tink makes art

“downtownfrombehind is a photographic series capturing subjects riding their bike from behind on some 200+ streets, avenues and lanes below 14th street in New York City. The result is an environmental portrait for each street and subject with a goal to highlight a set of individuals, emerging and established, each uniquely contributing; culturally, socially and physically, to make this part of the city what it is today.” Photographs of people, their bikes, and their stories. I love it!

You can certainly find decorative letters and symbols for your walls at Urban Outfitters and West Elm, but how about supporting some independent artisans on Etsy? When browsing Etsy for a recent project, I ran across Edie’s Lab based in Houston, Texas. This design duo met in design school and are now married and making art! They create letters, symbols, and furniture in all sort of styles using eco-friendly materials including non-toxic paint.

In this office

wearing this jacket

and these glasses

with this hairstyle

How to be happy…

via 55some

How to be an explorer of the world…

How to be a great writer…

Follow George Orwell‘s list of rules for writers:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

More writing tips from Henry Miller and David Ogilvy

How to be foxy…

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I’m loving these wedding accessories by whichgoose on Etsy. They’re so delicate and detailed…yet light and airy. Perfect for a springtime wedding!

The Challenge: Turn a 235 s.f. rented studio apartment into a bedroom, living room, breakfast nook, and office.
The Challenger: Physician Assistant who recently moved to NYC
The Contestants: Stephanie Pons, Interior Designer, and Rachel Freeman, Interior Decorator
The Style:  Shabby chic mixed with global influence
The Needs: A desk and more color
The Biggest Design Challenge: Unmovable cable TV outlet
The Entry:

(Click image for a larger view.)

(Click image for a larger view.)

(Click image for a larger view.)

The Results: “OMG!!!!! I love it. You guys really did a great job. You have real talent and are a good team.”
Take-Home Designer Tip: Resist your instinct to push furniture to the walls leaving the center of the room empty! Rather, use the furniture – a sofa, a desk, or, in this instance, a bookcase and pair of curtains – to divide the space. Moving furniture off the walls will help create a room in a room (rather than one big, boring, rectangular room), making things feel much more complete and, yes, even bigger!

See the complete shopping list after the jump…

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Dwell and Pacific Standard Time are hosting the LEGO® Modern Home Design Competition. The challenge? Construct a model of an original home inspired by iconic California mid-century modern architecture using LEGO bricks. Jeanine Naviaux of On the Inside Design and a designer I work with occasionally submitted three fabulous entries: Desert Oasis, Green Luxury, and Park Guell. I assisted in naming the miniature homes and writing the model descriptions. Click on the links below to vote for your favorite, and share the links with your friends!

Vote for Desert Oasis!

Vote for Green Luxury!

Vote for Park Guell!