Cap-sac Fannypack Hats

by Ami Kealoha

Combining the utility of both a fannypack and a baseball cap, we can't wait for all the summer fun times to be had wearing our new Cap-sacs.

Resurrected from a line proprietor Jessica Aceti's mom co-founded in the '80s, they're made of nylon and available in a variety of bright colors, as well as black and white. American Apparel, eat your heart out.

Pick up yours for $13 for all the outdoor concerts, beach trips and forest romps in your future from the Cap-sac site.

EcoSystems Furniture

by CH Contributor

by Laura Neilson

This past weekend's Bklyn Designs show was host to an array of local designers and manufacturers, including EcoSystems brand bamboo furniture. The green-minded company utilizes a innovative tool-free assembly system that relies on interlocking aluminum pieces rather than nuts, bolts and screws, allowing for construction of the brand's modern-looking Bamba chair in a matter of minutes—a godsend for the Ikea-weary.

In addition to flat-pack shipping, the downtown Brooklyn-based company implements region-specific production on large orders to reduce fuel waste and excessive shipping costs. EcoSystems' sustainable materials include bamboo plywood (not only a rapidly-renewable resource but also an incredibly durable one), as well as biodegradable fabrics and foam, easily-recycled aluminum hardware and plant-based clear wood finishes.

Other than their spare collection of well-conceived chairs, benches and side-tables, EcoSystems also fabricates made-to-order custom pieces, including the interior furnishings and curvaceous recycled plywood chairs (pictured above) for Soho's Ion Hair Salon, dubbed as New York's first "eco-salon."

Modern Living Supplies

by Karen Day

Nestled in the bottom pocket of New York's Lower East Side, Modern Living Supplies is a gallery-inspired furniture shop mixing vintage classics and modern designs.

Owner and resident furniture designer Mark Naylon is now offering his collection of innovative yet timeless goods online, making it the ultimate destination for original or restored pieces.

Naylon, who designs the in-house line M|n, began Modern Living Supplies after graduating from SUNY-Buffalo with an MFA in Furniture and Interior Design. After setting up shop in a former bodega in Brooklyn, he felt the space was underwhelming and that there simply wasn't enough room for both furniture and patrons. He moved to the current 1500-square-foot Garfield Building location, attracting architects, designers and casual shoppers alike.

From rare finds to classic designs, Modern Living Supplies hosts a full lineup of furniture needs. The website is an extension of their commitment to great service, offering monthly live auctions, weekly articles and live chat support during store hours.

If you can't find what you're looking for in the brick-and-mortar shop or online, Naylon is more than happy to handcraft a customized piece at your request.

Modern Living Supplies
142 Henry Street
New York, NY 10002 map
tel. +1 212 619 1615

Interview with Designer Emerson Taymor

by Fiona Killackey

A recent UCLA graduate, Emerson Taymor has been making waves in the online ocean with his clever takes on everyday items. Part designer, part magician, the Cali-native effortlessly merges creative design with business acumen. CH caught up with the all-around creative talent for a better look at where he gets his vision.

How did you come up with the idea of the business card?
The concept came somewhat out of the blue. I really wanted to sell myself as a personality as much as a designer. I always felt that the people skills of a designer were undervalued and underrated, especially by designers. I wanted to be able to distinguish myself from all the other amazingly talented designers and artists who are far superior to me. Throughout university I photographed myself a lot and included my face in a lot of my projects and websites. It became a sort of trademark for my work. The whole idea was that by being so over-the-top vain, it killed most of the self-indulgence. My personality type also plays with this image. If you didn't know me, some of this work could appear incredibly egotistical. From this "nugget" of wanting to sell "me" as a "person" as opposed to a "designer" my card was born.

Also, there are a couple other notes. The huge ET glasses in my card are one of my known "trademarks." These glasses—and the offshoot UCLA ones for sporting events at my college—are far more famous than me. The actual concept was just serendipitously thought of while brainstorming for my card. [See his Flickr page for more images of the card.]

Have you actually used these business cards and how did that go down?
I have given out close to a 1,000 cards now. Luckily, 99% of the people I give it to love them! I am shocked by the amount of press my card received on blogs online. I never anticipated nearly the response online or in person that these cards generate. Most of the time when I hand out the card the people examine it really closely, poke me out and just play with the card for a few moments. It's really funny and awkward at the same time. In a sense these people are fondling a mini-me!

Finally, what do you think makes someone stand out?
I feel like there is no cookie-cutter solution for making someone stand out (in the good sense of the word). There is a lot of luck that goes into it (especially in my case), there is a lot of hard work and usually something unique. For design, this is definitely the easiest way to stand out. Do something that has never been done and do it well. In all other facets of life there are different ways to stand out. Working harder than everyone else and producing results is one way. The easiest way to be able to stand out though is to have ambition, set hard goals and reach them. If you take action, you are doing more than 95% of the population. Do what you love, shoot for the moon, aim higher and keep pushing. Eventually persistence will take you to unexpected places!

Estudio Manus: Peixe Collection

by Phuong-Cac Nguyen

Estudio Manus' porcelain goods are hitting MoMA's Design: Brazil collection, but with keen foresight, the São Paulo duo is already making emphatic forays into other objects and furniture under the guise of its newest collection called "Peixe."

With similar irreverence as their other pieces, like a porcelain cup with ears, this time they're proving they also work well building environments and in the architectural realm. The series boasts a High Dunes table poised with a toy camel (pictured above), lamps with bulbs blossoming as if electrified (pictured at right) and stools with bulbs on their undersides.

They're also using materials including wood and brass, but just for safe measure, they've kept a few trademark porcelain pieces.

You don't quite need to understand what's going on when you see Estudio Manus' work; the idea is to accept it. It's a bit Dadaist, a little weird, but altogether interesting, fresh and always desirable.