This is not Ikea (dot com)

A great recommendation from a friend lead me to thisisnotikea.com, an awesome website that is like IKEA but way, way better... almost like IKEA's older, more cultured step sister?!

Reasons why it rules:

First off, it's also a store in L.A., called Tini which I'm dying to shop at!
Secondly, it is a vast selection of home decor items that are gently used, retro, mid-century, eclectic, industrial, vintage, modern... basically all the best. What I really like is how user friendly the website is, with items categorized not only by department, but by color, room, and/or style.


Like any great thing, with success comes a higher demand, and therefore higher prices. Some of the bric-a-brac is listed as a higher ticket than what I would dish out for say, an ashtray, at the same time some of the larger pieces are reasonable considering their condition, for instance this set of pretty dressers for $195 each.

Or these cute danish chairs for $150 a pop

They also offer interior design services, at a pretty penny I am sure. Not to piggyback someone else's success, but I am glad I have found a resource that is much like the aesthetic I like to design with, and within the same vein as my interests as well. That being said, I am still down for small side jobs if anyone needs a little assistance, I offer a free one hour color consultation which includes a basic needs assessment for the room of your choice. Just email me and I'd be happy to help!

joyboe@hotmail.com

Lost & Found: February Shopping Guide

It's a new month, and a new opportunity to find something at Lost & Found. We have just filled the space with tons of great stuff, so stop on buy before it's all snatched up! Here's some of my favorites:

High back teak wood chair, with new green and teal cotton blend tweed upholstery
$40.00

Maple side table in great shape $40.00

Vintage Globe $30.00
Abe Bust $10.00
Glass ashtray $5.00
Wood stool $20.00

Bamboo shell table $20.00

Set of 4 wood Japanese bowls $20.00
White Airplane Lamp $10.00
Set of 2 Japanese Watermelon Mugs $6.00

Set of 2 High Back dining chairs with new olive green upholstery
$60.00

Shop with us, and go home happy!

Lost & Found is located directly inside Pat's Corner
3409 30th St
(between Upas St & Myrtle Ave)
San Diego, CA 92104

The Shadow of Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier's images conjure many feelings, from loneliness and isolation to delight in the small things seen everyday. Although not much is known about the woman who never claimed to be an artist, or a famous one at least, ingrained in her composition is the shadow of a person with deep understanding of human emotions. Within the busy city life of Chicago she managed to capture moments most people sweep past, with a sad elegance and almost thirst for warmth.


Looking through her photos is like floating through a crowd, her ghostly presence is mostly recognized by children who are also aching for attention, and is often lost to those who have bigger, more important things to tend to.



It is said she mostly wore men's clothing and preferred to keep to herself (even at the photo stores where she purchased film regularly) but her photograph's contain a consistent femininity and sense of interconnectivity, an attention to detail only an advocate for style could appreciate. But then again, it was the 60's and in my opinion everything looked aesthetically better back then!




She also flawlessly captured the changing political times of the mid-century through it's toll on the streets, whether through the remnant of graffiti and posters, or the faces of the homeless.




Vivian Maier stands out as real artist to me for many reasons. Her time on the streets successfully portray many important views of community and humanity in general, yet are timelessly well framed. Her lack of desire to be recognized for her work shows a natural talent that simply went unnoticed, like most of her life. It's sad to me that she disregarded her passion towards the end of her life, and that many rolls of film found in antique stores weren't even developed. There is some redemption that by chance they fell into the hands of someone who appreciates them, and has passed on her legacy to build the growing fan base that in jut a year has impacted so many people.

R.I.P. Miss Maier, February 1st 1926 - April 21, 2009.