gnr8 – a well balanced collection

You might need to take a second and even third look at that lopsided plank of wood to actually recognize it; it is a bookshelf. At first glance the sleek and definitely unique library piece seems to resemble a playground favorite, the See-Saw. The bookshelf, which is honest in design, is also upfront about the inspiration behind it – it is in fact called the See-Saw bookshelf.

Generate, a Canadian lighting, furniture and home accessory provider, can take credit for the distribution of this book balancer; however the functionality of the piece was devised by BCXSY, a design duo from an unknown place ( you are going to have to do your own research on that).

I am glad I came across this nostalgic piece of functional art. However, what I am most excited about is my discovery of Generate (or gnr8). As stated above, gnr8 is a Canadian store that provides creative people with interesting decorative solutions.

They seem to specialize in unique lighting, and even have pieces of furniture that incorporate light in some way. It is hard to describe the collection, but I can say that they do have a good amount of innovative and beautiful things that every design driven person would appreciate.

Here is a desk that caught my eye. It is a modern rendition of the classic writing desk.

-pk

jet-setting joshua

My good friend, actually one of my best, Josh, just returned from what seems to have been a very unique travel experience. His journey began in Vail, where he frequented the wedding reception (but not wedding), of one of his unconventional cousins. He actually missed the wedding because he had to catch a flight to his next destination.

He was joined in the Gatwick (or Heathrow, not sure) airport by his girlfriend (don’t get too excited yet)… and her dad. I assume Josh was respectful and simply gave her a small-sized, impersonal, almost business-like hug, rather than what the nature of their relationship usually asks for in a much-awaited greeting. From there, the jet-setting trio excitedly hopped on a plane to land in none other than Ethiopia.

While in Africa, the three helped treat tuberculosis, maleria and even dabbled with AIDS. Based on his past, I’d always imagined Josh spreading AIDS, not trying to cure it. Either way, he did what he could.

I would introduce you to some of the gruesome details, but the essence of my blog is prompting me to showcase the nice kicks he got in Paris after his Ethiopian excursion.

I do not know the name of the model, but I wanted to just say that the color scheme is pretty smooth. If any readers have any details, please let me know. Here they are:

Those pics were taken by me on Josh’s Samsung BlackJack (pretty slick as well, more to come on that later). If the shoes look small, the pictures are true to reality.

-pk

smashingmagazine – simply smashing

I guess you could call me a follower; or a poser; or just hopeful. I want to create my own website. Well not only do I want to, I am in the process of doing so (www.pkafka.com). You know, just a place to put my resume and portfolio.

I thought it would be easy. I am a minimalist. How hard could it be to design a simple website?

Contrary to most people’s beliefs, my trouble isn’t with the coding of the site (thanks to WYSIWYG) – it’s with the design. It’s really frigin hard to translate the ideas in my head to what is seen on the web.

In my frustration, I began seeking some guidance. In my search, I found Smashing magazine. This moderately good-looking website showcases hundreds more. If you are interested in graphic design or electronic aesthetics in general check out www.smashingmagazine.com.

For better and worse, it’ll have you wishing you had done what you find on the site.

happy designing!

-pk

get yoked

In honor of my first days success, I would like to introduce all my faithful followers to my favorite exercise.

I am writing about this workout today because the dynamic of the relationship between it and me might be similar to your experience with my blog.

I was first introduced to this exercise, known as a floor wiper, by my fit friend Patrick. The first few times I tried it, I was not only unimpressed, but a bit burdened by the challenging movement that the chiseler required.

After a couple of days of giving the ab/shoulder builder a shot, I had retired from the arduous task of trying it out.

About a month later, one of my other fit friends, Chase, introduced me to the “300 workout,” which is a series of compound movements that are challenging and productive; the floor wiper is part of the routine.

As I became stronger, I was able to appreciate the awesomeness of this body burning exercise. I do one set of fifty…but try it out as desired. By the end of my set, the excessive amount of sweat that floor wiping produces is the only thing that can help put out the burn that the movement induces.

Here is a video of the oh so sweet exercise:

The moral of the story is… Even if you don’t like my blog in its early stages, take a break, come back in a little, and hopefully, by then, you will be able to appreciate the awesomeness of it…hah.

Thanks.

-pk

surprise surprise

I never thought the day would come… but it did, and it came quickly; yesterday, my blogs first day in operation, was more than an opener, it was a success.

I couldn’t believe the numbers, but wordpress is tellin’ me my blog had over 100 visitors.

I was worried because I actually visited the blog around 100 times and was thinkin’ that I had boosted the counter. However, after some investigation, I realized that my visits did not count and that there were actually people out there who were industrious enough to find the site.

I want to assure all visitors that this blog is in its rough stage. The content, aesthetic and writing are all bound to improve. If you visit, and are not impressed, check back in a week or two, you won’t be disappointed.

To the people reading this – leave a comment, that way i’ll know what’s great (if anything) and what is far from it.

I like feedback; it makes people and places better.

Thanks.

-pk

future projections:

the lomme bed

Believe it or not, that is a bed; and Lomme, a German design firm, was the creator.

The design, although unique, is nothing revolutionary. The shape of the bed is based off a classic – the egg. The company claims that the smooth lines are more than aesthetic elements; they insist that the shape coincides with “state of the art light and sound therapy, which remove outside disturbances and allow you to wake naturally feeling refreshed and full of energy.”

Therapeutic or not, buying this bed is not a decision I will have to sleep on. When it is available in the US, I am going to have to check it out, and price permitting, give it a go.

The bed also comes in white, purple, yellow and blue.

see for yourself:

http://www.lomme.com/

sweet dreams!

-pk

iphone – served fresh

Check this video out… I could not believe my eyes. Although I am not a fan of the iPhone, watching this video was a painful experience.

enjoy!

-pk

nespresso – capsules + coffee

As a 20-year-old, soon approaching official adulthood, I find myself very interested in the convention of becoming sophisticated. I constantly seek enlightening literature, study radical art and listen to the greats (Miles Davis, John Coltrane). Although I can often hold what seem to be decent conversations concerning these up-scale subjects, my newest attempt at “sophistafyzing” is the most noticed.

I recently purchased a Nespresso machine and even though I enjoy a nice shot of java, the idea of being able to provide my guests single servings of coffee in a futuristic manner really turned me on.

As a coffee machine, a Nespresso unit won me over with its unique function and clean form. The device uses coffee capsules (check out the website, tough to describe) that are packed with prime roast.

So far my money has been put to use. I have been enjoying the energy, aromas and acclaim that my Nespresso is giving me.

check it out:
www.Nespresso.com

-pk

umbra wine rack – functional art

I usually don’t plan my toasts ahead of time; however I am trying to manufacture the perfect speech to introduce my new Umbra wine rack…when it arrives. With August serving as the estimated release date, I will be ready, if need be (which I highly doubt), to wait in a “first to buy an iPhone” line for this bad boy.

With the impeccable style and simple service that this functional work of art provides, and with the hope that only a niche group, of select people will discover the truly awesome accessory, paying $150 for the six bottle rack won’t have me whining.

-pk

in full form:

Hi-Tech Hotels, the Spanish Savior

Sharing stories from European adventures never gets old, the subject matter that creates them might. Every adventurous person loves the idea of staying in a hostel: public spaces filled with fun people, sleeping a few feet from someone you just met, being greeted by people just as drunk as you at five am – the list could go on…but not forever. Although the experiences that these unique quarters create are memorable, the paper-thin sheets, slimy showers and invasion of privacy do, inevitably, need a break. And as expected, Europe has a solution; well, Spain in particular.

High-Tech hotels, a Spanish chain, is every bit as exciting as any hostel, but with rooms that provide modern design, personal laptops, luxurious showers and missed most of all, plush pillows, they become the perfect place for someone that won’t compromise coolness for comfort.

With floor-plans that can accommodate two, four or six people, very comfortably, for a price that can become as slim as about thirty Euros per-person a night; these hotels are not only a great option for style conscious hostel dwellers, but also suit design driven couples, and any one else that appreciates modern surroundings at moderate prices.

see what i’m talkin about:

www.hthotels.com

-pk