Black Crane and Momoko Suzuki

A while ago Totokaelo featured a designer and the designer's home on their blog. I had never heard of the woman, Momo Suzuki, or her line Black Crane, but I loved her house! And her whole look! Her Serge Mouille wall sconce is one of my favorite light fixtures of all time. As are her Charlotte Perriand leather and chrome chairs. You can read about her whole background here on totokaelo's blog but I will sum it up short and sweet. Momo is from Japan, lives in LA and designs beautiful, simple clothes with quality materials in a small color palette and wonderful drape (or at least it seems so from the photos) and everything is made in LA too. And lots of pieces are 100% cotton, something I think is very underrate - washable, better with kids, etc. And simple details like raw edges and seams down the middle.

The prices are great too, even items under $100 (i know, what!) But some things do seem rather basic. Especially when lately I have limited funds with which to invest and really try to use them wisely, i.e. on key, striking pieces that are unique and special...not just a basic tee.

Momo with her Perriand chairs and a Platner table.

The Serge Mouille sconce and Momo Suzuki.

Momo on her cool couch in very cool sandals (more on those another day.)

Her closet. So simple - utterly cool.

That said, I have since seen Black Crane all over the friggin' place -- Mohawk General Store, Myth and Symbol (in Houston), Machus (in Portland), Totokaelo of course, and now even No.6 is carrying her stuff. I have had my eye on the Wide dress. It's sort of like a long t-shirt stretched into a dress with kimono sleeves. I think it would be great when it's worn slightly oversized (not tight) and then there are some jumpers and several different slouchy pants and shorts. And a few great dresses. The tees cross a line into being too flow-y slash boxy. Not sure about them but you be the judge. Below are some highlights:

The Wide dress - oversized

the Balloon jumper

Accordion Dress in navy

Long Strap dress in Aqua

The wide crew top in marble - one of the few prints

the square tee in white

Muuto teapot and mugs

I am loving my new "bulky" teapot and mugs in dandelion yellow from Scandinavian design collective Muuto. A cookie jar and sugar are also part of the collection, which is available in grey, white and yellow.

Muuto is slowing taking over my home as I now have multiple pieces from them including: lights, flower pots, fruit bowl, and some great wool storage bins made from recycled plastic that I use for toy storage.

And I have several items on my wishlist - mainly lights:

Muuto is sold at DWR and other small design boutiques.

APC bedding

A French designer by the name of Elodie Laleous has access to the fabric archives of APC and sells the fabric along with some pre-made items like duvets, pillows, blankets and even a child's playmat on her website for her Paris-based boutique Lab. She uses Liberty florals to complement the classic plaids and checks. The final product is beautiful and definitely on my wishlist for my new home, especially the yellow lambswool blanket.



There are also some foam "cubes" designed to function as little child seats or floor pillows.

I learned about Elodie and her cool designs on Remodelista.

who does it well: Patricia Urquiola

Not only is she one of the lone women in a field dominated by men but her designs are off the hook. Patricia Urquiola is from Spain, lives in Milan and designs for pretty much the coolest furniture companies out there, like Moroso and B&B Italia. But she does way more than furniture, she designed a new line of plumbing fixtures for Axor and she's done hotels and, for even a lucky few, home interiors. Anyway, that's pretty much all I know about her AND that lately if I see something I love, the chances are pretty high that she's designed it. Here are some of my favorites:

Tropicalia for Moroso - a beautifully designed indoor/outdoor seating line that is such a great statement piece.

Tufty-time for B&B Italia

Axor Urquiola line of plumbing fixtures

FLO for Driade bar stool

And Patricia's line for Agape is my personal favorite:

my christmas presents

my new stools. designer Konstantin Grcic for Magis. available at hivemodern.

my new backpack. from Altadena Works in collaboration with South Willard. available here.

my new shoes. Bass by Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony. available here.