Gambusia Affinis

Jennifer Nocon's "Gambusia Affinis" (2009)

While attending the Downtown Art & Wine Tour I came across the Bloom Projects at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Foundation (653 Paseo Nuevo) where Los Angeles based artist Jennifer Nocon's commissioned installation, "Gambusia Affinis" is housed.

Nocon is known for creating sculptural environments using hand-dyed wool felt inspired by naturally occurring patterns.

The wool felt sculptures form a repetitive and retro-esque pattern that have a visual language all their own.

ICFF 2009: Gray is the new Green

For the first time I had a chance to attend the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York City. This worldwide wonder of design disciplines was truly innovative and inspirational.

Our favorite fair find comes from Seattle based graypants - the designers/inventors Seth and Johnathan are architects that desire to make a difference through design - instilling new spirit into salvaged pieces of corrugated cardboard, a scrap light’s lively play on light and shadow invigorates once lifeless materials.

Graypants scrap light shades are made entirely from salvaged corrugated cardboard. All lights are handmade - giving each a varied shape and size.

Graypants scrap lights can be purchased on their site and come in three different styles: DISK, HIVE and BELL.

Stars & Stripes

Portland based jefdesigns' new walnut & teak panels combine retro forms and modern stripes for a truly striking collection.

Each organically modern piece is hand painted by designer Joe Futschik, who also welcomes unique commissions.

For more of jefdesigns art work or lighting visit the Retro Republik shop or jefdesigns direct.

Swag the Dog: Retro Wares

Give your most loyal partner some swinging swag this spring.

Wear: Funky. Chic. Slick. Dogma London's spiffy retro series of collars are a new attitude. Dogma London has over 200 fresh designs and styles including martingale, buckle and tag collars. Plus cool matching leashes too.

It's not about just a collar and and leash, it's about a personality. Is your pup a Rebel or into Camo? Maybe your pup yearns to be One-of-a-Kind?

Retro series favorites:

Sprocket / Have a Nice Day

Nuclear Winter / Hound Dog


Saturday Night Fever


Fast Freddy in Saturday Night Fever

Decorate: For Mod Art for mod dogs be sure to check out Mod-Dog's fine art prints.

Shop by breed - from Airedale Terriers to Yorkies and everything in between like Boxers, Great Danes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Whippets.

Pssss...don't miss the Mod-Dog Blog for mod-dog resources like green pets, health+wellness, shopping+style, travel and more!

Play: Tired of tripping over your pups' toys?

The cool and clever Fast Freddy has re-purposed a Chartreuse Retro Bullet Planter as a hip toy chest. Good dog.

Retrospective: Jena Ardell's Fine Art Photography

If you've ever clicked your heels together and wished you resided in a more retro decade then you've come to the right place.

Jena Ardell's retro fine art photography transports you back to a time that is reminiscent of a 70's dreamy Santa Monica beach day or a 60s Vegas wanderlust moment.

As soon as I spied her stylized Kit Cat clock photo I was sold.

Jena Ardell's KitCat / Retro Republik's KitCat

Here's a few of our favorite moments...pssst check out Jena Ardell's Etsy Shop and Blog.

Ink, Post & Paperwink

This Santa Barbaran is officially obsessed with a new blog I discovered today, via Sunset magazine, called Ink & Post.

Ink & Post is the creative outlet and personal aesthetic of local Santa Barbara blogger Katie Chambers.

Ink & Post covers: design, ephemera, fashion, home, interiors, music, paper, photography, print, Santa Barbara, shops, travel and type.

By the way if you're asking yourself like I did, 'What is ephemera?'

This should help...

From Wikipedia: Ephemera is transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek, meaning things lasting no more than a day. Some collectible ephemera are advertising trade cards, airsickness bags, bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, letters, pamphlets, postcards, posters, prospectuses, stock certificates, tickets and zines.

Ironically Ms. Chambers' and Retro Republik share a favorite ephemera...STAMPS!

******

To keep this ink and post theme going thought I'd indulge in a throwback to a bygone era and share my recent Design*Sponge find, Paperwink.

Paperwink's award-winning stationer duo Darcey + Tara have wowed us with their retro inspired custom wooden address stamps.

Had a hard time deciding between Airmail, Telegram and Vintage Typewriter:

In the end the bright and simple Vintage Typewriter won me over:

Click here to check out Paperwink's full section of rubber stamps, note cards, labels and calling cards.

Retro Republik Finds: An Etsy Valentines'

Oh Etsy, you have stolen my heart!

For Valentines Day I found my hubby this warm Dark Wood Print wallet made of Gaffer Tape from Etsy seller and Portland based Duct Tuff. This photo-realistic print is rich, dark wood grain but is not thicker than a strip of tape. It only set me back $21 big ones.

Other cool items from Duct Tuff include an RFID (radio frequency identification chip) blocking line of Duct Tape wallets...Stop a would-be thief by blocking the signal with the Duct Tuff Resistance Machine wallet that has a flexible metal lining that stops radio frequencies from getting through.

Gaffer Tape Wallet with a Dark Wood Print

Next Etsy stop: bowsandarrows vintage, based in Sacramento, has a slew of super fun select pieces from the retro 1950s to the nifty 1990s.

With the extra money I had left over from the killer wallet deal, I picked myself up this pretty little Sante Fe vintage number from bowsandarrows vintage, only $14 bucks.

Vintage Santa Fe woven bag

Retro Republik Finds: Santa Barbara

You know you're a retro nut when you spend your Sunday afternoon poking around town on a quest for the perfect retro floor lamp.

My first stop was our local swanky emporium, Retroville.

Retroville (512 State St.) appears to have more vintage housewares (Crosley, Bauer pottery, Moda Home linens) than the Mad Men set!

Retroville also carries women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories - both vintage and new...and vintage appliances too!

Retroville even has a cool & cleaver video to woo you into the store:

The Road to Santa Barbara

All this shopping has been famished and thinking what's for dinner.

On Craigslist: Santa Barbara I tracked this retro appetizers cookbook for only $10 bucks.

Appetizers is part of the Retro Recipes series that recreate the delicious diner offerings and sophisticated cocktails of the 1950's for a modern audience. Every recipe is illustrated with period advertisements and packed with ideas and variations on classic foods.

Appetizers include such classics as shrimp cocktail and iceberg lettuce salad with Thousand Island dressing.

Next stop, the local Goodwill store. I found this green bean for only $19.99.

Cleaned up the lamp & added a Black Martha Steward lamp shade with metallic lining from Kmart $15.99.

Tossed it all together and voila: