10/13/08

As far as art sites go, nothing can top this virtual village which connects users through their love of art and design. Artlog has created a unique and accessible community in which discovery is unrestrained and super simplified. Silent statements from manipulated subway ads are too powerful to be limited just to the patrons of certain stations. Why should delightfully obscure galleries be limited to insiders and Billyburg locals?

Organized and clean, the site is decidedly simplistic, redirecting the attention to the content. Artlog displays event listings including “The Upcoming Picks” section and profiles current happenings with Map Guides that make exploring nearly idiot-proof. Powered by the community, there are no restrictions or costs to the art you can share.

You can nourish your social network by connecting to thousands of artists, insiders, and fellow enthusiasts. Use the site for your own selfish arty indulgences. But if you see something, say something! As Artlog proves, art was never meant to be exclusive.

Posted by Ally Marie Rotondo

10/8/08

We’re always trying to broaden our scope here at LoftLife, and that means often looking outside the country’s borders. So when we found out about Central de Arquitectura, a Mexican architecture firm, and their highly conceptual buildings that range from impressive hotels to urban lofts, we had to show and tell about them to the web world.

Central de Arquitectura, a ten year old firm, was founded by Jose Sanchez and Moises Isón and has since become known throughout their country for their unique innovation. With buildings located all over Mexico, the firm has already caught the eye of Travel and Leisure with an award in 2005 for “Best Small Hotels.” To date, Central de Arquitectura has built 15 loft and condo buildings and two hotels and has another major project under way, Naos Baja, a luxury 20-story retreat located on the Riveria Baja oceanfront complete with 320 residences and scheduled to be finished for January ‘09.

The firm gives a breath of fresh air in a country that tends to be overlooked amongst other, richer countries in the design world, but Central de Arquitectura shows there’s modern commercial and residential buildings flourishing everywhere in the world. Stay tuned to the web for future posts that include a Q&A with the founders, as well as a specific post on their loft units. For the mean time, here’s some pictures to give you an idea of their caliber that just keeps building upon itself (pun intended).

A view of “Eugenio Sue” one of Central de Arquitectura’s loft communities.

“Magia Playa” consists of 52 condos that allow any resident to see the Mayan Riviera from any point in their condo.

A modern take for making a glass facade stand out in this Central de Arquitectura project.

Another loft building, “Nueva Imagen” uses windows to define its structure.

Posted by Kyra Shapurji

10/7/08
In honor of the most exciting election in recent US history, we decided to round-up some of the partisan paraphernalia out there. This race has not only raised eyebrows in the political arena, but has also inspired a burst of creativity in the design world. Throw an election party and get into the spirit!

[image above, clockwise from top left: Jonathan Adler's Donkey Bank $78.00, Jonathan Adler's Elephant Bank $78.00, The Monogram Shop's Plastic McCain Cup $3.00 each, Obama and McCain modern clocks $32.99 each, Vote soap $15.00 for set of 2]

I find one of the trickiest things about large interior spaces is how to break them down into small, functional areas while maintaining the airy, open feel of a loft. What’s the best way to have some privacy while you browse through your email at your desk while your boyfriend watches the game with surround-sound across the room? How do you close off your sleeping area for privacy without turning into a cave?

If theses are questions that you have had yourself, good news: turns out that there are as many options in room dividers as there are ways to divide up the room.

The screen pictured above is called the Nomad System, and is made of recycled, double-walled cardboard that comes in six organic colors. You can find it at Branch Home, the place to get “Sustainable Designs for Living”, for a mere $56.

IKEA offers affordable room dividers in natural textures like the white rattan AGENT divider or the the undulating bamboo HUTLET divider for under $50.

Or, break up your space with the EXPEDIT media center and leave some of the backless shelves open for a long view into the rest of the room. West Elm offers some similar shelving options with a more angular approach.

If you have a bigger budget and want a more unique look, try Plush Pod for brightly colored lacquer dividers, hanging curtains that will catch a breeze or the unique and (literally!) flexible soft wall in white, that offers privacy and texture, without sacrificing your natural light.

And, if you could use some color and drama, even? Check out what Dan Bleier Studios and Mebel Furniture has to offer.  I love the geometric, 70’s vibe to this screen, and the horizontal stripes are sure to elongate any room:

Posted by Deirdre Zahl

10/6/08
Come celebrate the release of LoftLife’s second issue, which features Gibril Wilson’s newly renovated midtown condo.
When: Friday, October 10th
Where: AQUA
Address: 20 Tenth Street, 6th Floor
When: 7:00 – 10:00 PM

All are welcome! Tell your friends.