A.P.C. Surplus, Brooklyn

by Seth Brau

We were among the excited first today to check out A.P.C.'s latest store (and the second of their outlets worldwide) today in Brooklyn. Called A.P.C. Surplus for its flat 60% discounted prices, the Williamsburg storefront is housed in a beautiful former bank with plenty of rustic charm (i.e. it looks as if it recently caught fire).

At only 600 square feet, the space feels a little small in comparison to their Soho outpost, but they utilize it well with sliding walls and racks on wheels. Its modular design looks modern yet manages to fit well with the classic earthy tones that are a familiar part of A.P.C.'s brand identity, as well as with the old facade of the building.

Filled with discounted items from past seasons and the line's signature denim products (at full price), we found plenty to take home with us. Most exciting though are plans to carry vintage French military pieces; if A.P.C.'s track record is any indication, they're bound to be la crème de la crème of military wear. (Yeah, we speak French.)

A.P.C. Surplus
33 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211 map
tel. 1 347 381 3193

Also on Cool Hunting: A.P.C. Los Angeles Flagship Store

More pics after the jump.

The Heavy: Great Vengeance and Furious Fire

by Leonora Oppenheim

By happy accident I recently caught the amazing sounds of The Heavy on a BBC radio live session and almost had to stop the car for fear of crashing with the thrill of it. Incredibly rich, funky and, well, appropriately heavy music; the lead singer's voice could melt your insides.

Although musical comparisons are often crass, you can't help but hear echoes of Curtis Mayfield, Parliament, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse sounding a bit retro and contemporary at the same time. The band describes their sound much more eloquently, "Picture Tom Waits fostering the RZA while John Bonham and The Parliaments host a garage sale for Chester Burnett, Willie Mitchell and the Stooges...The Heavy reek of lo fi samples, broken down beats, a disgusting but yet compelling delivery on all fronts and more stinky than anything that has ever come out of your back passage."

The Heavy hail from Noid, a small town in South West England and their debut album, "Great Vengeance and Furious Fire," was released on Counter Records/NinjaTune in the U.K. in October of 2007. It's set for release in the U.S. early this year. Pick up copy at Amazon.

Steven Harrington

by Letizia Rossi

Since we first heard about L.A.-based artist and designer Steven Harrington's work, he's apparently been busy. Some of his latest illustration recently reached my desk in the form of a beautiful holiday calendar from Daub and Bauble. Created at the Studio on Fire letterpress, Harrington's design features a proud peacock with Day of the Dead-style skulls. (Pictured above right.)

Harrington, along with fellow artist Justin Krietemeyer, is the co-founder of National Forest Design whose projects include the Urban Outfitters Catalogs, Burton Snowboards and the Nike Ole Mural. Drawing influence from images, fashion and graphics discovered in Time Life Encyclopedias from 1965-1972, thrift stores purchases, and music of The Moody Blues, Harrington uses the term "contextual objectivism" to describe his work.

With projects ranging from participation in the Arkitip "Highmath" group exhibition in Berlin, a collaboration with Kidrobot, and a new series of skateboards for Element, Harrington's own 2008 calendar should be extremely full.

Harrington also has three t-shirt designs available from Sixpack France.

More images after the jump.

Also on Cool Hunting Studio On Fire 2007 Letterpress Calendar Daub and Bauble

Wallpaper Design Awards 2008

by Jacob Resneck

Wallpaper unveiled its “Design Awards” series recently with some interesting results. Though we're not sure about their cred since they proclaimed Los Angeles “Best City” (air quality and gun violence were obviously not strong criterias), otherwise the periodical (along with judges that include Tadao Ando, Wong Kar-wai and Donatella Versace) really pulled it off.

Best domestic appliance goes to the "Katamari 01" speaker by Giyanze (pictured above left) which despite its sleek, very Japanese design, backs an acoustic punch.

Tokyo-based designer Tokujin Yoshioka takes home the Best furniture designer award for his ingenious work for Moroso Performance Products in Milan. (This on the heels of winning Designer of the Year at this year's Design Miami Pictured at left. Photo courtesy of Keetja Allard.)

Best new private house is intriguing. Architects Makoto Takei and Chie Nabeshima created the Ring House, a weekend house less than 200 miles from Tokyo that's no minka (traditional Japanese farmhouse). Their creation is nothing less than a mini-tower of glass and wood that stands three storeys tall amid thick foliage, offering a panoramic view of its idyllic surroundings.

Straight Line Designs

by Jonah Samson

Straight Line Designs is a custom furniture design and manufacturing company whose designs are always quirky and whimsical.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company is owned and operated by Judson Beaumont, who finds much of his inspiration in childlike imagery, and many of his designs have been greatly influenced by his kids and their liberal acceptance of the bizarre. In his world of odd furniture, cabinets can look as if they are exploding or melting, and tables take the form of a dog peeing on your carpet.

My two personal favorites by far are the fully functional carrot go-cart and the amazing pet camper, which is a small, highly-detailed replica of an airstream trailer for your dog.

Check out more of their designs and custom projects on their website.

Tetrical

by Lost At E Minor

Tetris is one of the most straight-forward video games ever invented. It's also one of the most challenging, even with only two dimensions to worry about. Tetrical kicks it up another level by adding a third dimension. Try really hard not to go all German kid on your computer when playing this.