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Todd Oldham Introduces Charley Harper to Old Navy

casasugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:30:55 -0800

It's no secret that Todd Oldham is a big fan of the work of wildlife illustrator Charley Harper, considering that he co-authored a book with Harper. It's also no secret Todd Oldham is the creative director of Old Navy. Thus, welcome Charley Harper to Old Navy! A collection of Charley Harper books, games, and tees for children under $15 is now available at Old Navy and is part of the retailer's effort to target young moms on a budget. I'd call that budget beautiful! Although most of these trix are for kids, there's a great Charley Harper Coloring Book ($9.50) and a Memory Game ($14.50) that would both make easy, affordable artwork for your home. Stocking stuffers?

Guess What This Giant Skull Is Made Of?

casasugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:00:07 -0800

"Mind Shut Down," a giant skull made by Indian artist Subodh Gupta, is pictured here at the Frieze art fair in London in mid-October. The materials used to make the skull are all from one room in the house. Can you name the room?

Guess What This Painting Is Made From?

casasugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:58:25 -0800

This painting by Chinese artist Ju Duoqi recreates Austrain painter Klimt's famous painting "The Kiss." Can you tell me what medium he used? (Take a close look — it's definitely not paint.)

"Flying" LED-Lit Books Light Up San Francisco's North Beach

geeksugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:30:22 -0800

On Sunday night, I witnessed the unveiling of a new art piece consisting of LED-lit books, hung high above a square in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Called "Language of the Birds," artists Dorka Keehn and Brian Goggin participated in the literal unveiling — at first, each book was shrouded and unlit, and one by one, a string was pulled to reveal each book, which were then lit up as the night darkened.

If you find yourself in the city, go by Columbus and Broadway at night, for it's not everyday you can see a flock of illuminated books in flight.

To see more beautiful photos,

Manabot and Robotee Print: Perfect For the Art/Animal Geek

geeksugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:15:00 -0800

Art, manatees, and robots? If just the image of this Manabot and Robotee Print ($25) doesn't charm you, wait till you read the artist's whimsical description: "Manabot lived in the wreckage of an undersea robot factory. He made Robotee out of spare parts to keep him company."

I can't resist a robot or a cute print, so my defenses are useless. Race you to the checkout!

Guess What This Art Is Made From?

casasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:00:30 -0800

These delicate-looking wall accents are upcycled from a common household product. Can you tell me what it is?

Gift Guide: The Arrested Adolescent

casasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:15:59 -0800

If you have some friends who can't get enough of Hello Kitty lamps or tongue-in-cheek embroidered throw pillows when it comes to decorating their homes, don't despair, embrace it! Some of my favorite friends' abodes are peppered with fun accessories from Kid Robot, Upper Playground, Sanrio, and other hip and youthful stores. Maybe you don't want your pals to take the theme as far as they did at the Hello Kitty gate lounge in Terminal 2 of the Taipei International Airport, but I think some fun, arrested adolescent accents in a home can provide a lovely youthful spirit.

To indulge their obsession, check out my gift guide when you

Would You Want to Live in This Apartment?

casasugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:45:51 -0800

San Francisco artist Megan Wilson has spent five years turning her Nob Hill apartment from a white-walled boring rental into a psychedelic fantasia of color and pattern. Unfortunately, her very cool home art project has been suspended, as her landlord is kicking her out. Under the Ellis Act, he has evicted all of the occupants of the building so he can change its use. While this is a tragedy for Wilson as well as her artistic apartment (you can read the whole story here), my question remains: would you like to live in an apartment painted this way? Source

Would You Want to Live in This Apartment?

Definitely. It's so unique and colorful. You couldn't be sad in this apartment.

Maybe, if it was a sublet.

No way, it's too busy for my eyes.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Gift Guide: Modern Art Lover

casasugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:30:39 -0800

If you've got a friend with a membership to the MoMA, who lists Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol in her Top Five, lives in a West Elm showroom, and despises Impressionism, get out of Manhattan. No, just kidding. If you have a friend like that, the perfect gift for him or her this holiday season is some contemporary wall art. Everyone's got space on the wall to fill up, especially those Modernists that favor minimalism. So, I've collected a few modern wall art pieces for your dearest friend. I'm sure you'll see something that makes you think, "That's so her." In my case, it's the Tim Groen Osmosis ($500) mixed media collage at left (hint hint).
For more gifts ideas, holiday home decorating tips and more, check out HolidaySugar, and to see my finds,

Coveted Crib: Tom Wolfe's Artsy Apartment

casasugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:30:29 -0800

Tom Wolfe, author of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The Right Stuff, and numerous other fiction and non-fiction books, is a best-selling American author and one of the founders of the New Journalism movement. Immediately recognizable for his trademark white suit, of which he owns 40, and which he has worn for over 40 years, Wolfe's apartment is also instantly identifiable. Thanks to the numerous Wolfe portraits and sculptures scattered around his abode, this apartment is as trademarked as the man and his writing style. To tour his art-filled apartment, check out the slideshow. Source