Jeeves and Wooster Lampshades

by Tim Yu

Needless to say, brimmed hats are a popular accessory among the downtown set these days, so it's especially refreshing to see them used in a different way, like with these Jeeves and Wooster Lampshades.

Aptly named after the British comedy series Jeeves and Wooster, the pendant lights are made in the UK and both varieties feature a black wool felt exterior and fire-rated polycarbonate diffuser. The Jeeve's bowler hat is lined with a refined gold interior and the Wooster's top hat features a silver lining. Both can handle a 40 watt light bulb providing just enough light for almost any household setting.

Part of the Hidden Art Select range, Jeeves Wooster can be purchased for £415 from the Hidden Art Shop. You can also purchase them separately—Jeeves goes for £210 and Wooster for £225.

via Selectism

Linhardt Design Studio

by CH Contributor

by Kelsey Keith

Tucked between a check cashing service and a vacant lot on First Avenue in New York's East Village is a tiny storefront with funny hours. Sometimes closed at noon and occasionally rocking out past midnight, it's a sure sign that Linhardt isn't your typical jewelry store. Owner Lisa Linhardt is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design, with a resume listing photography, graphic design, metalsmithing and more—her liberal approach harmonizes well with the inventive interior executed by duo Wary Meyers.

The shop's wares are all handmade and sustainable, incorporating materials like cork, recycled platinum and gold, the Colombian tagau nut and horn collected after being shed by the animal (pictured below). Lisa designs and crafts most of the jewelry in a workshop behind the shop, but also offers select pieces by national and international designers with a similar mission and aesthetic. Most are fairly under-the-radar, though Spanish jewelry designer Raquel Moreno is also stocked at Bendel.

Ready-to-wear pieces are squarely affordable—knick-knacks start around $40 while the most expensive necklace tops out at $400. Also, Linhardt is a one-stop shop, as Lisa does a brisk business in custom orders for those looking to go the extra mile. Engagement rings designed using ethically-sourced gems are popular.

Check out the new e-commerce shop on Linhardt's website set to launch this spring, as well as a fine arts exhibition of Lisa's work at the Aldridge Contemporary Art Museum, opening 19 April 2009.

linhardt design studio
156 First Avenue
East Village, New York 10009 map
tel. + 1 917 748 9000

Kathy Grayson & Vanessa Prager: Hunting and Gaming

by Karen Day

Exploring the nature of sinister play, "Hunting and Gaming" by artists Kathy Grayson and Vanessa Prager is currently on view at the Robert Berman Gallery. Grayson and Prager's collaborative exhibit is a perspicacious look at childhood and growing up in today's world.

New York-based Kathy Grayson plays with memory and technology, creating distorted works that feature old family photographs re-imagined with early video gaming effects and digitized portraits that look like abstract explosions of video information. CH favorite and Los Feliz native, Vanessa Prager uses moments in daily life as inspiration for her starkly lit paintings, which feature friends in offbeat situations. The dramatic arrangement of such innocent scenes, like untangling holiday decorations or playing with old toys, portrays an element of mystery that suggests things aren't exactly as innocuous as they may appear.

Hunting and Gaming - 24 January through 21 February 2009
Robert Berman Gallery
Bergamot Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404 map
tel. +1 310 315 9506

The 99% Conference Update

by Karen Day

As the 99% conference draws near the speaker roster continues to grow. Confirmed speakers include greatly productive talents such as Google Creative Director, Ji Lee, partner at the multi-disciplinary design studio Pentagram, Michael Bierut, the fellas that started Threadless and marketing guru, Seth Godin. Stay tuned because there are more speakers to come.

A collaborative effort with Behance, the conference is a look at how the inspiring art, design and technology that CH loves comes to be.

Check out the updated site for more info on the conference and to purchase early bird tickets for $490, which are now on sale through 16 February 2009.

The Whip by Cheetah Ultra Sports

by Brian Fichtner

If the Navy SEALs were to ever have an official snowboard, it would have to be The Whip F-117, so named because it draws inspiration from the F-117 Stealth fighter. Recently launched by (the oddly named) Cheetah Ultra Sports, based in San Mateo, California, The Whip has been touted as the most advanced snowboard ever developed.

In fact, the manufacturer has labeled The Whip "the Lamborghini of snowboards." Citing the benefits of its Open V Hull (made of wool, plastic, steel edge and carbon composite) and Spider Back Suspension decks (constructed from carbon composite), they claim the design will allow riders to reach higher speeds, reduce chatter, eliminate heel and toe drag, improve maneuverability, turn quicker, jump higher, and land softer.

Since Cheetah Ultra Sports only recently started fulfilling advance orders, there's a lack of customer feedback to support or contradict the claims. There doesn't seem to be any video footage of the board in use either. Still, after four years of design development, one would hope the assertions for this slick ride are true, though at a cost of $1,899, we'll be waiting for some rider reviews to surface before placing an order.