Messenger/Bicycle Bags for Women? do they actually exist?

My frustration has been building over the last few years, and today I am sharing it with the world.

About three times a week, I ride my bicycle, and many times I carry a lot of things with me (books, clothes, tapeware, groceries). About four years ago, I decided to invest on a Timbuk2 messenger bag. Not only I wanted to support local designers, but I also was inspired by seeing all the bicyclists in San Francisco sporting their Timbuk2s. Once I started using my cool messenger bag, I realized that it wasn’t made for my body. When carrying a lot of things and leaning on my bicycle, the strap that was supposed to go across my chest started pushing my breasts. It was painful. Since then I have tried to change my pose when riding my bicycle, put pads around the straps, and pull the straps every five minutes, but I am loosing patiente with it. And please dear Timbuk2kers do not take this wrong. I love your designs and support them fully, but I am not sure if you thought about women when designing this product. Trust me, I would be more than happy to go over your studios and help brainstorming on how we may develop more female friendly messenger/bicycle bags.

My messenger bag

Because I am a designer ,and I cannot just sit and cross my arms when facing a design problem, I have decided to see what would be possible for bag developers like Timbuk2 or The Norh Face or even Jansport  to look at when designing a messenger biker bag for us women.

We women love tote bags and bags that  can be carried on the shoulder.

Super functional tote bag

Many of us dislike pink and flowers, so please do not think that by simply changing the color of the backpacks you have made them for us. You must be aware that we have anatomical diferences.

Pink messenger bag for “women” … because it’ pink

We love soft materials and leather. We actually like earthy/natural tones.

Leather messenger bag that still needs to adress the issue of comfort when being used for bicycle riding.

We like bags that are thought out throughly for us, taking into consideration our needs, our anatomic challenges, our tastes, and our busy schedules.

Vera Bradley’s Barcelona backpack.

The thing is that, we probably don’t want to show up to girls happy hour with a backpack … that makes us feel too high school like.

I personally dream of a bag that doesn’t push my breasts …

Study of my current bicycle bag straps pushing my body

I also dream of a bag that can be multifunctional, and when needed, I can carry on one shoulder, and when riding my bicycle, can be carried on my back with the help of my chest … not my breasts.

Front solution for my dream messenger/bicycle bag

From tote to backpack … that is perfection!

And that hopefully uses reclaimed materias such as the beautiful bags from Cyclus Colombia .

Really cool design, made out of reclaimed rubber tires … that is what we like!

I can’t wait to get/develop the perfect messenger bag for women. If you want to team up or get some feedback, please feel free to contact me. It would be my pleasure!

Happy biking everyone!

Head over Nails

It has been about a year since I started getting full exposure to the interior design world, and many things have changed on the way I see furniture, accessories and spaces. I must say, one of the most dramatic ones is my view of nailheads. I am going crazy about them.

Little I knew about the beauty and versatility  of nailheads, and I am still learning. Here a quick introduction to Nailheads 101 … to go head over nails.

Nailheads have been used as a traditional upholstery detail for hundreds of years. Nowadays they are having a come back in all sorts of places.

They give style and spice to simple pieces of furniture ... and you can add them yourself.

• First of all choose the piece of furniture that you would want to revamp
• Choose your favorite nailheads, and make sure they match your piece and your style
• Define the distance that you want them to be from one another and where on the piece you would like to see them
• Start nailing them and seeing how they look
• Enjoy the project and the final piece
• More detailed instructions at: Isabella & Max rooms

Use them on lamps such as this Mitchell Gold Leather Lamp

On mirrors such as this exotic Safari Mirror from Ralph Lauren Home

Play with designs on cabinets such as this pristine Visconti Large Cabinet from The Bungalow 5 collection

Or why not beautifying your waste basket like the peeps at DRANSFIELD & ROSS have done it

Giving style to simple pieces such as this Happiness Round Ottoman from Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth

And even adding them to that one room in need of a unique touch

There are rustic iron nails such as these from Mexico

And many other materials, sizes

patterns, finishes, light and dark, shiny and matte

Even artists such as Korean Sculptor Jae-Hyo Lee use them on their furniture!

Happy nails everyone!

Bicycles to Ride for …

Yes we have become a bicycle couple … and we are very excited about it.

I have been riding bicycles in the city for about eleven years, and it never becomes boring. Yes I am one of those riding on high hills all dressed up to work. At least three times a week, in the morning, you can see me going uphill around Union Square with a big smile on my face. I see biking to work as a form of meditation and the best way to wake up before embracing my work day.

Well now Simon has joined me. No he won’t be riding to work, but he has gotten himself such a hot bicycle to ride on the weekends, that I am sure soon he will be tempted to join me for an inner city stroll.

Here are some gorgeous bicycles for city dwellers that can’t keep their hands off the handle bars.

Seafoam from Mission Bicycle the creators of Simon's bicycle.

The Roxie from Mission Bicycle

Tartine - Mission Bicycle

Spork - Inspired by the facade of Spork restaurant on Valencia, SF.

Del Norte style from Swobo - This is the same style as my bicycle with different handlebars.

Crosby from Swobo

Now grab that bicycle and ride in the city … you will love it and your body will show it.

An article on iDo Colombia – My master thesis

An article on iDo Colombia – My master thesis

I wanted to share with all of you an article on iDo Colombia my masters thesis. It was published last night at the College of Creative Arts blog from San Francisco State University. 

In addition, I wanted to update you. I have been selected as one of the SFSU winners to compete at the California State University Research Competition in Long Beach, CA, May 2012. Wish me good luck. 

Much love,

Isabel. 

Lighting Fixtures … To never leave your house …

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a lighting design lecture at the San Francisco Design Center and learnt about three incredible lighting designers. Here are they designs …

CLEAR BAND PENDANTS by John Pomp Studios. ~ Hand-blown crystal glass pendant fixture with thick clear band lens and edison bulb.

INFINITY CLUSTER by John Pomp Studios. ~ 15 pieces of hand-blown/sculpted glass crystal with iridescence.

NESTING CYLINDERS SCONCES by John Pomp Studios. ~ Two tiered hand-blown glass cylinders on blackened steel frame.

Ballad Wall Sconce by McEwen Lighting Studio

Signal Floor Lamp by McEwen Lighting Studio

Barrel Ceiling Lamp by McEwen Lighting Studio

Richelieu Chandelier by Jonathan Browning Studios

Cinq sconce by Jonathan Browning Studios

Keule 5 Light Chandelier by Jonathan Browning Studios

Now dim those lights and finish the day with a delicious glass of Carménère.

Breathing Carrara’s White Marble

On Thursday, I had the opportunity of attending a “Quarry to Counter” lecture at Walker Zanger in the San Francisco Design Center. The lecture offered a door towards the world of marble and a breathtaking lesson on the process marble goes through, from the quarries to counters and tiles.

Before this lecture, I didn’t know much about marble, other than it was a beautiful stone that people loved to have in their kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, halls and architectural details. Now I can talk a little more about it and must say, I have developed much respect and admiration for Carrara’s white marble.

The story begins in the mountains of Carrara, Italy (Tuscany)

Machines excavate at the quarries in Carrara forming blocks of stone

Magnificent working field ~ Nature giving the best of her

Blocks are inspected to define type of marble ~ veins, color and direction are studied

Blocks are sliced into slabs, then labeled, polished and ready to be used

Bianco Carrara or White Veneto ~ Most popular white marble

Bianco Gioia ~ Next in high quality

Statuary White or Orvieto ~ Deep veins and golden colors

Calacatta Grigio ~ Great for tiles

Calacatta Fabbricotti or Gold Vein ~ Memories of Chanel

Calacatta Borghini ~ Very difficult to get

Calacatta Regina ~ Very soft with green and gold tones

Arabiscato ~ pockets of white through the slab

Calacatta Belgia ~ A rare one

Paonazzo ~ with beautiful gold and dark veins

Calacatta Gold ~ The most beautiful and exquisite of all white Carrara marbles

Crema Dorado ~ From Spain and the stone that gets to live in our living room in the form of a coffee table thanks to Simon's great taste

Baby deer on New Ravenna Mosaics' “Marabel” pattern in honed Thassos and polished Calacatta Tia ~ Love ~

Loving Well Designed Jewelry by Talented World Designers

Yes, I am a jewelry lover and am always enchanted by the power of a well designed piece. Jewelry speaks for your style and what’s in your mind, and it does so either in a classy, quiet or loud way. In you lays the power of how your jewelry speaks for you.

Here are some (five) awesome jewelry designers that I have been spotting in the last few months and thought you may enjoy … decide to trend … give to that special one … or simply admire.

• For British jewelry designer Alex Monroe nature has always been his greatest inspiration. Whether from travels in Pakistan, walks along the hedgerows of Suffolk or even the Tuscan hills. His designs are now the top-selling brand in many outlets, including Liberty of London.

Peacock Ring.

*exclusive* Black Chrysanthemum earrings - Yes I've got these for Christmas!

• Sculptural artist and designer Anthony Roussel creates beautiful intricate jewelry inspired by the epic sweep of England’s coastline and a passion for modern architecture. He applies delicate flowing lines and sweeping curves, meticulously layering sheets of wood into sinuous forms. Part of his inspiration is the repetitive linear patterns found within geological rock formations, which is echoed in his technique.

From flat elements into fluid structures.

Ram ring, one of my favorite ones given both my zodiac and Chinese signs.

• Mexican design company ik Joyeros founded by Iker Ortiz is conformed by a group of goldsmiths, jewelers and designers that build their pieces supported by the manufacturing industry and finished by hand. They seek to contrast the banal and not very durable products around us with fine pieces of high quality.
  

  IER-QS & IER-JS EARRINGS. Stainless steel with White Jade.

  

  CR-RD RING , CR-RD.1 RING. Corian square ring with rough diamond.

• Design studio Nervous System works at the intersection of science, art, and technology. They use computer simulation to generate designs and digital fabrications that become products. Drawing inspiration from natural phenomena, they write computer programs mimicking processes and patterns found in nature and use those programs to create unique and affordable art, jewelry, and housewares. All their pieces are designed and made in Massachusetts.

Radiolaria Bracelet. Silicone rubber cut into an organic network of distorting ellipses.

Large Orchid Necklace. Laser cut thirty-nine layers of plastic, sculpted into a fluid form inspired by the morphology of orchids.

• San Francisco based and good friend of mine Yaar Designs creates Iranian inspired jewelry supported by the intricate process of industrial design. Everything with a splash of asymmetry and a silky touch.

Asymmetrical earrings made out of sterling silver with a touch of pearl and silk thread.

Red Silk Ring. Handsaw oxidized sterling silver accented with red silk thread.

Taken by a muse called Coco

You heard it right. I have been taken and converted into a Coco Chanel … Interiors … admirer and lover.

Chanel needs no introduction in the world of fashion, but many may not be aware of her interior design tastes. She was sharp and sophisticated and reflected her style in her villas and apartments in France. For that, she could not go unnoticed in the world of Interior Design.

This is why …

Her so well known taste for ivory and black - 31 Rue Cambon, Paris.

Her superstitions ... see crystal spheres on coffe table at 31 Rue Cambon.

Open space, mirrors and unique lounge chair - 31 Rue Cambon.

Diva/Muse on her chair. Black and Ivory the law of color.

Mademoiselle Chanel on the stairway connecting her fashion shop and her apartment.

Clean touches reflecting her fashion statements - Foyer at her Paris Ritz Suite.

Always forward thinking on all sorts of design - Paris Ritz Suite.

Time for a bath at the Ritz, then apply some No. 5 and conquer the world of design.

Top Five Bookends for Young and Not so Young Adults

Richard Artschwager, bookends, 1990. New York Collection Walker Art Center. Not for sale reason why are not included in top five.

Hola from the darkness!

No, I have not forgotten about you. I was just finishing my graduate studies and was sucked right away into a few intense interior design projects.

So Christmas is here, once again, and you may wonder what on earth to give to that young adult of yours. Well, let me tell you, young adults and not so young adults are now becoming more aware of design and still have needs at home such as having a shelf to hold books. Believe it or not, many adults still hold to that bit of history called a nice book to read or a helpful cooking/wine book. Personally, I am in the market for a pair of bookends and have increasingly become aware of their need and beauty.

Here are my top five bookends for people who cannot spend a fortune, yet appreciate a touch of design at home. ~order is irrelevant~

Wood bottle bookend sold at Uncommon Goods for $100 set of two.

Brass Bookends by Austrian modernist Carl Auböck sold at the Cooper Hewitt Shop for $600 a pair.

Recycled Records Bookends sold at Uncommon Goods for $40 a set

Petoskey Stone Bookends sold at Miner's North Jewelers for $225 pair.

Judy Kensley McKie Helping Hands Bookends sold at Gallery NAGA in Boston.

Noche de Los Muertos – San Francisco

According to Wikipedia the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday that brings together family and friends to pray for those ones who have died.

The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brasil’s Dia de Finados people visit cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, Asia and Africa.

In San Francisco, Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2nd in the Mission district which is famous for being the heart of the city and where the greatest concentration of Mexican families live. The traditions include building private altars at Garfield Square in order to honor the deceased. The altars include sugar skulls, marigolds, photographs and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed ones. Thereafter, a procession through the whole neighborhood takes off where people from all over the city join. Many of the participants and observers, paint their faces resembling skulls and dead, others dress up and carry candles as they walk behind the procession.

Here are some images of this year’s celebrations in San Francisco. I believe they resemble the work people put on the design of their faces in lieu of celebrating dead, and they prove that everyone has a designer within her/himself. Celebrations of life and dead bring that designer out in many magnificent ways. Enjoy.

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