Font-astic Friday

I could rattle off a string of technical typography characteristics; ascenders, descenders, kerning, leading, etc. etc. but when I see a font I really like, I usually have an emotionally associative reaction to it. Here are 6 of my favorite fonts with my very non-technical impressions of them. … … … … … … …

An Interview with Chicago Graphic Designer Brooke Becker

I was lucky enough to sit down with the lovely and talented Brooke Becker. In this interview she gives some insight into her design-rich background, what she digs about art, and how she stays sane as a graduate student and professional. …… SARAH: Brooke, you’ve got a great sense of design. Did growing up around art influence your [...]

Illustrator Aubrey Beardsley: Victorian Ink Lord

When I was a freshmen undergrad at Columbia College Chicago one of the first reports I gave was on the Victorian illustrator Aubrey Beardsley. I remember spending hours thumbing through his works and admiring his editorial-like style, with sweeping curves and masterful line control. His use of standard black and white mixed with provocative and [...]

What You Don’t Know About My Kitchen Could Hurt You

When theoretical design concepts and practicality collide, it can be ugly. Our kitchen is a fine example of this. We bought our Chicago loft two years ago and the lady who lived here before was apparently into “novelty”…and pain. The cabinet pulls in our kitchen are knives, forks, and spoons and which one of our friends refers to [...]

The Art Of Clawed Feet

I have a thing for clawfooted furniture. It is oddly escapist for me. It is in my remodeling plans, but I lust over the idea of having a clawfoot tub — a single slipper bisque beauty for my bathroom that I can sink myself into with a good book. Like the one pictured here: I [...]

A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Pink Floyd fan. I have a black and white photo of the band, circa 1970, hanging by my computer at work, with a young David Gilmour (swoon) in the forefront. My very first CD was “The Division Bell” (1994) which I realize is  late in [...]

My Dryer is a “Hottie”

We got a new washer and dryer set recently.  The curves and sleek cherry red paint job and chrome detailing remind me of a classic car.  Instead of “start” buttons, both units have large “play” and “pause” buttons that light up when pushed. They look like remediations of later generations of portable CD players. And, for example, when the dryer is done, it alerts you [...]

Decorgasm? Yes, Please!

Some people you come across in life are effortlessly hip. Some people you know may communicate purposefully. And some could even belong to that rare tribe of industry professionals who are just …cool as hell. But I find that few people are all three.  However, Laura is. An Illinois senior interior designer by trade, Laura’s aptly titled [...]

A Chic Direction

From the Valley to the Hills: Keeping You In the Loop I will be the first to admit that, while an artist, I lack fashion skills. I tragically wear unflattering horizontal stripes, I wear my favorite heels until the heels themselves looked like a pack of cheese graters attacked them, and I wear (gulp) tennis shoes with my [...]

My Winter Project: Pulling Art Into Life

Over the winter I decided to make my bedroom into a Witchery, a castle-like chamber full of textures. However, I didn’t want to “pay alot for this muffler” so I got creative through bargain-hunting and DIY skills. The ceilings in my room are pretty high as we live in a loft building that was once a paper factory [...]