BoomCases Will Have You Rocking Retro-Style.

Dominic, aka Mr. SiMo, is a self-proclaimed "audio-nut" who had the interesting idea to turn vintage hard-sided suitcases into self-powered boom boxes, making music portable in a retro fashion. He takes wood and leather vintage suitcases (which he prefers to thin or plastic cases because the acoustic sound quality is better) and adds speakers and more.




Prices Start at $250 for a plug-in only case and at $300 for a battery/plug-in case.

Options include:
•iPod – iPhone/USB Charger: $15
•Double Battery Capacity: $45
•Solar Power Charger: $65
•Wireless Audio Playback: $100 (must have Bluetooth compatible device)




The Self Powered, Portable Suitcase Stereo system works with your iPod/iPhone or any device with a headphone jack. The cases will last several hours on a single charge (the charger is built in). In addition to running on batteries, The BoomCase can also be plugged in when the party goes inside. To save on weight, you can opt for a plug-in only version.

Many of the BoomCases shown in this post have already been sold, but Mr. SiMo has a slew of vintage hard sided luggage in various shapes, sizes and colors, just waiting to be turned into BoomCases for you.









all images and info courtesy of Mr. Simo
special shout out to Erica Mayer for turning me onto these!

Get your own cool BoomCase here.

Misha Kahn's Cabinet. Everything In (And Out Of) It's Place.

An awesome cabinet project by student Misha Kahn. Raised in Duluth, Minneapolis, the furniture designer (RISD, class of 2011) devised a way to keep everything in its place. And a great looking piece when everything is out of it's place.








His (yes, Misha is male) description of the piece:
"After scanning the hoards of chachkis (sic)* lying on my bedroom floor I printed out life size puzzle pieces and arranged them into this curious thought bubble. Constructed of laser cut mdf, and pink foam, then fiberglassed and coated with molded polysterene. The interior is painted and flocked, with hardwood (dovetailed) drawers, and door. Stands 7 feet’ 6” inches high.
*I know he meant tchotchkes, I spoke with him ;)

See more of Misha's wonderful work at his site.
Thanks to Apartment Therapy for bringing Misha to my attention.

New Architectural Rings From Philippe Tournaire - Archipolis, Paris, Moscow, New York & More.

above: Philippe Tournaire's New York Ring in white gold with an aquamarine representing the Chrysler building

One of my favorite posts of all time was the one in which I featured the amazing Villa de Reve Collection (dreamhouse rings) by jeweller Philippe Tournaire. The miniature custom hand crafted replicas of personal residences, mansions and villas in rose, yellow, white gold and platinum, some accented with gemstones are still on my "If-I-Ever-Win-The-Lottery" list.

Now I have more to add to that list because Philippe Tournaire has introduced some new rings to his architectural jewelry collection.



New versions of his Oriental Palaces, Venice Villas, Paris, New York City, Moscow and even a Log Cabin rings are now available. In addition to those, he has recently introduced an Archipolis ring, an imagined and mysterious city, laden with diamonds and/or gemstones and available in various golds and platinum.

The latest New York City Rings are stunning whether cast in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and set with gems or a single diamond.

In platinum with diamond:

In white gold with diamond:

Or cast in a combination of rose and white gold:

Or, as originally shown in my first post, in all yellow gold:


The new Paris ring is amazing. It has a shank which is the Eiffel tower wrapped upside down around your finger and even includes a perfect little replica of the Notre Dame Cathedral's Facade. Shown cast in rose and yellow and all yellow gold.



Tournaire turned Moscow's Saint Basil Cathedral into a grand rose gold ring complete with enameled "onion tops":



His new Chapelle San Lillo (Chapel San Miguel de Lillo in Oviedo) ring in rose and yellow gold and with aquamarine gem:



His new Village rings are like little European city squares and can be set with single or multiple faceted gemstones, cabochons, diamonds or available in all gold or platinum:







Additions to his Oriental Palace rings include a new Pagoda ring with rose and yellow gold:

and a new smaller Dubai Palace ring with a cabochon amethyst and diamonds:

And a rose and yellow gold Luxurious Log Cabin ring:



The new Archipolis ring.
An imaginary city shown in rose gold with pink sapphires and diamonds:

Archipolis ring in white gold with sapphires and diamonds, in platinum with diamonds and in yellow gold with pink sapphires and white diamonds:

Archipolis ring in yellow gold with amber, cognac, black and white diamonds:


Next up? Philippe is presently working on London rings. Don't forget to see his custom Dream House rings here.



To learn more about these amazing architectural rings or to have a replica of your own home or villa made, go here.

all images courtesy of Philipe Tournaire

Contact info:
Email : eboutique@philippetournaire.com
8,rue Tupinerie - 42600 MONTBRISON (Siège) - Tél. 04 77 96 08 84
103, rue Edouard Herriot - 69002 LYON - Tél. 04 78 92 93 94
7, Place Vendôme - 75001 PARIS - Tél. 01 40 20 00 19

Design Your Own Throw Pillows At Inmod

This is a truly great idea for those who like to have some say and personal control when it comes to the design of their home decor. Or for those looking for reasonably priced contemporary throw pillows as gifts or for themselves.

The Inmod online design studio allows you to design your own throw pillows, in one of two sizes and with numerous image, color and fabric options. Whether you want a 2 color pillow or a 6 color pillow, a cotton one or a silk shantung one, a funny one or a beautiful one... you can design them all yourself.

They have featured designs that include everything from modern chair silhouettes, wild animals, dogs, Bruce Lee, Marilyn Monroe and other fun icons. Also available are patterns ranging from florals and fish to mod 60s abstract styles.



All are easy to design and preview, then just click to order. Prices vary depending upon size and fabric choice.

Here's a few quick examples to inspire you:












The 4 Simple Steps:


STEP 1 - PATTERN
To start designing your pillow, select a pattern. Choose a theme from the drop down menu, and then pick a pattern. Once you've selected a pattern, it will appear in the window.



STEP 2 - FABRIC
Now that you've selected your pattern, choose the fabric for your pillow. You can pick 215 thread count cotton, cotton casement, linen/cotton blend or silk dupioni.

STEP 3 - SIZE
Next, select the size you want your pillow to be. Choose from 18 x 18 or 26 x 26.

STEP 4 - FABRIC COLORS


Choose one base color and then an embroidery color for each detail of your pattern. Select one detail at a time by clicking the circle to the left of each numbered detail, and then select the color you want that element of the design to be. Repeat until all of the details have been selected.

Prices for the cotton pillows in the smaller size (18" x 18") start at about $40 and silk shantung starts at about $60.



Start designing yours here.