Little Dragon

Not a new band, not a new song, not even a different concept from what I posted before, but still they are of my favorits sounds when I want to go a little crazy . They are Swedish band with a swedish-Japanise vocal Yukimi Nagano and her friends  Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards).

¿What I like about them? well in this particular genre like pop-electronic, always the first thing that gets me is the voice, and Yukimi has a sweet deep and ethereal voice, sure you heard her before with SBTRKT or Gorillaz. Then the beat, and as you can see I have a weakness for the catchy beats with bass, drums and keyboards combination. The whole pacage isn't it.

This is a single from their last album "ritual union" in case you want to go crazy too, hope you do!

No es banda nueva, ni cancion nueva, nisiquiera algun concepto fresco o diferente a lo que he posteado antes, aun asi son de mis sonidos favoritos cuando hay que alocarse un poco. Ellos son banda sueca con vocalista sueco-japonesa Yukimi Nagano y sus amigos Erik Bodin en bateria, Fredrik Källgren en bajo y Håkan Wirenstrand en teclados.

¿Lo que me gusta de ellos? Bueno particulrmente en este genero, lo que me atrapa primero es la voz y Yukimi tiene una vos dulce y un tanto eterea, seguro la escucharon antes con SBTRKT y Gorillaz. Despues los beats, y como ya habran visto tengo debilidad con los beats pegajosos hechos con bajo bateria y teclados, el paquete completo ¿no?

Este es un sencillo de su ultimo album "ritual union" se los dejo en caso de que quieran alocarse un poco. Ojalá lo hagan!

My dreamed work space is at home / Mi oficina soñada es en casa

Since I  decide to work by my own I've been looking for ideas to design my work space at home. 

Enrique allow me to work on his studio and that was pretty nice but to be honest my biggest desire is to be able to work at home. 
It means a big challenge to me cause I've always worked in an office and I am used to the hole routine.  One can get too comfy at home and is too easy  to get distracted and not being as efficient as you should be. I am trying and doing my best although   building the new routine is really complicated. 

My apartment is really small so there is no too many options to place my work space. I have a free small corner at my bedroom and I think that is the best location. I'm using my great-grandmother's table which I need to restore by the way, I also need to find a good chair cause the one I have is killing me of backache in this case I definitely rather comfy than pretty. The last element I would like to have is a wall pin-board, you know those very useful things to very organised people ;).

I'll share with you when it's ready but in the mid time if you have any idea o advice please let me know.

here some ideas i found!

Desde que decidí trabajar por mi cuenta, he estado buscando ideas para diseñar mi espacio de trabajo en casa.

Enrique me ha dejado trabajar en su despacho, lo cual es lindo de su parte pero, para ser honesta, mi mayor deseo es poder trabajar desde casa. Significa un verdadero reto para mi pues siempre he trabajado en oficina y estoy muy acostumbrada a esa rutina.

Uno puede estar demasiado cómodo en casa, es ademas muy fácil distraerse y no ser tan eficientes como  deberíamos. Estoy haciendo lo mejor que puedo, pero hacer esta nueva rutina es en verdad complicado.

Mi departamento es muy chiquito así que no hay tantas opciones para ubicar mi oficina. Tengo un rinconcito libre en mi habitación así que esa es la ubicación ideal. Uso como escritorio una mesa de mi bisabuela, la cual necesito arreglar por cierto, necesito también encontrar una buena silla ya que esta que tengo me mata de dolor de espalda, en estos casos prefiero que sea súper cómoda antes que súper bonita. El ultimo elemento que necesito es un pizarrón de muro, ya saben de esos muy útiles para personas muy organizadas ;)

En cuanto este terminado les comparto el resultado, mientras tanto si tienen alguna idea o consejo por favor compartan conmigo. Estas son algunas ideas que he encontrado.

thnks to: vesper interior, el blog de ottoyanna, a faded palette, vosgesparis.blogspot.hk

Hans Wegner

As the excitement of have met in person many of my favorite objects of design and decoration is still fresh, I want to introduce you Hans Wegner, icon of Danish modern design movement, and author of numerous wooden furniture from the 40's and 60's.

I have just a few lines to talk about his biography but it worth to mention that he learned at very young age cabinetmaking, he had this deep respect for the craftsmanship and also the passion of design.

He has been one of the most productive designers of his time in a organic functionality style. his work has been describe as 'timeless', 'everlasting', and 'free from passing trends' and most important 'perfect to the fullest extent of what is possible'

"I have always wanted to make unexceptional things of an exceptionally high quality" 

In the dialogue between material and creativity, Wegner surpasses most of his peers

PP Mobeler, one of the mosst famous and important wooden furniture workshops, started developing some of Wegner prototypes before production but then en 1969 PP Mobeler started the big productions of many of Wegner's designs.

This is one of my favorites, CH24 or Y-chair or Wishbone chair, but please take a look  to all the pieces he designed.

Aprovechando que aun tengo fresca la emoción de haber conocido en persona muchos de mis objetos favoritos de diseño  y decoración, quiero presentarles a Hans Wegner  icono del diseño danés, y autor de infinidad de muebles de madera entre los años 40's y 60's.

Tengo pocas lineas para hablar de toda su biografía, pero vale la pena mencionar que aprendió desde muy joven el oficio de la ebanistería, de ahí su profundo respeto por el oficio y su pasión por conjugarlo con el diseño.

Fue uno de los diseñadores mas productivos de su época y su trabajo se ha descrito como atemporal, eterno, libre de modas pasajeras, pero sobre todo como perfecto en toda medida de lo posible.

"Siempre quise hacer cosas ordinarias con una extraordinaria alta calidad"

El dialogo que mantuvo entre material y creatividad lo hacia superar a la mayoría de sus contemporáneos.

Comenzó desarrollando sus prototipos con PP Mobeler famoso e importante taller de carpintería, quien después se quedo a cargo de la producción de muchos de los diseños de Hans.

Esta es una de mis favoritas: CH24 o Y-chair o wishbone chair, pero echen un vistazo a todas las piezas que diseño.

thanks to: stardust, ingerstedt, aram, createcph, solid frog

Mauricio Rocha

This is without a doubt the kind of contemporary architecture I enjoy the most. It's not about impressive structures or monumental shapes and highs at all. It's rather about a delicate play of lights and shadows over natural textures, synthesized and clean shapes as well as the respectful adaptation to the environment.

Architect Mauricio Rocha was born in Mexico city, son of an architect (Manuel Rocha Diaz) and an a photographer (Graciela Iturbide) , UNAM graduated and one of the most promising architects in Mexico. As you know this is not a biographic entry so, lets move to the images.

This is one of his most outstanding works: Oaxaca School of Plastic Arts, where he used rammed earth as a main constructive technique. Giving to the project not only color, texture and thermal insulation but also modern earthen architecture style.

Este es sin lugar a dudas un ejemplo del tipo de arquitectura contemporánea que mas disfruto. No tiene mucho que ver con estructuras impresionantes, formas o alturas monumentales, tiene mas que ver con texturas naturales, formas limpias y sintetizadas pero sobre todo con un delicado juego de luces y sombras sobre el resto de los elementos así como la respetuosa adaptación al entorno.

El Arquitecto Mauricio Rocha es hijo de arquitecto y fotógrafa (Manuel Rocha y Graciela Iturbide),  es egresado de la UNAM y uno de los arquitectos mas prometedores en México. Como saben esta no es una entrada  biográfica así que pasemos a las  imágenes.

Esta es una de sus obras mas sobresalientes: Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Oaxaca, donde uso el sistema de tierra apisonada como principal sistema constructivo, dandole al proyecto no solo color, textura y aislamiento térmico sino también estilo contemporáneo de arquitectura de tierra.

Thnks to: archdaily

Poliça

Here it is, my  band of the month, nothing that you Coachella's fans haven't heard  before. This is Poliça and I'm just delighted, to me is emotive the mixture between electronic and R&B they get. I am thrilled by the tow drums Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson, also I think I want to marry the bass guy Chris Blerdan, and Channy Leanegh just seems to give them sense and direction through her lyrics and distorted voice.

This is their only album realised in 2012 "Give You the Ghost". The founders Ryan Olson also producer and Channy  Leaneagh met working in previous projects to Poliça and they are already working in  the next album. If you need further information reed the expert resource, or whatch them on youtube.

Enjoy!

Pues aquí mi banda del mes, nada que todos los aficionados a Coachella no hallan escuchado ya. Ellos son Poliça y yo simplemente estoy encantada, para mi es emotiva la mezcla entre R&B y electrónico que consiguen, me emocionan las dos baterías de Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson, creo que quiero casarme con el bajista Chris Blerdan y Channy Leanegh, parece darles todo sentido y dirección a través de sus letras y voz.

Este es su único álbum presentado en 2012 "Give You the Ghost". Ryan Olson, tambien productor  y Channy fundadores de la banda  se conocieron en proyectos anteriores a Poliça y se encuentran ya trabajando en su siguiente album. Si quieren saber un poco mas lean la fuente experta, o busquenlos en youtube.

Disfrutenlos!

Dear Scandinavia / Querida escandinavia

As you all know some of the reasons of my absence it's because my husband and I took  some really deserved and inspiring days off.

The place of some of my oldest dreams: ¡Scandinavia! I wish I could take better pictures that really helped me to describe our experience. We are a pair of architects and as such, we became  a bit rebels in which places to visit and which places not to, even when the guide book clings.

It was of course a trip of buildings, museums and parks but mostly it was a trip of design. I mean we were in Scandinavia!  every city we visit has a district of design.

To me was like meeting in person all the objects a fell in love in pinterest, from classic chairs as Alvar Alto's to the most contemporary designs of HAY. Every shop we visit made me feel like home. I figured out why I find Scandinavian design so inspiring, and also confirms the bound between me an design. It was a great satisfaction to see that Mexican design is up to par.

We had a great time in cities of so different cultures to ours. This Mexicans are deeply grateful with every Norwegian, Swedish, Finish and Danish whom saw us with a map in hand and helped us every time!

Como ustedes ya saben un poco de mi ausencia en el blog se debe a que tomamos unas muy merecidas e inspiradoras vacaciones. 

El lugar de algunos de mis sueños más viejos: ¡Escandinavia! Desearía haber podido tomar fotos que me ayudarán a describir  mejor nuestra experiencia. Somos, mi esposo y yo un par de arquitectos y como tal nos volvemos un poco rebeldes en cuanto a que lugares visitar y cuales no, aunque el libro de turistas se aferre. 

Fue un viaje si, de museos, edificios, plazas y parques, pero mayormente fue un viaje de diseño. Estábamos en Escandinavia, distritos completos de diseños en cada ciudad que visitamos.

Para mi fue como conocer en persona cada objeto del que me he enamorado en  internet, desde sillas clásicas de Alvar Alto hasta los modelos contemporáneos de HAY. Cada tienda que visitamos me hizo sentir en casa, comprendí un poco mas porque me inspiraba tanto escandinavia, me reafirmo el lazo que me une al diseño. Fue de mucha satisfacción comprobar que el diseño mexicano esta muy a la altura.

Pasamos extraordinarios momentos en ciudades de tan ajena cultura a la nuestra. Estos mexicanos agradecen profundamente a cada danés, finés, noruego y sueco que nos vieron con mapa en mano y nos ofrecieron siempre su ayuda!

Independent artist / artistas independientes

As I told you before I have been preparing this new proyect Plan B  I basicly design furniture and accesories for home decoration. Specially the young house.

I actually have a big catalog, as a list on my notebook of course! but in real life I have a few tables, some cushion covers, a pair of aprons, some frames I have restored, tote bags and pretty cute terrariums.

I must confees I worked so hard to have those things on time thanks to this really awesome mexican girls arts and crafts bazaar, or Bazar mexicanitas, This was my first experience selling in a bazaar and I loved it so much. there were a bunch of artist, from fashion designers to illustrators and jewerly designers. It gave me a kind of energy I needed to start up the Plan B.

So thanks a lot for open the space and specially for push me a little with my proyect!

Como les platique antes, he estado preparando este nuevo proyecto donde tengo oprtunidad de trabajatr en mis propios diseños. Se trata de el Plan B; basicamente diseño muebles y accesorios de decoracion para la casa joven.

Tengo de hecho un catalogo grande de productos, en mi libreta claro esta, pero en la vida real tengo un par de mesas, fundas para cojines, mandiles, eco bolsas, y algunos bonitos terrarios. Tengo que confesar que tuve todo esto listo, gracias a este super padre bazar de artistas independientes mexicanas, el Bazar mexicanitas. Fue mi primera experiencia vendiendo en un bazar y en verdad me gusto mucho, habia un monton de artistas, desde diseñadoras de moda, ilustradoras hasta diseñadoras de joyeria. La experiencia me dio una especie de energia que necesitaba para echar a andar  el plan B.

Asi que gracias al bazar por el espacio, y por empujarme un poquito con mi proyecto.

images from:  Bazar mexicanitas and Plan B

Chvrches

This is one of the new favorites on my ipod. An electro-pop trio from Scotland, some of their influences are Lil Wayne, Prince, Tubeway Army, Robyn and Laurie Anderson. Each one was part of differet musical projects until they confom "Chvrches". They are Chvrches with "v" to avoid competition with Jesus on the internet_ they explain.

They like the inperfection's cham and the sound of their music as a demo, they write, record, and mix in a basement studio in Glasgow. They have released two sinngles Lies" and "The mother we share"buy you can hear more of them on  sesion for the BBC.

Este es de los nuevos favoritos en mi iPod. Es un trio de electropop, son de Escocia y a lgunas de sus influencias musicales son Lil Wayne, Prince, Tubeway Army, Robyn and Laurie Anderson. Cada integrante formo parte de diferentes proyectos antes de conformar Chvrches. Son Chvrches con "v" para evitar la competencia con Jesús en internet - según explican-

Les gusta el encanto de la imperfección y el sonido de su música como un demo, escriben, graban, y mezclan en un sotano en Glasgow. Tienen hasta ahora dos sencillos "Lies" y "The mother we share" pero pueden escuchar mas de ellos en sesion para la BBC.

source: guardian, last.fm.

Cushions / Cojines

Cushions are favorite objects to decorate, they are simple and cheep details that make alot for the spaces where we use them.

We could say that since they appear in very very old ages, cushions have been kind of a celebrity, made  of the most refined materials and manufactured by truly artisans. They also were  objects of luxury and exclusive use of royalty. 

Now that the cushions are rather a popular accesory and we can easyly access to them, choose from the variety can be overwhelming. They come in all styles, materials, patterns and fills. What I share now is   part of my wish list and also pictures of what we can say is a trend in cushions.

Los cojines son uno de los objetos favoritos para decorar, son detalles sencillos economicos que hacen mucho por los espacios donde los usamos.

Podriamos decir que desde su aparicion en tiempos muy muy antiguos el cojin ha sido una especie de celebridad, fabricado con los materiales mas finos y manufacturado por verdaderos artesanos, fueron ademas objetos de lujo y de uso exclusivo para personajes  de la realeza.

Ahora que los cojines son mas bien un accesorio popular y podedemos acceder tan facil a ellos, escoger entre la variedad puede ser algo abrumador. Los hay de todos los estilos, materiales, estampados y rellenos. Lo que ahora les comparto son  parte de mi lista de desos y tambien imagenes de lo que podemos decir es una tendencia en cojines.

Thnks to: society, etsy, natural history

Thonet chair No 14 / Silla No14

As we still live the fury of old objects, especially furniture, this chair is for sure, one of those that everyone would love to have at home.

No14 chair is manufactured by Thonet company. Michael Thonet was pioneer in bentwood system, and after perfecting his technique in 1859 he launched this chair in Vienna. Which then became a classic.

Its innovative manufacture, made the easy mass-production and this made it available to almost everyone. Came easily to other continents, it was packaged as separate pieces and was assembled easily. It was even the first chair that was marketed and distributed in this way.

The design is made ​​of 6 clean and simple  parts -this must be the charm, not meant much with its design and got everything-
Le Corbusier, Poul Henningsen, Alvaro Siza and other famous designers have refered this chair as one of the most beautiful objects and better designed in the history of industrial design.

Como aun vivimos el furor de los objetos viejos, sobre todo los muebles, esta silla es seguro, una de esas que cualquiera quisiera tener en casa.

Es la silla No14 fabricada por la compañia Thonet. Michael Thonet es pionero en en el sistema de madera curvada, y despues de perfeccionar su tecnica en 1859 lanzo en Viena esta silla la cual se convirtio en un clasico.

Es su inovadora manufactuta lo que hizo la facil produccion en masa y esto a su vez poner  la silla al alcance de todos. Llego facilmente a otros continentes pues se empaquetaba como piezas separadas y se armaba de manera facil. Fue incluso la primer silla que se comercializo y distribuyo de esta manera.

El diseño esta hecho a base de 6 limpias y simples piezas, y ese debe ser su mayor encanto, no pretende mucho con su diseño y consigue todo. Le Corbusier, Poul Henningsen, Alvaro Siza y otros diseñadores famosos han referido esta silla como uno de los objetos mas bellos y mejor diseñados de la historia del diseño industrial.

Thanks to: thonet, design sponge, emmas design blog, the design files and desire to inspire

New Projects / Proyectos nuevos

After a tough way, finally I decided to start working by my own. Is not easy at all, and I think is getting worst, but I must confess I'm very exited.

So, I hope I could share little by little what is it about the "Plan B"

By now I share these designs that you hopefully will see more often in the network. Tell me what do you think?

Despues de andar un accidentado camino, finalmente di el brinco y me decidí a arrancar mis proyectos de manera independiente!.

No es para nada facil, y creo que se pondra mas dificil! pero debo confesar estoy muy emocionada. Espero poder irles contando poco a poco de que va el " Plan B".

Por ahora les comparto estas imagenes, que sin darles mayores detalles empezaran a ver mas seguido por la red. Ustedes digan, gustan o no?

More fun template, Please!

Hey everyone, yes, this is another assignment and I know is going to be very helpful because I believe the image of my blog doesn't represnte me, and neither the content in it. So this is kind of a good exercice to imagine how I would like my blog looks like. I definitely have to work on changing the current image that I also consider is a little too bored.

The main idea is to give a simple image, because I am a simple girl I think so, may be some tribal elements that represents geometry with a black and white backgroun, this way the images I present have the chance to shine, specially the materials  and textures. Some accents of color would be nice too.

Those who know me in person could say if this image works or not, and same for those who doesn't, let me know what do you think. I'll be happy reading your opinion and advises.

mood board for iris blackboard templete

Pillow book-blogs!

As one of the goals to me now in the e-curse I am taking, is trying to take off the image of tumblr to my blog by telling you a little bit more about my interpretation of what I share with you. It is time to really share little more about what  I like. So the next list is about the 5 blogs I turn the most, like a pillow book. Since I discover the blogging world I started collecting blogs specially about design. When I say collect, trust me, I'm talking about lots of them. They are my little treasure and I'm going to start with those I found since the very beginning and they became the base of my inspiration in all senses.

1.- Emma reminds me all the time how much I'am in love with scandinavian design, her blog is mostly about scandinavian interiors, styling and photography with the most contemporary perspective.

2.- Morgan Satterfield writes the brick house as a document of the remodelation process in her not so new house. I adore her style and all DIY she does and share with us. 

3.- Japanese trash is actually a masculine design blog but I can't help it, sofistication, natural materials, elegant and neutral colors are a constant in this blog, I just love it.  

4.- The kind of blog that has a very nice mix of art, interior design, fashion and architecture. Pretty girly and elegant!

5.- The one that is better represented by its name. This is is the place I allways visit to document my self. To me is like a magazine that has exactly all I need.

Inspiration! where do you come from?

When I think about people, objects or in general images that inspire me, it comes easily the idea of a quiet and simple life style. There is no specific reason why Scandinavian style have this essence to me. Talking about Scandinavian interior design I just love the touches of white, wood and modern furniture. It seems like everything is designed to sit, relax and enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Out of the Nordic fantasy I am Mexican girl, we belong to bright colors, woven fabrics, textures and the most interesting traditions. I have to be honest and say that I have a long way to explore deep into this topic, but my culture is one of the things that not only inspires me but also motivates me.

What  I think is another important ingredient when I'm looking for inspiration is like I shared in a previous entry: the happiness I get from restoring an old object or furniture. In the other hand, I always remember me imaging spaces where I feel happy -let me talk about this with my shrink, may be an important issue, lol- At the end I believe I'm trying to mix up all the images I just described.

I'm not done yet, this is a work in progress, that's why writing this blog at first, was for me a nice way to find out and pronounce me and my style through all the images I love. I also believe inspiration comes in different packages with different contents at very different moments in our lives.
Right now to me, this image of "a quiet and simple life style" and everything around it, is what INSPIRES me.

Image via Emmas design blogg

Hello Again dear blogg and readers

Ok this is like introducing my self once again because I hope this is like a new beginning to my blog.

Here is the thing, I am enrolled in a very fun e-course named Blogging your way- boot camp and the reason why I am taking it is because I want to give some life to my blog. That's why I'm going to need help from my readers  on the next homework assignments. Let me know your opinion, leave me a comment and if you can give me some advises, are very welcome. I think you are going to see many changes in the way I used to blog, so please feel free to write down about it.

I have to say, at the beginning my blog was kind of a secret way to say: Oh dear architecture, I love you so much but we need a break from each other. Our relationship definitely needed to take a new way.

I ended falling in love with my secret, even better, my blog became an important part of my life and my profession.

I needed so badly someone to teach me how to make shine my no longer secret blog: iris blackboard.

This amazing girl is Holly Becker and she writes decor8 long time before I discovered blogging. Beside, I suspect we all the students in Holly's course share a little part of her personal history writing a blog, so I didn't have any doubt to take this course with her.

I am so ready to learn and hopefully have more readers to share my inspiration!