Foxythings

miniHomes

Introducing the miniHome, officially an RV (recreational home) but also a new way of sustainable living. Designed by Canadian company, Sustain Design Studio, this home is the smaller response to the Living Home (which I blogged about earlier this week). The miniHome is made from 100 % green materials (no vinyl, CFCs, unsustainable wood, etc.) and is completely powered by self-contained wind and solar energy. Therefore, the structure doesn't require any municipal infrastructure, but a water source (lake or water supply) will be needed for full-time living.

With a starting base price of about $107,000 USD, the miniHome is also more affordable than the Living Home. I realize I'm comparing apples (RV) to oranges (full-size house), but if McDreamy can live in a trailer, why can't we? After all, the 350 sq. ft. miniSOLO model is already 100 sq. ft larger than my Hong Kong apartment. Unfortunately, these miniHomes aren't designed for humid regions like Hong Kong, but they're ready for the freezing Canadian winter.

Links:
miniHomage - Sustain Design Studio's blog

(Via Reading Toronto)

The Googleplex

From the latest issue of Fast Company, all about "The Masters of Design":

Completed just last year, Wilkinson's new offices for Google's Mountain View, California, headquarters are a paean to boundless ambition and nonconformity. At the core of the Googleplex, as it's called, is a miniature city of tented glass rooms, padded pavilions, and Astroturf lawns, all anchored by a monumental stair that's embedded with laptop ports, to encourage stoop- sitting during the workday. For Mother, a top-shelf London ad agency where employees are accustomed to working around a communal table, Wilkinson built on tradition, but on a massive scale, installing a 250-foot-long concrete "desk" that swoops around like a racetrack and seats up to 200.

I can only imagine that the Googleplex is a thing of beauty.  One day, when I have my own company, I will prioritize the design of workspace. And like Google, pets are invited to work.

Links:
Time Magazie's photo essay of the Googleplex
Google Culture, by Google

Edgy gardening

German company Rephorm Haus makes simple pretty things. It looks like it only has a few products for sale on the site, but I like what I see. The "Steckling" plant pot was created especially for balcony railings, so say goodbye to the boring gardening boxes that look like they're going to fall over. These pots are available in "ice" (above) or orange. They also have a cute bird feeder by the name of "Titstop," I wonder what that means in German...

(via Design Spotter)

Etsy

Etsy is great website that gives independent arts and crafters the opportunity to sell their products to the world. I bought this "I <3 to Knit" bag for my good friend Iris in Sudbury. The maker is Canadian Karissa Cove who specializes in making cute bags. But Etsy features thousands of DIY masters with everything from original artwork to jewelry to home decor items to bath products. Top sellers include New Yorker Black Apple who sells original paintings and prints from her Etsy store. I just love the Curious Birdplane Boy and Girl prints and I may have to buy them soon.

Roll on, Rollout

While Blik offers removable wall decals, Rollout does custom wall art for people who have their own images in mind. The Vancouver company also features wallpapers like "Fog Blossoms" (above) by Karin Bubas. Their website says, "Gone are the days of slick minimalism. Texture, expression, emotion, and color have filled the gaping hole left by modernism." I agree. Minimlism is no fun, Rollout is.

The Idiot's on fire

My credit card is especially vulnerable to cute T-shirts designed by independent artists and designers. The Little Idiot is a collective of US-based artists, including Moby who created the group's namesake character. I have my eye on the beautifully designed and too-cute to be true, "Bear Flame" (above) hoodie by James Kochalka. If you're looking to get me a belated birthday present or early Christmas gift...

What is Blik?

For anyone who has ever moved into a home already wallpapered, chances are, you wished the last occupant took the dreadful eye sore with them. Is there such thing as timeless wallpaper? I doubt it, but with Blik, it doesn't matter.The company makes self-adhesive removable wall decals with smart designs including art from Keith Haring. They're perfect for commitment-phobics and those of us who move frequently. One of my favourite designs is "7:00" (above) was created in conjunction with another Foxymoron favourite, Threadless.

Living Homes

 

I take back what I said about this blog as a frivolous collection of things I like because while they are still "just" things, well-designed products (and places) serve a purpose. They are about living better.

For example, Living Homes (above). Designed by American architects, these houses are made with non-toxic materials and come with built-in systems to reduce indoor pollution and energy costs. They're beautiful on the inside and out!

Fun and frivolous.

Welcome to Foxymoron's new blog: Things.

It's a simple title for a simple blog. It's just a collection of gadgets, garments, pieces of things I like. Frivolous? Probabaly. But so much fun.