Casa Sebastian Is a Relaxing Pad Surrounded by Nature in the Yucatán Peninsula

Located in Chuburna, Mexico, in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, Casa Sebastian is a retreat for a couple looking for rest and relaxation amongst nature. The front of the house, designed by Workshop, features a wide pathway full of vegetation and a wall of lattice that welcomes visitors to the property. Behind the entry, the home opens up with double balconies that overlook the lush backyard.

The lattice detail that appears at the front also makes an appearance in the back and around the sides of the house. It’s used as railing on the second floor balcony and around the perimeter of the roof. Behind that rooftop lattice is a rooftop terrace which houses a steel and bamboo structure for hammock relaxation and sun protection.

The ground floor acts as the social area of the home with a kitchen and living room that extends out to the covered terrace through a large sliding glass door.

Materials like the tiles used in the kitchen, bathrooms, and staircase, the stone in the courtyard, and the blue pool resin are all decorative materials native to the region.

The ground floor also houses a guest bedroom, while the 2nd floor features the master bedroom and bathroom.

Photos by Tamara Uribe.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/casa-sebastian-is-a-relaxing-pad-surrounded-by-nature-in-the-yucatan-peninsula/

2018 Gift Guide: Kids

Finding modern gifts for kids takes a little bit of looking if you’re trying to find something that doesn’t come in primary colors, saccharine phrases, or overly gendered patterns. However, once you start finding design-conscious brands or shops that curate a plethora of modern toys and apparel, it can be hard to ever go back to a mall to shop for kids! Below, we rounded up 10 gift ideas for the modern baby/kid that we think parents would love as well.

Hanno the Gorilla Figurine by Areaware \\\ $100
I’m a fan of wooden toys because they allow for imaginative free play. Areaware makes some of the best wooden toys including building block sets and figurines that will stimulate your child’s imagination.

Elora Little Quilt by Louise Gray \\\ $225
We’ve been a fan of Louise Gray’s quilted designs and I’m so glad she also makes smaller items for kids and infants. This smaller version of her signature throw quilt can be used as wall decor or to cozy up with your little one.

Stripes Playsuit by Meme Kidswear \\\ $40
Meme Kidswear gives kids and design-conscious parents a break from all the primary colors with their line of monochromatic apparel. How cute is this modern stripes playsuit?

Wooden ABC Animal Letter Set \\\ $60
If you’re in the US, Design Life Kids has one of the best well-curated shop for toys, furniture, decor and apparel for the modern kid and are always adding new-to-me brands that are designing the coolest things for children, like these wooden letters by Dutch brand Petit Monkey that makes learning the alphabet fun.

Tahoe Dress by Winter Water Factory \\\ $59
Made in the US, Winter Water Factory’s line of baby, kids, and women apparel have a certain Marimekko-esque aesthetic to them with their fun, graphic prints. I especially love this Tahoe dress for its simple design and cheerful yellow print.

Pacifier Clip by Loulou Lollipop \\\ $15
Never worry about losing your baby’s pacifier with these silicone pacifier clips made with food grade silicone beads. They easily attach to clothes, blankets or strollers and are free from toxic chemicals.

Socks by Tchutcha \\\ $13
These organic cotton socks by newly launched Tchutcha add such a sweet pop of color and pattern to baby’s little limbs that you won’t mind the small hassle of putting them on every 10 minutes. ;)

Eames Elephant by Charles and Ray Eames, produced by Vitra \\\ $105
An iconic favorite for design aficionados, the Eames Elephant adds an element of whimsy in any kid’s room and will for sure be a family heirloom to pass down for generations.

My First Shapes with Frank Llloyd Wright Board Book from Mudpuppy \\\ $17
Help your little one learn their basic shapes with this colorful book that focuses on the circle, square, or triangle. Who knows – maybe they’ll one day be the next Frank Lloyd Wright!

Baby Clothes from COS \\\ From $7
COS’ first ever baby collection is here to the delight of minimalist parents! The line of simple, organic apparel in neutral colors and prints makes you want to buy every single piece.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/2018-gift-guide-kids/

Rivian R1T Pickup Electrifies the Los Angeles Auto Show

With trucks and SUVs now accounting for 67% of domestic auto sales in the United States, it’s an understatement to say Americans love their larger vehicles. But while the SUV and crossover segment is already transitioning toward an EV future, especially in the luxury category, the pickup truck market tends to be averse to any major change. The average truck buyer values durability, towing capacity, and a subjective element of badassery associated with truck ownership; traditionally, off the line speed and fuel efficiency are distant concerns, modern design even less valued. That might soon change if the Rivian R1T concept is any indicator where the future of pickup trucks might be heading.

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past Monday night accompanied with a spark of celebrity fanfare, Rivian’s R1T electric pickup truck is following the disruptive footsteps of Tesla with promises of delivering insane  – or ludicrous, if you please – performance (0-60 in 3 seconds) corresponding with an equally impressive 400 mile range and the quiet efficiency of an electric vehicle. For comparison’s sake, the ferocious and beefier Ford F-150 Raptor does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds.

The R1T’s sleek body sits atop of a skateboard platform housing the truck’s battery pack, drive units, suspension, braking and thermal system, with a low center of gravity stature that should provide a more stable, car-like ride for daily duties, but with enough clearance for off-road adventuring (doubtful truck traditionalists should note the bottom is clad protected). That said, the R1T was engineered with its truck spirit intact, capable of producing 3,500 Nm of grounded torque per wheel, with a total tow rating of 11,000 pounds, ready to pull a modern travel trailer for some serious glamping adventures.

The R1T’s fast charges at rates of up to 160kW, resulting in approximately 200 miles of range in about 30 minutes.

Beyond technologies the R1T’s skateboard platform architecture permits all sorts of unique features not found in any other truck. A Gear Tunnel offers a passage below the and through cab, offering storage for longer items like snowboards, camping gear, or sports equipment.

Note how the Gear Tunnel doors become steps for aiding in loading the truck’s bed.

Without a traditional large gas engine, the R1T is equipped with a frunk – front trunk.

An array of sensors including a camera, lidar, radar, ultrasonic and a high precision GPS coupled with high definition maps all combine to offer “Level 3” (hands-off wheel and eyes off road) autonomous highway driving. You’ll still have to keep your hands on the wheel while off-roading.

Although the exterior of the vehicle is what first attracts you, the interior is where you spend the most of your time, so we really focused on creating a transformational space…we looked outside the automotive industry and took inspiration from contemporary furniture, as well as hiking and outdoor gear, to drive the design.

– Jeff Hammoud, VP of Vehicle Design

Inside, driver and passengers have an array of displays to keep them informed or occupied: 15.6-inch touch screen in the center with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster in front of the driver, and a 6.8-inch touch screen in the rear.

As a midsize truck owner who loves the utility and spirit of their traditional gas powered 4×4 vehicle, we’re still pleased to see a startup like Rivian shake up the segment with numerous features and technologies accelerating toward the future, rather than holding onto the past. Only time will tell whether Rivian will meet its goal of selling R1Ts in the tens of thousands annually, beginning in late 2020 with a starting price of $61,500 after Federal Tax credit.

If the Tesla comparisons weren’t evident already, Rivian is now accepting preorders for the R1T for a refundable deposit of $1,000 just like the Model 3.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/rivian-r1t-electrifies-los-angeles-auto-show/

2018 Gift Guide: Travel

Whether you’re going away for the weekend, heading on a flight out of the country, or taking a staycation in nature, there are always little ways to make traveling somewhat easier, more enjoyable, or that much more efficient. I truly believe packing is half the battle and half the joy of traveling – it marks the exciting start of your next trip, which can be anxiety-inducing if you don’t have everything you need! While these next 10 gift ideas aren’t mandatory must-haves, they’re perfect for anyone in your life who might have an adventure coming up, whether they have a perpetual case of wanderlust or just like to travel once a year.

Take My Picture Tee by Keep Exploring \\\ $25
For the person in your life who would rather stay in a tent than in a hotel, or would rather star gaze than do spa days, this t-shirt probably explains their travel mantra perfectly.

Clarity Travel Pouches & Bags by Truffle \\\ From $40
There’s a reason why Truffle’s products sell out. Their eco- and TSA-friendly bags help make your in-transit moments easier since you can see your belongings. There are enough things to worry about when traveling – making sure you packed everything you need shouldn’t be one of them!

Personalized Leather Travel Wallet with Charger by Stow \\\ $280
Identification and staying charged: these are my two utmost important priorities when on the go. This travel wallet is big enough to store your passport and travel documents, as well as your phone, e-reader or the included Stow charger.

Bordeaux Leather Duffle by Age Carriers \\\ $440
For weekend getaways, this leather duffle hand-crafted in California is a stylish option that will gain a beautiful patina over time.

Ovi Trolley by Mima \\\ $150
If your kids insist on pushing their own luggage, let them push away with this minimalist, egg-shaped luggage that features a leatherette cover for easy maintenance.

Travel Steamer by Rowenta \\\ $45
Yes, packing clothes that are wrinkle resistant is indeed smart packing but why limit yourself to such a wardrobe when traveling? While it may not look super sleek, this Rowenta travel steamer is reliable, heats up fast, and only weighs 1.6 lbs. – well worth the space in your carry-on if it means expanding your wardrobe option, in my opinion!

Backpack by Away \\\ $195
By now you’ve probably heard me wax poetic about my Away luggages. They’ve since expanded their line to include travel-friendly bags including this backpack that has two features I love: a hidden pocket on the back for your passport (aka your most important essential) and a strap to easily slide over the handle of your luggage (unlike other bags that inevitably always need readjusting as you’re pushing your suitcase through the airport).

Headphones by Kreafunk \\\ From $45
Whether you prefer earphones or headphones, some sort of listening accessory to tune out the dull hum of the plane or an excuse to halt the conversation with your chatty seat mate is a must. I’m a fan of Danish lifestyle brand Kreafunk for their minimalist and streamlined designs.

Reversible Ostrich Travel Pillow by Ali Ganjavian and Key Kawamura \\\ $40
Travel pillows are meant to look a little bulky, I suppose, because they’re supposed to be supportive yet plush so that you can get some extra z’s on the plane. This travel pillow is a slimmer alternative that can be used as an eye mask/head pillow or a neck support if you’re in the dreaded middle seat. The silicone micro-beads block light, offer structure, and reduce sound, making your flight a little bit more enjoyable no matter which seat you’re in.

City Guides by Cereal Magazine \\\ $16
If you’re traveling to London, Paris or New York, Cereal published three city guides this year that will take you on a road less traveled. These beautifully shot guidebooks focus on a thoughtful, well-curated way to experience each city.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/2018-gift-guide-travel/

Friday Five with Takashi Yanai

Takashi Yanai, FAIA is the “Y” in EYRC Architects, representing one of four partners heading up the award-winning, Los Angeles-based architecture firm. He’s been the Residential Studio Director since 2004 spearheading their single-family residence projects with his keen eye and masterful way of bringing about the relationship between man and nature through architecture. He has an ability to effortlessly infuse elements of Japanese design into that indoor/outdoor, California modern aesthetic. resulting in dream-worthy homes you’ll wish you owned. Before practicing architecture, Yanai worked in Tokyo as an editor at GA Houses where he embraced the perk of interacting with some of the best residential architects in the world. Currently, along with lecturing around the world, he’s a visiting lecturer at the USC School of Architecture, is on the A+D Museum’s Board of Directors, and keeps active in the AIA Committee of Design. When he’s not designing houses, he travels, loves photography, and keeps up a visually stunning and extremely popular Instagram account – @t_yanai. Now it’s time to see what he’s chosen to share in this week’s Friday Five.

1. The tea ceremony
There is something to be a said for a slow deliberate ceremony that is all about human interaction. My grandmother practiced and taught the tea ceremony and so what I know began with her and her tea house in Chigasaki, not far from my hometown of Tokyo. What I love about the tea ceremony is that it brings together so many things that are of particular importance to me. There is a garden aspect, an architecture aspect, an art aspect. It is about food and drink. But most importantly it is about how the focused, deliberate concentration on these things together provides a vehicle for what it means to be human, amidst nature and among other humans.

2. Photobooks
Photography was actually an alternate career for me. Before practicing architecture I studied literature and was an editor for prominent design magazine. In the end, I’m a visual person and photography is visual poetry. Especially today, photography has become a medium that speaks so broadly to people. When I seek out other creative people, it is often photographers that I enjoy meeting the most. Photobooks bring my personal creative passions together in an under appreciated medium. A photograph can be such a powerful summary statement of so many things that can’t necessarily be put into words. And photos compiled and presented in a photobook, just like how a great recording album is a sum greater than the songs, expresses something greater than can be expressed in a single photograph. Some favorites include Robert Frank’s The Americans, Takashi Homma’s Tokyo Suburbia, and Daido Moriyama’s Farewell Photography.

3. Common Projects sneakers
When it comes to my wardrobe I’ve been accused of not liking color. This isn’t true at all. For instance, I love black. And dark black. White, is a very very light black. I like to keep things basic and simple. Or as I prefer to say, essential. For instance my favorite shoe is a basic black low-top sneaker by Common Projects. I’ve been wearing out pairs of their classic Achilles Low in black for the last ten years. It is part of my architect’s uniform. Beat up and casual on a weekend with my kids or clean and scuff free at a museum board meeting. Kudos to the designers for having created an essential sneaker that would make any minimalist proud.

4. Landscape design
The further I get in my architectural design career the more I appreciate how important landscape design is in the totality of the designed environment. My work is so much about the relationship between inside and outside, about blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior space. I also love collaborating with talented landscape architects and designers. I don’t see how a house in particular can be successful without beautiful and considerate landscaping. Ironically, on weekends I find myself preoccupied with my garden rather than the house.

Enoura Observatory

5. Hiroshi Sugimoto
Along with Donald Judd and Isamu Noguchi, I’m a superfan of the obsessive compulsive art of Hiroshi Sugimoto that is all about the metaphysical contemplation of time and space. Beginning with the contemplative stillness of his Seascapes to the distilled blurry essence of masterpieces in his Architecture series, his photographs are sublime. Sugimoto has expanded his genius way beyond photography and has taken on sculpture, interiors and most recently architecture. A year ago, I would have suggested Naoshima Island in Japan to be the perfect place to take in his art, but today I recommend people make a pilgrimage to his newly opened Enoura Observatory in Odawara. There, Sugimoto has managed to bring together all facets of his blue-chip creative genius. Best of all he does it all with a dash of irony and snarky humor.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/friday-five-with-takashi-yanai/

I Spy Boråstapeter – Scandinavian Designer Wallpaper

Most of us have a Pinterest board or two dedicated to Scandinavian inspired homes. You do don’t you? And most of those homes will be light and open spaces with white walls, pale wood and a clean aesthetic. But (and you might already know this), Scandinavian designers do and have done pattern down the ages too. Boråstapeter Scandinavian Designers 11 collection is a timeless collection of designs that typifies Scandinavian wallpaper design. Our Nordic cousins are well known for filling their interior spaces with things inspired by nature (wouldn’t you if you were confined to the indoors for months at a time?) and their pattern designs are no different. All of the patterns in this collection have a natural, colourful and imaginative touch that make them a perfect compliment to the understated, classic and contemporary Scandinavian interior decor scheme.

Berså

Berså is a rhythmical design of stylized leaves loved by the Swedish. First used on Stig Lindberg’s popular chinaware in the 1960’s and considered an iconic design in Swedish homes. On the wall, Berså has a clean, retro feel,with a fresh bold look that would work really well for many rooms in the home. As well as adding a pop of colour and Scandi style.

Aurora

Aurora wallpaper is a Lisbet Job design. Grand, bold, and yet supremely elegant. A floral wallpaper with cow parsnip and natural meadow flowers against a dark backdrop which makes the colours pop off your walls. It was originally designed in 1956, but still works beautifully in modern homes and for anyone with a love of nature.

Arne

This Arne patterned wallpaper features a dainty, undulating design featuring small triangles and semi circles which form a braided pattern. It exudes a cosy and subtle pattern to any interior design decor and will work in many styles of home with it’s soft graphics and subtle hues.

Poème D’ Amour

This pattern was first displayed and exhibited in 1947, and was then made into a dress for managing director, Astrid Sampe . It’s a playful design on a soft pastel background and will create a soft and dreamy back drop to your interior decor with it’s gentle beauty and restful feel.

Rabarber

Rabarber was designed by Gocken Jobs and is a lush, rich pattern in deep bold colours. It features gorgeous frilly rhubarb, dew cup, dainty viola, monkshood and ferns, and is one of her most loved designs. A rich array of colours, shapes and flora is the perfect way to bring our love of flowers and nature indoors, and to adorn our walls with a burst of glorious plants.

About Boråstapeter

Nature is a never-ending source of inspiration for Boråstapeter. That’s why they have a genuine concern for the environment. The state-of-the-art factory outside the Swedish town of Borås is their production centre, where old-fashioned printing methods live alongside new and efficient manufacturing processes. They only use water-based dyes and adhesives and the paper they use as raw material is sourced from one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly paper mills with a re-planting programme.

Boråstapeter wallpapers are available in the UK via Cloudberry Living.

 

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The post I Spy Boråstapeter – Scandinavian Designer Wallpaper appeared first on Dear Designer.

from Dear Designer https://deardesigner.co.uk/i-spy-borastapeter-scandinavian-designer-wallpaper/

Christmas Gifts for the Urban Jungle Lover

There’s nothing nicer than giving and receiving gifts that are personal. We all know someone who loves to create an urban jungle in their home and it’s a trend that’s just growing and growing (pardon the pun). And even those of us who like the look but don’t have a one green finger out of ten (or is that 8), there’s no excuse. Ignore the copper plant mister in the gift suggestions below – it’s just for decorative purposes – because all of these beauties are faux. And better still, you don’t have to struggle to keep them alive until Christmas day.

This post does contain affiliate links. If you decide to buy anything featured you won’t pay any more, but Dear Designer’s will receive a small commission to help keep this blog up and running.

 

Where to Buy

Artificial Mixed Succulent Trough / Mist Sprayer / Orla Kiely Large Ceramic Hanging Pot / Industrial Iron Shelf & Hooks / Artificial Lemon Tree / Artificial Ficus Tree / Succulent in Glass Lantern with Handle / Trio of Concrete Plant Pots / Individual Clay Pots In Metal Hanger / Potted Artificial Trailing String of Nickels Plant / Bloomingville Flora Terrarium Gold Pendant Lamp / Faux Monstera Cheese Plant Leaf / 3 Artificial Green Amaranthus Sprays / Succulent in Gold Pot / Extra Large Vence Planter / Rustic Wooden Plant Stand / Tall Monstera Plant.

 

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The post Christmas Gifts for the Urban Jungle Lover appeared first on Dear Designer.

from Dear Designer https://deardesigner.co.uk/christmas-gifts-for-the-urban-jungle-lover/

Design Milk Travels to… The Sea Ranch

Unsurprisingly, when it comes to Design Milk’s catalog of travel guides, our sights have veered toward urban design capitals around the globe. That creativity, commerce, and culture tends to congregate in cities offers no surprises to the global citizenry of design. But there’s a particular wilder section of Northern California, just a 100 miles north of San Francisco, we believe worthy of the venture – The Sea Ranch – a time capsule community stretching across 10 miles of pristine California coast. Representing a stunning confluence where California’s forest meets its mercurial partner of the Pacific, The Sea Ranch is an elemental experience, one affording those with an ardor for modernist architecture to witness how designers and the elements can work cooperatively toward modernity and sustainability.

Photo: Gregory Han

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WHERE TO STAY

Barbara Stauffacher’s iconic ram’s horn logo for The Sea Ranch Lodge. Photo: The Sea Ranch Lodge

Our introductory accommodations to this ragged and rugged section of the Sonoma coast was offered by the Sea Ranch Lodge. We stayed in one of the nineteen rooms, each offering occupants a mesmerizing view of the turgid ocean (the best rooms also presenting a view of the surrounding fields that take on a golden hue as the native grasses dry).

There’s a feeling the Lodge is quietly awaiting its next chapter, ripe for a renovation and a refresh to welcome another generation into its weather worn comforts.

Room numbers painted in supergraphic proportions. Photos: Gregory Han

Photo: Sea Ranch Lodge

Note, the Sea Ranch Lodge is closed for the winter, but reopens this spring in March 2019. According to the general manager, the property will now follow a seasonal schedule – a reasonable decision considering winters here can thin out the population.

Photo: Gregory Han

The Timber Cove Resort is only half an hour drive down from The Sea Ranch, but somehow the property feels a world apart from The Sea Ranch. Tamed, but not sedate, the resort is an attractive boutique alternative for guests who aren’t yet ready for the full Sea Ranch experience.

The Timber Cove Resort’s main lodge and rooms imagined by husband and wife design duo, Cortney and Robert Novogratz, are done up in a contemporary interpretation of cabin-coastal architecture. Photos: Timber Cove Resort’

Even if you’re not staying at Timber Cove Resort, it offers a great daytime drive destination, with a short hike along the hotel’s wind-worn sandstone perimeter overlooking the ocean offering plenty of opportunities to fill your Instagram Stories feed, followed by a place to grab a decent bite/drink.

Architectural buffs can rent the 1968 built Hines House, designed by William Turnbull Jr. – winner of the 1970 Sunset AIA Home of the Year.

Seasoned visitors up this way often find a favorite home rental they’ll return to year after year. Vacation rentals in the area are plentiful, with many lining the coastline, but even more clinging against the backdrop of cypress and redwood trees along the surrounding hillsides. Ranging from the cozy to the grand, the multitude of listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Grand Welcome rentals reveal the seasonal nature of the community (in other words, there seems to be a lot more rentals owners than full-time residents). Availability can fluctuate through the seasons, so it’s always best to reserve far ahead of your visit to secure the most choice rental.

Photo: Gregory Han

Photos: sweetsearanch

One of our favorite home rentals in the area is a property with an arboreal personality protected from the elements – the Sweet Sea Ranch. Furnished with modern amenities and decorative details sourced from Modernica, Eric Trine, and Poketo, the house with the sweet name is a restorative salve for the soul. We spent days exploring the coastline and tossing horseshoes on the property, with impromptu nighttime strolls illuminated by the stars and moonlight before falling asleep accompanied by the relaxing relaxing percussive crash of the ocean in the distant.

Notable mentions: Moonrise \\\ Harmony House

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WHERE TO VISIT

Imagine Gandalf’s hat enlarged into architectural proportions. That was the first thought that popped into our head while walking up to The Sea Ranch Chapel, “a non-denominational sanctuary for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal” that welcomes visitors 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset.

Photos: Gregory Han

Designed by James Hubbell and completed in 1985, the structure’s whimsical exterior characterized by its sweeping shingle roof hides a tranquil and Arabesque interior decorated in stained glass and an Italian inspired floral mosaic floor. The term “craftsmanship” is often thrown around willy-nilly today, but stepping inside this wee chapel evokes a profound appreciation of the intimate care Hubbell Studio and sculptor/carpenter Bruce Johnson put into nearly every detail welcoming contemplation.

Photo by Gregory Han

The beauty of The Sea Ranch is resoundingly obvious, but its history can remain a silent mystery for first time visitors. “Who built that house?” “Why is that roof covered in sod?” “What are these flowers growing here?” Local Margaret Lindgren’s 2-hour guided walk, The Sea Ranch Architectural Tour, can offer answers to all these questions and anything more tickling your curiosity. Knowledgeable in the region’s flora, fauna, and geology in relation to the history of the architecture of Sea Ranch luminaries like Joeseph Esherick, Charles Moore, and William Turnbull, a couple of hours in the hands of this knowledgeable guide will impart a deeper and lasting appreciation where humans and nature cohabitate so gracefully.

The Ohlson Recreation Center, designed by Berkeley firm Moore Lyndon Turnball Whitaker. Photo by sweetsearanch.

The Ohlson Recreation Center is one of three activity centers situated in The Sea Ranch (the other two being the Del Mar Center and Moonraker Recreation Center, the second worthy of a visit for the Barbara Stauffacher painted supergraphics adorning the interior if you can gain entry), serving residents and rental guests accompanied with a pass. We think it’s the coolest rec center in the country (world?), and even without an entry pass, it deserves admiration for its mimicry of the interplay between the forest and the ocean.

Notable mentions: Bowling Ball Beach \\\ Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve \\\ Condominium 1

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WHERE TO SHOP

Photo: Placewares

The Sea Ranch is a secluded and small community, with the nearby town of Gualala primarily serving its residents and tourists in the dining and grocery departments. Shopping here is mostly limited to the practical, and if you’ve traveled this far it’s likely your plans for escape  the  so don’t expect to dedicate an entire day to retail therapy.

But there is one store worth dropping into for the modern design lover: Placewares. Design enthusiasts and Placewares owners. Shev Rush and Kevin Lane, have stocked the store guided by their keen eye for vintage pieces, timeless modern wares from the likes of iittala, Marimekko, Heller, Chemex, Alessi, Normann Copenhagen, Bodum, and Chilewich, alongside some choice contemporary designs.

Contemporary products like these Fruitsuper Soap + Sponge Stands sit alongside unique vintage offerings, like these 1950’s Danish woven Hanging wall rugs. Photos: Placewares.

Placewares also hosts an adjoining art gallery, one extending their spotlight beyond local talent and toward artists, designers, and craftspeople spanning the entire Golden State. The store hints of the next chapter of The Sea Ranch, one honoring the region’s storied artistic, craft, design, and architectural past, but also looking toward a future inviting new figures inspired by the locale.

Wooden Bottles by San Francisco woodworker, Duncan Oja at Placewares Gallery. Photo: Placewares

Notable mentions: Twofish Baking \\\ Red Stella \\\ Bowling Ball Beach

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Despite its utopian architectural legacy, The Sea Ranch has remained a mostly under-the-radar destination thus far. Attribute that to its distance from most major cities and the somewhat arduous, though scenic, drive required to get there. And maybe that has been for the best, preserving much of the peaceful respite the locale offers both locals and the few visiting modernist design pilgrims.

Photo: Gregory Han

That might all change after the upcoming SFMOMA exhibition set to open on December 22, 2018. The Sea Ranch: Architecture, Environment, and Idealism will feature the works of architects, landscape architects and graphic designers like Charles Moore, Joseph Esherick, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, William Turnbull, Lawrence Halprin, and Al Boeke, complete with a full-scale architectural replica.

The Sea Ranch will imprint memories everywhere your gaze falls. Photo: Gregory Han

If you’ve traveled to The Sea Ranch and have any favorite spots or  recommendations for first time visitors, let us know below so we can share (and also check it out ourselves the next time we’re up there).

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/design-milk-travels-sea-ranch/