Yesterday morning I went to my trusty neighborhood coffee shop for the traditional post-ride pre-everything else cappuccino, and there was a couple in front of me with matching, albeit different colored, toe shoes (my name, yes). Until that moment I was prepared to let this atrocious fad (not dissimilar to shoeless running) slip quietly by below eye level. Out of sight, out of mind. After yesterday – which included two additional sightings beyond the one mentioned above – I’ve decided it is worth my time to draw some lines. To all of my readers, and especially these two lovebirds, hear this:
Toes are gross. They collect lint and sweat incessantly. Toe socks, which have enjoyed a cult following over the past 4-5 years – often with odd colored stripes, knitted balls and other accessories – were from my vantage point a mistake. Toe shoes? Now that’s a new level. Remember that time at your middle-school cafeteria you found pubic hair in your macaroni and cheese? Just hold onto that one for me, and leave your pathetic ergonomic aqua-sock excuse for REAL SHOES at home.
These two kids have been busy as all gettup (geddup?), but rather than start by apologizing about our lack of blogging, we’ll jump right into it.
Coming soon will be the launch of a fresh new architectural products brand, but we wanted to keep it light with the release of our newest piece, a placeholder for the one and only Elizabeth Stanley.
Now I’ll be honest, in our line of work it’s not everyday that you pick up the phone and jump at the first interior designer that contacts your info account looking for a website. I don’t know why, but I had a feeling about this one….so I did….only to find out that not only do we have the same taste in art, but that, in addition, Elizabeth’s challenging and inventive brand of interior design was being featured this month in Austin Monthly Home.
For this piece, what was originally intended to be a utilitarian placeholder quickly moved a step beyond. Given a selection of beautiful images by Ryann Ford, Elizabeth suggested we go full-screen, which gives visitors to her simple, rotating site, a great deal of access to her work with minimal effort. We encourage you to take a look, whether joining us from your Mac, PC, iPhone, or iPad.
Fiona Banner, better known for her text-centered pieces, has recently installed (with a bit of help) two decommissioned fighter jets in the neoclassical caverns of the Tate Gallery in London. These jets hang and rest respectively as reminders that patronage is still very well alive and kicking, and is still allowing artists to do some crazy awesome shit—I mean, that’s part of the job description, right?
But Banner’s installation of Harrier (the hanging jet) and Jaguar (the polished one, tipped on it’s side) is far from a shallow stunt. Rather, as she describes in the video below, she’s provided for an entirely unique interaction with these objects.
With Harrier, Banner has potrayed the fighter jet as a sort of gigantic captured bird, emphasizing yet castrating its massive power. And with Jaguar, by placing the jet, flipped and off kilter on the gallery floor, and polishing it to a mirrored finish, she has rendered it as a beautiful, intimate object—shes equates it placing a classical nude in the gallery. But with this treatment, she also points to our strange tendency to fetishize things designed for killing. Mmmmmm tension.
If you find yourself across the pond, B-line it to the Tate to check this out. If London is not in your near future, check out the videoooo.
Reggie Watts—the man is nothing short of a comic genius. One of only a few Americans in possession of a full vocal range, Mr. Watts makes use of this gift in hilarious ways with his unique brand of freestyle musical comedy. We dropped in on his last couple fine appearances in Austin c/o the awesome folks at Fusebox. And this video brought me back—it’s F_CKIN hilarious. Enjoy.
Today at work Duane King sent us a quote for an invitation we’re working on from Mandate Press, an offset print shop in Salt Lake City, Utah. By no means are we hating on the perennial Austin favs but seriously, why wouldn’t you want these guys to handle your print (assuming cost is of no importance to you)?
HATS OFF to the designer that made this happen for Mandate in SLC. We like.
Today marks one month in business for Houndstooth Coffee, so we begin with a CONGRATULATIONS to Sean Henry, the “proprietor” of this fabulous coffee – or as I like to think of it – lifestyle establishment. With opening week press from Thrillist and Austin360, followed by love on Barista magnet Serious Eats, one couldn’t really ask for a better start.
Since December, when we were hired to design the branding and overall identity for Houndstooth, it was always clear that Sean had a real vision for his shop. Our goal in this project was to understand that vision and translate it into a simple yet iconic identity that would adapt well to variety of settings (site design, coffee bags, t-shirts, mugs, web + social media, etc.). Finally, we wanted to distinguish Houndstooth visually from other players in the coffee world. In a word, we wanted to bring something NEW into the mix.
At the front of the shop there’s a communal table with six chairs, inviting people to work, mix, and relax.
Asymmetrical travel mugs are a personal favorite.
Outdoor seating.
Sean behind the bar.
Vintage La Marzocco brand placement.
OPEN TILL 10!
Moral of the story:
If you’re in Austin get to Houndstooth, enjoy an incredible cappuccino/cortado/macchiato with the espresso of your choice (yes, you get to choose between two offerings per day), tweet about your love (@HoundstoothATX) on the live twitterfeed, and make your appreciation known.
In case you were wondering, I work with insanely cool people during my day job. Erin, our education guru, turned me on to New York-based artist and general badass Dawn Ng yesterday during a lull in the usual frenzy. Her work is rad.
