style cravings

wallpaper peek

Two stunning images from the September issue of Wallpaper, one of my favorite magazines.

via Wallpaper  September 2007 

my dream studio

If only I could have a live-in studio such as this one spotted by The Coolhunter in the "trendy backstreets of Jingumae in Tokyo."

An excerpt:

"This small live in studio and salon has been decked in black paint with a beautifully elegant mural, depicted from the salon’s own brand to engulf its two exposed walls.  The hand-painted pattern is reminiscent of an inverted Rorschach inkblot drawing. Yet the symmetrical display blends perfectly with the centre piece - a woman overwhelmed by the surrounding plumage. And while the windows are large and severe, they don’t distort the image. Instead, they perforate the design with different levels of intensity, revealing larger and smaller details of what lies beneath."

via The Coolhunter

japan does it again: sexy rock climbing

Illoiha fitness club, Tokyo  (designed by Nendo) 

Photos:  Daici Ano

It's no surprise to me that Tokyo would have the coolest gym on the planet. Personally, I consider the Japanese to be some of the most stylish and creative people trotting this globe.  Where else would you find such a stunningly designed rock climbing wall luring you to hurl your inhibitions or your lazy "I'm too tired to go to the gym" thoughts away? If New York had a gym like this, I'd never leave. Maybe we should file a petition to Nendo and beg them to come design an Illoiha paradise for Manhattan.

via dezeen