a post or even just a quick gander at all the lovely blogs out there. And wouldn't you know it?.... tonight, of all nights, with deadlines looming and blog aspirations high, my computer's adapter croaked and I'm running on and out of battery power. Fast.

With a little luck and extra shipping charges, I'll be back in a few days with a little ac/dc for my laptop. Hopefully I'll see you all sooner from borrowed computers and internet connections, but if not, have a happy week.

{image via ffffound}

I absolutely love this time of year when the jacarandas bloom in Los Angeles. I'd love to see an aerial photo of the city at the height of the bloom. This was the best I could find, see it here in flickr. But just imagine this on a huge scale... a big fuzzy purple grid.

This morning I had to get out of the car. The joggers all wondered why I had my camera pointed at the ground, with my car running, stopped at the intersection with door open. Little do they know.

{p.s. that link to the flickr set with jacarandas is only one of many really great shots of LA via helicopter, by Atwater Village Newbie: a tour of the city with parts we really see or think about.}

Oh how I love Hella Jongerius... seriously, totally in love.

I want to be her.
I want these shoes.
I want to make shoes.
I love her, did I say that already? I'm not sure if I'm making that clear enough.

{tribute to Camper, via dezeen}

Today the skies are smog/haze/June gloom grey in LA.... the colors from this image kick-started my morning. Nothing like a burst of fushia.

{image from New York Times Magazine, Summer Travel '09... see and read more on Indian textiles here}

Some sad news: Renowned wood worker and true craftsman.... Sam Maloof has died.

It's funny how things work... we (H and CG and I) were signed up for a tour of his house for later this week.

Truly a loss to our built-world...

{images from here and here}

I found this little hungry coyote on J's desk. I could not help but take a picture. I love him. I'm going to ask if he can live on my desk for a while.

{inspired by e. soule}

Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I introduce The New Recycles, my new beast series. Hand and machine made from once-lived materials and lost buttons. One of a kind beasts with varied ancestries.

They are slowly trickling into my Etsy store... stay tuned for more.

To those I love: please do not take offense at this next statement:

I love this chair more than anything.

{images from marie claire maison, newly perforated and reinterpreted by Normal Studio for MERCI.... better image on designboom}

drooling.

I started to get really stressed this morning after thinking about all the things I need to do vs. all the things I want to do. Perhaps I found my answer: check myself in at the Sanitarium.

I need and want to go. Perfect.

Just one look at the these little succulents in the bathroom is enough to calm me; imagine what seeing them in person would be like. Or better yet, I could just get my own little collection going. I've got loads of mismatched drinking glasses that have just found their calling.

{image via Remodelista}

p.s. This what I mean.... I just read this post over again, and lo and behold, just realized that I added another little project that falls under the "want" category. The needs and the wants have really been battling it out these past few weeks. I want my work to be want to do, instead of need to do.

Sigh.... back to square one.

This morning I wasn't paying much attention and took the wrong bus to the studio. I didn't mind at all though as it resulted in a nice (albeit long) walk. To get from downtown to our studio you have to cross the LA River, which is the saddest and most interesting rivers I know. In the 30's, after major floods, the river was "channelized" by turning its banks into concrete.

Parts of the river still have a natural bottom and trees and vegetation happily grow... such a stark contrast to where we are further down the river where it is all concrete. It's still really beautiful in a completely different way one might think.

You can read more about it's history and revitalization here.

The past few days have been quite busy.... and I'm finally getting around to posting images of the studio party from last week. I'm very impressed with the wall, especially with the lights installed behind. I think the wall is supposed to be temporary, but I don't think we'll be able to give it up.

The month of May promises to be busy, so bear with me as I try to post more often, I feel like I'm lagging a little behind.

My studio mates have feverishly been making the origami wall for tomorrow's party. The wall will grow considerably as guests help to fold and install. I will need to take some images as it progresses... should be interesting!

Some order in a slightly chaotic world. I like how CG keeps her pens and pencils.

This morning I woke up very early and sped (by how much, I can't reveal) to the airport to pick up my sister who is back from her 6 months in Australia.

I had to get there early because:

1. I had to get a cup of coffee
2. I had to watch the planes land.

p.s. If you live in LA you must go the little park at the intersection of Sepulveda and Lincoln right by LAX. You can get a burger and milkshake and just sit pretty much right underneath the landing path. I love it there. So do other people.

p.p.s. it's very hard to take photos of a huge moving object with a cup of coffee in one hand.

I finished my first set of School Girls. The taller one is in Grade 5, the shorter one in Grade 1.
{now sold}

Concrete pendant lights by Benjamin Hubert Studio.

Stunning, right?

Last week I was awarded a Kreativ Blogger award by Wendren! Many thanks :)
And for my acceptance speech, I need to list seven things I love.

Preface:
I sat in traffic today for hours, both morning and afternoon, though I actually found myself able to concentrate and think about these things, the things I love, of which there are actually too many to name. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

I dare not say: I love traffic.
Though for the first time in weeks I found myself happily trapped in my car, no movement, no mobile phone, no music, nothing.... I just enjoyed moving slowly.

Today I loved traffic. But don't quote me.

..... . . . .. .. . . .... . . . . .. . . . . ..

Seven Things I love, by Debi van Zyl

1. I love watching planes take off and land. I can honestly never ever get enough of this. I am not exaggerating when I say I can watch it over and over and over...... and over again.
{image via ffffound!}

2. I love my plants... voila: my makeshift garden at the studio.

3. I love Neko Case's latest album, Middle Cyclone.

4. I love it my guitar even though I'm still really bad at playing it. Taking lessons has been the best thing I've done in a while. You are never too old (or jaded) to learn something new.

5. I love typrography, in all it's forms. Wish I could practice more.
{image via typetheaory}

6. I love history. I can't get enough of it. And this is a secret.... but, I frequently imagine/fantasize about having lived during the Roman Empire, in Victorian London, and the roaring 20's. And actually, if you've read the latest National Geographic's article on the She-King, Hatsheput, which I just read this weekend, it makes me want to live during her reign as well.

And last but not least, and for which I have no photo:

7. I love finding $20 in the pocket of a jacket I haven't worn in months... that was really great. I still have it. Haven't even spent it. What a find!

..... . . . . .. . . .. I think I'm supposed to pass this on, but I'm going to be lazy for few days :)

Images from a wonderful textile blog, Suika Laboratorio.

I am in love with these two images. They convey a softness I feel I like am trying to find for myself in my own work. I could look at them all day.

You must look at Kaisu's post about her jacquard weaving. Go... now. Look!

I bought this fantastic pot a few months ago. And yet, it remains empty.

I can't decide what plant (and let's face it, it's going to be a succulent or cactus of some sort) is going to be planted in it.

I feel like whatever I plant will take away from the pot, you know? But I can't bare to leave it empty either. I'm usually pretty good about making decisions, but this one stumps me.

Yesterday I went to a friend's house where I had a lesson in making chili relleno and got to pick fresh loquats from her garden. There is nothing like eating fruit straight from the tree, or reaching into a bag of fruit you just picked. It was a perfect Sunday.

Thursday... I don't really have anything to say to you. I thought you were yesterday.

But still, you are a deadline accomplished, a bottle of champagne opened and shared among friends, and also a long night of work ahead.

Keep in touch,
Debi

{fish head lady by crankbunny}

Dear Wednesday,
You felt genuinely like a Thursday. Not quite sure how you did that, but you had me fooled.

Looking forward to the day I thought was already over.

Sincerely,
Debi

{mushroom vessels from sonrisa... even better in person, be warned}

Dear Tuesday,

I did indeed ask for bursts of color, dare I say spots of color, for my week.
This is a great start.

Thank you,
Debi

Hello Monday,

I know its just starting out, but if you could arrange for the rest of my week to look like this, I'd be grateful.

Clear, simple, and with little bursts of color here and there.

Best, Debi

If this was my work environment, you'd never hear a complaint from me again.
{via Felt and Wire}

So this update is long overdue. And it remains a mere update... the final product is still to come.
My new beasts, are finally getting a little attention from me after months of neglect. The family is growing and growing.... they'll be here soon.

What I'm doing right now:

1. listening to Herman Dune
2. enjoying the studio all alone
3. procrastinating via blog surfing, which led me to this wonderful work, the figures, by Tsilli {via oh joy!}

Oh, Monty.... you took so long to finish, but I love you so!

Now you are ready for the world. Go get 'em.

In a different lifetime I would have a been a book designer.
In this lifetime I would still like to try... which goes for so many other things too.

{The Book Cover Archive via oh joy!}

One of my favorite cookbooks: Breakfast Lunch Tea: Rose Bakery. Beautifully designed, photographed and delicious. I dream of eating at this little place in Paris.

We've been invited to a wedding in Paris this October... perhaps that is my chance.

{buy the book here}

Still trying to make sense of all these folds by onlab. You must see it here in action.

A discussion over digital media vs. phsyical.

This is a great example of why I usually preference the physical over the digital. It's so clever. Plus paper and folding... you've got me, hook, line, and sinker.

{via a new favorite: fleuron}

I am feeling very blue at the moment.
These little paper mache creatures instantly lifted my spirits when I saw one on the front page of Etsy.

I can imagine one of them just sitting on my desk, looking up a me and saying that it's all going to be ok. That... or just staring me down until I crack a smile.

Dear Little Desk Lamp,

I think I love you. Actually I know I love you.
Please come and live with me. I will shower you with gifts.

Much Love,
Debi

{from here, via remodelista}

I recently found some great metal letters... and just in time. The studio will be hosting an event soon and we need to get some signage up to identify our space. So I am soldering these beauties to metal rods and will hopefully install tomorrow.

Two images from I took during an installation the other day at the Museum. I took millions of the actual installation, but I like these the best.

Just the colors, the concrete and the cords.

This is what I wish I was doing.... sitting on the floor and making furniture.

{from Stefan Diez... Istanbul/decoration and furniture design fair 2009}

My studio mates are making some interesting things out of paper. Our space is littered with large and small polyhedron origami... I haven't yet attempted to make my own, but I'm very inspired. If you want to try, the book for is sale here.

The desert is on my mind today.

Thought I would revisit some photos I took at the end of the year in Amboy, California. We stopped through this almost-ghost town on our way to Joshua Tree. These are the digital version. I like looking at them and then the polaroids.

I still love that forlorn and abandoned yellow chair. And the lonely curtains.

Once upon a time, I lived in Paris.

Upon seeing these images, I was reminded how I loved the quiet streets far from the tourists, coupled with the little neighborhood shops that spilled onto sidewalks, filled with both people and produce.

The images are from a beautiful blog that is new to me, a view to... I could spend hours and hours looking. Consider yourself warned.

I could really use this simple coat hanger by nendo. All based around 60 degree angles.

I've blogged about nendo before.... and I'm sure I will again. I just love the simplicity, the wit and how clean the lines and shapes are.
Another favorite project is kuuki for kenzoki. "An installation that captures and expresses the concepts behind Kenzoki, a skincare line that pleases all five senses by taking full advantage of the natural elements found in plants." The image above is just the beginning. You must take a look at all of of the images and read about how each flower/plant actually functions... it's quite amazing. So delicate.

One of the things we really wanted for our studio was a good materials library. Since the 5 of us work between architecture, graphics, exhibitions, and general 'undefined making' of things, our potential library is huge. That said, the materials library is not quite set up, it's evolving... and for now our conference table plays host to many materials.

These days the studio is growing into it's own rhythm finally... the space changes with our projects.